chicagosun-times--2020-11-22--Jane Byrne play stalled by pandemic to return through Chicago airwaves

In March , I caught the spectacular play “ Her Honor Jane Byrne ” at Chicago ’ s Lookingglass Theatre Company .
It closed five days after it premiered , as our beloved theaters all went dark , felled by the pandemic .
Now , the show , which chronicles the saga of Chicago ’ s first woman mayor , is back .
Lookingglass is reviving the show , written and directed by J. Nicole Brooks , as an “ audio play ” in collaboration with WBEZ 91.5 Chicago .
The play asks : “ Chicago is ‘ The City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for everybody ?
” Byrne ’ s story , and that of every mayor in my lifetime , answers , “ no.
” Byrne was elected Chicago ’ s first woman mayor , a reformer who promised to sweep the Democratic Party machine out of City Hall .
She embraced it instead .
In the spring of 1981 , Byrne moved into an apartment in the troubled Cabrini-Green housing project , to bring attention to the rampant crime and gang violence there .
Some called it a stunt , others a plea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political and social waters .
Little changed .
The play illuminates our long history of the slash-and-burn politics of race .
There is nothing new under Chicago ’ s sun .
It ’ s a history we live today , Brooks said over coffee back in March .
“ I ’ m learning that Chicagoans are just as hurt as I am , ” said Brooks , a Lookingglass ensemble member and Mellon playwright in residence .
“ Writing , ” she added , “ is the best way to get revenge.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being born in North Lawndale and raised in Washington Park .
For seeing swaths of the West Side “ completely burned out ” since the civil unrest of the 1960s .
For surviving segregated public schools , systemic racism and endemic political corruption .
Brooks , a brilliant writer and street-savvy chronicler , “ absolutely loves ” history .
The play emerged from her own investigation of that history : books , biographies , archival digging , interviews with dozens of players of the time .
As a girl , “ I remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news .
I remember thinking that she was little and pretty , ” Brooks said .
“ But I always wondered , I remember thinking , she ’ s pretty , but she ’ s always frowning .
And how could she not ?
She was dealing with a bunch of men.
” In the play , the combative and charismatic chain-smoking mayor takes on those men , all white men , from Machine boss and Ald .
Fred Roti to the mobster Tony Spilotro .
While writing the play , “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexism , regarding her , ” Brooks said .
Like the man at a party .
“ I mentioned , you know , I ’ m writing this play and he ’ s like , ‘ Oh !
she ’ s just a goddamn drunk.
’ ” Others said , “ Oh God , she ’ s just had so many facelifts.
” It ’ s “ hurtful ” but “ expected , ” Brooks said .
“ I find it ’ s classic , and it ’ s a timeless kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s kind of freaking me out that a lot of our young people don ’ t know , ” she said .
“ I ’ ve met quite a few young people who ’ ve never heard of Jane Byrne as a mayor.
” “ There ’ s a lot of erasure in Chicago .
I mean , you go to the West Loop , you would never know that ’ s where , back in the day , if you were black and queer , you could go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 20.
” And “ you know , black-owned businesses were all over the South Loop .
That ’ s the Chicago I grew up in.
” Cabrini-Green has been demolished .
“ And now there ’ s a Target ( store ) over there .
There ’ s an erasure , I think , that really makes me sad.
” History returns with “ Her Honor Jane Byrne ” airing on WBEZ 91.5 FM and wbez.org , on Thanksgiving Day , Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Nov. 28 @ @ @ @ @ @

Her Honor returns.
In March, I caught the spectacular play “Her Honor Jane Byrne” at Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company. It closed five days after it premiered, as our beloved theaters all went dark, felled by the pandemic.
Now, the show, which chronicles the saga of Chicago’s first woman mayor, is back.
Lookingglass is reviving the show, written and directed by J. Nicole Brooks, as an “audio play” in collaboration with WBEZ 91.5 Chicago.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
The play asks: “Chicago is ‘The City That Works’ — but does it work for everybody?” Byrne’s story, and that of every mayor in my lifetime, answers, “no.”
Byrne was elected Chicago’s first woman mayor, a reformer who promised to sweep the Democratic Party machine out of City Hall. She embraced it instead.
In the spring of 1981, Byrne moved into an apartment in the troubled Cabrini-Green housing project, to bring attention to the rampant crime and gang violence there.
Some called it a stunt, others a plea for change. Her three-week stay stirred political and social waters. Little changed.
The play illuminates our long history of the slash-and-burn politics of race. There is nothing new under Chicago’s sun. It’s a history we live today, Brooks said over coffee back in March.
“I’m learning that Chicagoans are just as hurt as I am,” said Brooks, a Lookingglass ensemble member and Mellon playwright in residence.
“Writing,” she added, “is the best way to get revenge.”
Revenge for the “hurt” of being born in North Lawndale and raised in Washington Park. For seeing swaths of the West Side “completely burned out” since the civil unrest of the 1960s. For surviving segregated public schools, systemic racism and endemic political corruption.
Brooks, a brilliant writer and street-savvy chronicler, “absolutely loves” history. The play emerged from her own investigation of that history: books, biographies, archival digging, interviews with dozens of players of the time.
As a girl, “I remember always seeing (Byrne) on the news. I remember thinking that she was little and pretty,” Brooks said.
“But I always wondered, I remember thinking, she’s pretty, but she’s always frowning. And how could she not? She was dealing with a bunch of men.”
In the play, the combative and charismatic chain-smoking mayor takes on those men, all white men, from Machine boss and Ald. Fred Roti to the mobster Tony Spilotro.
While writing the play, “I’ve encountered “blatant chauvinism and sexism, regarding her,” Brooks said.
Like the man at a party. “I mentioned, you know, I’m writing this play and he’s like, ‘Oh! she’s just a goddamn drunk.’”
Others said, “Oh God, she’s just had so many facelifts.”
It’s “hurtful” but “expected,” Brooks said. “I find it’s classic, and it’s a timeless kind of thing.”
We have forgotten our history. “It’s kind of freaking me out that a lot of our young people don’t know,” she said. “I’ve met quite a few young people who’ve never heard of Jane Byrne as a mayor.”
“There’s a lot of erasure in Chicago. I mean, you go to the West Loop, you would never know that’s where, back in the day, if you were black and queer, you could go there (and have fun) with $20.”
And “you know, black-owned businesses were all over the South Loop. That’s the Chicago I grew up in.”
Cabrini-Green has been demolished. “And now there’s a Target (store) over there. There’s an erasure, I think, that really makes me sad.”
History returns with “Her Honor Jane Byrne” airing on WBEZ 91.5 FM and wbez.org, on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Nov. 28 from 2 to 4 p.m.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-22--State sees 10,012 new and confirmed  coronavirus cases, 76 more deaths

State health officials Sunday reported 10,012 new and probable coronavirus cases and 76 additional deaths .
Half of Sunday ’ s fatalities were reported in Cook County ; four were among people under 60 years old .
The new cases were found among the latest batch of 92,437 tests processed by the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last 24 hours .
That lowers the seven-day statewide positivity rate to 11.3 % , the Illinois Department of Public Health reported .
Illinois has seen a decrease in its daily caseloads in each of the last three days since Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a possible “ pause in our upward movement.
” Still , the pandemic is far from over as one in 15 Chicagoans are estimated to have active coronavirus infections , according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot , who again reminded people they have a social responsibility to help curb the spread of the virus .
“ This is a public health emergency and we must continue doing our parts to # ProtectChicago , ” Lightfoot tweeted Saturday night .
“ 1 in 15 Chicagoans are estimated to have COVID-19.
” Lightfoot ’ s warning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s stay-at-home advisory .
Several other suburban officials followed in the mayor ’ s footsteps , issuing their own stay-at-at-home advisories .
Pritzker also slapped the state with more restrictions , putting a 25 % capacity limit on stores and shutting down museums , theaters and casinos as Illinois entered Tier 3 of the Democratic governor ’ s mitigation plan .
The state saw its hospitalizations dip slightly from over the last day .
As of Saturday night , 6,072 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19 , with 1,179 of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators , officials said .
More than 2 million of the roughly 9.8 million coronavirus tests the state has administered throughout the pandemic have been processed in November .
That includes a record-setting batch of 120,284 reported tests Saturday .
In total , 656,298 people have been confirmed to have the respiratory virus — about 5.2 % of the state ’ s population .
However , most people who contract the virus show mild to no symptoms , and the state boasts a recovery rate of 97 % .

State health officials Sunday reported 10,012 new and probable coronavirus cases and 76 additional deaths.
Half of Sunday’s fatalities were reported in Cook County; four were among people under 60 years old.
The new cases were found among the latest batch of 92,437 tests processed by the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last 24 hours. That lowers the seven-day statewide positivity rate to 11.3%, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported.
Illinois has seen a decrease in its daily caseloads in each of the last three days since Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday he saw a possible “pause in our upward movement.”
Still, the pandemic is far from over as one in 15 Chicagoans are estimated to have active coronavirus infections, according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who again reminded people they have a social responsibility to help curb the spread of the virus.
“This is a public health emergency and we must continue doing our parts to #ProtectChicago,” Lightfoot tweeted Saturday night. “1 in 15 Chicagoans are estimated to have COVID-19.”
Lightfoot’s warning comes about one week into the city’s stay-at-home advisory. Several other suburban officials followed in the mayor’s footsteps, issuing their own stay-at-at-home advisories.
Pritzker also slapped the state with more restrictions, putting a 25% capacity limit on stores and shutting down museums, theaters and casinos as Illinois entered Tier 3 of the Democratic governor’s mitigation plan.
The state saw its hospitalizations dip slightly from over the last day. As of Saturday night, 6,072 people were hospitalized in Illinois with COVID-19, with 1,179 of those patients in intensive-care units and 589 on ventilators, officials said.
More than 2 million of the roughly 9.8 million coronavirus tests the state has administered throughout the pandemic have been processed in November. That includes a record-setting batch of 120,284 reported tests Saturday.
In total, 656,298 people have been confirmed to have the respiratory virus — about 5.2% of the state’s population. However, most people who contract the virus show mild to no symptoms, and the state boasts a recovery rate of 97%.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-22--Catholic schools can transition to remote learning after Thanksgiving, archdiocese says

With cases of COVID-19 spiking across Illinois , the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Sunday that Catholic schools can voluntarily transition to remote learning after the Thanksgiving break .
While the archdiocese outlined a plan last month to pivot elementary schools to remote learning for two weeks at the start of next year , spokesman Manuel Gonzales said the new considerations are being made “ in light of the recent rise in the general infection rate and the warnings about travel during the holidays.
” Still , Gonzales said it ’ s “ too soon to say which schools will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 199 archdiocese schools in Cook and Lake counties have continued to offer in-person classes to their roughly 70,000 students .
The decision to give Catholic schools a remote learning option comes after parents , principals and other school employees were surveyed last week “ to gauge their comfort with in-person learning in December , ” Gonzales said .
“ In 80 percent of schools , there was strong support to stay the course of providing in-person and remote learning options , ” he noted .
“ On Friday , we notified the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would work with them on any need for alternate plans , which may include moving to remote learning for some or all of the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
” Gonzales said the archdiocese remains “ extremely confident ” in its health and safety protocols , adding that less than 10 possible cases of “ secondary spread ” have been reported in schools .
However , he noted the archdiocese doesn ’ t have a total count of school-related infections .
“ We treat presumed positives as positives and report them to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he added .
“ When we do have a self-reported case of an exposure or a positive test in a family , we activate our protocol and take appropriate quarantine measures.
” Remote learning has remained a contentious topic throughout the pandemic .
Last Tuesday — the same day Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced additional statewide restrictions to stem the spread of the surging virus — CPS officials announced plans to bring some students back to the classroom early next year .
In a statement , Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students who have been left behind during the months of remote learning .
“ The reality is that our Black and Latinx students , our youngest students and highest-need learners have not been equitably served , ” Lightfoot said .
“ 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.
” The Chicago Teachers Union , which has been steadfast in its opposition to reopening schools , quickly lambasted the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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.
” Catholic schools in Chicago reopened in September , with 34,000 students and over 2,000 teachers returning for in-person learning after officials devised mitigation measures with public health and infectious disease experts .
Just 18 % of parents opted to continue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously reported .
Though Gonzales said the archdiocese remains confident in its health and safety protocols for in-person learning , he claimed the new “ flexible approach ” accounts for “ the varying infection rates in different neighborhoods and communities.
” “ We have always said that we will respond to the continued evolution of the pandemic and continue working with local health departments to keep the safety and well-being of our students and employees our top priority .
”

With cases of COVID-19 spiking across Illinois, the Archdiocese of Chicago announced Sunday that Catholic schools can voluntarily transition to remote learning after the Thanksgiving break.
While the archdiocese outlined a plan last month to pivot elementary schools to remote learning for two weeks at the start of next year, spokesman Manuel Gonzales said the new considerations are being made “in light of the recent rise in the general infection rate and the warnings about travel during the holidays.”
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Still, Gonzales said it’s “too soon to say which schools will be switching to remote learning.” Most of the 199 archdiocese schools in Cook and Lake counties have continued to offer in-person classes to their roughly 70,000 students.
The decision to give Catholic schools a remote learning option comes after parents, principals and other school employees were surveyed last week “to gauge their comfort with in-person learning in December,” Gonzales said.
“In 80 percent of schools, there was strong support to stay the course of providing in-person and remote learning options,” he noted. “On Friday, we notified the other 20 percent of schools that we would work with them on any need for alternate plans, which may include moving to remote learning for some or all of the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Gonzales said the archdiocese remains “extremely confident” in its health and safety protocols, adding that less than 10 possible cases of “secondary spread” have been reported in schools. However, he noted the archdiocese doesn’t have a total count of school-related infections.
“We treat presumed positives as positives and report them to the public health authorities for follow up,” he added. “When we do have a self-reported case of an exposure or a positive test in a family, we activate our protocol and take appropriate quarantine measures.”
Remote learning has remained a contentious topic throughout the pandemic.
Last Tuesday — the same day Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced additional statewide restrictions to stem the spread of the surging virus — CPS officials announced plans to bring some students back to the classroom early next year. In a statement, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the move was being made to better serve vulnerable students who have been left behind during the months of remote learning.
“The reality is that our Black and Latinx students, our youngest students and highest-need learners have not been equitably served,” Lightfoot said. “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.”
The Chicago Teachers Union, which has been steadfast in its opposition to reopening schools, quickly lambasted the decision.
“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.”
Catholic schools in Chicago reopened in September, with 34,000 students and over 2,000 teachers returning for in-person learning after officials devised mitigation measures with public health and infectious disease experts. Just 18% of parents opted to continue with remote learning, the Sun-Times editorial board previously reported.
Though Gonzales said the archdiocese remains confident in its health and safety protocols for in-person learning, he claimed the new “flexible approach” accounts for “the varying infection rates in different neighborhoods and communities.”
“We have always said that we will respond to the continued evolution of the pandemic and continue working with local health departments to keep the safety and well-being of our students and employees our top priority.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-22--Body found at Oakwood Beach identified as former high school basketball player reported missing from

Body found at Oakwood Beach identified as former high school basketball player reported missing from Riverdale

A body found at a beach Saturday morning on the South Side was identified as being that of a former @ @ @ @ @ was reported missing last month from south suburban Riverdale .
Davane Gross , 22 , @ @ @ @ @ Saturday in the 4100 block of South Lake Shore Drive , near Oakwood Beach , @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office .
Gross , who also went by Davii , was @ @ @ @ @ Oct. 31 and was last seen at the Lakefront near the Shedd Aquarium , wearing @ @ @ @ @ black pants .
Gross was a standout basketball player at St. Joseph ’ s High @ @ @ @ @ 2016-2017 season ’ s player of the year .
An autopsy has been scheduled to @ @ @ @ @ .

A body found at a beach Saturday morning on the South Side was identified as being that of a former high school basketball player who was reported missing last month from south suburban Riverdale.
Davane Gross, 22, was found about 7:20 a.m. Saturday in the 4100 block of South Lake Shore Drive, near Oakwood Beach, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Gross, who also went by Davii, was reported missing by her family Oct. 31 and was last seen at the Lakefront near the Shedd Aquarium, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and black pants.
Gross was a standout basketball player at St. Joseph’s High School and was named the 2016-2017 season’s player of the year.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine her cause of death.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--Dear Abby: When mom quits chemo, one son accepts, other insists she fight

DEAR ABBY : My 63-year-old mother has recently been diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic lung cancer .
Even prior to her diagnosis she was a negative and depressed person .
She has been a smoker , drinker and backseat driver for almost 50 years .
She has undergone intense radiation but is refusing to take her chemo pill .
In her words , why should she prolong her life by another year , especially if it causes more side effects and won ’ t cure her ?
My twin and I are her only children .
She has no significant life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While I have kept in steady contact and maintained relations with her even during all our bad times , my brother has taken an “ out of sight , out of mind ” attitude .
We both live a two- or three-hour distance away from Mom .
The problem now is , my brother wants her to persevere through all the doctors ’ treatments , while I have accepted her decision to essentially let go .
How can I help him come to terms with Mom ’ s decision , and do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN CALIFORNIA DEAR SON/BROTHER : I firmly believe in a person ’ s right to make their own decision when it comes to continuing or discontinuing treatment for a terminal illness .
If your mother feels the chemotherapy has side effects that are too debilitating to tolerate , it should be her choice whether to discontinue them rather than the preference of your brother .
If your mother prefers palliative or hospice care , she is entitled to have it , and she should discuss it with her doctor , who can see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books will provide the information you are seeking , and more .
Read them and share them with your brother .
Both include the topic of physician-assisted aid in dying .
The first , titled “ Finish Strong , ” is written by Barbara Coombs Lee , the founder of Compassion and Choices , an organization to which I have been a longtime contributor .
For free resources regarding your mom ’ s decision , visit www.compassionandchoices.org .
The second book , authored by Diane Rehm , who hosted “ The Diane Rehm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , is titled “ When My Time Comes ” and will be followed by a documentary to be aired in the spring of 2021 on PBS .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ ve been happily married for a few years .
Prior to getting engaged , I had a close friend I had feelings for , but nothing ever came of it .
We have remained close and see each other throughout the year at work conferences ( he lives in a nearby town ) .
I have realized the feelings I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ haven ’ t gone away .
Should I tell him how I feel or forever keep my peace ?
— HISTORY REPEATING IN ALABAMA DEAR HISTORY : History isn ’ t repeating itself .
It ’ s the same old story playing in your head .
Ask yourself what you have to gain by telling him you still have romantic feelings for him .
If the answer is trouble in your happy marriage , then keep your trap shut .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: My 63-year-old mother has recently been diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic lung cancer. Even prior to her diagnosis she was a negative and depressed person. She has been a smoker, drinker and backseat driver for almost 50 years.
She has undergone intense radiation but is refusing to take her chemo pill. In her words, why should she prolong her life by another year, especially if it causes more side effects and won’t cure her? My twin and I are her only children. She has no significant life partner, and there are no grandkids.
While I have kept in steady contact and maintained relations with her even during all our bad times, my brother has taken an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude. We both live a two- or three-hour distance away from Mom. The problem now is, my brother wants her to persevere through all the doctors’ treatments, while I have accepted her decision to essentially let go. How can I help him come to terms with Mom’s decision, and do you recommend any resources? — SON/BROTHER IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR SON/BROTHER: I firmly believe in a person’s right to make their own decision when it comes to continuing or discontinuing treatment for a terminal illness. If your mother feels the chemotherapy has side effects that are too debilitating to tolerate, it should be her choice whether to discontinue them rather than the preference of your brother. If your mother prefers palliative or hospice care, she is entitled to have it, and she should discuss it with her doctor, who can see that she receives it.
Two excellent books will provide the information you are seeking, and more. Read them and share them with your brother. Both include the topic of physician-assisted aid in dying.
The first, titled “Finish Strong,” is written by Barbara Coombs Lee, the founder of Compassion and Choices, an organization to which I have been a longtime contributor. For free resources regarding your mom’s decision, visit www.compassionandchoices.org.
The second book, authored by Diane Rehm, who hosted “The Diane Rehm Show” on NPR from 1979 to 2016, is titled “When My Time Comes” and will be followed by a documentary to be aired in the spring of 2021 on PBS.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been happily married for a few years. Prior to getting engaged, I had a close friend I had feelings for, but nothing ever came of it. We have remained close and see each other throughout the year at work conferences (he lives in a nearby town).
I have realized the feelings I have had for him over the years haven’t gone away. Should I tell him how I feel or forever keep my peace? — HISTORY REPEATING IN ALABAMA
DEAR HISTORY: History isn’t repeating itself. It’s the same old story playing in your head. Ask yourself what you have to gain by telling him you still have romantic feelings for him. If the answer is trouble in your happy marriage, then keep your trap shut.
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.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--52 shot, 5 fatally in Chicago this weekend

Five people were killed and 47 others wounded in shootings across Chicago this weekend .
This weekend ’ s gun violence more than doubled the totals of the previous weekend , when one person was killed and 21 others were hurt in citywide shootings .
In the latest fatal attack , a man was killed in a shooting near South Chicago on the South Side .
The 30-year-old was in a vehicle about 10:15 p.m. Saturday in the 7900 block of South Brandon Avenue when someone opened fire , striking him in the chest , back and arms , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends to Jackson Park Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office identified him as Christan Adams , of Hammond , Indiana .
Hours earlier , a man was killed and another wounded in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
They were in a vehicle about 7 p.m. in the 12200 block of South Eggleston Avenue when someone walked up and unleashed gunfire , police said .
Devon Wash , 32 , suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead , according to police and the medical examiner ’ s office .
The other man , 34 , was taken to the same hospital with gunshot wounds to his arm , neck and hand .
Also Saturday , a man was killed in a shooting in Austin on the West Side .
Eli Lozada , 21 , was sitting in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Waller Avenue when someone approached the vehicle and fired shots , striking him in the head , Chicago police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Lozada was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood , where he was pronounced dead at 10:38 a.m. , authorities said .
He lived in Stickney .
On Friday , a 35-year-old woman was fatally shot in South Chicago .
She was in a vehicle about 8:30 p.m. in the 8300 block of South Yates Boulevard when someone fired shots , striking her in the head , police said .
She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where she was pronounced dead .
The medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lopez , who lived in South Chicago .
Hours earlier , a man was found shot to death in Englewood on the South Side .
About 5:17 p.m. , Alexander Fletcher , 28 , was found in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the chest in the 6200 block of South Yale Avenue , police and the medical examiner ’ s office said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
In non-fatal shootings , six people were wounded in single incident in Gresham early Saturday morning .
The group was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 7900 block of South Justine Street when an unknown person fired shots , police said .
A 31-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and a 33-year-old woman was grazed in the right leg , police said .
Another woman suffered a gunshot wound to the body .
They were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and all listed in fair condition .
A 31-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his armpit area later showed up at the same hospital , police said .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 33 , was struck in the right leg and transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition , police said .
A 32-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was took himself to Holy Cross Hospital , where he was in fair condition , police said .
At least 40 others were wounded in citywide shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides

Six people were killed and 46 others wounded in shootings across Chicago over the weekend.
This weekend’s gun violence more than doubled the totals of the previous weekend, when one person was killed and 21 others were hurt in citywide shootings.
In the latest fatal attack, a man was killed and three other people were wounded in a shooting early Sunday in Pullman on the South Side.
The group was standing on a sidewalk about 12:40 a.m. in the 700 block of East 101st Street when someone fired shots, Chicago police said. A 28-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the right arm and body and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died. The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not identified him.
One 30-year-old woman was struck in the right leg and was listed in fair condition, police said. Another woman, also 30, suffered a graze wound to the body and was listed in good condition. Both women were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center. A 25-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the left foot and received treatment at Stroger Hospital where he was listed in good condition, police said.
On Saturday night, a man was killed in a shooting near South Chicago on the South Side.
The 30-year-old was in a vehicle about 10:15 p.m. Saturday in the 7900 block of South Brandon Avenue when someone opened fire, striking him in the chest, back and arms, Chicago police said. He was taken by friends to Jackson Park Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Christan Adams, of Hammond, Indiana.
Hours earlier, a man was killed and another wounded in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
They were in a vehicle about 7 p.m. in the 12200 block of South Eggleston Avenue when someone walked up and unleashed gunfire, police said.
Devon Wash, 32, suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and was taken to Roseland Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police and the medical examiner’s office.
The other man, 34, was taken to the same hospital with gunshot wounds to his arm, neck and hand.
Also Saturday, a man was killed in a shooting in Austin on the West Side.
Eli Lozada, 21, was sitting in a vehicle about 12:30 a.m. in the 100 block of North Waller Avenue when someone approached the vehicle and fired shots, striking him in the head, Chicago police and the medical examiner’s office said.
Lozada was taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where he was pronounced dead at 10:38 a.m., authorities said. He lived in Stickney.
On Friday, a 35-year-old woman was fatally shot in South Chicago.
She was in a vehicle about 8:30 p.m. in the 8300 block of South Yates Boulevard when someone fired shots, striking her in the head, police said. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
The medical examiner’s office identified her as Guadalupe Lopez, who lived in South Chicago.
Hours earlier, a man was found shot to death in Englewood on the South Side.
About 5:17 p.m., Alexander Fletcher, 28, was found in a vehicle with a gunshot wound to the chest in the 6200 block of South Yale Avenue, police and the medical examiner’s office said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
In non-fatal shootings, six people were wounded in single incident in Gresham early Saturday morning.
The group was standing on a sidewalk about 2:15 a.m. in the 7900 block of South Justine Street when an unknown person fired shots, police said.
A 31-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and a 33-year-old woman was grazed in the right leg, police said. Another woman suffered a gunshot wound to the body. They were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and all listed in fair condition.
A 31-year-old man with a gunshot wound to his armpit area later showed up at the same hospital, police said. He was in critical condition.
Another woman, 33, was struck in the right leg and transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition, police said.
A 32-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was took himself to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was in fair condition, police said.
At least 36 other people were wounded in citywide shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--Lyric Opera patrons will return (eventually) to new, wider seats and better sightlines

Lyric Opera of Chicago is nearing completion of a replacement and reconfiguration of the seating in its 91-year-old theater at 20 N. Wacker — the first such project since a comprehensive overhaul of the vast room ’ s interior in 1996 .
With slightly larger new seats throughout and a staggered configuration and widened aisles on the main floor , the changes are meant to improve sightlines , accessibility and audience comfort .
But the renovation will reduce the overall capacity from 3,563 to 3,276 .
“ It ’ s an extraordinary moment when you can refigure and reseat an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lyric Opera House , ” said Anthony Freud , general director , president and chief executive officer .
Despite experiencing financial pressures because of coronavirus restrictions on live productions , Lyric Opera was able to move ahead with this project because of a restricted grant about two years ago from an anonymous supporter .
In deference to the wishes of that donor , Lyric was not at liberty to reveal the amount of the gift , but Michael Smallwood , the company ’ s technical director , said it was more than $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million .
“ It ’ s a beacon of hope , ” Freud said , “ because doing this enormous work within the auditorium really symbolizes our determination and optimism about the future.
” The project began shortly after the donation was received , with theater consultants , architects and other experts involved in the planning .
One of the big challenges was making sure that the changes would not hurt the theater ’ s touted acoustics .
To that end , the company hired Kirkegaard , a Chicago-based acoustical consulting firm that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And the projection is that the reseated auditorium will not be noticeably different from the previous seating , ” Freud said .
“ If anything , the reverberation might increase marginally , which will make the acoustics warmer and even richer.
” Unlike the 1996 overhaul , when the theater ’ s existing seats were refurbished , Lyric Opera made the decision to replace all the seats with ones manufactured in Colombia by SERIES Seating .
The company has supplied such venues as the Winspear Opera House in Dallas .
Lyric officials settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • A light salmon , crushed-velvet fabric that is close to the color of the theater ’ s original seats .
• Renewable , farm-grown wood from Colombia , dark-stained in the tone of the theater ’ s side walls , for each seat ’ s back , bottom and armrests .
• Rear weights that force the seats to pivot closed when not in use , instead of the former seats ’ unwieldy spring retractors that frequently broke .
Each row of seats ( instead of every other one ) will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more even illumination .
In the past , the balcony seats were 18-21 inches across and the main-floor ones were 19-22 inches .
The new ones will be approximately an inch wider .
“ I think people will notice it , I really do , ” Smallwood said of the slight increase in width .
Unlike the previous seats , the new ones have been installed in a staggered fashion on the main floor for better sight lines , with an inch or so more legroom in some sections .
This configuration required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight , to be bowed .
In addition , those aisles have been widened for better accessibility and flow , with 19 platforms and other disability seating added throughout the opera house .
One of the most noticeable alterations in the theater is a cross-aisle about midway back on the main floor that has been shifted five feet farther from the stage to allow for an expansion of the theater ’ s front section of prime seats .
According to Smallwood , the increased value in tickets that comes from the enlargement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up for the lost revenue from the loss of 287 seats in this new configuration .
The changes will mean subtle shifts in seating for many subscription holders , primarily those on the main floor .
“ We ’ re taking every precaution to move season ticket holders into a seat that is comparable to their previous location , ” public relations manager Marianna Moroz said via email .
Originally , the seat project was going to be squeezed in between the end of the 2019-20 season and the start of the 2020-21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to be alternated with on-stage preparations for the upcoming performances .
But the shutdown of in-person productions because of the coronavirus meant the schedule has been much more relaxed — a bright spot in an otherwise grim time .
The project is scheduled to be completed Wednesday , leaving only testing and final tweaks of the seats to be done as well as the required city inspections .

Lyric Opera of Chicago is nearing completion of a replacement and reconfiguration of the seating in its 91-year-old theater at 20 N. Wacker — the first such project since a comprehensive overhaul of the vast room’s interior in 1996.
With slightly larger new seats throughout and a staggered configuration and widened aisles on the main floor, the changes are meant to improve sightlines, accessibility and audience comfort. But the renovation will reduce the overall capacity from 3,563 to 3,276.
“It’s an extraordinary moment when you can refigure and reseat an opera house of the size of the Lyric Opera House,” said Anthony Freud, general director, president and chief executive officer.
Despite experiencing financial pressures because of coronavirus restrictions on live productions, Lyric Opera was able to move ahead with this project because of a restricted grant about two years ago from an anonymous supporter.
In deference to the wishes of that donor, Lyric was not at liberty to reveal the amount of the gift, but Michael Smallwood, the company’s technical director, said it was more than $1 million and less than $5 million.
“It’s a beacon of hope,” Freud said, “because doing this enormous work within the auditorium really symbolizes our determination and optimism about the future.”
The project began shortly after the donation was received, with theater consultants, architects and other experts involved in the planning. One of the big challenges was making sure that the changes would not hurt the theater’s touted acoustics. To that end, the company hired Kirkegaard, a Chicago-based acoustical consulting firm that worked on the 1996 renovation.
The aisles are bowed, the seating in the rows is staggered and the cross-aisle is farther back in the new Lyric Opera theater configuration. Brian Rich/Sun-Times
“And the projection is that the reseated auditorium will not be noticeably different from the previous seating,” Freud said. “If anything, the reverberation might increase marginally, which will make the acoustics warmer and even richer.”
Unlike the 1996 overhaul, when the theater’s existing seats were refurbished, Lyric Opera made the decision to replace all the seats with ones manufactured in Colombia by SERIES Seating. The company has supplied such venues as the Winspear Opera House in Dallas. Lyric officials settled on custom-designed seats with these attributes:
A light salmon, crushed-velvet fabric that is close to the color of the theater’s original seats.
Renewable, farm-grown wood from Colombia, dark-stained in the tone of the theater’s side walls, for each seat’s back, bottom and armrests.
Firm, high-density, hypoallergenic foam stuffing and lumbar support.
Rear weights that force the seats to pivot closed when not in use, instead of the former seats’ unwieldy spring retractors that frequently broke.
Each row of seats (instead of every other one) will have aisle lighting to make for safer, more even illumination. In the past, the balcony seats were 18-21 inches across and the main-floor ones were 19-22 inches. The new ones will be approximately an inch wider. “I think people will notice it, I really do,” Smallwood said of the slight increase in width.
Concrete is visible as the floors of the Lyric Opera House theater are stripped away during a renovation earlier this year. Lyric Opera of Chicago
Unlike the previous seats, the new ones have been installed in a staggered fashion on the main floor for better sight lines, with an inch or so more legroom in some sections. This configuration required the main-floor aisles, which were previously straight, to be bowed. In addition, those aisles have been widened for better accessibility and flow, with 19 platforms and other disability seating added throughout the opera house. Seating arrangements on the balcony levels remain the same.
One of the most noticeable alterations in the theater is a cross-aisle about midway back on the main floor that has been shifted five feet farther from the stage to allow for an expansion of the theater’s front section of prime seats.
According to Smallwood, the increased value in tickets that comes from the enlargement of that usually sold-out section will help make up for the lost revenue from the loss of 287 seats in this new configuration.
The changes will mean subtle shifts in seating for many subscription holders, primarily those on the main floor. “We’re taking every precaution to move season ticket holders into a seat that is comparable to their previous location,” public relations manager Marianna Moroz said via email.
Originally, the seat project was going to be squeezed in between the end of the 2019-20 season and the start of the 2020-21 lineup, with work in the theater having to be alternated with on-stage preparations for the upcoming performances. But the shutdown of in-person productions because of the coronavirus meant the schedule has been much more relaxed — a bright spot in an otherwise grim time.
The project is scheduled to be completed Wednesday, leaving only testing and final tweaks of the seats to be done as well as the required city inspections.
Kyle MacMillan is a Chicago freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--Belt-tightening state has down payment for tech deal

Architects often create a mystique about themselves .
It ’ s part of their marketing .
How to distinguish yourself and justify higher fees ?
Manufacture an image of wizardry .
Rem Koolhaas , of international renown , fits that category .
Scores of articles attest to his genius .
But for all the adulation , the man can still examine his own occupation with a clear head .
He once wrote , “ Architecture is a hazardous mixture of omnipotence and impotence.
” Call it omnipotence when it comes to imagining a newly built world , impotence when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , modern whims , political pressures and economic cycles .
Into that foggy place last week came a state agency ’ s approval of a University of Illinois project in Chicago , a building with ambitions as a showpiece but with perils in its way .
It ’ s the proposed $ 250 million Discovery Partners Institute that will anchor the development site called The 78 on the Near South Side .
The state Capital Development Board awarded the $ 15 million contract to the firm OMA-AMO , where Koolhaas is a partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jacobs .
DPI is intended to be a hub for research and collaboration involving technology .
The team ’ s glassy design is a mix of the bold and prosaic .
Its serious side — offices and laboratories that require privacy — are concentrated on two sides that look like standard office layouts .
The other sides have a fanciful bulge that contains an atrium , with space on each floor for temporary work stations , places to chat over coffee , outdoor terraces with sunny overlooks of the Chicago River and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the most prominent of eight partners , Koolhaas looms large at OMA .
Concerning the DPI design , Bill Jackson , executive director of the institute , said , “ I ’ m sure he had a hand in it .
I can ’ t imagine a project like this without him getting involved.
” Lesa Branham , spokesperson for the Capital Development Board , said Koolhaas is not expected to have an active role , and the winning team identified the lead architect as Shohei Shigematsu out of OMA ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that information .
Shigematsu has handled North American assignments at OMA for a decade and has designed a performing arts center for the University of Illinois at Chicago .
The team won a game of “ Survivor , ” architecture-style .
Thirty-five groups submitted their qualifications .
The state said six were short-listed for interviews by a selection committee and three invited to submit designs , for which each was paid $ 75,000 .
The other finalists were Foster & Partners Architects with the engineering firm Epstein and Studio Gang , headed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Jacobs-OMA team won for its adaptable design that incorporates sundry uses in a single 500,000-square-foot building .
“ We got the best of the best designs here , ” Jackson said .
Branham said in an email : “ The winning team presented a proposal that was truly iconic and will be easily adaptable to the final project site ( which changed late in the competition ) .
The team ’ s lead designers conveyed a sense of sincere interest in listening to the owner ’ s needs and a willingness to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those needs.
” But it ’ s fair to ask why the state is even doing this as the pandemic ravages its budget .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , chastened by the defeat of his graduated income tax amendment , has warned of painful cuts .
Those are unlikely to spare state universities that some legislators think have been living high for years anyway .
Pritzker still has political capital in DPI , though .
Last week , as if to swear the project is real , the governor said he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar technology and innovation centers around the state .
It ’ s projected to be a $ 500 million state investment , matched by private donations and money the centers themselves can generate , that Pritzker said will support 50,000 new jobs over the next 10 years .
Jackson said it ’ s an essential expense .
“ Ask yourself , ‘ How are we going to get out of the pandemic ?
How do you get the economy back together ?
’ One way you do that is construction projects , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that DPI at The 78 will be finished late in 2025 , with construction starting about three years earlier .
What about the private fundraising ?
“ It ’ s good — announcements are coming , ” he said .
However , he ’ s still a realist .
Is money imperiled at least for a few years ?
“ I ’ m sure everything is on the table , ” Jackson said .
The DPI design is reminiscent , not in its profile but its organization , of the Thompson Center , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atrium .
That ’ s a cautionary comparison ; hailed as a modern landmark when it opened 35 years ago , the Thompson Center now might be a teardown .
So much for omnipotence .

Architects often create a mystique about themselves. It’s part of their marketing. How to distinguish yourself and justify higher fees? Manufacture an image of wizardry.
Rem Koolhaas, of international renown, fits that category. Scores of articles attest to his genius. But for all the adulation, the man can still examine his own occupation with a clear head. He once wrote, “Architecture is a hazardous mixture of omnipotence and impotence.”
Call it omnipotence when it comes to imagining a newly built world, impotence when it comes to clients’ budgets and demands, modern whims, political pressures and economic cycles.
Into that foggy place last week came a state agency’s approval of a University of Illinois project in Chicago, a building with ambitions as a showpiece but with perils in its way.
It’s the proposed $250 million Discovery Partners Institute that will anchor the development site called The 78 on the Near South Side. The state Capital Development Board awarded the $15 million contract to the firm OMA-AMO, where Koolhaas is a partner, and the engineering and construction company Jacobs. DPI is intended to be a hub for research and collaboration involving technology.
Chicago Enterprise bug Chicago Enterprise
The team’s glassy design is a mix of the bold and prosaic. Its serious side — offices and laboratories that require privacy — are concentrated on two sides that look like standard office layouts. The other sides have a fanciful bulge that contains an atrium, with space on each floor for temporary work stations, places to chat over coffee, outdoor terraces with sunny overlooks of the Chicago River and a park planned as part of The 78.
As the most prominent of eight partners, Koolhaas looms large at OMA. Concerning the DPI design, Bill Jackson, executive director of the institute, said, “I’m sure he had a hand in it. I can’t imagine a project like this without him getting involved.”
Lesa Branham, spokesperson for the Capital Development Board, said Koolhaas is not expected to have an active role, and the winning team identified the lead architect as Shohei Shigematsu out of OMA’s New York office. OMA confirmed that information. Shigematsu has handled North American assignments at OMA for a decade and has designed a performing arts center for the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Rem Koolhaas Provided
Shohei Shigematsu Provided
The team won a game of “Survivor,” architecture-style. Thirty-five groups submitted their qualifications. The state said six were short-listed for interviews by a selection committee and three invited to submit designs, for which each was paid $75,000. The other finalists were Foster & Partners Architects with the engineering firm Epstein and Studio Gang, headed by architect Jeanne Gang.
State officials said the Jacobs-OMA team won for its adaptable design that incorporates sundry uses in a single 500,000-square-foot building. “We got the best of the best designs here,” Jackson said.
Branham said in an email: “The winning team presented a proposal that was truly iconic and will be easily adaptable to the final project site (which changed late in the competition). The team’s lead designers conveyed a sense of sincere interest in listening to the owner’s needs and a willingness to adapt their concept in order to accommodate those needs.”
But it’s fair to ask why the state is even doing this as the pandemic ravages its budget. Gov. J.B. Pritzker, chastened by the defeat of his graduated income tax amendment, has warned of painful cuts. Those are unlikely to spare state universities that some legislators think have been living high for years anyway.
Pritzker still has political capital in DPI, though. Last week, as if to swear the project is real, the governor said he’s released $142 million for DPI and similar technology and innovation centers around the state.
It’s projected to be a $500 million state investment, matched by private donations and money the centers themselves can generate, that Pritzker said will support 50,000 new jobs over the next 10 years.
Jackson said it’s an essential expense. “Ask yourself, ‘How are we going to get out of the pandemic? How do you get the economy back together?’ One way you do that is construction projects,” he said.
He’s projecting that DPI at The 78 will be finished late in 2025, with construction starting about three years earlier. What about the private fundraising? “It’s good — announcements are coming,” he said.
However, he’s still a realist. Is money imperiled at least for a few years? “I’m sure everything is on the table,” Jackson said.
The DPI design is reminiscent, not in its profile but its organization, of the Thompson Center, with office floors arrayed beyond a larger atrium. That’s a cautionary comparison; hailed as a modern landmark when it opened 35 years ago, the Thompson Center now might be a teardown.
So much for omnipotence.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--Bike thefts jump during pandemic: ‘It’s a huge problem’

As the demand for bikes has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic , Chicago has experienced an uptick in bike thefts this year , newly released statistics show .
So far this year , about 208 bikes have been stolen per month within city limits — an increase from the 195 monthly thefts reported in 2019 , according to data obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times .
Many more are not reported , and most are not recovered .
The trend has been felt among bike advocates across the city .
The Chicago Stolen Bike Registry , which allows people to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye out for them , told the Sun-Times they ’ ve received a 48 % increase in submissions through October , compared to 2019 .
Chicago Police Sgt .
Pete Best , of the 1st District , says the bike thefts are part of “ a nationwide epidemic , ” and that people are stealing the bikes so they can resell them for a quick buck , rather than for personal use .
His district , which covers the Loop and the Near North Side , has seen 12 bike thefts since Sept. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community alert to residents warning them how to best secure their bikes .
“ A lot of the bikes are being stolen for financial gain .
We ’ ve noticed an uptick in bikes being pawned , ’ ’ Best said .
He said he ’ s seen more bike thefts reported in an online theft reporting system .
Those wanted in the crimes are “ are repeat offenders , these guys are not doing it for pure joy ; they ’ re doing it because they ’ re dependent on some sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ selling them for cash or drugs.
” Best says when a stolen bike pops up on an online marketplace , undercover officers will conduct a “ buy-bust transaction ” to get the bike back and track down the thief .
Otherwise , detectives have to scour pawn shops for stolen goods , including the bikes .
Christina Whitehouse , founder of Bike Lane Uprising , an advocacy group that tracks bike lane obstructions , attributes the spike to a shortage of bikes available at legitimate shops , as a worldwide surge in bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand .
The result , she says , is a boon in the used bike market and a spike in prices .
“ Right now , it ’ s a huge problem that the bikes are being stolen , because there ’ s so many people in a level of desperation that are just trying to maintain safe transit to get to and from work and critical resources around the city , ” Whitehouse said .
“ They ’ re trying to avoid public transit and also don ’ t have the income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bikes are the only opportunity they have.
” Between January and June , CTA ridership dropped to about one-third of what it had been before the pandemic , data shows .
For Jack Cafferty , 23 , his blue hybrid Trek bike was the perfect mode of transportation over the summer , up until Nov. 4 , when someone stole it off the back porch of his Lake View East apartment , where it was locked .
His upstairs neighbors ’ bikes had been stolen the night before .
Cafferty said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taking Ubers in an effort to save money and travel in a socially distant manner .
“ I ’ m definitely a little angry that my bike was gone .
I had just bought it earlier in the year , and Chicago is a really bike-friendly place to ride around , ” Cafferty said .
“ It was a little disappointing and upsetting when it was gone , but I guess the lesson learned is you need to keep it inside or out of sight , because locks can only do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , owner of Boulevard Bikes in Logan Square , 2769 N. Milwaukee Ave. , says the pandemic has made it hard to keep his shop stocked .
He says he got fewer than 10 new bikes in between June and September , when he would have preferred to have about 100 .
Because many of even the smallest bike parts are made in disparate factories across the world , one disruption in the supply chain can cause a meltdown , Womac said .
President Donald Trump ’ s tariff on Chinese-made goods hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers have left longtime factories in China for newer , less experienced facilities in Vietnam , Cambodia and elsewhere .
Womac is not sure bike buyers will turn to stolen bikes to make up for the manufacturing shortage .
“ Certainly , there ’ s an increase in demand , but most people that are savvy enough to want to buy a bike are not going to buy a stolen one .
I think it ’ s more that people don ’ t have those part-time jobs they used to have , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stuff they can get away with .

As the demand for bikes has skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic, Chicago has experienced an uptick in bike thefts this year, newly released statistics show.
So far this year, about 208 bikes have been stolen per month within city limits — an increase from the 195 monthly thefts reported in 2019, according to data obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times. Many more are not reported, and most are not recovered.
The trend has been felt among bike advocates across the city. The Chicago Stolen Bike Registry, which allows people to report bike thefts so others can keep an eye out for them, told the Sun-Times they’ve received a 48% increase in submissions through October, compared to 2019.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Chicago Police Sgt. Pete Best, of the 1st District, says the bike thefts are part of “a nationwide epidemic,” and that people are stealing the bikes so they can resell them for a quick buck, rather than for personal use.
His district, which covers the Loop and the Near North Side, has seen 12 bike thefts since Sept. 16, prompting him to send a community alert to residents warning them how to best secure their bikes.
“A lot of the bikes are being stolen for financial gain. We’ve noticed an uptick in bikes being pawned,’’ Best said.
He said he’s seen more bike thefts reported in an online theft reporting system. Those wanted in the crimes are “are repeat offenders, these guys are not doing it for pure joy; they’re doing it because they’re dependent on some sort of drugs, and they’re selling them for cash or drugs.”
Best says when a stolen bike pops up on an online marketplace, undercover officers will conduct a “buy-bust transaction” to get the bike back and track down the thief. Otherwise, detectives have to scour pawn shops for stolen goods, including the bikes.
Used bikes in high demand
Christina Whitehouse, founder of Bike Lane Uprising, an advocacy group that tracks bike lane obstructions, attributes the spike to a shortage of bikes available at legitimate shops, as a worldwide surge in bike riding has left manufacturers struggling to meet demand. The result, she says, is a boon in the used bike market and a spike in prices.
“Right now, it’s a huge problem that the bikes are being stolen, because there’s so many people in a level of desperation that are just trying to maintain safe transit to get to and from work and critical resources around the city,” Whitehouse said. “They’re trying to avoid public transit and also don’t have the income to be riding public transit, so the bikes are the only opportunity they have.”
Between January and June, CTA ridership dropped to about one-third of what it had been before the pandemic, data shows.
Jack Cafferty’s hybrid Trek bike was stolen in early November from his Lake View porch. Provided
Jack Cafferty Provided
For Jack Cafferty, 23, his blue hybrid Trek bike was the perfect mode of transportation over the summer, up until Nov. 4, when someone stole it off the back porch of his Lake View East apartment, where it was locked. His upstairs neighbors’ bikes had been stolen the night before.
Cafferty said he had been riding his bike in place of taking Ubers in an effort to save money and travel in a socially distant manner.
“I’m definitely a little angry that my bike was gone. I had just bought it earlier in the year, and Chicago is a really bike-friendly place to ride around,” Cafferty said. “It was a little disappointing and upsetting when it was gone, but I guess the lesson learned is you need to keep it inside or out of sight, because locks can only do so much.”
‘Desperate times’
Since then, Kevin Womac, owner of Boulevard Bikes in Logan Square, 2769 N. Milwaukee Ave., says the pandemic has made it hard to keep his shop stocked. He says he got fewer than 10 new bikes in between June and September, when he would have preferred to have about 100.
Because many of even the smallest bike parts are made in disparate factories across the world, one disruption in the supply chain can cause a meltdown, Womac said.
President Donald Trump’s tariff on Chinese-made goods hasn’t helped, either, as manufacturers have left longtime factories in China for newer, less experienced facilities in Vietnam, Cambodia and elsewhere.
Womac is not sure bike buyers will turn to stolen bikes to make up for the manufacturing shortage.
“Certainly, there’s an increase in demand, but most people that are savvy enough to want to buy a bike are not going to buy a stolen one. I think it’s more that people don’t have those part-time jobs they used to have, so they’re resorting to any kind of stuff they can get away with.
“These are desperate times,” Womac said.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--13 more employees test positive for coronavirus at Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s office

Thirteen more employees of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County have tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ the clerk ’ s office announced over the weekend .
The new test results bring @ @ @ @ @ who have tested positive to 67 , the clerk ’ s office said .
Three @ @ @ @ @ tested positive have been hospitalized , while the other 10 are self-quarantining at home , @ @ @ @ @ said .
Two employees work in the Chancery Division at the Daley Center , 50 @ @ @ @ @ more work at the Records Center , the clerk ’ s office said .
The @ @ @ @ @ various clerk ’ s office facilities across the Chicago area .
The clerk ’ s @ @ @ @ @ any close contacts of employees who tested positive , and deep cleaned affected work areas @

Thirteen more employees of the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County have tested positive for COVID-19 since Nov. 7, the clerk’s office announced over the weekend.
The new test results bring the total number of employees who have tested positive to 67, the clerk’s office said.
Three of the new employees who tested positive have been hospitalized, while the other 10 are self-quarantining at home, the clerk’s office said.
Two employees work in the Chancery Division at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, and two more work at the Records Center, the clerk’s office said. The other employees are spread among various clerk’s office facilities across the Chicago area.
The clerk’s office said they have notified any close contacts of employees who tested positive, and deep cleaned affected work areas.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--AstraZeneca: COVID-19 vaccine ‘highly effective’ prevention

LONDON — AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed that its COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University was up to 90 % effective in preventing disease .
The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca .
No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine , AstraZeneca said .
The trial looked at two different dosing regimens .
A half dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month apart was 90 % effective .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ one month apart was 62 % effective .
The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70 % .
“ These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives , ” Professor Andrew Pollard , chief investigator for the trial , said in a statement .
“ Excitingly , we ’ ve found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90 % effective.
’ ’ AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for its potential COVID-19 vaccine as public health officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will end the pandemic that has killed almost 1.4 million people .
Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95 % effective .
Yet unlike many of its rivals , the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine does not have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures , making it far easier to distribute in developing countries .
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said the simple supply chain for AstraZeneca ’ s vaccine and the company ’ s commitment to provide it on a non-profit basis during the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to people around the world .
“ This vaccine ’ s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency , ’ ’ Soriot said .
The results come as COVID-19 infection rates are rising in most U.S. states and in many countries amid a resurgence of the virus that is once again prompting governments to shut down businesses and restrict social gatherings around the world .
England is still in the middle of a four-week lockdown that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. , the government ’ s top health agency has recommended that Americans not travel to visit family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday this week .
Now that AstraZeneca has released its interim results , regulators must approve the vaccine before it can be widely distributed .
Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine , and the government says several million doses can be produced before the end of the year if it gains approval from the regulator .
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the news of the AstraZeneca vaccine ’ s effectiveness .
He said just months ago , as the virus raged , “ the idea that by November we would have three vaccines , all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for .
”

LONDON — AstraZeneca said Monday that late-stage trials showed that its COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University was up to 90% effective in preventing disease.
The results are based on interim analysis of trials in the U.K. and Brazil of a vaccine developed by Oxford University and manufactured by AstraZeneca. No hospitalizations or severe cases of COVID-19 were reported in those receiving the vaccine, AstraZeneca said.
The trial looked at two different dosing regimens. A half dose of the vaccine followed by a full dose at least one month apart was 90% effective. A second regimen using two full doses one month apart was 62% effective. The combined results showed an average efficacy rate of 70%.
“These findings show that we have an effective vaccine that will save many lives,” Professor Andrew Pollard, chief investigator for the trial, said in a statement. “Excitingly, we’ve found that one of our dosing regimens may be around 90% effective.’’
AstraZeneca is the third major drug company to report late-stage results for its potential COVID-19 vaccine as public health officials around the world anxiously wait for vaccines that will end the pandemic that has killed almost 1.4 million people. Pfizer and Moderna last week reported preliminary results from late-stage trials showing their vaccines were almost 95% effective.
Yet unlike many of its rivals, the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine does not have to be stored at ultra-cold temperatures, making it far easier to distribute in developing countries.
AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot said the simple supply chain for AstraZeneca’s vaccine and the company’s commitment to provide it on a non-profit basis during the pandemic mean it will be affordable and available to people around the world.
“This vaccine’s efficacy and safety confirm that it will be highly effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency,’’ Soriot said.
The results come as COVID-19 infection rates are rising in most U.S. states and in many countries amid a resurgence of the virus that is once again prompting governments to shut down businesses and restrict social gatherings around the world. England is still in the middle of a four-week lockdown that has closed all non-essential shops, while in the U.S., the government’s top health agency has recommended that Americans not travel to visit family and friends over the Thanksgiving holiday this week.
Now that AstraZeneca has released its interim results, regulators must approve the vaccine before it can be widely distributed.
Britain has ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, and the government says several million doses can be produced before the end of the year if it gains approval from the regulator.
British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he felt “a great sense of relief” at the news of the AstraZeneca vaccine’s effectiveness.
He said just months ago, as the virus raged, “the idea that by November we would have three vaccines, all of which have got high effectiveness … I would have given my eye teeth for.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--Police search for suspects in Pink Line robbery

Chicago police released surveillance images Sunday of suspects wanted for a beating and robbery last week on a CTA Pink @ @ @ @ @ of Chicago .
About 11:45 p.m. Thursday , the suspects beat a Pink Line rider @ @ @ @ @ him with a knife and choked him before taking off with his property at the @ @ @ @ @ Damen Ave. , Chicago police said .
Police said the suspects were males between 16 @ @ @ @ @ standing between 5-foot-7 and 5-10 and weighing between 160 and 190 pounds .
Anyone with @ @ @ @ @ Area Three detectives at 312-745-4443 .
Read more on crime , and track the city @ @ @ @

Chicago police released surveillance images Sunday of suspects wanted for a beating and robbery last week on a CTA Pink Line train in the Heart of Chicago.
About 11:45 p.m. Thursday, the suspects beat a Pink Line rider with a skateboard, threatened him with a knife and choked him before taking off with his property at the Damen stop, 2010 S. Damen Ave., Chicago police said.
Surveillance image of suspects in a robbery on the Pink Line, Nov. 19, 2020. Chicago police
Police said the suspects were males between 16 and 18 years old, standing between 5-foot-7 and 5-10 and weighing between 160 and 190 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Three detectives at 312-745-4443.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--7-year-old girl missing from South Shore located

How , when to watch ‘ A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving ’ on TV in Chicago The Peanuts special , long @ @ @ @ @ year moves to AppleTV+ and PBS .

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


chicagosun-times--2020-11-22--American Music Awards: Taylor Swift again wins top prize, confirms she’s re-recording her albums

Taylor Swift won her third consecutive artist of the year prize at the American Music Awards , but she missed the show for a good reason : She said she ’ s busy re-recording her early music after her catalog was sold .
In a video that aired during Sunday ’ s awards show , the pop star said “ the reason I ’ m not there tonight is I ’ m actually re-recording all of my old music in the studio where we originally recorded it .
So it ’ s been amazing .
And I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last year music manager Scooter Braun — whose clients include Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande — announced that his Ithaca Holdings company had acquired Big Machine Label Group , the home to Swift ’ s first six albums .
This month Braun said he has sold the master rights to Swift ’ s first six albums to an investment company ; Swift acknowledged the sale on social media and said she would not work with the new buyers because Braun was still involved .
Instead , she headed back to the studio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Roddy Ricch to win the top award .
She also won favorite music video and favorite pop/rock female artist , tying Bieber , Dan + Shay and the Weeknd for most wins Sunday .
The Weeknd lost artist of the year , but he still kicked off his all-star week as a big winner : Two days before he ’ s expected to land multiple Grammy nominations , he won favorite soul/R & B male artist , favorite soul/R & B album for “ After Hours ” and favorite soul/R & B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The last time I received this award it was given to me by the late , great Prince , ” he said after winning favorite soul/R & B album .
“ And , you know , he ’ s the reason I get to constantly challenge the genre of R & B and yeah , I ’ d like to dedicate this to him.
” The Weeknd didn ’ t break character throughout the three-hour show with his gauze-wrapped face , which matched the vibe of his recent album and music videos where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accepted his awards and performed with his face wrapped in gauze .
Kenny G joined the Weeknd for his performance , playing the sax in downtown Los Angeles as the Weeknd walked across a bridge singing “ In Your Eyes.
” He finished the performance singing “ Save Your Tears.
” The Weeknd was one of several artists who appeared live at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles for the fan-voted awards show .
Others recently taped their performances because of the coronavirus pandemic , though host Taraji P. Henson — who appeared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few audience members sitting in the mezzanine practiced social distancing , wore masks and were tested for the virus .
Henson joked that A-list celebrities were in the audience , including Beyoncé , though only a cardboard cut-out of the singer , Jay-Z and other stars appeared in seats .
But a good number of chart-toppers were in the building .
Breakthrough singer-rapper Doja Cat performed and won new artist of the year and favorite soul/R & B female artist .
Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay beautifully performed “ I Should Probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country duo or group , collaboration of the year and favorite country song for “ 10,000 Hours , ” the latter two shared with Bieber .
And Megan Thee Stallion — who won favorite rap/hip-hop song for “ WAP ” with Cardi B — performed “ Body ” from her recently released debut album “ Good News.
” Bieber and Shawn Mendes kicked off the AMAs with a taped performance of their new duet “ Monster , ” marking the first time they performed the song together .
It began with a stripped-down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” with songwriter-producer Benny Blanco on piano , and “ Holy , ” where background dancers wearing masks joined him .
Mendes , strumming his guitar , then appeared for “ Monster , ” which featured the twentysomethings singing lyrics about about fame and growing up as celebrities who attracted massive public attention .
Mendes later sang his song “ Wonder ” during the show , which aired on ABC .
Katy Perry , in her first performance since giving birth to her first child , gave a strong performance of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” which featured a surprise guest appearance from Darius Rucker , who sang and played guitar .
With flaming red lights glaring behind her , Billie Eilish sang her new song “ Therefore I Am , ” as her brother-songwriter-producer Finneas backed her on guitar .
Jennifer Lopez and Maluma teamed up to perform their new songs “ Pa ’ Ti ” and “ Lonely ” from the film “ Marry Me , ” which both of them star in , while Dua Lipa — who won favorite pop/rock song — floated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Levitating.
” 24kGoldn and Iann Dior — who currently have the country ’ s No .
1 song with the smash hit “ Mood , ” also performed .
The multi-genre track is the rare song that has reached No .
1 on both the rap and rock charts .
Other performers included BTS , Lewis Capaldi , Machine Gun Kelly , Lil Baby , Bell Biv DeVoe and Nelly , who performed hits from his diamond-certified debut album “ Country Grammar , ” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ awards one Latin honor , launched more categories in the genre .
Becky G — who burst on the music scene in 2014 with the pop hit “ Shower ” but has recently had success singing in Spanish and launching hits on the Latin charts — won favorite Latin female artist .
She used her speech to honor immigrant families .
“ I proudly wave both flags , Mexican and American .
And like many , many children and grandchildren of immigrants , no matter where they ’ re from , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sacrifice and hard work looks like , ” she said .
“ And I dedicate this award to all of our immigrant workers in this pandemic ; the students and immigrant families .
It ’ s because of my family , my abuelitos , that I stand here today.
” Nominees for the AMAs were based on streaming , album and digital sales , radio airplay and social activity , and reflect the time period of Sept. 27 , 2019 , through Sept. 24 , 2020 .

Taylor Swift won her third consecutive artist of the year prize at the American Music Awards, but she missed the show for a good reason: She said she’s busy re-recording her early music after her catalog was sold.
In a video that aired during Sunday’s awards show, the pop star said “the reason I’m not there tonight is I’m actually re-recording all of my old music in the studio where we originally recorded it. So it’s been amazing. And I can’t wait for you to hear it.”
Last year music manager Scooter Braun — whose clients include Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande — announced that his Ithaca Holdings company had acquired Big Machine Label Group, the home to Swift’s first six albums. This month Braun said he has sold the master rights to Swift’s first six albums to an investment company; Swift acknowledged the sale on social media and said she would not work with the new buyers because Braun was still involved.
Instead, she headed back to the studio.
Swift beat out Bieber, Post Malone and Roddy Ricch to win the top award. She also won favorite music video and favorite pop/rock female artist, tying Bieber, Dan + Shay and the Weeknd for most wins Sunday.
The Weeknd lost artist of the year, but he still kicked off his all-star week as a big winner: Two days before he’s expected to land multiple Grammy nominations, he won favorite soul/R&B male artist, favorite soul/R&B album for “After Hours” and favorite soul/R&B song for “Heartless.”.
“The last time I received this award it was given to me by the late, great Prince,” he said after winning favorite soul/R&B album. “And, you know, he’s the reason I get to constantly challenge the genre of R&B and yeah, I’d like to dedicate this to him.”
The Weeknd didn’t break character throughout the three-hour show with his gauze-wrapped face, which matched the vibe of his recent album and music videos where he appears blooded and bruised. He accepted his awards and performed with his face wrapped in gauze.
Kenny G joined the Weeknd for his performance, playing the sax in downtown Los Angeles as the Weeknd walked across a bridge singing “In Your Eyes.” He finished the performance singing “Save Your Tears.”
The Weeknd was one of several artists who appeared live at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles for the fan-voted awards show. Others recently taped their performances because of the coronavirus pandemic, though host Taraji P. Henson — who appeared live from the venue — said the few audience members sitting in the mezzanine practiced social distancing, wore masks and were tested for the virus.
Henson joked that A-list celebrities were in the audience, including Beyoncé, though only a cardboard cut-out of the singer, Jay-Z and other stars appeared in seats.
But a good number of chart-toppers were in the building. Breakthrough singer-rapper Doja Cat performed and won new artist of the year and favorite soul/R&B female artist. Grammy-winning country duo Dan + Shay beautifully performed “I Should Probably Go to Bed” and won favorite country duo or group, collaboration of the year and favorite country song for “10,000 Hours,” the latter two shared with Bieber. And Megan Thee Stallion — who won favorite rap/hip-hop song for “WAP” with Cardi B — performed “Body” from her recently released debut album “Good News.”
Bieber and Shawn Mendes kicked off the AMAs with a taped performance of their new duet “Monster,” marking the first time they performed the song together. It began with a stripped-down Bieber singing his recent hit “Lonely,” with songwriter-producer Benny Blanco on piano, and “Holy,” where background dancers wearing masks joined him.
Mendes, strumming his guitar, then appeared for “Monster,” which featured the twentysomethings singing lyrics about about fame and growing up as celebrities who attracted massive public attention. Mendes later sang his song “Wonder” during the show, which aired on ABC.
Katy Perry, in her first performance since giving birth to her first child, gave a strong performance of the emotional and hopeful song “Only Love,” which featured a surprise guest appearance from Darius Rucker, who sang and played guitar. With flaming red lights glaring behind her, Billie Eilish sang her new song “Therefore I Am,” as her brother-songwriter-producer Finneas backed her on guitar. Jennifer Lopez and Maluma teamed up to perform their new songs “Pa’ Ti” and “Lonely” from the film “Marry Me,” which both of them star in, while Dua Lipa — who won favorite pop/rock song — floated in the air during her performance of “Levitating.”
24kGoldn and Iann Dior — who currently have the country’s No. 1 song with the smash hit “Mood,” also performed. The multi-genre track is the rare song that has reached No. 1 on both the rap and rock charts.
Other performers included BTS, Lewis Capaldi, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Baby, Bell Biv DeVoe and Nelly, who performed hits from his diamond-certified debut album “Country Grammar,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
This year the AMAs, which typically awards one Latin honor, launched more categories in the genre. Becky G — who burst on the music scene in 2014 with the pop hit “Shower” but has recently had success singing in Spanish and launching hits on the Latin charts — won favorite Latin female artist.
She used her speech to honor immigrant families.
“I proudly wave both flags, Mexican and American. And like many, many children and grandchildren of immigrants, no matter where they’re from, we have learned from the ones before us what sacrifice and hard work looks like,” she said. “And I dedicate this award to all of our immigrant workers in this pandemic; the students and immigrant families. It’s because of my family, my abuelitos, that I stand here today.”
Nominees for the AMAs were based on streaming, album and digital sales, radio airplay and social activity, and reflect the time period of Sept. 27, 2019, through Sept. 24, 2020.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--Wedding panners: Naperville mayor gets cool reception for going to Florida for daughter’s nuptials

Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico found himself in an online family feud of sorts after attending his daughter ’ s wedding in Florida just a week after warning his suburban constituents that a mask mandate might be in order to combat a surge of the coronavirus .
The suburban mayor was publicly shamed by his niece , a former BuzzFeed personality , who tweeted that she was “ fuming ” after learning her uncle traveled to Naples , Florida , to attend the wedding , which she said included at least 53 guests .
“ I can ’ t believe I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are HAVING A WEDDING THIS WEEKEND WITH UNMASKED PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE something is wrong with you !
!
!
!
” Kristin Chirico tweeted Saturday .
A photo allegedly of the mayor and others at the wedding also appeared on Twitter .
None of the people in it were wearing masks .
The father of the bride pushed back against the wedding zinger .
“ My family and I all took COVID tests and tested negative prior to traveling to Florida this weekend for my daughter Jenna ’ s wedding , ” Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It was an outdoor wedding and reception with a total of 53 guests .
Upon my return to Naperville , I will be quarantining and testing again.
” People from both ends of the political spectrum weighed in on the suburban mayor ’ s decision to attend the wedding .
Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker criticized the mayor during his coronavirus briefing Monday , saying “ that ’ s precisely what we ask people not to do.
” Former Republican gubernatorial and congressional candidate Jeanne Ives said in a Facebook post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just like all the other hypocrite Democrats in this state .
“ More egregious is when he took a knee to a mob of people he didn ’ t know this summer insinuating that he sided with them against policing and then afterwards he allowed his city to be vandalized by thugs , ” the post reads in part .
“ Total disgrace.
” Steve Chirico , who was first elected mayor of the state ’ s third largest city in 2015 , told the Daily Herald in September he ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he backed Democratic challenger Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in this month ’ s election .
The mayor ’ s Facebook page includes numerous posts about COVID-19 precautions , including photos of him with the slogan “ Safer at Home ” and written postings and a YouTube video of him urging residents to “ Please follow the 3Ws : WEAR a mask , WATCH your distance and WASH your hands.
” At a virtual town hall meeting last week , the mayor said the suburb was considering a city ordinance mandating face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus even though there ’ d be “ a lot of criticism for it , ” the Daily Herald reported .
With their eyes on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday , Pritzker and Dr. Ngozi Ezike , the head of the state ’ s public health department , have repeatedly asked the state ’ s residents to continue to wear their masks and keep their distance from people not in their households .
And they warned against using testing as an excuse to gather with loved ones .
Last Thursday , Ezike said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and then see family that “ that only works if you haven ’ t exposed yourself to anyone in the 14 days from when you got tested to when you meet up with your friends and family.
” “ So , when you are around other people , you can be exposed to the virus at any time , ” Ezike said during a coronavirus briefing last week .
“ So , while I do want to encourage people to get tested , just remember a negative test does not get you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person.
” The mayor ’ s niece , Kristin Chirico , who has 93,048 Twitter followers , posted a follow up tweet saying she has nothing more to say to reporters about her uncle , although she did respond to a number of online replies — both positive and negative .
“ I suppose you need a life , ” one Twitter critic tweeted at her .
“ Say goodbye to your family .
You just lost them .
Got your 15 minutes .
Hope your [ sic ] happy .
Little snot @ @

Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico found himself in an online family feud of sorts after attending his daughter’s wedding in Florida just a week after warning his suburban constituents that a mask mandate might be in order to combat a surge of the coronavirus.
The suburban mayor was publicly shamed by his niece, a former BuzzFeed personality, who tweeted that she was “fuming” after learning her uncle traveled to Naples, Florida, to attend the wedding, which she said included at least 50 guests.
“I can’t believe I have to say this but if you are HAVING A WEDDING THIS WEEKEND WITH UNMASKED PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE something is wrong with you!!!!” Kristin Chirico tweeted Saturday.
A photo allegedly of the mayor and others at the wedding also appeared on Twitter. None of the people in it were wearing masks.
The father of the bride pushed back against the wedding zinger.
“My family and I all took COVID tests and tested negative prior to traveling to Florida this weekend for my daughter Jenna’s wedding,” Mayor Chirico said in a statement issued Sunday. “It was an outdoor wedding and reception with a total of 53 guests. Upon my return to Naperville, I will be quarantining and testing again.”
People from both ends of the political spectrum weighed in on the suburban mayor’s decision to attend the wedding.
Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker criticized the mayor during his coronavirus briefing Monday, saying “that’s precisely what we ask people not to do.”
Gov. J.B. Pritzker conducts a virtual daily briefing on COVID-19 on Monday. BlueRoomStream
Former Republican gubernatorial and congressional candidate Jeanne Ives said in a Facebook post Steve Chirico “is proving to be just like all the other hypocrite Democrats in this state.
“More egregious is when he took a knee to a mob of people he didn’t know this summer insinuating that he sided with them against policing and then afterwards he allowed his city to be vandalized by thugs,” the post reads in part. “Total disgrace.”
Steve Chirico, who was first elected mayor of the state’s third largest city in 2015, told the Daily Herald in September he’s been a Republican his entire life, though he backed Democratic challenger Joe Biden over President Donald Trump in this month’s election.
The mayor’s Facebook page includes numerous posts about COVID-19 precautions, including photos of him with the slogan “Safer at Home” and written postings and a YouTube video of him urging residents to “Please follow the 3Ws: WEAR a mask, WATCH your distance and WASH your hands.”
At a virtual town hall meeting last week, the mayor said the suburb was considering a city ordinance mandating face coverings to fight the spread of the coronavirus even though there’d be “a lot of criticism for it,” the Daily Herald reported.
With their eyes on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Pritzker and Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the head of the state’s public health department, have repeatedly asked the state’s residents to continue to wear their masks and keep their distance from people not in their households.
And they warned against using testing as an excuse to gather with loved ones.
Last Thursday, Ezike said to those hoping to get tested for the virus and then see family that “that only works if you haven’t exposed yourself to anyone in the 14 days from when you got tested to when you meet up with your friends and family.”
“So, when you are around other people, you can be exposed to the virus at any time,” Ezike said during a coronavirus briefing last week. “So, while I do want to encourage people to get tested, just remember a negative test does not get you a free pass to celebrate Thanksgiving in person.”
The mayor’s niece, Kristin Chirico, who has 93,048 Twitter followers, posted a follow up tweet saying she has nothing more to say to reporters about her uncle, although she did respond to a number of online replies — both positive and negative.
“I suppose you need a life,” one Twitter critic tweeted at her. “Say goodbye to your family. You just lost them. Got your 15 minutes. Hope your [sic] happy. Little snot.”
Kristin Chirico responded: “Lmaoooo don’t threaten me with a good time.”
If this is already circling amongst local Naperville circles then the game is up lmao https://t.co/crFqH3AWJb — Kristin Chirico (@lolacoaster) November 22, 2020


chicagosun-times--2020-11-23--How, when to watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ on TV

Since Thanksgiving is the traditional kickoff to the Christmas season , why not start the day with the quintessential Christmas movie ?
USA Network is scheduled to screen “ It ’ s a Wonderful Life ” at 5 a.m. Thanksgiving Day , giving early risers ( and video time-shifters ) a dose of James Stewart at his most tear-jerking .
The cable channel also will show the film on Dec. 11 and 12 .
Those likely will be the last times to see a scheduled presentation of the 1946 Frank Capra classic until NBC ’ s customary airing on Christmas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satellite or streaming services may watch the movie anytime , for free , at USA ’ s site at www.usanetwork.com/movies .
It ’ s also available for rental or purchase on digital sites including iTunes and Amazon , and can be seen on DVD and on dusty VHS tapes in people ’ s basements .
“ It ’ s a Wonderful Life ” gave Stewart a signature role as George Bailey , a kindhearted lender who loses the will to live after a financial setback , and is shown by an angel how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off had he never been born .

Since Thanksgiving is the traditional kickoff to the Christmas season, why not start the day with the quintessential Christmas movie?
USA Network is scheduled to screen “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 5 a.m. Thanksgiving Day, giving early risers (and video time-shifters) a dose of James Stewart at his most tear-jerking.
The cable channel also will show the film on Dec. 11 and 12. Those likely will be the last times to see a scheduled presentation of the 1946 Frank Capra classic until NBC’s customary airing on Christmas Eve.
But subscribers to cable, satellite or streaming services may watch the movie anytime, for free, at USA’s site at www.usanetwork.com/movies.
The Music Box Theatre is projecting “It’s a Wonderful Life” onto the big drive-in screen at Chi-Town Movies, 2343 S. Throop St. The four showtimes are Dec. 11-24 and include a sing-along with Santa, carolers and an organist. Tickets: musicboxtheatre.com.
It’s also available for rental or purchase on digital sites including iTunes and Amazon, and can be seen on DVD, Blu-ray, 4K Blu-Ray and dusty VHS tapes in people’s basements.
“It’s a Wonderful Life” gave Stewart a signature role as George Bailey, a kindhearted lender who loses the will to live after a financial setback, and is shown by an angel how his small town would have been worse off had he never been born.