chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--23 shot Monday in Chicago, including 5-year-old boy and three teens

Twenty-three people were shot Monday in Chicago , marking a violent start to the week and surpassing the gun violence totals of the entire weekend prior .
A 5-year-old boy shot in Roseland and three teenagers were among the day ’ s victims .
The boy was playing with an iPad on a couch about 7:30 p.m. inside a home in the 200 block of West 115th Street when a vehicle drove by and someone inside fired shots toward the residence , Chicago police said .
He was rushed from the home and taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Lawndale on the West Side , two teenage girls were among four people who were wounded in a shooting Monday afternoon .
The shooting happened about 4:40 p.m. near Pulaski Road and Lexington Street , Chicago police said .
The girls , 16 and 17 , were grazed on their legs .
They were in good condition and refused medical attention .
A man and woman , both 25 , were also shot in their legs , police said , and were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side .
About 8:45 p.m. , the boy was in the 2000 block of West Cullerton Street when someone fired shots from a pickup , Chicago police said .
The teen took himself to Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen , and was listed in critical condition .
Four more people were wounded in a single shooting Monday evening near the Dearborn Homes public housing complex on the South Side .
They were standing outside about 7:23 p.m. in the 2700 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group walked up and fired shots after an argument , Chicago police said .
One man 22 , was struck in the buttocks and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , police said .
Another man , also 22 , was shot in the foot and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital .
Both were in good condition .
A 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg was taken to the same hospital in good condition , police said .
A fourth man , 18 , was grazed in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two hours earlier , three people were shot in West Garfield Park .
The shooting happened about 5:20 p.m. in the 3800 block of West Gladys Avenue , Chicago police said .
Two men , 21 and 24 , were each struck in the leg and treated at the scene .
A third man , 27 , was shot in the head and taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition .
Two more people were shot Monday afternoon in Lawndale .
They were in an alley about 3:30 p.m. in the 1600 block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , Chicago police said .
One man , 18 , was shot in the buttocks while another man , 19 , was shot in the leg .
They were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
At least eight more people were wounded Monday in separate attacks across the city .
Monday ’ s gun violence follows a weekend in which 22 people were shot , one of them fatally .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Twenty-three people were shot Monday in Chicago, marking a violent start to the week and surpassing the gun violence totals of the entire weekend prior.
A 5-year-old boy shot in Roseland and three teenagers were among the day’s victims.
The boy was playing with an iPad on a couch about 7:30 p.m. inside a home in the 200 block of West 115th Street when a vehicle drove by and someone inside fired shots toward the residence, Chicago police said. He was rushed from the home and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was in critical condition.
In Lawndale on the West Side, two teenage girls were among four people who were wounded in a shooting Monday afternoon.
The shooting happened about 4:40 p.m. near Pulaski Road and Lexington Street, Chicago police said. The girls, 16 and 17, were grazed on their legs. They were in good condition and refused medical attention.
A man and woman, both 25, were also shot in their legs, police said, and were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
A 16-year-old boy was shot Monday evening in the Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side.
About 8:45 p.m., the boy was in the 2000 block of West Cullerton Street when someone fired shots from a pickup, Chicago police said. The teen took himself to Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, and was listed in critical condition.
Four more people were wounded in a single shooting Monday evening near the Dearborn Homes public housing complex on the South Side.
They were standing outside about 7:23 p.m. in the 2700 block of South Dearborn Street when another group walked up and fired shots after an argument, Chicago police said.
One man 22, was struck in the buttocks and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. Another man, also 22, was shot in the foot and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Both were in good condition.
A 29-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the leg was taken to the same hospital in good condition, police said. A fourth man, 18, was grazed in the buttocks and refused medical attention.
About two hours earlier, three people were shot in West Garfield Park.
The shooting happened about 5:20 p.m. in the 3800 block of West Gladys Avenue, Chicago police said. Two men, 21 and 24, were each struck in the leg and treated at the scene. A third man, 27, was shot in the head and taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition.
Two more people were shot Monday afternoon in Lawndale.
They were in an alley about 3:30 p.m. in the 1600 block of South Christiana Avenue when someone opened fire, Chicago police said. One man, 18, was shot in the buttocks while another man, 19, was shot in the leg. They were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
At least eight more people were wounded Monday in separate attacks across the city.
Monday’s gun violence follows a weekend in which 22 people were shot, one of them fatally.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Gary cop shoots police dog during armed carjacking arrest

A Gary , Indiana , police officer shot a police dog Monday as officers tried to arrest a suspect in @ @ @ @ @ dog , a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois with the Lake County , Indiana , Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ the officer about midnight as sheriff ’ s deputies and Gary police officers worked to @ @ @ @ @ 3300 block of Broadway , according to the sheriff ’ s department .
The officer @ @ @ @ @ , who is known as Thanos , the sheriff ’ s department said .
The @ @ @ @ @ Animal Clinic in fair condition .
“ I have a deep sense of respect and @ @ @ @ @ their handlers and the job they perform during intense and sometimes chaotic situations , ” @ @ @ @ @ Jr. said .
“ Our office is currently reviewing this incident .
”

A Gary, Indiana, police officer shot a police dog Monday as officers tried to arrest a suspect in an armed carjacking.
The dog, a 2-year-old Belgian Malinois with the Lake County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Department, lunged at the officer about midnight as sheriff’s deputies and Gary police officers worked to arrest the suspect in the 3300 block of Broadway, according to the sheriff’s department.
The officer shot and wounded the dog, who is known as Thanos, the sheriff’s department said. The dog was taken to Hobart Animal Clinic in fair condition.
“I have a deep sense of respect and admiration for our K-9s, their handlers and the job they perform during intense and sometimes chaotic situations,” Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said. “Our office is currently reviewing this incident.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Halas Intrigue Episode 137: Bears hit a new low

Bears could turn to QB Mitch Trubisky after Nick Foles gets carted off with injury With Mitch Trubisky injured and @ @ @ @ @ are down to third-stringer Tyler Bray and recently signed practice-squad quarterback Kyle Sloter .

The conversation continues in our “Halas Intrigue” Facebook group
Join experts including Patrick Finley, Mark Potash, Jason Lieser, Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander after each game to make predictions, share insights and analyze the day’s big stories. This is insight you won’t be able to get anywhere else.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-16--Three Bears takeaways: on punt return gaffe, interception and RB timeshare

Three takeaways from the Bears ’ “ Monday Night Football ” contest against the Vikings : Fed up with Ted Ginn deciding to let punts bounce behind him , the Bears signed veteran Dwayne Harris two weeks ago to give an element of danger to their special teams .
Monday night , he did just that — the wrong way .
About three minutes into the third quarter , he muffed a punt at the Bears ’ 20 that was recovered by the Vikings .
He hurt his triceps on the play .
The Bears then turned to Anthony Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game .
The Bears ’ first two offensive plays were absolutely brutal for Miller , the third-year receiver .
Blocking on a screen pass to Darnell Mooney , Miller was shoved into the rookie , practically making the tackle for the Vikings .
On the next play , Miller ran a deep in route , leapt for a Nick Foles pass , touched it with both hands — and let it carom to Harrison Smith for an interception .
With David Montgomery concussed , the Bears leaned on Cordarrelle Patterson as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lazor rotated running backs , though ; Ryan Nall , Artavis Pierce and former Pro Bowl player Lamar Miller all touched the ball in the first half alone .

Three takeaways from the Bears’ “Monday Night Football” contest against the Vikings:
Harris mistake
Fed up with Ted Ginn deciding to let punts bounce behind him, the Bears signed veteran Dwayne Harris two weeks ago to give an element of danger to their special teams. Monday night, he did just that — the wrong way. About three minutes into the third quarter, he muffed a punt at the Bears’ 20 that was recovered by the Vikings. He hurt his triceps on the play. The Bears then turned to Anthony Miller, who was effective the rest of the game.
Bad start for Miller
The Bears’ first two offensive plays were absolutely brutal for Miller, the third-year receiver. Blocking on a screen pass to Darnell Mooney, Miller was shoved into the rookie, practically making the tackle for the Vikings. On the next play, Miller ran a deep in route, leapt for a Nick Foles pass, touched it with both hands — and let it carom to Harrison Smith for an interception.
RB timeshare
With David Montgomery concussed, the Bears leaned on Cordarrelle Patterson as their lead running back. New play-caller Bill Lazor rotated running backs, though; Ryan Nall, Artavis Pierce and former Pro Bowl player Lamar Miller all touched the ball in the first half alone.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-16--Offense anything but Lazor sharp vs. Vikings

It was the Bears ’ offense under coach Matt Nagy in a nutshell : The harder they try , the worse they get .
Nagy ’ s decision to turn over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor elicited modest expectations at best — inside and outside Halas Hall .
And the Bears ’ still managed to disappoint .
An ineffective running game , protection issues and quarterback Nick Foles ’ failure to rise above the muck left the Bears running in place yet again in a 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Monday at Soldier Field .
‘ ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ We had field position , [ and ] we couldn ’ t convert on that in the red zone .
It overshadows how well our defense played .
Two out of three parts are playing well .
That ’ s been a constant theme for us.
’ ’ Against the 29th-ranked defense in the NFL , the Bears managed a season-low 149 yards on 50 plays .
Against the 30th-ranked pass defense , Foles completed 15 of 26 passes for a season-low 106 yards , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season-low 51.1 rating .
‘ ‘ This has been something that has been going on for most of the season , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ The reason we [ switched play-callers ] was because we felt we were struggling to get into a rhythm and weren ’ t taking advantage and were scoring touchdowns too late and weren ’ t getting them on the front end .
‘ ‘ I think you could see it was repetitive tonight .
It was still happening .
Not only for the players ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff , we need to make sure that we ’ re really , honestly going back now [ during the bye week ] and saying , ‘ OK , what ’ s going on ?
’ And where are we at now that we have some time to really see ?
’ ’ No matter the play-caller , there ’ s always something with the Bears ’ offense .
It took only two plays to exhibit some of the troublesome traits of Nagy ’ s offense .
On first-and-10 on the Bears ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darnell Mooney in the flat gained nothing when Anthony Miller , attempting to block , instead was bulled back into Mooney .
On second-and-10 from the Bears ’ 27 , Foles dropped back and was well-protected , with as clean a pocket as he can expect .
But his throw over the middle was behind Miller and a little high .
Miller tipped the ball into the air at the Bears ’ 45 , and Vikings safety Harrison Smith intercepted it at midfield and returned it to the Bears ’ 41 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the offense was worse .
The line , which struggled without three starters and two backups last week against the Titans , was fortified with center Cody Whitehair ’ s return from the COVID-19 list .
That moved Alex Bars from center to his more comfortable position at left guard , with Rashaad Coward playing in place of injured backup Jason Spriggs at right tackle .
The Bears were slightly better after that first interception .
They even drove to the Vikings ’ 7 on their second drive .
But every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant pressure , and the offense notched only two field goals .
Even then , they had a chance for redemption after Miller ’ s 32-yard punt return to the Vikings ’ 46 with 5:01 left in the fourth quarter .
Foles connected with Patterson for a 10-yard gain and a first down at the 36 .
But the drive fizzled .
Foles ’ quick hitter to Allen Robinson on third-and-five from the 31 lost four yards .
And on fourth down , Foles stepped up under pressure and overthrew Miller at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settled the matter .

It was the Bears’ offense under coach Matt Nagy in a nutshell: The harder they try, the worse they get.
Nagy’s decision to turn over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor elicited modest expectations at best — inside and outside Halas Hall. And the Bears’ still managed to disappoint.
An ineffective running game, protection issues and quarterback Nick Foles’ failure to rise above the muck left the Bears running in place yet again in a 19-13 loss to the Vikings on Monday at Soldier Field.
‘‘Obviously, we struggled mightily on offense,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘We had field position, [and] we couldn’t convert on that in the red zone. It overshadows how well our defense played. Two out of three parts are playing well. That’s been a constant theme for us.’’
Against the 29th-ranked defense in the NFL, the Bears managed a season-low 149 yards on 50 plays. Against the 30th-ranked pass defense, Foles completed 15 of 26 passes for a season-low 106 yards, no touchdowns and one interception for a season-low 51.1 rating.
‘‘This has been something that has been going on for most of the season,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘The reason we [switched play-callers] was because we felt we were struggling to get into a rhythm and weren’t taking advantage and were scoring touchdowns too late and weren’t getting them on the front end.
‘‘I think you could see it was repetitive tonight. It was still happening. Not only for the players’ health but for us as a coaching staff, we need to make sure that we’re really, honestly going back now [during the bye week] and saying, ‘OK, what’s going on?’ And where are we at now that we have some time to really see?’’
No matter the play-caller, there’s always something with the Bears’ offense. It took only two plays to exhibit some of the troublesome traits of Nagy’s offense.
On first-and-10 on the Bears’ first possession, Foles’ pass to Darnell Mooney in the flat gained nothing when Anthony Miller, attempting to block, instead was bulled back into Mooney.
On second-and-10 from the Bears’ 27, Foles dropped back and was well-protected, with as clean a pocket as he can expect. But his throw over the middle was behind Miller and a little high. Miller tipped the ball into the air at the Bears’ 45, and Vikings safety Harrison Smith intercepted it at midfield and returned it to the Bears’ 41.
The only difference with Lazor calling the shots is that the offense was worse. The line, which struggled without three starters and two backups last week against the Titans, was fortified with center Cody Whitehair’s return from the COVID-19 list. That moved Alex Bars from center to his more comfortable position at left guard, with Rashaad Coward playing in place of injured backup Jason Spriggs at right tackle.
The Bears were slightly better after that first interception. They even drove to the Vikings’ 7 on their second drive. But every drive stalled with Foles unable to manage constant pressure, and the offense notched only two field goals.
Even then, they had a chance for redemption after Miller’s 32-yard punt return to the Vikings’ 46 with 5:01 left in the fourth quarter. Foles connected with Patterson for a 10-yard gain and a first down at the 36. But the drive fizzled. Foles’ quick hitter to Allen Robinson on third-and-five from the 31 lost four yards. And on fourth down, Foles stepped up under pressure and overthrew Miller at the 5 for an incompletion that all but settled the matter.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Mayor Lightfoot struggles to find votes for property tax increase, and has herself to blame

Mayor Rahm Emanuel convinced 35 aldermen to approve a $ 588 million property tax increase — the largest in Chicago history — for police and fire pensions and school construction .
Why , then , is Mayor Lori Lightfoot struggling so mightily to find 26 votes for a property tax increase one-sixth that size followed by annual increases tied to the cost of living ?
Partly , the coronavirus pandemic and the incredible financial hardship it has caused .
Chicagoans who still have jobs have seen hours and paychecks shrink .
They ’ re struggling to pay their property taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an upcoming reassessment of city property .
That is hardly the time to saddle them with an even greater burden .
But part of it is the chickens coming home to roost for Lightfoot .
The bank of good will is running on empty for a mayor who used her inaugural address to portray the City Council as corrupt , raced back to City Hall to issue an executive order stripping aldermen of control over licensing and permitting and used her first council meeting to humiliate indicted Ald .
Edward Burke ( 14th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the kind of relationships that a mayor needs to develop … to see a budget through in difficult times , ” said former Ald .
Joe Moore ( 49th ) , who turned out to be one of Emanuel ’ s closest council allies .
“ When you ’ re asking legislators to make politically tough decisions , it ’ s always helpful to have built relationships of mutual respect and trust .
One of the things that made Rahm so effective … is that most of the aldermen felt he had their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 28th ) , chairman of the Council ’ s Black Caucus , attributed Lightfoot ’ s current troubles to her being “ new to the political arena.
” She ’ s a former federal prosecutor who has never before held public office .
“ The previous mayor had relationships built up over years .
She ’ s honestly been the only person that has come into this situation without having really any relationships with anyone .
It takes time to get there to build that type of relationship , ” Ervin said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , son of former Mayor Eugene Sawyer , agreed politics and government is a “ relationship business.
” “ She ’ s picking that up and understanding that more and more every day .
Once she gets hold of that , she will probably be in a much better space , ” Sawyer said .
“ She ’ s making adjustments , adding more of a personal touch to her appeal.
” The budget confrontation has been building since that infamous inauguration day confrontation at Wintrust Arena .
It wasn ’ t just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a business built on trust .
The pattern continued .
Council members who pushed back against Lightfoot ’ s request for expanded spending and contracting authority for the duration of the pandemic were denounced as “ shameful , ” “ selfish ” grandstanders willing to put politics over public health .
Lightfoot got her way after a 29-to-21 vote not seen since the 1980 ’ s power struggle known as “ Council Wars , ” when 29 aldermen , most of them white , thwarted Mayor Harold Washington ’ s every move .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is now in .
Just last week , Lightfoot warned members of the Black Caucus who do not support her 2021 budget , “ Don ’ t ask me for s -- t for the next three years , ” referring to choosing projects for her five-year , $ 3.7 billion capital plan .
Already , Lightfoot has been forced to make concessions .
She canceled the 350 layoffs , added another $ 10 million for violence prevention , beefed up an alternate response pilot program for emergency calls related to mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ carve-outs ” in the city ’ s Welcoming City ordinance to the budget .
The 20-member Black Caucus is holding out for even more money for violence prevention and mental health and for specifics on South and West side capital projects .
The uphill battle Lightfoot faces was on display Tuesday at a hearing that was a prelude to Wednesday ’ s Finance Committee vote on the mayor ’ s revenue package , which includes the $ 94 million property tax increase and annual inflationary hike .
It was a coming-out party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been largely silent since his indictment .
Burke led the charge in interrogating Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett and Budget Director Susie Park on alternatives to the property tax increase , including eliminating funding for all vacant positions or increasing the city ’ s 7-cent bag tax .
“ The property tax in Chicago has historically been toxic .
And I ’ m sure that the other members are hearing what I ’ m hearing when I go to church and people walk up to me and voice their concern , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knows the city budget like the back of his hand .
“ We know there ’ s gon na be some federal money coming .
Why not anticipate that , make some adjustments here and refrain from this increase in the levy ?
” Ald .
Tom Tunney ( 44th ) , Lightfoot ’ s handpicked Zoning Committee chairman , questioned why the mayor chose to freeze property taxes in her first budget instead of confronting the city ’ s $ 30 billion pension crisis .
“ We all clapped our hands last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax increase .
And yet , you knew these ramp-ups were coming .
So now , you ’ re doing the CPI where we should have been doing it before and making the tough vote in our first year of the administration , rather than this fear-mongering about the tax bill will come when the voters are trying to decide who their next alderman is .
I find it a little disingenuous , ” Tunney said .
Ald .
Susan Sadlowski-Garza ( 10th ) , chairwoman of the Committee on Workforce Development , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tax on Amazon and other “ logistics operators ” with more than 50 employees .
The tax was introduced this week and promptly referred to the Rules Committee , where legislation opposed by the mayor goes to die .
“ As far as I ’ m concerned , $ 1.25 on a package coming to my door that I ’ m paying — I don ’ t think the consumer is gon na see it , ” Garza said .
Moore likened Lightfoot to Bruce Rauner , a my-way-or-the-highway outsider who became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at constant war with the legislature .
Moore said Lightfoot “ might be able to cobble together ” the 26 votes she needs to pass the budget .
But he wouldn ’ t bet on it .
“ When you ’ re a week away from a budget vote and you ’ re 11 solid votes behind , that ’ s not a good sign , ” Moore said .
Ald .
Gilbert Villegas ( 36th ) , Lightfoot ’ s floor leader , said Tuesday he ’ s “ feeling good ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even he acknowledged : “ In politics you have to form relationships .
This is Politics 101 .
You want to build relationships with people before you have to ask them for anything .
”

Mayor Rahm Emanuel convinced 35 aldermen to approve a $588 million property tax increase — the largest in Chicago history — for police and fire pensions and school construction.
Why, then, is Mayor Lori Lightfoot struggling so mightily to find 26 votes for a property tax increase one-sixth that size followed by annual increases tied to the cost of living?
Partly, the coronavirus pandemic and the incredible financial hardship it has caused.
Analysis bug Analysis
Chicagoans who still have jobs have seen hours and paychecks shrink. They’re struggling to pay their property taxes and bracing for the double whammy of an upcoming reassessment of city property.
That is hardly the time to saddle them with an even greater burden.
But part of it is the chickens coming home to roost for Lightfoot.
The bank of good will is running on empty for a mayor who used her inaugural address to portray the City Council as corrupt, raced back to City Hall to issue an executive order stripping aldermen of control over licensing and permitting in their wards and used her first council meeting to humiliate indicted Ald. Edward Burke (14th).
“She has not developed the kind of relationships that a mayor needs to develop … to see a budget through in difficult times,” said former Ald. Joe Moore (49th), who turned out to be one of Emanuel’s closest council allies.
“When you’re asking legislators to make politically tough decisions, it’s always helpful to have built relationships of mutual respect and trust. One of the things that made Rahm so effective … is that most of the aldermen felt he had their backs.”
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), chairman of the Council’s Black Caucus, attributed Lightfoot’s current troubles to her being “new to the political arena.” She’s a former federal prosecutor who has never before held public office.
“The previous mayor had relationships built up over years. She’s honestly been the only person that has come into this situation without having really any relationships with anyone. It takes time to get there to build that type of relationship,” Ervin said.
Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), son of former Mayor Eugene Sawyer, agreed politics and government is a “relationship business.”
“She’s picking that up and understanding that more and more every day. Once she gets hold of that, she will probably be in a much better space,” Sawyer said.
“She’s making adjustments, adding more of a personal touch to her appeal. ... I’ve had some positive conversations with her recently. There are some things she still needs to work on budget-wise and maybe relationship-wise. But, she’s still got a couple days to deal with it.”
The budget confrontation has been building since that infamous inauguration day confrontation at Wintrust Arena.
It wasn’t just a bad start for a newcomer to a business built on trust. The pattern continued.
Council members who pushed back against Lightfoot’s request for expanded spending and contracting authority for the duration of the pandemic were denounced as “shameful,” “selfish” grandstanders willing to put politics over public health.
Lightfoot got her way after a 29-to-21 vote not seen since the 1980’s power struggle known as “Council Wars,” when 29 aldermen, most of them white, thwarted Mayor Harold Washington’s every move.
But the close vote signaled the trouble she is now in.
Just last week, Lightfoot warned members of the Black Caucus who do not support her 2021 budget, “Don’t ask me for s--t for the next three years,” referring to choosing projects for her five-year, $3.7 billion capital plan.
That’s even after Lightfoot bemoaned the bitter tone of political discourse in Chicago and vowed to “push myself harder to work with people with whom I do not agree.”
Already, Lightfoot has been forced to make concessions. She canceled the 350 layoffs, added another $10 million for violence prevention, beefed up an alternate response pilot program for emergency calls related to mental health and nixed plans to link eliminating “carve-outs” in the city’s Welcoming City ordinance to the budget.
The 20-member Black Caucus is holding out for even more money for violence prevention and mental health and for specifics on South and West side capital projects.
The uphill battle Lightfoot faces was on display Tuesday at a hearing that was a prelude to Wednesday’s Finance Committee vote on the mayor’s revenue package, which includes the $94 million property tax increase and annual inflationary hike.
It was a coming-out party of sorts for Burke, who has been largely silent since his indictment.
Burke led the charge in interrogating Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett and Budget Director Susie Park on alternatives to the property tax increase, including eliminating funding for all vacant positions or increasing the city’s 7-cent bag tax.
“The property tax in Chicago has historically been toxic. And I’m sure that the other members are hearing what I’m hearing when I go to church and people walk up to me and voice their concern,” said Burke, a 51-year veteran who knows the city budget like the back of his hand.
“We know there’s gonna be some federal money coming. Why not anticipate that, make some adjustments here and refrain from this increase in the levy?”
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), Lightfoot’s handpicked Zoning Committee chairman, questioned why the mayor chose to freeze property taxes in her first budget instead of confronting the city’s $30 billion pension crisis.
“We all clapped our hands last year, saying there was no property tax increase. And yet, you knew these ramp-ups were coming. So now, you’re doing the CPI where we should have been doing it before and making the tough vote in our first year of the administration, rather than this fear-mongering about the tax bill will come when the voters are trying to decide who their next alderman is. I find it a little disingenuous,” Tunney said.
Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th) asked what it would cost to cancel the property tax increase in favor of a line of credit. Huang Bennett pegged the cost at $2 million to $4 million and advised against it.
Ald. Susan Sadlowski-Garza (10th), chairwoman of the Committee on Workforce Development, pushed for the $16-a-month employee head tax on Amazon and other “logistics operators” with more than 50 employees.
The tax was introduced this week and promptly referred to the Rules Committee, where legislation opposed by the mayor goes to die.
“As far as I’m concerned, $1.25 on a package coming to my door that I’m paying — I don’t think the consumer is gonna see it,” Garza said.
On the anniversary of Lightfoot’ first year in office, Moore warned the day of reckoning was coming for Lightfoot, with “a lot more socialists and uber-left progressives” on the Council “who are gonna vote against her no matter what” because of her “pragmatic governing style.”
Moore likened Lightfoot to Bruce Rauner, a my-way-or-the-highway outsider who became a one-term governor in part because he was at constant war with the legislature.
Moore said Lightfoot “might be able to cobble together” the 26 votes she needs to pass the budget. But he wouldn’t bet on it.
“When you’re a week away from a budget vote and you’re 11 solid votes behind, that’s not a good sign,” Moore said.
“In the Daley and Rahm days, they were all about running up the table. They weren’t just fighting and clawing for 26 votes, they were fighting and clawing for 46 votes — or 50.”
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), Lightfoot’s floor leader, said Tuesday he’s “feeling good” about the final council vote, but even he acknowledged: “In politics you have to form relationships. This is Politics 101. You want to build relationships with people before you have to ask them for anything.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Theo Epstein deserves our eternal thanks

The online haters are out there , of course , waving bye-bye , hollering , ‘ ‘ Glad you ’ re gone !
’ ’ and ‘ ‘ What ’ d you do for us lately ?
’ ’ The dude came , he saw , he did the metrics .
And in 2016 he brought the Cubs their first World Series championship in 108 years .
That , in itself , is worthy of a statue .
( How about at the corner of Clark and Addison , a shinier one than the statues of Ernie or Billy or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wrigley Field ’ s beer-soaked history , Harry Caray ? )
Epstein is just 46 , but he has done more in his field than most people could do in a dozen lifetimes .
That he is stepping down as the Cubs ’ president of baseball operations after nine years , with one year left on his contract , is really not a surprise .
He has told us for a while that 10 years is the time needed for fundamental change .
In a decade , he has implied , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far that the scenery has changed , the ride is different .
In the years since the 2016 crown , the Cubs have been good but not great .
Faltering , not rampaging .
Routinely getting knocked out of the postseason is problematic .
In 2017 , the Cubs got smoked in the National League Championship Series by the Dodgers .
In 2018 , they lost a solo wild-card game to the Rockies .
In 2019 , they didn ’ t make the playoffs .
In 2020 , they got swept in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mojo was going .
There was no question .
But that loss of dominance could not change what came before it .
Never forget that generations of Cubs fans had gone to their graves waiting in vain for the World Series crown he finally presented .
But the interesting part about Epstein is that he is a complicated man , a person who can bring his passion and laser intelligence to bear on a single item , such as team-building , while still sensing there is more to the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibilities that goes so fast .
In short , he can get bored .
Perhaps ‘ ‘ bored ’ ’ isn ’ t the right word .
Maybe ‘ ‘ disinterested ’ ’ is .
His love of baseball is unquestioned .
His dad , Leslie — a professor and novelist — was OK with baseball but not nuts about it , like his kid .
If little Theo wanted to watch Red Sox games on TV back in Boston , he had to read a great book for an equal amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equaled three hours of heavy reading .
That will make your head enlightened .
And with enlightenment comes self-awareness .
Epstein ’ s most interesting comments at his news conference Tuesday were about himself observing himself .
In his first six years with the Cubs , he was part of ‘ ‘ some pretty epic things , ’ ’ he admitted .
But then this : ‘ ‘ The last couple of years weren ’ t that impressive .
Maybe what that tells me is I ’ m great at and really enjoy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not as good and not as motivated by maintenance , so to speak.
’ ’ It ’ s obvious .
A personality test , like the detailed ones administered by the Wonderlic Co. for corporate executives and sometimes pro athletes , would show it plainly .
He could go to another team and rebuild there .
That could be fun .
After all , he ended a combined 194 years of desperate seeking for the Cubs and the Red Sox , where he won World Series in 2004 and 2007 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t .
Been there , done that .
Once called ‘ ‘ Boston ’ s Most Eligible Bachelor ’ ’ by Boston magazine , Epstein met his wife-to-be , Marie Whitney , when she was a Harvard grad student doing charity work with homeless people .
That thoughtfulness , humility and social concern appealed to him a lot more than the half-witted , if beautiful , young women throwing themselves at his eligible feet .
He and Marie traveled together to South America after he took time off from the Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ married in 2007 .
They have two young kids , one a son whom Epstein brags about because he cranks long golf shots .
As a little kid in New York , Epstein himself would hit ‘ ‘ bombs ’ ’ in Central Park when his mom would pitch softballs to him .
Sometimes , he told me once with great pride , crowds would gather to watch tiny Theo the magnificent .
He can do so much if he puts his mind to it .
Let ’ s hope he picks something @ @ @ @ @ @ @

We’ll really miss Theo Epstein.
Believe it.
The online haters are out there, of course, waving bye-bye, hollering, ‘‘Glad you’re gone!’’ and ‘‘What’d you do for us lately?’’
Silly people.
The dude came, he saw, he did the metrics.
And in 2016 he brought the Cubs their first World Series championship in 108 years.
That, in itself, is worthy of a statue. (How about at the corner of Clark and Addison, a shinier one than the statues of Ernie or Billy or Ronnie or even the most famous human in Wrigley Field’s beer-soaked history, Harry Caray?)
Epstein is just 46, but he has done more in his field than most people could do in a dozen lifetimes.
That he is stepping down as the Cubs’ president of baseball operations after nine years, with one year left on his contract, is really not a surprise.
He has told us for a while that 10 years is the time needed for fundamental change. In a decade, he has implied, you’ve moved down the tracks so far that the scenery has changed, the ride is different.
In the years since the 2016 crown, the Cubs have been good but not great. Faltering, not rampaging. Routinely getting knocked out of the postseason is problematic.
In 2017, the Cubs got smoked in the National League Championship Series by the Dodgers. In 2018, they lost a solo wild-card game to the Rockies. In 2019, they didn’t make the playoffs. In 2020, they got swept in the wild-card round by the Marlins.
Epstein’s mojo was going. There was no question.
But that loss of dominance could not change what came before it. Never forget that generations of Cubs fans had gone to their graves waiting in vain for the World Series crown he finally presented.
But the interesting part about Epstein is that he is a complicated man, a person who can bring his passion and laser intelligence to bear on a single item, such as team-building, while still sensing there is more to the world, to this life, this carousel of possibilities that goes so fast.
In short, he can get bored.
Perhaps ‘‘bored’’ isn’t the right word. Maybe ‘‘disinterested’’ is.
His love of baseball is unquestioned. His dad, Leslie — a professor and novelist — was OK with baseball but not nuts about it, like his kid. If little Theo wanted to watch Red Sox games on TV back in Boston, he had to read a great book for an equal amount of time. Thus, a three-hour game equaled three hours of heavy reading.
That will make your head enlightened.
And with enlightenment comes self-awareness.
Epstein’s most interesting comments at his news conference Tuesday were about himself observing himself.
In his first six years with the Cubs, he was part of ‘‘some pretty epic things,’’ he admitted.
But then this: ‘‘The last couple of years weren’t that impressive. Maybe what that tells me is I’m great at and really enjoy building and transformation and triumphing. Maybe I’m not as good and not as motivated by maintenance, so to speak.’’
It’s obvious. A personality test, like the detailed ones administered by the Wonderlic Co. for corporate executives and sometimes pro athletes, would show it plainly.
Epstein needs intellectual and emotional stimulation.
He could go to another team and rebuild there. That could be fun. After all, he ended a combined 194 years of desperate seeking for the Cubs and the Red Sox, with whom he won World Series in 2004 and 2007.
But let’s hope he doesn’t. Been there, done that.
Once called ‘‘Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelor’’ by Boston magazine, Epstein met his wife-to-be, Marie Whitney, when she was a Harvard grad student doing charity work with homeless people. That thoughtfulness, humility and social concern appealed to him a lot more than the half-witted, if beautiful, young women throwing themselves at his eligible feet.
He and Marie traveled together to South America after he took time off from the Red Sox in 2005, and they were married in 2007. They have two young kids, one a son whom Epstein brags about because he cranks long golf shots.
As a little kid in New York, Epstein himself would hit ‘‘bombs’’ in Central Park when his mom would pitch softballs to him. Sometimes, he told me once with great pride, crowds would gather to watch tiny Theo the magnificent.
It’s all a good chuckle. A good ride.
He can do so much if he puts his mind to it. Let’s hope he picks something real big this next time around.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Man faces weapons charges after barricading himself from Evanston police

A man faces weapons charges after allegedly firing shots and barricading himself from Evanston police earlier last week .
Frederick @ @ @ @ @ was charged with one count of aggravated discharge of a weapon and one count of @ @ @ @ @ by a felon , according to Evanston police .
Officers responded to a call of @ @ @ @ @ 10 in the 1800 block of Dodge Avenue , Commander Ryan Glew said .
When @ @ @ @ @ they learned Davis had allegedly fired shots at someone and then retreated into his residence @ @ @ @ @ two hours later , Davis was taken into custody without incident and no injuries were @ @

A man faces weapons charges after allegedly firing shots and barricading himself from Evanston police earlier last week.
Frederick B. Davis, 62, was charged with one count of aggravated discharge of a weapon and one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, according to Evanston police.
Officers responded to a call of shots fired about noon Nov. 10 in the 1800 block of Dodge Avenue, Commander Ryan Glew said.
When they arrived at the scene, they learned Davis had allegedly fired shots at someone and then retreated into his residence, Glew said.
About two hours later, Davis was taken into custody without incident and no injuries were reported.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--CPS to bring back elementary students Feb. 1

In the most concrete move yet to restart traditional schooling after what will have been an unprecedented , nearly yearlong interruption , Chicago Public Schools officials are planning to resume in-person classes for preschoolers and some special education students in January and all elementary school students at the start of February , the district announced Tuesday .
The decision comes amid increasing public health uncertainty as the city ’ s spread of COVID-19 infections reaches an all-time high and the school system faces heavy scrutiny from anxious teachers and parents .
Officials relayed their plans to principals on a conference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Chicago Sun-Times .
CPS made its plans public later in the afternoon .
Employing a phased-in return that initially was expected as soon as November , the district said it plans to bring back preschool students and children in special education cluster programs Jan. 11 for daily instruction , and all other kindergarten through eighth grade students Feb. 1 for part-time classroom , part-time remote learning .
Pre-K and cluster staff will go back to work Jan. 4 , and elementary school teachers will return Jan. 25 .
High school students will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will consider whether to bring them back later in the spring .
“ While remote learning has allowed many of our students to continue their studies over the past eight months , the reality is that our Black and Latinx students , our youngest students and highest-need learners have not been equitably served , ” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement .
“ The decision to begin in-person learning this January will restore their access to high-quality instruction and is the result of balancing our commitment to equity with our current public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option to continue remote learning .
CPS plans to send an opt-in form Nov. 23 , and the deadline for students to let the district know whether they ’ ll attend in-person classes will be Dec. 7 , sources said .
School administrators will find out the following week how many of their students have decided to return to school .
Parents who choose in-person learning can change their decision to remote learning at any time , while parents who choose remote learning won ’ t be able to opt-in to in-person instruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can effectively plan .
As of this week , about 5,600 out of an eligible 16,700 preschool and special education cluster students , around 34 % , had opted in to in-person learning through an earlier form sent last month — fewer than officials had expected , CPS said .
Meanwhile about 1,900 of 6,800 pre-K and cluster staffers , 28 % , requested accommodations or leaves of absence .
While Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson had hoped to reopen schools sooner , and city health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confident that students and staff can be kept safe at schools , the raging pandemic has left families and teachers worried for their health and at least slightly delayed their plans .
Chicago ’ s seven-day average test positivity stood at 16 % Tuesday , the highest since mid-May when the first stage of the pandemic had forced unprecedented school closures and a stay-at-home order .
The average daily caseload grew to 2,296 , up 31 % since last week .
CPS and Arwady offered contrasting explanations for why the first return date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from now .
The mayor and CPS officials stressed in their announcement that the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases played no role in their decision , and that CPS is waiting until January because that will “ allow students to quarantine following the holidays and because beginning class during the disruptions posed by the holidays would not be conducive to the needs of young children who will need to adapt to a consistent , new routine.
” Arwady , meanwhile , said the city is “ in the midst of this second surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt the trends we see are very concerning.
” Setting a reopening threshold for the first time in months , Arwady said students could return once cases in the city are doubling every 18 days .
Right now they ’ re doubling every 12 days , which indicates rapid spread .
“ We want to get to a more stable place with community spread before bringing students and staff back to school , ” she said .
“ Once we do see more stability , even if case rates remain relatively high , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work and be safely done.
” While CPS classes are not being held in-person , a district database shows there were 87 confirmed cases among adults that forced at least partial interruptions at the district ’ s 500-plus schools last week , the most recent available .
School clerks and tech coordinators have been reporting to work in-person the entire school year .
The Chicago Teachers Union has strongly opposed reopening schools while infections spread and on Tuesday lambasted the mayor ’ s “ worst possible leadership at the worst possible time.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be based on the mayor ’ s political agenda , because it sure isn ’ t based on science , ” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said in a statement .
“ Just unilaterally picking an arbitrary date in the future and hoping everything works out is a recipe for disaster.
” The union , unhappy with the state of negotiations over a potential reopening , asked earlier this month for a mediator to step into talks with the district , which the CTU accused of proceeding with its plans without asking teachers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over issues impacted by a return to school but not over its actual decision when and how to reopen .
“ You don ’ t make decisions about somebody ’ s else ’ s children in back rooms , ” CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said .
“ You need stakeholder input , family buy-in to give parents confidence and a uniform , collaborative plan to make it work.
” An independent arbitrator ruled in early October that CPS has not proven its schools are safe for workers and ordered the district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work remotely whenever possible .
CPS officials have refused to follow that ruling and those workers have kept reporting to school buildings .

In the most concrete move yet to restart traditional schooling after what will have been an unprecedented, nearly yearlong interruption, Chicago Public Schools officials are planning to resume in-person classes for preschoolers and some special education students in January and all elementary school students at the start of February, the district announced Tuesday.
The decision comes amid increasing public health uncertainty as the city’s spread of COVID-19 infections reaches an all-time high and the school system faces heavy scrutiny from anxious teachers and parents. Officials relayed their plans to principals on a conference call Tuesday that was first reported by the Chicago Sun-Times. CPS made its plans public later in the afternoon.
Employing a phased-in return that initially was expected as soon as November, the district said it plans to bring back preschool students and children in special education cluster programs Jan. 11 for daily instruction, and all other kindergarten through eighth grade students Feb. 1 for part-time classroom, part-time remote learning. Pre-K and cluster staff will go back to work Jan. 4, and elementary school teachers will return Jan. 25.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
High school students will continue remote learning, and the district will consider whether to bring them back later in the spring.
“While remote learning has allowed many of our students to continue their studies over the past eight months, the reality is that our Black and Latinx students, our youngest students and highest-need learners have not been equitably served,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement. “The decision to begin in-person learning this January will restore their access to high-quality instruction and is the result of balancing our commitment to equity with our current public health situation.”
Families will have the option to continue remote learning. CPS plans to send an opt-in form Nov. 23, and the deadline for students to let the district know whether they’ll attend in-person classes will be Dec. 7.
School administrators will find out the following week how many of their students have decided to return to school. Parents who choose in-person learning can change their decision to remote learning at any time, while parents who choose remote learning won’t be able to opt-in to in-person instruction until a later time so the schools can effectively plan.
As of this week, about 5,600 out of an eligible 16,700 preschool and special education cluster students, around 34%, had opted in to in-person learning through an earlier form sent last month — fewer than officials had expected, CPS said. Meanwhile about 1,900 of 6,800 pre-K and cluster staffers, 28%, requested accommodations or leaves of absence.
While Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson had hoped to reopen schools sooner, and city health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said as recently as last week she remained confident students and staff can be kept safe at schools, the raging pandemic has left families and teachers worried for their health and at least slightly delayed their plans.
Chicago’s seven-day average test positivity stood at 16% Tuesday, the highest since mid-May when the first stage of the pandemic had forced unprecedented school closures and a stay-at-home order. The average daily caseload grew to 2,296, up 31% since last week.
CPS and Arwady offered contrasting explanations for why the first return date isn’t sooner than two months from now.
The mayor and CPS officials stressed in their announcement the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases played no role in their decision, and that CPS is waiting until January because that will “allow students to quarantine following the holidays and because beginning class during the disruptions posed by the holidays would not be conducive to the needs of young children who will need to adapt to a consistent, new routine.”
Arwady, meanwhile, said the city is “in the midst of this second surge right now, and there’s no doubt the trends we see are very concerning.” Setting a reopening threshold for the first time in months, Arwady said students could return once cases in the city are doubling every 18 days. Right now they’re doubling every 12 days, which indicates rapid spread.
“We want to get to a more stable place with community spread before bringing students and staff back to school,” she said. “Once we do see more stability, even if case rates remain relatively high, I’m confident in-person learning can work and be safely done.”
While CPS classes are not being held in-person, a district database shows there were 87 confirmed cases among adults that forced at least partial interruptions at the district’s 500-plus schools last week, the most recent available. School clerks and tech coordinators have been reporting to work in-person the entire school year.
The Chicago Teachers Union has strongly opposed reopening schools while infections spread and on Tuesday lambasted the mayor’s “worst possible leadership at the worst possible time.”
“Today’s announcement appears to be based on the mayor’s political agenda, because it sure isn’t based on science,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said in a statement. “Just unilaterally picking an arbitrary date in the future and hoping everything works out is a recipe for disaster.”
The union, unhappy with the state of negotiations over a potential reopening, asked earlier this month for a mediator to step into talks with the district, which the CTU accused of proceeding with its plans without asking teachers’ input. CPS only agreed to mediation over issues impacted by a return to school but not over its actual decision when and how to reopen.
“You don’t make decisions about somebody’s else’s children in back rooms,” CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said. “You need stakeholder input, family buy-in to give parents confidence and a uniform, collaborative plan to make it work.”
An independent arbitrator ruled in early October that CPS has not proven its schools are safe for workers and ordered the district to allow its clerks and tech coordinators to work remotely whenever possible. CPS officials have refused to follow that ruling, and those workers have kept reporting to school buildings.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Hate doesn’t take a holiday: ‘Hateful, threatening messages’ led to ‘hard decision’ for Pritzker fam

Hate doesn’t take a holiday: ‘Hateful, threatening messages’ led to ‘hard decision’ for Pritzker family Thanksgiving

An emotional Gov .
J.B. Pritzker clarified his family ’ s Thanksgiving plans on Tuesday , saying that his wife and teenage daughter plan to remain in Florida “ indefinitely ” after a false social media post sparked “ hateful , threatening messages ” directed at the high school student .
Pausing briefly to clear his throat before discussing the matter at his daily coronavirus briefing , the Democratic governor said the posts falsely portrayed his daughter as flouting COVID-19 restrictions at an outdoor restaurant with friends , igniting a firestorm directed at the girl even after the governor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not in the photograph .
Pritzker said he has become accustomed to the “ vitriol ” spewed at him — occasionally anti-Semitic in nature — as leader of the state but warned “ My kids are off limits.
” The governor said he had been “ taken aback ” by a reporter ’ s question on Monday about whether or not he ’ d be in Illinois for the holiday .
Pritzker had told the reporter , “ that is my hope , but I ’ ll let you know.
” A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be under stricter coronavirus mitigations , Pritzker addressed that Monday answer , saying he and his wife had been in the process of “ making the very hard decision ” to celebrate the holiday apart for the first time .
With the state “ at a crisis point ” because of the COVID-19 storm , Pritzker said he planned to spend the holiday with his son in Chicago , while his wife and daughter stay in Florida .
The governor said his daughter “ came under attack ” last week by someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political effect ” on him .
The girl was falsely identified in a photo posted by a parody Twitter account that alleged to show her ignoring the city ’ s COVID-19 restrictions while dining outdoors , Pritzker said .
But “ the trolls who permeate these social media platforms ” spread the photo anyway , he said , and though Pritzker ’ s office put out a statement trying to clear things up , that didn ’ t stop some “ Republican elected officials , a network of propaganda publications in the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that the picture was of my daughter despite knowing that this was a lie.
” That prompted people to send “ hateful , threatening messages ” to Pritzker ’ s daughter , and lawyer Thomas DeVore – who has filed lawsuits seeking to overturn Pritzker ’ s COVID-19 restrictions — to offer what Pritzker called a “ bounty ” for photos of the governor out celebrating Thanksgiving .
It was all too much , Pritzker said .
“ Put yourself in the shoes of a high school girl who ’ s being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opponents — weaponized with lies , ” he said .
“ I ’ m an adult , and I can handle people throwing my face up on anti-Semitic picket signs likening me to Hitler , ” said Pritzker , who is Jewish .
“ This kind of vitriol is apparently what I have to deal with to keep the state , and its people , safe , but my kids ?
“ My kids are off limits .
...
I ’ m going to fight like hell to protect her privacy.
” During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ re-open ” the state , some carried signs with anti-Semitic language , including “ Heil Pritzker ” and the German phrase “ Arbeit macht frei ” which translates to “ work sets you free.
” Those words hung over the entrances of several Nazi concentration camps , including Auschwitz in Poland , where an estimated 1.1 million people were killed .
The “ bounty ” Pritzker was referring to related to a Sunday Facebook post by DeVore .
The lawyer denied that characterization – even as he still described the social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s daughter .
On Facebook , the lawyer wrote , “ I will pay $ 1,000 to the first journalist who provides me footage of Pritzker out celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family !
!
Spread the word far and wide for this mission ‘ Operation Thanksgiving Tyrant Track [ . ]
’ ” Reached after Pritzker ’ s briefing , DeVore said he doesn ’ t support or promote the photo being taken , agreeing that Pritzker ’ s daughter is “ completely off limits — she ’ s not anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not a politician.
” But he insisted the governor mischaracterized his social media post .
“ I think he ’ s probably frustrated because somebody posted a picture of his daughter , and I certainly understand that , but characterizing what I put out as a bounty on him and his family is completely ridiculous , ” DeVore said .

An emotional Gov. J.B. Pritzker clarified his family’s Thanksgiving plans on Tuesday, saying his wife and teenage daughter plan to remain in Florida “indefinitely” after a false social media post sparked “hateful, threatening messages” directed at the high school student.
Pausing briefly to clear his throat before discussing the matter at his daily coronavirus briefing, the Democratic governor said the posts falsely portrayed his daughter as flouting COVID-19 restrictions at an outdoor restaurant with friends, igniting a firestorm directed at the girl even after the governor’s office had made it clear she was not in the photograph.
“That was a lie,” Pritzker said. “It wasn’t her.”
Pritzker said he has become accustomed to the “vitriol” spewed at him — occasionally anti-Semitic in nature — as leader of the state but warned, “My kids are off limits.”
The governor said he had been “taken aback” by a reporter’s question on Monday about whether he’d be in Illinois for the holiday. Pritzker had told the reporter, “that is my hope, but I’ll let you know.”
A day later, after announcing the state would be under stricter coronavirus mitigations, Pritzker addressed that Monday answer, saying he and his wife had been in the process of “making the very hard decision” to celebrate the holiday apart for the first time.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker attends a news conference where he announced he is enforcing tier three mitigations in Illinois to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the James R. Thompson Center in the Loop on Tuesday. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
With the state “at a crisis point” because of the COVID-19 storm, Pritzker said he planned to spend the holiday with his son in Chicago, while his wife and daughter stay in Florida.
The governor said his daughter “came under attack” last week by someone’s attempt to have “some political effect” on him.
The girl was falsely identified in a photo posted by a parody Twitter account that alleged to show her ignoring the city’s COVID-19 restrictions while dining outdoors, Pritzker said. His chief of staff identified the account as “@deuxmoiworld” in a Twitter thread posted hours after Pritzker’s briefing.
But “the trolls who permeate these social media platforms” spread the photo anyway, he said, and though Pritzker’s office put out a statement trying to clear things up, that didn’t stop some “Republican elected officials, a network of propaganda publications in the state and some radio shock jocks from telling people that the picture was of my daughter despite knowing that this was a lie.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker pauses during his coronavirus briefing on Tuesday while discussing hateful and threatening messages sent to his daughter. BlueRoomStream
That prompted people to send “hateful, threatening messages” to Pritzker’s daughter, and lawyer Thomas DeVore – who has filed lawsuits seeking to overturn Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions — to offer what Pritzker called a “bounty” for photos of the governor out celebrating Thanksgiving.
It was all too much, Pritzker said.
“Put yourself in the shoes of a high school girl who’s being weaponized against her father by his political opponents — weaponized with lies,” he said.
“I’m an adult, and I can handle people throwing my face up on anti-Semitic picket signs likening me to Hitler,” said Pritzker, who is Jewish. “This kind of vitriol is apparently what I have to deal with to keep the state, and its people, safe, but my kids?
“My kids are off limits. ... I’m going to fight like hell to protect her privacy.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker walks from the podium after announcing that he is enforcing stricter mitigations in Illinois to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the James R. Thompson Center on Tuesday. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
During protests earlier this year calling for Pritzker to “re-open” the state, some carried signs with anti-Semitic language, including “Heil Pritzker” and the German phrase “Arbeit macht frei,” which translates to “work sets you free.”
Those words hung over the entrances of several Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz in Poland, where an estimated 1.1 million people were killed.
The “bounty” Pritzker was referring to related to a Sunday Facebook post by DeVore. The lawyer denied that characterization – even as he still described the social media photo from Twitter as being of the governor’s daughter.
On Facebook, the lawyer wrote, “I will pay $1,000 to the first journalist who provides me footage of Pritzker out celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family!! Spread the word far and wide for this mission ‘Operation Thanksgiving Tyrant Track[.]’”
Lawyer Thomas DeVore’s Facebook post that Gov. J.B. Pritzker described as posting a “bounty” to harass the governor on Thanksgiving. From Facebook.
Reached after Pritzker’s briefing, DeVore said he doesn’t support or promote photos being taken of the governor’s children, agreeing Pritzker’s daughter is “completely off limits — she’s not anything but a child, she’s not a politician.”
But he insisted the governor mischaracterized his social media post.
“I think he’s probably frustrated because somebody posted a picture of his daughter, and I certainly understand that, but characterizing what I put out as a bounty on him and his family is completely ridiculous,” DeVore said.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Zion man faces weapons charges for shooting at ex-girlfriend

A Zion man has been charged with shooting at an ex-girlfriend Sunday afternoon .
Drashaun L. Bowers , 31 , faces a number of weapons charges for allegedly firing a single gunshot towards an ex-girlfriend , Zion police said in a statement .
The woman told officers Bowers almost ran into her vehicle with his vehicle about 2:10 p.m. in the 1800 block of Joanna Avenue , so she pulled over to avoid a collusion , police said .
Both she and Bowers then exited their vehicles and started arguing and physically fighting , according to police .
Bowers allegedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handgun and fired one shot toward his ex-girlfriend , before fleeing the scene , police said .
No injuries were reported , according to police .
She then followed Bowers to the 2100 block of Gabriel Avenue , where she saw him run into an apartment , police said .
Bowers surrendered to officers after they surrounded the apartment , police said .
Officers also found a loaded 9mm handgun inside the residence , according to police .
Bowers has been charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm , aggravated unlawful use of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weapon by a felon , aggravated battery with deadly weapon , domestic battery and two counts of resisting a peace officer .
He appeared in court Monday and bond was set at $ 200,000 .

A Zion man has been charged with shooting at an ex-girlfriend Sunday afternoon.
Drashaun L. Bowers, 31, faces a number of weapons charges for allegedly firing a single gunshot towards an ex-girlfriend, Zion police said in a statement.
The woman told officers Bowers almost ran into her vehicle with his vehicle about 2:10 p.m. in the 1800 block of Joanna Avenue, so she pulled over to avoid a collusion, police said.
Both she and Bowers then exited their vehicles and started arguing and physically fighting, according to police.
Bowers allegedly returned to his vehicle, retrieved a handgun and fired one shot toward his ex-girlfriend, before fleeing the scene, police said.
No injuries were reported, according to police.
Drashaun Bowers, 31 Zion Police Department
She then followed Bowers to the 2100 block of Gabriel Avenue, where she saw him run into an apartment, police said.
Bowers surrendered to officers after they surrounded the apartment, police said. Officers also found a loaded 9mm handgun inside the residence, according to police.
Bowers has been charged with aggravated discharge of a firearm, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery and two counts of resisting a peace officer.
He appeared in court Monday and bond was set at $200,000.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--With election over, postal workers union calls for no more budget cuts

After voting by mail took center stage in the 2020 presidential election , United States Postal Service employees on Tuesday called on the Postmaster General to resist implementing more budget cuts within the agency .
Speaking outside the Post Office in Uptown , Keith Richardson , president of the Chicago chapter of the American Postal Workers Union , quipped that postal workers “ delivered on Nov. 3 ” but urged Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to resist making cuts that would hamper timely mail delivery .
“ The cuts that he tried to implement before Nov. 3 , don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We want America ’ s mail to keep being delivered [ for ] every customer , every day.
” In the lead-up to the election , the postal service reduced service hours , removed collection boxes and sorting machines , and consolidated some mail processing facilities , resulting in slower deliveries .
Before 2020 ballots were counted , the postal service — lead by DeJoy , a donor to President Donald Trump — agreed to reverse the changes to settle a lawsuit brought against in the agency in Montana .
Throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called into question the integrity of mail-in voting .
“ Postal workers are very professional , and they should not be undermined by some political process , ” Linda Turney , national business agent for the American Postal Workers Union , said Tuesday .
“ We are loved by the United States .
We are loved by our communities.
” Richardson also called on members of the public to contact their senators and urge them to support the HEROES Act , which would provide $ 25 billion in emergency funding for the post @ @

After voting by mail took center stage in the 2020 presidential election, United States Postal Service employees on Tuesday called on the Postmaster General to resist implementing more budget cuts within the agency.
Speaking outside the Post Office in Uptown, Keith Richardson, president of the Chicago chapter of the American Postal Workers Union, quipped that postal workers “delivered on Nov. 3” but urged Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to resist making cuts that would hamper timely mail delivery.
“The cuts that he tried to implement before Nov. 3, don’t institute them now,” Richardson said. “We want America’s mail to keep being delivered [for] every customer, every day.”
In the lead-up to the election, the postal service reduced service hours, removed collection boxes and sorting machines, and consolidated some mail processing facilities, resulting in slower deliveries.
Before 2020 ballots were counted, the postal service — lead by DeJoy, a donor to President Donald Trump — agreed to reverse the changes to settle a lawsuit brought against in the agency in Montana.
Throughout the election, Trump repeatedly and baselessly called into question the integrity of mail-in voting.
“Postal workers are very professional, and they should not be undermined by some political process,” Linda Turney, national business agent for the American Postal Workers Union, said Tuesday. “We are loved by the United States. We are loved by our communities.”
Richardson also called on members of the public to contact their senators and urge them to support the HEROES Act, which would provide $25 billion in emergency funding for the post office.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--CPD officer dragged special ed student, 4, down hallway at Uptown school, parents say

Four-year-old Jamari Wright dreamed of being a police officer — even dressing up as one for Halloween .
But that changed this spring .
Suddenly , the sight of an officer sent him screaming , “ ‘ I don ’ t want to go to jail , ’ ” his mother Shanece Williams recalled .
Williams said she later learned from a child welfare officer that a Chicago Police Officer working at an Uptown elementary school allegedly dragged her son — a special needs students — down a hallway .
In the months since then , Williams said Chicago Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident — and only this month sent a letter saying the abuse had been “ substantiated ” and saying the officer could face discipline in the March 2 incident .
“ When I first learned this news , my heart dropped .
I felt so heartbroken .
I felt I couldn ’ t protect my baby from harm , ” Williams told reporters Tuesday outside McCutcheon , 4865 N. Sheridan Road .
“ I still don ’ t know what led up to this incident .
I have so many unanswered questions.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he filed a suit in federal court to learn basic details about the incident .
The lawsuit says the security guard is a Chicago police officer , and that the school never notified Williams of the incident or documented it in a “ behavior log.
” Jarard said the difficulty in getting information on the incident is part of a “ chalk wall of silence.
” “ We ’ re going to get answers , and we ’ ll make sure the community knows [ CPS ] is trying to silence abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a statement , CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton said : “ While the district can not comment on ongoing litigation , the district takes allegations of student harm seriously .
The safety of our students is the district ’ s highest priority and we are committed to creating safe and supportive school environments.
” Jamari ’ s grandmother Felicity Murray said he ’ s a “ happy child , ” but she doesn ’ t know how he ’ ll deal with the alleged trauma .
“ For this to happen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any words about how upset I am .
Four years old ?
This should never have happened to my grandchild , ” Murray said .

Four-year-old Jamari Wright dreamed of being a police officer — even dressing up as one for Halloween.
But that changed this spring. Suddenly, the sight of an officer sent him screaming, “‘I don’t want to go to jail,’” his mother Shanece Williams recalled.
Williams said she later learned from a child welfare officer that a Chicago Police Officer working at an Uptown elementary school allegedly dragged her son — a special needs students — down a hallway.
In the months since then, Williams said Chicago Public Schools has stonewalled her on details about the incident — and only this month sent a letter saying the abuse had been “substantiated” and saying the officer could face discipline in the March 2 incident.
“When I first learned this news, my heart dropped. I felt so heartbroken. I felt I couldn’t protect my baby from harm,” Williams told reporters Tuesday outside McCutcheon, 4865 N. Sheridan Road. “I still don’t know what led up to this incident. I have so many unanswered questions.”
Shanece Williams alleges during a press conference that her 4-year-old son was abused by security at John T. McCutcheon Elementary School in Uptown, Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2020. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Her attorney, Michael Jarard, said he filed a suit in federal court to learn basic details about the incident. The lawsuit says the security guard is a Chicago police officer, and that the school never notified Williams of the incident or documented it in a “behavior log.”
Jarard said the difficulty in getting information on the incident is part of a “chalk wall of silence.”
“We’re going to get answers, and we’ll make sure the community knows [CPS] is trying to silence abuse in our schools,” Jarad said.
In a statement, CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton said: “While the district cannot comment on ongoing litigation, the district takes allegations of student harm seriously. The safety of our students is the district’s highest priority and we are committed to creating safe and supportive school environments.”
Jamari’s grandmother Felicity Murray said he’s a “happy child,” but she doesn’t know how he’ll deal with the alleged trauma.
“For this to happen to him, I don’t have any words about how upset I am. Four years old? This should never have happened to my grandchild,” Murray said.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--IHSA puts winter sports on pause, signals basketball won’t start before January

The Illinois High School Association and Chicago Public Schools have both put the few winter sports that were currently being played on pause .
Bowling , cheer , dance and boy ’ s swimming and diving are suspended until further notice .
The move comes after Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Tuesday that all youth indoor sports should be put on hold as part of his COVID-19 mitigations .
The IHSA board will meet on Thursday to “ continue plotting out potential paths for IHSA sports through the remainder of the school year ” according to a statement .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office and the IDPH to Thursday ’ s meeting but the invitation was declined .
“ Although representatives from the Governor ’ s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health will be unable to attend the meeting , today ’ s updated guidance from Governor Pritzker will aid the Board ’ s decision-making , ” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said “ We have asked Deputy Governor Ruiz and Dr. Ezike to engage with us in the near future , so that we can collaborate on developing a plan to safely conduct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible.
” Anderson ’ s statement also referenced “ creating participation opportunities in the new year for student athletes ” so it appears the IHSA will not push to start basketball before January .

The Illinois High School Association and Chicago Public Schools have both put the few winter sports that were currently being played on pause.
Bowling, cheer, dance and boy’s swimming and diving are suspended until further notice. The move comes after Governor J.B. Pritzker announced on Tuesday that all youth indoor sports should be put on hold as part of his COVID-19 mitigations.
The IHSA board will meet on Thursday to “continue plotting out potential paths for IHSA sports through the remainder of the school year” according to a statement.
The IHSA invited representatives from Pritzker’s office and the IDPH to Thursday’s meeting but the invitation was declined.
“Although representatives from the Governor’s office and the Illinois Department of Public Health will be unable to attend the meeting, today’s updated guidance from Governor Pritzker will aid the Board’s decision-making,” IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said “We have asked Deputy Governor Ruiz and Dr. Ezike to engage with us in the near future, so that we can collaborate on developing a plan to safely conduct IHSA sports and activities as soon as possible.”
Anderson’s statement also referenced “creating participation opportunities in the new year for student athletes” so it appears the IHSA will not push to start basketball before January.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--U of I tech center in Chicago gets state agency’s go-ahead

An international team of engineers and designers , including renowned architect Rem Koolhaas , was chosen Tuesday to create a $ 250 million technology incubator and teaching center for the University of Illinois on the Near South Side development site known as The 78 .
The new home for the school ’ s Discovery Partners Institute will be the work of Dallas-based design and consulting firm Jacobs and OMA-AMO , a Rotterdam architectural firm whose partners include Koolhaas .
The Illinois Capital Development Board approved a $ 15 million contract for the partnership at a virtual meeting .
The board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state agencies , selected the team from 35 other applicants for the high-profile job .
The U of I has aspirations to create a futuristic landmark with the new building that would attract technology talent to Chicago .
A “ competition brief ” the U of I and the agency issued for firms interested in the work said the DPI center would connect “ thousands ” of students with academics and private industry “ to accelerate innovation and create life-changing products , taking them to market faster than ever before.
” With all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide an impetus for other development at The 78 , a 62-acre site running southwest from Roosevelt Road and Clark Street .
The development led by Related Midwest is being marketed as a new Chicago neighborhood , the 78th , in the making .
But it ’ s unclear how massively scaled projects will continue after a pandemic that has altered how corporations use office space and possibly changed people ’ s desires for city living .
Also unknown is whether the state of Illinois , with its deficit-addled budgets , can follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ site would be near 15th and Clark streets , near the south end of The 78 .
The development board ’ s spokesperson and staff confirmed the selection of the Jacobs-OMA team , but they declined to discuss details or post them on its web site pending a release to be issued by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Illinois Senate for four-year terms .
The governor ’ s office was unavailable for comment .
Pritzker announced DPI ’ s involvement in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dutch architect and a leading thinker about urbanism , is the most prominent name in the partnership .
His designs feature unusual forms that can draw praise and criticism .
Among his works are the Seattle Central Library , the China Central Television Headquarters in Beijing and a Chicago building , the McCormick Tribune Campus Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology , which incorporates a noise-absorbing tube around the L tracks .
Representatives of the Jacobs and OMA firms did not respond to requests for comment .
A DPI executive had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selected the winning team from two other finalist teams : Foster & Partners Architects with the engineering firm Epstein and Studio Gang , the firm headed by award-winning Chicago architect Jeanne Gang .
The board ’ s offering material for the work emphasized a desire for a unique design .
“ The DPI has a bold vision for tackling a broad range of societal challenges , and the home of the institute should reflect that vision , ” it said .
“ This competition is meant to be the first step towards realizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can have meaningful impact on society as [ a } whole .
The task of designing that facility should be treated with the same excitement and innovative spirit that is central to the DPI .
”

An international team of engineers and designers, including renowned architect Rem Koolhaas, was chosen Tuesday to create a $250 million technology incubator and teaching center for the University of Illinois on the Near South Side development site known as The 78.
The new home for the school’s Discovery Partners Institute will be the work of Dallas-based design and consulting firm Jacobs and OMA-AMO, a Rotterdam architectural firm whose partners include Koolhaas. The Illinois Capital Development Board approved a $15 million contract for the partnership at a virtual meeting.
The board, which authorizes major construction projects of state agencies, selected the team from 35 other applicants for the high-profile job. The U. of I. has aspirations to create a futuristic landmark with the new building that would attract technology talent to Chicago.
A “competition brief” the U. of I. and the agency issued for firms interested in the work said the DPI center would connect “thousands” of students with academics and private industry “to accelerate innovation and create life-changing products, taking them to market faster than ever before.”
With all that possible activity, the center could provide an impetus for other development at The 78, a 62-acre site running southwest from Roosevelt Road and Clark Street. The development led by Related Midwest is being marketed as a new Chicago neighborhood, the 78th, in the making.
Rem Koolhaas Provided
But it’s unclear how massively scaled projects will continue after a pandemic that has altered how corporations use office space and possibly changed people’s desires for city living. Also unknown is whether the state of Illinois, with its deficit-addled budgets, can follow through and fund construction.
The proposed site would be near 15th and Clark streets, near the south end of The 78.
The development board’s spokesperson and staff confirmed the selection of the Jacobs-OMA team, but they declined to discuss details or post them on its website pending a release to be issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Board members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Illinois Senate for four-year terms.
The governor’s office was unavailable for comment. Pritzker announced DPI’s involvement in the development last February.
Koolhaas, a Dutch architect and a leading thinker about urbanism, is the most prominent name in the partnership. His designs feature unusual forms that can draw praise and criticism.
Among his works are the Seattle Central Library, the China Central Television Headquarters in Beijing and a Chicago building, the McCormick Tribune Campus Center at the Illinois Institute of Technology, which incorporates a noise-absorbing tube around the L tracks.
Representatives of the Jacobs and OMA firms did not respond to requests for comment. A DPI executive had no immediate comment.
The capital development board selected the winning team from two other finalist teams: Foster & Partners Architects with the engineering firm Epstein and Studio Gang, the firm headed by award-winning Chicago architect Jeanne Gang.
The board’s offering material for the work emphasized a desire for a unique design.
“The DPI has a bold vision for tackling a broad range of societal challenges, and the home of the institute should reflect that vision,” it said. “This competition is meant to be the first step towards realizing a once in a generation facility that can have meaningful impact on society as [a} whole. The task of designing that facility should be treated with the same excitement and innovative spirit that is central to the DPI.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Pfizer: Coronavirus vaccine 95% effective, seeking clearance soon

Pfizer says that more interim results from its ongoing coronavirus vaccine study suggest the shots are 95 % effective and that the vaccine protects older people most at risk of dying from COVID-19 .
The announcement , just a week after Pfizer first revealed promising preliminary results , comes as the company is preparing within days to formally ask U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of the vaccine .
Pfizer initially had estimated its vaccine , developed with German partner BioNTech , was more than 90 % effective after 94 infections had been counted .
With Wednesday ’ s announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections in the study — and said only eight of them occurred in volunteers who got the actual vaccine rather than a dummy shot .
One of those eight developed severe disease , the company said .
The company has not yet released detailed data on its study , and results have not been analyzed by independent experts .
Pfizer said its vaccine was more than 94 % effective in adults over age 65 , though it is not clear how the company determined effectiveness in older adults , with only eight infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no breakdown provided of those people ’ s ages .
Earlier this week Moderna Inc. announced that its experimental vaccine appears to be 94.5 % effective after an interim analysis of its late-stage study .
Pfizer says it now has the data on the vaccine ’ s safety needed to seek emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration .
The company didn ’ t disclose safety details but said no serious vaccine side effects have been reported , with the most common problem being fatigue after the second vaccine dose , affecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study has enrolled nearly 44,000 people in the U.S. and five other countries .
The trial will continue to collect safety and efficacy data on volunteers for two more years .
Pfizer and BioNTech said they expect to produce up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021 .
U.S. officials have said they hope to have about 20 million vaccine doses each from Moderna and Pfizer available for distribution in late December .
The first shots will be offered to vulnerable groups like medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with serious health conditions .

Pfizer says that more interim results from its ongoing coronavirus vaccine study suggest the shots are 95% effective and that the vaccine protects older people most at risk of dying from COVID-19.
The announcement, just a week after Pfizer first revealed promising preliminary results, comes as the company is preparing within days to formally ask U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of the vaccine.
Pfizer initially had estimated its vaccine, developed with German partner BioNTech, was more than 90% effective after 94 infections had been counted. With Wednesday’s announcement, the company now has accumulated 170 infections in the study — and said only eight of them occurred in volunteers who got the actual vaccine rather than a dummy shot. One of those eight developed severe disease, the company said.
The company has not yet released detailed data on its study, and results have not been analyzed by independent experts.
Pfizer said its vaccine was more than 94% effective in adults over age 65, though it is not clear how the company determined effectiveness in older adults, with only eight infections in the vaccinated group to analyze and no breakdown provided of those people’s ages.
Earlier this week Moderna Inc. announced that its experimental vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective after an interim analysis of its late-stage study.
Pfizer says it now has the data on the vaccine’s safety needed to seek emergency authorization from the Food and Drug Administration.
The company didn’t disclose safety details but said no serious vaccine side effects have been reported, with the most common problem being fatigue after the second vaccine dose, affecting about 4% of participants.
The study has enrolled nearly 44,000 people in the U.S. and five other countries. The trial will continue to collect safety and efficacy data on volunteers for two more years.
Pfizer and BioNTech said they expect to produce up to 50 million vaccine doses globally in 2020 and up to 1.3 billion doses in 2021.
U.S. officials have said they hope to have about 20 million vaccine doses each from Moderna and Pfizer available for distribution in late December. The first shots will be offered to vulnerable groups like medical and nursing home workers, and people with serious health conditions.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Dear Abby: I’ve been devastated since learning husband cheated long ago

DEAR ABBY : Two years ago , my husband of 50 years confessed that 46 years ago , shortly after our son was born , he had a one-night stand with a total stranger he gave a ride to .
She offered sex to him , and they went to a hotel for the brief encounter .
He said he had totally forgotten about it until recently .
He said he was very upset when he remembered , to the point that he felt sick .
He decided to tell me because he didn ’ t want any secrets between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgive him .
I forgave him , but I have been devastated ever since .
He was a virgin when we married , and he has been unfaithful only that one time .
Abby , I can not get over the fact that he did this to me .
Not a single day goes by without the pain and the images of him being unfaithful , in a marriage that I considered to be nearly perfect until then , take hold of me and make me very sad .
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensity of the pain hasn ’ t subsided .
I haven ’ t talked to anyone else about this .
My husband loves me and has been very supportive , but it hasn ’ t been enough to heal this pain .
Your words of wisdom will be appreciated .
— WOUNDED IN FLORIDA DEAR WOUNDED : So your husband chose to ease his guilty conscience about this one-time infidelity 46 years ago and lay it on you .
It would have been kinder had he “ confessed ” to his spiritual adviser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened ( once ) four years into your marriage is less relevant than the quality of the relationship you have shared during the ensuing nearly half-century .
Because it has been two years since your husband told you and you are still in emotional pain , consider enlisting the help of a licensed marriage and family therapist .
Talking it out may help these feelings to dissipate so you will no longer be haunted by the images in your head .
Please do not wait to do this .
Your physician is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
DEAR ABBY : I have read about how narcissistic , angry , depressed people shame others and spread lies on social media .
May I take a moment to remind your readers that they do not HAVE to have social media ?
I stopped looking at it two years ago , after the death of my sister .
People said some horrible things , so I decided enough is enough — I ’ m done .
Not only have I not missed it , I ’ m much more peaceful and less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love through email , texting and sometimes good old-fashioned letter-writing .
That works for me .
— FREEDOM REGAINED IN CALIFORNIA DEAR FREEDOM REGAINED : I have received an increasing number of letters from people about problems in which there is a social media element .
For those who have become overwhelmed , I recommend limiting time spent online .
For people who have been victimized by trolls , another solution is to simply block or delete them .
I ’ m sharing your suggestion for anyone who might need it — and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few .
However , disconnecting from social media does take more effort because the dropouts must decide not only who they wish to communicate with but also by what means to do it .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: Two years ago, my husband of 50 years confessed that 46 years ago, shortly after our son was born, he had a one-night stand with a total stranger he gave a ride to. She offered sex to him, and they went to a hotel for the brief encounter. He said he had totally forgotten about it until recently. He said he was very upset when he remembered, to the point that he felt sick.
He decided to tell me because he didn’t want any secrets between us, and he asked me to forgive him. I forgave him, but I have been devastated ever since. He was a virgin when we married, and he has been unfaithful only that one time.
Abby, I cannot get over the fact that he did this to me. Not a single day goes by without the pain and the images of him being unfaithful, in a marriage that I considered to be nearly perfect until then, take hold of me and make me very sad. I don’t cry as much anymore, but the intensity of the pain hasn’t subsided.
I haven’t talked to anyone else about this. My husband loves me and has been very supportive, but it hasn’t been enough to heal this pain. Your words of wisdom will be appreciated. — WOUNDED IN FLORIDA
DEAR WOUNDED: So your husband chose to ease his guilty conscience about this one-time infidelity 46 years ago and lay it on you. It would have been kinder had he “confessed” to his spiritual adviser.
Focus on the fact that what happened (once) four years into your marriage is less relevant than the quality of the relationship you have shared during the ensuing nearly half-century. Because it has been two years since your husband told you and you are still in emotional pain, consider enlisting the help of a licensed marriage and family therapist. Talking it out may help these feelings to dissipate so you will no longer be haunted by the images in your head. Please do not wait to do this. Your physician is the first person to ask for a referral.
DEAR ABBY: I have read about how narcissistic, angry, depressed people shame others and spread lies on social media. May I take a moment to remind your readers that they do not HAVE to have social media? I stopped looking at it two years ago, after the death of my sister. People said some horrible things, so I decided enough is enough — I’m done.
Not only have I not missed it, I’m much more peaceful and less stressed. I connect with people I love through email, texting and sometimes good old-fashioned letter-writing. That works for me. — FREEDOM REGAINED IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR FREEDOM REGAINED: I have received an increasing number of letters from people about problems in which there is a social media element. For those who have become overwhelmed, I recommend limiting time spent online. For people who have been victimized by trolls, another solution is to simply block or delete them.
I’m sharing your suggestion for anyone who might need it — and I suspect there may be quite a few. However, disconnecting from social media does take more effort because the dropouts must decide not only who they wish to communicate with but also by what means to do it.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)