chicagosun-times--2020-12-18--FDA approves 2nd coronavirus vaccine

FDA approves 2nd coronavirus vaccine

WASHINGTON — The U.S. added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday , boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that the nation is regularly recording more than 3,000 deaths a day .
Much-needed doses are set to arrive Monday after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health .
The move marks the world ’ s first authorization for Moderna ’ s shots .
The vaccine is very similar to one from Pfizer Inc. and Germany ’ s BioNTech that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care workers and nursing home residents as the biggest vaccination drive in U.S. history starts to ramp up .
The two work “ better than we almost dared to hope , ” NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins told The Associated Press .
“ Science is working here , science has done something amazing.
” Early results of large , still unfinished studies show both vaccines appear safe and strongly protective although Moderna ’ s is easier to handle since it doesn ’ t need to be stored at ultra-frozen temperatures .
A second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despair as the virus continues to spread unabated even before holiday gatherings that are certain to further fuel the outbreak .
The scourge has claimed more than 312,000 U.S. lives and killed 1.7 million people worldwide .
New cases in the U.S. are running at over 216,000 per day on average .
Deaths per day have hit all-time highs , eclipsing 3,600 on Wednesday .
California has emerged as one of the most lethal hot spots , with hospitals running out of intensive care beds and ambulances lining up outside emergency rooms in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ York City last spring .
California on Friday reported over 41,000 new cases and 300 more deaths .
When New York ’ s hospitals were in crisis , health care workers from across the country came to help out .
This time , “ there ’ s no cavalry coming ” because so many hospitals are swamped , said Dr. Marc Futernick , an emergency room physician in Los Angeles .
The nation is scrambling to expand vaccinations as rapidly as Moderna and Pfizer can churn out doses .
Moderna ’ s is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s starts at age 16 .
It ’ s just the beginning of “ what we hope will be a big push to get this terrible virus behind us , although it will take many more months to get to all Americans , ” Collins said .
Even with additional candidates in the pipeline , there won ’ t be enough for the general population until spring , and shots will be rationed in the meantime .
And while health workers are enthusiastically embracing vaccination , authorities worry the public may need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in line when it ’ s their turn .
“ Frankly if we don ’ t succeed in getting 80 % or so of Americans immunized against COVID-19 by the middle of this 2021 year , we have the risk that this epidemic could go on and on and on , ” Collins said .
He is especially concerned that accurate information about the shots ’ value reaches communities of color , which have been hard-hit by COVID-19 yet also are wary after years of health care disparities and research abuses .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Mike Pence received the Pfizer-BioNTech shot on live TV Friday , along with Surgeon General Jerome Adams .
FDA ’ s decision could help pave the way for other countries that are considering the Moderna vaccine , the first-ever regulatory clearance for the small Cambridge , Massachusetts , company .
European regulators could authorize its use as soon as Jan. 6 .
Britain , Canada and a few other countries already have cleared the Pfizer-BioNTech shot , with a European Union decision due Monday .
“ What we want to always remember @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We want to have options , ” said Dr. Paul Duprex of the University of Pittsburgh .
Moderna has about 5.9 million doses ready for shipment set to begin over the weekend , according to Operation Warp Speed , the government ’ s vaccine development program .
Injections of health workers and nursing home residents continue next week , before other essential workers and vulnerable groups are allowed to get in line .
Both Moderna ’ s and Pfizer-BioNTech ’ s shots are so-called mRNA vaccines , made with a groundbreaking new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any coronavirus – meaning they can not cause infection .
Instead , they use a piece of genetic code that trains the immune system to recognize the spike protein on the surface of the virus , ready to attack if the real thing comes along .
Their development less than a year after the coronavirus first emerged set a speed record , but Collins stressed that shouldn ’ t worry people .
The speed was due to billions in company and government investments paired with years of earlier scientific research , not any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the analysis of these vaccines is unprecedented , ” Collins said .
“ We ’ re not done with this but hope is on the way , and the hope comes from this scientific brain trust that has pulled out all the stops.
” Experts are hoping the two vaccines together will “ break the back of the pandemic ” when combined with masks and other precautions , said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan , who chaired an advisory committee that publicly debated the shots ’ evidence ahead of FDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot require two doses several weeks apart .
The second dose must be from the same company as the first .
—In a study of 30,000 volunteers , the Moderna vaccine was more than 94 % effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in people 18 and older .
It also strongly protected older adults , who are most vulnerable .
—The inoculated can ’ t throw away their masks as it ’ s not yet clear either vaccine prevents silent , symptomless virus spread .
But there was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide some protection against asymptomatic infection .
—The Moderna study uncovered no major safety problems .
Like with the Pfizer-BioNTech shot , expect sore arms , fever , fatigue and muscle aches , which are signs the immune system is revving up .
—Moderna ’ s study turned up no severe allergic reactions , like the handful reported with the Pfizer-BioNTech shots in Britain and Alaska .
The vaccines ’ ingredients aren ’ t identical .
Still , after any COVID-19 vaccination , people should stick around for 15 minutes – or 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ severe allergies – so if they do have a reaction , it can be treated immediately .
—Both vaccines remain experimental , and the government is closely monitoring safety in case rare problems crop up .
—Additional studies are needed to tell if the vaccine should be used by children and pregnant women .

WASHINGTON — The U.S. added a second COVID-19 vaccine to its arsenal Friday, boosting efforts to beat back an outbreak so dire that the nation is regularly recording more than 3,000 deaths a day.
Much-needed doses are set to arrive Monday after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of the vaccine developed by Moderna Inc. and the National Institutes of Health.
The move marks the world’s first authorization for Moderna’s shots. The vaccine is very similar to one from Pfizer Inc. and Germany’s BioNTech that’s now being dispensed to millions of health care workers and nursing home residents as the biggest vaccination drive in U.S. history starts to ramp up.
The two work “better than we almost dared to hope,” NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins told The Associated Press. “Science is working here, science has done something amazing.”
Early results of large, still unfinished studies show both vaccines appear safe and strongly protective although Moderna’s is easier to handle since it doesn’t need to be stored at ultra-frozen temperatures.
A second vaccine represents a ray of hope amid despair as the virus continues to spread unabated even before holiday gatherings that are certain to further fuel the outbreak.
The scourge has claimed more than 312,000 U.S. lives and killed 1.7 million people worldwide. New cases in the U.S. are running at over 216,000 per day on average. Deaths per day have hit all-time highs, eclipsing 3,600 on Wednesday.
California has emerged as one of the most lethal hot spots, with hospitals running out of intensive care beds and ambulances lining up outside emergency rooms in scenes reminiscent of the calamity around New York City last spring. California on Friday reported over 41,000 new cases and 300 more deaths.
When New York’s hospitals were in crisis, health care workers from across the country came to help out. This time, “there’s no cavalry coming” because so many hospitals are swamped, said Dr. Marc Futernick, an emergency room physician in Los Angeles.
The nation is scrambling to expand vaccinations as rapidly as Moderna and Pfizer can churn out doses. Moderna’s is for people 18 and older, Pfizer’s starts at age 16.
It’s just the beginning of “what we hope will be a big push to get this terrible virus behind us, although it will take many more months to get to all Americans,” Collins said.
Even with additional candidates in the pipeline, there won’t be enough for the general population until spring, and shots will be rationed in the meantime. And while health workers are enthusiastically embracing vaccination, authorities worry the public may need more reassurance to ensure more people get in line when it’s their turn.
“Frankly if we don’t succeed in getting 80% or so of Americans immunized against COVID-19 by the middle of this 2021 year, we have the risk that this epidemic could go on and on and on,” Collins said.
He is especially concerned that accurate information about the shots’ value reaches communities of color, which have been hard-hit by COVID-19 yet also are wary after years of health care disparities and research abuses.
To try to help instill confidence, Vice President Mike Pence received the Pfizer-BioNTech shot on live TV Friday, along with Surgeon General Jerome Adams.
FDA’s decision could help pave the way for other countries that are considering the Moderna vaccine, the first-ever regulatory clearance for the small Cambridge, Massachusetts, company. European regulators could authorize its use as soon as Jan. 6. Britain, Canada and a few other countries already have cleared the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, with a European Union decision due Monday.
“What we want to always remember is one size does not fit all. We want to have options,” said Dr. Paul Duprex of the University of Pittsburgh.
Moderna has about 5.9 million doses ready for shipment set to begin over the weekend, according to Operation Warp Speed, the government’s vaccine development program. Injections of health workers and nursing home residents continue next week, before other essential workers and vulnerable groups are allowed to get in line.
Both Moderna’s and Pfizer-BioNTech’s shots are so-called mRNA vaccines, made with a groundbreaking new technology. They don’t contain any coronavirus – meaning they cannot cause infection. Instead, they use a piece of genetic code that trains the immune system to recognize the spike protein on the surface of the virus, ready to attack if the real thing comes along.
Their development less than a year after the coronavirus first emerged set a speed record, but Collins stressed that shouldn’t worry people. The speed was due to billions in company and government investments paired with years of earlier scientific research, not any cut corners.
“The rigor of the analysis of these vaccines is unprecedented,” Collins said. “We’re not done with this but hope is on the way, and the hope comes from this scientific brain trust that has pulled out all the stops.”
Experts are hoping the two vaccines together will “break the back of the pandemic” when combined with masks and other precautions, said Dr. Arnold Monto of the University of Michigan, who chaired an advisory committee that publicly debated the shots’ evidence ahead of FDA’s decisions.
The FDA’s main messages:
—Both the new Moderna vaccine and the Pfizer-BioNTech shot require two doses several weeks apart. The second dose must be from the same company as the first.
—In a study of 30,000 volunteers, the Moderna vaccine was more than 94% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in people 18 and older. It also strongly protected older adults, who are most vulnerable.
—The inoculated can’t throw away their masks as it’s not yet clear either vaccine prevents silent, symptomless virus spread. But there was a hint that Moderna’s shot might provide some protection against asymptomatic infection.
—The Moderna study uncovered no major safety problems. Like with the Pfizer-BioNTech shot, expect sore arms, fever, fatigue and muscle aches, which are signs the immune system is revving up.
—Moderna’s study turned up no severe allergic reactions, like the handful reported with the Pfizer-BioNTech shots in Britain and Alaska. The vaccines’ ingredients aren’t identical. Still, after any COVID-19 vaccination, people should stick around for 15 minutes – or 30 minutes if they have a history of severe allergies – so if they do have a reaction, it can be treated immediately.
—Both vaccines remain experimental, and the government is closely monitoring safety in case rare problems crop up.
—Additional studies are needed to tell if the vaccine should be used by children and pregnant women.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-18--Big Game Hunting: Northwestern-Ohio State leads the way on Championship Saturday

How strange and topsy-turvy has this pandemic season in college football been ?
So strange that College Football Playoff berths are on the line Saturday and the best bets to get into the four-team field are Alabama , Clemson , Ohio State and Notre Dame .
Wait , that isn ’ t strange at all .
But everything else has been as three-sheets-to-the-wind as your Uncle Earl at after-hours karaoke , OK ?
Conferences opening play on totally different schedules .
Countless game postponements and cancellations , including at least three ( Purdue-Indiana , Michigan-Iowa , Michigan State-Maryland ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Champions Week.
’ ’ Star players opting out .
Star coaches testing positive .
On and on , yet here we are .
Before the playoff selection committee unveils its choices late Sunday morning , chances are we ’ ll have figured out the likeliest scenarios , begun arguing their merits and all that .
For example : If the heavy-hitter favorites win the conference championship games Saturday — which would include Clemson avenging its November loss to Notre Dame in the ACC title game — the playoff field very likely will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paragraph .
If the Irish get absolutely rocked , like by 30 ?
In that case , maybe Texas A & M gets in at No .
4 .
Other unexpected things could happen , of course .
The Irish knocking off Clemson again probably would kick the Tigers out of the field ( hello again , Texas A & M ) .
Then again , if A & M is upset at Tennessee ( not a title game ) , some other sudden interloper ( Iowa State ?
Cincinnati ? )
might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s assuming two-loss Florida hasn ’ t reinvolved itself by shocking Alabama for the SEC crown .
Or ?
Imagine it : A No .
15 Northwestern ( +20 ) vs. No .
3 Ohio State ( 11 a.m. , Fox-32 , 720-AM ) game for the Big Ten title could deliver the boat-rocking result of the season .
Purple reign at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is a scenario almost nobody is even entertaining ( witness that massive point spread ) .
But can it happen ?
I ’ m literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ while typing ‘ ‘ yes.
’ ’ Does that mean anything ?
Look , of course it can happen .
The Wildcats ( 6-1 ) have been rock-solid all season .
Their comeback victory at Iowa — after trailing 17-0 in the first quarter — was the mark of a bad-to-the-bone team .
Their defense , led by all-leaguers Paddy Fisher , Greg Newsome and Brandon Joseph , is rugged and opportunistic .
Their spirits are high and their mojo is working .
But these are the Buckeyes ( 5-0 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Big Ten ’ s best quarterback since Drew Brees .
They have an almost unstoppable receiving duo in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson .
They can run the ball , they throw it as efficiently as anybody and they ’ re great on third down .
And that ’ s just the offense .
The five-star guys are everywhere .
‘ ‘ What do you have to do [ to beat them ] ?
’ ’ Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said .
‘ ‘ First of all , you ’ ve got to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got to prepare right , you ’ ve got to put a great week of practice together , you ’ ve got to be mentally focused , you ’ ve got to communicate well .
And then you ’ ve got to execute fundamentally [ and ] schematically .
And then , when you have opportunities , you ’ ve got to take advantage of them because they will be few and far between.
’ ’ Gee , is that all ?
Northwestern last won the Big Ten when it shared the title @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more Buckeyes teams — including the last three — have done it since then , and this would be the 12th .
The Wildcats , 14th in the CFP rankings , probably can ’ t climb all the way into the final four with a victory .
Alas , it ’ s kind of a moot point .
The Buckeyes have themselves a day — 34-17 — then it ’ s on to the Rose Bowl for a semifinal Jan. 1 .
Big 12 : No .
8 Iowa State ( +5½ ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a.m. , Ch .
7 ) : Are we really to believe the Cyclones are capable of beating the big , bad Sooners twice in the same season ?
Oklahoma has played like a top-five team since that 37-30 loss in early October .
Boomer , 37-24 .
ACC : No .
2 Notre Dame ( +10½ ) vs. No .
4 Clemson ( 3 p.m. , Ch .
7 , 1000-AM ) : Hey , you might ’ ve heard 8 billion times that Tigers superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 47-40 overtime triumph by the Irish .
The bigger deal is how two talented defenses will adjust .
Irish lose — but cover — in Charlotte , North Carolina , and to the playoff both go .
Mountain West : No .
25 San Jose State ( +6½ ) vs. Boise State ( 3:15 p.m. , Fox-32 ) : Go on , take a wild stab at which of these teams is 13-0 all-time against the other .
With all due respect to Boise State , it ’ s time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a field goal in Las Vegas .
SEC : No .
1 Alabama ( -17 ) vs. No .
11 Florida ( 7 p.m. , CBS ) : The Gators are seventh in the CFP rankings , but they hardly deserve it ( though quarterback Kyle Trask would look mighty fine in a Bears uniform ) .
Alabama , meanwhile , might be even better offensively than LSU was last season .
Atlanta is just another word for Tide country .
Yawn , 41-20 .
American : No .
20 Tulsa ( +14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 p.m. , Ch .
7 ) : The Bearcats are only ninth in the CFP rankings , a real snow job .
They ’ re very good , they ’ re very ticked off and they ’ re on their home turf at Nippert Stadium .
Cincy , 45-17 .
My favorite favorite : Penn State ( -15 ) vs. Illinois ( 4:30 p.m. , FS1 , 890-AM ) : It ’ s a final , needed chance for the Nittany Lions — who ’ ve won three in a row after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nittany Lions .
My favorite underdog : Minnesota ( +12½ ) at Wisconsin ( 3 p.m. , BTN ) : What part of ‘ ‘ badly broken Badgers offense ’ ’ don ’ t you understand ?
Last week : 7-1 straight-up , 6-2 against the spread .
Who ’ s your buddy ?
Season to date : 48-20 straight-up , 42-25-1 against the spread .

How strange and topsy-turvy has this pandemic season in college football been? So strange that College Football Playoff berths are on the line Saturday and the best bets to get into the four-team field are Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Wait, that isn’t strange at all.
But everything else has been as three-sheets-to-the-wind as your Uncle Earl at after-hours karaoke, OK? Conferences opening play on totally different schedules. Countless game postponements and cancellations, including at least three (Purdue-Indiana, Michigan-Iowa, Michigan State-Maryland) in the Big Ten during this newfangled ‘‘Champions Week.’’ Star players opting out. Star coaches testing positive. On and on, yet here we are.
Before the playoff selection committee unveils its choices late Sunday morning, chances are we’ll have figured out the likeliest scenarios, begun arguing their merits and all that. For example: If the heavy-hitter favorites win the conference championship games Saturday — which would include Clemson avenging its November loss to Notre Dame in the ACC title game — the playoff field very likely will be the four teams in the opening paragraph. If the Irish get absolutely rocked, like by 30? In that case, maybe Texas A&M gets in at No. 4.
Other unexpected things could happen, of course. The Irish knocking off Clemson again probably would kick the Tigers out of the field (hello again, Texas A&M). Then again, if A&M is upset at Tennessee (not a title game), some other sudden interloper (Iowa State? Cincinnati?) might be rewarded with a spot. That’s assuming two-loss Florida hasn’t reinvolved itself by shocking Alabama for the SEC crown.
Or? Imagine it: A No. 15 Northwestern (+20) vs. No. 3 Ohio State (11 a.m., Fox-32, 720-AM) game for the Big Ten title could deliver the boat-rocking result of the season.
Purple reign at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis is a scenario almost nobody is even entertaining (witness that massive point spread). But can it happen? I’m literally shaking my head ‘‘no’’ while typing ‘‘yes.’’ Does that mean anything?
Look, of course it can happen. The Wildcats (6-1) have been rock-solid all season. Their comeback victory at Iowa — after trailing 17-0 in the first quarter — was the mark of a bad-to-the-bone team. Their defense, led by all-leaguers Paddy Fisher, Greg Newsome and Brandon Joseph, is rugged and opportunistic. Their spirits are high and their mojo is working.
But these are the Buckeyes (5-0). In Justin Fields, they have the Big Ten’s best quarterback since Drew Brees. They have an almost unstoppable receiving duo in Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. They can run the ball, they throw it as efficiently as anybody and they’re great on third down. And that’s just the offense. The five-star guys are everywhere.
‘‘What do you have to do [to beat them]?’’ Wildcats coach Pat Fitzgerald said. ‘‘First of all, you’ve got to handle your business. You’ve got to prepare right, you’ve got to put a great week of practice together, you’ve got to be mentally focused, you’ve got to communicate well. And then you’ve got to execute fundamentally [and] schematically. And then, when you have opportunities, you’ve got to take advantage of them because they will be few and far between.’’
Gee, is that all?
Northwestern last won the Big Ten when it shared the title with Ohio State in 1996. Eleven more Buckeyes teams — including the last three — have done it since then, and this would be the 12th. The Wildcats, 14th in the CFP rankings, probably can’t climb all the way into the final four with a victory. Alas, it’s kind of a moot point. The Buckeyes have themselves a day — 34-17 — then it’s on to the Rose Bowl for a semifinal Jan. 1.
OTHER TITLE GAMES
Big 12: No. 8 Iowa State (+5½) vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (11 a.m., Ch. 7): Are we really to believe the Cyclones are capable of beating the big, bad Sooners twice in the same season? Oklahoma has played like a top-five team since that 37-30 loss in early October. Boomer, 37-24.
ACC: No. 2 Notre Dame (+10½) vs. No. 4 Clemson (3 p.m., Ch. 7, 1000-AM): Hey, you might’ve heard 8 billion times that Tigers superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence didn’t play in the teams’ first go-round, a 47-40 overtime triumph by the Irish. The bigger deal is how two talented defenses will adjust. Irish lose — but cover — in Charlotte, North Carolina, and to the playoff both go.
Mountain West: No. 25 San Jose State (+6½) vs. Boise State (3:15 p.m., Fox-32): Go on, take a wild stab at which of these teams is 13-0 all-time against the other. With all due respect to Boise State, it’s time for that streak to end. Spartans by a field goal in Las Vegas.
SEC: No. 1 Alabama (-17) vs. No. 11 Florida (7 p.m., CBS): The Gators are seventh in the CFP rankings, but they hardly deserve it (though quarterback Kyle Trask would look mighty fine in a Bears uniform). Alabama, meanwhile, might be even better offensively than LSU was last season. Atlanta is just another word for Tide country. Yawn, 41-20.
American: No. 20 Tulsa (+14) at No. 6 Cincinnati (7 p.m., Ch. 7): The Bearcats are only ninth in the CFP rankings, a real snow job. They’re very good, they’re very ticked off and they’re on their home turf at Nippert Stadium. Cincy, 45-17.
My favorite favorite: Penn State (-15) vs. Illinois (4:30 p.m., FS1, 890-AM): It’s a final, needed chance for the Nittany Lions — who’ve won three in a row after a confounding 0-5 start — to resemble Nittany Lions.
My favorite underdog: Minnesota (+12½) at Wisconsin (3 p.m., BTN): What part of ‘‘badly broken Badgers offense’’ don’t you understand?
Last week: 7-1 straight-up, 6-2 against the spread. Who’s your buddy?
Season to date: 48-20 straight-up, 42-25-1 against the spread.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-18--If Gov. Pritzker had raised taxes in 2019, our budget problems in 2020 wouldn’t be so bad

“ What if ” games are never quite accurate , but I don ’ t think it ’ s a stretch to say that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker had the opportunity , and most probably the votes , to balance the state budget with an income tax hike during 2019 , his “ honeymoon ” year with the General Assembly .
Instead , the governor came into office and proposed what was essentially a pension payment holiday and other magic budgetary solutions .
I was told in early 2019 by a high-level administration figure with influence over the budget that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ easy ” route of raising taxes and wanted to instead focus on the “ hard ” choices .
But hiking the flat tax to balance the budget ahead of a hoped-for 2020 change to the state Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax would not have been the “ easy ” route .
A pension holiday was the easiest route he could ’ ve possibly taken .
There was nothing “ hard ” about that , except for convincing legislators that shorting the pension funds was the right thing to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved by an unexpected tax receipt boost in the spring which eliminated the immediate need for a pension holiday , budget cuts or a new revenue infusion .
And then came 2020 , the mother of all lousy years .
The international pandemic has punched all states and local governments in the fiscal gut .
But the lack of preparedness hit Illinois even harder .
The state ’ s current revenue situation isn ’ t that bad in comparison to last fiscal year , partly because the state income tax filing deadline was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in the current fiscal year .
But because the governor ’ s Fair Tax failed , and because the current fiscal year ’ s budget depended upon those new revenues plus a nearly $ 5 billion federal bailout from the federal government , the state budget office last month projected a $ 3.9 billion deficit for the current fiscal year , which is now almost half over .
The immediate deficit projection has been lowered by $ 2 billion because the state is borrowing that money from the Federal Reserve , less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was eligible to receive .
That borrowing leaves the state with a $ 1.9 billion or so hole to fill by June 30 , and Pritzker outlined $ 711 million in unilateral cuts last week .
$ 75 million of those reductions relies on an agreement with AFSCME , and the union appeared to reject the notion out of hand .
Bruce Rauner ’ s attempt to wipe AFSCME out of existence backfired so badly that the union has been strengthened to the point where even asking for minor concessions is beyond difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his Fair Tax proposal as a big reason for the need to make cuts , and AFSCME countered by saying it was also all-in on the graduated income tax .
But while Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden lost Sangamon County to President Donald Trump by just 4.3 percentage points ( way down from Trump ’ s 9-point winning margin in 2016 ) , the Fair Tax lost AFSCME ’ s home-base county by a whopping 26 points .
We can ’ t go back and change history and it ’ s often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , if the governor had just done the responsible thing in 2019 and used a flat tax hike to balance the budget when he could ’ ve drawn on an almost infinitely deep well of goodwill among his super-majority legislature , we wouldn ’ t be in nearly this mess right now .
And he could ’ ve then painted the 2020 constitutional amendment vote as a very real and substantial income tax cut for 97 % of the populace instead of the few dollars he ended up promising .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I laid out this very scenario in an early 2019 meeting with that high-level Pritzker person who has significant budget influence , I was laughed at and waved off with “ We ’ re not taking the easy way out with a tax increase , Rich.
” Also , the governor said that he ’ ll need the General Assembly ’ s cooperation to make more cuts than the $ 711 million he outlined .
That ’ s not totally true .
Under Rauner , the vast majority of the state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by statute or by judges .
A big chunk of that money falls under various consent decrees entered into by the state .
The administration could attempt to change those consent decrees without any help from the legislature .
But doing so would bring enormous heat on the governor because those consent decrees involve things like minimum funding and staffing levels for the state ’ s care of children .

“What if” games are never quite accurate, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Gov. J.B. Pritzker had the opportunity, and most probably the votes, to balance the state budget with an income tax hike during 2019, his “honeymoon” year with the General Assembly.
Instead, the governor came into office and proposed what was essentially a pension payment holiday and other magic budgetary solutions.
I was told in early 2019 by a high-level administration figure with influence over the budget that the Pritzker administration would not take the “easy” route of raising taxes and wanted to instead focus on the “hard” choices.
But hiking the flat tax to balance the budget ahead of a hoped-for 2020 change to the state Constitution to allow for a graduated income tax would not have been the “easy” route. A pension holiday was the easiest route he could’ve possibly taken. There was nothing “hard” about that, except for convincing legislators that shorting the pension funds was the right thing to do.
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Pritzker’s budget was eventually saved by an unexpected tax receipt boost in the spring which eliminated the immediate need for a pension holiday, budget cuts or a new revenue infusion.
And then came 2020, the mother of all lousy years.
The international pandemic has punched all states and local governments in the fiscal gut. But the lack of preparedness hit Illinois even harder.
The state’s current revenue situation isn’t that bad in comparison to last fiscal year, partly because the state income tax filing deadline was moved from April to July, which is in the current fiscal year.
But because the governor’s Fair Tax failed, and because the current fiscal year’s budget depended upon those new revenues plus a nearly $5 billion federal bailout from the federal government, the state budget office last month projected a $3.9 billion deficit for the current fiscal year, which is now almost half over.
The immediate deficit projection has been lowered by $2 billion because the state is borrowing that money from the Federal Reserve, less than half the $5 billion it was eligible to receive.
That borrowing leaves the state with a $1.9 billion or so hole to fill by June 30, and Pritzker outlined $711 million in unilateral cuts last week.
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$75 million of those reductions relies on an agreement with AFSCME, and the union appeared to reject the notion out of hand. Bruce Rauner’s attempt to wipe AFSCME out of existence backfired so badly that the union has been strengthened to the point where even asking for minor concessions is beyond difficult.
The governor pointed to the failure of his Fair Tax proposal as a big reason for the need to make cuts, and AFSCME countered by saying it was also all-in on the graduated income tax. But while Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden lost Sangamon County to President Donald Trump by just 4.3 percentage points (way down from Trump’s 9-point winning margin in 2016), the Fair Tax lost AFSCME’s home-base county by a whopping 26 points.
Heckuva job.
We can’t go back and change history and it’s often maddening to engage in the exercise. But, if the governor had just done the responsible thing in 2019 and used a flat tax hike to balance the budget when he could’ve drawn on an almost infinitely deep well of goodwill among his super-majority legislature, we wouldn’t be in nearly this mess right now. And he could’ve then painted the 2020 constitutional amendment vote as a very real and substantial income tax cut for 97% of the populace instead of the few dollars he ended up promising.
I’m only writing this now because when I laid out this very scenario in an early 2019 meeting with that high-level Pritzker person who has significant budget influence, I was laughed at and waved off with “We’re not taking the easy way out with a tax increase, Rich.”
Also, the governor said that he’ll need the General Assembly’s cooperation to make more cuts than the $711 million he outlined. That’s not totally true. Under Rauner, the vast majority of the state’s budget was put on auto-pilot, either by statute or by judges. A big chunk of that money falls under various consent decrees entered into by the state. The administration could attempt to change those consent decrees without any help from the legislature.
But doing so would bring enormous heat on the governor because those consent decrees involve things like minimum funding and staffing levels for the state’s care of children.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-18--Where the Blue Jays will play is a big question for free agents

TORONTO — Each time Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has made a pitch to free agents this offseason , there ’ s one topic he ’ s known will come up .
“ The number one question is if we ’ re going to play in Toronto , ” Montoyo said Friday .
“ That ’ s rightly so .
Our answer is , ‘ Yeah , we ’ re hoping so.
’ ” So far , it ’ s hope and not certainty for the Blue Jays , who have yet to receive clearance to host games at Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blue Jays to host their summer training camp in Toronto last July , a request to play regular season games north of the border was denied .
That left the Blue Jays scrambling to find a solution just days before the season opener .
Toronto played on the road for more than two weeks before moving to Buffalo , New York , the home of their Triple-A affiliate .
With the coronavirus pandemic still raging , the U.S.-Canada border remains closed for nonessential travel .
The Toronto Raptors have relocated to Tampa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a Dec. 11 conference call , Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro shared Montoyo ’ s optimism about playing games at Rogers Centre in 2021 but said he won ’ t demand a firm answer from Canadian officials before his team meets in Dunedin , Florida , for spring training .
“ I just wouldn ’ t want to paint us in that corner , ” Shapiro said .
“ I feel like there could be circumstances where the guidance that we ’ re getting from government bodies and public health are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , three weeks and we ’ ll have a better idea.
’ It feels like weeks are going to be meaningful in making those decisions.
” If the Blue Jays don ’ t get permission to play in Toronto , they might choose to start in Dunedin , where the stadium was recently renovated and a brand new complex just opened its doors .
“ It might be one of the best in the United States right now , ” Montoyo said about the new facility .
“ Having a complex like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have to go that route.
” Whenever the Blue Jays make it back to Rogers Centre , they ’ ll play on a new surface .
Shapiro said the team is replacing the current artificial turf because of wear and tear .
The new surface will be permanently attached to the stadium floor .
The change improves player safety by eliminating the seams required to join together the many pieces of the current removable surface .
Montoyo also said Friday that he hasn ’ t ruled out another defensive switch for young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first base in 2020 but is currently playing third in the Dominican Winter League .
“ The door is open for him to come back to third base because you don ’ t close the door on a talent like that , ” Montoyo said .

TORONTO — Each time Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo has made a pitch to free agents this offseason, there’s one topic he’s known will come up.
“The number one question is if we’re going to play in Toronto,” Montoyo said Friday. “That’s rightly so. Our answer is, ‘Yeah, we’re hoping so.’”
So far, it’s hope and not certainty for the Blue Jays, who have yet to receive clearance to host games at Rogers Centre. Although Canadian officials allowed the Blue Jays to host their summer training camp in Toronto last July, a request to play regular season games north of the border was denied. That left the Blue Jays scrambling to find a solution just days before the season opener. Toronto played on the road for more than two weeks before moving to Buffalo, New York, the home of their Triple-A affiliate.
With the coronavirus pandemic still raging, the U.S.-Canada border remains closed for nonessential travel. The Toronto Raptors have relocated to Tampa, Florida, for the upcoming NBA season.
In a Dec. 11 conference call, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro shared Montoyo’s optimism about playing games at Rogers Centre in 2021 but said he won’t demand a firm answer from Canadian officials before his team meets in Dunedin, Florida, for spring training.
“I just wouldn’t want to paint us in that corner,” Shapiro said. “I feel like there could be circumstances where the guidance that we’re getting from government bodies and public health are, ‘Hey give us another two weeks, three weeks and we’ll have a better idea.’ It feels like weeks are going to be meaningful in making those decisions.”
If the Blue Jays don’t get permission to play in Toronto, they might choose to start in Dunedin, where the stadium was recently renovated and a brand new complex just opened its doors.
“It might be one of the best in the United States right now,” Montoyo said about the new facility. “Having a complex like that, it makes it easier if we have to go that route.”
Whenever the Blue Jays make it back to Rogers Centre, they’ll play on a new surface. Shapiro said the team is replacing the current artificial turf because of wear and tear. The new surface will be permanently attached to the stadium floor. The change improves player safety by eliminating the seams required to join together the many pieces of the current removable surface.
Montoyo also said Friday that he hasn’t ruled out another defensive switch for young slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who played first base in 2020 but is currently playing third in the Dominican Winter League.
“The door is open for him to come back to third base because you don’t close the door on a talent like that,” Montoyo said.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--11 shot, 1 fatally, in Chicago so far this weekend

At least one person was killed and 10 others injured in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend , including an attack at a South Side gathering that left six people wounded .
They were gathered at an establishment about 12:25 a.m. Saturday in the 8900 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when a person walked in and started shooting , Chicago police said .
Six people were wounded — one of them seriously — before the gunman took off , police said .
A 41-year-old man was shot in his abdomen and taken to University of Chicago Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two men , both 48 , were struck in the leg and went to the same hospital in fair condition .
A man , 32 , was shot in his foot the foot , and a woman , 36 , was shot in her leg , police said .
Both were taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition .
The sixth victim , a 28-year-old man , was struck in the hand and taken to South Shore Hospital in fair condition .
In the weekend ’ s first reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot early Saturday in Gresham on the South Side .
He was running from a male chasing him about 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of West 87th Street when the male fired shots , striking him in the head , police said .
He was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has not released details on the death .
In nonfatal shootings , a man was shot about 4 a.m. Saturday in East @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 30-year-old man was sitting in a parked vehicle in the 300 block of North Avers Avenue when an unknown male approached him on foot and began firing shots , police said .
He was shot in the face and lower backside and was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition .
About 12:25 a.m. Saturday , a 38-year-old woman was critically wounded in a shooting in Little Village .
She was in the backseat of a moving Honda Accord about 12:25 a.m. in the 3200 block of West Cermak Road , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the corner fired shots , police said .
She was struck in the back and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition .
A 22-year-old man was shot about 11:10 p.m. Friday in Lawndale on the West Side .
He was standing outside in the 2400 block of West Roosevelt Road when he was caught in the crossfire of two vehicles whose occupants were shooting at each other , police said .
He suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back and was brought to Stroger Hospital where he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s first reported shooting left a 36-year-old man wounded Friday in Morgan Park on the South Side .
About 9:40 p.m. Friday , he was leaving a home in the 11200 block of South Homewood Avenue when someone opened fire , striking him in the arm and back , police said .
The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was in serious condition , police said .
Last weekend , 18 people were shot , three of them fatally , in Chicago gun violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

Six people were killed and at least 32 others wounded in shootings across Chicago this weekend.
The period was twice as deadly as last weekend when 18 people were shot — three of them fatally — between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Grandmother killed
The oldest victim this weekend was a 71-year-old grandmother shot dead in Morgan Park on the South Side. Emma Wright was in home about 7:40 p.m. Sunday in the 10800 block of South Morgan Street when two males outside fired shots at the home, authorities said. She was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.
Community activist Andrew Holmes said the killing was “devastating to the family and community.”
“We should not, and cannot, remain silent about the ongoing violence in the city of Chicago,” Holmes said in a statement. “Emma Wright was a grandmother sitting in the comfort of her own home when she became the latest victim of unexplainable shootings in Chicago.”
It was unclear if she was the target of the shooting.
Six wounded at South Side party
Early Saturday, a half dozen people wounded in a single attack at a South Side party. The victims were holding an after-hours party at Get Glammed Beauty Bar, 8936 S. Cottage Grove, when a person walked in about 12:25 a.m. and started shooting, police said. A woman and five men were wounded — one of them seriously — before the gunman took off, police said.
After the shooting, a window at the salon appeared to be damaged by a single bullet hole. No arrest has been made.
A bullet hole could be seen in the window of the Get Glammed Beauty Bar. Sophie Sherry/Sun-Times
Other homicides
In the weekend’s latest fatal attack, a 39-year-old man was killed and another man was wounded early Monday in Humboldt Park on the West Side. The 39-year-old was standing in an alley about 2:55 a.m. in the 2500 block of West Cortez Street when someone fired shots, police said. He was struck in the abdomen and was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Another man showed up later at St. Mary’s Hospital after being hurt in the same shooting, police said. He was being treated for gunshot wounds to his abdomen and right arm, and was listed in serious condition.
Two hours earlier, a man was shot to death in Back of the Yards on the South Side. Officers responding to a ShotSpotter call found 41-year-old Lyman Bates about 1:10 a.m. in the 5400 block of South Paulina Street, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. He had been shot multiple times in the face and chest, and was pronounced dead on the scene.
Saturday evening, a 19-year-old man was killed in Douglas Park on the West Side. He was in a vehicle about 5:30 p.m. in the 1200 block of South Washtenaw Avenue when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire, police said. The man was shot in the head and neck, and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was identified as Daron Johnson by the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
About two hours earlier, a man was fatally shot in South Shore. David Green Jr., 23, was on the street about 3:40 p.m. in the 6800 block of South Cornell Avenue when a light-colored car pulled up and someone inside unleashed gunfire, striking him multiple times, police and the medical examiner’s office said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Early Saturday morning, a 47-year-old man was fatally shot in Gresham on the South Side. Alex Kinsy was running from a male who was chasing him about 3 a.m. in the 1300 block of West 87th Street when the male fired shots, striking him in the head, police and the medical examiner’s office said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Possible murder-suicide in Marquette Park
On Saturday, two people were found fatally shot in a vehicle in Marquette Park on the South Side. A man, 21, and a woman, 19, were found inside the vehicle parked about 1:20 a.m. in a garage in the 3200 block of West 64th Street, police said. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds to the head and were pronounced dead on the scene. A police source said a handgun was found inside the vehicle.
Both fatalities are being left off the weekend homicide count pending the release of autopsies, which were scheduled for later Monday.
Nonfatal shootings
In nonfatal shootings, three women were injured, two critically, in a shooting early Sunday in Lawndale on the West Side. About 1:35 a.m., they were sitting parked in the 600 block of South Independence Boulevard when someone in a red Jeep Cherokee fired shots into their vehicle, police said.
A 25-year-old woman was struck in the face, while another woman, 22, suffered a gunshot wound to the head, police said. Both women were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. The third woman, 20, suffered a graze wound and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.
Saturday evening, a man was critically wounded in a shooting outside a Woodlawn laundromat. He was standing outside of the laundromat about 6:45 p.m. in the 6500 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up and two people got out and fired shots, police said. The 43-year-old was struck in the arm and abdomen, and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.
A man was in critical condition Sunday after being pistol-whipped during an attempted carjacking in Roseland on the Far South Side. Police initially said he was shot during the carjacking in the 11300 block of South Michigan Avenue, but later clarified the 43-year-old had been pistol-whipped in the back of his head.
At least 21 other people were wounded in shootings across the city over the weekend.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--Suburban family: Peace Corps at fault for daughter’s ‘preventable’ death

Serving in the Peace Corps had been Bernice Heiderman ’ s dream since high school .
When the north suburban resident finally got accepted during her senior year of college , she wept with joy at the news , her family says .
But just 18 months into her tour , the 24-year-old volunteer from Inverness was dead in a spartan hotel room in the East African island nation of Comoros , the victim of what her family calls a “ preventable tragedy.
” They say Heiderman endured a painful death from malaria that went undiagnosed by a local Peace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer in Washington , even though the disease is endemic in Comoros .
On Friday , the family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in federal court in Chicago against the U.S. government .
Had the local doctor “ been trained properly , I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Bernice would be alive today , ” says her mother Julie Heiderman .
And the family says the mistakes that led to Bernice Heiderman ’ s death were compounded by bungling actions afterward — including a delay in repatriating her remains that made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago was posted to the capital city of Moroni , on the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros .
She taught English to junior high students , employing skills she ’ d learned volunteering at the Field Museum .
She celebrated the end of 2017 with friends but , by New Year ’ s Eve , felt nauseated .
On Jan. 1 , 2018 , she texted her mother , saying she couldn ’ t “ stop shaking from the chills ” and felt “ in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s urging , she contacted the Peace Corps ’ local doctor and saw him Jan. 2 .
By then , the lawsuit says , the young volunteer had “ headaches , dizziness , fever and vomiting ” — all symptoms of malaria .
But the doctor didn ’ t perform a rapid blood test for the mosquito-borne infection even though malaria is common there , according to the suit .
“ They would have known in a matter of minutes that she had malaria , and they could have treated her , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctor gave her aspirin and an antacid .
Later , as Heiderman ’ s condition worsened , he moved her to a room at a modest hotel .
As her parents worried back home , Heiderman got sicker , with frequent vomiting , chest and abdominal pain , low blood pressure and a fast heart rate .
The morning of Jan. 9 , she collapsed in the bathroom and died .
A report last year from the Peace Corps ’ inspector general said test kits and treatments were readily available and that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she could have made a rapid , full recovery.
” The doctor “ had limited training in infectious diseases and limited clinical experience ” in such cases , according to the report .
It noted that the agency later learned Heiderman had stopped taking her antimalarial pills — a violation of Peace Corps rules — but said a “ passive and ineffective approach ” meant this information wasn ’ t tracked .
The lawsuit says Peace Corps medical personnel had told Heiderman and other volunteers incorrectly “ that malaria had been eradicated from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t respond to a request for comment Friday .
Last year , officials said the government agency “ continues to mourn the tragic loss ” and “ has undertaken a rigorous internal review ... and is implementing numerous changes.
” Congress passed a law in late 2018 aimed at improving medical care for Peace Corps volunteers and to strengthen oversight .
The law was named for another volunteer — Nick Castle , 23 — who died in 2013 in China of gastrointestinal illness .
The Heiderman family says its anguish was compounded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of sending a Peace Corps representative to their home , someone phoned them to say their daughter had died .
Later , a Peace Corps representative suggested that her death was “ her fault ” because she “ probably did not take her medication , ” the lawsuit says .
Another said she “ never told the doctor that she needed to be tested for malaria.
” And Peace Corps officials delayed flying her body home , waiting for additional cargo to justify the expense , according to the lawsuit .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Julie Heiderman says .
When the plane carrying her body did arrive at O ’ Hare Airport , the Peace Corps assured the Heidermans they could go onto the tarmac to receive it , but the agency apparently didn ’ t clear that with the Department of Homeland Security , which initially barred them because Heiderman wasn ’ t in the military , according to the suit .
“ I know she wasn ’ t military , ” Julie Heiderman says , but she still was representing the United States abroad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ m serving my country , but I ’ m not carrying a gun .
’ ”

Serving in the Peace Corps had been Bernice Heiderman’s dream since high school.
When the north suburban resident finally got accepted during her senior year of college, she wept with joy at the news, her family says.
But just 18 months into her tour, the 24-year-old volunteer from Inverness was dead in a spartan hotel room in the East African island nation of Comoros, the victim of what her family calls a “preventable tragedy.”
They say Heiderman endured a painful death from malaria that went undiagnosed by a local Peace Corps physician as well by a medical officer in Washington, even though the disease is endemic in Comoros.
On Friday, the family filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in federal court in Chicago against the U.S. government.
Had the local doctor “been trained properly, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Bernice would be alive today,” says her mother Julie Heiderman.
And the family says the mistakes that led to Bernice Heiderman’s death were compounded by bungling actions afterward — including a delay in repatriating her remains that made her miss her own funeral.
Bernice Heiderman dreamed of serving in the Peace Corps. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
The 2016 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago was posted to the capital city of Moroni, on the Indian Ocean archipelago of Comoros. She taught English to junior high students, employing skills she’d learned volunteering at the Field Museum.
She celebrated the end of 2017 with friends but, by New Year’s Eve, felt nauseated. On Jan. 1, 2018, she texted her mother, saying she couldn’t “stop shaking from the chills” and felt “in a fog.” At her mom’s urging, she contacted the Peace Corps’ local doctor and saw him Jan. 2.
By then, the lawsuit says, the young volunteer had “headaches, dizziness, fever and vomiting” — all symptoms of malaria. But the doctor didn’t perform a rapid blood test for the mosquito-borne infection even though malaria is common there, according to the suit.
“They would have known in a matter of minutes that she had malaria, and they could have treated her,” Julie Heiderman says.
Instead, the doctor gave her aspirin and an antacid.
Later, as Heiderman’s condition worsened, he moved her to a room at a modest hotel.
As her parents worried back home, Heiderman got sicker, with frequent vomiting, chest and abdominal pain, low blood pressure and a fast heart rate.
The morning of Jan. 9, she collapsed in the bathroom and died.
The Peace Corps’ inspector general found that had Bernice Heiderman “received timely treatment, she could have made a rapid, full recovery.” Read the report.
A report last year from the Peace Corps’ inspector general said test kits and treatments were readily available and that, “had she received timely treatment, she could have made a rapid, full recovery.”
The doctor “had limited training in infectious diseases and limited clinical experience” in such cases, according to the report.
It noted that the agency later learned Heiderman had stopped taking her antimalarial pills — a violation of Peace Corps rules — but said a “passive and ineffective approach” meant this information wasn’t tracked. The lawsuit says Peace Corps medical personnel had told Heiderman and other volunteers incorrectly “that malaria had been eradicated from Comoros.”
The Peace Corps didn’t respond to a request for comment Friday.
Last year, officials said the government agency “continues to mourn the tragic loss” and “has undertaken a rigorous internal review ... and is implementing numerous changes.”
Bernice Heiderman (right) in Comoros. Provided
Congress passed a law in late 2018 aimed at improving medical care for Peace Corps volunteers and to strengthen oversight. The law was named for another volunteer — Nick Castle, 23 — who died in 2013 in China of gastrointestinal illness.
Julie Heiderman looks at photos of her daughter Bernice. This is the third holiday season since her death. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
The Heiderman family says its anguish was compounded by what happened after her death. Instead of sending a Peace Corps representative to their home, someone phoned them to say their daughter had died.
Later, a Peace Corps representative suggested that her death was “her fault” because she “probably did not take her medication,” the lawsuit says. Another said she “never told the doctor that she needed to be tested for malaria.”
And Peace Corps officials delayed flying her body home, waiting for additional cargo to justify the expense, according to the lawsuit.
“We had her memorial service without her,” Julie Heiderman says.
When the plane carrying her body did arrive at O’Hare Airport, the Peace Corps assured the Heidermans they could go onto the tarmac to receive it, but the agency apparently didn’t clear that with the Department of Homeland Security, which initially barred them because Heiderman wasn’t in the military, according to the suit.
“I know she wasn’t military,” Julie Heiderman says, but she still was representing the United States abroad. “She said, ‘I’m serving my country, but I’m not carrying a gun.’ ”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--Game vs. Vikings a measuring stick for Bears’ offense

Bears quarterback Nick Foles — remember him ?
— came inches away from being a hero against the Vikings on Nov. 16 at Soldier Field .
With an opportunity to make the most of his worst game with the Bears , on a fourth-and-five from the Vikings ’ 35-yard line with the Bears trailing 19-13 , Foles stepped up in the pocket and lofted a pass downfield that went off receiver Anthony Miller ’ s fingertips inside the 5 .
A completion would have put the Bears near the goal line with a golden chance for a touchdown that likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears would have been 6-4 heading into their bye week .
Foles likely would not have been passing with less than a minute to go and likely would not have suffered a hip injury when he was sacked by Ifeadi Odenigbo with 37 seconds left .
Foles likely would have been the starter after the bye behind a revamped line of Charles Leno at left tackle , Cody Whitehair at left guard , Sam Mustipher at center , Alex Bars at right guard and Germain Ifedi at right tackle .
And in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rookie tight end Cole Kmet , who had six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in Foles ’ five starts but has nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the last two games with Mitch Trubisky .
And with Bill Lazor not in his first game calling plays in coach Matt Nagy ’ s offense .
Be that as it may , the Bears ’ game against the Vikings on Sunday gives Trubisky and the offense the best chance yet to see just how far they have come .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bears gained only 149 yards , their fewest in three seasons under Nagy .
Their only touchdown came on Cordarrelle Patterson ’ s 104-yard kickoff return to open the second half .
It marked the second time in four games the offense was outscored by another unit after the defense provided the only touchdown in a 24-10 loss to the Rams on Oct. 26 .
It was a low point for Foles , who essentially lost his job , and the offense , which dropped to 31st in the NFL in total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first common opponent Foles and Trubisky will have started against , the game will add some texture to the quarterback debate .
It ’ s not a totally fair comparison .
A lot of other changes have been made since then .
And running back David Montgomery — a key element in the three-game resurgence of the offense under Trubisky , with 96 yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry — didn ’ t play in the first game against the Vikings .
Trubisky has more elements going his way than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better against a defense that ranks 22nd in total yards allowed , 26th in passing yards allowed and 25th in sacks per pass play .
But if the Packers end up in coast mode in Week 17 , this might be the best chance to see just how far Trubisky and the offense have come this season .
‘ ‘ I hope so , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ We go back to those weeks in the middle of the season — for a lot of different reasons , we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , we ’ re hoping that we found something .
.
.
that offensively you feel good about , and now you get a second chance to play a good football team .
That ’ s all we can ask for .
We feel like we ’ re in a good place , and we ’ ve got ta be able to do it on Sunday .
’ ’

Bears quarterback Nick Foles — remember him? — came inches away from being a hero against the Vikings on Nov. 16 at Soldier Field.
With an opportunity to make the most of his worst game with the Bears, on a fourth-and-five from the Vikings’ 35-yard line with the Bears trailing 19-13, Foles stepped up in the pocket and lofted a pass downfield that went off receiver Anthony Miller’s fingertips inside the 5.
A completion would have put the Bears near the goal line with a golden chance for a touchdown that likely would have won the game. The Bears would have been 6-4 heading into their bye week. Foles likely would not have been passing with less than a minute to go and likely would not have suffered a hip injury when he was sacked by Ifeadi Odenigbo with 37 seconds left.
Foles likely would have been the starter after the bye behind a revamped line of Charles Leno at left tackle, Cody Whitehair at left guard, Sam Mustipher at center, Alex Bars at right guard and Germain Ifedi at right tackle. And in an offense that is making better use of rookie tight end Cole Kmet, who had six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown in Foles’ five starts but has nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown in the last two games with Mitch Trubisky. And with Bill Lazor not in his first game calling plays in coach Matt Nagy’s offense.
Be that as it may, the Bears’ game against the Vikings on Sunday gives Trubisky and the offense the best chance yet to see just how far they have come. In the first game against the Vikings, the Bears gained only 149 yards, their fewest in three seasons under Nagy. Their only touchdown came on Cordarrelle Patterson’s 104-yard kickoff return to open the second half.
It marked the second time in four games the offense was outscored by another unit after the defense provided the only touchdown in a 24-10 loss to the Rams on Oct. 26. It was a low point for Foles, who essentially lost his job, and the offense, which dropped to 31st in the NFL in total yards and scoring.
With the Vikings the first common opponent Foles and Trubisky will have started against, the game will add some texture to the quarterback debate. It’s not a totally fair comparison. A lot of other changes have been made since then. And running back David Montgomery — a key element in the three-game resurgence of the offense under Trubisky, with 96 yards per game and 7.4 yards per carry — didn’t play in the first game against the Vikings.
Trubisky has more elements going his way than Foles did, so he should fare better against a defense that ranks 22nd in total yards allowed, 26th in passing yards allowed and 25th in sacks per pass play.
But if the Packers end up in coast mode in Week 17, this might be the best chance to see just how far Trubisky and the offense have come this season.
‘‘I hope so,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘We go back to those weeks in the middle of the season — for a lot of different reasons, we just were struggling in different areas. So right now, we’re hoping that we found something . . . that offensively you feel good about, and now you get a second chance to play a good football team. That’s all we can ask for. We feel like we’re in a good place, and we’ve gotta be able to do it on Sunday.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--Dear Abby: How do I make my friend stop giving me little gifts?

DEAR ABBY : I have been married to my wife for two years , after being together for 10 years .
We have two kids with a third on the way .
Our relationship is great .
It ’ s healthy .
I just have this feeling of loneliness .
I feel like I have my children and that ’ s it .
My mind often wanders to a woman from the past .
I would never leave my children because they are my world .
I just can not control or ignore these chronic feelings of unhappiness and loneliness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wish I could just have one conversation with said woman .
I don ’ t know what to do .
— RON IN CALIFORNIA DEAR RON : “ One conversation ” with the woman from your past won ’ t fix what has gone wrong with your marriage .
You have a responsibility to your wife and your growing family .
What you are experiencing could be symptoms of depression .
You may be feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities you now carry and subconsciously yearning for the carefree years you enjoyed before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel more alienated than you already do , I urge you to talk this out with a licensed psychotherapist .
DEAR ABBY : I have a friend who has a habit of giving me unsolicited gifts .
It ’ s little things like string lights for my patio or a small toy for my daughter , but it makes me feel obligated to give her a gift back .
I would rather not be stuck in this continual gift exchange loop , especially during a pandemic when you ’ re not supposed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This friend has shown up unannounced at my doorstep to drop off a gift without letting me know she ’ s coming .
The last gift she offered I refused because it was an offensive toy that wasn ’ t age appropriate for my daughter .
Was I right to do that ?
How can I stop this cycle without hurting my friend ’ s feelings ?
— GIFTED IN THE WEST DEAR GIFTED : Understand that this friend may not give you these gifts out of generosity , but because it gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You have a right to refuse any item intended for yourself or your child that you feel is inappropriate .
Jump off the gift-giving treadmill by telling this person her friendship is enough and you will no longer accept any gifts because it makes you uncomfortable .
DEAR ABBY : I have an older relative who uses the word “ whatever ” when she is done discussing something .
I don ’ t think she realizes how dismissive it comes across to others .
It ’ s as if she doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s opinion or comments .
It creates a barrier with family , and I think people distance from her because of it .
I avoid talking to her because it ’ s so blunt and rude .
How can I explain that the word now has a negative connotation and should be avoided ?
— STAYING AWAY TO NOT GET HURT DEAR STAYING AWAY : Address it the next time she uses “ whatever ” in conversation with you .
ASK if she is using the word because she isn ’ t interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what she means by it .
THEN explain how hearing it made you feel , because it may not have been her intent .
( If it was , then you , too , have a right to distance yourself . )
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 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my wife for two years, after being together for 10 years. We have two kids with a third on the way. Our relationship is great. It’s healthy.
I just have this feeling of loneliness. I feel like I have my children and that’s it. My mind often wanders to a woman from the past. I would never leave my children because they are my world. I just cannot control or ignore these chronic feelings of unhappiness and loneliness. I’ll be honest: I wish I could just have one conversation with said woman. I don’t know what to do. — RON IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR RON: “One conversation” with the woman from your past won’t fix what has gone wrong with your marriage. You have a responsibility to your wife and your growing family. What you are experiencing could be symptoms of depression. You may be feeling overwhelmed with the responsibilities you now carry and subconsciously yearning for the carefree years you enjoyed before you were formally married. Before you feel more alienated than you already do, I urge you to talk this out with a licensed psychotherapist.
DEAR ABBY: I have a friend who has a habit of giving me unsolicited gifts. It’s little things like string lights for my patio or a small toy for my daughter, but it makes me feel obligated to give her a gift back.
I would rather not be stuck in this continual gift exchange loop, especially during a pandemic when you’re not supposed to be seeing people outside your household. This friend has shown up unannounced at my doorstep to drop off a gift without letting me know she’s coming.
The last gift she offered I refused because it was an offensive toy that wasn’t age appropriate for my daughter. Was I right to do that? How can I stop this cycle without hurting my friend’s feelings? — GIFTED IN THE WEST
DEAR GIFTED: Understand that this friend may not give you these gifts out of generosity, but because it gives her an excuse to interact with you. You have a right to refuse any item intended for yourself or your child that you feel is inappropriate. Jump off the gift-giving treadmill by telling this person her friendship is enough and you will no longer accept any gifts because it makes you uncomfortable.
DEAR ABBY: I have an older relative who uses the word “whatever” when she is done discussing something. I don’t think she realizes how dismissive it comes across to others. It’s as if she doesn’t care about the other person’s opinion or comments. It creates a barrier with family, and I think people distance from her because of it. I avoid talking to her because it’s so blunt and rude. How can I explain that the word now has a negative connotation and should be avoided? — STAYING AWAY TO NOT GET HURT
DEAR STAYING AWAY: Address it the next time she uses “whatever” in conversation with you. ASK if she is using the word because she isn’t interested in what you are trying to convey and what she means by it. THEN explain how hearing it made you feel, because it may not have been her intent. (If it was, then you, too, have a right to distance yourself.)
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.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--Gunman wounds 6 people in overnight shooting at South Side gathering

Six people were wounded in a shooting early Saturday at a business in the Burnside neighborhood on the South Side .
About 12:25 a.m. , they were gathered at an establishment in the 8900 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when a person walked in and started shooting , Chicago police said .
Six people were wounded — one of them seriously — before the gunman took off , police said .
A 41-year-old man was struck in the abdomen and transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition , police said .
Two men , both 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also transported to University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition , according to police .
A man , 32 , suffered a gunshot wound to the foot , and a woman , 36 , was struck in the leg , police said .
Both were transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition .
The sixth victim , a 28-year-old man , was struck in the hand and taken to South Shore Hospital in fair condition , police said .
No arrest has been made .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

Six people were wounded early Saturday when at least one gunman opened fire at a party inside a South Side beauty salon in the Burnside neighborhood.
The victims were holding an after-hours party at the Get Glammed Beauty Bar, 8936 S. Cottage Grove, when a person walked in about 12:25 a.m. and started shooting, police said.
A woman and five men were wounded — one of them seriously — before the gunman took off, police said.
A bullet hole could be seen in the window of the Get Glammed Beauty Bar. Sophie Sherry/Sun-Times
A 41-year-old man was struck in the abdomen and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition, police said.
Two men, both 48, were struck in the leg and also taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition, according to police.
A man, 32, was shot in his foot, and a woman, 36, was struck in her leg, police said. Both were taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in fair condition.
The sixth victim, a 28-year-old man, was struck in the hand and taken to South Shore Hospital in fair condition, police said.
Get Glammed Beauty Bar at 8936 S. Cottage Grove. Sophie Sherry/Sun-Times
After the shooting, a window at the salon appeared to be damaged by a single bullet hole.
A police spokeswoman wasn’t able to provide a description of the suspect or suspects. It was unclear how many people were inside the business at the time of the shooting.
No arrest has been made, police said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--1 killed in Ukrainian Village crash: police

A male was killed in a vehicle crash early Saturday in Ukrainian Village on the North Side , police said @ @ @ @ @ 23-year-old man driving a Mazda sedan northbound on Damen Avenue struck a Toyota sedan traveling @ @ @ @ @ of West Augusta Boulevard , Chicago police said .
The male driver of the Toyota @ @ @ @ @ where he was pronounced dead , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ @ @ @ @ @ released information on the fatality .
The 23-year-old driver of the Mazda sedan suffered a @ @ @ @ @ transported to Stroger Hospital where he was listed in fair condition , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ may have gone through a red light , according to preliminary information from police .
@ @ @ @ @ pending , police said .
Area Three detectives and the CPD Major Accidents Unit are @ @

A man was killed in a vehicle crash Saturday in Ukrainian Village.
About 3:30 a.m., a 23-year-old man driving a Mazda sedan north on Damen Avenue struck a Toyota sedan traveling east in the 2000 block of West Augusta Boulevard, Chicago police said.
The driver of the Toyota, a 33-year-old man, was transported to Stroger Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Moiz Uddin of West Rogers Park. An autopsy found he died of multiple injuries from the crash and ruled his death an accident.
The 23-year-old driver of the Mazda sedan suffered a dislocated hip and was also transported to Stroger Hospital where he was listed in fair condition, police said.
The driver of the Mazda may have gone through a red light, according to preliminary information from police.
Charges and citations may be pending, police said.
Area Three detectives and the CPD Major Accidents Unit are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--Bears risk repeating major mistake as they fall in love with QB Mitch Trubisky again

Share All sharing options for : Bears risk repeating major mistake as they fall in love with QB Mitch Trubisky again The Bears are falling for Mitch Trubisky .
Again .
Matt Nagy is gushing over all the improvements Trubisky made during his benching and is certain the big numbers he put up in the last two games are “ real.
” Ryan Pace is leaving it open-ended on the team-run pre-game show when asked if the rest of the season is Trubisky ’ s tryout for 2021 .
And with each seemingly effortless completion lately , it gets easier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something they ’ ve wanted to believe for four years : Somewhere in there is the franchise quarterback they need .
“ For him to be where he ’ s at right now , the way he ’ s doing it , that ’ s a credit to him — You can ’ t take that away from him , ” Nagy said .
“ What he ’ s trying to do right now is be the greatest quarterback he can be for the Chicago Bears , be the greatest leader he can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the greatest teammate he can be for the Chicago Bears .
And the last three games , his performance individually has been pretty good.
” Nagy is correct that Trubisky has played well since his return as the starter .
He has completed 67 % of his passes , averaged 259 yards per game , thrown seven touchdown passes against two interceptions and has a 100.0 passer rating .
All of that is helpful as the Bears desperately try to claw their way past the Cardinals and Vikings for the final NFC playoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is he doesn ’ t get to face the Lions and Texans every week .
Those are two of the NFL ’ s worst pass defenses , and most of the headway he made against the Packers came well after Green Bay had buried the Bears with a 41-10 lead .
It matters now as he looks like a star against terrible opponents .
It matters when he ’ s labeled a Pro Bowler for making it as a fill-in after others withdrew .
It matters when his six-touchdown outburst against the Buccaneers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he can take over a game — without remembering that Tampa Bay allowed the highest opponent passer rating ( 110.9 ) for the season of any NFL team in the last five years and fired its defensive coordinator two weeks later .
Those are the teams Trubisky has feasted on , and he ’ s feasting on them again .
He has impeccable timing in his return , because it ’ s possible he won ’ t see another good defense the rest of the season .
The Bears visit the Vikings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24th in points allowed and opponent passer rating .
The Jaguars are abysmal .
And the Packers might have nothing to play for in the season finale .
He might very well cruise through those games and get the Bears to the postseason , but should that negate three-plus seasons of evidence that he ’ s not the guy ?
Would the Bears , who had seen enough at the end of last season to trade for Nick Foles and decline Trubisky ’ s fifth-year option , really consider bringing him back for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this team has made worse decisions at quarterback .
Mike Glennon is the first name that comes to mind , but there ’ s a long list .
Just because the idea of Trubisky returning next season sounds crazy to everyone else doesn ’ t mean it sounds crazy inside Halas Hall .
Nor does it sound crazy to Trubisky , who can still see himself with the Bears despite a turbulent year .
“ I ’ ve thought about it , but thoughts come and go , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ got ta stay focused on what ’ s about to happen this weekend and preparing every day for the Vikings.
” Ah yes , the Vikings , fresh off 43-year-old Tom Brady raking them for a 120.9 passer rating .
A month ago , they gave up a 104.0 to Andy Dalton .
It ’ s another chance for Mitch the Magician to perform one of his illusions .
In 19 career games against teams that ended the season in the bottom 10 in opponent passer rating ( or are currently there this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of his passes , averaged 234 yards per game and put up 32 touchdowns with just seven interceptions for a 107.3 rating .
The other 28 games ?
Those have looked much more familiar : 59.8 % completions , 194 yards per game , 29 touchdowns , 27 interceptions and a 74.7 rating .
It ’ s only “ real ” if it holds up against quality opponents .
The last time the Bears thought they had something real with Trubisky was 2018 , his supposed breakthrough .
But if you set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of his season fit his career trajectory : an 89.0 passer rating with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions .
Teams usually know by this point whether their first-round quarterback can lead the franchise for years to come .
Deshaun Watson established himself by the end of his rookie season .
Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson each won an MVP in Year 2 .
Nagy loves the story of Alex Smith , who finally started to break through as a viable NFL quarterback — not a star — in his seventh season .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait that long .
If they want to ride with Trubisky for now because he ’ s better than Foles and he might be just good enough to get them in the playoffs , fine .
But their path forward is through a rebuild , especially at quarterback .
It ’ s time to draft the next one and wish Trubisky well as he gets a fresh start elsewhere .
The Bears made a franchise-altering mistake the first time they bet on Trubisky .
They can ’ t do it again .

The Bears are falling for Mitch Trubisky. Again.
Matt Nagy is gushing over all the improvements Trubisky made during his benching and is certain the big numbers he put up in the last two games are “real.” Ryan Pace is leaving it open-ended on the team-run pre-game show when asked if the rest of the season is Trubisky’s tryout for 2021.
And with each seemingly effortless completion lately, it gets easier for the Bears to convince themselves of something they’ve wanted to believe for four years: Somewhere in there is the franchise quarterback they need.
“For him to be where he’s at right now, the way he’s doing it, that’s a credit to him — You can’t take that away from him,” Nagy said. “What he’s trying to do right now is be the greatest quarterback he can be for the Chicago Bears, be the greatest leader he can be for the Chicago Bears, be the greatest teammate he can be for the Chicago Bears. And the last three games, his performance individually has been pretty good.”
Nagy is correct that Trubisky has played well since his return as the starter.
He has completed 67% of his passes, averaged 259 yards per game, thrown seven touchdown passes against two interceptions and has a 100.0 passer rating. All of that is helpful as the Bears desperately try to claw their way past the Cardinals and Vikings for the final NFC playoff spot.
But the problem for Trubisky is he doesn’t get to face the Lions and Texans every week. Those are two of the NFL’s worst pass defenses, and most of the headway he made against the Packers came well after Green Bay had buried the Bears with a 41-10 lead.
Context matters.
It matters now as he looks like a star against terrible opponents. It matters when he’s labeled a Pro Bowler for making it as a fill-in after others withdrew. It matters when his six-touchdown outburst against the Buccaneers in 2018 is held up as evidence that he can take over a game — without remembering that Tampa Bay allowed the highest opponent passer rating (110.9) for the season of any NFL team in the last five years and fired its defensive coordinator two weeks later.
Those are the teams Trubisky has feasted on, and he’s feasting on them again. He has impeccable timing in his return, because it’s possible he won’t see another good defense the rest of the season. The Bears visit the Vikings on Sunday, and they’re 24th in points allowed and opponent passer rating. The Jaguars are abysmal. And the Packers might have nothing to play for in the season finale.
He might very well cruise through those games and get the Bears to the postseason, but should that negate three-plus seasons of evidence that he’s not the guy? Would the Bears, who had seen enough at the end of last season to trade for Nick Foles and decline Trubisky’s fifth-year option, really consider bringing him back for 2021?
They shouldn’t, but this team has made worse decisions at quarterback. Mike Glennon is the first name that comes to mind, but there’s a long list. Just because the idea of Trubisky returning next season sounds crazy to everyone else doesn’t mean it sounds crazy inside Halas Hall.
Nor does it sound crazy to Trubisky, who can still see himself with the Bears despite a turbulent year.
“I’ve thought about it, but thoughts come and go,” he said. “Right now I’ve just gotta stay focused on what’s about to happen this weekend and preparing every day for the Vikings.”
Ah yes, the Vikings, fresh off 43-year-old Tom Brady raking them for a 120.9 passer rating. A month ago, they gave up a 104.0 to Andy Dalton. It’s another chance for Mitch the Magician to perform one of his illusions.
In 19 career games against teams that ended the season in the bottom 10 in opponent passer rating (or are currently there this season), Trubisky has completed 69.4% of his passes, averaged 234 yards per game and put up 32 touchdowns with just seven interceptions for a 107.3 rating.
The other 28 games? Those have looked much more familiar: 59.8% completions, 194 yards per game, 29 touchdowns, 27 interceptions and a 74.7 rating.
It’s only “real” if it holds up against quality opponents.
The last time the Bears thought they had something real with Trubisky was 2018, his supposed breakthrough. But if you set that Tampa Bay game aside, the rest of his season fit his career trajectory: an 89.0 passer rating with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Teams usually know by this point whether their first-round quarterback can lead the franchise for years to come. Deshaun Watson established himself by the end of his rookie season. Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson each won an MVP in Year 2.
Nagy loves the story of Alex Smith, who finally started to break through as a viable NFL quarterback — not a star — in his seventh season. The Bears can’t possibly afford to wait that long.
If they want to ride with Trubisky for now because he’s better than Foles and he might be just good enough to get them in the playoffs, fine. But their path forward is through a rebuild, especially at quarterback. It’s time to draft the next one and wish Trubisky well as he gets a fresh start elsewhere.
The Bears made a franchise-altering mistake the first time they bet on Trubisky. They can’t do it again.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-19--Bears’ defense says it has ‘turned the page’ entering must-win game

Maybe he said it simply to grab his players ’ attention .
Vikings coach Mike Zimmer made the Bears ’ defense sound more impressive than its upper-middle-class standing , at best , during a season in which it has allowed the ninth-fewest points and 13th-fewest yards in the NFL .
“ They ’ ve got probably the best defensive talent in the league , ” Zimmer said this week .
If that were true , then it makes the last two weeks that much more galling .
How in the world could the Bears give up seven yards per play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , then 4.1 yards and seven points to the Texans the next ?
“ Certain things can ’ t be explained , ” safety Tashaun Gipson said .
“ Even from me as a player in the midst of all of that going on , it ’ s just unheard of for this secondary to give up 400 yards passing [ to Detroit ] .
“ That wasn ’ t what this defense symbolizes or represents .
I could not tell you ; I could not put my finger on what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day , man , it ’ s better late than never.
” The de facto playoff-race elimination game Sunday against the Vikings qualifies as late .
To live up to Zimmer ’ s praise , the Bears need to do three things well : unleash outside linebacker Khalil Mack , slow down running back Dalvin Cook and finally intercept a pass .
Before the game last Sunday against the Texans , Mack had been symbolic of the Bears ’ popgun pass rush .
His last sack had come on Nov. 1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear in the box score .
Against Houston , though , he sacked quarterback Deshaun Watson for a safety and forced a Duke Johnson fumble that he recovered .
The Bears finished with seven sacks .
“ I think [ Mack ] just finally said , ‘ OK , regardless of who they put on me — one , two , three , whatever it is — I ’ m taking this thing over , ’ ’ ’ defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said .
“ We need the same thing this week out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do that.
” The Bears ’ success against Cook , the NFL ’ s second-leading rusher , is well-documented .
Last month , they held him to 96 yards on 30 carries .
The season-low 3.2 yards per carry was almost two yards worse than his rest-of-year average .
The secret , Pagano said , is having 11 players rally to bring him down .
“ It oughta sound like BBs off a tin can , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the only way you stop this great runner.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in third-and-long , which is exactly where the Bears want him .
His 12 interceptions are third-most in the league .
The Bears , though , have almost forgotten how to pick off passes .
Since DeAndre Houston-Carson intercepted the Panthers ’ Teddy Bridgewater to clinch a win , the Bears have only two picks — one by a defensive lineman , Bilal Nichols , and another by Mack — in seven games .
The defensive backfield is already weakened .
The Bears will be without starting slot corner Buster Skrine and also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has a shoulder injury .
Only six teams have fewer takeaways than the Bears ’ 14 .
Four have fewer interceptions than their seven .
“ I know these last three games , we ’ re itching , ” Gipson said .
“ Because that ’ s unlike a secondary like this.
” Coverage , pass rush and run-stopping is all intertwined .
And all three are needed Sunday .
“ Whatever slump defensively that we may have been in , I think they turned the page over , ” Gipson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to collectively do that together , it ’ s what Chicago football , Chicago defense is all about.
” Even if it didn ’ t look that way two weeks ago .
“ We knew it wasn ’ t us , ” Nichols said .
“ It was just one of those days where we just felt like we didn ’ t play well .
“ We came back at practice and got on each other and realized , ‘ We have to play our best way of football if we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playoffs .
’ ’ ’

Maybe he said it simply to grab his players’ attention. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer made the Bears’ defense sound more impressive than its upper-middle-class standing, at best, during a season in which it has allowed the ninth-fewest points and 13th-fewest yards in the NFL.
“They’ve got probably the best defensive talent in the league,” Zimmer said this week.
If that were true, then it makes the last two weeks that much more galling. How in the world could the Bears give up seven yards per play and 34 points to the Lions one week, then 4.1 yards and seven points to the Texans the next?
“Certain things can’t be explained,” safety Tashaun Gipson said. “Even from me as a player in the midst of all of that going on, it’s just unheard of for this secondary to give up 400 yards passing [to Detroit].
“That wasn’t what this defense symbolizes or represents. I could not tell you; I could not put my finger on what it was. But at the end of the day, man, it’s better late than never.”
The de facto playoff-race elimination game Sunday against the Vikings qualifies as late.
Lose, and it’s never.
To live up to Zimmer’s praise, the Bears need to do three things well: unleash outside linebacker Khalil Mack, slow down running back Dalvin Cook and finally intercept a pass.
Before the game last Sunday against the Texans, Mack had been symbolic of the Bears’ popgun pass rush.
His last sack had come on Nov. 1. Against Detroit, he didn’t appear in the box score. Against Houston, though, he sacked quarterback Deshaun Watson for a safety and forced a Duke Johnson fumble that he recovered. The Bears finished with seven sacks.
“I think [Mack] just finally said, ‘OK, regardless of who they put on me — one, two, three, whatever it is — I’m taking this thing over,’ ’’ defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano said. “We need the same thing this week out of him, and he’ll do that.”
The Bears’ success against Cook, the NFL’s second-leading rusher, is well-documented. Last month, they held him to 96 yards on 30 carries. The season-low 3.2 yards per carry was almost two yards worse than his rest-of-year average.
The secret, Pagano said, is having 11 players rally to bring him down.
“It oughta sound like BBs off a tin can,” he said. “That’s the only way you stop this great runner.”
Doing so would put quarterback Kirk Cousins in third-and-long, which is exactly where the Bears want him. His 12 interceptions are third-most in the league.
The Bears, though, have almost forgotten how to pick off passes. Since DeAndre Houston-Carson intercepted the Panthers’ Teddy Bridgewater to clinch a win, the Bears have only two picks — one by a defensive lineman, Bilal Nichols, and another by Mack — in seven games.
The defensive backfield is already weakened. The Bears will be without slot corner Buster Skrine and starting cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who has a shoulder injury. Safety Deon Bush was ruled out with a foot injury, too.
Only six teams have fewer takeaways than the Bears’ 14. Four have fewer interceptions than their seven.
“I know these last three games, we’re itching,” Gipson said. “Because that’s unlike a secondary like this.”
Coverage, pass rush and run-stopping is all intertwined. And all three are needed Sunday.
“Whatever slump defensively that we may have been in, I think they turned the page over,” Gipson said. “To rush and cover, to collectively do that together, it’s what Chicago football, Chicago defense is all about.”
Even if it didn’t look that way two weeks ago.
“We knew it wasn’t us,” Nichols said. “It was just one of those days where we just felt like we didn’t play well.
“We came back at practice and got on each other and realized, ‘We have to play our best way of football if we have any chance of making it to the playoffs.’ ’’