chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Virtual Lollapalooza was ‘a massive undertaking,’ Perry Farrell says

While it may not have the familiar swarms of sweaty shoulder-to-shoulder people , softball-field dust clouds hazing the bright stage lights and lines of people trying to refill water bottles , Lollapalooza still lives on this weekend — virtually at least .
Earlier this week , organizers announced a breathtaking schedule of online events to fill up all four days ( July 30-August 2 ) originally planned for live music before COVID-19 sidelined the event in Grant Park .
Kicking off with a conversation between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Lollapalooza creator Perry Farrell at 5 p.m. on Thursday and wrapping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite DJ Kaskade burning the midnight oil late on Sunday night , the four days each have about eight full hours of programming that will be broadcast free on YouTube .
The lineup includes some of the festival ’ s best archival footage from the past three decades from acts like Arcade Fire and Metallica , brand-new recorded performances including a live set from Alison Wonderland , in-depth conversations ( see Lightfoot and LL Cool J hash it out Sunday night ) and civic activities that mirror the intensity of the in-person event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” admitted Farrell , who founded the festival in 1991 as a touring operation before it laid roots as a yearly annual event in Chicago .
“ We have been working ‘ round the clock , 2 to 3 in the morning most nights , because we didn ’ t want to just throw up archival footage and leave it at that .
There ’ s a little bit of everything to see and unannounced surprises will pop up throughout the weekend.
” Although Farrell admits he and his Lollapalooza partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ never lost so much money in my life , ” it was a no-brainer that the show must go on in what capacity it could .
“ We are in a crisis , and people are suffering , but through suffering if you can find your purpose , you can get through situations , ” he said Wednesday .
“ The purpose , for us , this year was to have music and art regardless .
Right now the world needs music so badly — protest music and love music and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important that we keep the sound of music in the air , and I ’ m inspired by my team and my colleagues with what we ended up presenting to the fans.
” Farrell ( who will participate in a number of sets , including reuniting with his band Porno For Pyros for the first time in 24 years on Thursday night ) says “ it wasn ’ t that easy to get all these artists together.
” Some that they initially approached didn ’ t want to be involved in the virtual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We were running into headwinds because we couldn ’ t pay people .
I have been more active than I have been in years to program this year ’ s event , ” he adds , nothing he called up friends and colleagues like Queens of the Stone Age ’ s Josh Homme , Foo Fighters ’ Taylor Hawkins , rapper Chuck D and Rage Against the Machine ’ s Tom Morello , many of whom were further inspired to participate given the strong charity missions and civic engagement the festival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a year of heightened social consciousness and ongoing unrest .
Lollapalooza 2020 will be partnering with Michelle Obama ’ s When We All Vote nonprofit to increase participation in the upcoming election , as well as the Equal Justice Initiative that challenges racial and economic injustice and the Arts For Illinois Relief Fund providing financial relief to venues , organizations and workers in the creative industries .
The latter commitment included partnering up with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events ( DCASE ) to program performances from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sets from Chicago-bred heavy hitters like Chance the Rapper ( his full 2017 performance ) and Vic Mensa .
Over the weekend , there also will be a stage for singer-songwriter-poet Jamila Woods , singer-songwriter KAINA , producer/gospel enthusiast Peter CottonTale , poets from the Rebirth Poetry Ensemble and spoken-word artists Emon Fowler and Linda Sol , as well as dance and footwork from the Heavy Steppers with Jamal Smallz and The Era Footwork .
“ The audience that will be watching Lollapalooza ’ s virtual event is international , which is really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people of all backgrounds to see these sets that are really Chicago-centric , ” says Mariam Thiam , DCASE Program Director for Performing Arts , who was intent on putting together a lineup that was diverse and included emerging local talent .
“ Chicago is a trendsetter on a global level , so this is another opportunity for international audience to appreciate our work.
” Prior to the cancellation , C3 Presents and Lollapalooza had already been talking about ways that the festival could support the city-branded Year of Chicago Music ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the festival shifted to reimagined online activities , the collaboration continued with an effort to feature local programming .
It ’ s the first time DCASE has partnered with Lollapalooza in this capacity , and the team has been working diligently over the past few weeks .
“ It ’ s been rapid-fire work ” to bring it together , says Thiam , which included filming the performances at local venues Thalia Hall and The Promontory .
But she adds , “ Lollapalooza has been a great partner .
The venues were eager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are all very excited , and this really was a seamless programming opportunity.
” Whether or not Lollapalooza aims to extend these hyperlocal activities once the traditional event returns in the years to come is yet to be seen , but Thiam says the team will be ready and has gleaned positives from the experience .
“ This really was an opportunity to venture more into the virtual space .
We see a lot of artists that pivoted really quickly and are staying active in that way .
COVID has been devastating for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture , our community and our city , and so any opportunity we have to shine a spotlight on them and bring more funds is for the better.
” Farrell admits pivoting to programming an online event has also provided some lightbulbs for the Lollapalooza team .
“ It ’ s opened everybody ’ s eyes to the possibilities and widened our musical tastes and I think it will absolutely impact Lollapalooza in the future.
” Anticipation remains high for this weekend , even with the new model .
Executives at YouTube have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be one of the biggest events of the year for them .
“ But the way I look at it , just by the fact of doing something like this , even if three people saw it , it would be successful , ” says Farrell .
“ As musicians we are messengers .
Everybody can add to the conversation of the world ’ s discussion of where do we go from here , what do we do now .
It ’ s time for us to be fearless and active .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see what it ’ s purpose is right now .
”

While it may not have the familiar swarms of sweaty shoulder-to-shoulder people, softball-field dust clouds hazing the bright stage lights and lines of people trying to refill water bottles, Lollapalooza still lives on this weekend — virtually at least.
Earlier this week, organizers announced a breathtaking schedule of online events to fill up all four days (July 30-August 2) originally planned for live music before COVID-19 sidelined the event in Grant Park.
Untitled Lollapalooza 2020 • 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday through Sunday • youtube.com/lollapalooza • Free • See lollapalooza.com for hour-by-hour schedule
Kicking off with a conversation between Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Lollapalooza creator Perry Farrell at 5 p.m. on Thursday and wrapping up with Perry’s Stage perennial favorite DJ Kaskade burning the midnight oil late on Sunday night, the four days each have about eight full hours of programming that will be broadcast free on YouTube. The lineup includes some of the festival’s best archival footage from the past three decades from acts like Arcade Fire and Metallica, brand-new recorded performances including a live set from Alison Wonderland, in-depth conversations (see Lightfoot and LL Cool J hash it out Sunday night) and civic activities that mirror the intensity of the in-person event.
“It was a massive undertaking,” admitted Farrell, who founded the festival in 1991 as a touring operation before it laid roots as a yearly annual event in Chicago. “We have been working ‘round the clock, 2 to 3 in the morning most nights, because we didn’t want to just throw up archival footage and leave it at that. There’s a little bit of everything to see and unannounced surprises will pop up throughout the weekend.”
Perry Farrell reunites with his band Porno for Pyros for a set streaming at 7:50 p.m. Thursday Meeno
Although Farrell admits he and his Lollapalooza partners, which also includes promotion/production company C3 Presents, “never lost so much money in my life,” it was a no-brainer that the show must go on in what capacity it could.
“We are in a crisis, and people are suffering, but through suffering if you can find your purpose, you can get through situations,” he said Wednesday. “The purpose, for us, this year was to have music and art regardless. Right now the world needs music so badly — protest music and love music and healing music. It’s so important that we keep the sound of music in the air, and I’m inspired by my team and my colleagues with what we ended up presenting to the fans.”
Farrell (who will participate in a number of sets, including reuniting with his band Porno For Pyros for the first time in 24 years on Thursday night) says “it wasn’t that easy to get all these artists together.” Some that they initially approached didn’t want to be involved in the virtual model, which asked for donated footage.
“We were running into headwinds because we couldn’t pay people. I have been more active than I have been in years to program this year’s event,” he adds, nothing he called up friends and colleagues like Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme, Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins, rapper Chuck D and Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, many of whom were further inspired to participate given the strong charity missions and civic engagement the festival has aligned itself with more than ever in a year of heightened social consciousness and ongoing unrest.
Lollapalooza 2020 will be partnering with Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote nonprofit to increase participation in the upcoming election, as well as the Equal Justice Initiative that challenges racial and economic injustice and the Arts For Illinois Relief Fund providing financial relief to venues, organizations and workers in the creative industries.
The latter commitment included partnering up with the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) to program performances from local talent in addition to the virtual sets from Chicago-bred heavy hitters like Chance the Rapper (his full 2017 performance) and Vic Mensa. Over the weekend, there also will be a stage for singer-songwriter-poet Jamila Woods, singer-songwriter KAINA, producer/gospel enthusiast Peter CottonTale, poets from the Rebirth Poetry Ensemble and spoken-word artists Emon Fowler and Linda Sol, as well as dance and footwork from the Heavy Steppers with Jamal Smallz and The Era Footwork.
Jamila Woods is one of the Chicago artists performing new sets during the Lollapalooza livestream. Bradley Murray
“The audience that will be watching Lollapalooza’s virtual event is international, which is really exciting as it will be an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to see these sets that are really Chicago-centric,” says Mariam Thiam, DCASE Program Director for Performing Arts, who was intent on putting together a lineup that was diverse and included emerging local talent. “Chicago is a trendsetter on a global level, so this is another opportunity for international audience to appreciate our work.”
Prior to the cancellation, C3 Presents and Lollapalooza had already been talking about ways that the festival could support the city-branded Year of Chicago Music (now extended into 2021). As the festival shifted to reimagined online activities, the collaboration continued with an effort to feature local programming.
It’s the first time DCASE has partnered with Lollapalooza in this capacity, and the team has been working diligently over the past few weeks. “It’s been rapid-fire work” to bring it together, says Thiam, which included filming the performances at local venues Thalia Hall and The Promontory. But she adds, “Lollapalooza has been a great partner. The venues were eager to support this initiative, the artists are all very excited, and this really was a seamless programming opportunity.”
Whether or not Lollapalooza aims to extend these hyperlocal activities once the traditional event returns in the years to come is yet to be seen, but Thiam says the team will be ready and has gleaned positives from the experience. “This really was an opportunity to venture more into the virtual space. We see a lot of artists that pivoted really quickly and are staying active in that way. COVID has been devastating for artists that are the heartbeat of our culture, our community and our city, and so any opportunity we have to shine a spotlight on them and bring more funds is for the better.”
Farrell admits pivoting to programming an online event has also provided some lightbulbs for the Lollapalooza team. “It’s opened everybody’s eyes to the possibilities and widened our musical tastes and I think it will absolutely impact Lollapalooza in the future.”
Anticipation remains high for this weekend, even with the new model. Executives at YouTube have told Farrell that they anticipate it to be one of the biggest events of the year for them. “But the way I look at it, just by the fact of doing something like this, even if three people saw it, it would be successful,” says Farrell. “As musicians we are messengers. Everybody can add to the conversation of the world’s discussion of where do we go from here, what do we do now. It’s time for us to be fearless and active. I have this vehicle with Lollapalooza and I see what it’s purpose is right now.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Here’s how CPS says it’ll decide if it’s safe to go back to school (LIVE UPDATES)

Here ’ s how CPS says it ’ ll decide if it ’ s safe to go back to school Chicago would need to average 400 new daily COVID-19 cases over the span of a week or otherwise see a dramatic spike in infections or hospitalizations for officials to consider entirely closing schools again , according to new health guidance released Wednesday .
The city has crept toward that decision since Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady first mentioned the 400-case threshold last week , and appears to have already met at least one requirement for officials to consider keeping students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools on Wednesday codified Arwady ’ s view with a more detailed explanation of how the district would make its determination on school reopening .
Other than the 400-case number , CPS could move to full remote learning if the city is averaging more than 200 cases per day while seeing a rapid increase of positive tests or inadequate hospital capacity , the district said .
Arwady also said a 5 % positivity rate would mean the virus is not in control , schools chief Janice Jackson said in a WBEZ radio appearance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago is seeing 246 new cases per day , with an average positivity rate of 5.6 % , according to city data .
Representatives for CPS and CDPH didn ’ t immediately respond to questions about the positivity mark currently being met .
7:08 p.m. Pritzker warns public , pols on COVID-19 precautions : ‘ If things don ’ t change , a reversal is where we ’ re headed ’ A month after Illinois entered its latest phase of reopening , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday warned that another round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ residents don ’ t take health precautions more seriously to stem the state ’ s steady rise in coronavirus cases .
“ We are far , far from out of the woods , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said during a Loop news conference .
“ We ’ ve made progress in Illinois , but we ’ ve also seen that it can be fleeting .
And right now , things are not heading in the right direction .
I want to remind everyone that it doesn ’ t take long at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into rising hospitalizations and deaths .
“ And if things don ’ t change , a reversal is where we ’ re headed , ” Pritzker said .
The Democratic governor offered his grim prognosis as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the latest 1,393 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among 38,187 tests .
That kept the state ’ s testing positivity rate over the last week at 3.8 % , but raised July ’ s daily average to more than 1,100 new cases reported per day , compared to 764 per day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association has managed to squeeze all of its sports into a new four-season schedule it announced Wednesday .
Seasons will be shorter and some sports are switching from fall to winter , but if the IHSA ’ s schedule actually happens all the athletes will get to play .
The major change has football , girls volleyball and boys soccer moving from the fall to the spring season .
“ That is a huge relief for me , ” Dunbar football player Mekel Fowler said .
“ I was really worried about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move comes after Governor J.B. Pritzker released a set of restrictions on high school , youth and adult recreational sports earlier Wednesday .
“ My initial reaction is that it stinks , ” Kenwood football coach Sinque Turner said .
“ That is going to impact football players that graduate early .
If anything I thought they would cut some games and push us back to September .
I thought the spring season was just a rumor .
It stinks but I understand why things are going the way they are.
” Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brien here .
4:15 p.m. CPS parents question safety of students taking CTA if schools reopen this fall Parents in a virtual Chicago Public Schools meeting for the Spanish-speaking community questioned whether students will be safe taking public transportation to schools if they reopen this fall , as planned , amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The question on the CTA was one of several posed Wednesday to CPS officials , who are hosting a series of meetings on the district ’ s plans that would see most students attending school two days a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of questions during Wednesday ’ s meeting but were unable to address the majority of concerns raised during a half-hour Q & A session with parents and others .
CPS CEO Janice Jackson acknowledged the risk some students and staff will take during their commutes .
“ Of course , every time you enter a bus you are taking a risk , ” she said .
“ We can ’ t control what happens on a CTA bus , the same way we can ’ t control what ’ s happening in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read the full report from Emmanuel Camarillo here .
3:56 p.m. Chicago Water Taxis to remain docked until at least next spring Wendella Sightseeing Co. announced Wednesday it ’ s suspending its Chicago Water Taxi operations until at least the spring of 2021 after determining coronavirus protocols aren ’ t feasible for its smaller vessels that operate as water taxis .
The company ’ s five water taxis haven ’ t been in operation since March .
Workers are able to disinfect Wendella ’ s three large tour boats that cruise the river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predetermined amount of downtime where no customers are aboard between the 90-minute tours , Andrew Sargis , chief of operations for Chicago Water Taxi , told the Sun-Times .
“ But there is no downtime on the water taxis , ” Sargis said .
“ And to implement these measures , we would have had to rework the way we operate.
” 8:08 a.m .
Suburban districts flip-flop , nix in-person learning for fall after initially planning to reopen schools School districts in some of Chicago ’ s largest suburbs had planned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in classrooms at least part-time .
But with the start of school less than a month away and pressure mounting from anxious parents and teachers during a raging pandemic , some of those very districts have backtracked and will start the year fully remote .
Others plan to stick with a hybrid model to get students in school at least occasionally , and most districts , whether they ’ re planning to bring kids back on a limited basis or not at all , are pledging to improve the online learning experience from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Online learning will include more live teaching sessions in Elgin Area School District U-46 schools , the second-largest district in the state after Chicago Public Schools .
That includes teachers and students using a single digital platform and having teachers evaluate all student work to determine performance .
The district ’ s decision to go fully remote came after it had initially been leaning toward a hybrid model .
Diana Martinez , 43 , of Streamwood , will have children in kindergarten and high school at District U-46 schools this fall .
Martinez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs due to the pandemic , said she had waited to find a new job until she knew her kids ’ schedules .
She even started training her younger son to get used to wearing a mask , in case his kindergarten class had an in-person component .
• Another 1,076 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Illinois , health officials said Tuesday , marking a full week of four-digit daily caseloads .
• Orioles GM Mike Elias confirmed that Monday ’ s Orioles-Marlins game in Miami has been postponed after eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for COVID-19 .
The Marlins now have a total of 14 cases in their clubhouse .
No sooner did professional baseball return last week , after months of planning to make the games safe during the pandemic , than the entire season was thrown into doubt when COVID-19 swept through the Miami Marlins .
There is a lesson in that not only for professional sports , which we ’ re really feeling the loss of right now , but also for lawmakers in Washington who are crafting a massive new pandemic relief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doomed if designed for a wished-for world .
At the core of almost every disagreement between Democrats and Republicans about how big the federal relief bill should be — and what it should include — is a fundamentally different view about how long it will be before life in the United States can return to normal .
Democrats , listening to the scientists , think it could be many more months or even years .
They are proposing a $ 3 trillion relief bill .
Republicans are leaning hard into that wished-for world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion bill .
Read the full editorial from the Sun-Times Editorial Board here .
8:13 a.m.
I ’ m a teacher and parent .
Our schools aren ’ t ready to reopen and keep children and families safe .
With the start of a typical school year right around the corner , discussions are taking place about what the eventual return will look like .
As an educator and a mom , I am torn between options : Full remote learning to ensure that children and students stay healthy ; or a hybrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two major questions loom in the minds of every educator and parent : Can our nation keep children and families healthy , even with limited classroom teaching ?
If remote learning continues , will students lose too much educationally ?
As a former teacher in three Chicago public high schools on the South Side , I think the answer to the first question is a clear “ No.
” Our nation can ’ t keep our kids and their families healthy without strong federal leadership , which is needed to have any chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A case in point : One of my grossest days in CPS was the time a student threw up in the library entryway .
It was flu season and only two janitors were working that day , so it took around six hours for one of them to clean up the vomit .
The student went to the nurse ’ s office , but she wasn ’ t at our school that day , so he returned , still sick , for his library lesson .
Meanwhile , students and teachers continued to @ @ @ @

“We’ve made progress in Illinois,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday, “but we’ve also seen that it can be fleeting. And right now, things are not heading in the right direction.”
Here’s what happened in Chicago and around the state as the coronavirus pandemic continued.
News
8:57 p.m. Here’s how CPS says it’ll decide if it’s safe to go back to school
Sun-Times file
Chicago would need to average 400 new daily COVID-19 cases over the span of a week or otherwise see a dramatic spike in infections or hospitalizations for officials to consider entirely closing schools again, according to new health guidance released Wednesday.
The city has crept toward that decision since Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady first mentioned the 400-case threshold last week, and appears to have already met at least one requirement for officials to consider keeping students and teachers at home.
Chicago Public Schools on Wednesday codified Arwady’s view with a more detailed explanation of how the district would make its determination on school reopening. Other than the 400-case number, CPS could move to full remote learning if the city is averaging more than 200 cases per day while seeing a rapid increase of positive tests or inadequate hospital capacity, the district said.
Arwady also said a 5% positivity rate would mean the virus is not in control, schools chief Janice Jackson said in a WBEZ radio appearance Wednesday. Using a 7-day rolling average, Chicago is seeing 246 new cases per day, with an average positivity rate of 5.6%, according to city data. Representatives for CPS and CDPH didn’t immediately respond to questions about the positivity mark currently being met.
Reporter Nader Issa has the full story.
7:08 p.m. Pritzker warns public, pols on COVID-19 precautions: ‘If things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed’
A month after Illinois entered its latest phase of reopening, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday warned that another round of closures could be on tap if residents don’t take health precautions more seriously to stem the state’s steady rise in coronavirus cases.
“We are far, far from out of the woods,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during a Loop news conference.
“We’ve made progress in Illinois, but we’ve also seen that it can be fleeting. And right now, things are not heading in the right direction. I want to remind everyone that it doesn’t take long at all for a trajectory of success to turn into rising hospitalizations and deaths.
“And if things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed,” Pritzker said.
The Democratic governor offered his grim prognosis as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the latest 1,393 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among 38,187 tests. That kept the state’s testing positivity rate over the last week at 3.8%, but raised July’s daily average to more than 1,100 new cases reported per day, compared to 764 per day last month.
Reporter Mitch Arementrout has the full story.
4:40 p.m. IHSA moves football to the spring
The Illinois High School Association has managed to squeeze all of its sports into a new four-season schedule it announced Wednesday. Seasons will be shorter and some sports are switching from fall to winter, but if the IHSA’s schedule actually happens all the athletes will get to play.
The major change has football, girls volleyball and boys soccer moving from the fall to the spring season.
“That is a huge relief for me,” Dunbar football player Mekel Fowler said. “I was really worried about the possibility of it being canceled.
The move comes after Governor J.B. Pritzker released a set of restrictions on high school, youth and adult recreational sports earlier Wednesday.
“My initial reaction is that it stinks,” Kenwood football coach Sinque Turner said. “That is going to impact football players that graduate early. If anything I thought they would cut some games and push us back to September. I thought the spring season was just a rumor. It stinks but I understand why things are going the way they are.”
Read the full report from Michael O’Brien here.
4:15 p.m. CPS parents question safety of students taking CTA if schools reopen this fall
Parents in a virtual Chicago Public Schools meeting for the Spanish-speaking community questioned whether students will be safe taking public transportation to schools if they reopen this fall, as planned, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The question on the CTA was one of several posed Wednesday to CPS officials, who are hosting a series of meetings on the district’s plans that would see most students attending school two days a week this fall. Officials answered a number of questions during Wednesday’s meeting but were unable to address the majority of concerns raised during a half-hour Q&A session with parents and others.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson acknowledged the risk some students and staff will take during their commutes.
“Of course, every time you enter a bus you are taking a risk,” she said. “We can’t control what happens on a CTA bus, the same way we can’t control what’s happening in each individual person’s home.”
Read the full report from Emmanuel Camarillo here.
3:56 p.m. Chicago Water Taxis to remain docked until at least next spring
Wendella Sightseeing Co. announced Wednesday it’s suspending its Chicago Water Taxi operations until at least the spring of 2021 after determining coronavirus protocols aren’t feasible for its smaller vessels that operate as water taxis.
The company’s five water taxis haven’t been in operation since March.
Workers are able to disinfect Wendella’s three large tour boats that cruise the river and lakefront because there’s a predetermined amount of downtime where no customers are aboard between the 90-minute tours, Andrew Sargis, chief of operations for Chicago Water Taxi, told the Sun-Times.
“But there is no downtime on the water taxis,” Sargis said. “And to implement these measures, we would have had to rework the way we operate.”
Read Mitch Dudek’s full report here.
8:08 a.m. Suburban districts flip-flop, nix in-person learning for fall after initially planning to reopen schools
School districts in some of Chicago’s largest suburbs had planned to kick off the fall with students back in classrooms at least part-time.
But with the start of school less than a month away and pressure mounting from anxious parents and teachers during a raging pandemic, some of those very districts have backtracked and will start the year fully remote.
Others plan to stick with a hybrid model to get students in school at least occasionally, and most districts, whether they’re planning to bring kids back on a limited basis or not at all, are pledging to improve the online learning experience from the end of last school year.
Online learning will include more live teaching sessions in Elgin Area School District U-46 schools, the second-largest district in the state after Chicago Public Schools. That includes teachers and students using a single digital platform and having teachers evaluate all student work to determine performance. The district’s decision to go fully remote came after it had initially been leaning toward a hybrid model.
Diana Martinez, 43, of Streamwood, will have children in kindergarten and high school at District U-46 schools this fall. Martinez, a single mother who lost two jobs due to the pandemic, said she had waited to find a new job until she knew her kids’ schedules. She even started training her younger son to get used to wearing a mask, in case his kindergarten class had an in-person component.
Reporter Clare Proctor has the full story.
New cases
Another 1,076 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in Illinois, health officials said Tuesday, marking a full week of four-digit daily caseloads.
Orioles GM Mike Elias confirmed that Monday’s Orioles-Marlins game in Miami has been postponed after eight more Marlins players and two coaches tested positive for COVID-19. The Marlins now have a total of 14 cases in their clubhouse.
Analysis & Commentary
6:41 p.m. Editorial: Unemployment relief must continue
Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images
No sooner did professional baseball return last week, after months of planning to make the games safe during the pandemic, than the entire season was thrown into doubt when COVID-19 swept through the Miami Marlins.
There is a lesson in that not only for professional sports, which we’re really feeling the loss of right now, but also for lawmakers in Washington who are crafting a massive new pandemic relief bill:
All our man-made plans are doomed if designed for a wished-for world.
At the core of almost every disagreement between Democrats and Republicans about how big the federal relief bill should be — and what it should include — is a fundamentally different view about how long it will be before life in the United States can return to normal.
Democrats, listening to the scientists, think it could be many more months or even years. They are proposing a $3 trillion relief bill. Republicans are leaning hard into that wished-for world. They are pushing a $1 trillion bill.
Read the full editorial from the Sun-Times Editorial Board here.
8:13 a.m. I’m a teacher and parent. Our schools aren’t ready to reopen and keep children and families safe.
With the start of a typical school year right around the corner, discussions are taking place about what the eventual return will look like. As an educator and a mom, I am torn between options: Full remote learning to ensure that children and students stay healthy; or a hybrid, with some in-person instruction.
But two major questions loom in the minds of every educator and parent: Can our nation keep children and families healthy, even with limited classroom teaching? If remote learning continues, will students lose too much educationally?
As a former teacher in three Chicago public high schools on the South Side, I think the answer to the first question is a clear “No.” Our nation can’t keep our kids and their families healthy without strong federal leadership, which is needed to have any chance of slowing the spread of coronavirus.
A case in point: One of my grossest days in CPS was the time a student threw up in the library entryway. It was flu season and only two janitors were working that day, so it took around six hours for one of them to clean up the vomit. The student went to the nurse’s office, but she wasn’t at our school that day, so he returned, still sick, for his library lesson. Meanwhile, students and teachers continued to fill the room.
The custodian also found a dead mouse nearby.
Read the full opinion piece by Gina Caneva.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Pritzker warns public, pols on COVID-19 precautions: ‘If things don’t change, a reversal is where we

Pritzker warns public, pols on COVID-19 precautions: ‘If things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed’

A month after Illinois entered its latest phase of reopening , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday warned that another round of closures could be on tap if residents don ’ t take health precautions more seriously to stem the state ’ s steady rise in coronavirus cases .
“ We are far , far from out of the woods , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said during a Loop news conference .
“ We ’ ve made progress in Illinois , but we ’ ve also seen that it can be fleeting .
And right now , things are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I want to remind everyone that it doesn ’ t take long at all for a trajectory of success to turn into rising hospitalizations and deaths .
“ And if things don ’ t change , a reversal is where we ’ re headed , ” Pritzker said .
The Democratic governor offered his grim prognosis as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the latest 1,393 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among 38,187 tests .
That kept the state ’ s testing positivity rate over the last week at 3.8 % , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,100 new cases reported per day , compared to 764 per day last month .
The state ’ s positivity rate — which experts say indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading through a region — was 2.7 % on June 26 , when most businesses , restaurants and bars were allowed to resume operations with the fourth phase of Pritzker ’ s reopening plan .
Since then , the state has logged almost 35,000 new cases , compared to about 26,000 over the previous 30 days when Illinois ’ pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday also announced 18 more deaths have been attributed to the virus , raising Illinois ’ toll to 7,462 .
More than 175,000 people have tested positive for the virus over the last four months , among 2.6 million who have been tested .
A week after Pritzker ’ s office singled out a handful of “ warning level ” counties across the state for outbreaks tied to “ business and risky behavior , ” the governor said the downstate Metro East region is still on the brink of a state intervention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positivity rate hovers just below 8 % .
“ If you ’ re a local elected official , and your local numbers are rising , it ’ s time to step up and impose stricter mitigations , ” Pritzker said .
“ Residents should hold your elected leaders accountable .
Demand that they take action , because if they don ’ t , they could send the entire region back to closed bars and closed restaurants , stricter limits on gatherings , or even another stay-at-home order.
” Pritzker ’ s office also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sports that effectively pushed back the high school football season and many other sports back to at least February , with the governor saying “ it ’ s obvious that there won ’ t be enough protection for kids on our school playing fields.
” In all , six of the 11 regions in Illinois — including suburban Cook County — have each had a consecutive week or more with rising testing positivity rates , and could face such state “ mitigation ” efforts if hospital admissions increase .
Beyond Illinois ’ gradual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statewide over the past several weeks .
As of Tuesday night , 1,491 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized , with 355 in intensive care units and 152 on ventilators .
Those are “ clearly indicators that we are headed in the wrong direction , ” according to Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike , who called on residents to follow three “ simple truths.
” “ Watching your distance , wearing a face covering and washing your hands — that ’ s what we can all do to protect ourselves , our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , our state .
”

A month after Illinois entered its latest phase of reopening, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday warned that another round of closures could be on tap if residents don’t take health precautions more seriously to stem the state’s steady rise in coronavirus cases.
“We are far, far from out of the woods,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said during a Loop news conference.
“We’ve made progress in Illinois, but we’ve also seen that it can be fleeting. And right now, things are not heading in the right direction. I want to remind everyone that it doesn’t take long at all for a trajectory of success to turn into rising hospitalizations and deaths.
“And if things don’t change, a reversal is where we’re headed,” Pritzker said.
The Democratic governor offered his grim prognosis as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the latest 1,393 cases of COVID-19 confirmed among 38,187 tests. That kept the state’s testing positivity rate over the last week at 3.8%, but raised July’s daily average to more than 1,100 new cases reported per day, compared to 764 per day last month.
Related Pritzker announces restrictions on high school sports
The state’s positivity rate — which experts say indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading through a region — was 2.7% on June 26, when most businesses, restaurants and bars were allowed to resume operations with the fourth phase of Pritzker’s reopening plan.
Since then, the state has logged almost 35,000 new cases, compared to about 26,000 over the previous 30 days when Illinois’ pandemic curve appeared to flatten.
Health officials on Wednesday also announced 18 more deaths have been attributed to the virus, raising Illinois’ toll to 7,462. More than 175,000 people have tested positive for the virus over the last four months, among 2.6 million who have been tested.
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
A week after Pritzker’s office singled out a handful of “warning level” counties across the state for outbreaks tied to “business and risky behavior,” the governor said the downstate Metro East region is still on the brink of a state intervention that could include business shutdowns as its positivity rate hovers just below 8%.
“If you’re a local elected official, and your local numbers are rising, it’s time to step up and impose stricter mitigations,” Pritzker said. “Residents should hold your elected leaders accountable. Demand that they take action, because if they don’t, they could send the entire region back to closed bars and closed restaurants, stricter limits on gatherings, or even another stay-at-home order.”
Protesters listen to William Kelly, host of the Citizen Kelly Show, as he speaks about suing Gov. JB Pritzker over COVID-19 restrictions during the “Million Unmasked March” at the Illinois State Capitol on Saturday in Springfield. The State Journal-Register, distributed by the Associated Press
Pritzker’s office also issued a set of guidelines restricting youth sports that effectively pushed back the high school football season and many other sports back to at least February, with the governor saying “it’s obvious that there won’t be enough protection for kids on our school playing fields.”
In all, six of the 11 regions in Illinois — including suburban Cook County — have each had a consecutive week or more with rising testing positivity rates, and could face such state “mitigation” efforts if hospital admissions increase.
Beyond Illinois’ gradual case rise, admissions have ticked upward statewide over the past several weeks. As of Tuesday night, 1,491 Illinois coronavirus patients were hospitalized, with 355 in intensive care units and 152 on ventilators.
Those are “clearly indicators that we are headed in the wrong direction,” according to Illinois Public Health Director Dr Ngozi Ezike, who called on residents to follow three “simple truths.”
“Watching your distance, wearing a face covering and washing your hands — that’s what we can all do to protect ourselves, our families, our friends, our community, our state.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Police seek suspect in Fourth of July mass shooting in Englewood

Police are asking for the public ’ s help identifying the gunmen who shot eight people , including two teenagers and an 11-year-old boy , on the Fourth of July in Englewood on the South Side .
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $ 25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the shooters , according to Chicago police .
The victims were at a large gathering in the street about 11:35 p.m. in the 6100 block of South Carpenter Street when four males walked up and started shooting , police said .
The shooters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street .
Vernado Jones , 14 , was hit in the back and pronounced dead at Comer Children ’ s Hospital , police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
Three other men were pronounced dead , two at the scene and one at the University of Chicago Medical Center .
Officials identified them as 30-year-old Ernest Franklin , 26-year-old Cartier Tivon Warner and 53-year-old Andre Parnell Osborne .
An 11-year-old boy with a graze wound to the ankle and a 15-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fair condition , police said .
A 35-year-old man shot in the hip , leg , arm and wrist was taken to St. Bernard Hospital and transferred to Stroger Hospital in critical condition , police said .
A 29-year-old man shot in the foot was taken to St. Bernard Hospital in fair condition .
Police released a surveillance image of one of the suspects , seen wearing a yellow hoodie , and are asking anyone with information to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or Detective DeJesus at 773-664-4633 .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the gunmen who shot eight people, including two teenagers and an 11-year-old boy, on the Fourth of July in Englewood on the South Side.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of the shooters, according to Chicago police.
The victims were at a large gathering in the street about 11:35 p.m. in the 6100 block of South Carpenter Street when four males walked up and started shooting, police said. The shooters ran east through Carpenter Park toward Morgan Street.
Vernado Jones, 14, was hit in the back and pronounced dead at Comer Children’s Hospital, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Three other men were pronounced dead, two at the scene and one at the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Officials identified them as 30-year-old Ernest Franklin, 26-year-old Cartier Tivon Warner and 53-year-old Andre Parnell Osborne.
An 11-year-old boy with a graze wound to the ankle and a 15-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the abdomen were both taken to Comer in fair condition, police said.
A 35-year-old man shot in the hip, leg, arm and wrist was taken to St. Bernard Hospital and transferred to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. A 29-year-old man shot in the foot was taken to St. Bernard Hospital in fair condition.
Police released a surveillance image of one of the suspects, seen wearing a yellow hoodie, and are asking anyone with information to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 or Detective DeJesus at 773-664-4633.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-29--Alderman has plan to combat police suicides

The Chicago Police Department should have at least one licensed clinical psychologist in each of the city ’ s 22 districts and five areas to confront a suicide problem that is the “ single greatest cause of death ” among police officers , an influential alderman said Wednesday .
Ald .
Chris Taliaferro ( 29th ) , chairman of the City Council ’ s Public Safety Committee , wants to follow the plan that helped Los Angeles go 18 months without an officer suicide .
His comments come a day after newly-promoted deputy chief Dion Boyd was found dead in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wound .
His death was ruled a suicide .
Taliaferro is a former CPD officer who worked with Boyd in the Bureau of Internal Affairs .
The alderman said he has no idea what would possess a 30-year veteran who had just been tapped as one of the department ’ s rising stars to take his own life .
But Taliaferro said he is determined to do more to prevent it from happening in the future .
He wants Chicago to follow the LAPD ’ s lead by hiring at least 27 licensed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and area .
“ They ’ re trained to be able to observe a person who may have a problem .
They talk to officers , building a bond with them .
It allows officers to come in and speak with them when there is an issue , without having to talk to a stranger , ” Taliaferro said .
CPD has 11 licensed clinicians — up from three , an amount criticized in the U.S. Justice Department ’ s scathing indictment of CPD — but no licensed clinical psychologists .
After a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPD expanded peer support teams to every police district and launched a “ You Are Not Alone ” campaign to encourage officers to seek help and assure them they would not be punished or ostracized if they do .
Taliaferro knows the pain of officer suicide first-hand .
Early in his police career , his sometimes-partner took his own life .
“ I spoke to him on his birthday at Area 5 .
... We spoke for about 30 minutes and I could not detect a problem .
In fact , we laughed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The next day , he killed himself , ” Taliaferro said .
“ I was not trained to be able to detect when someone may be experiencing a problem .
But [ psychologists ] are .
When they form that relationship and that bond from being out in the districts — getting to know the officers and the officers getting to know them , having lunch with the officers — an officer is more likely to sit down and say , ‘ I ’ m having a problem .
Can I talk to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get through this ?
How do I get through that ?
’ ” Police suicides aren ’ t Taliaferro ’ s only concern .
He also predicts a tidal wave of police retirements and a dramatic drop in the number of police exam applicants due to anti-police sentiment triggered by the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
“ They will attrition out .
We ’ re gon na have a tough time keeping up with that .
I see that in Chicago ’ s future .
I see that as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More folks will choose a different path , ” he said .
“ The profession still has the dignity and the courage that ’ s needed .
But it ’ s lost its luster .
It ’ s no longer looked at the same .
Police officers get it from every single end .
They get it from elected officials .
They get it from the public when many of ` em are just trying to do right by our residents.
” Incident at congressman ’ s office not a firing offense , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Catanzara has blamed rock-bottom morale and distrust of Mayor Lori Lightfoot for the dramatic slowdown in police activity coinciding with a surge in Chicago homicides and shootings .
Catanzara has pointed to the dramatic news conference last month at which Lightfoot accused officers of sleeping on a couch , popping popcorn and drinking coffee in the burglarized South Side campaign office of Congressman Bobby Rush , located in a strip mall where looters had a field day .
Wednesday , Taliaferro likened the officers ’ behavior to “ going to someone ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finding something that you enjoy and eating it.
” But he argued there were “ mitigating circumstances ” that make the offenses worthy of a suspension of several days at best .
Maybe even a reprimand .
Certainly not mass firings .
“ These officers were , in fact , tired .
These officers worked a long shift and they had worked continuous 12-hour shifts , spending very little time with their families — oftentimes being on the street [ for ] hours without eating anything , ” Taliaferro said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sleeping , eating and disrespecting Congressman Rush ’ s office .
But it ’ s not a very egregious infraction .
”

The Chicago Police Department should have at least one licensed clinical psychologist in each of the city’s 22 districts and five areas to confront a suicide problem that is the “single greatest cause of death” among police officers, an influential alderman said Wednesday.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), chairman of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, wants to follow the plan that helped Los Angeles go 18 months without an officer suicide. His comments come a day after newly-promoted deputy chief Dion Boyd was found dead in his Homan Square office of a gunshot wound. His death was ruled a suicide.
Taliaferro is a former CPD officer who worked with Boyd in the Bureau of Internal Affairs.
The alderman said he has no idea what would possess a 30-year veteran who had just been tapped as one of the department’s rising stars to take his own life.
But Taliaferro said he is determined to do more to prevent it from happening in the future.
He wants Chicago to follow the LAPD’s lead by hiring at least 27 licensed clinical psychologists — one for each district and area.
“They’re trained to be able to observe a person who may have a problem. They talk to officers, building a bond with them. It allows officers to come in and speak with them when there is an issue, without having to talk to a stranger,” Taliaferro said.
CPD has 11 licensed clinicians — up from three, an amount criticized in the U.S. Justice Department’s scathing indictment of CPD — but no licensed clinical psychologists.
Related Newly promoted CPD deputy chief dies in apparent suicide at Homan Square facility
After a wave of officer suicides last year, CPD expanded peer support teams to every police district and launched a “You Are Not Alone” campaign to encourage officers to seek help and assure them they would not be punished or ostracized if they do.
Taliaferro knows the pain of officer suicide first-hand. Early in his police career, his sometimes-partner took his own life.
“I spoke to him on his birthday at Area 5. ... We spoke for about 30 minutes and I could not detect a problem. In fact, we laughed and talked about the old times. The next day, he killed himself,” Taliaferro said.
“I was not trained to be able to detect when someone may be experiencing a problem. But [psychologists] are. When they form that relationship and that bond from being out in the districts — getting to know the officers and the officers getting to know them, having lunch with the officers — an officer is more likely to sit down and say, ‘I’m having a problem. Can I talk to you about it? How do I get through this? How do I get through that?’”
Police suicides aren’t Taliaferro’s only concern. He also predicts a tidal wave of police retirements and a dramatic drop in the number of police exam applicants due to anti-police sentiment triggered by the Memorial Day death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“They will attrition out. We’re gonna have a tough time keeping up with that. I see that in Chicago’s future. I see that as a response to de-funding police. … More folks will choose a different path,” he said.
“The profession still has the dignity and the courage that’s needed. But it’s lost its luster. It’s no longer looked at the same. Police officers get it from every single end. They get it from elected officials. They get it from the public when many of `em are just trying to do right by our residents.”
Incident at congressman’s office not a firing offense, alderman says
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara has blamed rock-bottom morale and distrust of Mayor Lori Lightfoot for the dramatic slowdown in police activity coinciding with a surge in Chicago homicides and shootings.
Catanzara has pointed to the dramatic news conference last month at which Lightfoot accused officers of sleeping on a couch, popping popcorn and drinking coffee in the burglarized South Side campaign office of Congressman Bobby Rush, located in a strip mall where looters had a field day.
Wednesday, Taliaferro likened the officers’ behavior to “going to someone’s house, looking in their refrigerator, finding something that you enjoy and eating it.”
But he argued there were “mitigating circumstances” that make the offenses worthy of a suspension of several days at best. Maybe even a reprimand. Certainly not mass firings.
“These officers were, in fact, tired. These officers worked a long shift and they had worked continuous 12-hour shifts, spending very little time with their families — oftentimes being on the street [for] hours without eating anything,” Taliaferro said.
“It does not excuse ... lounging, sleeping, eating and disrespecting Congressman Rush’s office. But it’s not a very egregious infraction.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Beachgoers ripped for displaying Confederate flag in Evanston: ‘That flag right there is my swastika

Beachgoers ripped for displaying Confederate flag in Evanston: ‘That flag right there is my swastika’

After LaShandra Smith-Rayfield learned that a Confederate flag was seen at an Evanston beach , she dropped what she was doing to confront the group of white people displaying what she called “ a racist symbol of hate.
” Smith-Rayfield , who is Black , admonished the group earlier this week as they sat near a towel emblazoned with the Confederate flag that hung on a fence lining Lighthouse Beach .
The incident , which Smith-Rayfield streamed on Facebook Live , has prompted a rebuke from Evanston ’ s mayor as well as protests in the affluent city on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t feel comfortable in my own neighborhood .
… That flag right there is my swastika , ” Smith-Rayfield said in the video , which was later deleted .
Smith-Rayfield declined to comment Thursday as she returned to the site of the incident with a couple dozen supporters .
At one point while the incident was taking place Wednesday , another beachgoer who Smith-Rayfield described as a “ man of color , ” attempted to intervene , saying he fought to defend the group ’ s right to display the Dixie flag .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , not the confederacy , ” she shot back .
After unsuccessfully trying to buy the towel for $ 20 , Smith-Rayfield ultimately left the beach and recorded a second video questioning why no one else stood up to the group .
“ I live in a liberal suburb , quote-unquote .
So if this is a liberal suburb , then get off your a -- -s and do something , ” she said in the video , which was also taken down .
Later Wednesday , Smith-Rayfield said she felt “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a now-deleted photo of a small contingent of protesters who showed up at the beach with Black Lives Matter signs and stayed until the group left .
“ I am a Jewish woman with mixed children , one of whom is LGBTQ , and that flag is against everything that I just said , ” said Turner .
“ I brought my daughter with me yesterday and we were up until [ 2:30 a.m. ] trying to process how heinous that was .
“ And it was purposeful , ” she added , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Friday .
Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty has also condemned the “ display of hate ” after first discrediting reports that a Confederate flag was on display at the beach and later offering an erroneous account of the incident .
“ My apologies to Ms. Smith-Rayfield and others for not getting the complete story before I posted on Facebook , ” Hagerty wrote Thursday on the social media platform .
“ Her courage and persistence is admirable and an example for all of us .
”

UPDATE: Protest calls out white silence after Confederate flag towel displayed on Evanston beach
After LaShandra Smith-Rayfield learned that a Confederate flag was seen at an Evanston beach, she dropped what she was doing to confront the group of white people displaying what she called “a racist symbol of hate.”
Smith-Rayfield, who is Black, admonished the group earlier this week as they sat near a towel emblazoned with the Confederate flag that hung on a fence lining Lighthouse Beach. The incident, which Smith-Rayfield posted to social media , has prompted a rebuke from Evanston’s mayor as well as protests in the affluent city on the North Shore.
“I can’t feel comfortable in my own neighborhood. … That flag right there is my swastika,” Smith-Rayfield said in the video, which was later deleted.
Smith-Rayfield declined to comment Thursday as she returned to the site of the incident with a couple dozen supporters.
At one point while the incident was taking place Wednesday, another beachgoer who Smith-Rayfield described as a “man of color,” attempted to intervene, saying he fought to defend the group’s right to display the Dixie flag.
“This is the United States of America, not the confederacy,” she shot back.
Lashandra Rayfield stands next to a Black Lives Matter sign on Lighthouse Beach on Thursday, July 30, 2020, in Evanston, Ill. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
After unsuccessfully trying to buy the towel for $20, Smith-Rayfield ultimately left the beach and recorded a second video questioning why no one else stood up to the group.
“I live in a liberal suburb, quote-unquote. So if this is a liberal suburb, then get off your a---s and do something,” she said in the video, which was also taken down.
Later Wednesday, Smith-Rayfield said she felt “a little better” when she posted a now-deleted photo of a small contingent of protesters who showed up at the beach with Black Lives Matter signs and stayed until the group left.
Evanston resident Terri Turner returned to scene with Smith-Rayfield Thursday.
“I am a Jewish woman with mixed children, one of whom is LGBTQ, and that flag is against everything that I just said,” said Turner. “I brought my daughter with me yesterday and we were up until [2:30 a.m.] trying to process how heinous that was.
“And it was purposeful,” she added, noting that another protest at the beach is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Friday.
Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty has also condemned the “display of hate” after first discrediting reports that a Confederate flag was on display at the beach and later offering an erroneous account of the incident.
“My apologies to Ms. Smith-Rayfield and others for not getting the complete story before I posted on Facebook,” Hagerty wrote Thursday on the social media platform. “Her courage and persistence is admirable and an example for all of us.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Teen killed in Joliet shooting

Teen killed in Joliet shooting

A 17-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Tuesday in suburban Joliet .
Officers responded about 12:47 p.m. to the @ @ @ @ @ for a report of shots fired , Joliet police said .
As they investigated , @ @ @ @ @ St. Joseph Medical Center , stating a teen was in their emergency room with gunshot @ @ @ @ @ Abraham Vertiz , of Joliet , died from his injuries , police said .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ call Joliet police at 815-724-3020 .

A 17-year-old boy was killed in a shooting Tuesday in suburban Joliet.
Officers responded about 12:47 p.m. to the 600 block of Jackson Street for a report of shots fired, Joliet police said.
As they investigated, a call came in from St. Joseph Medical Center, stating a teen was in their emergency room with gunshot wounds, police said.
Abraham Vertiz, of Joliet, died from his injuries, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Joliet police at 815-724-3020.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Halt ICE ‘Citizens Academy’ in Chicago, immigration advocates say

Immigration advocates in Chicago are calling for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stop plans to create a Citizens Academy that is expected to begin on the same day of the start of Hispanic Heritage Month .
The academy , scheduled to start Sept. 15 , will take place six days a week for six weeks and will give residents insight into the agency ’ s operations .
It will include a trip to one of the jails that contracts with ICE to hold people in immigration custody .
“ The Citizens Academy also affords ICE the opportunity to hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debunk myths , ” the agency said in a news release .
But advocates like Miguel Lopez , of Organized Communities Against Deportations , said most people already know how ICE operates through stories of people being deported .
Lopez ’ s brother was recently deported to Mexico .
“ ICE does not need to tell their story , they ’ ve been telling it by their actions since the existence of the agency , ” Lopez said .
Joaquin Vasquez , an organizer with the labor group Centro de Trabajadores Unidos , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear that exists among immigrants who dread being stopped by an immigration agent or being taken from their families .
“ This agency has separated millions of families at the border , ” Vasquez said in Spanish .
“ And now they want to train regular people to do the same in our communities.
” An ICE official said the academy is intended to be modeled after other law enforcement academies , and it ’ s not meant to train people to do the work of immigration agents .
The academy was initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it was moved to the fall .
Bárbara Suarez Galeano , of the Detention Watch Network , said she didn ’ t think it was a coincidence that the academy will start as Hispanic Heritage Month gets underway .
Advocates also worry the academy will lead to racial profiling and increased tensions .
Sara John , the executive director of the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America in Missouri , which falls within the jurisdiction of ICE ’ s Chicago field office , thinks the program is an “ endorsement of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the federal agency ’ s continued push to build a private immigration detention center in Dwight , about 75 miles southwest of Chicago .
CBS-2 obtained a letter from ICE , dated July 23 , that stated an environmental assessment would take place in Dwight for “ the procurement of detention services ” for detainees facing removal proceedings .
ICE declined to comment on the matter but an official said a contract had not yet been awarded for the project .
Jared Anderson , the president of the village of Dwight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was seeking answers about what it means .
“ We don ’ t know what ’ s going on .
That ’ s the best we can tell you , ” Anderson said by phone .
He said the village was under the assumption that the construction of the facility , which would house up to 1,000 people , was derailed after Gov .
J.B. Pritzker signed a law that prohibits private detention centers in the state .
Jordan Abudayyeh , a spokeswoman for Pritzker , said the governor was committed to ensuring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Immigration Centers for America expressed interest in building the facility in Dwight , but the company was under the impression the project had been shelved , said spokesman John Truscott .
He said ICE has not communicated with the company about the Dwight project and was surprised to learn of the letter ’ s existence .
Elvia Malagón ’ s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust .

Immigration advocates in Chicago are calling for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to stop plans to create a Citizens Academy that is expected to begin on the same day of the start of Hispanic Heritage Month.
The academy, scheduled to start Sept. 15, will take place six days a week for six weeks and will give residents insight into the agency’s operations. It will include a trip to one of the jails that contracts with ICE to hold people in immigration custody.
“The Citizens Academy also affords ICE the opportunity to hear from participants, understand their perspectives and debunk myths,” the agency said in a news release.
But advocates like Miguel Lopez, of Organized Communities Against Deportations, said most people already know how ICE operates through stories of people being deported. Lopez’s brother was recently deported to Mexico.
“ICE does not need to tell their story, they’ve been telling it by their actions since the existence of the agency,” Lopez said.
Joaquin Vasquez, an organizer with the labor group Centro de Trabajadores Unidos, said the academy will add to the fear that exists among immigrants who dread being stopped by an immigration agent or being taken from their families.
“This agency has separated millions of families at the border,” Vasquez said in Spanish. “And now they want to train regular people to do the same in our communities.”
An ICE official said the academy is intended to be modeled after other law enforcement academies, and it’s not meant to train people to do the work of immigration agents. The academy was initially going to be held in January, but it was moved to the fall.
Bárbara Suarez Galeano, of the Detention Watch Network, said she didn’t think it was a coincidence that the academy will start as Hispanic Heritage Month gets underway.
Advocates also worry the academy will lead to racial profiling and increased tensions.
Sara John, the executive director of the St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America in Missouri, which falls within the jurisdiction of ICE’s Chicago field office, thinks the program is an “endorsement of white supremacy.”
Letter: ICE reviving plans to build a private detention facility
Advocates also expressed concern about the federal agency’s continued push to build a private immigration detention center in Dwight, about 75 miles southwest of Chicago. CBS-2 obtained a letter from ICE, dated July 23, that stated an environmental assessment would take place in Dwight for “the procurement of detention services” for detainees facing removal proceedings.
ICE declined to comment on the matter but an official said a contract had not yet been awarded for the project. Jared Anderson, the president of the village of Dwight, confirmed that he received the letter and was seeking answers about what it means.
“We don’t know what’s going on. That’s the best we can tell you,” Anderson said by phone.
He said the village was under the assumption that the construction of the facility, which would house up to 1,000 people, was derailed after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a law that prohibits private detention centers in the state.
Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokeswoman for Pritzker, said the governor was committed to ensuring that law is followed across the state.
Immigration Centers for America expressed interest in building the facility in Dwight, but the company was under the impression the project had been shelved, said spokesman John Truscott. He said ICE has not communicated with the company about the Dwight project and was surprised to learn of the letter’s existence.
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-30--Dialing for Dems: Madigan asks House Democrats, should I stay or should I go?

Speaker Michael Madigan took to the phones Thursday to conduct what amounted to a straw poll of House Democrats , asking whether they stand with him after a steadily growing trickle of Democratic calls for him to step down over a federal bombshell implicating him in a brazen bribery scheme .
“ He just wanted to know if I was with him , ” said West Side state Rep. La Shawn Ford .
“ And the point I made to him is that ‘ If you say you ’ re innocent , then I ’ m with you.
’ ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more House Democrats now say it ’ s time for Madigan to go .
“ The stakes are too high , ” state Rep. Kelly Cassidy said in a statement Thursday .
“ Speaker Madigan must step down from his leadership roles , both in the House and in our party.
” State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego sent Madigan a letter on Thursday .
“ There comes a time to take a stand , ” she told the Sun-Times .
“ And this is the time I decided to take a stand.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic lawmakers — so far , all women from Chicago or the suburbs — to demand Madigan resign as speaker and chair of the Illinois Democratic Party after an explosive federal court filing implicated him last week in an alleged bribery scheme in which ComEd is accused of sending $ 1.3 million to Madigan ’ s associates for doing little or no work for the utility .
Madigan has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats have said the Southwest Side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicted or convicted — but numerous Republicans and a growing list of Democrats say the time is now .
“ As a leader on criminal justice reform , I feel strongly about the principles of innocent until proven guilty and the right to due process , ” Cassidy said .
“ I also believe leadership must be held to a higher standard , and it is clear that the constant drip of corruption stories will interfere with our ability to advance a progressive agenda .
Whether these investigations ultimately implicate him or continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the damage is done.
” Madigan , 78 , has been a statehouse speaker for longer than anyone else in U.S. history .
He ’ s been in the Illinois House since 1971 and held the speaker ’ s gavel for all but two years since 1983 , eclipsing the 33-year record set by South Carolina ’ s Solomon Blatt , according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform .
NBC5 ’ s Mary Ann Ahern broke the news Thursday of Madigan ’ s calls to members of the House to gauge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic reign .
One House Democrat , who asked to remain anonymous , said the call he received from the legislative leader known as “ The Velvet Hammer ” was “ very short and sweet.
” “ He said ‘ these other people feel a certain way , and I want to know where you stand , and thank you — that ’ s all basically , ” the representative said .
Ford said he told the speaker “ the moment you feel that you ’ re not [ innocent ] , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know , so that there can be a change of my support.
” “ As long as he feels that he ’ s innocent then there ’ s no reason for me to call for his resignation right now , ” Ford said .
“ Due process is still needed , and I think that this is not an indictment and definitely not a conviction .
We ’ ve seen instances where the prosecutors have gotten it wrong — the person that has to look the people of Illinois in the face is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House , and his message is that there ’ s no wrong doing .
His belief is that there ’ s no wrongdoing and because of the fact that he feels there ’ s no wrongdoing , he feels he shouldn ’ t resign , if his thoughts change then we should talk.
” Cassidy did not say in her statement whether Madigan gave her a call .
The North Side Democrat said she ’ s long “ been an outspoken critic of Speaker Madigan , but I have always stopped short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to many of my colleagues ’ concerns about due process.
” So far , four House Democrats and two Senate Democrats have called for Madigan to step down immediately .
Cassidy and Kifowit join state Representatives Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn and Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville .
In the state Senate , Melinda Bush of Grayslake and Heather Steans of the North Side say it ’ s time for him to go .
Bush was the first , calling on Madigan to step down on Friday , the day the federal court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ resign not only his Speakership and his legislative seat , but step down as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois , effective immediately.
” “ We can ’ t allow this shameful behavior to continue — especially from someone who has a lead role in both the General Assembly and throughout the state .
The continuous ethics and legal violations have been swept under the rug for far too long.
” That same day , Pritzker said he was “ furious.
” But stopped short of calling for Madigan to quit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that these things are true , he ’ s going to have to resign.
” At a news conference in LaSalle County Thursday , Pritzker reiterated that he believes the speaker has an “ enormous amount to answer for.
” “ There are questions that the public needs to hear the answer to — I do , too , ” Pritzker said .
“ And so that ’ s what I would start with — questions , about what happened here and these allegations that are being made , that are somewhat vague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more information you would need , but in that deferred prosecution agreement … for ComEd , there is obviously reference to the speaker and to people around the speaker .
I want to know those connections , I want to understand what it was the speaker was doing .
He needs to answer these questions and I think many of us have called for that .
”

Speaker Michael Madigan took to the phones Thursday to conduct what amounted to a straw poll of House Democrats, asking whether they stand with him after a steadily growing trickle of Democratic calls for him to step down over a federal bombshell implicating him in a brazen bribery scheme.
“He just wanted to know if I was with him,” said West Side state Rep. La Shawn Ford. “And the point I made to him is that ‘If you say you’re innocent, then I’m with you.’”
Not everyone agrees with Ford. Two more House Democrats decided Thursday that it’s time for Madigan to go.
But the beleaguered Southwest Side powerhouse said he likes what he’s hearing in his telephone chats.
“The feedback is positive and demonstrates continued support for me and my leadership roles,” Madigan said in a statement late Thursday. “I have no plans to resign.”
The list of Democrats who want him to start making plans grew to six.
“The stakes are too high,” state Rep. Kelly Cassidy said in a statement Thursday. “Speaker Madigan must step down from his leadership roles, both in the House and in our party.”
State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego sent Madigan a letter on Thursday, calling on him to resign.
“There comes a time to take a stand,” she told the Sun-Times. “And this is the time I decided to take a stand.”
Democratic state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, left, in 2017; Democratic state Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit, right, in 2018. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
Cassidy and Kifowit are the latest Democratic lawmakers — so far, all women from Chicago or the suburbs — to demand Madigan resign as speaker and chair of the Illinois Democratic Party after an explosive federal court filing implicated him last week in an alleged bribery scheme in which ComEd is accused of sending $1.3 million to Madigan’s associates for doing little or no work for the utility.
Madigan has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Democrats have said Madigan should resign — if he is indicted or convicted — but numerous Republicans and a growing list of Democrats say the time is now.
“As a leader on criminal justice reform, I feel strongly about the principles of innocent until proven guilty and the right to due process,” Cassidy said. “I also believe leadership must be held to a higher standard, and it is clear that the constant drip of corruption stories will interfere with our ability to advance a progressive agenda. Whether these investigations ultimately implicate him or continue to pick away at his inner circle, the damage is done.”
Madigan, 78, has been a statehouse speaker for longer than anyone else in U.S. history.
House Speaker Mike Madigan listens to debate during an extended session of the Illinois House of Representatives in May. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP file
He’s been in the Illinois House since 1971 and held the speaker’s gavel for all but two years since 1983, eclipsing the 33-year record set by South Carolina’s Solomon Blatt, according to the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform.
In a statement, Madigan said he’s talked to many members of the party, but he’s not going anywhere.
“I understand that the last couple of weeks have been difficult for our caucus and party, and I have had many candid conversations with members of the Democratic caucus on this matter,” Madigan said.
“I have never made a legislative decision with improper motives and any claim otherwise is unfounded. I will continue to lead the effort to defeat Donald Trump, expand the Illinois congressional delegation and the majorities in the Illinois House and Senate.”
One House Democrat, who asked to remain anonymous, said the call he received from the legislative leader known as “The Velvet Hammer” was “very short and sweet.”
“He said ‘these other people feel a certain way, and I want to know where you stand, and thank you — that’s all basically,” the representative said.
Ford said he told the speaker “the moment you feel that you’re not [innocent], I’d like you to let me know, so that there can be a change of my support.”
“As long as he feels that he’s innocent then there’s no reason for me to call for his resignation right now,” Ford said. “Due process is still needed, and I think that this is not an indictment and definitely not a conviction. We’ve seen instances where the prosecutors have gotten it wrong — the person that has to look the people of Illinois in the face is no one other than the Speaker of the House, and his message is that there’s no wrong doing. His belief is that there’s no wrongdoing and because of the fact that he feels there’s no wrongdoing, he feels he shouldn’t resign, if his thoughts change then we should talk.”
State Rep. La Shawn Ford in 2019. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
Cassidy did not say in her statement whether Madigan gave her a call.
The North Side Democrat said she’s long “been an outspoken critic of Speaker Madigan, but I have always stopped short of calling for his resignation, deferring to many of my colleagues’ concerns about due process.”
On Thursday, she stopped deferring.
Kifowit said her decision to call for Madigan’s resignation was not an easy one.
“There were some sleepless nights,” she said.
So far, four House Democrats and two Senate Democrats have called for Madigan to step down immediately.
Cassidy and Kifowit join state Representatives Terra Costa Howard of Glen Ellyn and Anne Stava-Murray of Naperville. In the state Senate, Melinda Bush of Grayslake and Heather Steans of the North Side say it’s time for him to go.
State Sen. Heather Steans, left; Then state House Democratic nominee Anne M. Stava-Murray, center; state Sen. Melinda Bush, right. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times Rich Hein and Santiago Covarrubias/Sun-Times file
Bush was the first, calling on Madigan to step down on Friday, the day the federal court documents became public, urging him to “resign not only his Speakership and his legislative seat, but step down as chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, effective immediately.”
“We can’t allow this shameful behavior to continue — especially from someone who has a lead role in both the General Assembly and throughout the state. The continuous ethics and legal violations have been swept under the rug for far too long.”
Then House Democratic nominee Terra Costa Howard in 2018. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
That same day, Pritzker said he was “furious.” But stopped short of calling for Madigan to quit, saying “if it turns out that these things are true, he’s going to have to resign.”
At a news conference in LaSalle County Thursday, Pritzker reiterated that he believes the speaker has an “enormous amount to answer for.”
“There are questions that the public needs to hear the answer to — I do, too,” Pritzker said. “And so that’s what I would start with — questions, about what happened here and these allegations that are being made, that are somewhat vague frankly, I mean there’s more information you would need, but in that deferred prosecution agreement … for ComEd, there is obviously reference to the speaker and to people around the speaker.
“I want to know those connections. I want to understand what it was the speaker was doing. He needs to answer these questions, and I think many of us have called for that.”
Contributing: Mitchell Armentrout