chicagosun-times--2020-03-23--Dear Abby: I want my husband to toss letters he wrote to his late wife

DEAR ABBY : My husband , “ Charlie , ” and I have been married for seven years .
We are in our mid-60s .
This is the second marriage for both of us .
He was widowed some years before we met .
We have a good marriage .
He is sweet and caring , but one issue causes friction between us .
It ’ s about letters he and his late wife exchanged .
They were high school sweethearts .
She kept all the letters he sent her when he was away in college , and after she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It bothers me that he ’ s still attached to them .
Whenever we talk about the subject and I ask him to dispose of them , he gets defensive , says he doesn ’ t understand why it bothers me and accuses me of being unreasonable .
He says I don ’ t even “ let ” him have a picture of his late wife among our family pictures around the house .
My first marriage was very troubled , and I never wanted a picture of my late husband .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
Am I unreasonable , or is it time to let the past stay in the past , as painful as it might be to detach from objects that were an intimate part of his previous marriage ?
— REASONING IN ILLINOIS DEAR REASONING : Why have you not accepted that Charlie had a life before fate intervened , took his wife and you entered the picture ?
People who had miserable first marriages — as yours was — often choose not to remarry .
Charlie is who he is in part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first wife .
You are making a mistake by competing with her .
Stop insisting that he get rid of the old letters , which hold great sentimental value for him .
And if he would like to display a photo of his late wife , quit giving him heartburn .
She ’ s part of his history , and it ’ s his house , too .
DEAR ABBY : I am being married in a couple of months .
I feel like I ’ m living a real-life fairy tale — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
My fiance ’ s stepfamily has made it clear that they do not approve of our union .
They have gone as far as to ask me to leave him .
He is appalled by their behavior and has told them they are no longer welcome in our lives or at our wedding .
They were livid and blamed me .
I don ’ t want my wedding to be the cause of pain , so I have tried to be understanding , gracious and forgiving , but they are toxic people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real-life Prince Charming , and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with him .
Abby , I am terrified they are going to show up to our wedding anyway or try to somehow sabotage it .
What should I do ?
If they show up , should I let them stay or have them removed ?
How do I prevent them from intruding in the future ?
— CINDERELLA IN NEW ENGLAND DEAR CINDERELLA : Allow me to congratulate you and your fiance on your upcoming nuptials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is undeserved .
You may need to hire professional security to ensure the peace , or see if security is provided at the venue .
The way to prevent unwanted intruders in the future would be to move as far away from his family as is feasible .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . )

DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Charlie,” and I have been married for seven years. We are in our mid-60s. This is the second marriage for both of us. He was widowed some years before we met. We have a good marriage. He is sweet and caring, but one issue causes friction between us. It’s about letters he and his late wife exchanged.
They were high school sweethearts. She kept all the letters he sent her when he was away in college, and after she died, he wanted to keep them.
It bothers me that he’s still attached to them. Whenever we talk about the subject and I ask him to dispose of them, he gets defensive, says he doesn’t understand why it bothers me and accuses me of being unreasonable. He says I don’t even “let” him have a picture of his late wife among our family pictures around the house. My first marriage was very troubled, and I never wanted a picture of my late husband. But Charlie’s was a happy one.
Am I unreasonable, or is it time to let the past stay in the past, as painful as it might be to detach from objects that were an intimate part of his previous marriage? — REASONING IN ILLINOIS
DEAR REASONING: Why have you not accepted that Charlie had a life before fate intervened, took his wife and you entered the picture? People who had miserable first marriages — as yours was — often choose not to remarry. Charlie is who he is in part because of his happy marriage to his first wife.
You are making a mistake by competing with her. Stop insisting that he get rid of the old letters, which hold great sentimental value for him. And if he would like to display a photo of his late wife, quit giving him heartburn. She’s part of his history, and it’s his house, too.
DEAR ABBY: I am being married in a couple of months. I feel like I’m living a real-life fairy tale — but not always in a good way. My fiance’s stepfamily has made it clear that they do not approve of our union. They have gone as far as to ask me to leave him. He is appalled by their behavior and has told them they are no longer welcome in our lives or at our wedding. They were livid and blamed me.
I don’t want my wedding to be the cause of pain, so I have tried to be understanding, gracious and forgiving, but they are toxic people. My fiance is my very own real-life Prince Charming, and I want nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with him.
Abby, I am terrified they are going to show up to our wedding anyway or try to somehow sabotage it. What should I do? If they show up, should I let them stay or have them removed? How do I prevent them from intruding in the future? — CINDERELLA IN NEW ENGLAND
DEAR CINDERELLA: Allow me to congratulate you and your fiance on your upcoming nuptials and offer my sympathy for your grief, which is undeserved. You may need to hire professional security to ensure the peace, or see if security is provided at the venue. The way to prevent unwanted intruders in the future would be to move as far away from his family as is feasible.
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--2020-03-23--Morrissey true to himself on his best album in years

Few musical artists would urge listeners to just go ahead and kill themselves already on the very first track of a new album .
Morrissey is clearly not your regular artist .
The former frontman for The Smiths flies his misanthropy flag high on “ Jim Jim Falls , ” but it ’ s such a good song that you ’ ll happily bop along as he sings , “ If you ’ re gon na kill yourself/then , to save face — get on with it.
” The 11-track album “ I Am Not a Dog on a Chain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of Morrissey ’ s best music in years , a guide into his one-of-a-kind controversial head , but also an album filled with electric and adventurous tracks that often shake his morose stereotype .
He was happy to stay in bed for 2017 ’ s “ Low in High School , ” bit here he is vibrant — welcoming even .
“ Congratulations — you have survived , ” he sings on the lush and shimmering “ Knockabout World.
” He later even offers the hearty endorsement “ you ’ re OK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From a noted misanthrope , this is huge .
On his last album of original songs , he famously told us to stop watching the news .
This time his weird relationship with the media continues , with the proud boast that he doesn ’ t read newspapers ( “ they are trouble makers ” ) but he still asks if we ’ d all see the day ’ s headlines in “ Love Is on Its Way Out.
” Morrissey ’ s animal rights stance is all over the new album , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sad rich/hunting down , shooting down elephants and lions ?
” he sings on “ Love Is On its Way Out.
” On the title track he sings , “ Maybe I ’ ll be skinned alive by Canada Goose because of my views.
” He inserts a sly reference to President Donald Trump and his vice president on the synth-laden “ Once I Saw the River Clean , ” singing about “ 45 pence.
” Or maybe we ’ re reading into it .
He even seems to mock himself with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being nice ” on the title track .
The first single — the terrific “ Bobby , Don ’ t You Think They Know ?
” — is layered with drug references and has backing vocals by R & B pioneer Thelma Houston .
The wacky “ Darling , I Hug a Pillow ” has a Mexican feel and “ The Truth About Ruth ” has the Spanish guitar .
Morrissey gets proggy and spacey with the almost-8-minute “ The Secret of Music , ” which is a tour of instruments , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flute.
” It ’ s terrific , hypnotically weird .
He ends the album with the wistful “ My Hurling Days Are Done , ” in which he sings with a child ’ s choir : “ Oh time , oh time — no friend of mine.
” We disagree : Morrissey ’ s music is aging nicely .

Few musical artists would urge listeners to just go ahead and kill themselves already on the very first track of a new album. Morrissey is clearly not your regular artist.
The former frontman for The Smiths flies his misanthropy flag high on “Jim Jim Falls,” but it’s such a good song that you’ll happily bop along as he sings, “If you’re gonna kill yourself/then, to save face — get on with it.”
The 11-track album “I Am Not a Dog on a Chain” (on BMG) easily contains some of Morrissey’s best music in years, a guide into his one-of-a-kind controversial head, but also an album filled with electric and adventurous tracks that often shake his morose stereotype. He was happy to stay in bed for 2017’s “Low in High School,” bit here he is vibrant — welcoming even.
“Congratulations — you have survived,” he sings on the lush and shimmering “Knockabout World.” He later even offers the hearty endorsement “you’re OK by me” on the song. From a noted misanthrope, this is huge.
On his last album of original songs, he famously told us to stop watching the news. This time his weird relationship with the media continues, with the proud boast that he doesn’t read newspapers (“they are trouble makers”) but he still asks if we’d all see the day’s headlines in “Love Is on Its Way Out.”
Morrissey’s animal rights stance is all over the new album, too. “Did you see the sad rich/hunting down, shooting down elephants and lions?” he sings on “Love Is On its Way Out.” On the title track he sings, “Maybe I’ll be skinned alive by Canada Goose because of my views.”
He inserts a sly reference to President Donald Trump and his vice president on the synth-laden “Once I Saw the River Clean,” singing about “45 pence.” Or maybe we’re reading into it. He even seems to mock himself with the line “I see no point in being nice” on the title track.
The cover image on Morrissey’s “I Am Not a Dog on a Chain.” BMG
The first single — the terrific “Bobby, Don’t You Think They Know?” — is layered with drug references and has backing vocals by R&B pioneer Thelma Houston. The wacky “Darling, I Hug a Pillow” has a Mexican feel and “The Truth About Ruth” has the Spanish guitar.
Morrissey gets proggy and spacey with the almost-8-minute “The Secret of Music,” which is a tour of instruments, from “fat bassoon” to “angelic flute.” It’s terrific, hypnotically weird.
He ends the album with the wistful “My Hurling Days Are Done,” in which he sings with a child’s choir: “Oh time, oh time — no friend of mine.” We disagree: Morrissey’s music is aging nicely.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-23--1 killed, 9 hurt in Chicago weekend shootings

Ten people were shot , one fatally , throughout Chicago over the first weekend of spring .
A 38-year-old man was found fatally wounded Sunday in Bridgeport on the South Side .
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 12:50 a.m. in the 3100 block of South Benson Street and found the man unresponsive with gunshot wounds throughout his body , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ t released details about his death .
Two people seen speeding away from the scene were taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released without being charged , police said .
The incident was Chicago ’ s first reported shooting after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s “ stay-at-home ” order went into effect at 5 p.m. Saturday in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
Nine other people were injured in shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
The weekend ’ s latest nonfatal attack happened early Monday in Gresham on the South Side .
The 25-year-old was about to get into a vehicle at 12:08 a.m. in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he heard gunshots and realized he was hit in the leg , according to police .
He told investigators he didn ’ t see the shooter or know where the shots came from .
He went to Roseland Community Hospital on his own and was listed in good condition .
Another man was seriously injured Sunday in University Village on the Near West Side .
Officers on patrol heard gunshots at 3:38 a.m. and found the 30-year-old in the courtyard of a public housing complex in the 1300 block of West Hastings Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Stroger Hospital in serious condition with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and leg .
More than 24 hours earlier , a shooting left two men injured in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
They were standing in a front yard at 2:22 a.m. Saturday in the 3700 block of West Grand Avenue when someone opened fire , possibly from a passing vehicle , according to police .
A 33-year-old man was hit multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition .
The other man , 21 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the same hospital in serious condition , but has since been stabilized .
Just over an hour before that , another man was found shot in the head in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
Officers found the 26-year-old on a curb next to a vehicle about 1:03 a.m. in the 3000 block of South Trumbull Avenue , police said .
He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition .
Police said witnesses have been uncooperative with investigators and the circumstances of the shooting remain unknown .
Less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot in Princeton Park on the South Side .
They were walking at 12:47 a.m. when they heard shots and realized they ’ d been hit in the 200 block of West 93rd Street , according to police .
A 27-year-old was shot in the back and taken in serious condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
The other man , 29 , was hit in the ankle and got to the same hospital on his own .
He was listed in good condition .
A woman with a gunshot wound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ late Friday night .
The 25-year-old was shot in the neck , and her sister drove her to Mount Sinai Hospital , 1500 S. Fairfield Ave. , about 11:30 p.m. , police said .
She was listed in fair condition but was unable to tell investigators where the shooting occurred .
The weekend ’ s first shooting injured a 21-year-old man Friday evening in Jeffery Manor on the South Side .
He was walking on the sidewalk about 7 p.m. in the 9600 block of South Chappel Avenue when he heard shots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hit in the abdomen and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
One person was killed and 17 others were hurt by gunfire last weekend across the city .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Ten people were shot, one fatally, throughout Chicago over the first weekend of spring.
A 38-year-old man was found fatally wounded Sunday in Bridgeport on the South Side.
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 12:50 a.m. in the 3100 block of South Benson Street and found Brandon Jones unresponsive, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. He had gunshot wounds to the head, torso, hand and back and was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
An autopsy conducted ruled Jones’ death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
Two people seen speeding away from the scene were taken in for questioning, but were later released without being charged, police said.
The incident was Chicago’s first reported shooting after Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “stay-at-home” order went into effect at 5 p.m. Saturday in an effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Nine other people were injured in shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday. The weekend’s latest nonfatal attack happened early Monday in Gresham on the South Side.
The 25-year-old was about to get into a vehicle at 12:08 a.m. in the 9000 block of South Emerald Avenue when he heard gunshots and realized he was hit in the leg, according to police. He told investigators he didn’t see the shooter or know where the shots came from. He went to Roseland Community Hospital on his own and was listed in good condition.
Another man was seriously injured Sunday in University Village on the Near West Side.
Officers on patrol heard gunshots at 3:38 a.m. and found the 30-year-old in the courtyard of a public housing complex in the 1300 block of West Hastings Street, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and leg.
More than 24 hours earlier, a shooting left two men injured in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
They were standing in a front yard at 2:22 a.m. Saturday in the 3700 block of West Grand Avenue when someone opened fire, possibly from a passing vehicle, according to police. A 33-year-old man was hit multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. The other man, 21, was hit in the leg and taken to the same hospital in serious condition, but has since been stabilized.
Just over an hour before that, another man was found shot in the head in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
Officers found the 26-year-old on a curb next to a vehicle about 1:03 a.m. in the 3000 block of South Trumbull Avenue, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.
Police said witnesses have been uncooperative with investigators and the circumstances of the shooting remain unknown.
Less than 20 minutes earlier, two men were shot in Princeton Park on the South Side.
They were walking at 12:47 a.m. when they heard shots and realized they’d been hit in the 200 block of West 93rd Street, according to police. A 27-year-old was shot in the back and taken in serious condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center. The other man, 29, was hit in the ankle and got to the same hospital on his own. He was listed in good condition.
A woman with a gunshot wound was driven to a West Side hospital late Friday night.
The 25-year-old was shot in the neck, and her sister drove her to Mount Sinai Hospital, 1500 S. Fairfield Ave., about 11:30 p.m., police said. She was listed in fair condition but was unable to tell investigators where the shooting occurred.
The weekend’s first shooting injured a 21-year-old man Friday evening in Jeffery Manor on the South Side.
He was walking on the sidewalk about 7 p.m. in the 9600 block of South Chappel Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain, police said. He was hit in the abdomen and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Additionally, a man and a 13-year-old boy suffered separate accidental self-inflicted gunshot wounds over the weekend.
The child was handling his older brother’s gun inside a home in the Back of the Yards about 10:45 p.m Sunday when the gun went off, striking him in the leg, police said. The brother drove the child to Stroger Hospital, where he was listed in good condition,
A police source said the brother has a valid FOID card and had just finished cleaning the gun before the incident. No charges have been filed.
Earlier that day, a 25-year-old man accidentally shot himself while allegedly running away from a traffic stop in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
He was riding in a vehicle that was pulled over for a “minor traffic violation” at 1:07 a.m. in the 3400 block of West Monroe Street, according to police. He got out of the car, started to run and put a handgun in his pocket. The gun discharged as he ran, grazing him in the groin.
The man went to Mount Sinai Hospital on his own and was listed in good condition, police said. No charges were filed against him.
One person was killed and 17 others were hurt by gunfire last weekend across the city.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-22--Tokyo Olympics seem sure to happen — but in 2021, not 2020

TOKYO — The Tokyo Olympics are going to happen — but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned .
This became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement .
Major Olympic nations like Canada and Australia have added pressure by saying they will not go if the games are staged this year .
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision and why it might take so long , while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular .
“ I know that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , ” he wrote .
“ I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.
” The IOC ’ s move seemed inevitable for a week with pressure mounting from all quarters — athletes , sponsors , broadcasters and more than 200 national Olympic committees , and international sports federations .
Shortly after Bach ’ s statement , the Canadian Olympic Committee said it won ’ t send teams to the Olympics unless the games are postponed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was advising its athletes to prepare for an Olympics in 2021 .
The Australian committee ’ s executive board agreed unanimously that “ an Australian Team could not be assembled in the changing circumstances at home and abroad.
” World Athletics President Seb Coe sent a letter to Bach saying that holding the Olympics in July “ is neither feasible nor desirable.
” He outlined a number of reasons , including competitive fairness , the likelihood athletes would overtrain if given a compressed schedule and the uncertainty caused by orders in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workout venues .
National Olympic committees in Brazil and Slovenia had also called for postponement until 2021 .
Norway ’ s Olympic body said it did not want athletes going to Tokyo until the global health crisis is under control .
The United States governing bodies of swimming and track — two of the three top-tier Summer Games sports — had called on their national Olympic officials to push for a postponement .
Japan ’ s politicians fell in line quickly on Monday as they awakened to Bach ’ s move .
Japan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking at a parliamentary session , said a postponement of the Tokyo Olympics would be unavoidable if the games can not be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ If it is difficult to hold ( the Games ) in a complete way , a decision of postponement would be unavoidable , ” he said .
Abe said he hoped the IOC would make a decision early if it is postponed , because the process would involve a lot of work and should start as soon as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what to do over the next four weeks , and in that process that word ( postponement ) may be included , ” she said .
The IOC holds most of the cards in any rescheduling , spelled out in a Host City Contract signed in 2013 between the IOC , the Japanese Olympic Committee and the city of Tokyo .
Japan is officially spending $ 12.6 billion to organize the Olympics , but a national audit put the figure at more than twice that much .
The bill is sure to increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of the spending if from the public treasury .
The IOC has a reserve fund of about $ 2 billion to tide itself over , and also has insurance against postponement or cancellation .
“ The public is expecting and supports postponement , so it won ’ t be a big deal , ” Jeff Kingston , who studies Japanese politics at Temple University in Tokyo , said in an email to Associated Press .
“ People are way more worried about the economic consequences and their jobs and if the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Michael Payne said the delay might work to the advantage of the IOC and Japan .
“ What better platform is there going to be than the Olympic Games when the world has pulled through the virus , ” Payne told AP in an interview Sunday , just before the IOC announcement .
“ You ’ ve got a dynamic that will be even more powerful for Japan and the rest of the world .
But you are going to have a tough road getting there.
” The Olympic torch arrived Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it set to begin on Thursday from that area but is in doubt .
On Sunday , thousands crowed one northern city to view the flame .
Organizers have asked spectators to show restraint , threatening to delay the relay or change plans .
As of Sunday , Japan had 1,719 confirmed cases of the virus , including 712 from a cruise ship , with 43 deaths .
While Japan has so far managed to slow the acceleration of the outbreak , experts say they have found a growing number of clusters in @ @ @ @ @ @

TOKYO — The Tokyo Olympics are probably going to happen, but almost surely in 2021 rather than in four months as planned.
That became clear after the IOC on Sunday announced it was considering a postponement and would make a final decision within four weeks. Major Olympic nations like Canada and Australia have added pressure by saying they will not send teams if the games are staged this year.
International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach sent a letter to athletes explaining the decision, while also acknowledging the extended timeline might not be popular.
“I know that this unprecedented situation leaves many of your questions open,” he wrote. “I also know that this rational approach may not be in line with the emotions many of you have to go through.”
The IOC’s move seemed inevitable for weeks with pressure mounting from all quarters — athletes, sponsors, broadcasters, more than 200 national Olympic committees and international sports federations.
Shortly after Bach’s statement, the Canadian Olympic Committee said it would not send athletes to the Olympics unless the games are postponed by a year. Australia issued a statement saying it was advising its athletes to prepare for an Olympics in 2021.
John Coates is the head of the Australian Olympic Committee and the IOC member who heads the inspection team for Tokyo.
World Athletics President Sebastian Coe sent a letter to Bach saying that holding the Olympics in July “is neither feasible nor desirable.” He outlined a number of reasons, including competitive fairness, the likelihood athletes would overtrain if given a compressed schedule and the uncertainty caused by orders in many countries barring people from gyms and other workout venues.
National Olympic committees in Brazil and Slovenia had also called for postponement until 2021. Norway’s Olympic body said it did not want athletes going to Tokyo until the global health crisis is under control.
The United States governing bodies of swimming and track — two of the three top-tier Summer Games sports — had called on their national Olympic officials to push for a postponement.
Japan’s politicians fell in line quickly on Monday as they awakened to Bach’s move, which was announced at 3 a.m. in Tokyo as most of the city slept.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, speaking at a parliamentary session, said a postponement of the Tokyo Olympics would be necessary if the games cannot be held in a complete way because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“If it is difficult to hold (the games) in a complete way, a decision of postponement would be unavoidable,” he said.
Abe said he hoped the IOC would announce a decision quickly, and Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike echoed him.
The IOC holds most of the cards in any rescheduling, spelled out in a Host City Contract signed in 2013 between the IOC, the Japanese Olympic Committee and the city of Tokyo.
Japan is officially spending $12.6 billion to organize the Olympics, but a national audit put the figure at more than twice that much. The bill is sure to increase with any postponement, and the vast majority of the spending if from the public treasury.
The IOC has a reserve fund of about $2 billion to tide itself over, and also has insurance against postponement or cancellation.
Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organizing committee, said he talked with Bach by teleconference about the delay and was joined by CEO Toshiro Muto.
“Honestly speaking, four weeks is quite a short time to consider all the necessary elements.” Mori said at a Monday news conference. “It requires a tremendous amount of time and we have to hurry to go through this.”
Both were asked about added cost, and who would pay. And both shied away from a direct response.
Mori said cost calculations had to be made, and the availability of venues — presumably for next summer in the northern hemisphere — had to be examined. A decision also has to be made about who pays for the maintenance of venues if the Olympics are postponed.
Similar questions will be asked about the massive Olympic Village, which is to house 11,000 Olympians and 4,400 Paralympians before the high-priced units around Tokyo Bay are sold off by private developers.
“I respect Mr. Bach,” Mori said. “And we trust Mr. Bach. We have been always together walking side by side. I consider Mr. Bach as my best friend.”
The 82-year-old Mori, a former prime minister who has been undergoing treatment for an undisclosed illness, was asked if he could endure more work on the Olympics.
He called it a “rude” question.
“I’ve got about two years left to live,” he replied, half smiling as he said it.
The Olympic torch arrived last Friday in northern Japan from Greece. The torch relay it set to begin on Thursday from Fukushima prefecture, the area devastated by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and the meltdown of three nuclear reactors. Organizers said the relay is still on, but said plans could change very quickly.
On Sunday, thousands crowded the northern city of Sendai to view the flame, which forced organizers the restrict the entry for viewing.
Jeff Kingston, who studies Japanese politics at Temple University in Tokyo, said postponed Olympics will be a minor worry for most people.
”The public is expecting and supports postponement, so it won’t be a big deal,” Kingston said in an email to The Associated Press. “People are way more worried about the economic consequences and their jobs and if the number of cases ramps up.”
A recent poll by the Japanese news agency Kyodo said 69.9% did not expect the Olympics to open on schedule.
As of Sunday, Japan had 1,719 confirmed cases of the virus, including 712 from a cruise ship, with 43 deaths.
Former IOC marketing director Michael Payne said the delay might work to the advantage of the IOC and Japan.
“What better platform is there going to be than the Olympic Games when the world has pulled through the virus,” Payne told the AP in an interview Sunday, just before the IOC announcement. “You’ve got a dynamic that will be even more powerful for Japan and the rest of the world. But you are going to have a tough road getting there.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-22--Civil rights activist and Emmett Till relative dies at 50

CHICAGO — Airickca Gordon-Taylor , a relative of Emmett Till who spent her life educating others about the black teenage lynching victim ’ s legacy through her foundation , died at age 50 , according to family members .
Gordon-Taylor , of suburban Chicago , died early Saturday , hours after a hospital stay .
She had kidney problems for decades , including two transplants , according to her mother , Ollie Gordon , who was Till ’ s cousin .
“ She was a great advocate .
She was a fighter for equal justice , ” Gordon said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment to keep the legacy of Emmett Till going.
” Gordon-Taylor , of Olympia Fields , also called herself Till ’ s cousin , but considered herself a surrogate daughter to his mother , whom she lived with for a time .
In 2009 , Gordon-Taylor named her foundation after Till ’ s mother , calling it the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation .
Its mission is to honor her and her only son .
Emmett Till was killed in 1955 while visiting relatives in Mississippi , his body found weighted down in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on an open-casket funeral in Chicago , where they lived , so the public could see the mutilated corpse .
An all-white jury acquitted two white men in the killing .
Gordon-Taylor ’ s work included youth empowerment , such as teaching young people oratory skills , and civil rights issues .
Most recently , she advocated in Washington , D.C. , for an anti-lynching bill named after Till .
“ Airickca dedicated her life ’ s work to lifting up the legacy of her cousin , Emmett Till , and she stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost loved ones to racial violence in our country , ” said Kristen Clarke , head of the Lawyers ’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law , which works with the foundation .
“ She fought for truth and justice , and worked tirelessly to promote racial healing.
” Family members said they hope to plan a public memorial event in the future .

CHICAGO — Airickca Gordon-Taylor, a relative of Emmett Till who spent her life educating others about the black teenage lynching victim’s legacy through her foundation, died at age 50, according to family members.
Gordon-Taylor, of suburban Chicago, died early Saturday, hours after a hospital stay. She had kidney problems for decades, including two transplants, according to her mother, Ollie Gordon, who was Till’s cousin.
“She was a great advocate. She was a fighter for equal justice,” Gordon said. “She was very serious about her commitment to keep the legacy of Emmett Till going.”
Gordon-Taylor, of Olympia Fields, also called herself Till’s cousin, but considered herself a surrogate daughter to his mother, whom she lived with for a time. In 2009, Gordon-Taylor named her foundation after Till’s mother, calling it the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation. Its mission is to honor her and her only son.
Emmett Till was killed in 1955 while visiting relatives in Mississippi, his body found weighted down in the Tallahatchie River. His mother insisted on an open-casket funeral in Chicago, where they lived, so the public could see the mutilated corpse. An all-white jury acquitted two white men in the killing.
Till’s death helped energize the civil rights movement.
Gordon-Taylor’s work included youth empowerment, such as teaching young people oratory skills, and civil rights issues. Most recently, she advocated in Washington, D.C., for an anti-lynching bill named after Till.
“Airickca dedicated her life’s work to lifting up the legacy of her cousin, Emmett Till, and she stood in solidarity with other families who had lost loved ones to racial violence in our country,” said Kristen Clarke, head of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which works with the foundation. “She fought for truth and justice, and worked tirelessly to promote racial healing.”
Family members said they hope to plan a public memorial event in the future.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-22--Robbers beat, steal cash from people on NW Side

Police are warning about two robberies that happened in February and March in Cragin and Logan Square on the Northwest @ @ @ @ @ , two men approached someone on the sidewalk and beat or dragged them to the @ @ @ @ @ .
They got away with the victim ’ s cash .
• About 2:10 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ block of North Lamon Avenue and • About 2:13 a.m. March 18 in the 2100 @ @ @ @ @ .
One suspect is described as a 30- to 40-year-old man standing 5-foot-7 and weighing @ @ @ @ @ .
The other man is 30 to 32 years old , 5 feet tall and @ @ @ @ @ information about the robberies is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263 .
Read @ @ @ @ @ track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning about two robberies that happened in February and March in Cragin and Logan Square on the Northwest Side.
In both cases, two men approached someone on the sidewalk and beat or dragged them to the ground, Chicago police said. They got away with the victim’s cash.
The robberies happened:
About 2:10 a.m. Feb. 28 in the 2800 block of North Lamon Avenue and
About 2:13 a.m. March 18 in the 2100 block of North Hamlin Avenue.
One suspect is described as a 30- to 40-year-old man standing 5-foot-7 and weighing 180 pounds, police said. The other man is 30 to 32 years old, 5 feet tall and 160 pounds.
Anyone with information about the robberies is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-22--Horoscope for Monday, March 23, 2020

Horoscope for Monday, March 23, 2020

Caution : Avoid shopping or important decisions from 9:30 alm .
to 8:30 p.m. Chicago time .
After that the moon moves from Pisces into Aries .
Be careful today !
Your ambition is aroused , and you might be ruthless about achieving your goals .
Be wise and heed the restrictions of the moon alert .
Don ’ t go out on a limb when it will all be for nothing .
Timing is everything .
This is a terrible day for discussions about politics , religion and racial issues for two reasons : because Mars and Pluto are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hand , even violent .
Secondly because of the moon alert — nothing will be accomplished .
Sit this one out .
Do not get involved in disputes about shared property , insurance settlements and inheritances because this is a poor day for these discussions .
Postpone these talks for another day — ideally Friday .
Difficulties with partners and close friends right arise because people are demanding , pushy and impatient .
( Not everyone — but many . )
Therefore , take a breather and step back .
Be patient with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along .
Agree to nothing important .
You will work hard to achieve what you want because of your personal ambitions and pent-up energy .
Nevertheless , most of this day is a moon alert .
Therefore , do not agree to anything important .
Restrict your spending to food , gas and entertainment .
This is a tricky day .
In one way , it ’ s a creative , playful day .
However , there is also an influence that makes everyone super aggressive .
Therefore , guard against sports accidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids to avoid hissy fits and meltdowns .
Easy does it .
Family discussions are challenging because people want their own way .
No one wants to compromise ; in fact , this is a kind of day where people are downright pushy .
Therefore , tread carefully .
Restrict your spending to food , gas and entertainment during the moon alert .
Avoid dangerous neighborhoods today because people are aggressive and prone to angry outbursts .
Likewise , be calm and patient in discussion with neighbors , siblings and relatives to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a moon alert , so avoid important decisions and shopping .
Disputes about money , cash flow , earnings or something that you own might arise today .
If so , this could be a tough “ head-on ” clash of interests .
However , most of this day is moon alert , which means it ’ s a poor day for financial discussions .
Be smart .
Postpone these talks .
Don ’ t shop .
You might feel aggressive because both Mars and Pluto are lined up in your sign , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and run whatever is happening around you .
It will help you to do heavy work and make major changes , but it can also make you ruthless .
( Yikes ! )
Note : today is a moon alert .
Someone behind the scenes might be working against your best interests .
Be aware of this .
This is a tricky day , especially because it ’ s a moon alert for most of the day .
( Don ’ t shop , and avoid important decisions . )
If you think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is .
Be tactful when talking to friends and groups today because ego conflicts can easily arise .
( Avoid people who are prone to violence . )
Don ’ t insist on getting your way because it ’ s a moon alert today .
This is a bad day for important decisions , bad day to shop .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actress Keri Russell ( 1976 ) shares your birthday .
Your forte is your ability to communicate well .
You are dynamic , impulsive and a hard worker — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year will be a popular year that promotes friendships and interactions with clubs and organizations .
You will be grateful for the beauty and people in your daily world .
An important choice might arise this year .

Moon Alert
Caution: Avoid shopping or important decisions from 9:30 alm. to 8:30 p.m. Chicago time. After that the moon moves from Pisces into Aries.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Be careful today! Your ambition is aroused, and you might be ruthless about achieving your goals. Be wise and heed the restrictions of the moon alert. Don’t go out on a limb when it will all be for nothing. Timing is everything.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is a terrible day for discussions about politics, religion and racial issues for two reasons: because Mars and Pluto are aligned, things could get out of hand, even violent. Secondly because of the moon alert — nothing will be accomplished. Sit this one out.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Do not get involved in disputes about shared property, insurance settlements and inheritances because this is a poor day for these discussions. Postpone these talks for another day — ideally Friday.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Difficulties with partners and close friends right arise because people are demanding, pushy and impatient. (Not everyone — but many.) Therefore, take a breather and step back. Be patient with loved ones and go along to get along. Agree to nothing important.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You will work hard to achieve what you want because of your personal ambitions and pent-up energy. Nevertheless, most of this day is a moon alert. Therefore, do not agree to anything important. Restrict your spending to food, gas and entertainment.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a tricky day. In one way, it’s a creative, playful day. However, there is also an influence that makes everyone super aggressive. Therefore, guard against sports accidents. Likewise, be patient with your kids to avoid hissy fits and meltdowns. Easy does it.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Family discussions are challenging because people want their own way. No one wants to compromise; in fact, this is a kind of day where people are downright pushy. Therefore, tread carefully. Restrict your spending to food, gas and entertainment during the moon alert.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Avoid dangerous neighborhoods today because people are aggressive and prone to angry outbursts. Likewise, be calm and patient in discussion with neighbors, siblings and relatives to keep the peace. Most of today is a moon alert, so avoid important decisions and shopping.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Disputes about money, cash flow, earnings or something that you own might arise today. If so, this could be a tough “head-on” clash of interests. However, most of this day is moon alert, which means it’s a poor day for financial discussions. Be smart. Postpone these talks. Don’t shop.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You might feel aggressive because both Mars and Pluto are lined up in your sign, which makes you want to take over and run whatever is happening around you. It will help you to do heavy work and make major changes, but it can also make you ruthless. (Yikes!) Note: today is a moon alert.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Someone behind the scenes might be working against your best interests. Be aware of this. This is a tricky day, especially because it’s a moon alert for most of the day. (Don’t shop, and avoid important decisions.) If you think something fishy is going on, it is.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Be tactful when talking to friends and groups today because ego conflicts can easily arise. (Avoid people who are prone to violence.) Don’t insist on getting your way because it’s a moon alert today. This is a bad day for important decisions, bad day to shop.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Keri Russell (1976) shares your birthday. Your forte is your ability to communicate well. You are dynamic, impulsive and a hard worker — to the point of perfection! This year will be a popular year that promotes friendships and interactions with clubs and organizations. You will be grateful for the beauty and people in your daily world. An important choice might arise this year.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-22--Bears free agency 2020: OLB Barkevious Mingo added to crowded position

The Bears are adding another outside linebacker to a room that already includes starters Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn .
@ @ @ @ @ Mingo , a first-round pick ( sixth overall ) by the Browns in 2013 , @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll receive $ 1.18 million , according to the Houston Chronicle .
Mingo has @ @ @ @ @ Patriots , Colts , Seahawks and Texans .
He never has posted more than five @ @ @ @ @ has 10 overall .
He ’ s familiar with the Bears ’ system , however @ @ @ @ @ Bears ’ defensive coordinator , was his coach with the Colts in 2017 .
60 @ @ @ @ @ snaps last season .

The Bears are adding another outside linebacker to a room that already includes starters Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn.
The team is giving Barkevious Mingo, a first-round pick (sixth overall) by the Browns in 2013, a one-year deal. He’ll receive $1.1875 million, sources confirmed to the Sun-Times.
Mingo has played for the Browns, Patriots, Colts, Seahawks and Texans. He never has posted more than five sacks in a season and has 10 overall.
He’s familiar with the Bears’ system, however. Chuck Pagano, the Bears’ defensive coordinator, was his coach with the Colts in 2017.
Mingo can handle obvious rushing downs. Quinn, a pass-rushing specialist, played only
60 percent of the Cowboys’ snaps last season.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-23--Latest coronavirus news: 2020 Census should be delayed, Mayor Lightfoot says

Lightfoot wants 2020 Census delayed until after nation wins coronavirus war Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday urged the Trump administration to postpone the 2020 U.S. Census , arguing there is “ not enough bandwidth ” to conduct the count while waging a national war against the coronavirus .
In the 2010 Census , Chicago ’ s 66 % response rate was “ among the worst participation levels ” of any big city in the nation .
This year ’ s Chicago goal : an ambitious 75 % .
To do that , Chicago had planned to spend $ 2.7 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” resident — to cut through what Lightfoot has called the cloud of fear created by immigration raids and a nixed citizenship question .
But then , a worldwide pandemic shuttered schools and businesses and brought everyday life to a standstill .
“ We need all hands on deck to address this current crisis .
And a lot of community-based organizations — and , candidly , folks on my team — have been re-purposed to focus on the needs of people in the city regarding the coronavirus issue , ” Lightfoot said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ census .
There ’ s not enough bandwidth to be able to do both , particularly when what we ’ re talking about is going door-to-door , educating people .
The libraries now are closed .
So that avenue for filling out the digital applications isn ’ t available.
” 4:54 p.m. State cuts red tape for retired doctors , nurses who want to rejoin front lines to fight coronavirus Following direction from Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , state officials announced Monday that they are allowing healthcare workers with expired licenses to temporarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nurses to fight the coronavirus pandemic .
The rule changes will allow physicians , nurses and other healthcare workers with licenses that have recently expired to reapply without having to navigate the normal bureaucratic hurdles to do so .
” The State of Illinois has many very qualified health care professionals throughout the State that we are encouraging to come back into practice to assist with the impact of COVID-19 , ” Deborah Hagan , secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation , said in a statement .
Chicago Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s school board for $ 75 million to address the coronavirus emergency over the next several months .
The request , which would allow the district to decide how it wants to spend the money without prior board approval or immediate public notice , is part of the agenda for Wednesday ’ s monthly board meeting .
If approved by Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s seven-member school board , the resolution would immediately give district officials ultimate flexibility in addressing the crisis through the end of June , unless otherwise changed by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response since March 5 would also be approved under the measure .
2:46 p.m. Three more Illinois coronavirus deaths announced ; Pritzker also details medical equipment shortages Illinois officials on Monday announced three more people have died from the novel coronavirus , while Gov .
J.B. Pritzker also publicly outlined the state ’ s federal requests for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies , including respirators for some of the most serious cases .
After several national television appearances in which Pritzker pointed the finger at President Donald Trump and his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker detailed those requests while also announcing the partnership of the Illinois Manufacturers ’ Association and the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization to ramp up in-state production of supplies like masks , gloves , gowns , ventilators and sanitizers .
“ I have medical professionals and first responders begging for what they need , ” Pritzker said .
Despite the outlining of his requests and push for more federal help , the Democratic governor said he spoke directly to President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon , a call that prompted the governor to call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Drive-thru COVID-19 test site opens on NW Side to first responders , health professionals A drive-thru test site for COVID-19 opened Monday to first responders and health professionals at a repurposed vehicle emissions test building on the Northwest Side .
The Illinois National Guard opened the site at 9 a.m. and will test 250 first responders today on a first-come , first-served basis , according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford .
The site at 6959 Forest Preserve Drive , near the Harlem Irving Plaza , is limited to police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ professionals , he said .
It ’ s unclear if the site will later be converted to a test site for the public .
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago announced Monday that it is partnering with the city ’ s Office of Emergency Management and Communications to convert some Chicago Y ’ s into emergency shelters for displaced and homeless Chicagoans .
The full plan calls for YMCA facilities to house more than 400 people to help relieve city shelters and provide more opportunities for social distancing .
YMCA centers are currently closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centers across the state , due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Read more from the YMCA of Metro Chicago ’ s announcement .
1:29 p.m. Attorney General Kwame Raoul gets price-gouging businesses to agree to stop or face $ 50,000 fine and shutdown Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has received more than 525 complaints statewide against businesses accused of jacking up prices during the coronavirus pandemic .
Some of the increases are legitimate , Raoul said .
But businesses found to be unrealistically marking up their prices are being asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office not to engage in further gouging , he said .
Chicago residents have been using social media to warn their neighbors about price gouging and to call on the police to bust them .
One man complained of a North Side gas station selling one-ply toilet paper for $ 4.99 a roll and marking up hand sanitizer from $ 2.99 to $ 12.99 .
The Sun-Times visited the gas station Sunday and found toilet paper on sale for that price , but the hand sanitizer was gone .
Other prices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clorox wipes , for instance .
West Virginia has joined the growing list of states ordering residents to stay inside their homes except for when absolutely necessary .
Grocery store trips and travel to and from work for employees in “ essential ” industries are among the few exceptions .
The order , issued by Gov .
Jim Justice , takes effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday .
It does not mean West Virginia ’ s borders are closed .
WSAZ 3 News in Huntington , WV has more .
12:59 p.m. 2020 Tokyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic : IOC member Veteran International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told USA TODAY Sports Monday afternoon that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are going to be postponed , likely to 2021 , with the details to be worked out in the next four weeks .
“ On the basis of the information the IOC has , postponement has been decided , ” Pound said in a phone interview .
“ The parameters going forward have not been determined , but the Games are not going to start on July 24 , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registers smaller day-to-day increase in new coronavirus cases for second straight day Officials say Italy has recorded a smaller day-to-day increase in new coronavirus cases for the second straight day .
Data released by Italy ’ s Civil Protection agency on Monday showed 4,789 new cases from a day earlier , nearly 700 fewer than the figure reported Sunday .
The number of deaths also did not rise by as much .
There were just over 600 registered on Monday compared to 651 on Sunday .
Teams of Cook County judges this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a goal of reducing the number of inmates in jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Chief Criminal Court Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. Monday ordered the review in response to an emergency motion filed last week by Public Defender Amy Campanelli that seeks the immediate release of some inmates , including those who are older , have health conditions , couldn ’ t pay their bonds , or are charged with low-level , non-violent felony and misdemeanor crimes .
Campanelli , in her motion , cited her frustration that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had only resulted in the release of about 100 Cook County inmates .
There are currently 5,600 inmates inside the sprawling jail complex .
Read the full story from Andy Grimm here .
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a “ stay at home ” order for the state Monday , following similar orders enacted in adjacent states Illinois , Ohio and Michigan .
Holcomb said Monday that the order still allows the state ’ s 6.8 million residents to seek essentials including groceries and medicine and makes exemptions for employees of crucial industries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 259 virus infections .
The state ’ s most recent death from COVID-19 , the disease caused by the virus , was an adult over the age of 60 in northeastern Indiana ’ s .
Allen County ’ s health department announced his death Sunday , the Indiana State Department of Health said .
10:02 a.m. Lightfoot says city will be ‘ repurposing ’ empty hotel rooms as ‘ quarantine spaces ’ Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday morning the city of Chicago will be announcing the “ repurposing ” of empty hotel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for coronavirus patients .
Lightfoot also had a personal reflection : “ I ’ m a black woman in America .
I learned early on nobody was going to save me .
I had to step up and make sure I took care of myself .
And that is the approach that we ’ re taking in the city of Chicago.
” Also in the morning , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on NBC ’ s “ Today Show ” repeated his call for the federal government to take charge of acquiring personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His comments about the feds need to step up on Sunday drew the ire of President Donald Trump .
“ We ’ re competing for ventilators with FEMA and the federal government .
So Illinois is bidding for ventilators against the federal government .
In another case , we were bidding against foreign countries and other states .
And so what ’ s happening to not just on ventilators , but on all the PPE that we need ?
Prices are being ratcheted up , and we ’ re competing against each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , where we should be coming together and the federal government should be leading.
” Read the full story from the Sun-Times ’ Lynn Sweet .
9:41 a.m. Pastors pray outside Cook County jail for release of inmates to help protect them from the coronavirus A group of religious leaders from across the city hope to add the power of prayer to an effort to have large numbers of inmates released from the Cook County Jail in the wake of the spreading coronavirus .
“ The most important thing is to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a part of our families as people who are on the outside , ” said Jason Lydon , the pastor at Second Unitarian Church in Lake View , as he stood outside the jail complex Monday .
“ It is the responsibility of judges in this particular moment to get people free for the purpose of ensuring individual health , as well as community health.
” Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli was expected to appear before a judge at the George Leighton Criminal Courthouse later Monday to present an emergency petition seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most medically vulnerable among them .
Disinformation and misinformation about the fast-spreading coronavirus is pervading the nation and the globe as aggressively as the virus itself .
NewsGuard — “ The Internet Trust Tool ” — is a rating service that vets news websites for accuracy and transparency .
Its leadership includes former Chicago Tribune editor James Warren .
The group has been tracking news and information sites in the U.S. , the U.K. , France , Italy , and Germany that have published materially false information about the virus .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ websites in the U.S. circulating inaccurate information about COVID-19 .
Last week , NewsGuard traced a single story story that originated on an obscure Indian website — one that ’ s been debunked by PolitiFact , FactCheck.org , and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation , yet ended up being viewed and shared by tens of thousands of Americans because unreliable news sources regularly follow and republish each other .
“ The takeaway is how easily misinformation can be amplified by even a small group of unreliable sites that share their claims on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a misinformation force multiplier , ” NewsGuard ’ s Washington Correspondent Gabby Deutch argued in Wired .
Sunday : ‘ Strained at every level.
’ COVID-19 pressures already burdened Chicago hospitals Roseland Community Hospital is re-purposing rooms , establishing an outside screening center and bulking up staff in preparation of the virus spreading .
The far South Side hospital , a so-called safety net hospital that serves predominantly low-income families on the city ’ s far South Side , is now bracing for a wave of patients to come through its doowas already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each day since nearby MetroSouth Medical Center closed last year .
• An administrative staff member at North Central College in Naperville has tested positive for COVID-19 .
The staff member was last at work March 10 , six days before the college suspended in-person classes .
• Harvey Weinstein has tested positive for coronavirus in prison .
He is being isolated at maximum security Wende Correctional Facility , in a town near Buffalo in upstate New York .
• U.S .
Senator Amy Klobuchar released a statement just before 10 a.m. Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diagnosed with COVID-19 .
“ I know so many Americans are going through this and so much worse right now .
So I hope and pray for you , just as I hope you will do for my husband .
Meanwhile I am working in the Senate to get help to the American people.
” • In Illinois , 296 new cases of COVID-19 were reported Sunday .
Of 8,374 people tested in Illinois , 1,049 positive tests have been confirmed .
The age of cases ranges from younger than one to 99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County Jail tested positive for coronavirus .
A “ small number of staff ” who may have had contact with the officer has been asked to self-quarantine for 14 days .
As of Sunday , no inmates have tested positive .
• Sen. Rand Paul became the first member of U.S. Senate to test positive for coronavirus .
Paul said he has not had symptoms and was tested out of an abundance of caution due to his extensive travel and events .
2:00 p.m. Letter to the Editor : America ’ s truckers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic Who is protecting the truck drivers who leave their families behind and put themselves at risk to take care of the American people ?
Every one on social media is all about doctors , nurses and first responders , but what about truck drivers ?
Without them , no one else has the tools to do their jobs .
The public and the government need to take notice of real heroes .
You can find them sleeping beside the interstate highways , waiting in lines to take showers that 100 others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available and not what they want , working 70+ hours a week — the list goes on .
I have asked people this question : What if every truck driver stopped working for one or two days ?
Read this and more letters to the editor here .
11:44 a.m. Stay fit at home during the stay-at-home order with these workout tips With gyms across Chicago closed to limit spread of the coronavirus , working out requires a bit more creativity these days .
For some people , the big change in routine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you stay fit outside of your usual habits ?
It doesn ’ t take much more than some good instruction to break a sweat in the confines of your own home .
Our Exercise Well series , led by workout guru Stephanie Mansour , offers up many ways to get your heartbeat up even if you ’ re practicing social distancing .
We made a YouTube playlist of 36 videos that break down exercises you can do at home .
Click here to learn more .
9:55 a.m. Pritzker stops by the TODAY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker on NBC ’ s “ Today Show ” repeated his call for the federal government to take charge of acquiring personal protection equipment such as masks and gowns .
His comments about the feds need to step up on Sunday drew the ire of President Donald Trump .
Pritzker : “ We ’ re competing for ventilators with FEMA and the federal government .
So Illinois is bidding for ventilators against the federal government .
In another case , we were bidding against foreign countries and other states .
And so what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators , but on all the PPE that we need ?
Prices are being ratcheted up , and we ’ re competing against each other on what should be a national crisis , where we should be coming together and the federal government should be leading.
” Pritzker and the governors of California and New York — Gavin Newsom and Andrew Cuomo all Democrats , have been pleading for resources from the federal government as the number of coronavirus cases explodes .

The latest
The White House promise to send Illinois 300 ventilators and 250,000 masks came some 24 hours after Pritzker complained “the only way to get the president of the United States to pay attention is to go on national television and make noise about it.” John L. Alexander/For the Sun-Times; Getty Images
After a string of national TV appearances in which Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic — and a couple of Twitter tirades — the White House on Monday has vowed to send Illinois 300 ventilators and 250,000 masks.
According to the governor’s office, that assurance came from a White House aide on Monday afternoon after Pritzker and Trump spoke directly on the phone at about noon. It also came some 24 hours after Pritzker complained “the only way to get the president of the United States to pay attention is to go on national television and make noise about it.”
Pritzker’s office said Illinois is expected to get 300 ventilators and 250,000 N95 masks.
For well over a week, the Democratic governor has been lobbing complaints at the president via Twitter and on NBC’s “Meet the Press” and CNN’s “State of the Union.”
News
10:03 p.m. Atlanta Mayor issues 14-day stay-at-home order
Atlanta is the latest city to issue a stay-at-home order in an attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Monday night that she signed the order, which encourages Atlanta residents for the next two weeks.
Essential businesses, including grocery stores, pharmacies and restaurants serving takeout, may remain open, but most other businesses will have to close until at least April 7.
The order goes into effect at midnight.
Read the full story at AJC.com
8:48 p.m. Some food delivery apps seeing a ‘definite uptick’ due to coronavirus pandemic
Delivery-based apps and their drivers are finding new and inventive ways to get their food orders to their customers while keeping in mind the health and safety of all parties involved during the coronavirus pandemic.
Pizza Capri, with three area locations, is using plastic wrap to help ensure an added layer of safety on its products’ packaging. And last week, DoorDash distributed 1 million sets of hand sanitizer and gloves to its drivers and couriers, according to a company blog.
DoorDash, which has no delivery fees in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to help support neighborhood restaurants, has also implemented a “no-contact option” for customers to minimize contact between them and drivers. They are also charging zero commissions for 30 days to independent restaurants once they sign up for the service.
Read the full story by Evan Moore.
7:13 p.m. Chicago-based Amazon employees say company agreed to paid time off for all its workers
Amazon is offering its entire workforce paid time off for the first time in a win for thousands of employees who have been fighting for better benefits for months.
All regular part-time and seasonal employees in the U.S. will be able to use paid time off starting Monday, according to a “manager update” shared by Chicago-based Amazon employee group, DCH1 Amazonians United, in a blog Monday. The document, which was dated March 20, said the benefit will be accrued retroactively back to March 1.
The news comes just two days after Amazon announced a temporary overtime pay raise and its plan to hire 100,000 new employees as the company works to fulfill an overwhelming spike in business due to the COVID-19 outbreak, USA Today reported.
Read more from the DCH1 Amazonians United group.
5:45 p.m. Lightfoot wants 2020 Census delayed until after nation wins coronavirus war
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday urged the Trump administration to postpone the 2020 U.S. Census, arguing there is “not enough bandwidth” to conduct the count while waging a national war against the coronavirus.
In the 2010 Census, Chicago’s 66% response rate was “among the worst participation levels” of any big city in the nation.
This year’s Chicago goal: an ambitious 75%. To do that, Chicago had planned to spend $2.7 million — $2 for every “hard-to-count” resident — to cut through what Lightfoot has called the cloud of fear created by immigration raids and a nixed citizenship question.
But then, a worldwide pandemic shuttered schools and businesses and brought everyday life to a standstill.
“We have to push back the census,” Lightfoot said. “There’s not enough bandwidth to be able to do both, particularly when what we’re talking about is going door-to-door, educating people. The libraries now are closed. So that avenue for filling out the digital applications isn’t available.”
Read the full story from reporter Fran Spielman.
4:54 p.m. State cuts red tape for retired doctors, nurses who want to rejoin front lines to fight coronavirus
Following direction from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, state officials announced Monday that they are allowing healthcare workers with expired licenses to temporarily restore them to provide more doctors and nurses to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The rule changes will allow physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers with licenses that have recently expired to reapply without having to navigate the normal bureaucratic hurdles to do so.
”The State of Illinois has many very qualified health care professionals throughout the State that we are encouraging to come back into practice to assist with the impact of COVID-19,” Deborah Hagan, secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, said in a statement.
Read more from reporter Neal Earley.
4:18 p.m. CPS seeks $75 million to deal with coronavirus crisis
Chicago Public Schools administrators are asking the city’s school board for $75 million to address the coronavirus emergency over the next several months.
The request, which would allow the district to decide how it wants to spend the money without prior board approval or immediate public notice, is part of the agenda for Wednesday’s monthly board meeting.
If approved by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s seven-member school board, the resolution would immediately give district officials ultimate flexibility in addressing the crisis through the end of June, unless otherwise changed by the board. All money spent on coronavirus response since March 5 would also be approved under the measure.
Read more from reporter Nader Issa.
2:46 p.m. Three more Illinois coronavirus deaths announced; Pritzker also details medical equipment shortages
Illinois officials on Monday announced three more people have died from the novel coronavirus, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker also publicly outlined the state’s federal requests for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies, including respirators for some of the most serious cases.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been holding daily briefings on Illinois’ response to the coronavirus situation. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
After several national television appearances in which Pritzker pointed the finger at President Donald Trump and his administration for a lack of medical essentials, Pritzker detailed those requests while also announcing the partnership of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization to ramp up in-state production of supplies like masks, gloves, gowns, ventilators and sanitizers.
“I have medical professionals and first responders begging for what they need,” Pritzker said.
Despite the outlining of his requests and push for more federal help, the Democratic governor said he spoke directly to President Donald Trump on Monday afternoon, a call that prompted the governor to call the president “very responsive.”
Read more from reporter Tina Sfondeles.
2:31 p.m. Drive-thru COVID-19 test site opens on NW Side to first responders, health professionals
A drive-thru test site for COVID-19 opened Monday to first responders and health professionals at a repurposed vehicle emissions test building on the Northwest Side.
The Illinois National Guard opened the site at 9 a.m. and will test 250 first responders today on a first-come, first-served basis, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
The site at 6959 Forest Preserve Drive, near the Harlem Irving Plaza, is limited to police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other health professionals, he said. It’s unclear if the site will later be converted to a test site for the public.
Read more from reporter David Struett.
1:55 p.m. Closed YMCA buildings to provide emergency shelter
The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago announced Monday that it is partnering with the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications to convert some Chicago Y’s into emergency shelters for displaced and homeless Chicagoans. The full plan calls for YMCA facilities to house more than 400 people to help relieve city shelters and provide more opportunities for social distancing.
YMCA centers are currently closed, as are other gyms and rec centers across the state, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more from the YMCA of Metro Chicago’s announcement.
1:29 p.m. Attorney General Kwame Raoul gets price-gouging businesses to agree to stop or face $50,000 fine and shutdown
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul says his office has received more than 525 complaints statewide against businesses accused of jacking up prices during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the increases are legitimate, Raoul said. But businesses found to be unrealistically marking up their prices are being asked to sign agreements with the attorney general’s office not to engage in further gouging, he said.
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Chicago residents have been using social media to warn their neighbors about price gouging and to call on the police to bust them.
One man complained of a North Side gas station selling one-ply toilet paper for $4.99 a roll and marking up hand sanitizer from $2.99 to $12.99. The Sun-Times visited the gas station Sunday and found toilet paper on sale for that price, but the hand sanitizer was gone. Other prices sounded more reasonable: $3.99 for Clorox wipes, for instance.
Read the full, updated Sun-Times report here.
1:12 p.m. West Virginia issues stay-at-home order
West Virginia has joined the growing list of states ordering residents to stay inside their homes except for when absolutely necessary. Grocery store trips and travel to and from work for employees in “essential” industries are among the few exceptions.
The order, issued by Gov. Jim Justice, takes effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday. It does not mean West Virginia’s borders are closed.
WSAZ 3 News in Huntington, WV has more.
12:59 p.m. 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be postponed due to coronavirus pandemic: IOC member
Veteran International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound told USA TODAY Sports Monday afternoon that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games are going to be postponed, likely to 2021, with the details to be worked out in the next four weeks.
“On the basis of the information the IOC has, postponement has been decided,” Pound said in a phone interview. “The parameters going forward have not been determined, but the Games are not going to start on July 24, that much I know.”
Read the full story here.
12:48 p.m. Italy registers smaller day-to-day increase in new coronavirus cases for second straight day
Officials say Italy has recorded a smaller day-to-day increase in new coronavirus cases for the second straight day.
Data released by Italy’s Civil Protection agency on Monday showed 4,789 new cases from a day earlier, nearly 700 fewer than the figure reported Sunday.
The number of deaths also did not rise by as much. There were just over 600 registered on Monday compared to 651 on Sunday.
Read the full story here.
11:53 Cook County judges to review inmates’ cases to drastically reduce jail population
Teams of Cook County judges this week will begin reviewing thousands of criminal cases with a goal of reducing the number of inmates in jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Criminal Court Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. Monday ordered the review in response to an emergency motion filed last week by Public Defender Amy Campanelli that seeks the immediate release of some inmates, including those who are older, have health conditions, couldn’t pay their bonds, or are charged with low-level, non-violent felony and misdemeanor crimes.
Campanelli, in her motion, cited her frustration that a smaller-scale review process that began last week had only resulted in the release of about 100 Cook County inmates.
There are currently 5,600 inmates inside the sprawling jail complex.
Read the full story from Andy Grimm here.
11:47 a.m. Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issues ‘stay at home’ order
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb issued a “stay at home” order for the state Monday, following similar orders enacted in adjacent states Illinois, Ohio and Michigan.
Holcomb said Monday that the order still allows the state’s 6.8 million residents to seek essentials including groceries and medicine and makes exemptions for employees of crucial industries.
The state has reported seven deaths and 259 virus infections. The state’s most recent death from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, was an adult over the age of 60 in northeastern Indiana’s. Allen County’s health department announced his death Sunday, the Indiana State Department of Health said.
Read the full story here.
10:02 a.m. Lightfoot says city will be ‘repurposing’ empty hotel rooms as ‘quarantine spaces’
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Monday morning the city of Chicago will be announcing the “repurposing” of empty hotel rooms as “isolation and quarantine spaces” for coronavirus patients.
Lightfoot also had a personal reflection: “I’m a black woman in America. I learned early on nobody was going to save me. I had to step up and make sure I took care of myself. And that is the approach that we’re taking in the city of Chicago.”
Also in the morning, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on NBC’s “Today Show” repeated his call for the federal government to take charge of acquiring personal protection equipment such as masks and gowns. His comments about the feds need to step up on Sunday drew the ire of President Donald Trump.
“We’re competing for ventilators with FEMA and the federal government. So Illinois is bidding for ventilators against the federal government. In another case, we were bidding against foreign countries and other states. And so what’s happening to not just on ventilators, but on all the PPE that we need? Prices are being ratcheted up, and we’re competing against each other on what should be a national crisis, where we should be coming together and the federal government should be leading.”
Read the full story from the Sun-Times’ Lynn Sweet.
9:41 a.m. Pastors pray outside Cook County jail for release of inmates to help protect them from the coronavirus
A group of religious leaders from across the city hope to add the power of prayer to an effort to have large numbers of inmates released from the Cook County Jail in the wake of the spreading coronavirus.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
“The most important thing is to understand that incarcerated people are just as much a part of our families as people who are on the outside,” said Jason Lydon, the pastor at Second Unitarian Church in Lake View, as he stood outside the jail complex Monday. “It is the responsibility of judges in this particular moment to get people free for the purpose of ensuring individual health, as well as community health.”
Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli was expected to appear before a judge at the George Leighton Criminal Courthouse later Monday to present an emergency petition seeking the mass release of inmates — particularly the most medically vulnerable among them.
Read the full story from reporter Stefano Esposito.
8:50 a.m. NewsGuard launches coronavirus misinformation tracker
Disinformation and misinformation about the fast-spreading coronavirus is pervading the nation and the globe as aggressively as the virus itself.
NewsGuard — “The Internet Trust Tool” — is a rating service that vets news websites for accuracy and transparency. Its leadership includes former Chicago Tribune editor James Warren.
The group has been tracking news and information sites in the U.S., the U.K., France, Italy, and Germany that have published materially false information about the virus. As of Monday morning, they listed 33 websites in the U.S. circulating inaccurate information about COVID-19.
Last week, NewsGuard traced a single story story that originated on an obscure Indian website — one that’s been debunked by PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, yet ended up being viewed and shared by tens of thousands of Americans because unreliable news sources regularly follow and republish each other.
“The takeaway is how easily misinformation can be amplified by even a small group of unreliable sites that share their claims on social media. Put differently, social media is a misinformation force multiplier,” NewsGuard’s Washington Correspondent Gabby Deutch argued in Wired.
Sunday: ‘Strained at every level.’ COVID-19 pressures already burdened Chicago hospitals
Roseland Community Hospital is re-purposing rooms, establishing an outside screening center and bulking up staff in preparation of the virus spreading.
The far South Side hospital, a so-called safety net hospital that serves predominantly low-income families on the city’s far South Side, is now bracing for a wave of patients to come through its doowas already operating at about 90% of capacity each day since nearby MetroSouth Medical Center closed last year.
Read more from reporter Manny Ramos.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
7:33 p.m. Does ‘non-essential’ tag add insult to isolation?
Are you essential or non-essential?
Actually, it’s only your job that has been placed into one of those two categories by the stay-at-home orders issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker in response to the coronavirus.
But in a society in which we derive so much of our personal identity and self-worth from our work and how we earn a living, that can feel like a distinction without a difference.
Most everyone would probably like to believe they are essential in at least some small way or another to the endeavors to which they devote themselves — and therefore essential to the larger society.
With that in mind, I asked my Facebook friends if their jobs have been deemed essential or non-essential — and how they are feeling about that.
Read more from columnist Mark Brown here.
6:47 p.m. Illinois should move state tax filing deadline to July 15 so it matches the feds’
At a time when almost everything in our daily lives has become unexpectedly complicated, Illinois should not keep its income tax deadline set at April 15 now that the federal government has moved back its deadline by 90 days.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday that the federal government will move the tax deadline to July 15 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That puts the ball in Illinois’ court to find a way to do the same.
We urge the state to move quickly to resolve this.
Read the Sun-Times’ full editorial here.
6:00 p.m. Better late than never: Money-grubbing IOC postpones Olympics over COVID-19
The International Olympic Committee answers to no one but often feels a deep kinship with the highest bidder, above or below the table. It didn’t come as a surprise, then, that the grand poobahs at the IOC would be the last people associated with sports to shut down operations because of the coronavirus pandemic. There are billions and billions of dollars associated with putting on an Olympics. A billion delayed is a billion burned.
But under worldwide pressure, that august body caved in Monday, postponing the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. IOC member Dick Pound told USA Today the event likely would be moved to 2021. It was an impressive turnaround from Sunday, when officials announced they would need a month to analyze the situation. A month? Were they kidding? In this time of dark, fast-moving developments, a month is the equivalent of five years.
It might seem harsh to question the sincerity of Olympics officials when it comes to something as serious as the pandemic. No one in his or her right mind would wish the virus on anybody, and of course the IOC cares about athletes. But you wouldn’t trust these people with your retirement money. Or your lunch money.
Read more from sports columnist Rick Morrissey here.
2:00 p.m. Letter to the Editor: America’s truckers put their lives at risk during this coronavirus pandemic
Who is protecting the truck drivers who leave their families behind and put themselves at risk to take care of the American people? Every one on social media is all about doctors, nurses and first responders, but what about truck drivers? Without them, no one else has the tools to do their jobs.
The public and the government need to take notice of real heroes. You can find them sleeping beside the interstate highways, waiting in lines to take showers that 100 others used before them, eating what is available and not what they want, working 70+ hours a week — the list goes on. I have asked people this question: What if every truck driver stopped working for one or two days?
Read this and more letters to the editor here.
11:44 a.m. Stay fit at home during the stay-at-home order with these workout tips
With gyms across Chicago closed to limit spread of the coronavirus, working out requires a bit more creativity these days. For some people, the big change in routine creates a unique challenge: how do you stay fit outside of your usual habits?
It doesn’t take much more than some good instruction to break a sweat in the confines of your own home. Our Exercise Well series, led by workout guru Stephanie Mansour, offers up many ways to get your heartbeat up even if you’re practicing social distancing.
We made a YouTube playlist of 36 videos that break down exercises you can do at home.
Click here to learn more.
9:55 a.m. Pritzker stops by the TODAY Show
Monday morning, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on NBC’s “Today Show” repeated his call for the federal government to take charge of acquiring personal protection equipment such as masks and gowns. His comments about the feds need to step up on Sunday drew the ire of President Donald Trump.
Pritzker: “We’re competing for ventilators with FEMA and the federal government. So Illinois is bidding for ventilators against the federal government. In another case, we were bidding against foreign countries and other states. And so what’s happening to not just on ventilators, but on all the PPE that we need? Prices are being ratcheted up, and we’re competing against each other on what should be a national crisis, where we should be coming together and the federal government should be leading.”
.@JBPritzker, Governor of Illinois, and a very small group of certain other Governors, together with Fake News @CNN & Concast (MSDNC), shouldn’t be blaming the Federal Government for their own shortcomings. We are there to back you up should you fail, and always will be! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 22, 2020
Pritzker and the governors of California and New York — Gavin Newsom and Andrew Cuomo all Democrats, have been pleading for resources from the federal government as the number of coronavirus cases explodes.
Read more from columnist Lynn Sweet.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-23--Lightfoot wants 2020 Census delayed until after nation wins coronavirus war

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday urged the Trump administration to postpone the 2020 U.S. Census , arguing there is “ not enough bandwidth ” to conduct the count while waging a national war against the coronavirus .
In the 2010 Census , Chicago ’ s 66 % response rate was “ among the worst participation levels ” of any big city in the nation .
This year ’ s Chicago goal : an ambitious 75 % .
To do that , Chicago had planned to spend $ 2.7 million — $ 2 for every “ hard-to-count ” resident — to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cloud of fear created by immigration raids and a nixed citizenship question .
But then , a worldwide pandemic shuttered schools and businesses and brought everyday life to a standstill .
“ We need all hands on deck to address this current crisis .
And a lot of community-based organizations — and , candidly , folks on my team — have been re-purposed to focus on the needs of people in the city regarding the coronavirus issue , ” Lightfoot said .
“ We have to push back the census .
There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do both , particularly when what we ’ re talking about is going door-to-door , educating people .
The libraries now are closed .
So that avenue for filling out the digital applications isn ’ t available.
” Stay-at-home means just that , mayor says During a City Hall news conference called to announce a plan to house quarantined patients and those awaiting test results in vacant hotel rooms , the mayor also admonished Chicagoans who blatantly disregarded the governor ’ s stay-at-home order .
“ We saw some reports over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties were happening .
We simply can not have that .
And as CPD did , we will shut these down , ” the mayor said .
In addition to hoarding food and toilet paper , home-bound residents across the nation and in Chicago have been purchasing guns and ammunition in record numbers .
Lightfoot said she understands that “ people are scared ” and that the fear factor may well be driving the wave of gun and ammo purchases .
But it ’ s also a scary thought in a city where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with .
“ I don ’ t want people taking the law into their own hands .
That will lead to catastrophe and tragedy , ” she said .
“ The Police Department is on the job .
Our first responders are responding .
They are on the front lines and we ’ ve brought more resources to the districts so that we can meet the needs on every watch.
” Want a better federal response ?
‘ It ’ s not coming , ’ mayor says Lightfoot has lashed out at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O ’ Hare Airport a few weeks ago that put air travelers returning from Europe in close quarters , violating social distancing requirements .
Over the weekend , the mayor tweeted her support for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker in his war of words with President Trump over the shortage of testing kits and protective equipment for Illinois ’ health care professionals .
On Monday , the mayor was in no mood to escalate the war of words , calling it a waste of energy and time .
“ What I think is important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fingers of blame .
We have a need that needs to be met .
Residents of the city , the buck stops here .
And I ’ m gon na make sure that our city is well protected , that we have a plan , that we are executing on a daily basis , ” she said .
“ Of course , we would like a better , more coordinated response from the federal government .
But we ’ re two-plus months in .
It ’ s not coming .
I could sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticize everybody and their brother .
But that doesn ’ t get the job done for the residents of Chicago .
”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday urged the Trump administration to postpone the 2020 U.S. Census, arguing there is “not enough bandwidth” to conduct the count while waging a national war against the coronavirus.
In the 2010 Census, Chicago’s 66% response rate was “among the worst participation levels” of any big city in the nation.
This year’s Chicago goal: an ambitious 75%. To do that, Chicago had planned to spend $2.7 million — $2 for every “hard-to-count” resident — to cut through what Lightfoot has called the cloud of fear created by immigration raids and a nixed citizenship question.
But then, a worldwide pandemic shuttered schools and businesses and brought everyday life to a standstill.
“We need all hands on deck to address this current crisis. And a lot of community-based organizations — and, candidly, folks on my team — have been re-purposed to focus on the needs of people in the city regarding the coronavirus issue,” Lightfoot said.
“We have to push back the census. There’s not enough bandwidth to be able to do both, particularly when what we’re talking about is going door-to-door, educating people. The libraries now are closed. So that avenue for filling out the digital applications isn’t available.”
Stay-at-home means just that, mayor says
During a City Hall news conference called to announce a plan to house quarantined patients and those awaiting test results in vacant hotel rooms, the mayor also admonished Chicagoans who blatantly disregarded the governor’s stay-at-home order.
“We saw some reports over the course of the weekend where some large parties were happening. We simply cannot have that. And as CPD did, we will shut these down,” the mayor said.
In addition to hoarding food and toilet paper, home-bound residents across the nation and in Chicago have been purchasing guns and ammunition in record numbers.
Lightfoot said she understands that “people are scared” and that the fear factor may well be driving the wave of gun and ammo purchases. But it’s also a scary thought in a city where guns are all too prevalent to begin with.
“I don’t want people taking the law into their own hands. That will lead to catastrophe and tragedy,” she said.
“The Police Department is on the job. Our first responders are responding. They are on the front lines and we’ve brought more resources to the districts so that we can meet the needs on every watch.”
Want a better federal response? ‘It’s not coming,’ mayor says
Lightfoot has lashed out at the Trump administration for the nightmare lines at O’Hare Airport a few weeks ago that put air travelers returning from Europe in close quarters, violating social distancing requirements.
Over the weekend, the mayor tweeted her support for Gov. J.B. Pritzker in his war of words with President Trump over the shortage of testing kits and protective equipment for Illinois’ health care professionals.
On Monday, the mayor was in no mood to escalate the war of words, calling it a waste of energy and time.
“What I think is important at this time is not to cast fingers of blame. We have a need that needs to be met. Residents of the city, the buck stops here. And I’m gonna make sure that our city is well protected, that we have a plan, that we are executing on a daily basis,” she said.
“Of course, we would like a better, more coordinated response from the federal government. But we’re two-plus months in. It’s not coming. I could sit here all day long and I could criticize everybody and their brother. But that doesn’t get the job done for the residents of Chicago.”