chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Small businesses have a new tool to help workers buy health insurance, but it isn’t cheap

Until October , Andrea LaRew was paying $ 950 a month for health insurance through her job at the Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corp. near Denver .
Her company didn ’ t contribute anything toward the premium .
And LaRew and her husband had a steep $ 13,000 deductible for the plan .
But the coverage and the premium cost were in line with other plans available to the company since options for such a small work group weren ’ t plentiful — only LaRew and another employee wanted to enroll .
Now , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a traditional plan , the chamber established what ’ s called an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement — sometimes referred to as ICHRA — to which it allocates $ 100 a month per employee that they must put toward buying comprehensive coverage on the individual insurance market .
These employer contributions can be used to pay for expenses such as premiums or cost-sharing .
The reimbursements don ’ t count as taxable income to workers .
Proponents say the plans are a good option for companies that might not feel they can afford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help workers with health care expenses .
But consumer advocates are concerned they can shortchange some workers .
These small businesses can ’ t afford to offer health coverage as the premium prices rise , said Garry Manchulenko , a principal with GMBA Advisors Group in the Denver metro area , who suggested the arrangement to the chamber .
“ They want to help their employees , but they can ’ t sustain these increases , particularly at the small-group level , ” Manchulenko said .
He said he ’ s suggesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients , noting that in certain places premiums on the individual market are lower than those for group plans .
LaRew , 48 , bought a plan similar to the group plan but with a monthly price tag of $ 730 after she factors in the company ’ s contribution — a savings of more than $ 2,600 a year .
“ It ’ s still super-expensive for two healthy people , ” said LaRew , who oversees many of the chamber ’ s administrative functions .
But she appreciates that her premiums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just as when she was on the group plan .
She also liked having her pick of several plans .
“ I could choose my own individual plan that suits my family best and not be tied to a group plan that works great for a co-worker but not for me.
, ” she said .
The new coverage option was established through a rule issued by the Trump administration last year .
It could be helpful for workers like LaRew whose income is too high to qualify for the Affordable Care Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for policies sold on the individual market .
It also can be attractive to part-time or seasonal workers who don ’ t qualify for their employer ’ s coverage , according to insurance brokers and policy experts familiar with the new option .
But consumer advocates warn that it could encourage employers who had offered a traditional insurance plan to switch to the new arrangement because of the savings .
That might leave workers with a more cumbersome enrollment process and less generous coverage .
“ I do think there are pitfalls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nonresident fellow at the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy .
“ There ’ s confusion about the ICHRAs themselves .
“ And even if you know you need an ACA-compliant plan , how do you find one ?
” said Levitis , noting the prevalence of deceptive marketing of plans that don ’ t meet ACA standards .
Also , because of a quirk in how the new rules work , lower-income workers who bought ACA marketplace plans because their employer didn ’ t offer coverage could lose the federal subsidies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts an ICHRA in place .
Here ’ s how that could come into play .
Only people earning 400 % of the federal poverty level or less ( about $ 51,000 for one person ) are eligible for premium subsidies .
And to qualify , the coverage offered by an employer must be considered unaffordable to the worker .
If an employer offers an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement , that means workers who otherwise would meet the poverty threshold also would have to contribute more than 9.78 % of their income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the exchange .
That amount would be based on the plan ’ s cost after factoring in the contribution from an employer .
If workers ’ contribution is lower than that standard , the only assistance they are eligible for is through the ICHRA contribution .
Federal rules don ’ t allow workers to accept both ICHRA contributions and premium tax credits .
“ My concern is for people who are out there with a premium tax credit ” who might lose that subsidy if they don ’ t meet the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Health Insurance Project for the United Hospital Fund in New York , who authored an analysis of the new coverage option in October .
There are affordability caps in the ACA for regular employer-sponsored coverage , too .
But those caps generally are lower than the caps for ICHRAs .
As employers move to offer ICHRAs instead of traditional coverage , some workers will lose their premium tax credits because of the higher affordability threshold , Newell found .
Brokers and advocates agree that many workers will need assistance figuring out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers , people might need to work through where to buy a comprehensive plan that complies with the ACA .
Such plans can be purchased on and off the exchange .
But , if workers want the company to deduct their premium costs from their salary , as LaRew did , they must purchase a plan outside of the exchange .
“ There are so many paths to take and so many points of confusion , it ’ s super- , super-important that employees have some support going through this , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer of Health Sherpa , whose technology platform helps people enroll in marketplace plans .
It has incorporated information about ICHRAs .
Colorado is working with the broker industry to drum up interest in the new product , said Kevin Patterson , chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado , the state ’ s insurance exchange .
“ If we can get more people into the individual marketplace , that makes it stronger , ” Patterson said .
In theory , that makes sense .
But some analysts worry that the adoption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marketplace premiums by encouraging employers with sick workers to shift them to the individual market .
“ This is a way to offer a lower premium option to some employers but with the consequence of increasing premiums in the individual market and costs for the federal government via higher premium tax credits , ” said Matthew Fiedler , a fellow in economic studies at USC-Brookings who co-authored an analysis of the new offerings .
Larger employers aren ’ t very interested in embracing these new arrangements , said Jay Savan , a partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal rules don ’ t allow employers to offer an employee a traditional plan and an ICHRA simultaneously , and most large employers aren ’ t ready to replace their traditional plans .
“ As long as it ’ s black-or-white , there are precious few employers of size that are willing to take that leap , ” Savan said .
KHN ( Kaiser Health News ) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues .
It is an editorially independent program of KFF ( Kaiser Family Foundation ) , which is not @ @ @ @ @

Until October, Andrea LaRew was paying $950 a month for health insurance through her job at the Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corp. near Denver.
Her company didn’t contribute anything toward the premium. And LaRew and her husband had a steep $13,000 deductible for the plan.
But the coverage and the premium cost were in line with other plans available to the company since options for such a small work group weren’t plentiful — only LaRew and another employee wanted to enroll.
Now, they’re trying a new approach. Instead of a traditional plan, the chamber established what’s called an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement — sometimes referred to as ICHRA — to which it allocates $100 a month per employee that they must put toward buying comprehensive coverage on the individual insurance market. These employer contributions can be used to pay for expenses such as premiums or cost-sharing.
The reimbursements don’t count as taxable income to workers.
Proponents say the plans are a good option for companies that might not feel they can afford to offer a traditional plan but want to help workers with health care expenses. But consumer advocates are concerned they can shortchange some workers.
These small businesses can’t afford to offer health coverage as the premium prices rise, said Garry Manchulenko, a principal with GMBA Advisors Group in the Denver metro area, who suggested the arrangement to the chamber. “They want to help their employees, but they can’t sustain these increases, particularly at the small-group level,” Manchulenko said.
Garry Manchulenko. LinkedIn
He said he’s suggesting the new setup for some of his clients, noting that in certain places premiums on the individual market are lower than those for group plans.
LaRew, 48, bought a plan similar to the group plan but with a monthly price tag of $730 after she factors in the company’s contribution — a savings of more than $2,600 a year.
“It’s still super-expensive for two healthy people,” said LaRew, who oversees many of the chamber’s administrative functions.
But she appreciates that her premiums are deducted from her pretax income, just as when she was on the group plan.
She also liked having her pick of several plans.
“I could choose my own individual plan that suits my family best and not be tied to a group plan that works great for a co-worker but not for me.,” she said.
The new coverage option was established through a rule issued by the Trump administration last year.
It could be helpful for workers like LaRew whose income is too high to qualify for the Affordable Care Act’s tax credits that help pay for policies sold on the individual market. It also can be attractive to part-time or seasonal workers who don’t qualify for their employer’s coverage, according to insurance brokers and policy experts familiar with the new option.
But consumer advocates warn that it could encourage employers who had offered a traditional insurance plan to switch to the new arrangement because of the savings. That might leave workers with a more cumbersome enrollment process and less generous coverage.
“I do think there are pitfalls for employees,” said Jason Levitis, a nonresident fellow at the USC-Brookings Schaeffer Initiative for Health Policy. “There’s confusion about the ICHRAs themselves.
“And even if you know you need an ACA-compliant plan, how do you find one?” said Levitis, noting the prevalence of deceptive marketing of plans that don’t meet ACA standards.
Also, because of a quirk in how the new rules work, lower-income workers who bought ACA marketplace plans because their employer didn’t offer coverage could lose the federal subsidies for their marketplace plans if their company puts an ICHRA in place.
Here’s how that could come into play. Only people earning 400% of the federal poverty level or less (about $51,000 for one person) are eligible for premium subsidies. And to qualify, the coverage offered by an employer must be considered unaffordable to the worker. If an employer offers an individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement, that means workers who otherwise would meet the poverty threshold also would have to contribute more than 9.78% of their income to buy the lowest-cost individual silver plan on the exchange. That amount would be based on the plan’s cost after factoring in the contribution from an employer.
If workers’ contribution is lower than that standard, the only assistance they are eligible for is through the ICHRA contribution. Federal rules don’t allow workers to accept both ICHRA contributions and premium tax credits.
“My concern is for people who are out there with a premium tax credit” who might lose that subsidy if they don’t meet the federal standard, said Peter Newell, director of the Health Insurance Project for the United Hospital Fund in New York, who authored an analysis of the new coverage option in October.
There are affordability caps in the ACA for regular employer-sponsored coverage, too. But those caps generally are lower than the caps for ICHRAs. As employers move to offer ICHRAs instead of traditional coverage, some workers will lose their premium tax credits because of the higher affordability threshold, Newell found.
Brokers and advocates agree that many workers will need assistance figuring out what to do. Beside running the numbers, people might need to work through where to buy a comprehensive plan that complies with the ACA. Such plans can be purchased on and off the exchange. But, if workers want the company to deduct their premium costs from their salary, as LaRew did, they must purchase a plan outside of the exchange.
“There are so many paths to take and so many points of confusion, it’s super-, super-important that employees have some support going through this,” said Cat Perez, co-founder and chief product officer of Health Sherpa, whose technology platform helps people enroll in marketplace plans. It has incorporated information about ICHRAs.
Colorado is working with the broker industry to drum up interest in the new product, said Kevin Patterson, chief executive officer of Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s insurance exchange.
“If we can get more people into the individual marketplace, that makes it stronger,” Patterson said.
In theory, that makes sense. But some analysts worry that the adoption of these new arrangements could drive up marketplace premiums by encouraging employers with sick workers to shift them to the individual market.
“This is a way to offer a lower premium option to some employers but with the consequence of increasing premiums in the individual market and costs for the federal government via higher premium tax credits,” said Matthew Fiedler, a fellow in economic studies at USC-Brookings who co-authored an analysis of the new offerings.
Larger employers aren’t very interested in embracing these new arrangements, said Jay Savan, a partner in human resources consultant Mercer.
The federal rules don’t allow employers to offer an employee a traditional plan and an ICHRA simultaneously, and most large employers aren’t ready to replace their traditional plans.
“As long as it’s black-or-white, there are precious few employers of size that are willing to take that leap,” Savan said.
KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a nonprofit news service covering health issues. It is an editorially independent program of KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), which is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Why 2020 was such a great year for biking in Chicago

The year 2020 was awful , but there has never been a better time to bike in Chicago .
What made biking so enjoyable in 2020 was the combination of greatly reduced automobile traffic , decent weather and the vastly improved biking infrastructure in the city and suburbs .
What ’ s more , with so much canceled or closed , biking became a way to escape during a ridiculously stressful year — and a path to adventure when major travel was out of the question .
The most unnerving part of biking in Chicago has always been the street-clogging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As pandemic stay-at-home orders took effect and businesses , offices , schools and other institutions shut down , the streets opened up to cyclists like never before .
Traffic in the city , particularly downtown , plummeted by as much as 60 % last spring and still remains considerably below normal , according to the Chicago Department of Transportation .
To be sure , we all wish the coronavirus never came and we can ’ t wait till it ’ s gone .
But there is no describing what it means to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets that were basically off limits previously .
While it ’ s true that a spike in reckless driving led to more traffic deaths , I still felt way safer this year with far fewer vehicles to look out for — though I continue to stay on high alert and take my normal precautions .
On one downtown jaunt in April , my daughters and I rolled up to a stoplight on State Street , looked around and realized we were the only ones headed in any direction .
By Macy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekday .
At the same time , I was able to take more advantage of the region ’ s new or redone biking infrastructure that has been years in the making .
While the Chicago area has a long way to go to match some other cities — think Boulder , Colorado , or Portland , Oregon — it finally feels like the playing field is being leveled .
The city installed nearly 30 miles of bike lanes in 2020 , twice as many as last year and one of the largest amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Fifty miles of existing lanes were repainted , five times the amount done last year .
Chicago still needs to install more protected lanes — just 2.7 miles were added this year — but we now have 352 total miles of bike lanes , including 50 on the South Side .
The nearly 7 mile North Shore Channel Trail along the Chicago River — where the spectacular 312 River Run was opened late last year , followed by the Lincoln Village Pedestrian Bridge in November — now connects much of the North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburbs .
My bike and I saw it all , thanks to 2020 .
We had lots of company .
Some cities saw spikes in biking in May of up to 138 % over last year , according to Bloomberg .
While Chicago saw a more modest 34 % increase , bike shops sold out of inventory and used bikes were hard to find .
Newbies took to the bike lanes , too , with the bike-sharing Divvy service setting a record in August with more than 600,000 trips taken .
Daphnay Sagaille @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped launch Street ’ s Calling Bike Club in April as a way for cyclists to get out of the house and stay active by biking routes that ended at Black and Brown businesses suffering during the economic downturn .
The group now has 1,200 active riders in Chicago and chapters in three other cities .
Biking is “ a great way to release stress .
.
.
[ and a way ] to escape the issues that most of us deal with , ” she says .
For me , hopping on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spectacular sunrises and sunsets caused by the Saharan dust storms in early summer was a huge mood elevator .
And with any hope of an exotic vacation canceled , some rides transported me to what felt like a world away from the city .
During a mid-summer ride to the Burnham Nature Sanctuary at 47th Street in Kenwood , I found myself alone on a boardwalk , surrounded by wildflowers several feet high .
It was hard to believe I was only steps from Lake Shore Drive .
Rides in the 42-mile Palos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exploding with fall colors — replaced trips to pandemic-challenged Wisconsin , our normal go-to spot to enjoy changing seasons .
Of course , not every trip was postcard-perfect .
A planned jaunt to Wolf Lake with a planned pitstop at Calumet Fisheries near the 95th Street Bridge — made famous when the Bluesmobile jumped it in “ The Blues Brothers ” movie — ended early when a fellow rider ’ s tubeless tire blew and couldn ’ t be fixed with a standard patch kit .
After an hour at a stiflingly hot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where workers and even customers took tries at fixing it ( “ you just have to melt the patch with a lighter ” ) , a paleta vendor appeared as if out of a mirage .
Standing on blazing-hot asphalt next to a stack of tires , I was more than happy to buy a round of frozen treats .
( My friend ended up having to take his bike and its still very flat tire home by bus . )
Maybe it was feeling cooped up by the pandemic , but some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might not have attempted previously — or achieved milestones that might not have registered in other years .
One weekend I pedaled by news legend Bill Kurtis ’ 65-acre manor in suburban Mettawa .
Weeks later , in Beverly Shores , Indiana , I coincidentally went past the summer home of his former CBS News-Channel 2 co-anchor , Walter Jacobson .
Mark Langenderfer an Uptown engineer , told me he started creating pictures with his riding routes , using the GPS on his Strava athletic training app .
These included a dinosaur eating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day and more than 70 miles of riding , and more recently , a Christmas tree , with ornaments , that required more than 80 miles of pedaling over two days .
“ If there was ever a year to experiment , this was it , ” says Langenderfer , 54 , who also led rides for Windy City Cycling Club , an LGBTQ riding group .
He pedaled more than 4,500 miles this year and said he “ would have gone crazy ” without his bike .
My total was maybe a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on my psyche — at least while sitting on the saddle , outside , with the area ’ s beauty racing by — was very much the same .

The year 2020 was awful, but there has never been a better time to bike in Chicago.
What made biking so enjoyable in 2020 was the combination of greatly reduced automobile traffic, decent weather and the vastly improved biking infrastructure in the city and suburbs. What’s more, with so much canceled or closed, biking became a way to escape during a ridiculously stressful year — and a path to adventure when major travel was out of the question.
The most unnerving part of biking in Chicago has always been the street-clogging traffic.
All that vanished in March. As pandemic stay-at-home orders took effect and businesses, offices, schools and other institutions shut down, the streets opened up to cyclists like never before.
Traffic in the city, particularly downtown, plummeted by as much as 60% last spring and still remains considerably below normal, according to the Chicago Department of Transportation.
To be sure, we all wish the coronavirus never came and we can’t wait till it’s gone.
But there is no describing what it means to seasoned cyclists to have access to major streets that were basically off limits previously. While it’s true that a spike in reckless driving led to more traffic deaths, I still felt way safer this year with far fewer vehicles to look out for — though I continue to stay on high alert and take my normal precautions.
On one downtown jaunt in April, my daughters and I rolled up to a stoplight on State Street, looked around and realized we were the only ones headed in any direction. By Macy’s. At lunch hour. On a weekday.
At the same time, I was able to take more advantage of the region’s new or redone biking infrastructure that has been years in the making. While the Chicago area has a long way to go to match some other cities — think Boulder, Colorado, or Portland, Oregon — it finally feels like the playing field is being leveled.
The city installed nearly 30 miles of bike lanes in 2020, twice as many as last year and one of the largest amounts in the past decade, CDOT says. Fifty miles of existing lanes were repainted, five times the amount done last year. Chicago still needs to install more protected lanes — just 2.7 miles were added this year — but we now have 352 total miles of bike lanes, including 50 on the South Side.
The nearly 7 mile North Shore Channel Trail along the Chicago River — where the spectacular 312 River Run was opened late last year, followed by the Lincoln Village Pedestrian Bridge in November — now connects much of the North Side with off-street trails in the northern suburbs.
The Saharan dust storms made for spectacular sunrises in Chicago this summer. Dave Newbart/Sun-Times
My bike and I saw it all, thanks to 2020.
We had lots of company. Some cities saw spikes in biking in May of up to 138% over last year, according to Bloomberg. While Chicago saw a more modest 34% increase, bike shops sold out of inventory and used bikes were hard to find.
Newbies took to the bike lanes, too, with the bike-sharing Divvy service setting a record in August with more than 600,000 trips taken.
An escape
Daphnay Sagaille, a 32-year-old consultant from Bronzeville, helped launch Street’s Calling Bike Club in April as a way for cyclists to get out of the house and stay active by biking routes that ended at Black and Brown businesses suffering during the economic downturn. The group now has 1,200 active riders in Chicago and chapters in three other cities.
Biking is “a great way to release stress . . . [and a way] to escape the issues that most of us deal with,” she says.
For me, hopping on my bike to chase views of the spectacular sunrises and sunsets caused by the Saharan dust storms in early summer was a huge mood elevator.
And with any hope of an exotic vacation canceled, some rides transported me to what felt like a world away from the city.
The Burnham Nature Sanctuary at 47th Street and Lake Shore Drive Dave Newbart/Sun-Times
During a mid-summer ride to the Burnham Nature Sanctuary at 47th Street in Kenwood, I found myself alone on a boardwalk, surrounded by wildflowers several feet high. It was hard to believe I was only steps from Lake Shore Drive.
Rides in the 42-mile Palos Trail System in the southwestern suburbs — exploding with fall colors — replaced trips to pandemic-challenged Wisconsin, our normal go-to spot to enjoy changing seasons.
Fall colors were peaking during one of my trips to the Palos Trail System in the southwest suburbs. Dave Newbart/Sun-Times
Of course, not every trip was postcard-perfect.
A planned jaunt to Wolf Lake with a planned pitstop at Calumet Fisheries near the 95th Street Bridge — made famous when the Bluesmobile jumped it in “The Blues Brothers” movie — ended early when a fellow rider’s tubeless tire blew and couldn’t be fixed with a standard patch kit. After an hour at a stiflingly hot auto body shop in East Side — where workers and even customers took tries at fixing it (“you just have to melt the patch with a lighter”), a paleta vendor appeared as if out of a mirage. Standing on blazing-hot asphalt next to a stack of tires, I was more than happy to buy a round of frozen treats. (My friend ended up having to take his bike and its still very flat tire home by bus.)
GPS art created by Uptown’s Mark Langenderfer using the Strava app Provided
Bizarre milestones
Maybe it was feeling cooped up by the pandemic, but some of us cyclists took on quests we might not have attempted previously — or achieved milestones that might not have registered in other years.
One weekend I pedaled by news legend Bill Kurtis’ 65-acre manor in suburban Mettawa. Weeks later, in Beverly Shores, Indiana, I coincidentally went past the summer home of his former CBS News-Channel 2 co-anchor, Walter Jacobson.
Mark Langenderfer , an Uptown engineer, told me he started creating pictures with his riding routes, using the GPS on his Strava athletic training app. These included a dinosaur eating another dinosaur, which took a full day and more than 70 miles of riding, and more recently, a Christmas tree, with ornaments, that required more than 80 miles of pedaling over two days.
Cyclist Mark Langenderfer created this GPS art earlier in December. Provided
“If there was ever a year to experiment, this was it,” says Langenderfer, 54, who also led rides for Windy City Cycling Club, an LGBTQ riding group.
He pedaled more than 4,500 miles this year and said he “would have gone crazy” without his bike. My total was maybe a tenth of that. But the effect on my psyche — at least while sitting on the saddle, outside, with the area’s beauty racing by — was very much the same.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Bears predictions: Week 16 vs. Jaguars

Bears predictions: Week 16 vs. Jaguars

The Sun-Times ’ experts offer their picks for the Bears ’ game Sunday against the Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field : This is a tap-in , a layup , an open-net goal .
If the dreadful Jaguars lose out , they ’ ll be first in line for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence .
If the Bears win out , they ’ ll have a good chance of making the playoffs .
Everybody wins !
Season : 7-7 .
Just saw the 1-13 Jags are on pace to have the largest losing points differential in the history of the NFL .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion ?
Such bottom-feeding ?
Such wretchedness ?
They must not interfere .
Season : 8-6 .
The Bears don ’ t often blow teams out .
Throw out the 29-point win against the Texans , and they ’ ve won six games this year by a combined 26 points .
The Bears , though , haven ’ t faced a team so incentivized to lose in , well , ever .
Season : 11-3 .
This will get out of hand quickly .
A Bears team that seems to be finally figuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stay in the playoff hunt runs up against a Jaguars team incentivized to lose so it can get the top pick .
It ’ s rarely this easy .
Season : 5-9 .
Mqtchups make this an easy pick .
The Bears ’ offense is on a roll and facing a Jaguars defense ranked 32nd in yards and 30th in points .
And the Bears ’ defense , under the gun to atone for recent performances , should handle the Jaguars 23rd-ranked offense .
Season : 7-7 .

The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for the Bears’ game Sunday against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida:
RICK MORRISSEY
Bears, 27-20
This is a tap-in, a layup, an open-net goal. If the dreadful Jaguars lose out, they’ll be first in line for Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. If the Bears win out, they’ll have a good chance of making the playoffs. Everybody wins! Season: 7-7.
RICK TELANDER
Bears, 38-16
Just saw the 1-13 Jags are on pace to have the largest negative point differential in the history of the NFL. Who are the Bears to stop such passion, such bottom-feeding, such wretchedness? They must not interfere. Season: 8-6.
PATRICK FINLEY
Bears, 27-15
The Bears don’t often blow teams out. Throw out their 29-point victory against the Texans, and they’ve won six games by a combined 26 points. The Bears, however, haven’t faced a team with so much incentive to lose in, well, ever. Season: 11-3.
JASON LIESER
Bears, 41-14
This will get out of hand quickly. A Bears team that finally seems to be figuring itself out and desperately needs to win to stay in the playoff hunt runs up against a Jaguars team with incentive to lose so it can get the top pick. It’s rarely this easy. Season: 5-9.
MARK POTASH
Bears, 30-16
Matchups make this an easy pick. The Bears’ offense is on a roll and is facing a Jaguars defense ranked 32nd in yards allowed and 30th in points allowed. And the Bears’ defense, under the gun to atone for recent performances, should handle the Jaguars’ 23rd-ranked offense. Season: 7-7.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--3 shot inside trailer home in Hegewisch: police

Three people were shot inside a trailer home Thursday morning in Hegewisch on the Far South Side , according to @ @ @ @ @ .
They were inside a home in the 4000 block of East 134th Street about @ @ @ @ @ were fired , police said .
A 29-year-old woman was struck in the abdomen and @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in critical condition , police said .
A 25-year-old man was shot in @ @ @ @ @ the same hospital in fair condition .
A 35-year-old man was also struck in the @ @ @ @ @ Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn , police said .
He is also in fair condition @ @ @ @ @ shooting remains under investigation by Area Two detectives .
Read more on crime , and @ @ @ @ @ homicides .

Three people were shot inside a trailer home Thursday morning in Hegewisch on the Far South Side, according to preliminary information from Chicago police.
They were inside a home in the 4000 block of East 134th Street about 1:22 a.m., when shots were fired, police said.
A 29-year-old woman was struck in the abdomen and taken to University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, police said. A 25-year-old man was shot in the arm and taken to the same hospital in fair condition.
A 35-year-old man was also struck in the arm, but taken to Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, police said. He is also in fair condition.
The circumstances of the shooting remains under investigation by Area Two detectives.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--13 shot Wednesday in Chicago

13 shot Wednesday in Chicago

Thirteen people were shot Wednesday in Chicago , including a 26-year-old man who was shot in an attempted robbery in Park Manor on the South Side .
About 11:30 p.m. , he was walking in the 700 block of East 75th Street , when two males got out of a black vehicle , approached him and announced a robbery , Chicago police said .
One of the males pulled out a gun and shot the man in his hand as he tried to knock the weapon out of his hand .
The two males ran back to the vehicle and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself to Jackson Park Hospital in good condition .
Two men , 18 and 19 , were shot inside a home in Altgeld Gardens on the Far South Side .
About 9 p.m. , they were inside a home in the 900 block of East 133rd Street , when someone from outside fired shots at them which went through the door and window , striking them both in their feet , police said .
The 18-year-old was taken to Roseland Hospital and the older man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour prior , a 17-year-old boy was shot in Belmont Central on the North West Side .
Just after 8 p.m. the boy was fighting with another male in the 2400 block of North Meade Avenue , when the male pulled out a gun and shot him in the abdomen , police said .
The boy was brought to Saint Mary ’ s Hospital and later transferred to Stroger Hospital , where he was listed in good condition .
A 34-year-old man was shot in Pilsen on the South Side .
The shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of West 18th Street , police said .
The man suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and brought himself to a hospital where he was listed in good condition .
Less than an hour prior , a 31-year-old man was critically wounded in a shooting in neighboring Little Village on the Southwest Side .
About 3:45 p.m. , he was standing on a sidewalk in the 2600 block of West 23rd Street when a vehicle drove by and an unknown person got out and began firing shots towards him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the abdomen and lower back and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition .
Minutes before a 15-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
About 3:10 p.m. , the teen was standing on the sidewalk in the 1200 block of North Washtenaw Avenue , when an unknown person pulled out a handgun and fired shots , police said .
He was struck in the lower back and transported to Stroger Hospital in serious condition .
A 23-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the man was leaving a home in the 8800 block of South Burley Avenue , when an unknown male came out from behind a dumpster and fired shots , police said .
He was struck in the leg and transported to Trinity Hospital in good condition .
About thirty minutes prior , a 29-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in Beverly on the Far South Side .
The man was shot in the shoulder about 2 p.m. in the 10400 block of South Western Avenue , in a possible domestic related incident @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park in good condition .
Two women were wounded , one of them seriously , in a shooting in the West Garfield Park on the West Side .
They were in a car stopped at a red light on Harrison Street at Cicero Avenue about 1:20 p.m. , when another car pulled up alongside and someone inside fired shots at their car , police said in a statement .
The women ’ s car pulled forward east from the light and crashed into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Harrison .
A 24-year-old woman was shot in her face and taken to Stroger Hospital .
She was listed in serious condition .
The other woman , 22 , was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital with a gunshot wound to her foot .
She was stabilized .
A 24-year-old man was shot in Ravenswood on the Northwest Side .
About 4:30 a.m. , he was walking in the 4800 block of North California Avenue , when he heard shots and felt a pain , police said .
He was struck in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in good condition .
In the day ’ s first reported shooting , a 25-year-old man was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side .
About 4:10 a.m. , he was driving in the 2900 block of North Milwaukee Avenue , when he heard shots and felt a pain , police said .
He was struck in the hand and taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital in good condition .
Six people were shot , one of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Thirteen people were shot Wednesday in Chicago, including a 26-year-old man who was shot in an attempted robbery in Park Manor on the South Side.
About 11:30 p.m., he was walking in the 700 block of East 75th Street, when two males got out of a black vehicle, approached him and announced a robbery, Chicago police said. One of the males pulled out a gun and shot the man in his hand as he tried to knock the weapon out of his hand. The two males ran back to the vehicle and fled the scene. The man took himself to Jackson Park Hospital in good condition.
Two men, 18 and 19, were shot inside a home in Altgeld Gardens on the Far South Side. About 9 p.m., they were inside a home in the 900 block of East 133rd Street, when someone from outside fired shots at them which went through the door and window, striking them both in their feet, police said. The 18-year-old was taken to Roseland Hospital and the older man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.
About an hour prior, a 17-year-old boy was shot in Belmont Central on the North West Side. Just after 8 p.m. the boy was fighting with another male in the 2400 block of North Meade Avenue, when the male pulled out a gun and shot him in the abdomen, police said. The boy was brought to Saint Mary’s Hospital and later transferred to Stroger Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.
A 34-year-old man was shot in Pilsen on the South Side. The shooting happened about 4:25 p.m. in the 1500 block of West 18th Street, police said. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the right shoulder and brought himself to a hospital where he was listed in good condition.
Less than an hour prior, a 31-year-old man was critically wounded in a shooting in neighboring Little Village on the Southwest Side. About 3:45 p.m., he was standing on a sidewalk in the 2600 block of West 23rd Street when a vehicle drove by and an unknown person got out and began firing shots towards him, police said. He was struck in the abdomen and lower back and transported to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.
Minutes before a 15-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting in Humboldt Park on the West Side. About 3:10 p.m., the teen was standing on the sidewalk in the 1200 block of North Washtenaw Avenue, when an unknown person pulled out a handgun and fired shots, police said. He was struck in the lower back and transported to Stroger Hospital in serious condition.
A 23-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in South Chicago. About 2:30 p.m., the man was leaving a home in the 8800 block of South Burley Avenue, when an unknown male came out from behind a dumpster and fired shots, police said. He was struck in the leg and transported to Trinity Hospital in good condition.
About thirty minutes prior, a 29-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in Beverly on the Far South Side. The man was shot in the shoulder about 2 p.m. in the 10400 block of South Western Avenue, in a possible domestic related incident, police said. He was brought to Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park in good condition.
Two women were wounded, one of them seriously, in a shooting in the West Garfield Park on the West Side. They were in a car stopped at a red light on Harrison Street at Cicero Avenue about 1:20 p.m., when another car pulled up alongside and someone inside fired shots at their car, police said in a statement. The women’s car pulled forward east from the light and crashed into a parked car in the 4700 block of West Harrison. A 24-year-old woman was shot in her face and taken to Stroger Hospital. She was listed in serious condition. The other woman, 22, was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital with a gunshot wound to her foot. She was stabilized.
A 24-year-old man was shot in Ravenswood on the Northwest Side. About 4:30 a.m., he was walking in the 4800 block of North California Avenue, when he heard shots and felt a pain, police said. He was struck in the hand and took himself to Swedish Covenant Hospital in good condition.
In the day’s first reported shooting, a 25-year-old man was shot in Logan Square on the Northwest Side. About 4:10 a.m., he was driving in the 2900 block of North Milwaukee Avenue, when he heard shots and felt a pain, police said. He was struck in the hand and taken to Illinois Masonic Hospital in good condition.
Six people were shot, one of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Chad Stuart, of British ’60s duo Chad & Jeremy, dies at 79

Chad Stuart , one half of the British pop/folk duo Chad & Jeremy , has died .
He was 79 .
According to a statement on the Chad & Jeremy official Facebook page , Mr. Stuart passed away Dec. 20 at his Idaho home after developing pneumonia ( non-Covid related ) following an accidental fall .
The statement read , in part : “ ... We ask for love , celebration but also space while the family adjusts to life without this incredible force .
The family would like to thank his fans from around the world for the outpouring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year .
Chad took the time to read each and every card .
The world has lost a legend today , but his voice will continue to touch our lives through his music.
” Mr. Stuart and Jeremy Clyde made their mark in America amid the 1960s British Invasion with 11 Top 40 hits between 1964 and 1966 , including “ Summer Song , ” “ Yesterday ’ s Gone , ” “ Willow Weep for Me ” and “ Distant Shores.
” Their songs were instantly recognizable for the duo ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains .
They were also familiar faces on hit television series of the day , which provided a national stage for their music and a link to their diehard fans , mostly teenage girls whose adoring screams no doubt peppered living rooms across America .
Fans of the “ Batman ” TV series will remember the duo for their 1966 appearance in a two-part story arc featuring Catwoman ( Julie Newmar ) and her plan to “ steal the voices ” of the stately Wayne Manor guests .
Other TV guest appearances included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duke Show ” and “ The Dick Van Dyke Show ” ( where they starred as a British rock duo known as the Redcoats ) .
On the big screen , Mr. Stuart voiced the character of a vulture in the Disney animated feature “ The Jungle Book ” in 1967 .
Mr. Stuart , born David Stuart Chadwick on Dec. 10 , 1941 , in Windermere , Cumbria , met Jeremy Clyde at London ’ s Central School For Speech and Drama , and they began performing music together in the early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was in the lumber business , his mother was a nurse .
Stuart and Clyde would go their separate ways by 1968 , but regrouped in the early 1980s to record and tour again , releasing new music in 1983 , the report stated .
Beginning in the early 2000s , the band was featured in ’ 60s British invasion-themed reunion concerts for more than a decade until Mr. Stuart officially retired to his Hailey , Idaho , home .
He is survived by his wife Judy Shelly , children , grandchildren and @ @ @

Chad Stuart, one half of the British pop/folk duo Chad & Jeremy, has died. He was 79.
According to a statement on the Chad & Jeremy official Facebook page, Mr. Stuart passed away Dec. 20 at his Idaho home after developing pneumonia (non-Covid related) following an accidental fall.
The statement read, in part: “... We ask for love, celebration but also space while the family adjusts to life without this incredible force. The family would like to thank his fans from around the world for the outpouring of birthday wishes and gifts he received every year. Chad took the time to read each and every card. The world has lost a legend today, but his voice will continue to touch our lives through his music.”
Mr. Stuart and Jeremy Clyde made their mark in America amid the 1960s British Invasion with 11 Top 40 hits between 1964 and 1966, including “A Summer Song,” “Yesterday’s Gone,” “Willow Weep for Me” and “Distant Shores.” Their songs were instantly recognizable for the duo’s whispery-soft harmonies and gentle acoustic guitar strains.
They were also familiar faces on hit television series of the day, which provided a national stage for their music and a link to their diehard fans, mostly teenage girls whose adoring screams no doubt peppered living rooms across America. Fans of the “Batman” TV series will remember the duo for their 1966 appearance in a two-part story arc featuring Catwoman (Julie Newmar) and her plan to “steal the voices” of the stately Wayne Manor guests. Other TV guest appearances included “Laredo,” “The Patty Duke Show” and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (where they starred as a British rock duo known as the Redcoats). On the big screen, Mr. Stuart voiced the character of a vulture in the Disney animated feature “The Jungle Book” in 1967.
Mr. Stuart, born David Stuart Chadwick on Dec. 10, 1941, in Windermere, Cumbria, met Jeremy Clyde at London’s Central School For Speech and Drama, and they began performing music together in the early 1960s, bbc.com reported. His father was in the lumber business, his mother was a nurse.
Stuart and Clyde would go their separate ways by 1968, but regrouped in the early 1980s to record and tour again, releasing new music in 1983, the report stated.
Beginning in the early 2000s, the band was featured in ’60s British invasion-themed reunion concerts for more than a decade until Mr. Stuart officially retired to his Hailey, Idaho, home. He is survived by his wife Judy Shelly, children, grandchildren and a sister.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--In the time of COVID-19, Kwanzaa goes virtual

In any other year , Kwanzaa events would be packed with performances and workshops .
But 2020 is not just any year , and this year ’ s Kwanzaa events will be virtual , if they are happening at all .
The celebration started by Black Americans to celebrate African culture and heritage , starts Saturday , and runs through Jan. 1 .
“ Every year around Kwanzaa I see the same people in the city of Chicago and it ’ s like a family reunion every time , ” D ’ Sheadra Benford , a volunteer consultant with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that serves as a center to expose and educate people to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures , said .
In solidarity , Benford says she and a group of close friends would go from one Kwanzaa event to the next to support them all .
“ It ’ s really us just trying to make sure that people have the opportunity to enjoy life and culture together , ” she said .
Each day commemorates one of seven principles : unity , self determination , collective work and responsibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and faith .
A different candle of the kinara is lit every day .
“ Due to the Transatlantic slave trade , a lot of African Americans are looking for and want to celebrate their African culture , but may not be able to find an exact culture in the motherland to relate to , so Kwanzaa is a great segue into just celebrating African culture , ” Benford , said .
Ordinarily , Africa International House , 6200 S. Drexel Ave. , hosts a two-day marketplace , with everything from academic programming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Benford said .
The main focus is on Black businesses , especially artisans offering handcrafted items .
The market meshes with Kwanzaa principles and usually is a huge success , Due to the pandemic , this year ’ s marketplace is virtual .
Even though the Africa International House marketplace being virtual and the fellowship of attending events with others is gone this year , Benford said there is a silver lining to it all .
“ You don ’ t necessarily have to carve out a certain amount of time in your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and visit vendors 24 hours a day , once it ’ s posted , ” Benford said .
“ This year ’ s event is in the books for posterity ... you will see it forever.
” DuSable Museum of African American History , in Washington Park , typically holds Kwanzaa programming annually but mentions none this year on its website .
Museum representatives did not respond to requests for comment .
There are , however , other events planned in the Chicago area : • African International House ’ s two-day marketplace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of the month , with a merchandise store , downloadable coloring books , and business vendors .
• Malcolm X College hosts a virtual Kwanzaa celebration via Facebook Live at 11 a.m. Saturday .
More details on the event ’ s Facebook page .
• The Universal Negro Improvement Association is hosting a virtual unity brunch at 11 a.m. Saturday to teach the principles of Kwanzaa .
More details on the event ’ s Facebook page .
• Sisters on a Journey ’ s annual Kwanzaa gathering begins at 5 p.m. Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the event ’ s Facebook page .

In any other year, Kwanzaa events would be packed with performances and workshops.
But 2020 is not just any year, and this year’s Kwanzaa events will be virtual, if they are happening at all. The celebration started by Black Americans to celebrate African culture and heritage, starts Saturday, and runs through Jan. 1.
“Every year around Kwanzaa I see the same people in the city of Chicago and it’s like a family reunion every time,” said D’Sheadra Benford, a volunteer consultant with the Africa International House, a nonprofit organization that serves as a center to expose and educate people to the individual works and collective contributions of African cultures.
In solidarity, Benford says she and a group of close friends would go from one Kwanzaa event to the next to support them all. “It’s really us just trying to make sure that people have the opportunity to enjoy life and culture together,” she said.
Each day commemorates one of seven principles: unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. A different candle of the kinara is lit every day.
Ricky Rodgers lights a kinara at a Kwanzaa event in Aurora in 2004. Each flame represents one of seven principles of Kwanzaa. Sun-Times file
“Due to the Transatlantic slave trade, a lot of African Americans are looking for and want to celebrate their African culture, but may not be able to find an exact culture in the motherland to relate to, so Kwanzaa is a great segue into just celebrating African culture,” Benford said.
Ordinarily, Africa International House, 6200 S. Drexel Ave., hosts a two-day marketplace, with everything from academic programming to musical performances to political talks, Benford said. The main focus is on Black businesses, especially artisans offering handcrafted items.
The market meshes with Kwanzaa principles and usually is a huge success. Due to the pandemic, this year’s marketplace is virtual.
Even though the Africa International House marketplace is virtual and the fellowship of attending events with others is gone this year, Benford said there is a silver lining to it all.
“You don’t necessarily have to carve out a certain amount of time in your day. You can watch our programming and visit vendors 24 hours a day, once it’s posted,” Benford said. “This year’s event is in the books for posterity ... you will see it forever.”
DuSable Museum of African American History, in Washington Park, typically holds Kwanzaa programming annually but mentions none this year on its website. Museum representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
There are, however, other events planned in the Chicago area:
• African International House’s two-day marketplace went virtual via their website at the beginning of the month, with a merchandise store, downloadable coloring books, and business vendors.
• Malcolm X College hosts a virtual Kwanzaa celebration via Facebook at 11 a.m. Saturday. More details on the event’s Facebook page.
• The Universal Negro Improvement Association is hosting a virtual unity brunch at 11 a.m. Saturday to teach the principles of Kwanzaa. More details on the event’s Facebook page.
• Sisters on a Journey’s annual Kwanzaa gathering begins at 5 p.m. Saturday via Zoom. Registration details are on the event’s Facebook page.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Families told him ‘we’re not going to have Christmas this year.’ So he held a toy giveaway for 400 o

Families told him ‘we’re not going to have Christmas this year.’ So he held a toy giveaway for 400 on Christmas Eve.

Santa Claus traded Prancer , Dancer , Dasher and the rest of his reindeer for a police escort Thursday as he arrived in Englewood on a flatbed tow truck carrying hundreds of freshly wrapped presents for neighborhood children .
Music and celebratory sirens blared from a Jeep Wrangler that led the motorcade and featured flashing white lights .
“ This was such a lovely event and fun for the kids since they could pick out whatever gifts they wanted , ” said Englewood resident Sherry Brown , who brought her seven grandkids with her .
“ This is a blessing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Santa , who arrived driving a tow truck , carried two large bags of gifts on his shoulders as he walked to take photos with a bunch of kids .
New winter coats as well as boxes filled with face masks and a warm meal were given to adults .
Brown said the event offered a bit of relief since financial strains have made it difficult to buy presents .
“ The kids ask you for what they want , but with this COVID , you can ’ t get it because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Brown said .
“ But for them to come out and see Santa and gifts is great .
You can ’ t go wrong with that.
” The event was organized by Early Walker , the founder of the anti-violence group I ’ m Telling Don ’ t Shoot and the owner of W & W Towing , and Ald .
Stephanie Coleman ( 16th ) .
The presents were provided by billionaire Shahid Khan , the owner of Chicago auto part maker Flex-N-Gate .
Khan , who wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL ’ s Jacksonville Jaguars , Fulham F.C .
of the Premier League and is co-owner of All Elite Wrestling .
In all , about 400 people attended and 1,200 gifts were handed out , organizers said .
“ In 2020 we have all faced our challenges , not only in the city but especially in communities like Englewood , ” Coleman said .
“ They say Santa Claus comes straight to the ghetto — well I don ’ t know about the ghetto — but we are here in Englewood and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difference in our community.
” Walker , who does philanthropy work throughout the city , said people have “ flooded ” his email inbox with stories of “ tremendous losses.
” “ So many moms and families that have told us , ‘ We ’ re not going to have Christmas this year , ’ ” Walker said .
“ So many families have lost their jobs or been laid off causing them not be able to give gifts.
” For Erica Ben , just getting her five grandkids outside was a welcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather and slight flurry of snow .
They waited in line to receive food and gifts after having been largely stuck inside throughout most of the pandemic .
“ I ’ m pleasantly surprised that they are even doing this , because normally nothing goes on in this area and nobody really comes out and passes out anything to the kids , ” Ben said .
“ So this is nice and I know my grandkids will be happy.
” Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America , a not-for-profit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coverage of issues affecting Chicago ’ s South and West sides .

Santa Claus traded Prancer, Dancer, Dasher and the rest of his reindeer for a police escort Thursday as he arrived in Englewood on a flatbed tow truck carrying hundreds of freshly wrapped presents for neighborhood children.
Music and celebratory sirens blared from a Jeep Wrangler that led the motorcade and featured flashing white lights.
“This was such a lovely event and fun for the kids since they could pick out whatever gifts they wanted,” said Englewood resident Sherry Brown, who brought her seven grandkids with her. “This is a blessing and there were enough gifts for everyone.”
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Santa, who arrived driving a tow truck, carried two large bags of gifts on his shoulders as he walked to take photos with a bunch of kids. New winter coats as well as boxes filled with face masks and a warm meal were given to adults.
Brown said the event offered a bit of relief since financial strains have made it difficult to buy presents.
“The kids ask you for what they want, but with this COVID, you can’t get it because we have to worry about these bills,” Brown said. “But for them to come out and see Santa and gifts is great. You can’t go wrong with that.”
Santa has arrived in Englewood pic.twitter.com/8Pb3lJsj9u — Manny Ramos (@_ManuelRamos_) December 24, 2020
The event was organized by Early Walker, the founder of the anti-violence group I’m Telling Don’t Shoot and the owner of W&W Towing, and Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th).
The presents were provided by billionaire Shahid Khan, the owner of Chicago auto part maker Flex-N-Gate. Khan, who wasn’t at the event Thursday, also owns the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, Fulham F.C. of the Premier League and is co-owner of All Elite Wrestling.
In all, about 400 people attended and 1,200 gifts were handed out, organizers said.
“In 2020 we have all faced our challenges, not only in the city but especially in communities like Englewood,” Coleman said. “They say Santa Claus comes straight to the ghetto — well I don’t know about the ghetto — but we are here in Englewood and we are the good and making the difference in our community.”
Ald. Stephanie Coleman (16th) talks to Early Walker, founder of the group I’m Telling Don’t Shoot, in a parking lot near South Racine Avenue and West 63rd Street in the Englewood neighborhood, Thursday afternoon, Dec. 24, 2020. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Walker, who does philanthropy work throughout the city, said people have “flooded” his email inbox with stories of “tremendous losses.”
“So many moms and families that have told us, ‘We’re not going to have Christmas this year,’” Walker said. “So many families have lost their jobs or been laid off causing them not be able to give gifts.”
For Erica Ben, just getting her five grandkids outside was a welcome change, even in the blistering cold weather and slight flurry of snow. They waited in line to receive food and gifts after having been largely stuck inside throughout most of the pandemic.
“I’m pleasantly surprised that they are even doing this, because normally nothing goes on in this area and nobody really comes out and passes out anything to the kids,” Ben said. “So this is nice and I know my grandkids will be happy.”
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Coronavirus live blog, Dec. 24, 2020: Illinois reports 7,037 new COVID-19 cases, 96 deaths as positi

Coronavirus live blog, Dec. 24, 2020: Illinois reports 7,037 new COVID-19 cases, 96 deaths as positivity rate falls

State health officials Thursday said another 7,037 people in Illinois have tested positive for the coronavirus , slashing the state ’ s testing positivity rate to its lowest point since late October .
That positivity rate — which measures the rate of spread of the virus — now has been cut nearly in half , to 7.2 % , from its most recent peak in mid-November .
But it ’ s still higher than the summertime average positivity rate of 3.7 % .
The dip was partially a result of a hefty 94,909 test results submitted to the Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ test count since last week .
The state this week averaged about 85,000 tests performed per day .
SPRINGFIELD — In early July , a judge in downstate Clay County voided Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s executive orders in a sweeping order that he applied to the entire state , at the request of a southern Illinois lawmaker who sued Pritzker over his response to the pandemic .
More than six months later , Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow has essentially voided Judge Michael McHaney ’ s July 2 order in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bailey ’ s lawsuit against Pritzker claimed the Democratic governor had exceeded his legal authority in issuing a stay-at-home order in March to fight COVID-19 .
Pritzker ’ s lawyers asked Grischow last month to “ reconsider ” the July 2 order from McHaney , who initially presided over Bailey ’ s case before it was transferred to Sangamon County .
Sarah Mansur at Capitol News Illinois has the full story .
House Republicans shot down a Democratic bid on Thursday to pass President Donald Trump ’ s longshot , end-of-session demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans as he ponders whether to sign a long-overdue COVID-19 relief bill .
The made-for-TV clash came as the Democratic-controlled chamber convened for a pro forma session scheduled in anticipation of a smooth Washington landing for the massive , year-end legislative package , which folds together a $ 1.4 trillion governmentwide spending with the hard-fought COVID-19 package and dozens of unrelated but bipartisan bills .
Instead , Thursday ’ s unusual 12-minute House session instead morphed into unconvincing theater in response to Trump ’ s veto musings about the package , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s behalf .
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer , the No .
2 House Democrat , sought the unanimous approval of all House members to pass the bill , but GOP leader Kevin McCarthy , who was not present in the nearly-empty chamber , denied his approval and the effort fizzled .
9:14 a.m .
Follow the science ?
It ’ s not that easy when deciding when — or if — to reopen schools In March , a single case of the coronavirus in a Northwest Side school led Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ By July , after the governor had shuttered all Illinois schools for the spring , CPS said its buildings would reopen in the fall as long as daily caseloads in the city were below 400 or test positivity was under 8 % — a threshold that wasn ’ t met .
In November , as officials announced plans to reopen in the new year , they said the only metric stopping them would be if cases in the city started to double fewer than every 18 days .
City officials have attributed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve explained that better recommendations are possible as more data becomes available and that studies have shown that schools don ’ t appear to be superspreaders when strict mitigation is in place .
• Illinois public health officials reported 6,239 new COVID-19 cases diagnosed among 84,764 tests , lowering the state ’ s average positivity rate over the last week to 7.4 % .
10:13 a.m. 2020 in hindsight : What will this year look like a century from now ?
Finally , we can say it : 2020 is almost over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to finally bring a close to this annus horribilis , America will be living amid the detritus for years — a devastating economic downturn , a generation of students behind in education , the collective psychic trauma of prolonged isolation .
2020 will be hard to forget .
But in 100 years , when those of us who lived through the year that everything stopped have died out , how will future generations look back on what happened ?
How will history be able to encapsulate just how crazy 2020 was ?
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2120 .
2020 was marked by a global pandemic called COVID-19 , which was responsible for killing nearly 2 million people worldwide .
2020 has since been dubbed “ The Lost Year , ” due to nationwide shutdowns of travel , business , school and life as it was previously known .

The coronavirus pandemic doesn’t take a holiday.
Here’s what happened Thursday in coronavirus-related news.
News
5:57 p.m. Illinois reports 7,037 new COVID-19 cases, 96 deaths as positivity rate falls
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file
State health officials Thursday said another 7,037 people in Illinois have tested positive for the coronavirus, slashing the state’s testing positivity rate to its lowest point since late October.
That positivity rate — which measures the rate of spread of the virus — now has been cut nearly in half, to 7.2%, from its most recent peak in mid-November. But it’s still higher than the summertime average positivity rate of 3.7%.
The dip was partially a result of a hefty 94,909 test results submitted to the Illinois Department of Public Health — the highest daily test count since last week.
The state this week averaged about 85,000 tests performed per day.
Reporter David Struett has the full story.
2:47 p.m. Downstate judge tosses decision voiding Pritzker’s executive COVID orders
SPRINGFIELD — In early July, a judge in downstate Clay County voided Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive orders in a sweeping order that he applied to the entire state, at the request of a southern Illinois lawmaker who sued Pritzker over his response to the pandemic.
More than six months later, Sangamon County Judge Raylene Grischow has essentially voided Judge Michael McHaney’s July 2 order in the case of Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia.
Bailey’s lawsuit against Pritzker claimed the Democratic governor had exceeded his legal authority in issuing a stay-at-home order in March to fight COVID-19.
Pritzker’s lawyers asked Grischow last month to “reconsider” the July 2 order from McHaney, who initially presided over Bailey’s case before it was transferred to Sangamon County.
Sarah Mansur at Capitol News Illinois has the full story.
1:29 p.m. Republicans block $2,000 coronavirus checks despite Trump demand
A view of the White House, Tuesday in Washington. AP
House Republicans shot down a Democratic bid on Thursday to pass President Donald Trump’s longshot, end-of-session demand for $2,000 direct payments to most Americans as he ponders whether to sign a long-overdue COVID-19 relief bill.
The made-for-TV clash came as the Democratic-controlled chamber convened for a pro forma session scheduled in anticipation of a smooth Washington landing for the massive, year-end legislative package, which folds together a $1.4 trillion governmentwide spending with the hard-fought COVID-19 package and dozens of unrelated but bipartisan bills.
Instead, Thursday’s unusual 12-minute House session instead morphed into unconvincing theater in response to Trump’s veto musings about the package, which was negotiated by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Trump’s behalf. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the No. 2 House Democrat, sought the unanimous approval of all House members to pass the bill, but GOP leader Kevin McCarthy, who was not present in the nearly-empty chamber, denied his approval and the effort fizzled.
Read the full story here.
9:14 a.m. Follow the science? It’s not that easy when deciding when — or if — to reopen schools
In March, a single case of the coronavirus in a Northwest Side school led Chicago Public Schools officials to close it.
By July, after the governor had shuttered all Illinois schools for the spring, CPS said its buildings would reopen in the fall as long as daily caseloads in the city were below 400 or test positivity was under 8% — a threshold that wasn’t met.
In November, as officials announced plans to reopen in the new year, they said the only metric stopping them would be if cases in the city started to double fewer than every 18 days.
City officials have attributed the changing thresholds to evolving science. They’ve explained that better recommendations are possible as more data becomes available and that studies have shown that schools don’t appear to be superspreaders when strict mitigation is in place.
Reporter Nader Issa has more.
New Cases
Analysis & Commentary
10:13 a.m. 2020 in hindsight: What will this year look like a century from now?
Finally, we can say it: 2020 is almost over. Good riddance.
As we look to finally bring a close to this annus horribilis, America will be living amid the detritus for years — a devastating economic downturn, a generation of students behind in education, the collective psychic trauma of prolonged isolation. 2020 will be hard to forget.
But in 100 years, when those of us who lived through the year that everything stopped have died out, how will future generations look back on what happened? How will history be able to encapsulate just how crazy 2020 was?
We can only imagine an encyclopedia entry from 2120.
The Year 2020:
2020 was marked by a global pandemic called COVID-19, which was responsible for killing nearly 2 million people worldwide. 2020 has since been dubbed “The Lost Year,” due to nationwide shutdowns of travel, business, school and life as it was previously known.
Read S.E. Cupp’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Pro Bowl returner Cordarrelle Patterson won’t rule out playing Sunday

Cordarrelle Patterson missed practice for the second straight day with a knee injury Thursday , but wouldn ’ t rule @ @ @ @ @ on Sunday .
“ I know my body — you know , each and every @ @ @ @ @ better , ” he said .
“ So Sunday we ’ ll see .
So @ @ @ @ @ now.
” After he was hurt in the first half Sunday , the Bears pulled @ @ @ @ @ He continued to return kicks .
Asked why , Patterson joked that reporters should lobby @ @ @ @ @ on offense .
One of the best kick returners in NFL history , Patterson was @ @ @ @ @ Bowl earlier this week .
His kick return for a touchdown this year put him @ @ @ @ @ most all-time , with eight .
A receiver for most of his career , Patterson @ @ @ @ @ running back to David Montgomery this season .
He has 60 carries for 214 yards @

Cordarrelle Patterson missed practice for the second day in a row with a knee injury but wouldn’t rule out playing against the Jaguars.
“I know my body. Each and every day, I’m getting better,” he said. “So Sunday we’ll see. So I’m just day-by-day now.”
After Patterson was hurt in the first half against the Vikings, the Bears pulled him from offensive duties. He continued to return kicks. Asked why, Patterson joked that reporters should lobby for him to play more on offense.
One of the best kick returners in NFL history, Patterson was named to his fourth Pro Bowl this week. His kick return for a touchdown this year put him in a three-way tie for most all-time, with eight.
A receiver for most of his career, Patterson has served as a backup running back to David Montgomery this season. He has 60 carries for 214 yards.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Bears practice without Khalil Mack, Allen Robinson, Akiem Hicks

The Bears practiced Thursday without perhaps their three best players — outside linebacker Khalil Mack ( shoulder ) , defensive lineman Akiem Hicks ( ankle ) and receiver Allen Robinson ( hamstring ) — but coach Matt Nagy tried to downplay the attrition .
Nagy called the absence of Mack and Hicks “ more precautionary , ” and later said the same about Robinson , who did practice Wednesday .
All three have played on Sundays this year after missing practices .
The Bears ’ injury report was robust Thursday .
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson hurt his right shoulder against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since .
“ I don ’ t know if it ’ s week-to-week as much as it is day-to-day with him … ” coach Matt Nagy said .
“ All these guys can do … is keep getting that rehab and each day is important .
So we are really hammering home that rehab right now.
” Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano sounded pleased with another replacement : rookie Kindle Vildor , who started for Johnson on Sunday .
He had to cover rookie Justin Jefferson , who made the Pro Bowl this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thielen .
“ “ I thought he did a good job — and it was very difficult , ” he said .
“ You ’ re talking about going against two really good wideouts in the league.
” Slot corner Buster Skrine hasn ’ t returned from concussion protocol since getting hurt three weeks ago against the Lions .
Duke Shelley , who took Skrine ’ s place , did not practice Thursday because of a knee/foot problem .
Tight end Demetrius Harris and safety Deon Bush , who have foot injuries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( hamstring ) , safety Eddie Jackson ( hip ) and left tackle Charles Leno ( toe ) were limited

The Bears practiced Thursday without perhaps their three best players — outside linebacker Khalil Mack (shoulder), defensive lineman Akiem Hicks (ankle) and receiver Allen Robinson (hamstring) — but coach Matt Nagy tried to downplay the attrition.
Nagy called the absence of Mack and Hicks “more precautionary” and later said the same about Robinson, who did practice Wednesday.
All three have played this year after missing practices.
The Bears’ injury report was robust Thursday. Cornerback Jaylon Johnson hurt his right shoulder against the Texans and hasn’t practiced since.
“I don’t know if it’s week-to-week as much as it is day-to-day with him,” Nagy said. “All these guys can do is keep getting that rehab, and each day is important. So we are really hammering home that rehab right now.”
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano sounded pleased with another replacement: rookie Kindle Vildor, who started for Johnson on Sunday. He had to cover rookie Justin Jefferson, who made the Pro Bowl this week, and two-time Pro Bowl player Adam Thielen.
“I thought he did a good job — and it was very difficult,” Pagano said. “You’re talking about going against two really good wideouts in the league.”
Slot corner Buster Skrine hasn’t returned from concussion protocol since getting injured three weeks ago against the Lions. Duke Shelley, who took Skrine’s place, did not practice Thursday because of a knee/foot problem.
Tight end Demetrius Harris and safety Deon Bush, who have foot injuries, are still out.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Chicago group aims to share overload of Christmas food donations: ‘Come and get it’

Every year , Chicago ’ s season of giving turns into a season of waste .
Waves of people and businesses caught up in the holiday spirit head to the brutally cold underpasses and tents that thousands in the city call home , delivering boxes of food to the people who need it most — but who can ’ t possibly consume it in the space of a week or make it last much longer .
And so some of the Chicagoans who often go to sleep hungry at other points of the year find themselves surrounded by loads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trash , while others simply don ’ t have access to the generosity .
In a year that has taken so much , the Chicago Union of the Homeless is out to prevent that cruel bit of irony and spread the relative wealth more efficiently .
Members of the group , which includes many who stay at encampments across the city , weathered the bone-chilling Christmas Eve wind chill to launch that effort from the unhoused community on Lawrence Avenue underneath Lake Shore Drive .
“ To the people on the street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wants it .
If you ’ re hungry , come and get it , ” said Tom Gordon , who ’ s known as mayor of the Uptown encampment .
As usual , cars lined up under the viaduct Thursday to drop off more donations than the people who live there will be able to use .
This year , though , the Chicago Union of the Homeless is coordinating with other outreach groups to redistribute the excess goods to other encampments that might not see the same steady influx of generosity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as donations typically peak the days after Thanksgiving and Christmas , according to Adam Gottlieb , a union board member .
“ We ’ re changing the narrative , showing that people living in homelessness are caring , contributing members of their communities who are eager to give back what they can despite having the least and constantly having to struggle to survive the elements , ” Gottlieb said .
Members of the group say they ’ re also filling a void of public support from elected officials , especially those in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief checks .
“ Our government has not given any of us any kind of relief , ” said Bonnie Contreras , the president of the union .
“ We shouldn ’ t have to wait for people to decide to bless us.
” The best way for Chicagoans to help is to keep donating wherever possible , according to Gottlieb , but also to take the time to get to know the people they see in their neighborhoods experiencing homelessness , and provide assistance whenever possible throughout the year .
“ Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be a part of meeting the needs that do exist , ” Gottlieb said .
Chicago Union of the Homeless also accepts monetary and other donations .
In addition to Uptown , the group will be coordinating redistribution efforts from the encampments at Roosevelt and Des Plaines Street , as well as at 51st and Federal streets .

Every year, Chicago’s season of giving turns into a season of waste.
Waves of people and businesses caught up in the holiday spirit head to the brutally cold underpasses and tents that thousands in the city call home, delivering boxes of food to the people who need it most — but who can’t possibly consume it in the space of a week or make it last much longer.
And so some of the Chicagoans who often go to sleep hungry at other points of the year find themselves surrounded by loads of perishable foods that are destined for the trash, while others simply don’t have access to the generosity.
In a year that has taken so much, the Chicago Union of the Homeless is out to prevent that cruel bit of irony and spread the relative wealth more efficiently.
Members of the group, which includes many who stay at encampments across the city, weathered the bone-chilling Christmas Eve wind chill to launch that effort from the unhoused community on Lawrence Avenue underneath Lake Shore Drive.
“To the people on the street, we have extra food for anyone who wants it. If you’re hungry, come and get it,” said Tom Gordon, who’s known as mayor of the Uptown encampment.
Tom Gordon, co-vice president of the Chicago Union of the Homeless, brings food donations to a table during a food re-distributing initiative Thursday in Uptown. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
As usual, cars lined up under the viaduct Thursday to drop off more donations than the people who live there will be able to use. This year, though, the Chicago Union of the Homeless is coordinating with other outreach groups to redistribute the excess goods to other encampments that might not see the same steady influx of generosity.
That effort will last through the holidays as donations typically peak the days after Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to Adam Gottlieb, a union board member.
“We’re changing the narrative, showing that people living in homelessness are caring, contributing members of their communities who are eager to give back what they can despite having the least and constantly having to struggle to survive the elements,” Gottlieb said.
Members of the group say they’re also filling a void of public support from elected officials, especially those in Washington wrangling over a second wave of coronavirus relief checks.
“Our government has not given any of us any kind of relief,” said Bonnie Contreras, the president of the union. “We shouldn’t have to wait for people to decide to bless us.”
Bonnie Contreras, center, speaks at a food re-distributing initiative Thursday in Uptown. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
The best way for Chicagoans to help is to keep donating wherever possible, according to Gottlieb, but also to take the time to get to know the people they see in their neighborhoods experiencing homelessness, and provide assistance whenever possible throughout the year.
“Start building those relationships so that you can also be a part of meeting the needs that do exist,” Gottlieb said.
Chicago Union of the Homeless also accepts monetary and other donations.
In addition to Uptown, the group will be coordinating redistribution efforts from the encampments at Roosevelt and Des Plaines Street, as well as at 51st and Federal streets.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Woman, 12-year-old boy killed by hit-and-run driver in Gage Park

Angel Bucio was excited to give his 12-year-son , Giovanne , a Play Station 5 for Christmas .
But Bucio couldn ’ t wait , so he gave it to Geo early .
The two planned to set it up and play before Christmas , relatives said .
But Giovanne never got the chance .
He was struck in a fatal hit-and-run Wednesday night on the Southwest Side .
His aunt ’ s partner , Araceli Gutierrez , 48 , also was killed .
The two were walking to a store to buy condensed milk , according to relatives who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Gage Park home , where Giovanne lived with his 4-year-old brother .
Bucio ’ s parents are distraught , family said .
Angel and his wife , Sandy , work in the kitchen at Churro Waffle in the Irving Park neighborhood , a restaurant owned by Angel Bucio ’ s brother .
“ He was a good boy .
The sweetest boy .
He listened to his parents , ” according to the boy ’ s cousin , Sonia Bucio , 17 .
“ He didn ’ t deserve what happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I would be the one to get hit instead , ” she said .
“ I couldn ’ t sleep all night when I found out that he was gone .
He was a really respectful kid he deserves so much better than this .
This world is just terrible , you know ?
” Sonia Bucio had a message for whoever was behind the wheel : “ It ’ s OK to be scared .
But just turn yourself in .
Because I don ’ t know how you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you killed two people .
You drove off .
I don ’ t know how you could deal with that.
” A westbound driver hit the two about 8:10 p.m. in a crosswalk in the 3100 block of West 55th Street in Gage Park and kept on driving , Chicago police said .
The car possibly was a dark-colored 2009-2012 Chevy Malibu with front-end damage near the driver ’ s side headlight , police said in a community alert issued early Thursday .
Police asked anyone with information to call its Major Accidents @ @ @ @

Angel Bucio was excited to give his 12-year-son, Giovanne, a Play Station 5 for Christmas.
But Bucio couldn’t wait, so he gave it to Giovanne early. The two planned to set it up and play before Christmas, relatives said.
But Giovanne never got the chance. He was struck in a fatal hit-and-run Wednesday night on the Southwest Side. His aunt’s partner, Araceli Gutierrez, 48, also was killed.
The two were walking to a store to buy condensed milk, according to relatives who offered condolences Thursday at the family’s Gage Park home, where Giovanne lived with his 4-year-old brother.
Bucio’s parents are distraught, family said. Angel and his wife, Sandy, work in the kitchen at Churro Waffle in the Irving Park neighborhood, a restaurant owned by Angel Bucio’s brother.
Giovanne loved playing soccer, several relatives said.
“He was a good boy. The sweetest boy. He listened to his parents,” according to the boy’s cousin, Sonia Bucio, 17.
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him. Honestly, if I could, I would be the one to get hit instead,” she said.
“I couldn’t sleep all night when I found out that he was gone. He was a really respectful kid, he deserves so much better than this. This world is just terrible, you know?”
Sonia Bucio had a message for whoever was behind the wheel: “It’s OK to be scared. But just turn yourself in. Because I don’t know how you’re going to live with that feeling that you killed two people. You drove off. I don’t know how you could deal with that.”
A westbound driver hit the two about 8:10 p.m. in a crosswalk in the 3100 block of West 55th Street in Gage Park and kept on driving, Chicago police said.
The car possibly was a dark-colored 2009-2012 Chevy Malibu with front-end damage near the driver’s side headlight, police said in a community alert issued early Thursday.
Police asked anyone with information to call its Major Accidents Unit at 312-745-4521.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--Latinos alter traditional posadas as coronavirus pandemic upends Christmas traditions

For years , Alina Hernandez took part in the traditional posadas at Our Lady of Tepeyac Parish , which included church members walking through Little Village in a recreation of the biblical journey taken by Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem before Jesus was born .
The festive celebrations held on the days leading up until Christmas also often included food , colorful piñatas and religious music and children dressed as angels .
But this holiday , the tradition has been adjusted because of the coronavirus : the masses this past week were instead live-streamed on Facebook , as was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Joseph walking around the church instead of taking refuge in a church member ’ s home .
“ This year by doing a simple representation just by praying the rosary and singing one or two Christmas carols , that was more than enough , ” said Hernandez , 23 .
Across Chicago , Latinos , including some who live in the areas hardest hit by the pandemic , have changed how they ’ ve celebrated the posadas , which are observed from Dec. 16 through Christmas Eve .
The changes reflect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 in the city , the most out of any racial group , according to data from the city .
In the 60623 Zip Code , which includes the Little Village church , more than 200 deaths have been related to COVID-19 , according to data from the city of Chicago .
The Rev .
Thomas Boharic , of Our Lady of Tepeyac , Assumption and St. Roman Parish , said it was important for the church to continue the posadas because so many people have been leaning on their faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singing these songs that are very beautiful helps to engage your imagination , engages something deep within everyone , ” Boharic said .
The tradition has also been altered at churches in the majority-Hispanic 60639 Zip code , which includes Belmont Cragin , and where there has been more than 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 165 deaths as of Dec. 19 , according to statistics from the city .
A few weeks ago , three parishioners from the neighborhood ’ s Saints Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church died of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In past years , the church had lively in-person celebrations for the posada , but this year , the only thing church members could do together was pray virtually , Rivas said .
The church posted Facebook videos daily of reflection and traditional songs to observe the occasion .
While some have expressed sadness about missing the tradition , Rivas said most parishioners understand the safety concerns .
“ This Christmas we are going back to the basics — a baby born in a stable from a poor family brings hope , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the situation looks , there is always hope , and I think that ’ s the spirit of Christmas.
” Meanwhile , the Archdiocese of Chicago ’ s immigration ministry turned its annual posada into a virtual one by streaming a video of a handful of people completing the traditional walk that is meant to draw a connection between today ’ s immigrants and Jesus ’ earthly parents , said Elena Segura , the national coordinator for the ministry .
The video — which was broadcast on Zoom , Facebook and YouTube @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Loop to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chicago field office and the Metropolitan Correctional Center .
The posada started at 7 a.m. last Friday to reflect that deportations typically take place early in the morning , Segura said .
The event usually draws anywhere from 100 to 300 people in person .
But she thinks that count was exceeded this year with its virtual audience , she said .
“ That ’ s the positive side of the pandemic — we connect with people all over the country , not just Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the National Museum of Mexican Art typically hosts Christmas concerts to celebrate the posadas .
But this year , the institution made events virtual and created a bilingual online kit so families could create their own piñatas using materials in their homes , said Antonio Pazarán , the director of education at the museum .
“ Now due to the pandemic we are trying to create some special time for families to engage , ” Pazarán said .
As for Pazarán , he woke up early Thursday to make batches of tamales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the posadas .
This year , the head chef , his mother , wasn ’ t there in person so she joined in from Mexico via Zoom to help him and his daughter make the tamales on their own .
“ We make those connections where we can , ” Pazarán said .
“ ...
It ’ s a way of remembering that we are still fortunate that we still have our health.
” Elvia Malagón ’ s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the @ @ @ @

For years, Alina Hernandez took part in the traditional posadas at Our Lady of Tepeyac Parish, which included church members walking through Little Village in a recreation of the biblical journey taken by Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem before Jesus was born.
The festive celebrations held on the days leading up until Christmas also often included food, colorful piñatas and religious music and children dressed as angels. But this holiday, the tradition has been adjusted because of the coronavirus: the masses this past week were instead live-streamed on Facebook, as was the recreation which featured adults dressed as Mary and Joseph walking around the church instead of taking refuge in a church member’s home.
“This year by doing a simple representation just by praying the rosary and singing one or two Christmas carols, that was more than enough,” said Hernandez, 23.
Across Chicago, Latinos, including some who live in the areas hardest hit by the pandemic, have changed how they’ve celebrated the posadas, which are observed from Dec. 16 through Christmas Eve.
The changes reflect the fact that more than 68,700 Latinos tested positive for COVID-19 in the city, the most out of any racial group, according to data from the city. In the 60623 Zip Code, which includes the Little Village church, more than 200 deaths have been related to COVID-19, according to data from the city of Chicago.
The Rev. Thomas Boharic, of Our Lady of Tepeyac, Assumption and St. Roman Parish, said it was important for the church to continue the posadas because so many people have been leaning on their faith to get through the pandemic.
“Singing these songs that are very beautiful helps to engage your imagination, engages something deep within everyone,” Boharic said.
Alma Rodriguez (from left), Alina Hernandez, Father Martin Marulanda, Leticia Lopez and Nereida Arreaga of Our Lady of Tepeyac Parishl helped organize traditional posadas Wednesday in Little Villag. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The tradition has also been altered at churches in the majority-Hispanic 60639 Zip code, which includes Belmont Cragin, and where there has been more than 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 165 deaths as of Dec. 19, according to statistics from the city.
A few weeks ago, three parishioners from the neighborhood’s Saints Genevieve and Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Church died of the coronavirus, said the Rev. Sergio Rivas.
In past years, the church had lively in-person celebrations for the posada, but this year, the only thing church members could do together was pray virtually, Rivas said. The church posted Facebook videos daily of reflection and traditional songs to observe the occasion.
While some have expressed sadness about missing the tradition, Rivas said most parishioners understand the safety concerns.
“This Christmas we are going back to the basics — a baby born in a stable from a poor family brings hope,” Rivas said. “As bad as the situation looks, there is always hope, and I think that’s the spirit of Christmas.”
Provided
Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Chicago’s immigration ministry turned its annual posada into a virtual one by streaming a video of a handful of people completing the traditional walk that is meant to draw a connection between today’s immigrants and Jesus’ earthly parents, said Elena Segura, the national coordinator for the ministry.
The video — which was broadcast on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube — shows the group walking through the Loop to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Chicago field office and the Metropolitan Correctional Center. The posada started at 7 a.m. last Friday to reflect that deportations typically take place early in the morning, Segura said.
The event usually draws anywhere from 100 to 300 people in person. But she thinks that count was exceeded this year with its virtual audience, she said.
“That’s the positive side of the pandemic — we connect with people all over the country, not just Chicago,” Segura said.
In Pilsen, the National Museum of Mexican Art typically hosts Christmas concerts to celebrate the posadas. But this year, the institution made events virtual and created a bilingual online kit so families could create their own piñatas using materials in their homes, said Antonio Pazarán, the director of education at the museum.
“Now due to the pandemic we are trying to create some special time for families to engage,” Pazarán said.
As for Pazarán, he woke up early Thursday to make batches of tamales, food that is traditionally part of the posadas. This year, the head chef, his mother, wasn’t there in person so she joined in from Mexico via Zoom to help him and his daughter make the tamales on their own.
“We make those connections where we can,” Pazarán said. “... It’s a way of remembering that we are still fortunate that we still have our health.”
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-24--TEs Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet prove to be productive combo for Bears

The Bears haven ’ t fixed their tight end issue for the long term , but the combination of Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham has been a substantial upgrade from where they were last season .
The Bears signed Graham hoping to squeeze at least one more decent season out of him and have gotten exactly that , with 44 catches for 382 yards and six touchdowns .
That might not sound like much , but it makes him something the Bears didn ’ t have last season : a league-average tight end .
They used their first draft pick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selection at his position ( No .
43 overall ) and hoping he would develop quickly enough to contribute late in the season .
They ’ ve gotten exactly that , too , and Kmet has given them something they didn ’ t have at the position last season : promise .
Coach Matt Nagy has paired the two more often in the last three games , and together they ’ ve delivered 17 catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns .
Again , far from overwhelming , but remember that J.P. Holtz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receiving last season .
‘ ‘ The way me and [ Kmet ] play together , it ’ s been extremely fun these last few weeks , ’ ’ Graham said Thursday .
‘ ‘ Get the first down and then some .
That ’ s our mentality when we catch the ball underneath .
‘ ‘ Nagy really emphasized the ability to throw the ball under coverage and to make those plays , to put your trust in your players to get that first down instead of just having to throw for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ re looking to get up the field , looking to make a play to help us sustain drives.
’ ’ The Bears got little of that from their tight ends last season , when six players combined for 46 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns .
To correct that , the Bears cut Trey Burton and traded Adam Shaheen .
Then they signed Graham to a two-year , $ 16 million deal and drafted Kmet .
Graham is still a declining player at 34 , and his speed isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red-zone prowess has been crucial for the Bears .
He is 11th in the NFL in red-zone receptions ( 10 ) and eighth in red-zone touchdown catches ( six ) .
That said , his age might make him a one-year rental .
The Bears can cut him this offseason for a $ 3 million dead-cap hit .
If they went that route , they would need to bring in another pass-catching tight end or rely on Kmet to be that kind of threat .
Kmet has shown some potential in that area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in the last three games after catching only eight passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the first 11 .
He might never reach the heights Graham did as a five-time Pro Bowl player with the Saints and Seahawks , but he ’ s more talented than just a blocking specialist .
‘ ‘ Now that Cole has more experience , he knows what he is doing , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ Now it ’ s like we ’ re in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go and play ball , and Jimmy has been the ultimate pro in all of this.
’ ’ Like a lot of things with the Bears , the tight end problem isn ’ t totally solved , but it ’ s good enough for now .

The Bears haven’t fixed their tight end issue for the long term, but the combination of Cole Kmet and Jimmy Graham has been a substantial upgrade from where they were last season.
The Bears signed Graham hoping to squeeze at least one more decent season out of him and have gotten exactly that, with 44 catches for 382 yards and six touchdowns. That might not sound like much, but it makes him something the Bears didn’t have last season: a league-average tight end.
They used their first draft pick on Kmet, making him the top selection at his position (No. 43 overall) and hoping he would develop quickly enough to contribute late in the season. They’ve gotten exactly that, too, and Kmet has given them something they didn’t have at the position last season: promise.
Coach Matt Nagy has paired the two more often in the last three games, and together they’ve delivered 17 catches for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Again, far from overwhelming, but remember that J.P. Holtz led Bears tight ends with 91 yards receiving last season.
‘‘The way me and [Kmet] play together, it’s been extremely fun these last few weeks,’’ Graham said Thursday. ‘‘Get the first down and then some. That’s our mentality when we catch the ball underneath.
‘‘Nagy really emphasized the ability to throw the ball under coverage and to make those plays, to put your trust in your players to get that first down instead of just having to throw for it. We took that personal. We’re looking to get up the field, looking to make a play to help us sustain drives.’’
The Bears got little of that from their tight ends last season, when six players combined for 46 catches for 421 yards and two touchdowns.
To correct that, the Bears cut Trey Burton and traded Adam Shaheen. Then they signed Graham to a two-year, $16 million deal and drafted Kmet.
Graham is still a declining player at 34, and his speed isn’t what it was. But his red-zone prowess has been crucial for the Bears. He is 11th in the NFL in red-zone receptions (10) and eighth in red-zone touchdown catches (six).
That said, his age might make him a one-year rental. The Bears can cut him this offseason for a $3 million dead-cap hit.
If they went that route, they would need to bring in another pass-catching tight end or rely on Kmet to be that kind of threat.
Kmet has shown some potential in that area after a slow start. He has 11 catches for 90 yards and a touchdown in the last three games after catching only eight passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in the first 11. He might never reach the heights Graham did as a five-time Pro Bowl player with the Saints and Seahawks, but he’s more talented than just a blocking specialist.
‘‘Now that Cole has more experience, he knows what he is doing,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘Now it’s like we’re in cruise control, where we can just go and play ball, and Jimmy has been the ultimate pro in all of this.’’
Like a lot of things with the Bears, the tight end problem isn’t totally solved, but it’s good enough for now.