chicagosun-times--2020-04-15--When farmers plow under crops in a nation of bounty, the tragedy of COVID-19 becomes all the more vi

When farmers plow under crops in a nation of bounty, the tragedy of COVID-19 becomes all the more vivid

When , during this pandemic , we see dairy farmers dump milk into ditches and when we see vegetable farmers plow their crops back into the soil , it is tragically obvious that major agricultural markets have dried up .
It is an indication , as well , that our nation faces an unsettling new challenge in getting food to where it is needed most — one that the federal government needs to tackle immediately .
Chicago knows a lot about food .
At our height in the last century , we shipped more than 80 % of the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the city ’ s stockyards .
To this day , Illinois remains a key agricultural state that exports food globally .
But the systems needed to efficiently move food to market , especially perishables , take years to develop .
Private companies are struggling to redesign them during the coronavirus pandemic , especially at a time when some of their own workers have fallen ill or are afraid to come to work .
We ’ re not facing anything like history ’ s worst famines .
As food historian and author Cynthia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past often relied on a single crop .
If that failed , they had little or nothing .
Americans still have a wide array of food to choose from .
If we can ’ t get pork , we can eat something else .
Most food experts don ’ t see an immediate threat to food supplies .
But that doesn ’ t mean we can ignore the potential risks to our food supply at a time when no one knows how long the pandemic will affect our economy .
Big meat-processing companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plants in Pennsylvania , Colorado and Iowa .
Smithfield Foods announced on Sunday it would shutter a processing plant indefinitely in Sioux Falls , South Dakota , that produces more than 5 percent of the nation ’ s pork .
That places the nation ’ s meat supply “ perilously close ” to a shortage , in the words of one company executive .
Meanwhile , farmers are destroying beans , squash , onion , cabbage and other crops instead of sending them to market .
Hundreds of thousands of eggs are being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chickens for meat .
Worldwide , nations are halting or limiting exports of wheat , legumes and other food .
What we ’ re eating is different now Part of the problem is that , as a result of the pandemic , food needs have suddenly changed .
People staying at home eat fewer vegetables , for example , than they do at restaurants .
No one eats onion rings at home .
Food producers are suddenly weighed down with excess supply they can ’ t sell .
Another part of the problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from farms and ultimately to schools , restaurants and other now-shuttered large customers are not easy to redesign .
People shopping at grocery stores don ’ t want the 50-pound bags of flour and produce that commercial customers buy .
Food producers who sold to large commercial users may not have contracts with supermarkets .
Much of the food can ’ t be donated to food banks because of their limited storage capacity .
A third problem is that the transportation systems that bring food to market are under stress .
Less food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights , reducing cargo capacity .
Ships that move food internationally face lockdowns at many ports .
According to one report , delays in food coming from Chinese ports could cause apple juice shortages in the United States because China supplies two-thirds of American apple juice .
Other food may be affected as well .
And farmers may become hesitant to plant perishable crops that must be hauled long distances if they are not confident shipping companies can get them to market .
A fourth problem is the uncertain path of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores are losing workers to sickness or fears of the coronavirus .
Watermelon and blueberry growers in Florida worry about rotting crops because of a lack of migrant laborers , mostly Mexicans .
If the number of cases of COVID-19 does not sharply ebb , smaller operations may go out of business and remaining grocery stores might have to resort to rationing , which already is happening with some products .
Besides the threat of declining food availability , the cost of food may become a serious problem .
When supplies go down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who can least afford it the most .
Even in good times , many households suffer from food insecurity .
A U.S. Department of Agriculture report said 11.1 % U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2018 .
During the Depression , the federal government created the food stamp program to get agricultural surpluses from farmers to people who were going hungry .
Today , the problems are different , but the federal government should still be looking for ways to ensure that farmers keep producing crops and that food is reliably shipped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic-era limitations of SNAP benefits , the successor to food stamps .
SNAP benefits can not be used to buy food online at newly created virtual farmers ’ markets , making it harder for poorer people to get fresh food , according to Block Club Chicago .
That ’ s a ripe place for a sensible policy change .
On Wednesday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said he hopes the federal government will step in with price supports or a farm bill to shore up the nation ’ s food supply .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacturers across the country to donate food to school districts for distribution to students .
The coronavirus has created enormous uncertainties , and we acknowledge the broken food supply chain isn ’ t easy to fix .
But in a nation of great agricultural bounty , good and fresh food should still be available .
Let ’ s hope Washington heeds Pritzker ’ s advice .

America has a food problem.
When, during this pandemic, we see dairy farmers dump milk into ditches and when we see vegetable farmers plow their crops back into the soil, it is tragically obvious that major agricultural markets have dried up.
It is an indication, as well, that our nation faces an unsettling new challenge in getting food to where it is needed most — one that the federal government needs to tackle immediately.
Chicago knows a lot about food. At our height in the last century, we shipped more than 80% of the nation’s meat supply from processing plants at the city’s stockyards. To this day, Illinois remains a key agricultural state that exports food globally.
But the systems needed to efficiently move food to market, especially perishables, take years to develop. Private companies are struggling to redesign them during the coronavirus pandemic, especially at a time when some of their own workers have fallen ill or are afraid to come to work.
Editorials bug Editorials
We’re not facing anything like history’s worst famines. As food historian and author Cynthia Clampitt tells us, people in the past often relied on a single crop. If that failed, they had little or nothing. Americans still have a wide array of food to choose from. If we can’t get pork, we can eat something else. Most food experts don’t see an immediate threat to food supplies.
The waiting game
But that doesn’t mean we can ignore the potential risks to our food supply at a time when no one knows how long the pandemic will affect our economy. Big meat-processing companies have temporarily closed or reduced production at plants in Pennsylvania, Colorado and Iowa. Smithfield Foods announced on Sunday it would shutter a processing plant indefinitely in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that produces more than 5 percent of the nation’s pork. That places the nation’s meat supply “perilously close” to a shortage, in the words of one company executive.
Meanwhile, farmers are destroying beans, squash, onion, cabbage and other crops instead of sending them to market. Hundreds of thousands of eggs are being destroyed instead of being used to grow chickens for meat. Worldwide, nations are halting or limiting exports of wheat, legumes and other food.
What we’re eating is different now
Part of the problem is that, as a result of the pandemic, food needs have suddenly changed. People staying at home eat fewer vegetables, for example, than they do at restaurants. No one eats onion rings at home. Food producers are suddenly weighed down with excess supply they can’t sell.
Another part of the problem is the systems that typically moved food from farms and ultimately to schools, restaurants and other now-shuttered large customers are not easy to redesign. People shopping at grocery stores don’t want the 50-pound bags of flour and produce that commercial customers buy. Food producers who sold to large commercial users may not have contracts with supermarkets. Much of the food can’t be donated to food banks because of their limited storage capacity.
A third problem is that the transportation systems that bring food to market are under stress. Less food is shipped by air as airlines cancel flights, reducing cargo capacity. Ships that move food internationally face lockdowns at many ports. According to one report, delays in food coming from Chinese ports could cause apple juice shortages in the United States because China supplies two-thirds of American apple juice. Other food may be affected as well. And farmers may become hesitant to plant perishable crops that must be hauled long distances if they are not confident shipping companies can get them to market.
A shortage of workers
A fourth problem is the uncertain path of the pandemic. Already, food-producing companies and grocery stores are losing workers to sickness or fears of the coronavirus. Watermelon and blueberry growers in Florida worry about rotting crops because of a lack of migrant laborers, mostly Mexicans. If the number of cases of COVID-19 does not sharply ebb, smaller operations may go out of business and remaining grocery stores might have to resort to rationing, which already is happening with some products.
Besides the threat of declining food availability, the cost of food may become a serious problem. When supplies go down, prices go up, which hits people who can least afford it the most. Even in good times, many households suffer from food insecurity. A U.S. Department of Agriculture report said 11.1% U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2018.
Chicago Sun-Times. SOURCE: USDA
During the Depression, the federal government created the food stamp program to get agricultural surpluses from farmers to people who were going hungry. Today, the problems are different, but the federal government should still be looking for ways to ensure that farmers keep producing crops and that food is reliably shipped to where it is needed.
Limits of federal SNAP benefits
Consider the pandemic-era limitations of SNAP benefits, the successor to food stamps. SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy food online at newly created virtual farmers’ markets, making it harder for poorer people to get fresh food, according to Block Club Chicago. That’s a ripe place for a sensible policy change.
On Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he hopes the federal government will step in with price supports or a farm bill to shore up the nation’s food supply. He also said he has asked food manufacturers across the country to donate food to school districts for distribution to students.
The coronavirus has created enormous uncertainties, and we acknowledge the broken food supply chain isn’t easy to fix.
But in a nation of great agricultural bounty, good and fresh food should still be available. Let’s hope Washington heeds Pritzker’s advice.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-15--24 more COVID-19 cases in Chicago Police Department

Chicago police announced Wednesday 24 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 , raising the total number of cases in the department @ @ @ @ @ cases , 230 are officers and 9 are civilian employees , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ have reported positive test results , but the department ’ s medical section has only @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Last week , the department said a second officer had died @ @ @ @ @ health officials Wednesday announced an additional 1,346 cases of COVID-19 , bringing the statewide to @ @ @ @ @ far , 948 people in the state have died from the outbreak .

Chicago police announced Wednesday 24 more confirmed cases of COVID-19, raising the total number of cases in the department to 239.
Of the cases, 230 are officers and 9 are civilian employees, Chicago police said.
A total of 315 employees have reported positive test results, but the department’s medical section has only confirmed 239 of those cases, police said.
Last week, the department said a second officer had died of the virus.
Illinois health officials Wednesday announced an additional 1,346 cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide to total to 24,593. So far, 948 people in the state have died from the outbreak.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--‘Selah and the Spades’: In stylish prep-school drama, anything goes for teens under pressure

In “ Selah and the Spades , ” it ’ s life inside a bubble for the privileged and pretty students at the Haldwell School , a private prep school nestled in the woodlands .
Only thing is , the atmosphere inside that bubble is poisoned with shocking violence , drug and alcohol abuse , petty feuds and nasty rivalries between warring factions .
These teenagers might look sweet and innocent , but they ’ re in a dark world that ’ s like “ The Sopranos ” meets “ Mean Girls ” — with a slice of “ Macbeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original film marks writer-director Tayarisha Poe ’ s feature debut , and what a debut this is .
The screenplay packs a punch and a sharp bite , the visuals are dazzling , the camerawork captures the fever-dream madness of the story — and the performances from the young cast ( and a few solid veterans ) are spot-on .
Lovie Simone is the beautiful and popular and calculatingly cold Selah , a cheerleader and the 17-year-old head of the Spades , one of the powerful cliques that control various illicit and sometimes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Spades control “ the booze , powders , pills , fun , ” as Selah puts it .
( When they open a massive trunk , it glows golden with a light reminiscent of the briefcase in “ Pulp Fiction , ” but we ’ re allowed to look inside this time , and we see piles of pot , pills , cocaine and cash . )
Meanwhile , the Skins handle “ anything you can gamble on , ” while the Bobbys are drama geeks who stage elaborate pop-up parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheerleading squad wears tight sweaters and short skirts , but as Selah explains , that ’ s THEIR choice .
“ When you ’ re 17 , you ’ ve got ta grab control wherever you can .
They always try to break you down when you ’ re 17.
” Jharrel Jerome ( “ Moonlight ” ) is Selah ’ s longtime best friend and lieutenant who will do anything for her .
Anna Mulvoy Ten is Bobby , a wisp of a drama geek who looks like she walks around singing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Selah ’ s biggest rival and most immediate threat .
Celeste O ’ Connor is Paloma , a sophomore transfer who becomes Selah ’ s newest protégé .
( We hear references to Selah ’ s previous pet project , a girl named Tila who is no longer on campus .
When we finally learn what happened to her — sheesh .
You don ’ t want to mess with Selah . )
Gina Torres has a memorable one-scene cameo as Selah ’ s demanding mom , who wonders what happened to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 93 on an exam , and tells her she ’ ll be going to a rigid private university because “ they ’ ll put you in your place [ and ] save you from yourself.
” As tensions escalate between the warring factions , the school headmaster ( Jesse Williams ) always seems a step behind in his efforts to quell the craziness .
In a PA address , he notes how these students are supposed to be exceptional and says , “ We have an expectation you ’ ll bring out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste yourselves , maybe not squander all of your potential on childish games .
Do better … be better.
” Writer-director Poe ladles on the references to “ Macbeth ” and delivers a number of memorable and original set pieces , e.g.
, hand-held camerawork darting all around a party that ’ s bathed in vibrant tones of blues and reds , while the soundtrack incongruously plays the old cornball hit “ Shadow Waltz ” by the Hi-Lo ’ s .
“ Selah and the Spades ” is a stylish , dark , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teens by their parents , their peers and themselves , and how insecurities and jealousies can fuel some monstrous behavior .
These kids have some seriously Cruel Intentions .

In “Selah and the Spades,” it’s life inside a bubble for the privileged and pretty students at the Haldwell School, a private prep school nestled in the woodlands.
Only thing is, the atmosphere inside that bubble is poisoned with shocking violence, drug and alcohol abuse, petty feuds and nasty rivalries between warring factions. These teenagers might look sweet and innocent, but they’re in a dark world that’s like “The Sopranos” meets “Mean Girls” — with a slice of “Macbeth” on the side.
This Amazon original film marks writer-director Tayarisha Poe’s feature debut, and what a debut this is. The screenplay packs a punch and a sharp bite, the visuals are dazzling, the camerawork captures the fever-dream madness of the story — and the performances from the young cast (and a few solid veterans) are spot-on.
‘Selah and the Spades’
Untitled Amazon Prime presents a film written and directed by Tayarisha Poe. Rated R (for teen drug content, and language). Running time: 89 minutes. Available Friday on Amazon Prime.
Lovie Simone is the beautiful and popular and calculatingly cold Selah, a cheerleader and the 17-year-old head of the Spades, one of the powerful cliques that control various illicit and sometimes illegal business in and around the school. The Spades control “the booze, powders, pills, fun,” as Selah puts it. (When they open a massive trunk, it glows golden with a light reminiscent of the briefcase in “Pulp Fiction,” but we’re allowed to look inside this time, and we see piles of pot, pills, cocaine and cash.) Meanwhile, the Skins handle “anything you can gamble on,” while the Bobbys are drama geeks who stage elaborate pop-up parties where just about anything goes.
The cheerleading squad wears tight sweaters and short skirts, but as Selah explains, that’s THEIR choice. “When you’re 17, you’ve gotta grab control wherever you can. They always try to break you down when you’re 17.”
Jharrel Jerome (“Moonlight”) is Selah’s longtime best friend and lieutenant who will do anything for her. Anna Mulvoy Ten is Bobby, a wisp of a drama geek who looks like she walks around singing peppy show tunes all day long but is Selah’s biggest rival and most immediate threat. Celeste O’Connor is Paloma, a sophomore transfer who becomes Selah’s newest protégé. (We hear references to Selah’s previous pet project, a girl named Tila who is no longer on campus. When we finally learn what happened to her — sheesh. You don’t want to mess with Selah.) Gina Torres has a memorable one-scene cameo as Selah’s demanding mom, who wonders what happened to the other seven points when Selah scores a 93 on an exam, and tells her she’ll be going to a rigid private university because “they’ll put you in your place [and] save you from yourself.”
As tensions escalate between the warring factions, the school headmaster (Jesse Williams) always seems a step behind in his efforts to quell the craziness. In a PA address, he notes how these students are supposed to be exceptional and says, “We have an expectation you’ll bring out the best in each other and not waste yourselves, maybe not squander all of your potential on childish games. Do better … be better.”
Good luck with that, chief.
Writer-director Poe ladles on the references to “Macbeth” and delivers a number of memorable and original set pieces, e.g., hand-held camerawork darting all around a party that’s bathed in vibrant tones of blues and reds, while the soundtrack incongruously plays the old cornball hit “Shadow Waltz” by the Hi-Lo’s. “Selah and the Spades” is a stylish, dark, surrealistic look at the pressures put on teens by their parents, their peers and themselves, and how insecurities and jealousies can fuel some monstrous behavior. These kids have some seriously Cruel Intentions.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Dear Abby: No, I don’t want to go to parties where you sell stuff

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m in my mid-40s , and a LOT of my female friends are involved in multilevel marketing companies .
Whether it be for eyelashes , supplements , jewelry , anti-aging products , candles , leggings , etc.
, I receive nonstop “ invitations ” to buy their products .
I ’ m old enough to know from experience that most of the products are rubbish , and many times way overpriced .
I ’ m simply not interested .
How do I politely ( yet firmly ) decline the invitations that come my way without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ HATER DEAR MULTILEVEL MARKETING : It ’ s time you recognize the difference between a friendship and a marketing ploy .
If you are invited to something , feel free to ask whether there will be any selling and , if there will be , decline .
To do so is not being rude or hurtful .
Women who are really your friends will continue to be , and those who aren ’ t will disappear .
DEAR ABBY : My mom and stepdad occasionally watch my children to help us out or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just found out that Mom will not put my 8-month-old into a crib or Pack ’ n Play to sleep .
She puts her into bed along with my 4-year-old son .
I have asked my mother repeatedly not to do that , not only for safety , but so everyone can sleep .
She refuses .
She says I should trust the caretakers , and they should be allowed to do whatever they want when the kids are with them .
Please tell me what to do .
— FRUSTRATED DAUGHTER DEAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who deliberately ignores your wishes is beyond me .
Let me tell you what NOT to do .
Do not allow your children to stay with your mother under these circumstances .
Sometimes Mama does NOT know best , and this is one of them .
If you prefer your children not share the same bed , your wishes should be respected .
DEAR ABBY : My boyfriend and I live quite far from town and spend a lot of time in the car — usually his .
He bought some air fresheners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nauseated and gave me headaches .
I asked him to please remove them , but he refused because he doesn ’ t want to waste the $ 2.50 .
He said he likes the smell .
Abby , we have two other vehicles we can take .
I felt it was such a small thing he could do to make me feel better .
He doesn ’ t agree .
What is your opinion on the matter ?
— STUNK UP IN FLORIDA DEAR STUNK : You may be allergic to something in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you got the headache and became nauseated .
Asking your boyfriend to remove it was a small thing — not like asking him to remove a limb .
If he were less self-centered and more considerate , he would have accommodated you .
In my opinion , you should take one of the other cars when you drive together .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I’m in my mid-40s, and a LOT of my female friends are involved in multilevel marketing companies. Whether it be for eyelashes, supplements, jewelry, anti-aging products, candles, leggings, etc., I receive nonstop “invitations” to buy their products.
I’m old enough to know from experience that most of the products are rubbish, and many times way overpriced. I’m simply not interested. How do I politely (yet firmly) decline the invitations that come my way without hurting their feelings? — MULTILEVEL MARKETING HATER
DEAR MULTILEVEL MARKETING: It’s time you recognize the difference between a friendship and a marketing ploy. If you are invited to something, feel free to ask whether there will be any selling and, if there will be, decline. To do so is not being rude or hurtful. Women who are really your friends will continue to be, and those who aren’t will disappear.
DEAR ABBY: My mom and stepdad occasionally watch my children to help us out or to spend time with them. I just found out that Mom will not put my 8-month-old into a crib or Pack ’n Play to sleep. She puts her into bed along with my 4-year-old son. I have asked my mother repeatedly not to do that, not only for safety, but so everyone can sleep. She refuses. She says I should trust the caretakers, and they should be allowed to do whatever they want when the kids are with them. Please tell me what to do. — FRUSTRATED DAUGHTER
DEAR FRUSTRATED: Why you should trust someone who deliberately ignores your wishes is beyond me. Let me tell you what NOT to do. Do not allow your children to stay with your mother under these circumstances. Sometimes Mama does NOT know best, and this is one of them. If you prefer your children not share the same bed, your wishes should be respected.
DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I live quite far from town and spend a lot of time in the car — usually his. He bought some air fresheners for his car, which made me nauseated and gave me headaches. I asked him to please remove them, but he refused because he doesn’t want to waste the $2.50. He said he likes the smell.
Abby, we have two other vehicles we can take. I felt it was such a small thing he could do to make me feel better. He doesn’t agree. What is your opinion on the matter? — STUNK UP IN FLORIDA
DEAR STUNK: You may be allergic to something in that air freshener, which is why you got the headache and became nauseated. Asking your boyfriend to remove it was a small thing — not like asking him to remove a limb. If he were less self-centered and more considerate, he would have accommodated you.
In my opinion, you should take one of the other cars when you drive together.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Chicago outdoors and coronavirus updates: East Chicago Marina, Kentucky, Willowbrook Wildlife Center

Updates come for travel restrictions to Kentucky , the partial reopening of East Chicago Marina and restrictions on Willowbrook Wildlife Center .
First Kentucky .
If thinking of heading to Kentucky for your annual spring fishing trip , you probably have already reconsidered .
If not , be aware of the restrictions on non-residents .
Here is the key paragraph for non-residents in the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resource ’ s “ COVID-19 ’ s Effect On The KDFWR ” : Click here for the details .
Click here for Executive Order from Gov .
Andy Beshear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Marina in northwest Indiana will begin a partial reopening on Saturday , April 18 .
Here is the key point for those interested in launching or fishing there .
In an effort to maintain social distancing , the Marina office is still not open to the public .
We will try to handle most business over the phone .
Anything to be handled in person please call before you come Monday through Friday 8am to 3:30pm .
MANDATORY- all guests must wear a mask to come in the Marina office or any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked , as long as you have on a mask we will let you in .
If you do not have a mask just call first and we will hand you your items out the door .
And be aware of a couple restrictions , not that unusual this time of the year : Those with questions , should call for ( 219 ) 391-8482 .
Traditionally , this is the busiest time for Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn for wildlife rehabilitation .
Obviously this is a different spring and there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
Here are the key lead paragraphs : Donations needed to care for influx of wildlife babies ( April 15 , 2020 ) — DuPage Forest Preserve District ’ s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn is taking in spring babies but limiting their admission due to the COVID-19 outbreak .
To abide by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distancing and public health guidelines , Willowbrook is working with minimum staff and no volunteers , which limits the number of orphaned wildlife it can safely care for at the center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new normal during the pandemic , ” said Dr. Sarah Reich , staff veterinarian and wildlife rehabilitation and research manager at Willowbrook .
“ We are entering our busiest season with one-third the staffing .
“ Please don ’ t force us to make decisions about who to save simply because you want to tear down an old shed or dead tree in your yard or don ’ t want a family of raccoons under your deck , ” Reich said .
“ Now is actually the time to leave these things in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe space to raise their young.
” I included that last paragraph because I think that could be key advice any time of the year .
Click here for the full press release and for details on making donations .

Updates come for travel restrictions to Kentucky, the partial reopening of East Chicago Marina and restrictions on Willowbrook Wildlife Center.
First Kentucky. If thinking of heading to Kentucky for your annual spring fishing trip, you probably have already reconsidered. If not, be aware of the restrictions on non-residents.
Here is the key paragraph for non-residents in the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resource’s “COVID-19’s Effect On The KDFWR”:
Non-resident hunters, anglers and boaters, please be aware that Executive Order No. 2020-266 limits unnecessary travel to Kentucky. The order requires all non-residents who are traveling to Kentucky and staying to self-quarantine immediately for 14 days upon arrival. Non-residents should also be prepared to follow their state’s travel guidelines.
Click here for the details. Click here for Executive Order from Gov. Andy Beshear.
* * *
On Wednesday, word came that East Chicago Marina in northwest Indiana will begin a partial reopening on Saturday, April 18.
Here is the key point for those interested in launching or fishing there.
• Effective Saturday, April 18th the launch ramps and fishing piers on the Marina side (not the Beach side) will be open 6am to 6pm or sunrise to sunset.
Here is a key restriction:
In an effort to maintain social distancing, the Marina office is still not open to the public. We will try to handle most business over the phone. Anything to be handled in person please call before you come Monday through Friday 8am to 3:30pm. MANDATORY- all guests must wear a mask to come in the Marina office or any Marina building. The office door is locked, as long as you have on a mask we will let you in. If you do not have a mask just call first and we will hand you your items out the door.
And be aware of a couple restrictions, not that unusual this time of the year:
• Based on our standard practice, water to the restrooms and fish cleaning station will not be on until the weather is consistently above 40 degrees. The only access to bathrooms at this time is Porta Potties, the Marina buildings are locked.
Those with questions, should call for (219) 391-8482.
* * *
Traditionally, this is the busiest time for Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn for wildlife rehabilitation. Obviously this is a different spring and there are restrictions on what the rehab center can do.
Here are the key lead paragraphs:
Willowbrook Wildlife Center Limits Intake of Spring Babies Due to COVID-19 Donations needed to care for influx of wildlife babies (April 15, 2020) — DuPage Forest Preserve District’s Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn is taking in spring babies but limiting their admission due to the COVID-19 outbreak. To abide by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention social distancing and public health guidelines, Willowbrook is working with minimum staff and no volunteers, which limits the number of orphaned wildlife it can safely care for at the center. Unfortunately, this is our new normal during the pandemic, said Dr. Sarah Reich, staff veterinarian and wildlife rehabilitation and research manager at Willowbrook. We are entering our busiest season with one-third the staffing. Please don’t force us to make decisions about who to save simply because you want to tear down an old shed or dead tree in your yard or don’t want a family of raccoons under your deck, Reich said. Now is actually the time to leave these things in your yard so native animals have a safe space to raise their young.
I included that last paragraph because I think that could be key advice any time of the year.
Click here for the full press release and for details on making donations.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--CTA bus passengers robbed at gunpoint in Montclare: police

Chicago police are warning residents of two armed robberies reported in Montclare on the Northwest Side .
In each incident @ @ @ @ @ waiting at or near the CTA bus stop in the 6800 block of West Grand @ @ @ @ @ out a gun and demanded money , Chicago police said in a community alert .
@ @ @ @ @ SUV was used .
The robberies happened about 2:30 p.m. March 28 and about 9 @ @ @ @ @ said .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263 .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

Chicago police are warning residents of two armed robberies reported in Montclare on the Northwest Side.
In each incident, two males approached someone waiting at or near the CTA bus stop in the 6800 block of West Grand Avenue, one male pulled out a gun and demanded money, Chicago police said in a community alert. In one robbery a black SUV was used.
The robberies happened about 2:30 p.m. March 28 and about 9 p.m. April 9, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Draft analysis: The time is now to find Prince Amukamara’s replacement

Part 10 of a 10-part series previewing the NFL Draft and analyzing the Bears ’ needs .
Maybe on April 24 — two months and three days after they cut the veteran cornerback — they ’ ll actually find his replacement .
The Bears ’ best chance to add a 2020 starter with one of their two second-round picks in next week ’ s draft is to take a cornerback to play opposite two-time Pro Bowl player Kyle Fuller .
The moves they ’ ve made to this point haven ’ t filled the void left by Amukamara , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Bears signed former Steelers first-round pick Artie Burns , who played only 66 defensive snaps last year .
They added CFL standout Tre Roberson , who has no NFL regular-season experience .
Both will , at least for now , compete with Kevin Toliver , who ’ s started two games over two seasons as Amukamara ’ s backup .
Perhaps one of the three grows into a reliable starter .
The Bears would be foolish to bank on it .
While the team could always dip back into the veteran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names still available include Amukamara himself— their fastest path to finding a starter is to draft him .
There would be no argument here if the Bears fell in love with a quarterback in the second round — but he won ’ t help in 2020 .
They could draft a starting right guard , but they selected a left one , James Daniels , in the same spot two years ago .
Even if the most stacked receiver draft in recent memory , a second-round pick would probably slot in as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The same goes for tight end , an even greater area of need but one with a steeper adjustment curve for rookies .
There ’ s an opening at strong safety — Deon Bush would take the first snap tomorrow — but it ’ s the most fungible position on any defense , much less next to Eddie Jackson and his monster contract .
Picking a cornerback , though , will be a priority for a team that needs to win in 2020 .
It would be new territory for general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only three cornerbacks , and all were afterthoughts .
Deiondre Hall ( fourth round in 2016 ) , Duke Shelley ( sixth in 2019 ) and Stephen Denmark ( seventh in 2019 ) combined to play 88 snaps for the Bears , with no starts .
Relying on veterans for years have left the Bears desperate for new blood — both to restock the cornerbacks room and provide some financial stability .
Fuller is entering his age-28 season and starting slot cornerback Buster Skrine will turn 31 the day after the draft .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jeff Gladney , Auburn ’ s Noah Igbinoghene , Virginia ’ s Bryce Hall and Mississippi State ’ s Cameron Dantzler could be available when the Bears draft in the second round .
Because they can ’ t pick again until Round 5 , the Bears will have to find a starting cornerback there — or not at all .
Grading the Bears ’ need : High .
The Bears released Prince Amukamara , who ’ d been a starter for the last three seasons , in order to clear cap space .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ replacement yet .
The five best prospects : Ohio State ’ s Jeff Okudah , Florida ’ s C.J .
Henderson , Alabama ’ s Trevon Diggs , LSU ’ s Kristian Fulton , Clemson ’ s A.J .
Terrell Keep an eye on : Auburn ’ s Noah Igbinoghene could be the best cornerback available when the Bears draft in the second round .
Igbinoghene has only played two years on defense ; he was a receiver and the Tigers ’ kick returner in 2017 .
The Bears need help in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who left school a year early , start right away ?
He comes from an athletic family : his mom Faith won a 1992 Olympic bronze medal for Nigeria in the 4X100 relay .
Amazingly , Prince Amukamara ’ s mother Christy was also a sprinter for Nigeria in the Olympics .
She ran in 1984 .
Close to home : Madre Harper doesn ’ t get the same attention as his college teammate , standout Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn .
But Harper — a 6-foot-1 cornerback — figures to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about the circumstances that got Harper dismissed from Oklahoma State for a violation of team rules early during the 2017 season .
If he can answer them , though , Harper has enough athleticism to warrant a third-day selection .

Part 10 of a 10-part series previewing the NFL Draft and analyzing the Bears’ needs.
The Bears made Prince Amukamara a salary-cap casualty on Feb. 21.
On April 24, they might actually find his replacement.
The Bears’ best chance to add a 2020 starter with one of their two second-round picks in next week’s draft is to take a cornerback to play opposite two-time Pro Bowl player Kyle Fuller.
The moves they’ve made to this point haven’t filled the void left by Amukamara, who started for three years. Last month, the Bears signed Steelers 2016 first-round pick Artie Burns, who played only 66 defensive snaps last year. They’ve added CFL standout Tre Roberson, who has no NFL regular-season experience. Both will, at least for now, compete with Kevin Toliver, who has started two games in two seasons as Amukamara’s backup.
Perhaps one of the three grows into a reliable starter. The Bears would be foolish to bank on it.
The team could always dip back into the veteran-cornerback market after the draft — the familiar names still available include Amukamara himself — but the fastest path to finding a starter is to draft one.
There would be no argument here if the Bears fell in love with a quarterback in the second round — but he won’t help in 2020. They could draft a starting right guard, but they selected a left guard, James Daniels, in the same spot two years ago.
Even in the most stacked receiver draft in recent memory, a second-round pick would probably slot in as the team’s third wideout in 2020. The same goes for tight end, an even greater area of need but one with a steeper adjustment curve for rookies.
There’s an opening at strong safety — Deon Bush would take the first snap tomorrow — but it’s the most fungible position on any defense, much less next to Eddie Jackson and his monster contract.
Picking a cornerback, though, will be a priority for a team that needs to win in 2020.
It would be new territory for general manager Ryan Pace. He has drafted only three cornerbacks, and all were afterthoughts. Deiondre’ Hall (fourth round in 2016), Duke Shelley (sixth in 2019) and Stephen Denmark (seventh in 2019) combined to play 88 snaps for the Bears, with no starts.
Relying on veterans for years has left the Bears desperate for new blood — to restock the cornerbacks room and to provide some financial stability. Fuller is entering his age-28 season, and starting slot cornerback Buster Skrine will turn 31 the day after the draft ends. Roberson is 27.
TCU’s Jeff Gladney, Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene, Virginia’s Bryce Hall and Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler could be available when the Bears draft in the second round.
Because they don’t pick again until Round 5, the Bears will have to find a starting cornerback there — or not at all.
Cornerbacks
Grading the Bears’ need: High. The Bears released Prince Amukamara, who had been a starter the last three seasons, to clear cap space. They haven’t found a surefire replacement yet.
On the roster: Kyle Fuller, Buster Skrine, Duke Shelley, Artie Burns, Tre Roberson, Kevin Toliver, Stephen Denmark, Michael Joseph, Xavier Crawford.
The five best prospects: Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, Florida’s C.J. Henderson, Alabama’s Trevon Diggs, LSU’s Kristian Fulton, Clemson’s A.J. Terrell.
Keep an eye on: Auburn’s Noah Igbinoghene could be the best cornerback available when the Bears draft in the second round. Igbinoghene has only played two years on defense; he was a receiver and the Tigers’ kick returner in 2017. The Bears need help in 2020, though. Can the raw Igbinoghene, who left school a year early, start right away? He comes from an athletic family. His mom, Faith, won an Olympic bronze medal in 1992 for Nigeria in the 400-meter relay. Amazingly, Amukamara’s mother, Christie, also was a sprinter for Nigeria in the Olympics. She ran in 1984.
Close to home: Southern Illinois’ Madre Harper doesn’t get the same attention as safety Jeremy Chinn, his college teammate. But Harper, a 6-1 cornerback, figures to get drafted, too. Teams will have questions about the circumstances that got Harper dismissed from Oklahoma State for a violation of team rules early in the 2017 season. If he can answer them, though, Harper has enough athleticism to warrant a third-day selection.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Man found fatally shot in Austin

Man found fatally shot in Austin

A man was found shot to death Thursday in Austin on the West Side .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter @ @ @ @ @ before 1 a.m. in the 700 block of North Lotus Avenue , Chicago police said @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wounds to the head , chest and back .
The man was taken to @ @ @ @ @ where he was pronounced dead , police said .

A man was found shot to death Thursday in Austin on the West Side.
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert found the 36-year-old just before 1 a.m. in the 700 block of North Lotus Avenue, Chicago police said. He was unresponsive with gunshot wounds to the head, chest and back.
The man was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Demarcus Martell Moore.
An autopsy confirmed he died of his injuries and ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
Area North detectives are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Appellate court upholds conviction, 70-year-sentence in 2014 murder of former pro basketball player

Appellate court upholds conviction, 70-year-sentence in 2014 murder of former pro basketball player in Bloomingdale

A DuPage County appellate court upheld the first-degree murder conviction and 70-year prison sentence of a 57-year-old Hinsdale man who killed a former professional basketball player in 2014 outside his home in west suburban Bloomingdale .
Jeffrey Keller was found guilty in May 2017 of fatally shooting Nate Fox , 37 , in December 2014 , because he thought Fox was having an affair with a woman he was interested in , the DuPage County state ’ s attorney ’ s office said .
He was sentenced to 70 years in prison in August 2017 .
Keller , however , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court denied his motion to suppress statements he said were only made because of a violation of his Miranda rights , according to prosecutors .
He alleged the Miranda rights were read to him in a way that minimized their importance .
The appellate court found his argument “ wholly unpersuasive , ” noting that Keller must have understood his Miranda rights because at one point he exercised his right to remain silent , prosecutors announced April 9 .
Fox , a former Plainfield High School student , played professional basketball in Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College and the University of Maine , according to his obituary .

A DuPage County appellate court upheld the first-degree murder conviction and 70-year prison sentence of a 57-year-old Hinsdale man who killed a former professional basketball player in 2014 outside his home in west suburban Bloomingdale.
Jeffrey Keller was found guilty in May 2017 of fatally shooting Nate Fox, 37, in December 2014, because he thought Fox was having an affair with a woman he was interested in, the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office said. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison in August 2017.
Keller, however, argued his trial was marred when the court denied his motion to suppress statements he said were only made because of a violation of his Miranda rights, according to prosecutors. He alleged the Miranda rights were read to him in a way that minimized their importance.
The appellate court found his argument “wholly unpersuasive,” noting that Keller must have understood his Miranda rights because at one point he exercised his right to remain silent, prosecutors announced April 9.
Fox, a former Plainfield High School student, played professional basketball in Europe for 13 years after playing at Boston College and the University of Maine, according to his obituary.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--Pritzker should release elderly, ailing prisoners from state jails amid coronavirus outbreak, activi

Pritzker should release elderly, ailing prisoners from state jails amid coronavirus outbreak, activists say

Criminal justice advocates are calling on Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to release as many elderly , disabled and medically frail inmates from Illinois prisons as possible before they may be affected by the coronavirus .
There were nearly 7,800 state prisoners age 50 or older at the end of 2019 , making up around 20 % of the Illinois prison population , state figures show .
And while the Illinois Department of Corrections doesn ’ t keep a tab on how many disabled , medically frail inmates it holds , experts say it ’ s into the hundreds .
Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an eye toward providing medical furloughs or compassionate release to as many of them as possible , ” according to a letter by the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison hand-delivered to the governor ’ s downtown Chicago office Thursday afternoon .
“ Doing so would not only protect them , but also other incarcerated people , officers , and staff by decreasing the strain on resources within the prisons once the virus hits , ” the letter reads .
“ We hope that particular consideration will be given to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently in prison who have already served decades behind bars.
” The letter calls on Pritzker to “ move swiftly ” as any chance of saving vulnerable inmates from contracting the virus would have to happen before it ’ s detected in prisons .
“ Ordering a review would not commit you to releasing people .
But a release can not happen prior to a review , and a thorough review can not be accomplished overnight .
It would need to begin almost immediately , ” the letter says .
Pritzker ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment .
The call to release the inmates comes days after Iran temporarily released about 70,000 prisoners in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus in jails .
And in Italy , the country with the most confirmed new cases of the coronavirus in the world , riots have engulfed several prisons as the country suspended visitation rights for inmates .
“ We ’ ve all been told to socially distance ourselves to prevent the spread of the virus .
Well , there ’ s no such thing as social distancing in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director of the Uptown People ’ s Law Center and one of around 1,600 co-signers of the letter sent to Pritzker .
Mills said Pritzker should free prisoners who are too old or too sick to care for themselves as they pose no serious threat to public safety .
“ What we ’ re suggesting is that the governor use his powers to look at all those people and let them go if there ’ s not a good reason to keep them imprisoned , ” he said .
Deaths from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard , especially those with chronic medical conditions .
Older inmates already overburden the prison health care system in Illinois , as shown in a recent report by Dr. John Raba , an independent court-appointed monitor .
“ Even if some of those elderly people contract the disease it will severely disrupt the prison health care system and bring it to its knees , ” said Jennifer Soble , executive director of the Illinois Prison Project .
Soble notes that there are more than 8,600 correctional officers that come in and out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 2,000 elderly inmates who are housed at a hospital outside prison each month .
“ It just takes one of them to bring in the virus , ” she said .
Under state law the Illinois Department of Corrections has the discretion to release almost any elderly inmate who has less than 12 months left on their sentence and has already completed 25 % of their court-ordered time behind bars .
“ That ’ s more than 1,000 people that could potentially be released tomorrow without any action from governor , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to requests for comment .
Only around 100 elderly inmates in Illinois prisons are eligible for discretionary parole as they were put behind bars before 1978 , the year Illinois abolished the practice .
State Rep. Will Guzzardi , D-Chicago , recently introduced legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that would expedite the parole process those who are terminally ill or disabled , but the bill is stuck in committee as the legislature canceled its session set for next week .
“ There ’ s a deep irony of not having implemented policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for people in prison for years and now that we have a chance to do so we can ’ t because of this pandemic , ” Soble said .
Carlos Ballesteros is a corps member of Report for America , a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of Chicago ’ s South Side and West Side .

Criminal justice advocates are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to release as many elderly, disabled and medically frail inmates from Illinois prisons as possible before they may be affected by the new coronavirus.
There were nearly 7,800 state prisoners age 50 or older at the end of 2019, making up around 20% of the Illinois prison population, state figures show.
And while the Illinois Department of Corrections doesn’t keep a tab on how many disabled, medically frail inmates it holds, experts say it’s into the hundreds.
Pritzker should review all of their cases “with an eye toward providing medical furloughs or compassionate release to as many of them as possible,” according to a letter by the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison hand-delivered to the governor’s downtown Chicago office Thursday afternoon.
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“Doing so would not only protect them, but also other incarcerated people, officers, and staff by decreasing the strain on resources within the prisons once the virus hits,” the letter reads. “We hope that particular consideration will be given to the high percentage of elderly women and men currently in prison who have already served decades behind bars.”
The letter calls on Pritzker to “move swiftly” as any chance of saving vulnerable inmates from contracting the virus would have to happen before it’s detected in prisons.
“Ordering a review would not commit you to releasing people. But a release cannot happen prior to a review, and a thorough review cannot be accomplished overnight. It would need to begin almost immediately,” the letter says.
Pritzker’s office has not responded to requests to comment.
Larry Barrett hands a letter to the Governor Pritzker’s secretary calling on him to release many elderly and frail inmates from state prisons amid the coronavirus outbreak at his office in the Thompson Center, Thursday, March 12, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The call to release the inmates comes days after Iran temporarily released about 70,000 prisoners in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus in jails. And in Italy, the country with the most confirmed new cases of the coronavirus in the world, riots have engulfed several prisons as the country suspended visitation rights for inmates.
“We’ve all been told to socially distance ourselves to prevent the spread of the virus. Well, there’s no such thing as social distancing in prison,” said Alan Mills, executive director of the Uptown People’s Law Center and one of around 1,600 co-signers of the letter sent to Pritzker.
Mills said Pritzker should free prisoners who are too old or too sick to care for themselves as they pose no serious threat to public safety.
“What we’re suggesting is that the governor use his powers to look at all those people and let them go if there’s not a good reason to keep them imprisoned,” he said.
Deaths from COVID-19 around the world have hit older adults hard, especially those with chronic medical conditions.
Older inmates already overburden the prison health care system in Illinois, as shown in a recent report by Dr. John Raba, an independent court-appointed monitor.
“Even if some of those elderly people contract the disease it will severely disrupt the prison health care system and bring it to its knees,” said Jennifer Soble, executive director of the Illinois Prison Project.
Soble notes that there are more than 8,600 correctional officers that come in and out of Illinois prions everyday. There are also around 2,000 elderly inmates who are housed at a hospital outside prison each month.
“It just takes one of them to bring in the virus,” she said.
Under state law the Illinois Department of Corrections has the discretion to release almost any elderly inmate who has less than 12 months left on their sentence and has already completed 25% of their court-ordered time behind bars.
“That’s more than 1,000 people that could potentially be released tomorrow without any action from governor,” Soble said.
IDOC has not responded to requests for comment.
Chicago Department of Public Health workers set up a tent outside Vaughn Occupational High School for conducting health test amid coronavirus fears, Tuesday morning, March 10, 2020. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Only around 100 elderly inmates in Illinois prisons are eligible for discretionary parole as they were put behind bars before 1978, the year Illinois abolished the practice.
State Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, recently introduced legislation in the Illinois General Assembly that would expedite the parole process those who are terminally ill or disabled, but the bill is stuck in committee as the legislature canceled its session set for next week.
“There’s a deep irony of not having implemented policy changes that would allow us to responsibly care for people in prison for years and now that we have a chance to do so we can’t because of this pandemic,” Soble said.
Carlos Ballesteros is a corps member of Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of Chicago’s South Side and West Side.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--Golf, NASCAR, cricket, darts among gamblers’ choices as coronavirus crimps Illinois sports betting l

Golf, NASCAR, cricket, darts among gamblers’ choices as coronavirus crimps Illinois sports betting launch

Fans spent half a year waiting for state gambling regulators to give them the go-ahead to start laying wagers .
And now , just a few days after the legal sports betting industry launched in Illinois , not one of the major American sports is in action for gamblers to put money on .
The National Basketball Association , National Hockey League and Major League Soccer all put their seasons on hold to help contain the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the nation .
That marks a bad beat for an Illinois market that took its first legal bet just in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flurry of wagering on the NCAA men ’ s basketball tournament — before COVID-19 concerns claimed March Madness , too .
Rivers Casino Des Plaines opened the state ’ s first sportsbook Monday , and by Thursday afternoon , professional golf was perhaps the most prominent U.S. sport remaining on the board as the PGA opted to go on with its Players Championship without any fans in attendance at the Florida tourney .
Unless , of course , if you ’ re a NASCAR fan , or if Europa League soccer is your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Mixed martial arts , cricket , rugby and darts were still on the board at Rivers , too , among other more obscure international contests .
Those would fall under the “ other ” category of sports that have drawn less than 15 % of the handle at Indiana books since the start of the year , according to Hoosier gambling figures .
Gamblers can still make futures bets on Major League Baseball , which pushed back Opening Day at least two weeks due to the outbreak .
Despite the lack of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still planning to go ahead with its launch of Illinois ’ second sportsbook March 16 on its riverboat near St. Louis .
It remained business as usual Thursday on the gaming floors at Rivers and the Argosy , as it did at the state ’ s eight other casinos , with each advertising increased cleaning rotations in light of viral concerns .
But empty sports stadiums are sure to leave holes in some local broadcast lineups .
NBC Sports Chicago previously added a four-hour sports betting analysis show to its afternoon slate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WCKG 1530 AM rebranded just this week as Sportsbook Radio .
“ Nothing like launching sports gambling and a radio station focused on sports gambling just as sports are canceled , ” WCKG manager Matt Dubiel said in a tweet .

State legislators spent months negotiating to legalize sports betting in Illinois.
Casinos spent a small fortune constructing gleaming new sportsbooks.
Fans spent half a year waiting for state gambling regulators to give them the go-ahead to start laying wagers.
And now, just a few days after the legal sports betting industry launched in Illinois, not one of the major American sports is in action for gamblers to put money on.
The National Basketball Association, National Hockey League and Major League Soccer all put their seasons on hold to help contain the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the nation. That marks a bad beat for an Illinois market that took its first legal bet just in time for what was supposed to be a flurry of wagering on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament — before COVID-19 concerns claimed March Madness, too.
Rivers Casino Des Plaines opened the state’s first sportsbook Monday, and by Thursday night, NASCAR was the most prominent U.S. sport remaining on the board.
Unless, of course, Europa League soccer is your game. How about Kontinental League hockey? Mixed martial arts, cricket, rugby and darts were still in play at Rivers, too, among other more obscure international contests.
Those would fall under the “other” category of sports that have drawn less than 15% of the handle at Indiana books since the start of the year, according to Hoosier gambling figures.
Gamblers can still make futures bets on Major League Baseball, which pushed back Opening Day at least two weeks due to the outbreak.
The lack of bettable sports pushed the Argosy Casino Alton to postpone the grand opening ceremony of Illinois’ second sportsbook on their riverboat near St. Louis. Instead, they quietly started accepting bets on the leftover sports Thursday night.
Still, it remained business as usual Thursday on the gaming floors at Rivers and the Argosy, as it did at the state’s eight other casinos, with each advertising increased cleaning rotations in light of viral concerns.
But empty sports stadiums are sure to leave holes in some local broadcast lineups. NBC Sports Chicago previously added a four-hour sports betting analysis show to its afternoon slate ahead of the Illinois launch, and WCKG 1530 AM rebranded just this week as Sportsbook Radio.
“Nothing like launching sports gambling and a radio station focused on sports gambling just as sports are canceled,” WCKG manager Matt Dubiel said in a tweet.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--IHSA state basketball tournament canceled due to coronavirus concerns

The Illinois High School Association has canceled the boys basketball state tournament due to coronavirus concerns .
The IHSA made @ @ @ @ @ Hinsdale South vs. Benet sectional semifinal was about to begin .
Thursday morning the IHSA @ @ @ @ @ at all remaining playoff games , including the Class 1A/2A state tournament , to just @ @ @ @ @ Aurora Christian , Orr , Timothy Christian , Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin , Breese Mater Dei @ @ @ @ @ Roanoke-Benson all began traveling to Peoria for the state tournament on Thursday morning .

Illinois has awarded a state championship in boys high school basketball every year since 1908. That streak will come to an end this year because of concerns about the coronavirus.
The Illinois High School Association on Thursday evening canceled the entire boys state tournament.
‘‘I am devastated for our whole team,’’ Mundelein’s Conor Enright said. ‘‘This is arguably the best season in Mundelein history. Not seeing that out sucks. But I understand why they had to do it. No one is mad, but it just hurts.’’
Enright and most of his teammates are juniors and will get another chance at the state title. That isn’t the case for a lot of the top teams.
‘‘The unfortunate reality is that for all of us disappointed about the season ending, based on all the things happening around the country, they really had no other choice,’’ Young coach Tyrone Slaughter said. ‘‘So many young people have done so much work. It is just tough.’’
Earlier in the day, the IHSA announced it would limit attendance at all remaining playoff games, including the Class 1A and 2A state tournament, to 60 fans per team. It changed course and shut everything down several hours later after many major sporting events were canceled, including the NCAA Tournament.
‘‘We appreciate the patience and understanding that we have received from everyone involved in this process over the past 72 hours,’’ IHSA executive director Craig Anderson. ‘‘We have stressed the fluidity of this situation and have been transparent about the possibility that a suspension or cancellation could occur.
‘‘While we had support from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City/County Health Department to continue our events with limited spectators, it has become untenable to continue the events among our member schools. Multiple schools who are participating or hosting these sports and activities have been forced to withdraw from those roles, clarifying the need for the IHSA to take definitive action.
‘‘The board considered suspending the events but after deliberate discussion did not believe that was a realistic option within the timeline. We feel for everyone who has been impacted, but [we] must put the health and safety of all involved ahead of these events.’’
Players and coaches around the state were shocked at the news, even though major sporting events around the country had been canceled in the last few days.
‘‘My kids weren’t worried about it,’’ Thornton coach Tai Streets said. ‘‘They just wanted to play. I’m speechless.’’
It was a day of waiting for all the teams and players involved.
‘‘We actually had morning practice today, and the whole day I was checking Twitter updates,’’ Enright said. ‘‘I could feel it coming, I guess. Now we are trying to organize a rec-league game against Stevenson just to play it out.’’
The IHSA said it hasn’t made any decisions about spring sports tournaments.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--With no games for weeks, TV networks have hours to fill

So , sports fans , what do you want to watch this weekend ?
Perhaps the better question is , what can you watch this weekend ?
One by one Thursday , college conferences and professional leagues essentially pulled the plug on their TV programming for the weekend and beyond because of the coronavirus outbreak .
The NBA was the first to go dark Wednesday night , suspending its season .
College basketball conference tournaments followed with cancellations Thursday morning , and the NHL , MLS and MLB suspended their seasons as the day wore on .
The capper was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mid-afternoon .
It all will send network schedule-makers back to the drawing board with the loss of hours upon hours of live game programming , the type for which networks pay millions upon millions of dollars .
There ’ s nothing that will make up for those losses this weekend , and they ’ ll be challenged to fill their lineup in the weeks until games resume .
Locally , NBC Sports Chicago faces the challenge of making up for lost Blackhawks , Bulls and White Sox games , the lifeblood of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 16 Bulls games remaining this season , and it was scheduled to air Sox exhibition games March 21-24 .
With MLB pushing Opening Day back at least two weeks from March 26 , NBCSCH won ’ t be able to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the Sox just yet .
“ For the foreseeable future , we will be airing a mix of Blackhawks and Bulls classic games , along with a variety of national programming content provided by NBC Sports , ” NBCSCH said in a statement .
“ We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps for our pro game replacement programming moving forward.
” The Cubs ’ Marquee Sports Network now has more to deal with than just carriage issues .
The team ’ s games are the primary reason for the network ’ s existence , and it won ’ t have any for at least a month .
It relies on Stadium for other live programming , but that network figures to be in a similar pinch .
MSN said it ’ s determining what to do with its lineup .
WGN , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fire games , will lose its next two broadcasts ( March 14 and April 4 ) after MLS suspended its season for 30 days .
Just two days before calling off March Madness , CBS and Turner had revealed its game broadcast teams and plans for the tournament selection show .
Now those time slots , spanning four networks ( CBS , TBS , TNT and TruTV ) , must be filled , and the losses in viewership will be huge .
ESPN will suffer its share of losses , too .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantic Coast , Big 12 and Southeastern conference tournaments this weekend .
The network will have to deal with replacing NBA games next and baseball games soon after .
“ This is an unprecedented situation , ” the network said in a statement .
“ We have great relationships with our league partners and are confident we can address all issues constructively going forward .
Our immediate focus is on everyone ’ s safety and well-being.
” The Big Ten Network was set for two of the biggest days on its programming calendar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more Friday from the conference tournament .
NBC Sports Network was to carry the Atlantic-10 tournament , and Fox and FS1 were to air the Big East tournament and some of the Pac-12 tournament .
NBCSN ’ s next task will be replacing its extensive NHL schedule .
ESPN is best positioned to fill its holes with live programming .
On Thursday , it stayed live with “ SportsCenter ” all day and night .
The network interviewed coaches and analysts and provided reports from the tournament sites .
ESPNews aired its usual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ additional holes .
ESPN2 simulcasted a combination of both channels .

So, sports fans, what do you want to watch this weekend?
Perhaps the better question is, what can you watch this weekend?
One by one Thursday, college conferences and professional leagues essentially pulled the plug on their TV programming for the weekend and beyond because of the coronavirus outbreak. The NBA was the first to go dark Wednesday night, suspending its season. College basketball conference tournaments followed with cancellations Thursday morning, and the NHL, MLS and MLB suspended their seasons as the day wore on. The capper was the cancellation of the NCAA Tournament in mid-afternoon.
It all will send network schedule-makers back to the drawing board with the loss of hours upon hours of live game programming, the type for which networks pay millions upon millions of dollars. There’s nothing that will make up for those losses this weekend, and they’ll be challenged to fill their lineups in the weeks ahead until games resume.
Locally, NBC Sports Chicago faces the challenge of making up for lost Blackhawks, Bulls and White Sox games, the lifeblood of the network. It has 11 Hawks games and 16 Bulls games remaining this season, and it was scheduled to air Sox exhibition games March 21-24. With MLB pushing Opening Day back at least two weeks from March 26, NBCSCH won’t be able to capitalize on the excitement surrounding the Sox just yet.
“For the foreseeable future, we will be airing a mix of Blackhawks and Bulls classic games, along with a variety of national programming content provided by NBC Sports,” NBCSCH said in a statement. “We will continue the process of determining additional next steps for our pro game replacement programming moving forward.”
The Cubs’ Marquee Sports Network now has more to deal with than just carriage issues. The team’s games are the primary reason for the network’s existence, and it won’t have any for at least a month. It relies on Stadium for other live programming, but that network figures to be in a similar pinch. MSN said it’s determining what to do with its lineup.
WGN, which is one game into its 24-game slate of Fire games, will lose its next two broadcasts (March 14 and April 4) after MLS suspended its season for 30 days.
Just two days before calling off March Madness, CBS and Turner had revealed its game broadcast teams and plans for the tournament selection show. Now those time slots, spanning four networks (CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV), must be filled, and the losses in viewership will be huge.
ESPN will suffer its share of losses, too. It was to air the American Athletic, Atlantic Coast, Big 12 and Southeastern conference tournaments this weekend. The network will have to deal with replacing NBA games next and baseball games soon after.
“This is an unprecedented situation,” the network said in a statement. “We have great relationships with our league partners and are confident we can address all issues constructively going forward. Our immediate focus is on everyone’s safety and well-being.”
The Big Ten Network was set for two of the biggest days on its programming calendar, airing four games Thursday and four more Friday from the conference tournament. NBC Sports Network was to carry the Atlantic-10 tournament, and Fox and FS1 were to air the Big East tournament and some of the Pac-12 tournament. NBCSN’s next task will be replacing its extensive NHL schedule.
ESPN is best positioned to fill its holes with live programming. On Thursday, it stayed live with “SportsCenter” all day and night. The network interviewed coaches and analysts and provided reports from the tournament sites. ESPNews aired its usual radio simulcasts and taped programming to fill additional holes. ESPN2 simulcasted a combination of both channels.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: 2020 Ebertfest canceled in Champaign

Roger Ebert ’ s Film Festival , an annual event in Champaign , is putting off its 22nd edition until @ @ @ @ @ April in its traditional location , the Virginia Theatre , the fest honoring the spirit @ @ @ @ @ film critic was bumped when the University of Illinois , a sponsor , halted all @ @ @ @ @ attendees .
“ The audience and our filmmakers help make our festival so special and @ @ @ @ @ to cancel it , but we must put concern for health and welfare foremost , @ @ @ @ @ Ebert said in a statement .
Titles set for this year ’ s Ebertfest included @ @ @ @ @ “ The Cotton Club Encore , ” the Farrelly brothers ’ “ There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ Ari Aster ’ s “ Hereditary .
”

Roger Ebert’s Film Festival, an annual event in Champaign, is putting off its 22nd edition until 2021.
Originally scheduled for April in its traditional location, the Virginia Theatre, the fest honoring the spirit of the late Chicago Sun-Times film critic was bumped when the University of Illinois, a sponsor, halted all events with more than 50 attendees.
“The audience and our filmmakers help make our festival so special and so beautiful that it hurts to cancel it, but we must put concern for health and welfare foremost,” host and co-founder Chaz Ebert said in a statement.
Titles set for this year’s Ebertfest included Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Cotton Club Encore,” the Farrelly brothers’ “There’s Something About Mary” and Ari Aster’s “Hereditary.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--CPS high school students missing overseas school trips due to coronavirus — and now worrying about r

CPS high school students missing overseas school trips due to coronavirus — and now worrying about refunds

Chicago high school students who spent a year fund-raising , working part-time jobs and hitting up friends and family for donations are now feeling deflated and angry after the worldwide coronavirus spread has forced the cancellation of long-planned overseas trips .
CPS on Thursday said on Twitter it would “ make these students whole ” but it was unclear whether that would mean a full cash refund for trips that cost families $ 4,000 or more .
CPS announced last week it was cancelling school-connected overseas trips over spring break due to COVID-19 .
“ It was an amazing sacrifice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself , ” said Sherausha Goss , mother of Jordan Goss , a senior at Simeon Career Academy , who had raised $ 4,000 for a trip-of-a-lifetime to Greece .
“ It ’ s very disappointing.
” Jordan has two part-time jobs : as a barber and a guest attendant at Navy Pier .
He and his single mom have been singularly focused on raising the money to get Jordan to Europe — a trip now doomed by COVID-19 .
“ What are the chances of these students being able to travel to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being able to be out of the country ?
” his mom asked .
As of Thursday , the company Simeon and many other CPS schools contracted with , EF Educational Tours , based in Boston and Denver , was only offering vouchers to students with cancelled trips — not cash refunds .
The company ’ s policies were changing daily , however , and parents are encouraged to keep checking the company ’ s website for updates .
The Chicago Teachers Union said 13 Simeon students had planned to go to Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer such overseas adventures for their students , with teachers often agreeing to help chaperone .
EF Tours says the vouchers can be used until Sept. 30 , 2022 for any of the company ’ s tours and can be used by students , their immediate family members or other students or faculty members in the same school district .
But some parents say that ’ s cold comfort for a situation beyond the students ’ control .
“ It ’ s pretty much useless for seniors , ” said Amy Stickel , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Jones College Prep who helped raise about $ 4,500 for a school trip to various World War II sites in Europe through EF Tours .
“ She did a lot of babysitting .
She had a lot of skin in the game , ” Stickel said .
Katherine ’ s dad , Derek Dattner , said the trip fees included mandatory travel insurance offered by the tour company .
But he was told that “ a viral outbreak was not stated as one of the items that would be covered.
” Dattner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s trip with EF Tours ; that was done for him by CPS .
He wondered how his contract could be voided without his input — and why the insurance wouldn ’ t kick in .
“ We ’ re just gobsmacked .
We ’ re stunned , ” he said .
Tim Decker , whose daughter Sara is a junior at Jones , understands why CPS called off his daughter ’ s school trip to Morocco , which was offered by Rustic Pathways , a tour company based in Ohio .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing to do , ” he says .
He ’ s upset , though , that Rustic Pathways has so far only offered him a voucher for 65 % of the trip ’ s cost , which approached $ 4,000 .
He ’ d rather have his family ’ s money back .
Rustic Pathways could not be reached for comment Thursday .
CPS said Thursday that “ while we are still working out the details , we ’ re committed to making students whole and will reimburse students for out-of-pocket costs.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a CPS spokeswoman emailed that further clarification would be “ forthcoming .
”

Chicago high school students who spent a year fund-raising, working part-time jobs and hitting up friends and family for donations are now feeling deflated and angry after the worldwide coronavirus spread has forced the cancellation of long-planned overseas trips.
CPS on Thursday said on Twitter it would “make these students whole” but it was unclear whether that would mean a full cash refund for trips that cost families $4,000 or more.
CPS announced last week it was cancelling school-connected overseas trips over spring break due to COVID-19.
“It was an amazing sacrifice for a lot of households, including myself,” said Sherausha Goss, mother of Jordan Goss, a senior at Simeon Career Academy, who had raised $4,000 for a trip-of-a-lifetime to Greece. “It’s very disappointing.”
Jordan has two part-time jobs: as a barber and a guest attendant at Navy Pier. He and his single mom have been singularly focused on raising the money to get Jordan to Europe — a trip now doomed by COVID-19.
“What are the chances of these students being able to travel to Greece … and get the experience of being able to be out of the country?” his mom asked.
As of Thursday, the company Simeon and many other CPS schools contracted with, EF Educational Tours, based in Boston and Denver, was only offering vouchers to students with cancelled trips — not cash refunds. The company’s policies were changing daily, however, and parents are encouraged to keep checking the company’s website for updates.
The Chicago Teachers Union said 13 Simeon students had planned to go to Greece. Numerous CPS and suburban high schools offer such overseas adventures for their students, with teachers often agreeing to help chaperone.
EF Tours says the vouchers can be used until Sept. 30, 2022 for any of the company’s tours and can be used by students, their immediate family members or other students or faculty members in the same school district.
But some parents say that’s cold comfort for a situation beyond the students’ control.
“It’s pretty much useless for seniors,” said Amy Stickel, mother of Katherine Dattner, a senior at Jones College Prep who helped raise about $4,500 for a school trip to various World War II sites in Europe through EF Tours.
“She did a lot of babysitting. She had a lot of skin in the game,” Stickel said.
Katherine’s dad, Derek Dattner, said the trip fees included mandatory travel insurance offered by the tour company. But he was told that “a viral outbreak was not stated as one of the items that would be covered.”
Dattner added that he never cancelled his daughter’s trip with EF Tours; that was done for him by CPS. He wondered how his contract could be voided without his input — and why the insurance wouldn’t kick in.
“We’re just gobsmacked. We’re stunned,” he said.
Tim Decker, whose daughter Sara is a junior at Jones, understands why CPS called off his daughter’s school trip to Morocco, which was offered by Rustic Pathways, a tour company based in Ohio. “I think that was the prudent thing to do,” he says.
He’s upset, though, that Rustic Pathways has so far only offered him a voucher for 65% of the trip’s cost, which approached $4,000. He’d rather have his family’s money back. Rustic Pathways could not be reached for comment Thursday.
CPS said Thursday that “while we are still working out the details, we’re committed to making students whole and will reimburse students for out-of-pocket costs.”
Asked whether that means full cash refunds, a CPS spokeswoman emailed that further clarification would be “forthcoming.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: ‘Mulan,’ ‘Quiet Place II,’ ‘Fast & Furious’ movie releases postponed

Disney ’ s live-action remake of “ Mulan , ” which was supposed to hit theaters March 27 , is now moving back to an unspecified date , a studio source said Thursday .
Also being pushed down the Disney calendar are Marvel ’ s “ New Mutants , ” which was previously set for April 3 , and the horror flick “ Antlers , ” originally dated for April 17 .
The studio will announce new dates for a 2020 release later .
Disney moved forward with a Hollywood world premiere Monday and held a scaled-down premiere for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Director John Krasinski announced Thursday that “ A Quiet Place : Part II , ” the sequel to his 2018 horror hit “ A Quiet Place , ” would be postponed “ due to the ever-changing circumstances of what ’ s going on in the world around us.
” He did not share a new release date .
“ As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie ...
I ’ m gon na wait to release the film til we CAN all see it together , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So here ’ s to our group movie date !
See you soon !
” And the ninth “ Fast and Furious ” installment release date is moving from May 2020 to April 2021 .
” We feel all the love and the anticipation you have for the next chapter in our saga .
That ’ s why it ’ s especially tough to let you know that we have to move the release date of the film , ” read a statement on the official @ TheFastSaga account .
“ While we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wait a little while longer , this movie is made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration .
”

Disney’s live-action remake of “Mulan,” which was supposed to hit theaters March 27, is now moving back to an unspecified date, a studio source said Thursday.
Also being pushed down the Disney calendar are Marvel’s “New Mutants,” which was previously set for April 3, and the horror flick “Antlers,” originally dated for April 17.
The studio will announce new dates for a 2020 release later.
Disney moved forward with a Hollywood world premiere Monday and held a scaled-down premiere for “Mulan” in London on Thursday.
Director John Krasinski announced Thursday that “A Quiet Place: Part II,” the sequel to his 2018 horror hit “A Quiet Place,” would be postponed “due to the ever-changing circumstances of what’s going on in the world around us.” He did not share a new release date.
“As insanely excited as we are for all of you to see this movie... I’m gonna wait to release the film til we CAN all see it together,” he wrote in a tweet. ”So here’s to our group movie date! See you soon!”
And the ninth “Fast and Furious” installment release date is moving from May 2020 to April 2021.
”We feel all the love and the anticipation you have for the next chapter in our saga. That’s why it’s especially tough to let you know that we have to move the release date of the film,” read a statement on the official @TheFastSaga account. “While we know there is disappointment in having to wait a little while longer, this movie is made with the safety of everyone as our foremost consideration.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--With 32 cases of coronavirus in Illinois, including a child, Pritzker cancels all events of more tha

With 32 cases of coronavirus in Illinois, including a child, Pritzker cancels all events of more than 1,000 people

Officials announced Thursday that a child in Chicago is among seven new cases of coronavirus reported in Illinois , bringing the total number of cases in the state to 32 .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker also announced he was mandating that all events of more than 1,000 people be canceled and said he is encouraging event organizers around the state to consider cancelling or postponing any events of over 250 people in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
While most of the sickened individuals are older , Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ reminder that anyone can be infected with this virus.
” Ezike said a Chicago woman in her 40s and three other people from Cook County , two women in their 70s and a man in his 50s , also tested positive for the coronavirus , Ezike said .
The other cases involve a Kane County man in his 70s and a McHenry County man in his 60s .
Ezike said a third of the state ’ s cases involve travel and about half are related to contact with another person with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not as clear , and could be the result of community spread , ” Ezike said .
“ So while you may not have a case in your community now , we anticipate that there will be.
” Allison Arwady , commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health , said the child is in good condition and didn ’ t have to be hospitalized .
Arwady said that has been the case for many Illinoisans ’ stricken with coronavirus .
Pritzker said that owners of all Illinois ’ major sports teams agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until May 1 as the coronavirus continues to spread across the state .
The cancellation of large gatherings and decision to shut down major sporting events across the state were among a series of directives Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced as the state responds to the COVID-19 crisis .
However , Pritzker did not call for the closure of schools across the state .
Instead , he said schools will be monitored “ on a day-by-day basis.
” Chicago Public Schools will not be closed .
However , Lightfoot said “ CPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as well as banning “ community events of more than 1,000 ” for 30 days , includes all concerts and conferences .
“ No gathering takes priority over the health of any attendee , ” she said .
In addition to nixing major events , Pritzker announced that the Thompson Center downtown would be closed starting Monday to “ people who don ’ t have business with the state .
”

Mayo Lori Lightfoot on Thursday defended her decision to keep Chicago Public Schools open, even as the coronavirus tally hit 32 and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker mandated that all events with more than 1,000 people be canceled or postponed.
Pritzker, too, encouraged private businesses statewide to allow employees to work from home in light of the spread of the virus in Illinois.
Pritzker, Lightfoot and Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle held a joint news conference on Thursday in Chicago, with each outlining bans on various gatherings and meetings. That includes everything from large churches, to concerts and conferences.
Pritzker also encouraged event organizers around the state to consider canceling or postponing any gatherings of over 250 people in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
7 new cases
Officials also announced seven additional confirmed cases of coronavirus, including a Chicago child, a boy whose age was not given. They include a Chicago woman in her 40s and three other people from Cook County, two women in their 70s and a man in his 50s. The other cases involve a Kane County man in his 70s and a McHenry County man in his 60s, officials said.
Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health said no details would be disclosed about what may be the youngest patient so far in Illinois. Arwady said the child’s school has been notified, but did not specify the school. A McHenry County teenage boy was announced as a confirmed case on Tuesday.
“While older adults appear to be suffering more severe illness, the young child in Chicago is a reminder that anyone can be infected with this virus,” said Dr. Ngozi Ezike, the state’s director of the public health department.
Ezike said a third of the state’s cases involve travel and about half are related to contact with another person with COVID-19.
“The remaining cases are not as clear, and could be the result of community spread,” Ezike said. “So while you may not have a case in your community now, we anticipate that there will be.”
The epidemic is also affecting institutions close to Pritzker’s own life. A Pritzker spokeswoman said “at least one” of the governor’s two children attends Francis W. Parker School, a private school in Chicago that WBEZ reported is closing its doors for two weeks. The governor was asked what his message is to parents who might not want to have their kids go to school.
“Well you’ve got to make decisions for your own family. There’s no doubt about that, but I would say that remember the guidance that’s been given by experts is large gatherings should be prohibited,” Pritzker said. “And so we’ve done that. We’ve suggested to schools all across the state. We’ve told them not to have major assemblies of their students. It’s OK to be in a classroom.”
‘Cascading effects’
Ohio and Maryland both announced the closure of their K-12 schools on Thursday.
But Lightfoot said, “at this time, CPS will remain open.”
“We would never put our children in danger, and I say that as a mayor, but also as a mother,” Lightfoot said. “At this time, however, CPS will begin scaling back large-scale events, issuing guidance to all school personnel in advance of spring break, instituting a mandatory policy on short-term closures for any schools with confirmed cases and ensuring parents and loved ones are frequently updated.”
Among the events that have been canceled are the CPS regional Science Olympics competition and the annual Student Science Fair, both of which were to be held this month on the IIT campus.
Lightfoot also announced a deal reached with Comcast to provide low-income households with 60 days of free Internet — and doubling their internet speeds.
The mayor said a complete closure of CPS would have “potential cascading effects” on many low-income students who rely on schools for food and shelter.
Pritzker also announced the James R. Thompson Center will be closed to the public beginning Monday, although all government services will still be open and state employees will still work in their respective offices. The CTA, however, will remain open.
“It may evolve right now but we don’t see any reason or rationale for us to shut down public transit in the city of Chicago,” Lightfoot said. “The CTA is also taking additional measures to make sure buses and train cars are clean.”
Residents urged to vote
During Thursday’s news conference, Preckwinkle urged residents not to use the spreading pandemic as a reason to skip out on voting in Tuesday’s primary elections.
She said officials are making sure that polling places are “clean, safe and secure” for voters, who have already started casting early ballots.
“We should not let fear impact our ability to carry out our basic civic duties and general operations,” Preckwinkle said.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--This week in history: Chicago’s tuberculosis sanitarium opens to public

As reported by the Chicago Daily News , sister paper of the Chicago Sun-Times : “ Eight patients are receiving treatment at Chicago ’ s $ 2,400,000 municipal tuberculosis sanitarium at Bryn Mawr and Crawford avenues to-day , ” a brief in the March 10 , 1915 edition of the Chicago Daily News read .
“ No formalities marked the beginning of actual work yesterday , when six women and two men were admitted as the first inmates of the institution.
” As Chicago grapples with coronavirus this week , it ’ s an apt time to look back at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a highly communicable disease .
According to a 2018 landmark designation report recommending the sanitarium buildings be preserved , Chicago ’ s Department of Health reported 3,600 deaths from tuberculosis in 1905 and called for the city to provide free treatment .
Ten years later , a sanitarium opened with 650 beds and 25 buildings .
The Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium treated tuberculosis patients with fresh air and a rich diet , according to the 1915 report .
Windows stayed open , even in winter , and screened-in rooms were common .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but some could participate in light activity .
The sanitarium closed in 1974 , but some buildings still remain in North Park Village on the Far Northwest Side .

As reported by the Chicago Daily News, sister paper of the Chicago Sun-Times:
“Eight patients are receiving treatment at Chicago’s $2,400,000 municipal tuberculosis sanitarium at Bryn Mawr and Crawford avenues to-day,” a brief in the March 10, 1915 edition of the Chicago Daily News read.
“No formalities marked the beginning of actual work yesterday, when six women and two men were admitted as the first inmates of the institution.”
As Chicago grapples with coronavirus this week, it’s an apt time to look back at how the city sought to treat tuberculosis, a highly communicable disease.
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According to a 2018 landmark designation report recommending the sanitarium buildings be preserved, Chicago’s Department of Health reported 3,600 deaths from tuberculosis in 1905 and called for the city to provide free treatment. Ten years later, a sanitarium opened with 650 beds and 25 buildings.
The Chicago Municipal Tuberculosis Sanitarium treated tuberculosis patients with fresh air and a rich diet, according to the 1915 report. Windows stayed open, even in winter, and screened-in rooms were common. Patients were mostly isolated and sedentary, but some could participate in light activity.
The sanitarium closed in 1974, but some buildings still remain in North Park Village on the Far Northwest Side.