chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--Enrique Bunbury says his new album ‘Posible’ requires ‘open ears’

Though he ’ s released dozens of albums , tours almost non-stop and continues to reign as one of Latin rock ’ s biggest stars , Enrique Bunbury still has secrets to share .
His latest disc , “ Posible ” ( Warner Spain ) , out May 29 , reveals more facets of the Spanish-born singer-songwriter known for his mastery of reinvention , beginning in the mid- ’ 80s as a member of the influential group Héroes del Silencio and continuing as a solo artist since 1997 .
“ My previous two [ studio ] albums were very socially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ But this one is introspective , definitely .
The songs are about the possible variations of your own self that you ’ ve left behind , and the infinite amount of possibilities that you have for being something else.
” “ Posible ” is his first studio release since “ Expectativas ” ( 2017 ) , which won the Latin Grammy for best rock album .
Though the title might suggest a sense of optimism , it ’ s more complex than that .
Speaking from Los Angeles , where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bunbury sees the album against a backdrop of world crisis , due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic collapse .
With his nearly constant touring , he ’ s a road warrior .
But suddenly that way of life has been put on hold .
Last week , he announced that the “ Posible ” tour , scheduled to start in September , has been moved to 2021 .
“ I ’ ve been touring and releasing albums for a long time , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be off the road for a year .
What really worries me is that so many people are going to be without a job for so many months .
The problem is much bigger than me not being on stage.
” Whenever the tour happens , he promises that ” it ’ s going to be something else .
We will be there to touch you , to hug you , to kiss you and sing for you all.
” Early this year , in an Instagram message announcing “ Posible , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ open ears .
… Nothing on this album is what it seems at first listen.
” Elaborating on that description , he said , “ There ’ s a lot of post-production .
And many layers .
There are sounds that you can hear as synthesizers , but they are really played with a guitar or a sax .
The rhythm section might seem like it relies on a lot of programming [ the use of electronic devices and computer software ] , but there is a drummer and a percussionist playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s important to listen carefully if you want to catch the real essence.
” In terms of narrative and cinematography , the videos accompanying this album are very much in the vein of “ weird stuff.
” “ Deseos de usar y tirar , ” the disc ’ s first video , unfolds like a film noir , with Sherilyn Fenn , famous as femme fatale Audrey Horne in David Lynch ’ s “ Twin Peaks , ” being stalked by transgender actress Jessica Hogan while Bunbury croons in a scenario that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cult classic “ Johnny Guitar ” ( 1954 ) .
Also distinctive are the color schemes , with the use of green recalling “ Vertigo ” ( 1958 ) or the more recent “ Joker ” ( 2019 ) .
“ Yes , we were thinking about Lynch and film noir in ‘ Deseos , ’ ” he said .
“ I love the ‘ Johnny Guitar ’ reference , because we didn ’ t think about that , but yeah , definitely it ’ s there .
And the colors [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the filmmakers .
The greens and the reds and the yellows — it ’ s right there in ‘ Joker , ’ although it wasn ’ t the reason we were using them .
And ‘ Vertigo ’ ...
I have to rewatch that one .
It ’ s a must.
” Bunbury and his team sought out Fenn , who was immortalized n “ Audrey ’ s Dance , ” the mythic scene and song from “ Twin Peaks.
” “ We started talking about filming this homage to ‘ Audrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought , what about calling Sherilyn ?
That would be the real thing !
And she was so nice and understanding.
” Though the videos were shot in Los Angeles , Bunbury and his band , Los Santos Inocentes , returned once again to the Sonic Ranch near El Paso , Texas , to record “ Posible.
” Nestled on a 1,700-acre pecan orchard in the middle of nowhere , the residential facility has attracted other big names like Conor Oberst and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs .
On what makes this studio so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s everything .
It ’ s the equipment of course , but also the opportunity to be so far away from everything and concentrate on the work .
After recording three albums at the Ranch , it feels like family .
You know they can help you achieve whatever your dream is.
” As for achieving dreams , Bunbury has gained superstar status around the world but not yet in the States .
Coincidentally , “ Posible ” comes out on the same day as the latest release from another megastar , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humor , Bunbury sums up the situation , icon to icon .
“ We talked about this , Gaga and me .
We know we don ’ t share much of the same audience , so it ’ s not going to be a problem .
She was a little concerned , but I told her she will be fine .
”

Though he’s released dozens of albums, tours almost non-stop and continues to reign as one of Latin rock’s biggest stars, Enrique Bunbury still has secrets to share.
His latest disc, “Posible” (Warner Spain), out May 29, reveals more facets of the Spanish-born singer-songwriter known for his mastery of reinvention, beginning in the mid-’80s as a member of the influential group Héroes del Silencio and continuing as a solo artist since 1997. “My previous two [studio] albums were very socially conscious and committed,” he said. “But this one is introspective, definitely. The songs are about the possible variations of your own self that you’ve left behind, and the infinite amount of possibilities that you have for being something else.”
“Posible” is his first studio release since “Expectativas” (2017), which won the Latin Grammy for best rock album. Though the title might suggest a sense of optimism, it’s more complex than that. Speaking from Los Angeles, where he has lived for the last decade, Bunbury sees the album against a backdrop of world crisis, due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic collapse.
With his nearly constant touring, he’s a road warrior. But suddenly that way of life has been put on hold. Last week, he announced that the “Posible” tour, scheduled to start in September, has been moved to 2021. “I’ve been touring and releasing albums for a long time,” he said. “It’s not going to be a big problem to be off the road for a year. What really worries me is that so many people are going to be without a job for so many months. The problem is much bigger than me not being on stage.”
Whenever the tour happens, he promises that ”it’s going to be something else. We will be there to touch you, to hug you, to kiss you and sing for you all.”
Early this year, in an Instagram message announcing “Posible,” Bunbury asked his fans to listen with “open ears. … Nothing on this album is what it seems at first listen.”
Elaborating on that description, he said, “There’s a lot of post-production. And many layers. There are sounds that you can hear as synthesizers, but they are really played with a guitar or a sax. The rhythm section might seem like it relies on a lot of programming [the use of electronic devices and computer software], but there is a drummer and a percussionist playing all that weird stuff. It’s important to listen carefully if you want to catch the real essence.”
In terms of narrative and cinematography, the videos accompanying this album are very much in the vein of “weird stuff.” “Deseos de usar y tirar,” the disc’s first video, unfolds like a film noir, with Sherilyn Fenn, famous as femme fatale Audrey Horne in David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks,” being stalked by transgender actress Jessica Hogan while Bunbury croons in a scenario that’s right out of Nicholas Ray’s cult classic “Johnny Guitar” (1954). Also distinctive are the color schemes, with the use of green recalling “Vertigo” (1958) or the more recent “Joker” (2019).
“Yes, we were thinking about Lynch and film noir in ‘Deseos,’ ” he said. “I love the ‘Johnny Guitar’ reference, because we didn’t think about that, but yeah, definitely it’s there. And the colors [came out of] an important conversation with the filmmakers. The greens and the reds and the yellows — it’s right there in ‘Joker,’ although it wasn’t the reason we were using them. And ‘Vertigo’ ... I have to rewatch that one. It’s a must.”
Bunbury and his team sought out Fenn, who was immortalized in “Audrey’s Dance,” the mythic scene and song from “Twin Peaks.” “We started talking about filming this homage to ‘Audrey’s Dance,’ and we thought, what about calling Sherilyn? That would be the real thing! And she was so nice and understanding.”
Though the videos were shot in Los Angeles, Bunbury and his band, Los Santos Inocentes, returned once again to the Sonic Ranch near El Paso, Texas, to record “Posible.” Nestled on a 1,700-acre pecan orchard in the middle of nowhere, the residential facility has attracted other big names like Conor Oberst and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. On what makes this studio so special, Bunbury said, “It’s everything. It’s the equipment of course, but also the opportunity to be so far away from everything and concentrate on the work. After recording three albums at the Ranch, it feels like family. You know they can help you achieve whatever your dream is.”
As for achieving dreams, Bunbury has gained superstar status around the world but not yet in the States. Coincidentally, “Posible” comes out on the same day as the latest release from another megastar, Lady Gaga. With his characteristic black humor, Bunbury sums up the situation, icon to icon. “We talked about this, Gaga and me. We know we don’t share much of the same audience, so it’s not going to be a problem. She was a little concerned, but I told her she will be fine.”
Laura Emerick is a local freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--20 shot, 3 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

20 shot, 3 fatally, Tuesday in Chicago

Twenty people were shot , three of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
The day ’ s latest fatal attack left a man dead and a woman wounded in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
The 35-year-old man was found unresponsive with two gunshot wounds to his chest about 9:53 p.m. in the 4100 block of West Crystal Street , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital .
A 23-year-old woman who was grazed in the leg took herself to the same hospital in good condition , police said .
Two men were killed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting Tuesday afternoon in West Garfield Park .
A 28-year-old was selling an item on a corner about 3:34 p.m. in the first block of North Hamlin Avenue when someone in a red-colored vehicle opened fire , police said .
He was hit multiple times and taken to Norwegian American Hospital where he was pronounced dead , police said .
Another man , 19 , was struck in the shoulder and calf , and taken to Stroger Hospital where he died .
A 19-year-old was hit in the hand and taken to Mount @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot in the leg and taken to Stroger , police said .
They were listed in good condition .
In non-fatal shootings , two teenage boys and a 5-year-old girl were wounded in a drive-by in Wentworth Gardens on the South Side .
About 10:40 p.m. the boys , 15 and 16 , were walking with a group on West Pershing Road when someone inside a passing dark-colored vehicle fired shots , Chicago police said .
The 15-year-old was struck in the face and the 16-year-old was struck three times in the leg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was standing in front of a nearby home with her relatives was also struck in the leg .
The girl and the 15-year-old boy were in fair condition at Comer Children ’ s Hospital , police said .
The older boy was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
Police believe the boys may have not been the intended targets , and said the girl was struck by a stray bullet .
About 20 minutes prior , a 28-year-old man was shot in Marquette Park on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vehicle about 10:20 p.m. at a gas station in the 6500 block of South Albany Avenue when he saw a large group of people in the area , heard gunshots and felt pain , police said .
He was struck in the upper left arm and drove himself to Mt .
Sinai Hospital for treatment , police said .
He is in good condition .
A 26-year-old man was shot in the foot in Lawndale on the West Side .
He was walking about 9:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of West 19th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parked dark-colored Ford Fusion and opened fire , police said .
The man was taken by a friend to Mt .
Sinai Hospital , police said .
He was in good condition .
Earlier in the evening , a man was critically wounded after being shot in South Shore .
The man , 37 , was shot in the head and arm about 7:45 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Chappel Avenue , police said .
He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition .
A 21-year-old man was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the South Side .
He was answering the door to a home about 7:25 p.m. in the 10500 block of South Yates Avenue when a male walked up and shot him in the neck , police said .
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
A 33-year-old man was shot Tuesday afternoon in Roseland on the Far South Side .
He was shot in the shoulder about 5:36 p.m. in the 11400 block of South Front Avenue , police said .
He was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good condition .
A 21-year-old man was shot in the face in Morgan Park on the Far South Side .
He was in a home about 4:27 p.m. in the 1400 block of West 115th Street when he answered the front door and someone fired shots , Chicago police said .
The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition .
Earlier in the afternoon , a 21-year-old man was shot in Gresham on the South Side .
He was in a backyard about 3:52 p.m. in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when someone approached him and shot him in the leg , police said .
The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where his condition was stabilized .
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the leg in Gresham on the South Side .
The teen was standing on the sidewalk about 3:15 p.m. on West 80th Street when a male approached him and opened fire , police said .
The teen was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in good condition .
A 24-year-old man was grazed by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West Side .
About 1:10 p.m. , he was in the 900 block of North Drake Avenue when someone opened fire , police said .
He was taken to Rush University Medical Center , where his condition was stabilized , police said .
A 41-year-old Calumet City man was shot Tuesday morning on the Bishop Ford Expressway on the Far South Side .
He was driving alone south about 3:10 a.m. when someone shot him from another vehicle at 138th Street , Illinois State Police said in a statement .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not life-threatening .
In the day ’ s first reported shooting , a person was seriously wounded in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side .
About 1:10 a.m. , a male was walking in the 7200 block of South Talman Avenue when someone in dark-colored clothing fired shots at him , Chicago police said .
He was struck multiple times and rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition .
Tuesday ’ s shootings come after a deadly Memorial Day weekend in which 10 people were killed and 39 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Twenty people were shot, three of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
The day’s latest fatal attack left a man dead and a woman wounded in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
The 35-year-old man was found unresponsive with two gunshot wounds to his chest about 9:53 p.m. in the 4100 block of West Crystal Street, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at Stroger Hospital.
A 23-year-old woman who was grazed in the leg took herself to the same hospital in good condition, police said.
Two men were killed and two others were wounded in a shooting Tuesday afternoon in West Garfield Park.
A 28-year-old was selling an item on a corner about 3:34 p.m. in the first block of North Hamlin Avenue when someone in a red-colored vehicle opened fire, police said.
He was hit multiple times and taken to Norwegian American Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said. Another man, 19, was struck in the shoulder and calf, and taken to Stroger Hospital where he died.
A 19-year-old was hit in the hand and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, while a 32-year-old was shot in the leg and taken to Stroger, police said. They were listed in good condition.
In non-fatal shootings, two teenage boys and a 5-year-old girl were wounded in a drive-by in Wentworth Gardens on the South Side.
About 10:40 p.m. the boys, 15 and 16, were walking with a group on West Pershing Road when someone inside a passing dark-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said.
The 15-year-old was struck in the face and the 16-year-old was struck three times in the leg, police said. A 5-year-old girl who was standing in front of a nearby home with her relatives was also struck in the leg.
The girl and the 15-year-old boy were in fair condition at Comer Children’s Hospital, police said. The older boy was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
Police believe the boys may have not been the intended targets, and said the girl was struck by a stray bullet.
About 20 minutes prior, a 28-year-old man was shot in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
He was inside his vehicle about 10:20 p.m. at a gas station in the 6500 block of South Albany Avenue when he saw a large group of people in the area, heard gunshots and felt pain, police said.
He was struck in the upper left arm and drove himself to Mt. Sinai Hospital for treatment, police said. He is in good condition.
A 26-year-old man was shot in the foot in Lawndale on the West Side.
He was walking about 9:30 p.m. in the 3900 block of West 19th Street when someone got out of a parked dark-colored Ford Fusion and opened fire, police said.
The man was taken by a friend to Mt. Sinai Hospital, police said. He was in good condition.
Earlier in the evening, a man was critically wounded after being shot in South Shore.
The man, 37, was shot in the head and arm about 7:45 p.m. in the 7500 block of South Chappel Avenue, police said. He was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
A 21-year-old man was shot 20 minutes before that in Trumbull Park on the South Side.
He was answering the door to a home about 7:25 p.m. in the 10500 block of South Yates Avenue when a male walked up and shot him in the neck, police said. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
A 33-year-old man was shot Tuesday afternoon in Roseland on the Far South Side.
He was shot in the shoulder about 5:36 p.m. in the 11400 block of South Front Avenue, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.
A 21-year-old man was shot in the face in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.
He was in a home about 4:27 p.m. in the 1400 block of West 115th Street when he answered the front door and someone fired shots, Chicago police said. The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition.
Earlier in the afternoon, a 21-year-old man was shot in Gresham on the South Side.
He was in a backyard about 3:52 p.m. in the 8500 block of South Throop Street when someone approached him and shot him in the leg, police said. The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where his condition was stabilized.
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the leg in Gresham on the South Side.
The teen was standing on the sidewalk about 3:15 p.m. on West 80th Street when a male approached him and opened fire, police said. The teen was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition.
A 24-year-old man was grazed by a bullet hours earlier in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
About 1:10 p.m., he was in the 900 block of North Drake Avenue when someone opened fire, police said. He was taken to Rush University Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized, police said.
A 41-year-old Calumet City man was shot Tuesday morning on the Bishop Ford Expressway on the Far South Side.
He was driving alone south about 3:10 a.m. when someone shot him from another vehicle at 138th Street, Illinois State Police said in a statement. He was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
In the day’s first reported shooting, a person was seriously wounded in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.
About 1:10 a.m., a male was walking in the 7200 block of South Talman Avenue when someone in dark-colored clothing fired shots at him, Chicago police said. He was struck multiple times and rushed to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition.
Tuesday’s shootings come after a deadly Memorial Day weekend in which 10 people were killed and 39 others were wounded in citywide shootings.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--How Ramiz Ahmed went from a college tryout to the Bears’ latest kicker

Looking for a few kamikaze practice squad bodies , the Nevada football team held an open tryout for students six days before their season opener against Northwestern in 2017 .
What the Wolf Pack found was a skinny , long-haired kicker whose foot just made a different noise than others when it struck the ball .
A Las Vegas native , Ramiz Ahmed had kicked for local powerhouse Bishop Gorman — but not in the three seasons since .
He attended Arizona State and UNLV as a student , not a football player , before going to Nevada .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shoulder that , rather inconveniently , often popped out of socket .
He was also down to only two years of eligibility left — his clock started the minute he enrolled in his first 12 units of courses , even though he wasn ’ t playing sports .
His kickoffs didn ’ t have hang time , and his field goals were inconsistent .
His leg , though , was something different .
“ Like a shotgun going off … ” former Nevada special teams coach Tommy Perry said this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball , just destroying it.
” That was enough for Perry to add Ahmed to the team , and for Nevada to hustle him through the NCAA clearinghouse in time to make his debut in the next game .
Less than three years later , Ahmed has earned an even greater opportunity — to compete with Eddy Pineiro , who went 23-for-28 last year , for the Bears ’ kicker job .
The backfields of Halas Hall are littered with kickers who had unrealistic expectations placed upon them in the wake of Cody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that group — metaphorically , at least , as the Bears aren ’ t yet allowed to return to their practice facility — when he signed April 17 .
This year won ’ t be the circus of last year ’ s seven-man kicker derby , though ; rather , it ’ s a reminder that Pineiro must continue to earn the Bears ’ trust .
Ahmed ’ s resume is less impressive than most of the participants in last year ’ s derby .
He went 15-for-20 on field goals in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his senior year .
He handled kickoffs as a junior and senior .
Ahmed had his shoulder fixed in 2018 , the offseason before his senior year .
He returned to the team having put on 26 pounds of muscle , Perry said .
Ahmed — whom the Bears now list at 6 feet , 190 pounds — won team awards for his offseason dedication .
For the only time in his college career , he kicked field goals .
He earned a scholarship .
“ His competitiveness and leg strength wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Perry , who now coaches special teams at Texas-San Antonio .
Since playing his last college down almost a year-and-a-half ago , Ahmed has worked with kicking guru Jamie Kohl , who consults for the Bears .
Kohl and Perry use the same terminology , which has aided the search for consistency .
Perry said Ahmed has thrived by having “ some healthy time in a structured environment ” under Kohl .
It ’ s a new feeling ; he had one offseason in college , and it was dominated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the Bears were impressed by Ahmed starring at Gary Zauner ’ s showcase camp in Gilbert , Ariz. , from March 8-10 .
Zauner remembers the leg strength — he estimates Ahmed , who was kicking in front of representatives from 27 NFL teams , didn ’ t start missing kicks until he reached about 57 yards out .
“ With his ability to kick field goals and his ability to kick field goals , I think he turned a lot of heads , ” he said .
It will take something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to challenge Pineiro .
He won ’ t be intimidated by the competition .
Perry said his relationship with Ahmed had that “ little bit of friction ” that ’ s common in all the good specialists he ’ s coached .
Like Pineiro , Ahmed has an ego when it comes to his kicking .
“ He ’ ll kill himself trying to make it , ” Perry said .
“ He ’ s an underdog guy .
”

Looking for a few kamikaze practice-squad bodies, the Nevada football team held an open tryout for students six days before its season opener against Northwestern in 2017. What the Wolf Pack found was a skinny, long-haired kicker whose foot just made a different noise than others when it struck the ball.
A Las Vegas native, Ramiz Ahmed had kicked for local powerhouse Bishop Gorman — but not in the three seasons since. He attended Arizona State and UNLV as a student, not a football player, before going to Nevada. He was thin and raw — and had a shoulder that, rather inconveniently, often popped out of socket.
He also was down to two years of eligibility — his clock started the minute he enrolled in his first 12 units of courses, even though he wasn’t playing sports. His kickoffs didn’t have hang time, and his field goals were inconsistent.
His leg, though, was something different.
“Like a shotgun going off,” former Nevada special-teams coach Tommy Perry said this week. “He came out just banging the ball, just destroying it.”
That was enough for Perry to add Ahmed to the team and for Nevada to hustle him through the NCAA clearinghouse in time for him to make his debut in the next game.
Less than three years later, Ahmed has earned an even greater opportunity — to compete with Eddy Pineiro, who went 23-for-28 last year, for the Bears’ kicker job.
The back fields of Halas Hall are littered with kickers who had unrealistic expectations placed upon them in the wake of Cody Parkey’s double-doink. Ahmed joined that group — metaphorically, at least, as the Bears aren’t yet allowed to return to their practice facility — when he signed April 17.
This year won’t be the circus of last year’s seven-man kicker derby, though. Instead, it’s a reminder that Pineiro must continue to earn the Bears’ trust.
Ahmed’s résumé is less impressive than most of the participants in last year’s derby. He went 15-for-20 on field goals in his career, all during his senior year. He handled kickoffs as a junior and senior.
Ahmed had his shoulder fixed in 2018, the offseason before his senior year. He returned to the team having put on 26 pounds of muscle, Perry said. Ahmed — whom the Bears list at 6 feet, 190 pounds — won team awards for his offseason dedication.
For the only time in his college career, he kicked field goals. He earned a scholarship.
“His competitiveness and leg strength wouldn’t keep him off the field,” said Perry, who now coaches special teams at Texas-San Antonio.
Since playing his last college game almost a year and a half ago, Ahmed has worked with kicking guru Jamie Kohl, who consults for the Bears. Kohl and Perry use the same terminology, which has aided the search for consistency. Perry said Ahmed has thrived by having “some healthy time in a structured environment” under Kohl. It’s a new feeling; he had one offseason in college, and it was dominated by shoulder surgery.
General manager Ryan Pace said the Bears were impressed after Ahmed starred at Gary Zauner’s showcase camp in Gilbert, Arizona, from March 8-10.
Zauner remembers the leg strength. He estimates Ahmed, who was kicking in front of representatives from 27 NFL teams, didn’t start missing kicks until he reached about 57 yards out.
“With his ability to kick field goals, I think he turned a lot of heads,” he said.
It will take something similar, whenever the Bears practice again, to challenge Pineiro.
He won’t be intimidated by the competition. Perry said his relationship with Ahmed had that “little bit of friction” that’s common in all the good specialists he has coached. Like Pineiro, Ahmed has an ego when it comes to his kicking.
“He’ll kill himself trying to make it,” Perry said. “He’s an underdog guy.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--5-year-old girl and 2 teens wounded in Wentworth Gardens drive-by

Two teenage boys and a 5-year-old girl were wounded Tuesday in a drive-by in Wentworth Gardens on the South Side .
About 10:40 p.m. the boys , 15 and 16 , were walking with a group on West Pershing Road when someone inside a passing dark-colored vehicle fired shots , Chicago police said .
The 15-year-old was struck in the face and the 16-year-old was struck three times in the leg , police said .
A 5-year-old girl who was standing in front of a nearby home with her relatives was also struck in the leg .
The girl and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Comer Children ’ s Hospital , police said .
The older boy was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
Police believe the boys may have not been the intended targets , and said the girl was struck by a stray bullet .
The girl ’ s uncle , who asked not to be named , said he was visiting his family and enjoying the weather on their back porch when the shots rang out and a bullet struck his niece as she played in the yard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that don ’ t make no sense , kids can ’ t even come out and play , ” he said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Two teenage boys and a 5-year-old girl were wounded Tuesday in a drive-by in Wentworth Gardens on the South Side.
About 10:40 p.m. the boys, 15 and 16, were walking with a group on West Pershing Road when someone inside a passing dark-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said.
The 15-year-old was struck in the face and the 16-year-old was struck three times in the leg, police said. A 5-year-old girl who was standing in front of a nearby home with her relatives was also struck in the leg.
The girl and the 15-year-old boy were in fair condition at Comer Children’s Hospital, police said. The older boy was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
Police believe the boys may have not been the intended targets, and said the girl was struck by a stray bullet.
The girl’s uncle, who asked not to be named, said he was visiting his family and enjoying the weather on their back porch when the shots rang out and a bullet struck his niece as she played in the yard.
“A lot of stuff going on that don’t make no sense, kids can’t even come out and play,” he said.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--Illinois movie theaters push Pritzker to let them open at 50% capacity (LIVE UPDATES)

Movie theaters pressure Pritzker to loosen up and allow them to open at 50 % capacity Movie theater owners are pressuring Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to let them reopen to additional capacity this summer to boost ticket revenue and pave the way for major studios to release their traditional summer blockbusters .
Pritzker wants to keep movie theaters closed until Phase 4 of his reopening plan—June 26 at the earliest—and cap the number of movie patrons at 50 per theater .
Chris Johnson , president of the National Association of Theater Owners of Illinois , is not overly concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint is the 50-person cap .
Johnson called it unreasonably low at a time when a handful of theaters — like the Pickwick in Oak Park , the Tivoli in Downers Grove and Chicago ’ s Music Box — still seat 1,000 while remodeled theaters with recliners have “ already taken out two-thirds of their seating.
” In those theaters , social distancing can easily be maintained , he said .
“ We want to have the capacity , rather than a hard 50 , based on social distancing so that , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can seat groups six feet apart , whatever that number is would be allowed , ” Johnson said .
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here .
7:34 p.m. Post time at two tracks ?
Hawthorne , Fairmount champing at the bit to resume horse racing Illinois ’ struggling horse racing industry could be back off to the races as soon as next week without any spectators in attendance , but Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said he ’ s not quite ready to pick up the starting bugle just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday evening it was in the home stretch of implementing a plan to resume fan-free operations at the state ’ s three racetracks , with health protections in place for workers .
Hawthorne Race Course had already bolted from the starting gate , though , with the Illinois Harness Horsemen ’ s Association announcing the track in west suburban Stickney will reopen June 6 for drivers and trainers , but not railbirds .
They could be off and running even sooner at Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville , where the Illinois Horsemen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ve gotten clearance for thoroughbred racing to “ resume as early as June 1.
” For travel and gaming fans , the wait is over : The Las Vegas Strip is reopening .
At least part of it .
MGM Resorts International announced Wednesday the reopening of some of its Las Vegas properties beginning June 4 .
The Bellagio , New York New York , MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature hotel/casinos will open their doors following the March shut-down of all MGM Resort casinos world-wide due to the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and guests on property will be limited .
The reopening will follow as strict seven-point safety plan , according to the official announcement .
4 p.m .
Restaurants prepare for outdoor dining as city moves to next phase of reopening Many restaurants are eager to restore some semblance of normality to the city ’ s dining scene as officials begin scaling back restrictions triggered by the coronavirus pandemic .
But what will the future of dining look like as the threat of COVID-19 still casts a dark cloud over people gathering in confined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new guidelines Sunday offering a glimpse of what customers can expect when restaurants begin reopening Friday — outside Chicago , anyway .
For now , restaurants are limited to outdoor dining and drinking , and only for parties of five people or less .
“ In every aspect of our pandemic response , and especially as we begin to safely reopen meaningful swaths of our economy , our number one priority must be the health and safety of our workers , our customers , and Illinoisans at large , ” said Pritzker in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death toll in less than five months surpasses entire 2019 tally : ‘ We do not believe that these deaths had to occur ’ More people have died in Cook County in less than five months this year than in all of last year .
And more than half of those 2020 deaths were linked to COVID-19 .
Those are the grim statistics released Wednesday by the Cook County Medical Examiner ’ s Office , where pathologists are now conducting as many as four times as many autopsies on any given day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has handled more than 6,500 deaths in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic .
Of the 6,586 cases the medical examiner ’ s office has recorded in 2020 more than half — 3,518 — were COVID-19 related deaths .
Read the full story from Rachel Hinton here .
Another 160 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois , with the state ’ s fatalities now totaling 5,083 .
Officials on Wednesday , however , said the latest deaths could include some from over the holiday weekend .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recorded then could have been lower due to a lack of reporting on Memorial Day , when many state laboratory workers were given a day off .
The high death tally comes after four consecutive days seeing fewer than 100 deaths , something that had not occurred since mid-April , when the state recorded its first 100-plus day .
Wednesday also marked the 22nd day in which more than 100 deaths were reported .
There were also 1,111 new cases reported , raising the state ’ s total to 114,306 .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In total , the state has performed 803,973 coronavirus tests .
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles here .
2 p.m. What reopening Illinois will look like on Friday The four regions in Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s reopening plan are set to see some restrictions loosened on Friday .
Pritzker on Tuesday planned to outline the regional metrics needed to head into the third phase of his reopening plan .
That includes a positivity rate under 20 % and stable or declining hospital metrics .
All regions are set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
Pritzker released guidelines Sunday for retailers , manufacturers , barbershops , salons , health and fitness centers , and other businesses that will be allowed to reopen when the state enters the next phase of its “ Restore Illinois ” plan .
In addition to social distancing , wearing masks and hand-washing , Phase 3 of Pritzker ’ s plan includes some specific guidelines for places like gyms , hair salons and day camps .
Read the full story for more on the Phase 3 guidelines here .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ might return to work in Phase 3 of Chicago ’ s reopening plan As many as 130,000 employees — one-third of those sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic — could return to work under Phase 3 of Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s plan to slowly and safely reopen the Chicago economy , top mayoral aides said Wednesday .
Ten industry-specific groups , involving 200 people , developed guidelines that are at least as strong as those released by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and stronger in a few instances .
Chief among them is Lightfoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 25 % of normal capacity instead of 50 % .
The 25 % cap would also apply to “ common areas ” in commercial office buildings .
“ Chicago is a dense city .
In many contexts , we believe the 25 % capacity restriction is the right place to start , ” said Samir Mayekar , deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development .
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here .
12:19 p.m. No summer camp ?
No problem .
Here are 5 ways to re-create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are headed into possibly the weirdest summer ever .
We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic .
School ended early .
Kids are bored .
Parents are about to lose their ever-loving minds .
And to top it all off , summer camp is probably canceled , too , or at least it ’ s going to look very , very different .
Last week , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated considerations for camps amid the COVID-10 outbreak , including a “ decision tree ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programs should go on .
The American Camp Association followed up with a field guide .
Camps must also follow regulations set by state and local authorities .
“ Camp is about the connection .
It ’ s about exploring , ” says Penn Henthorn , director of programs and camps for Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma .
“ Our outcomes are based on critical skills you need to work with other people : communication , collaboration , critical thinking , creativity .
We just get to let kids have fun and those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While social distancing is making all of those things a challenge , there are ways to keep the important experiences of camp going while families stay home .
Here are four ideas from camp counselors themselves .
11:07 a.m. Less than 60 percent of CPS students are logging on for online classes most days , new data shows Newly released and long-awaited data from the nation ’ s third-largest school system show what many have suspected : In the best circumstances , remote learning has been an uneven and dubious replacement for in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has left students entirely disconnected from their teachers .
Fewer than 60 % of all Chicago Public Schools students are engaging with online remote learning three or more days per week , data unveiled Wednesday shows .
Vulnerable populations , such as kids who are homeless and black and Latino students whose families have been disproportionately hurt by the coronavirus pandemic , are logging on at lower rates .
Tens of thousands of students aren ’ t being reached by their schools at all despite computer and internet access having largely been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the most detailed metrics in the country , measures 294,000 students at district-run schools and focuses on the week of May 11 , the most recently measured time span which also saw the best engagement thus far .
Officials said they don ’ t have access to data for another 60,000 who attend charters .
Read the full story from Nader Issa here .
9:36 a.m. Museum of Science and Industry cuts 84 jobs The Museum of Science and Industry has laid off about one quarter of its staff citing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The museum is also requiring the remaining staff to take 10 furlough days and is introducing “ graduated pay reductions ” for the majority of employees , spokeswoman Julie Parente said .
“ We made these decisions to protect the museum ’ s long-term future , so that we can continue to inspire the inventive genius in everyone , ” Parente said in a statement .
“ We are grateful for everything that our staff has done for the museum and especially for the students , families , educators , schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the museum has laid off 84 of its 358 full-time employees , Parente said .
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here .
7:58 a.m. Pritzker ready to toast ‘ cocktails-to-go ’ — but Lightfoot wants a chaser Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said he ’ ll sign legislation that will legalize “ cocktails-to-go ” to aid ailing business owners during the pandemic .
What that will look like in Chicago — a hotspot for COIVD-19 — and when that may happen remains unclear .
While Mayor Lori Lightfoot is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says they are exploring changes to it .
That ’ s allowed under the legislation , which gives municipalities local control to either opt out or make changes .
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for June 17 , and it ’ s unlikely a meeting would be called earlier to take up the plan .
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles here .
6:52 a.m. Total Recall ?
GOP quartet seeks to oust Pritzker , insisting ‘ it ’ s going to be difficult ’ but not ‘ impossible ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would really rather Gov .
J.B. Pritzker finish out his term than be booted from office .
“ Frankly I just hope the governor fixes the unemployment system , so people can get their unemployment and we should move on from this , ” the state representative said .
“ I mean , I would much prefer that.
” Whether the governor is able to solve the unemployment problems that have arisen during the coronavirus crisis remains to be seen , but Skillicorn isn ’ t waiting to find out .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remove the Chicago Democrat from office — an uphill battle that would require bipartisan support from legislators and hundreds of thousands of signatures from voters to get on the ballot .
Skillicorn said troubles with the Illinois Department of Employment Security website was the last straw .
He said he would “ happily ” take his recall petition “ off the table , ” if the governor fixes the problem .
But it might not matter what Skillicorn leaves on the table , given the high threshold for a successful recall petition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earley here .
• Chicago police announced three more cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday , bringing the total number of cases in the department to 551 .
• Two employees of Chicago ’ s Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant have died of COVID-19 .
• Tuesday marked the fourth consecutive day with fewer than 100 deaths reported .
Officials announced another 39 deaths from COVID-19 in Illinois Tuesday , and 1,178 new cases reported from 17,230 tests received .
• Hecky Powell , rib king and Evanston icon , has died at 71 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
Steering a middle course between COVID-19 hopes and fears Despite what many people hoped , COVID-19 is clearly worse than the seasonal flu .
But despite what other people feared , it does not seem to be nearly as lethal as the “ Spanish flu ” of 1918 , which killed about 0.7 % of the total U.S. population — equivalent to more than 2 million people today .
As we move from lockdowns to something more closely resembling normal life , the emerging evidence about the threat posed by COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make sense .
The initial , ham-handed approach — which confined hundreds of millions of people to their homes except for government-approved purposes — should be replaced by more carefully targeted measures focused on protecting the people who face the highest risk .
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the current “ best estimate ” of the death rate among Americans who develop COVID-19 symptoms is 0.4 % .
By that measure — the symptomatic case fatality rate — COVID-19 is roughly four times as deadly as the seasonal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spanish flu .
6:33 a.m .
Temperature checks on deck : Reopening guidelines usher in new normal You ’ re familiar , perhaps , with those signs in restaurants and bars : “ No shoes .
No shirt .
No service.
” Add this one for the COVID-19 pandemic era as Illinois and Chicago start to phase in reopening plans : A fever keeps you out , too .
Temperature checks , staggered operating hours and eliminating many amenities taken for granted — from water fountains to dropping in anytime at the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealing with in the coming days .
Could be , because so far , the state does not have an enforcement mechanism in place .
For at least 10 industries in Illinois , guidelines for the “ new normal ” arrived Sunday when the state released a series of detailed reopening procedures to kick in as soon as Friday .
Whether employers and customers will adapt and whether businesses can be profitable under the new rules will be key to the revival of the Illinois economy .
Gov .
J .
B. Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ minimum expectations moving forward.
” Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday issued guidelines tailored to Chicago and aligned with the state .
Maintaining six feet of social distancing at all times , using face coverings , frequent hand washing or sanitizing remain key to curbing the pandemic .
To do this in a workplace will require extensive — and perhaps expensive — reconfiguring .
Lynn Sweet breaks down what ’ s ahead for owners , workers and customers .

More people have died in Cook County in less than five months this year than in all of last year.
And more than half of those 2020 deaths were linked to COVID-19.
Those are the grim statistics released Wednesday by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, where pathologists are now conducting as many as four times as many autopsies on any given day.
That wasn’t all the news from Chicago and the state Wednesday. Here’s what else happened as Illinoisans continued to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
News
8:55 p.m. Movie theaters pressure Pritzker to loosen up and allow them to open at 50% capacity
The front entrance of a closed AMC Theaters location in Burbank, California. Chris Pizzello/AP Photo (file)
Movie theater owners are pressuring Gov. J.B. Pritzker to let them reopen to additional capacity this summer to boost ticket revenue and pave the way for major studios to release their traditional summer blockbusters.
Pritzker wants to keep movie theaters closed until Phase 4 of his reopening plan—June 26 at the earliest—and cap the number of movie patrons at 50 per theater.
Chris Johnson, president of the National Association of Theater Owners of Illinois, is not overly concerned about waiting until Phase 4. His major complaint is the 50-person cap.
Johnson called it unreasonably low at a time when a handful of theaters — like the Pickwick in Oak Park, the Tivoli in Downers Grove and Chicago’s Music Box — still seat 1,000 while remodeled theaters with recliners have “already taken out two-thirds of their seating.” In those theaters, social distancing can easily be maintained, he said.
“We want to have the capacity, rather than a hard 50, based on social distancing so that, if you have a bigger auditorium and you can seat groups six feet apart, whatever that number is would be allowed,” Johnson said.
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here.
7:34 p.m. Post time at two tracks? Hawthorne, Fairmount champing at the bit to resume horse racing
Illinois’ struggling horse racing industry could be back off to the races as soon as next week without any spectators in attendance, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s not quite ready to pick up the starting bugle just yet.
The governor’s office said Wednesday evening it was in the home stretch of implementing a plan to resume fan-free operations at the state’s three racetracks, with health protections in place for workers.
Hawthorne Race Course had already bolted from the starting gate, though, with the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association announcing the track in west suburban Stickney will reopen June 6 for drivers and trainers, but not railbirds.
They could be off and running even sooner at Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville, where the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association says they’ve gotten clearance for thoroughbred racing to “resume as early as June 1.”
Reporter Mitchell Armentrout has the full story.
6:45 p.m. MGM Resorts, Caesars to reopen Las Vegas Strip casinos June 4
For travel and gaming fans, the wait is over: The Las Vegas Strip is reopening.
At least part of it.
MGM Resorts International announced Wednesday the reopening of some of its Las Vegas properties beginning June 4.
The Bellagio, New York New York, MGM Grand Las Vegas and The Signature hotel/casinos will open their doors following the March shut-down of all MGM Resort casinos world-wide due to the coronavirus pandemic. The number of rooms available and guests on property will be limited.
The reopening will follow as strict seven-point safety plan, according to the official announcement.
Reporter Miriam Di Nunzio has the full story.
4 p.m. Restaurants prepare for outdoor dining as city moves to next phase of reopening
Many restaurants are eager to restore some semblance of normality to the city’s dining scene as officials begin scaling back restrictions triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
But what will the future of dining look like as the threat of COVID-19 still casts a dark cloud over people gathering in confined spaces?
Gov. J.B. Pritzker shared new guidelines Sunday offering a glimpse of what customers can expect when restaurants begin reopening Friday — outside Chicago, anyway.
For now, restaurants are limited to outdoor dining and drinking, and only for parties of five people or less.
“In every aspect of our pandemic response, and especially as we begin to safely reopen meaningful swaths of our economy, our number one priority must be the health and safety of our workers, our customers, and Illinoisans at large,” said Pritzker in a statement.
Read the full story here.
3:29 p.m. Cook County death toll in less than five months surpasses entire 2019 tally: ‘We do not believe that these deaths had to occur’
More people have died in Cook County in less than five months this year than in all of last year.
And more than half of those 2020 deaths were linked to COVID-19.
Those are the grim statistics released Wednesday by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, where pathologists are now conducting as many as four times as many autopsies on any given day.
So far this year, the office has handled more than 6,500 deaths in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the 6,586 cases the medical examiner’s office has recorded in 2020 more than half — 3,518 — were COVID-19 related deaths.
Read the full story from Rachel Hinton here.
2:42 p.m. Illinois coronavirus death toll eclipses 5,000
Another 160 people have died of COVID-19 in Illinois, with the state’s fatalities now totaling 5,083.
Officials on Wednesday, however, said the latest deaths could include some from over the holiday weekend. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office on Tuesday warned the 39 deaths recorded then could have been lower due to a lack of reporting on Memorial Day, when many state laboratory workers were given a day off.
The high death tally comes after four consecutive days seeing fewer than 100 deaths, something that had not occurred since mid-April, when the state recorded its first 100-plus day. Wednesday also marked the 22nd day in which more than 100 deaths were reported.
There were also 1,111 new cases reported, raising the state’s total to 114,306. The state received 17,179 test results, officials said. In total, the state has performed 803,973 coronavirus tests.
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles here.
2 p.m. What reopening Illinois will look like on Friday
The four regions in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan are set to see some restrictions loosened on Friday.
Pritzker on Tuesday planned to outline the regional metrics needed to head into the third phase of his reopening plan. That includes a positivity rate under 20% and stable or declining hospital metrics. All regions are set to move forward on Friday, Pritzker’s office said.
Pritzker released guidelines Sunday for retailers, manufacturers, barbershops, salons, health and fitness centers, and other businesses that will be allowed to reopen when the state enters the next phase of its “Restore Illinois” plan.
In addition to social distancing, wearing masks and hand-washing, Phase 3 of Pritzker’s plan includes some specific guidelines for places like gyms, hair salons and day camps.
Read the full story for more on the Phase 3 guidelines here.
1:57 p.m. As many as 130K employees might return to work in Phase 3 of Chicago’s reopening plan
As many as 130,000 employees — one-third of those sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic — could return to work under Phase 3 of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to slowly and safely reopen the Chicago economy, top mayoral aides said Wednesday.
Ten industry-specific groups, involving 200 people, developed guidelines that are at least as strong as those released by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and stronger in a few instances.
Chief among them is Lightfoot’s decision to limit nonessential retailers to 25% of normal capacity instead of 50%. The 25% cap would also apply to “common areas” in commercial office buildings.
“Chicago is a dense city. In many contexts, we believe the 25% capacity restriction is the right place to start,” said Samir Mayekar, deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development.
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here.
12:19 p.m. No summer camp? No problem. Here are 5 ways to re-create the experience for kids stuck at home
We are headed into possibly the weirdest summer ever.
We are in the midst of a worldwide pandemic. School ended early. Kids are bored. Parents are about to lose their ever-loving minds. And to top it all off, summer camp is probably canceled, too, or at least it’s going to look very, very different.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released updated considerations for camps amid the COVID-10 outbreak, including a “decision tree” for directors to use to determine whether their programs should go on. The American Camp Association followed up with a field guide. Camps must also follow regulations set by state and local authorities.
“Camp is about the connection. It’s about exploring,” says Penn Henthorn, director of programs and camps for Camp Fire Heart of Oklahoma. “Our outcomes are based on critical skills you need to work with other people: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity. We just get to let kids have fun and those things are part of the process.”
While social distancing is making all of those things a challenge, there are ways to keep the important experiences of camp going while families stay home.
Here are four ideas from camp counselors themselves.
11:07 a.m. Less than 60 percent of CPS students are logging on for online classes most days, new data shows
Newly released and long-awaited data from the nation’s third-largest school system show what many have suspected: In the best circumstances, remote learning has been an uneven and dubious replacement for in-person instruction; and in the worst, it has left students entirely disconnected from their teachers.
Fewer than 60% of all Chicago Public Schools students are engaging with online remote learning three or more days per week, data unveiled Wednesday shows. Vulnerable populations, such as kids who are homeless and black and Latino students whose families have been disproportionately hurt by the coronavirus pandemic, are logging on at lower rates. Tens of thousands of students aren’t being reached by their schools at all despite computer and internet access having largely been achieved.
The report, which includes some of the most detailed metrics in the country, measures 294,000 students at district-run schools and focuses on the week of May 11, the most recently measured time span which also saw the best engagement thus far. Officials said they don’t have access to data for another 60,000 who attend charters.
Read the full story from Nader Issa here.
9:36 a.m. Museum of Science and Industry cuts 84 jobs
The Museum of Science and Industry has laid off about one quarter of its staff citing the financial challenges of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
The museum is also requiring the remaining staff to take 10 furlough days and is introducing “graduated pay reductions” for the majority of employees, spokeswoman Julie Parente said.
“We made these decisions to protect the museum’s long-term future, so that we can continue to inspire the inventive genius in everyone,” Parente said in a statement. “We are grateful for everything that our staff has done for the museum and especially for the students, families, educators, schools and communities we serve.”
In total, the museum has laid off 84 of its 358 full-time employees, Parente said.
Read the full story from Stefano Esposito here.
7:58 a.m. Pritzker ready to toast ‘cocktails-to-go’ — but Lightfoot wants a chaser
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said he’ll sign legislation that will legalize “cocktails-to-go” to aid ailing business owners during the pandemic.
What that will look like in Chicago — a hotspot for COIVD-19 — and when that may happen remains unclear.
While Mayor Lori Lightfoot is supportive of the plan, mayoral aides says they are exploring changes to it. That’s allowed under the legislation, which gives municipalities local control to either opt out or make changes.
The next City Council meeting is scheduled for June 17, and it’s unlikely a meeting would be called earlier to take up the plan.
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles here.
6:52 a.m. Total Recall? GOP quartet seeks to oust Pritzker, insisting ‘it’s going to be difficult’ but not ‘impossible’
SPRINGFIELD — Suburban Republican Allen Skillicorn insists he would really rather Gov. J.B. Pritzker finish out his term than be booted from office.
“Frankly I just hope the governor fixes the unemployment system, so people can get their unemployment and we should move on from this,” the state representative said. “I mean, I would much prefer that.”
Whether the governor is able to solve the unemployment problems that have arisen during the coronavirus crisis remains to be seen, but Skillicorn isn’t waiting to find out.
The East Dundee Republican launched a recall effort to remove the Chicago Democrat from office — an uphill battle that would require bipartisan support from legislators and hundreds of thousands of signatures from voters to get on the ballot.
Skillicorn said troubles with the Illinois Department of Employment Security website was the last straw.
He said he would “happily” take his recall petition “off the table,” if the governor fixes the problem. But it might not matter what Skillicorn leaves on the table, given the high threshold for a successful recall petition.
Read the full report from Neal Earley here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
12:14 p.m. Steering a middle course between COVID-19 hopes and fears
Despite what many people hoped, COVID-19 is clearly worse than the seasonal flu. But despite what other people feared, it does not seem to be nearly as lethal as the “Spanish flu” of 1918, which killed about 0.7% of the total U.S. population — equivalent to more than 2 million people today.
As we move from lockdowns to something more closely resembling normal life, the emerging evidence about the threat posed by COVID-19 should inform our judgment about which precautions make sense. The initial, ham-handed approach — which confined hundreds of millions of people to their homes except for government-approved purposes — should be replaced by more carefully targeted measures focused on protecting the people who face the highest risk.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the current “best estimate” of the death rate among Americans who develop COVID-19 symptoms is 0.4%. By that measure — the symptomatic case fatality rate — COVID-19 is roughly four times as deadly as the seasonal flu but far less deadly than the Spanish flu.
Read Jacob Sullum’s full column here.
6:33 a.m. Temperature checks on deck: Reopening guidelines usher in new normal
You’re familiar, perhaps, with those signs in restaurants and bars: “No shoes. No shirt. No service.” Add this one for the COVID-19 pandemic era as Illinois and Chicago start to phase in reopening plans: A fever keeps you out, too.
Temperature checks, staggered operating hours and eliminating many amenities taken for granted — from water fountains to dropping in anytime at the health club — are what Illinoisans could be dealing with in the coming days. Could be, because so far, the state does not have an enforcement mechanism in place.
For at least 10 industries in Illinois, guidelines for the “new normal” arrived Sunday when the state released a series of detailed reopening procedures to kick in as soon as Friday.
Whether employers and customers will adapt and whether businesses can be profitable under the new rules will be key to the revival of the Illinois economy.
Gov. J. B. Pritzker at his Tuesday briefing called the provisions “minimum expectations moving forward.” Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday issued guidelines tailored to Chicago and aligned with the state.
Maintaining six feet of social distancing at all times, using face coverings, frequent hand washing or sanitizing remain key to curbing the pandemic. To do this in a workplace will require extensive — and perhaps expensive — reconfiguring.
Lynn Sweet breaks down what’s ahead for owners, workers and customers.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--Post time at two tracks? Hawthorne, Fairmount champing at the bit to resume horse racing

Illinois ’ struggling horse racing industry could be back off to the races as soon as next week without any spectators in attendance , but Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said he ’ s not quite ready to pick up the starting bugle just yet .
The governor ’ s office said Wednesday evening it was in the home stretch of implementing a plan to resume fan-free operations at the state ’ s three racetracks , with health protections in place for workers .
Hawthorne Race Course had already bolted from the starting gate , though , with the Illinois Harness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in west suburban Stickney will reopen June 6 for drivers and trainers , but not railbirds .
They could be off and running even sooner at Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville , where the Illinois Horsemen ’ s Benevolent and Protective Association says they ’ ve gotten clearance for thoroughbred racing to “ resume as early as June 1.
” But there ’ s no plan yet for the action to resume at Arlington International Racecourse , which remains at loggerheads with the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen ’ s on a contract for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be racing again , ” Harness Horsemen ’ s Association board president Clark Fairley said in a statement .
“ We ’ ve all been working without paychecks for the last few months .
If we don ’ t race , we don ’ t get paid but we still have to work .
Horses can ’ t take care of themselves.
” While Pritzker ’ s office said it would make an announcement soon about reopening the tracks , the Democratic governor reined in optimism during an East St. Louis news conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t think it ’ ll restart on June 1 .
I think live horse racing will restart .
I can ’ t tell you what date , but again , it will be like other spectator sports where it would have to run without spectators , at least to begin with , ” Pritzker said .
“ At least in the horse racing industry , that can be done .
Most of the betting gets done not at the location of the horse race .
Much of the handle , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world on races that occur in Illinois.
” And the industry is counting on horse players to do just that online .
Industry leaders spent weeks hammering out safety precautions with the state departments of Agriculture and Public Health to get the tracks up and running .
Besides barring fans from the grandstand , Hawthorne plans to limit entrants to licensed racing personnel , who are all required to wear face masks and gloves , and are subject to temperature checks .
Barns that usually hold up to 100 horses will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one stall separating each .
Paddocks and barns will be sprayed and disinfected nightly .
And at the conclusion of each race , the winner ’ s circle will be limited to the horse , driver and either the trainer or groom .
“ There isn ’ t much person-to-person contact in the backstretch to begin with and there is plenty of space to socially distance , ” Fairley said .
“ We can ’ t afford to lose any more live racing so everyone must be vigilant.
” After racing June 6-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three nights per week at Hawthorne into September , with race winnings reduced 15 % .
“ This will be a very hard year for horsemen , ” Fairley said .
“ But we hope that we have turned a corner .
For now , we ’ re happy to be racing into the future.
” When it returns , horse racing will be the only game in town , as the state ’ s 10 casinos and 36,000-plus video gaming terminals remain shut down indefinitely by the Illinois Gaming Board .
Arlington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced Wednesday it suspended its opening races of the season “ in support of , and with respect to ” Pritzker ’ s phased reopening plan .
That drew the ire of thoroughbred trainers , who said Arlington ’ s “ contempt for Illinois workers and the best interests of taxpayers knows no bounds.
” “ Rather than race without spectators , and miss out on the prospect of selling cocktails at a steep markup to crowds at Arlington Million Day , Arlington instead is poised to forgo racing altogether , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Arlington president Tony Petrillo told the Illinois Racing Board last week they haven ’ t considered pulling the plug on the entire racing season , but that running without spectators “ was not possible ” without the off-track betting network up and fully operational .

Illinois’ struggling horse racing industry could be back off to the races as soon as next week without any spectators in attendance, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he’s not quite ready to pick up the starting bugle just yet.
The governor’s office said Wednesday evening it was in the home stretch of implementing a plan to resume fan-free operations at the state’s three racetracks, with health protections in place for workers.
Hawthorne Race Course had already bolted from the starting gate, though, with the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association announcing the track in west suburban Stickney will reopen June 6 for drivers and trainers, but not railbirds.
They could be off and running even sooner at Fairmount Park in downstate Collinsville, where the Illinois Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association says they’ve gotten clearance for thoroughbred racing to “resume as early as June 1.”
But there’s no plan yet for the action to resume at Arlington International Racecourse, which remains at loggerheads with the Illinois Thoroughbred Horsemen’s on a contract for the season.
“We are thrilled to be racing again,” Harness Horsemen’s Association board president Clark Fairley said in a statement. “We’ve all been working without paychecks for the last few months. If we don’t race, we don’t get paid but we still have to work. Horses can’t take care of themselves.”
While Pritzker’s office said it would make an announcement soon about reopening the tracks, the Democratic governor reined in optimism during an East St. Louis news conference earlier in the day.
“I don’t think it’ll restart on June 1. I think live horse racing will restart. I can’t tell you what date, but again, it will be like other spectator sports where it would have to run without spectators, at least to begin with,” Pritzker said.
A horse player studies the program at Hawthorne Race Course in 1996. Chicago Sun Times files
“At least in the horse racing industry, that can be done. Most of the betting gets done not at the location of the horse race. Much of the handle, the dollars bet, are bet all over the world on races that occur in Illinois.”
And the industry is counting on horse players to do just that online. Industry leaders spent weeks hammering out safety precautions with the state departments of Agriculture and Public Health to get the tracks up and running.
Besides barring fans from the grandstand, Hawthorne plans to limit entrants to licensed racing personnel, who are all required to wear face masks and gloves, and are subject to temperature checks.
Barns that usually hold up to 100 horses will be limited to 30, with at least one stall separating each. Paddocks and barns will be sprayed and disinfected nightly. And at the conclusion of each race, the winner’s circle will be limited to the horse, driver and either the trainer or groom.
“There isn’t much person-to-person contact in the backstretch to begin with and there is plenty of space to socially distance,” Fairley said. “We can’t afford to lose any more live racing so everyone must be vigilant.”
Harness racing at Hawthorne Race Course in 1996. Chicago Sun Times file.
After racing June 6-7, they say they’ll resume three nights per week at Hawthorne into September, with race winnings reduced 15%.
“This will be a very hard year for horsemen,” Fairley said. “But we hope that we have turned a corner. For now, we’re happy to be racing into the future.”
When it returns, horse racing will be the only game in town, as the state’s 10 casinos and 36,000-plus video gaming terminals remain shut down indefinitely by the Illinois Gaming Board.
Arlington remains shuttered, too. The track announced Wednesday it suspended its opening races of the season “in support of, and with respect to” Pritzker’s phased reopening plan.
The Pizza Man, ridden by jockey Florent Geeroux, wins the Arlington Million in 2015. Provided by Arlington International Racecourse.
That drew the ire of thoroughbred trainers, who said Arlington’s “contempt for Illinois workers and the best interests of taxpayers knows no bounds.”
“Rather than race without spectators, and miss out on the prospect of selling cocktails at a steep markup to crowds at Arlington Million Day, Arlington instead is poised to forgo racing altogether,” the trainers’ group said in a statement.
Arlington president Tony Petrillo told the Illinois Racing Board last week they haven’t considered pulling the plug on the entire racing season, but that running without spectators “was not possible” without the off-track betting network up and fully operational.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--Free CPS meals to continue through the summer — with $29M more to Aramark

Families who need food for their children will still be able to pick up meals at schools over the summer , Chicago Public Schools officials said Wednesday .
The city ’ s school board , at its monthly meeting held virtually for the third consecutive month , renewed its food services contract with private vendor Aramark for $ 126 million — $ 29 million more than previous years to account for an expanded summer program .
The district has distributed more than 12.5 million meals at hundreds of schools since in-person instruction ended more than two months ago because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPS CEO Janice Jackson said the need to keep feeding kids won ’ t diminish over the summer .
“ In prior years we operated a program called ‘ LunchStop , ’ which fed students at approximately 100 sites throughout the city , ” Jackson told the school board .
“ Given the COVID crisis , we know that the need is much greater .
And so today we ’ re going to be asking the board to approve a plan that allows us to continue serving food with our partner Aramark over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all students live within a mile of one of the district ’ s 640 schools that are currently offering meals .
Three-quarters of those sites are on the South and West Sides , where the need for food has shown to be greater .
A full list of summer sites will be available at cps.edu/mealsites .
The contract renewal with the Philadelphia-based Aramark is a one-year extension of the usual food services provided to CPS , including for food and overseeing lunchroom staff .
The original $ 97 million agreement was signed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for one-year extensions .
The district also renewed a cleaning contract with Aramark for another year after announcing last week that once the extension ends in June 2021 , the district will terminate the much maligned , years-long deal that had been worth hundreds of millions for the private company .

Families who need food for their children will still be able to pick up meals at schools over the summer, Chicago Public Schools officials said Wednesday.
The city’s school board, at its monthly meeting held virtually for the third consecutive month, renewed its food services contract with private vendor Aramark for $126 million — $29 million more than previous years to account for an expanded summer program.
The district has distributed more than 12.5 million meals at hundreds of schools since in-person instruction ended more than two months ago because of the coronavirus pandemic, officials said.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson said the need to keep feeding kids won’t diminish over the summer.
“In prior years we operated a program called ‘LunchStop,’ which fed students at approximately 100 sites throughout the city,” Jackson told the school board. “Given the COVID crisis, we know that the need is much greater. And so today we’re going to be asking the board to approve a plan that allows us to continue serving food with our partner Aramark over the summer.”
CPS officials said almost all students live within a mile of one of the district’s 640 schools that are currently offering meals. Three-quarters of those sites are on the South and West Sides, where the need for food has shown to be greater. A full list of summer sites will be available at cps.edu/mealsites.
The contract renewal with the Philadelphia-based Aramark is a one-year extension of the usual food services provided to CPS, including for food and overseeing lunchroom staff. The original $97 million agreement was signed for the 2018-19 school year with four options for one-year extensions.
The district also renewed a cleaning contract with Aramark for another year after announcing last week that once the extension ends in June 2021, the district will terminate the much maligned, years-long deal that had been worth hundreds of millions for the private company.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--Pam Zekman, longtime Chicago investigative reporter, among layoffs at CBS 2

Zekman was among 12 or more reporters , anchors and other employees laid off by the local CBS television affiliate WBBM , as first reported by the Daily Herald ’ s Robert Feder .
Other layoffs included news anchor Erin Kennedy , sports anchor Megan Mawicke , meteorologist Megan Glaros and reporters Mike Puccinelli and Mai Martinez .
Zekman , 75 , joined CBS in 1981 with her reputation as one of Chicago ’ s most prominent investigative journalists already cemented , then built even more on that acclaim during her four decades at the station .
The journalist ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and manipulation from the Medicare system to Cook County property taxes to the free lunch program at Chicago Public Schools .
She found cab and bus drivers with spotty driving violation histories still employed and showed how towing companies exploit vulnerable crash victims .
But she was among the victims herself of CBS 2 ’ s reshuffling this week , which slimmed staff in response to declining advertising during the coronavirus pandemic , Feder reported .
The station ’ s revenue was down more than 60 percent year-over-year in April , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operations at CBS as part our ongoing integration with Viacom , and to adapt to changes in our business , including those related to COVID-19 , ” CBS said in a statement .
“ Our thoughts today are with our departing colleagues for their friendship , service and many important contributions to CBS.
” The layoffs come just a month after the station announced CBSN Chicago , an online local news streaming service billed by WBBM president Derek Dalton as representing a “ new chapter ” for the station .
Zekman declined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday .
Zekman began her Chicago reporting career with the Chicago Tribune in 1971 , then moved to the Sun-Times in 1976 , where her five-year tenure included arguably the most famous investigation in Sun-Times history .
She and the late Zay Smith , who died earlier this month , were integral reporters in the 1978 Mirage tavern series — a 25-part story about corruption in the Chicago bar and restaurant industry .
At Zekman ’ s suggestion , the Sun-Times purchased a Wells Street dive bar and ran it undercover for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others posing as bartenders — to expose the bribery necessary to operate successfully in Chicago .
Zekman , a University of California-Berkeley alumna , was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her work in the Mirage investigation and a two-time winner while at the Tribune .

Longtime Chicago investigative reporter Pam Zekman’s 39-year run at CBS 2 Chicago ended Wednesday.
Zekman was among 12 or more reporters, anchors and other employees laid off by the local CBS television affiliate WBBM, as first reported by the Daily Herald’s Robert Feder.
Other layoffs included news anchor Erin Kennedy, sports anchor Megan Mawicke, meteorologist Megan Glaros and reporters Mike Puccinelli and Mai Martinez.
Zekman, 75, joined CBS in 1981 with her reputation as one of Chicago’s most prominent investigative journalists already cemented, then built even more on that acclaim during her four decades at the station.
The journalist’s notable investigative work includes exposing fraud and manipulation from the Medicare system to Cook County property taxes to the free lunch program at Chicago Public Schools. She found cab and bus drivers with spotty driving violation histories still employed and showed how towing companies exploit vulnerable crash victims.
But she was among the victims herself of CBS 2’s reshuffling this week, which slimmed staff in response to declining advertising during the coronavirus pandemic, Feder reported. The station’s revenue was down more than 60 percent year-over-year in April, according to Feder.
“We are restructuring various operations at CBS as part our ongoing integration with Viacom, and to adapt to changes in our business, including those related to COVID-19,” CBS said in a statement. “Our thoughts today are with our departing colleagues for their friendship, service and many important contributions to CBS.”
The layoffs come just a month after the station announced CBSN Chicago, an online local news streaming service billed by WBBM president Derek Dalton as representing a “new chapter” for the station.
Zekman declined to comment when reached by the Chicago Sun-Times on Wednesday.
Zekman began her Chicago reporting career with the Chicago Tribune in 1971, then moved to the Sun-Times in 1976, where her five-year tenure included arguably the most famous investigation in Sun-Times history.
She and the late Zay Smith, who died earlier this month, were integral reporters in the 1978 Mirage tavern series — a 25-part story about corruption in the Chicago bar and restaurant industry.
At Zekman’s suggestion, the Sun-Times purchased a Wells Street dive bar and ran it undercover for four months — with Zekman, Smith and others posing as bartenders — to expose the bribery necessary to operate successfully in Chicago.
Zekman, a University of California-Berkeley alumna, was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for her work in the Mirage investigation and a two-time winner while at the Tribune.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--City’s first downtown pot shop to open Thursday

Cresco Labs is slated to open the first cannabis dispensary in the downtown area on Thursday morning .
Cresco ’ s new Sunnyside pot shop , located at 436 N. Clark St. in River North , will also be the first in the city to exclusively sell recreational weed .
Chicago ’ s 11 existing dispensaries , including another Cresco location in Lake View , are currently licensed to serve both medical cannabis patients and recreational buyers .
“ We are thrilled to be opening the first adult use store in Chicago under the state ’ s new legislation and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and professionalized cannabis looks like with a location in a traditional business district , a local and diverse operating team and a tremendous amount of community input and support , ” said Charlie Bachtell , CEO and co-founder of Cresco , which will now operate seven Illinois dispensaries and three cultivation centers .
To streamline sales and promote social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic , the store will only be accepting online orders .
Once customers receive a text notification that their order is ready , they can check in at a designated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up their pot products .
Cresco officials said products will include marijuana flower , which has been hard to come by for recreational customers as stores reserved supplies for medical patients as growers struggled to meet demand .
Despite state officials halting the issuance of any new pot licenses in the wake of the public health crisis , existing operators are now moving to open a series of new recreational-only stores .
Cresco on Wednesday started selling weed at a new Sunnyside dispensary in Danville , while GTI — another major cannabis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an additional Rise shop in Niles on Thursday .

Cresco Labs is slated to open the first cannabis dispensary in the downtown area on Thursday morning.
Cresco’s new Sunnyside pot shop, located at 436 N. Clark St. in River North, will also be the first in the city to exclusively sell recreational weed. Chicago’s 11 existing dispensaries, including another Cresco location in Lake View, are currently licensed to serve both medical cannabis patients and recreational buyers.
“We are thrilled to be opening the first adult use store in Chicago under the state’s new legislation and to provide an example of what normalized and professionalized cannabis looks like with a location in a traditional business district, a local and diverse operating team and a tremendous amount of community input and support,” said Charlie Bachtell, CEO and co-founder of Cresco, which will now operate seven Illinois dispensaries and three cultivation centers.
To streamline sales and promote social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the store will only be accepting online orders. Once customers receive a text notification that their order is ready, they can check in at a designated waiting area to get in line to pick up their pot products.
Cresco officials said products will include marijuana flower, which has been hard to come by for recreational customers as stores reserved supplies for medical patients as growers struggled to meet demand.
Despite state officials halting the issuance of any new pot licenses in the wake of the public health crisis, existing operators are now moving to open a series of new recreational-only stores. Cresco on Wednesday started selling weed at a new Sunnyside dispensary in Danville, while GTI — another major cannabis firm based in Chicago — will open an additional Rise shop in Niles on Thursday.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-27--Man killed in Harvey shooting

Man killed in Harvey shooting

Antoine Taylor was shot about 2:48 p.m. in a home in the 300 Block of East 148th Place , according @ @ @ @ @ examiner ’ s office and a spokesperson for the city of Harvey .
He was @ @ @ @ @ .
An autopsy found Taylor died of multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
He lived in Calumet City .
No arrests have been @ @ @ @ @ investigating .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 36-year-old man was fatally shot Tuesday in south suburban Harvey.
Antoine Taylor was shot about 2:48 p.m. in a home in the 300 Block of East 148th Place, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office and a spokesperson for the city of Harvey. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy found Taylor died of multiple gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said. He lived in Calumet City.
No arrests have been reported. Harvey police are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.