chicagosun-times--2020-03-19--Sheltering in place — 5 tips for spring cleaning this year

It ’ s just like Mary Poppins tells us : “ In every job that must be done , there is an element of fun .
You find the fun and – snap !
– the job ’ s a game.
” OK , so maybe it would take more than a spoonful of sugar to entice you to scrub your toilet bowl .
But these five tips should help make spring cleaning tasks in the time of coronavirus quarantines less dread-inducing and more of a piece of cake .
You ( and maybe your family or roommates ) are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – might as well do something rewarding with all that time .
1 .
Take advantage of having more time on your hands Getting started with an annual cleaning project can be daunting : Where do you even start ?
Fear not , fellow procrastinators .
Melissa Maker , the founder of Canadian-based housekeeping service Clean My Space and author of “ Clean My Space : The Secret to Cleaning Better , Faster – And Loving Your Home Every Day , ” has some suggestions on how to get up and moving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ position right now where you don ’ t have to worry about getting it all done and running out and taking care of the other things you generally have going on , ” Maker says .
“ This really is kind of a rare and unique opportunity to really take your time with things and spread it out ... ( Feel ) encouraged by the fact that you do have the time , so you can take on some of those projects you would otherwise shun for more exciting things.
” • Wash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one to get the kids to help with ) .
• Clean out closets , cupboards and the pantry .
• Deep-clean appliances and under the kitchen and bathroom sinks .
Start with a wish list of all the things at home you want to scrub , wash or tidy up .
Then go from there , Maker recommends .
You ’ ll figure out what ’ s feasible later , but for now , shoot for the moon .
“ I try not to clean the whole house at once , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
” I find that a cleaning routine that spreads the work out over the day , week or month is much more productive and keeps the house clean most of the time versus having to do a full house clean on the weekend , when you can ’ t stand it anymore or when someone is coming over.
” Coming up with a calendar for different tasks might also help make things less daunting .
Rapinchuk recommends starting by wiping counters , vacuuming , running a few loads of laundry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once that ’ s taken care of , she likes splitting different chores into different days : • Friday : Catch up on anything from the previous days you didn ’ t get to .
3 .
Channel your inner Marie Kondo ( and have the kids join you ) Does that old knickknack still spark joy ?
As organizer extraordinaire and Netflix star Marie Kondo recommends , go through your belongings ( be it the contents of your closet , junk drawers or basement storage ) : If the item you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy , it ’ s time to say goodbye .
Kondo previously told USA TODAY that this process is great to tackle with your kids ( and a particularly good idea if you ’ re hanging out with them at home under quarantine ) .
“ Some parents do say , ‘ My children love everything , so they can ’ t really let go of anything.
’ But actually you ’ d be surprised , ” Kondo says .
” You ’ d be surprised to see how much ( a child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things after she sees a pile of things.
” And items don ’ t have to be falling apart to warrant getting rid of them – things still in good shape can be sold or donated to a thrift store .
Let someone else enjoy your treasures if you don ’ t have a real purpose for them anymore .
Even if you ’ re out of some household cleansers , you most likely have the right substitutes on hand .
For a DIY disinfectant , Maker combines one cup of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optional : about 20 to 30 drops of lavender or tea tree essential oils to increase antibacterial properties ) .
For window washing , a mix of equal parts vinegar and dish soap works as well as commercial glass cleaners .
Not only does it remove dirt and grease , but it kills odors and doesn ’ t leave streaks .
5 .
Don ’ t forget your before and after pictures Nothing like the idea of a good before and after comparison to push you to get results .
Snapping a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweeter when you get to the final , sparkling end .
Even better : Text the before shot to a friend or family member for added accountability .
Or make a TikTok out of it , if you ’ re feeling hip .
One trend that the social media app ’ s users are putting their own spin on : Take video a messy room , then throw what ’ s supposed to be an explosive ( TikTokers get creative , using anything from a bottle of perfume to a tennis ball to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door just as an explosion sound effect goes off , then re-open the door to find a newly spotless room .
Cleaning may not be quite that easy IRL , but it does bring in that element of fun .

It’s just like Mary Poppins tells us: “In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and – snap! – the job’s a game.”
OK, so maybe it would take more than a spoonful of sugar to entice you to scrub your toilet bowl. But these five tips should help make spring cleaning tasks in the time of coronavirus quarantines less dread-inducing and more of a piece of cake. You (and maybe your family or roommates) are at home more than usual right now – might as well do something rewarding with all that time.
1. Take advantage of having more time on your hands
Getting started with an annual cleaning project can be daunting: Where do you even start?
Fear not, fellow procrastinators. Melissa Maker, the founder of Canadian-based housekeeping service Clean My Space and author of “Clean My Space: The Secret to Cleaning Better, Faster – And Loving Your Home Every Day,” has some suggestions on how to get up and moving.
“We’re in the unique position right now where you don’t have to worry about getting it all done and running out and taking care of the other things you generally have going on,” Maker says. “This really is kind of a rare and unique opportunity to really take your time with things and spread it out ... (Feel) encouraged by the fact that you do have the time, so you can take on some of those projects you would otherwise shun for more exciting things.”
Here’s the order Maker suggests:
Sweep the patio, walkways, clean light fixtures and patio furniture.
Wash interior windows (this is a good one to get the kids to help with).
Clean out closets, cupboards and the pantry.
Change filters, check furnace, carbon monoxide and smoke detector systems.
Deep-clean appliances and under the kitchen and bathroom sinks.
Washing windows is one of many spring cleaning tasks that can be done while sheltering in place. stock.adobe.com
2. Make a to-do list, then divide and conquer
Start with a wish list of all the things at home you want to scrub, wash or tidy up. Then go from there, Maker recommends. You’ll figure out what’s feasible later, but for now, shoot for the moon.
“I try not to clean the whole house at once,” author and Clean Mama blogger Becky Rapinchuk says. ”I find that a cleaning routine that spreads the work out over the day, week or month is much more productive and keeps the house clean most of the time versus having to do a full house clean on the weekend, when you can’t stand it anymore or when someone is coming over.”
Coming up with a calendar for different tasks might also help make things less daunting. Rapinchuk recommends starting by wiping counters, vacuuming, running a few loads of laundry, putting away clutter and making beds. Once that’s taken care of, she likes splitting different chores into different days:
Monday: Bathroom day.
Bathroom day. Tuesday: Dusting day.
Dusting day. Wednesday: Vacuuming day.
Vacuuming day. Thursday: Floor washing day.
Floor washing day. Friday: Catch up on anything from the previous days you didn’t get to.
Catch up on anything from the previous days you didn’t get to. Saturday: Sheets and towels day.
Sheets and towels day. Sunday: Upkeep those basic starter tasks.
Get the kids involved in organizing their closets and drawers or simply folding clothes. stock.adobe.com
3. Channel your inner Marie Kondo (and have the kids join you)
Does that old knickknack still spark joy?
As organizer extraordinaire and Netflix star Marie Kondo recommends, go through your belongings (be it the contents of your closet, junk drawers or basement storage): If the item you’re holding doesn’t make you happy, it’s time to say goodbye.
Kondo previously told USA TODAY that this process is great to tackle with your kids (and a particularly good idea if you’re hanging out with them at home under quarantine).
“Some parents do say, ‘My children love everything, so they can’t really let go of anything.’ But actually you’d be surprised,” Kondo says. ”You’d be surprised to see how much (a child) would be able to let go of things after she sees a pile of things.”
And items don’t have to be falling apart to warrant getting rid of them – things still in good shape can be sold or donated to a thrift store. Let someone else enjoy your treasures if you don’t have a real purpose for them anymore.
You can make your own household cleaners in a pinch. stock.adobe.com
4. Short on cleaning products? No problem
Even if you’re out of some household cleansers, you most likely have the right substitutes on hand.
For a DIY disinfectant, Maker combines one cup of water with one cup of rubbing alcohol (optional: about 20 to 30 drops of lavender or tea tree essential oils to increase antibacterial properties). For window washing, a mix of equal parts vinegar and dish soap works as well as commercial glass cleaners. Not only does it remove dirt and grease, but it kills odors and doesn’t leave streaks.
5. Don’t forget your before and after pictures
Nothing like the idea of a good before and after comparison to push you to get results. Snapping a few clutter-filled shots will make it all the sweeter when you get to the final, sparkling end. Even better: Text the before shot to a friend or family member for added accountability.
Or make a TikTok out of it, if you’re feeling hip. One trend that the social media app’s users are putting their own spin on: Take video a messy room, then throw what’s supposed to be an explosive (TikTokers get creative, using anything from a bottle of perfume to a tennis ball to a single shoe). Close the door just as an explosion sound effect goes off, then re-open the door to find a newly spotless room.
Cleaning may not be quite that easy IRL, but it does bring in that element of fun.
Read more at usatoday.com


chicagosun-times--2020-03-19--Illinois’ Brad Underwood on wiping the tears, flattening the curve and trying to move on

Brad Underwood was cleaning out a closet Wednesday afternoon when the phone rang .
It was a heck of an exciting day at the Underwood residence in Champaign .
He ’ d already gone through all the bathroom medicine cabinets .
What would be next , rearranging sock drawers ?
“ I ’ m waiting for the weather to clear so I can do the garage , ” he said .
“ Everything else is being [ thrown ] out or taken to Goodwill.
” Instead of leading Illinois into the NCAA Tournament , the third-year coach was taking spring-cleaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be heard in the background .
“ There you go , ” Underwood , 56 , said with a laugh .
“ She just added to the list.
” A week after using the words “ crushing , ” “ devastating ” and “ sick feeling ” to describe missing out on the postseason as the sports world went dark due to the coronavirus pandemic , Underwood is at least taking advantage of some family time .
He ’ s doing a 1,000-piece puzzle — of a beach scene at sunset , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with daughter Ashley .
He ’ s binge-watching the HBO series “ Succession ” or trying the best he can , anyway , to sit through entire episodes with whoever else is watching .
He ’ s taking long walks for exercise and sensing an oncoming hankering for golf .
“ I heard an expert on coronavirus say golf ’ s still OK to play if you wear two gloves , don ’ t share a cart , don ’ t pull the flags out , ” he said .
“ So that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , depending on the moment .
As the Underwoods do their part to flatten the curve by hunkering down at home , the Illini ’ s grinder-by-nature coach is finding it difficult to downshift , to let go of the program ’ s breakthrough season , to stop thinking of how special the last four months were and how wonderful the ensuing few weeks might ’ ve been .
“ It ’ s really hard right now thinking about it , ” he said .
“ The ending was so abrupt .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m emotional .
I get very , very invested .
That ’ s what ’ s so hard about [ this ] ending .
That team is not going to be together again , and that ’ s what really hurts.
” The Illini were practicing at Butler ’ s Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis last Thursday , a day before their scheduled opener in the Big Ten tournament , when Underwood learned that event had been canceled .
His team was practicing so well , though , that he decided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ayo Dosunmu was locked in and dominating .
“ That practice was as good as I ’ ve ever seen Ayo play , ” Underwood said .
“ I know we had a team that was built for March , and Ayo is built for those games.
” By the time the team bus arrived back in Champaign , the entire postseason had been called off , with players receiving the news via social media .
Underwood wasn ’ t on the bus with them .
Driving his own car back from Indianapolis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was going to say to his players .
“ We [ gathered ] in our locker room and there were a lot of tears , ” he said .
“ Theirs and mine.
” Underwood isn ’ t entirely sure what to do with himself these days , though he has some ideas .
One thing he ’ s eager to do is work the phones for some much-needed commiserating with fellow coaches .
In a typical offseason , coaches pick one another ’ s brains in gyms .
In this case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be shy about reaching out .
Virginia ’ s Tony Bennett , whom he admires greatly but hasn ’ t gotten to know , is No .
1 on his list .
Baylor ’ s Scott Drew and Northwestern Missouri State ’ s Ben McCollum — winner of two of the last three Division II national titles — will be receiving calls , too , as will a handful of NBA guys .
Last time Underwood was in his office at the Illini ’ s basketball facility , he grabbed three large legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also calling donors and boosters and , you know , did we mention cleaning out closets ?
“ The most difficult thing , ” he said , “ is learning to slow down a minute and not have to be on to the next thing.
” But then he corrected himself .
“ The most difficult thing is the emotional part , ” he said .
“ But you know what I mean.
” To some degree , we all can relate .
These are discomfiting times .
In sports and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All one can do is try to put them back together .

Brad Underwood was cleaning out a closet Wednesday afternoon when the phone rang. It was a heck of an exciting day at the Underwood residence in Champaign. He had already gone through all the bathroom medicine cabinets. What would be next, rearranging sock drawers?
“I’m waiting for the weather to clear so I can do the garage,” he said. “Everything else is being [thrown] out or taken to Goodwill.”
Instead of leading Illinois into the NCAA Tournament, the third-year coach was taking spring-cleaning instructions from wife Susan, whose voice could be heard in the background.
“There you go,” Underwood, 56, said with a laugh. “She just added to the list.”
A week after using the words “crushing,” “devastating” and “sick feeling” to describe missing out on the postseason as the sports world went dark due to the coronavirus pandemic, Underwood is at least taking advantage of some family time. He’s doing a 1,000-piece puzzle — of a beach scene at sunset, a mountain rising in the background — with daughter Ashley. He’s binge-watching the HBO series “Succession,” or trying the best he can, anyway, to sit through entire episodes with whoever else is watching.
He’s taking long walks for exercise and sensing an oncoming hankering for golf.
“I heard an expert on coronavirus say golf’s still OK to play if you wear two gloves, don’t share a cart, don’t pull the flags out,” he said. “So that sounds pretty good.”
Or really sad, depending on the moment. As the Underwoods do their part to flatten the curve by hunkering down at home, the Illini’s grinder-by-nature coach is finding it difficult to downshift, to let go of the program’s breakthrough season, to stop thinking of how special the last four months were and how wonderful the ensuing few weeks might’ve been.
“It’s really hard right now thinking about it,” he said. “The ending was so abrupt. There wasn’t the final chapter.
“I’m emotional. I get very, very invested. That’s what’s so hard about [this] ending. That team is not going to be together again, and that’s what really hurts.”
The Illini were practicing at Butler’s Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis last Thursday, a day before their scheduled opener in the Big Ten tournament, when Underwood learned that event had been canceled. His team was practicing so well, though, that he decided to let them keep going. Star Ayo Dosunmu was locked in and dominating.
“That practice was as good as I’ve ever seen Ayo play,” Underwood said. “I know we had a team that was built for March, and Ayo is built for those games.”
By the time the team bus arrived back in Champaign, the entire postseason had been called off, with players receiving the news via social media. Underwood wasn’t on the bus with them. Driving his own car back from Indianapolis, he choked up thinking about what he was going to say to his players.
“We [gathered] in our locker room and there were a lot of tears,” he said. “Theirs and mine.”
Underwood isn’t entirely sure what to do with himself these days, though he has some ideas. One thing he’s eager to do is work the phones for some much-needed commiserating with fellow coaches. In a typical offseason, coaches pick one another’s brains in gyms. In this case, Underwood isn’t going to be shy about reaching out.
Virginia’s Tony Bennett, whom he admires greatly but hasn’t gotten to know, is No. 1 on his list. Baylor’s Scott Drew and Northwestern Missouri State’s Ben McCollum — winner of two of the last three Division II national titles — will be receiving calls, too, as will a handful of NBA guys. Last time Underwood was in his office at the Illini’s basketball facility, he grabbed three large legal pads for note-taking purposes.
He’s also calling donors and boosters and, you know, did we mention cleaning out closets?
“The most difficult thing,” he said, “is learning to slow down a minute and not have to be on to the next thing.”
But then he corrected himself.
“The most difficult thing is the emotional part,” he said. “But you know what I mean.”
To some degree, we all can relate. These are discomfiting times. In sports and in life, the puzzle pieces are scattered. All one can do is try to put them back together.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--Dear Abby: After party, angry man drives off on his own, stranding wife, daughters

DEAR ABBY : I coordinated and paid for a 70th birthday party for my terminally ill husband .
Fourteen people were invited , and seven of them were related to my only sister , “ Carla.
” During the dinner , her husband was rude to the waitress and at the end of the party was screaming and yelling at Carla over the valet parking ticket .
As they left the restaurant , he shoved her .
He then got in their car and left my sister and her stepdaughters ( from a previous marriage ) standing there .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
I texted her later to be sure she and the girls had arrived safely .
She said yes and told me she would talk to me the next day .
When I didn ’ t hear from her , I followed up .
The next time we talked , she acted like nothing had happened !
When I pursued the discussion and asked what prompted his strange behavior , she said , “ I don ’ t know what to tell you.
” I said , “ You don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I didn ’ t say that .
I said I don ’ t know what to tell YOU.
” After a lengthy discussion , I told her that unless we had some assurance that the incident wouldn ’ t be repeated , we didn ’ t want to see her husband again .
She said it wouldn ’ t be a problem .
I have invited her to numerous family events , and she comes solo , but now she is blaming me for “ tearing the family apart.
” What can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — IN A MESS IN CALIFORNIA DEAR IN A MESS : Your sister is apparently married to an abuser with a short fuse and has resigned herself to it .
She has my sympathy , but she should not blame you for any of it .
She could really use some help from a support group for abused partners , because things will not get better .
If you prefer not to see her horror of a husband , stand your ground and do not allow yourself to be guilted or coerced into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an apology .
DEAR ABBY : I am engaged to a wonderful , sweet , hardworking 30-year-old man .
We get along well and make each other happy .
The trouble is how he comes across to others .
He is so eager to be friends that he opens up much too quickly , revealing and venting about things like his work problems .
It makes people uncomfortable .
He has been called out on it several times by various people ( some even straight-up called him “ creepy ” ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But he falls into the same pattern the next time he meets somebody new .
This whole thing is made worse by his anxiety ; when someone calls him out on this behavior , he experiences crippling panic attacks .
They cause him to apologize profusely , which only exacerbates the problem .
He refuses to seek therapy or treatment for his anxiety .
I am at a loss about how to help him , other than listen to his troubles and offer support when I can .
What should I do ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiance may be a great guy , but unless you want to spend your life with a partner who refuses to get help for his emotional problems and doesn ’ t seem to learn from his mistakes , it may be time to step back and reevaluate this relationship .
Much as you would like to , you can ’ t fix what ’ s wrong with him .
Only he can do that .
If you marry him , the chances are you will wind up as socially isolated as he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I coordinated and paid for a 70th birthday party for my terminally ill husband. Fourteen people were invited, and seven of them were related to my only sister, “Carla.”
During the dinner, her husband was rude to the waitress and at the end of the party was screaming and yelling at Carla over the valet parking ticket. As they left the restaurant, he shoved her. He then got in their car and left my sister and her stepdaughters (from a previous marriage) standing there. They had to order a rideshare to get home.
I texted her later to be sure she and the girls had arrived safely. She said yes and told me she would talk to me the next day. When I didn’t hear from her, I followed up. The next time we talked, she acted like nothing had happened! When I pursued the discussion and asked what prompted his strange behavior, she said, “I don’t know what to tell you.” I said, “You don’t know?” and she replied, “I didn’t say that. I said I don’t know what to tell YOU.”
After a lengthy discussion, I told her that unless we had some assurance that the incident wouldn’t be repeated, we didn’t want to see her husband again. She said it wouldn’t be a problem. I have invited her to numerous family events, and she comes solo, but now she is blaming me for “tearing the family apart.” What can I do now, if anything? — IN A MESS IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR IN A MESS: Your sister is apparently married to an abuser with a short fuse and has resigned herself to it. She has my sympathy, but she should not blame you for any of it. She could really use some help from a support group for abused partners, because things will not get better. If you prefer not to see her horror of a husband, stand your ground and do not allow yourself to be guilted or coerced into it. He owes all of you an apology.
DEAR ABBY: I am engaged to a wonderful, sweet, hardworking 30-year-old man. We get along well and make each other happy. The trouble is how he comes across to others. He is so eager to be friends that he opens up much too quickly, revealing and venting about things like his work problems. It makes people uncomfortable.
He has been called out on it several times by various people (some even straight-up called him “creepy”), and he will stop for a while. But he falls into the same pattern the next time he meets somebody new. This whole thing is made worse by his anxiety; when someone calls him out on this behavior, he experiences crippling panic attacks. They cause him to apologize profusely, which only exacerbates the problem.
He refuses to seek therapy or treatment for his anxiety. I am at a loss about how to help him, other than listen to his troubles and offer support when I can. What should I do? — CHALLENGED FIANCEE
DEAR FIANCEE: Your fiance may be a great guy, but unless you want to spend your life with a partner who refuses to get help for his emotional problems and doesn’t seem to learn from his mistakes, it may be time to step back and reevaluate this relationship. Much as you would like to, you can’t fix what’s wrong with him. Only he can do that. If you marry him, the chances are you will wind up as socially isolated as he is. What a shame.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--Coronavirus’ impact on Chicago recalls the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19

Share All sharing options for : Coronavirus ’ impact on Chicago recalls the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918-19 Marine Pvt .
Edward Flood was fighting overseas in World War I , but he had to rush home to the South Side for a double funeral for his father and 19-year-old brother — both victims of the flu .
West Side resident John Wagar was a janitor , mopping up floors at the old 17th Precinct police station .
He and four police officers died of the bug within days of one another .
And up north , Lake View resident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a captain of industry who was prominent in amateur athletics and had once helped build railroads in the “ Wild West.
” He lasted less than 16 hours after he caught the flu .
After ravaging points around the globe , the Spanish influenza swept through Chicago in the autumn of 1918 — killing 8,510 people in just eight weeks .
The most deadly flu outbreak in modern history , the pandemic killed 20 million to 50 million people worldwide in 1918 and 1919 — 675,000 of them in the United States .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it hit the young and healthy the worst .
And it turned Chicago into a city under siege as officials scrambled to stop the spread of a deadly germ they knew little about .
Kissing was discouraged .
Public dancing was outlawed .
Spitting on the sidewalk became a police matter .
Events from football games to union meetings were banned .
So many people died that fall of the flu or the pneumonia it often sparked that the Chicago Daily News reported 324 city deaths in one day under a headline announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health experts are studying the Spanish influenza as they gird for the possibility that the Asian bird flu will rival its destruction .
Scientists have re-created the 1918 virus and determined that it , too , originated in birds .
But so far , the current Asian bird flu — which has killed at least 65 people in Vietnam , Cambodia , Thailand and Indonesia — seems only to travel from birds to humans .
The Spanish influenza of 1918 mutated into a form that humans could catch from one another , allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a biological brushfire .
Public health officials are hoping history does not repeat itself .
It was called the Spanish influenza , but no one is certain where it actually originated .
The unusually virulent bug first surfaced in the United States on March 11 , 1918 , at Fort Riley , Kansas , and bounced around U.S. military bases before spreading to civilians .
In the Chicago area , it first hit sailors at the Great Lakes Naval Base on Sept. 8 , 1918 .
Over the coming weeks , 4 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the base in North Chicago would die — five times the civilian death rate .
But the early headlines showed little sign of what was to come .
“ Grip Epidemic at Great Lakes Under Control , ” the Chicago Tribune announced in its Sept. 19 edition , using the then-popular term for the disease over a report on 1,000 cases of “ a mild form of influenza ” at the base .
No one believed such blissful optimism on the North Shore .
From Great Lakes , the disease spread across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to try to stop the spread of germs .
Theaters were closed in Waukegan and North Chicago in late September .
And schools and churches up and down the North Shore soon shut their doors .
In Lake Forest , police patrolled the streets , breaking up any small knots of people they found .
Military “ home guard ” troops did the same in Winnetka and Glencoe .
Country clubs were pressed into service as makeshift hospitals in Highland Park , Wilmette , Kenilworth and Hubbard Woods .
In roughly four weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease moved like a deadly cloud across the city to the south suburbs .
Schools in Hazel Crest and Homewood were closed in early October after Sister Malvilla died and two other nuns fell ill of the flu at the St. Mary Magdalene School in South Chicago .
The first death in Chicago came Sept. 21 , 1918 .
And 57 cases of the disease were reported within days .
Was the city in the grip of the epidemic ?
“ There is no cause whatever for alarm , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 18 Chicagoans had died .
One of the first was Mary O ’ Leary , 76 , a single woman who lived at 212 E. Erie .
The city toll reached its peak on Thursday , Oct. 17 , 1918 , when the combined death toll from influenza and pneumonia was 381 .
Hardest hit were men and women between the ages of 20 and 40 .
Gertrude McCue , a 26-year-old switchboard operator at the Standard Club , died after just one day in the hospital .
Naval Ensign Orville Chase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Kenwood neighborhood on his 24th birthday , not knowing that his wife had given birth to a son just days earlier .
The tragedy unfolding before their eyes prompted officials to seek remedies that would seem comic if not for the underlying desperation .
People were advised to salute rather than shake hands .
A group of Chicago doctors urged that “ No Kissing ” signs be hung in homes .
Paper napkins used as tissues were to be burned , and soiled handkerchiefs were to be boiled in water or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launched on an “ anti-spitting crusade ” and were asked to arrest “ open-face ” sneezers — people who don ’ t use a handkerchief .
The police superintendent declined the latter request , but he did issue an order requiring all officers to ask such people “ in a courteous manner ” to use a hanky and to explain why it “ is imperative.
” And he posted signs in streetcars , theaters and other public places warning , “ Spitting Arrested and Prosecuted !
” Smoking was also banned on all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to purify the air .
“ I don ’ t see how any germs or anything else can live , let alone spread , in some of these smokers on a cool morning rush hour , ” a guard on the Evanston Express confided to a passenger .
When Robertson first suggested that people wear sterilized gauze masks to prevent the spread of germs , the Tribune felt compelled to assure its readers that the health commissioner said it “ in a manner that convinced his hearers he was serious.
” Indeed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sneeze masks ” himself when he met with reporters to announce he would seek to prosecute landlords who added to the problem by not providing heat .
“ Bring me the stingy landlord list !
” he asked his secretary through the mask .
Within days , the masks had become so commonplace that the Tribune printed diagrams instructing readers how to make homemade “ germ screens.
” Robertson also banned dancing in cabarets and dance halls , saying , “ There is no greater menace.
” “ Not only do the dancers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ colds , but the close contact and unusually heavy breathing while dancing makes for contagion , ” the health commissioner said .
By mid-October , the situation was so dire that theaters and motion picture houses , skating rinks , lodge halls and other places of amusement were ordered closed to prevent people passing germs in large crowds .
Also banned were athletic events , banquets , union meetings , club meetings , lectures and political gatherings — leading to what some politicians dubbed “ the speechless campaign.
” Funerals were ordered limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and police were told to break up any that became too large .
Saloons and billiard halls were not closed , however .
Churches also were spared on the “ ground that religious activity is essential to the morale of the community , ” the Chicago Daily News reported .
But the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago instructed pastors to add ushers to spot people who sneezed or coughed and ask them to leave the mass .
Officials debated closing the city ’ s public schools , but they didn ’ t .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and children were allowed to wear their “ street wraps ” in the belief that cold , fresh air was an elixir .
Also allowed was the city ’ s massive “ Liberty Parade ” to help sell war bonds .
But parade-goers were given strict instructions .
“ Go home , remove all clothing and rub the body dry and put on warm clothing , ” a flier urged .
“ Take a laxative when you reach home , and you will minimize your chances of catching the disease.
” On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toll down to 195 , Robertson announced that he would soon allow most public gatherings to resume .
But he said the smoking ban on L ’ s and streetcars would be made permanent .
“ So long as there is smoking on cars it will be impossible to prevent expectoration , ” he later wrote .
With the election just days away , the Daily News predicted , “ There is going to be oratory galore in the closing days of the campaign.
” In his official report shortly after the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purely speculative ” whether the closings saved any lives .
But he concluded the city did a good job .
“ The people were not unduly alarmed , ” he wrote .
“ The public schools remained open and with the exception of restrictions as to public gatherings of almost every kind , the life of the city was not unnecessarily disturbed .
”

Marine Pvt. Edward Flood was fighting overseas in World War I, but he had to rush home to the South Side for a double funeral for his father and 19-year-old brother — both victims of the flu.
West Side resident John Wagar was a janitor, mopping up floors at the old 17th Precinct police station. He and four police officers died of the bug within days of one another.
And up north, Lake View resident Harry H. Latham, 59, was a captain of industry who was prominent in amateur athletics and had once helped build railroads in the “Wild West.”
He lasted less than 16 hours after he caught the flu.
After ravaging points around the globe, the Spanish influenza swept through Chicago in the autumn of 1918 — killing 8,510 people in just eight weeks.
The most deadly flu outbreak in modern history, the pandemic killed 20 million to 50 million people worldwide in 1918 and 1919 — 675,000 of them in the United States.
It was fast and fierce, and it hit the young and healthy the worst.
And it turned Chicago into a city under siege as officials scrambled to stop the spread of a deadly germ they knew little about.
Kissing was discouraged. Public dancing was outlawed. Spitting on the sidewalk became a police matter. Events from football games to union meetings were banned.
So many people died that fall of the flu or the pneumonia it often sparked that the Chicago Daily News reported 324 city deaths in one day under a headline announcing “Epidemic on Wane.”
Today, health experts are studying the Spanish influenza as they gird for the possibility that the Asian bird flu will rival its destruction.
Scientists have re-created the 1918 virus and determined that it, too, originated in birds. But so far, the current Asian bird flu — which has killed at least 65 people in Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Indonesia — seems only to travel from birds to humans.
1918 MUTATION
The Spanish influenza of 1918 mutated into a form that humans could catch from one another, allowing it to spread around the globe like a biological brushfire.
Public health officials are hoping history does not repeat itself.
It was called the Spanish influenza, but no one is certain where it actually originated.
The unusually virulent bug first surfaced in the United States on March 11, 1918, at Fort Riley, Kansas, and bounced around U.S. military bases before spreading to civilians.
In the Chicago area, it first hit sailors at the Great Lakes Naval Base on Sept. 8, 1918. Over the coming weeks, 4 percent to 5 percent of those afflicted at the base in North Chicago would die — five times the civilian death rate.
But the early headlines showed little sign of what was to come.
“Grip Epidemic at Great Lakes Under Control,” the Chicago Tribune announced in its Sept. 19 edition, using the then-popular term for the disease over a report on 1,000 cases of “a mild form of influenza” at the base.
SUBURBS HIT FIRST
No one believed such blissful optimism on the North Shore.
From Great Lakes, the disease spread across the north suburbs, and local officials scrambled to try to stop the spread of germs.
Theaters were closed in Waukegan and North Chicago in late September. And schools and churches up and down the North Shore soon shut their doors.
In Lake Forest, police patrolled the streets, breaking up any small knots of people they found. Military “home guard” troops did the same in Winnetka and Glencoe.
Country clubs were pressed into service as makeshift hospitals in Highland Park, Wilmette, Kenilworth and Hubbard Woods.
In roughly four weeks in September and early October, the disease moved like a deadly cloud across the city to the south suburbs.
Schools in Hazel Crest and Homewood were closed in early October after Sister Malvilla died and two other nuns fell ill of the flu at the St. Mary Magdalene School in South Chicago.
‘NO CAUSE . . . FOR ALARM’
The first death in Chicago came Sept. 21, 1918. And 57 cases of the disease were reported within days.
Was the city in the grip of the epidemic?
Chicago’s health commissioner, Dr. John Dill Robertson, laughed at the suggestion Sept. 24.
“There is no cause whatever for alarm,” he said.
But Robertson quickly stopped chuckling.
By the end of the first week, 18 Chicagoans had died. One of the first was Mary O’Leary, 76, a single woman who lived at 212 E. Erie.
The city toll reached its peak on Thursday, Oct. 17, 1918, when the combined death toll from influenza and pneumonia was 381.
Hardest hit were men and women between the ages of 20 and 40.
Gertrude McCue, a 26-year-old switchboard operator at the Standard Club, died after just one day in the hospital.
Naval Ensign Orville Chase Wetmore died in his parents’ home in the Kenwood neighborhood on his 24th birthday, not knowing that his wife had given birth to a son just days earlier.
The tragedy unfolding before their eyes prompted officials to seek remedies that would seem comic if not for the underlying desperation.
‘SPITTING PROSECUTED!’
People were advised to salute rather than shake hands. A group of Chicago doctors urged that “No Kissing” signs be hung in homes.
Paper napkins used as tissues were to be burned, and soiled handkerchiefs were to be boiled in water or soaked in disinfectant.
Chicago police were launched on an “anti-spitting crusade” and were asked to arrest “open-face” sneezers — people who don’t use a handkerchief.
The police superintendent declined the latter request, but he did issue an order requiring all officers to ask such people “in a courteous manner” to use a hanky and to explain why it “is imperative.”
And he posted signs in streetcars, theaters and other public places warning, “Spitting Arrested and Prosecuted!”
Smoking was also banned on all streetcars to cut down on spitting and to purify the air.
“I don’t see how any germs or anything else can live, let alone spread, in some of these smokers on a cool morning rush hour,” a guard on the Evanston Express confided to a passenger.
‘STINGY LANDLORD LIST’
When Robertson first suggested that people wear sterilized gauze masks to prevent the spread of germs, the Tribune felt compelled to assure its readers that the health commissioner said it “in a manner that convinced his hearers he was serious.”
Indeed, Robertson donned one of the gauze “sneeze masks” himself when he met with reporters to announce he would seek to prosecute landlords who added to the problem by not providing heat.
“Bring me the stingy landlord list!” he asked his secretary through the mask.
Within days, the masks had become so commonplace that the Tribune printed diagrams instructing readers how to make homemade “germ screens.”
Robertson also banned dancing in cabarets and dance halls, saying, “There is no greater menace.”
“Not only do the dancers become overheated and make themselves susceptible to colds, but the close contact and unusually heavy breathing while dancing makes for contagion,” the health commissioner said.
By mid-October, the situation was so dire that theaters and motion picture houses, skating rinks, lodge halls and other places of amusement were ordered closed to prevent people passing germs in large crowds.
‘THE SPEECHLESS CAMPAIGN’
Also banned were athletic events, banquets, union meetings, club meetings, lectures and political gatherings — leading to what some politicians dubbed “the speechless campaign.”
Funerals were ordered limited to 10 close relatives and friends, and police were told to break up any that became too large.
Saloons and billiard halls were not closed, however.
Churches also were spared on the “ground that religious activity is essential to the morale of the community,” the Chicago Daily News reported.
But the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago instructed pastors to add ushers to spot people who sneezed or coughed and ask them to leave the mass.
Officials debated closing the city’s public schools, but they didn’t. Instead, windows were ordered kept open, and children were allowed to wear their “street wraps” in the belief that cold, fresh air was an elixir.
Also allowed was the city’s massive “Liberty Parade” to help sell war bonds. But parade-goers were given strict instructions.
“Go home, remove all clothing and rub the body dry and put on warm clothing,” a flier urged. “Take a laxative when you reach home, and you will minimize your chances of catching the disease.”
On Oct. 31, with the daily death toll down to 195, Robertson announced that he would soon allow most public gatherings to resume. But he said the smoking ban on L’s and streetcars would be made permanent.
‘NOT UNNECESSARILY DISTURBED’
“So long as there is smoking on cars it will be impossible to prevent expectoration,” he later wrote.
With the election just days away, the Daily News predicted, “There is going to be oratory galore in the closing days of the campaign.”
In his official report shortly after the pandemic subsided, Robertson conceded it was “purely speculative” whether the closings saved any lives. But he concluded the city did a good job.
“The people were not unduly alarmed,” he wrote. “The public schools remained open and with the exception of restrictions as to public gatherings of almost every kind, the life of the city was not unnecessarily disturbed.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--‘Better Call Saul’ actor Max Arciniega to launch NW Side acting school

Actor Max Arciniega can tell you the exact number of times casting directors told him “ no ” before he got his first acting gig in Hollywood : 76 .
“ We don ’ t really have much of a choice , ” Arciniega said .
“ ... People don ’ t understand is how much we have to audition before we get our first job.
” After making a name for himself on the acclaimed series “ Breaking Bad ” and “ Better Call Saul ” as Domingo “ Krazy-8 ” Molina , the Northwest Side native wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school , so they can avoid the pitfalls associated with Hollywood casting directors .
The MA School of Acting has a tentative start date of June 1 , said Arciniega , the school ’ s co-owner ( with Vilma Llaguno ) .
The school was supposed to open in May , until the ongoing coronavirus pandemic pushed back the launch date .
“ It ’ s something that I wish I would have had prior to going to L.A. because I grew up in the theater and I went to theater school , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theater alumnus .
“ When I auditioned for television , it was a different medium , so it took me a long time to get comfortable.
” The school , which is scheduled to be located within the Dream Team Talent Inc. building at 7515 West Belmont Ave. , will have a four-part curriculum called “ In the Rooms , ” which is designed to help actors succeed in the most important part of getting a job in the TV industry — the audition : “ It ’ s going to walk them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choose to either stay in Chicago , that now has a TV market , or go to New York or Los Angeles if they want to get into television , ” Arciniega said .
The cost for classes will be posted when the website goes live Monday at maschoolofacting.com , Arciniega said .
The impetus for the school came from a group he would put together with fellow actors who found themselves in stereotypical acting gigs .
“ It was the gangbanger , the thug , the gardener ; you name it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grew up in the Hermosa neighborhood and attended Steinmetz High School , credits his parents , who immigrated from Mexico , for developing his work ethic .
“ If they came from a different country and not speaking the language and created a life for themselves in the States , it gave me no reason to not pursue something that I was passionate about , ” Arciniega said .
That work ethic has made him a standout character on “ Breaking Bad ” and “ Better Call Saul.
” Arciniega ’ s character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Walter White during season one of “ Breaking Bad ” and reappears during season two of “ Better Call Saul.
” “ I think the impact of Krazy-8 in the basement with Walter White was the fact that this was White ’ s first physical kill , ” Arciniega said .
“ And in the way that he did it is how White ‘ broke bad.
’ ” Vince Gilligan , director and producer for both shows , named a character after Arciniega , Maximino “ Max ” Arciniega , who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giancarlo Esposito ) and co-founder of the Los Pollos Hermanos fried chicken franchise .
On the set of “ Better Call Saul , ” Arciniega and Naperville North grad Bob Odenkirk often bond over their love for their favorite baseball team : the Cubs .
Between takes of a scene where Arciniega ’ s character reluctantly agrees to be represented by Odenkirk ’ s character , attorney Saul Goodman , during a DEA interrogation , they had a crew member get an iPad for them to watch a Cubs game .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows that , ” Arciniega said .
“ We bonded and I talked to him about his experience of going home and throwing out the first pitch and singing ‘ Take Me Out to the Ballgame.
’ ” Arciniega has high hopes for the school — a school he tailored specifically to an actor ’ s career as he sees it .
“ We were like , this is a great opportunity to get this experience which is going to be a much more specific experience than the other schools that are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Actor Max Arciniega can tell you the exact number of times casting directors told him “no” before he got his first acting gig in Hollywood: 76.
“We don’t really have much of a choice,” Arciniega said. “ ... People don’t understand is how much we have to audition before we get our first job.”
After making a name for himself on the acclaimed series “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul” as Domingo “Krazy-8” Molina, the Northwest Side native wants to prepare would-be actors by opening an acting school, so they can avoid the pitfalls associated with Hollywood casting directors.
The MA School of Acting has a tentative start date of June 1, said Arciniega, the school’s co-owner (with Vilma Llaguno).
The school was supposed to open in May, until the ongoing coronavirus pandemic pushed back the launch date.
“It’s something that I wish I would have had prior to going to L.A. because I grew up in the theater and I went to theater school,” said Arciniega, a Columbia College theater alumnus. “When I auditioned for television, it was a different medium, so it took me a long time to get comfortable.”
The school, which is scheduled to be located within the Dream Team Talent Inc. building at 7515 West Belmont Ave., will have a four-part curriculum called “In the Rooms,” which is designed to help actors succeed in the most important part of getting a job in the TV industry — the audition:
Acting 1: Co-star roles
Acting 2: Guest star roles
Acting 3: Recurring roles
Acting 4: Series-regular roles
“It’s going to walk them through that whole process so if they choose to either stay in Chicago, that now has a TV market, or go to New York or Los Angeles if they want to get into television,” Arciniega said.
The cost for classes will be posted when the website goes live Monday at maschoolofacting.com, Arciniega said.
The impetus for the school came from a group he would put together with fellow actors who found themselves in stereotypical acting gigs.
“It was the gangbanger, the thug, the gardener; you name it,” Arciniega said.
Actor Max Arciniega, a Columbia College theater alumnus, credits his parents, who immigrated from Mexico, for developing his work ethic. | Getty Images
Arciniega, who grew up in the Hermosa neighborhood and attended Steinmetz High School, credits his parents, who immigrated from Mexico, for developing his work ethic.
“If they came from a different country and not speaking the language and created a life for themselves in the States, it gave me no reason to not pursue something that I was passionate about,” Arciniega said.
That work ethic has made him a standout character on “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.”
Arciniega’s character was killed by actor Bryan Cranston’s Walter White during season one of “Breaking Bad” and reappears during season two of “Better Call Saul.”
“I think the impact of Krazy-8 in the basement with Walter White was the fact that this was White’s first physical kill,” Arciniega said. “And in the way that he did it is how White ‘broke bad.’ ”
Vince Gilligan, director and producer for both shows, named a character after Arciniega, Maximino “Max” Arciniega, who was an associate of Gustavo Fring (actor Giancarlo Esposito) and co-founder of the Los Pollos Hermanos fried chicken franchise.
On the set of “Better Call Saul,” Arciniega and Naperville North grad Bob Odenkirk often bond over their love for their favorite baseball team: the Cubs.
Actor Max Arciniega (second from right) is on the set of “Better Call Saul” with Dean Norris (left), Steven Michael Quezada and Bob Odenkirk. | Provided Photo
Between takes of a scene where Arciniega’s character reluctantly agrees to be represented by Odenkirk’s character, attorney Saul Goodman, during a DEA interrogation, they had a crew member get an iPad for them to watch a Cubs game.
“It’s funny because no one actually knows that,” Arciniega said. “We bonded and I talked to him about his experience of going home and throwing out the first pitch and singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ballgame.’”
Arciniega has high hopes for the school — a school he tailored specifically to an actor’s career as he sees it.
“We were like, this is a great opportunity to get this experience which is going to be a much more specific experience than the other schools that are in the city,” he said.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--Gangster Disciples boss Larry Hoover seeks break on prison time under law Kanye West championed

When Kanye West visited the White House in 2018 , he thanked President Donald Trump for supporting legislation allowing inmates convicted of drug crimes to seek reductions of their prison sentences .
In that same meeting , the rapper encouraged the president to commute the life sentence of Larry Hoover , co-founder of the Gangster Disciples , the notorious Chicago street gang .
Trump didn ’ t commute Hoover ’ s sentence .
But the following month the president signed the bill West was pitching , the First Step Act , allowing the gang kingpin and others to seek shorter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s former gang lieutenants already have been freed under the law .
Now , U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber , who nearly a quarter of century ago sentenced Hoover to life in prison , is considering his request for a new sentencing hearing under the First Step Act .
Hoover , 69 , co-founded the GDs in the late 1960s .
He was sent to state prison in 1973 , given a 200-year sentence for murder .
While in state prison , Hoover ran a $ 100 million-a-year drug business , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of gang soldiers continued to work for Hoover in Chicago and other cities , answering ultimately to a corporate-style board that Hoover led as the undisputed chairman .
A federal investigation led to Hoover ’ s conviction for running a criminal enterprise .
Sentenced in 1997 to life in federal prison , he ’ s being held in the federal super-max prison in Florence , Colorado , which also houses Mexican drug lord Joaquin “ El Chapo ” Guzman Loera and Ted Kaczynski , the “ Unabomber.
” According to Hoover ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes him eligible for a new sentencing hearing .
They say it means he can take advantage of changes in the law and court rulings since his sentencing .
Federal prosecutors have said that , no matter what the law allows , Leinenweber still has the discretion to shoot down Hoover ’ s request .
If Hoover gets a new federal sentence and is released from the prison in Colorado , he ’ ll still have to serve his murder sentence with the Illinois Department of Corrections .
His projected parole date in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Larry should be free because of his age and by virtue of the law , ” says Wallace “ Gator ” Bradley , a former GD enforcer and longtime Hoover supporter .
“ Let him come home.
” Ron Safer , a former assistant U.S. attorney who helped prosecute Hoover , calls the First Step Act a “ wonderful piece of legislation ” but says it would be a “ miscarriage of justice ” to allow Hoover to benefit from it .
“ To apply that to the leader of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation would be a travesty , ” says Safer , now in private practice .
“ And it would turn the intent of the legislation on its head .
Larry Hoover did more to have the youth of Chicago incarcerated than the Chicago Police Department .
He corrupted the youth .
He planned the corruption of the youth of the city of Chicago.
” Justin Moore , one of Hoover ’ s attorneys , says Hoover has spent about a quarter-century housed “ under a mountain ” in the “ worst prison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with loved ones .
State prison would be a better place for him , according to Moore , who says he has visited Hoover close to 10 times and describes him as a gentleman who ’ s “ slight in stature ” and “ very polite.
” “ It makes you think that there ’ s something wrong with our penal system , ” he says .
Safer says Hoover is an “ extraordinarily talented and charismatic leader ” and that “ it would be a bad thing to have Larry Hoover back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s former No .
2 associate in the gang , Gregory “ Shorty G ” Shell , also is seeking a sentence reduction under the First Step Act .
In 1997 , Shell was given life in federal prison for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise from 1970 to 1995 .
Shell previously served prison time on a murder conviction for killing a 61-year-old woman during a holdup in 1974 .
He was paroled in the early 1980s .
In the 1990s , Shell was dating Sonia Irwin , a Chicago cop who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a South Side restaurant called June ’ s Shrimp , which became Shell ’ s gang clubhouse , according to prosecutors .
At the time , Hoover was housed in a state prison in southern Illinois , where he saw a steady stream of visitors .
In late 1993 , prosecutors got a court order to put a transmitter in a visitor badge given to gang leaders who saw Hoover .
They monitored the conversations of Hoover ’ s inner circle , allowing them to build a sweeping case against the gang leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the federal prosecution .
Hoover ’ s followers say he was prosecuted to stop his community-improvement movement , which he called Growth and Development after the initials of the gang .
An affiliated political organization called 21st Century V.O.T.E .
had put up candidates for office .
In August , William Edwards , one of the GD leaders convicted in the case , got his prison sentence reduced by Leinenweber under the First Step Act .
His 100-year sentence was cut to 20 years , and he was freed .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of several decades in prison , then it is unlikely that he will be deterred by any additional time , ” Leinenweber wrote .
“ The court is persuaded that Edwards can live a law-abiding life upon release.
” Edwards , 49 , supervised about 600 Gangster Disciples members before he was promoted to the board of the gang , according to prosecutors .
In November , Leinenweber cut the life term he ’ d given Johnny “ Crusher ” Jackson , another top Hoover lieutenant , to 20 years , and Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 47 , was in charge of the GDs in the now-demolished Robert Taylor public housing high-rises along the Dan Ryan Expressway on the South Side .
He was a member of the gang ’ s board and prosecutors said he visited Hoover in state prison at least 170 times .
In a letter to Leinenweber , Jackson said , “ I am certainly not the man who stood before you in the courtroom nearly two decades ago when you sentenced me.
” He told the judge his son was murdered in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent others from experiencing the fate that was handed to me as a result of my mistakes or , even worse yet , the fate that ultimately ended the life of my son.
” Jackson provided the judge with a letter U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush , D-Illinois , wrote to President Barack Obama in 2016 in an unsuccessful bid got get Jackson ’ s sentence commuted .
After being told he would go free , Jackson told the judge he planned to move to Texas , where he had a job offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children and elderly people , according to court records .

When Kanye West visited the White House in 2018, he thanked President Donald Trump for supporting legislation allowing inmates convicted of drug crimes to seek reductions of their prison sentences.
In that same meeting, the rapper encouraged the president to commute the life sentence of Larry Hoover, co-founder of the Gangster Disciples, the notorious Chicago street gang.
Trump didn’t commute Hoover’s sentence. But a couple of months later, the president signed the bill West was pitching, the First Step Act, allowing the gang kingpin and others to seek shorter prison terms.
Two of Hoover’s former gang lieutenants already have been freed under the law.
Now, U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber, who nearly a quarter of century ago sentenced Hoover to life in prison, is considering his request for a new sentencing hearing under the First Step Act.
Hoover, 69, co-founded the GDs in the late 1960s. He was sent to state prison in 1973, given a 200-year sentence for murder.
While in state prison, Hoover ran a $100 million-a-year drug business, according to federal authorities, who say tens of thousands of gang soldiers continued to work for Hoover in Chicago and other cities, answering ultimately to a corporate-style board that Hoover led as the undisputed chairman.
Guards walk along the fence at the super-maximum-security federal prison in Florence, Colorado, where Larry Hoover is being held. Getty Images
A federal investigation led to Hoover’s conviction for running a criminal enterprise. Sentenced in 1997 to life in federal prison, he’s being held in the federal super-max prison in Florence, Colorado, which also houses Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera and Ted Kaczynski, the “Unabomber.”
According to Hoover’s lawyers, the First Step Act makes him eligible for a new sentencing hearing. They say it means he can take advantage of changes in the law and court rulings since his sentencing.
Federal prosecutors have said that, no matter what the law allows, Leinenweber still has the discretion to shoot down Hoover’s request.
If Hoover gets a new federal sentence and is released from the prison in Colorado, he’ll still have to serve his murder sentence with the Illinois Department of Corrections. His projected parole date in that case is April 2, 2064.
“Larry should be free because of his age and by virtue of the law,” says Wallace “Gator” Bradley, a former GD enforcer and longtime Hoover supporter. “Let him come home.”
Ron Safer, a former assistant U.S. attorney who helped prosecute Hoover, calls the First Step Act a “wonderful piece of legislation” but says it would be a “miscarriage of justice” to allow Hoover to benefit from it.
“To apply that to the leader of what was then the largest monolithic gang in the nation would be a travesty,” says Safer, now in private practice. “And it would turn the intent of the legislation on its head. Larry Hoover did more to have the youth of Chicago incarcerated than the Chicago Police Department. He corrupted the youth. He planned the corruption of the youth of the city of Chicago.”
Justin Moore, one of Hoover’s attorneys, says Hoover has spent about a quarter-century housed “under a mountain” in the “worst prison in this country” with limited contact with loved ones. State prison would be a better place for him, according to Moore, who says he has visited Hoover close to 10 times and describes him as a gentleman who’s “slight in stature” and “very polite.”
“It makes you think that there’s something wrong with our penal system,” he says.
Safer says Hoover is an “extraordinarily talented and charismatic leader” and that “it would be a bad thing to have Larry Hoover back in the state system.”
Larry Hoover. Sun-Times file
Hoover’s former No. 2 associate in the gang, Gregory “Shorty G” Shell, also is seeking a sentence reduction under the First Step Act. In 1997, Shell was given life in federal prison for engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise from 1970 to 1995.
Shell previously served prison time on a murder conviction for killing a 61-year-old woman during a holdup in 1974. He was paroled in the early 1980s.
In the 1990s, Shell was dating Sonia Irwin, a Chicago cop who used money from the GDs to buy a South Side restaurant called June’s Shrimp, which became Shell’s gang clubhouse, according to prosecutors.
At the time, Hoover was housed in a state prison in southern Illinois, where he saw a steady stream of visitors.
In late 1993, prosecutors got a court order to put a transmitter in a visitor badge given to gang leaders who saw Hoover. They monitored the conversations of Hoover’s inner circle, allowing them to build a sweeping case against the gang leaders.
Dozens of gang members were convicted in the federal prosecution.
Hoover’s followers say he was prosecuted to stop his community-improvement movement, which he called Growth and Development after the initials of the gang. An affiliated political organization called 21st Century V.O.T.E. had put up candidates for office.
U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber on the bench in 2013. AP illustration
In August, William Edwards, one of the GD leaders convicted in the case, got his prison sentence reduced by Leinenweber under the First Step Act. His 100-year sentence was cut to 20 years, and he was freed.
“If someone is not chastened by the prospect of several decades in prison, then it is unlikely that he will be deterred by any additional time,” Leinenweber wrote. “The court is persuaded that Edwards can live a law-abiding life upon release.”
Edwards, 49, supervised about 600 Gangster Disciples members before he was promoted to the board of the gang, according to prosecutors .
In November, Leinenweber cut the life term he’d given Johnny “Crusher” Jackson, another top Hoover lieutenant, to 20 years, and Jackson was let out of prison.
Johnny Jackson. Facebook
Jackson, 47, was in charge of the GDs in the now-demolished Robert Taylor public housing high-rises along the Dan Ryan Expressway on the South Side. He was a member of the gang’s board and prosecutors said he visited Hoover in state prison at least 170 times.
In a letter to Leinenweber, Jackson said, “I am certainly not the man who stood before you in the courtroom nearly two decades ago when you sentenced me.”
He told the judge his son was murdered in Chicago, and “it is my hope to prevent others from experiencing the fate that was handed to me as a result of my mistakes or, even worse yet, the fate that ultimately ended the life of my son.”
Jackson provided the judge with a letter U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Illinois, wrote to President Barack Obama in 2016 in an unsuccessful bid got get Jackson’s sentence commuted.
After being told he would go free, Jackson told the judge he planned to move to Texas, where he had a job offer at a recreation center, working with children and elderly people, according to court records.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--Missing woman last seen in Montclare found safely

Patricia Frieson was more than the 1st COVID-19 death in Illinois .
She was their sister .
When 61-year-old Patricia @ @ @ @ @ was the first COVID-19 death in Illinois .
But her death was also a huge @ @ @ @ @ Side family in which she played a central role — a family that has journeyed @ @ @ @ @ a loved one dying in COVID-19 quarantine .

Pvt. Travis King entered the North while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village July 18, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--Funerals, grieving in Chicago, elsewhere delayed by coronavirus

The grieving woman was several feet from Brooke Benjamin , as health officials recommend in these days of coronavirus .
She was sobbing — hard — over the loss of her husband .
Yet , “ I couldn ’ t touch her , ” said Benjamin , a funeral director with the Cremation Society of Illinois .
She knows social distancing is necessary .
But that didn ’ t allay the sadness and powerlessness she felt .
“ I believe in the healing power of a human touch , ” Benjamin said , “ and having to sit six feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to put your hands on someone and say , ‘ Yes , this has happened , and there ’ s another human being here to relieve some of the pain you feel in this very moment.
’ I can ’ t offer that same comfort.
” “ Everybody ’ s doing the fist bumps and the elbow bumps , ” said Ted Ratajczyk , executive director of Catholic Cemeteries , which is recommending funerals be limited to 10 people , standing six feet apart , with graveside rather than chapel services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have done to bring comfort to the mourners , to the families , has basically come to a screeching halt , ” said Leonard Zielinski of the Cook County Funeral Directors Association .
And with the closing of the Cook County clerk ’ s office , people will have to wait to get copies of death certificates to obtain death and insurance benefits and access bank accounts .
Around March 31 , the office plans to “ issue new guidance on the resumption of non-essential services.
” Funeral homes are removing shared pens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign-in screens .
Funeral director Tony Lupo has been signing in guests himself at Cumberland Chapels , 8300 W. Lawrence Ave. , Norridge .
If more than 10 people show up at wakes , they ’ ll probably be urged to wait in the lobby to space themselves out , Lupo said : “ It ’ s almost like going to a bar , and they ’ re at capacity , and it ’ s one in , one out.
” Because of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Rebeca Bishop of Caribe Funeral Home , 3314 W. Armitage Ave. “ Maybe the immediate family can view the body for a short time .
They ’ re not happy about it , but they understand.
” While some funeral homes livestream memorials , “ You can ’ t livestream the service if there ’ s no service , ” said Barbara Kemmis , executive director of the Cremation Society of North America .
The psychological impact will be deep , according to grief educator and author Alan D. Wolfelt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the natural mourning and healing process , ” he said in a March 17 message to funeral directors on his website for the Center for Loss & Life Transition .
“ You can imagine it ’ s already difficult losing a loved one , ” said Marquita Gatling of Gatling ’ s Chapel at 10133 S. Halsted St. and 1200 E. 162nd St. , South Holland .
“ It ’ s just added stress.
” The family of 99-year-old Malachy Towey , a renowned South Side Irish drummer , postponed services after his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planning a funeral Mass and luncheon this weekend .
But given that he left behind six children , 12 grandchildren , 16 great-grandchildren and a vast network of friends and musicians , delaying the funeral seemed best for all , said his daughter Julia McSweeney .
“ It is really said he can ’ t be mourned in that manner , ” McSweeney said .
“ We have to imagine the horrific things people are going through and keep it in perspective .
We ’ re not the only ones grieving here.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 90 , died Feb. 25 at Monarch Landing in Naperville , his family planned to have a memorial there .
But as concerns about COVID-19 grew , the senior living community restricted visitors .
His memorial is postponed indefinitely .
“ What we ’ re in now is a holding pattern , ” his son Mark Larson said , “ with no end in sight.
” Adding to the family ’ s grief : No visits are allowed with their mother Dorothy , who also lives at the nursing home .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trouble processing this , ” Mark Larson said , “ She calls my sister a lot and asks , ‘ Where ’ s Roy ?
’ She ’ s there , and we can ’ t get to her.
” Some death notices are starting to contain the line , “ Due to the pandemic and out of concern for our extended family and friends services and shiva will be private.
” Funeral director Mindy Botbol crafted that wording with families at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home in Arlington Heights .
The irony , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish community takes comfort in communal ways .
One aspect of shiva includes the community joining together to help a mourner get through the first days of grief .
Now , the mourners are home sitting by themselves.
” “ People are doing smaller gatherings and at some point doing a larger gathering in the future , ” said Delphine Michalik , owner of Michalik Funeral Home , 1056 W. Chicago Ave .

The grieving woman was several feet from Brooke Benjamin, as health officials recommend in these days of coronavirus.
She was sobbing — hard — over the loss of her husband. Yet, “I couldn’t touch her,” said Benjamin, a funeral director with the Cremation Society of Illinois.
She knows social distancing is necessary. But that didn’t allay the sadness and powerlessness she felt.
“I believe in the healing power of a human touch,” Benjamin said, “and having to sit six feet away from people, to not be able to put your hands on someone and say, ‘Yes, this has happened, and there’s another human being here to relieve some of the pain you feel in this very moment.’ I can’t offer that same comfort.”
“Everybody’s doing the fist bumps and the elbow bumps,” said Ted Ratajczyk, executive director of Catholic Cemeteries, which is recommending funerals be limited to 10 people, standing six feet apart, with graveside rather than chapel services.
“What we in the funeral service have done to bring comfort to the mourners, to the families, has basically come to a screeching halt,” said Leonard Zielinski of the Cook County Funeral Directors Association.
And with the closing of the Cook County clerk’s office, people will have to wait to get copies of death certificates to obtain death and insurance benefits and access bank accounts. Around March 31, the office plans to “issue new guidance on the resumption of non-essential services.”
Cook County clerk’s office
Funeral homes are removing shared pens and urging visitors not to use computerized sign-in screens. Funeral director Tony Lupo has been signing in guests himself at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge.
If more than 10 people show up at wakes, they’ll probably be urged to wait in the lobby to space themselves out, Lupo said: “It’s almost like going to a bar, and they’re at capacity, and it’s one in, one out.”
Because of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, “I have been telling people no wakes,” said Rebeca Bishop of Caribe Funeral Home, 3314 W. Armitage Ave. “Maybe the immediate family can view the body for a short time. They’re not happy about it, but they understand.”
While some funeral homes livestream memorials, “You can’t livestream the service if there’s no service,” said Barbara Kemmis, executive director of the Cremation Society of North America.
The psychological impact will be deep, according to grief educator and author Alan D. Wolfelt. “Anything that delays a funeral delays the natural mourning and healing process,” he said in a March 17 message to funeral directors on his website for the Center for Loss & Life Transition.
“You can imagine it’s already difficult losing a loved one,” said Marquita Gatling of Gatling’s Chapel at 10133 S. Halsted St. and 1200 E. 162nd St., South Holland. “It’s just added stress.”
Malachy Towey. Provided
The family of 99-year-old Malachy Towey, a renowned traditional Irish musician from the South Side, postponed services after his death March 11. His children were planning a funeral Mass and luncheon this weekend. But given that he left behind six children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and a vast network of friends and musicians, delaying the funeral seemed best for all, said his daughter Julia McSweeney.
“It is really said he can’t be mourned in that manner,” McSweeney said. “We have to imagine the horrific things people are going through and keep it in perspective. We’re not the only ones grieving here.”
Roy and Dorothy Larson were married for nearly 70 years. Provided
When former Sun-Times religion editor Roy Larson, 90, died Feb. 25 at Monarch Landing in Naperville, his family planned to have a memorial there. But as concerns about COVID-19 grew, the senior living community restricted visitors. His memorial is postponed indefinitely.
“What we’re in now is a holding pattern,” his son Mark Larson said, “with no end in sight.”
Adding to the family’s grief: No visits are allowed with their mother Dorothy, who also lives at the nursing home.
“She’s alone and is having trouble processing this,” Mark Larson said, “She calls my sister a lot and asks, ‘Where’s Roy?’ She’s there, and we can’t get to her.”
Some death notices are starting to contain the line, “Due to the pandemic and out of concern for our extended family and friends services and shiva will be private.” Funeral director Mindy Botbol crafted that wording with families at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home in Arlington Heights.
The irony, Botbol said, is that “the Jewish community takes comfort in communal ways. One aspect of shiva includes the community joining together to help a mourner get through the first days of grief. Now, the mourners are home sitting by themselves.”
Down the road, funeral directors foresee a funeral boom.
“People are doing smaller gatherings and at some point doing a larger gathering in the future,” said Delphine Michalik, owner of Michalik Funeral Home, 1056 W. Chicago Ave.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-20--Analyzing the best and worst Bears offseason moves

The Sun-Times ’ Patrick Finley breaks down the Bears ’ showing during the first wave of free agency : Grade the Bears ’ offseason so far : Incomplete .
General manager Ryan Pace bet big on four players who will be at least 30 by Week 1 .
Now let ’ s see how well in does in the second wave of free agency .
He needs an offensive lineman or two ; a starting safety and cornerback ; and a speedy receiver .
At least .
Who is the starting quarterback for the opener ?
Can it be really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s begun the year as the presumed season-long starter only twice .
He went 4-7 for the last St. Louis Rams team in 2015 .
He was winless in four games for the Jaguars last year , breaking his collarbone in the opener .
He ’ s averaged six starts per season in his career .
No matter how much the Bears are paying Foles , that ’ s not the resume of someone you expect to start Weeks 1 through 17 .
I liked Marcus Mariota — another former No @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supportive teammate who boasts Trubisky-like athleticism — far more than the Bears did .
The Raiders gobbled him up quickly to be Derek Carr ’ s backup .
Are the Bears better or worse than they were in January ?
Better , because they recognized their flaws .
After in-season inaction about their scheme failures and quarterback mistakes , the Bears took steps to fix both .
They overhauled their offensive coaching staff — adding coordinator Bill Lazor , quarterbacks John DeFilippo and de facto run-game coordinator Juan Castilo — and added a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all three .
Their best move was … .
Swapping Leonard Floyd for Robert Quinn .
Investing $ 13.2 million for one year of an outside linebacker who averages less than five sacks a year would have been lunacy .
Quinn is a pass-rush stud , but the Bears should find someone to insert on obvious rushing downs .
Paying Jimmy Graham a higher 2020 average salary than all but five NFL tight ends .
Graham will make $ 8 million next year — as will Trey Burton , the reason the Bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first place .
Figuring out a way to run the ball .
That probably requires a new starting right guard , be he a free agent or draftee .
More than anything , though , it will take play-caller Matt Nagy seeing the light .
Do you trust Pace and Nagy to turn this around ?
I trust the dominant defense more than anything else .

The Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley breaks down the Bears’ showing during the first wave of free agency:
Grade the Bears’ offseason so far:
Incomplete. General manager Ryan Pace bet big on four players who will be at least 30 by Week 1. Now let’s see how well in does in the second wave of free agency. He needs an offensive lineman or two; a starting safety and cornerback; and a speedy receiver. At least.
Who is the starting quarterback for the opener?
Can it be really be Nick Foles? Since 2015, he’s begun the year as the presumed season-long starter only twice. He went 4-7 for the last St. Louis Rams team in 2015. He was winless in four games for the Jaguars last year, breaking his collarbone in the opener. He’s averaged six starts per season in his career. No matter how much the Bears are paying Foles, that’s not the resume of someone you expect to start Weeks 1 through 17.
Which quarterback would’ve excited you?
I liked Marcus Mariota — another former No. 2 overall pick, a notoriously supportive teammate who boasts Trubisky-like athleticism — far more than the Bears did. The Raiders gobbled him up quickly to be Derek Carr’s backup.
Are the Bears better or worse than they were in January?
Better, because they recognized their flaws. After in-season inaction about their scheme failures and quarterback mistakes, the Bears took steps to fix both. They overhauled their offensive coaching staff — adding coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks John DeFilippo and de facto run-game coordinator Juan Castilo — and added a veteran quarterback who’s worked with all three.
Their best move was ….
Swapping Leonard Floyd for Robert Quinn. Investing $13.2 million for one year of an outside linebacker who averages less than five sacks a year would have been lunacy. Quinn is a pass-rush stud, but the Bears should find someone to insert on obvious rushing downs.
The Bears will regret ….
Paying Jimmy Graham a higher 2020 average salary than all but five NFL tight ends. Graham will make $8 million next year — as will Trey Burton, the reason the Bears felt obligated to overpay Graham in the first place.
What’s their biggest need?
Figuring out a way to run the ball. That probably requires a new starting right guard, be he a free agent or draftee. More than anything, though, it will take play-caller Matt Nagy seeing the light.
Do you trust Pace and Nagy to turn this around?
I trust the dominant defense more than anything else.