chicagosun-times--2020-07-09--Illinois reports 1,018 new COVID-19 cases, highest 1-day total since June 5 (LIVE UPDATES)

Biggest coronavirus testing day ever in Illinois results in state ’ s worst day for new cases in a month llinois was hit with its worst day for new coronavirus cases in over a month Thursday as health officials announced an additional 1,018 people have tested positive , sending the state ’ s overall case tally over 150,000 .
The Illinois Department of Public Health also said another 20 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19 , raising the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 7,119 .
While that increase in deaths is close to the state ’ s daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had not tallied 1,000 cases or more in a day since June 5 .
And since a nearly three-month low case count of 462 on June 22 , daily caseloads have inched upward — but so have the state ’ s testing numbers .
The latest cases were confirmed among 36,180 test results , the state ’ s largest batch received in any given day , good for a positivity rate of about 2.8 % .
That ’ s above the state ’ s rolling positivity rate of 2.6 % over the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said it ’ s not cause for alarm .
“ We ’ re watching the data closely every day , but our uptick in cases closely correlates with increased testing that ’ s been accomplished over the last couple of weeks , ” Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said .
Read the full story by reporter Mitchell Armentrout here .
Jim Belushi , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Keegan-Michael Key and dozens of other talents with roots in Chicago — singers , actors , dancers and more — belt out the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music video meant to ease the pandemic burden for local artists .
Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller counts down the beats to open the clip , which also spotlights the voices of stage stars E. Faye Butler ( riffing , “ Let me explain something to you ... ) and André De Shields ( resplendent in a glittering butterfly pendant ) .
Jazz singer Kurt Elling carries another chunk of the vocal load .
Ramsey Lewis tickles the piano .
Survivor rocker Jim Peterik wails on the guitar .
Rachel Barton Pine saws @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mile-a-minute list of the city ’ s greatest assets .
Chef Rick Bayless dances in front of a flaming grill and confesses , “ That was way harder than I thought it would be.
” The six-minute , quick-cut rendition of “ Sweet Home Chicago , ” from local production company HMS Media , urges viewers to donate to the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund , which helps artists throughout Chicago and Illinois who are struggling in the wake of COVID-19 closures .
Read the full story and watch the video here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is easy with many service stations and chain restaurants off busy Interstate 5 .
Finding a public restroom , clean or otherwise ?
Now that can be a challenge .
Whether it ’ s the Burger King or the El Pollo Loco at the Lyons Avenue exit off the artery linking Los Angeles and San Francisco in this city , or even the Mobil or Shell gas stations , restrooms are temporarily off-limits .
Fear of the coronavirus has made one of the most important conveniences of life on the open road — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by at one long-dependable source : fast-food outlets .
Many are now limited to drive-thrus only .
With gas stations not necessarily a sure bet either , motorists are forced to alternatives like truck stops , supermarkets or big-box retailers like Walmart or Home Depot .
Alisa Stewart discovered the problem first hand while leading family trips to Las Vegas , a 290-mile slog one way from home in Santa Monica , California , to visit relatives twice last month .
On one journey , rest stops and a Starbucks ’ loo were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the landmark Mad Greek Cafe in the town of Baker , was shuttered .
“ Before COVID-19 , they were open 24 hours , ” she lamented in an email .
The Great Restroom Shortage has been cropping up sporadically around the country .
After four turbulent months that included the loss of 71 jobs , the Field Museum is set to re-open July 17 following the coronavirus shutdown .
But don ’ t expect big crowds .
The museum plans to cap daily attendance at one-fourth of capacity , officials said Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ markers on the floor will help people with social distancing .
The museum will open to members only beginning July 17 , then to the general public July 24 .
The re-opening comes as the Field gets set to welcome a new president later this year .
Julian Siggers , director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology , takes the helm at Field in September .
1:11 p.m. Would you go to the beach or a public pool if you could ?
What Chicagoans told us .
With temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we asked Chicagoans whether they ’ d venture out to the city ’ s pools and beaches if they were open .
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
“ I would go to a pool to swim laps where you have a reservation to keep the numbers to a minimum , but hell no to any ‘ free swims.
’ I don ’ t really go to the beach because the lake is cold , and sand is annoying.
” — Shannon Heath Jeropke “ I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people — taking no safety precautions , of course — and I ’ m trying to stay healthy !
Plus I have my own pool in my backyard.
” — Jaleesa Flores “ Ugh .
I ’ d love to go to the beach .
I live in Indiana .
The national park beaches are beautiful .
But they are totally crowded with people coming from Illinois .
Can ’ t find parking , can ’ t find a socially distanced place to sit , and everyone is leaving loads of trash behind.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ responses from our readers on the topic here .
12:15 p.m. Starbucks in-store customers will be required to wear face masks starting July 15 Starbucks will now require customers and employees to wear face masks when they enter stores .
The policy applies to all company-owned café locations in the U.S. , according to a statement by Starbucks .
At select locations where a local government mandate is not in place , customers that may not be wearing a facial covering will have various options to order their Starbucks , including ordering at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starbucks app or placing an order for delivery through Starbucks Delivers .
“ The company is committed to playing a constructive role in supporting health and government officials as they work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 , ” reads the statement .
11:46 a.m. Woman spits in man ’ s face during dispute over face mask in Lake County Costco : police A Highland Park woman was allegedly so mad that a man removed his face mask in a north suburban Costco that she yelled she had COVID-19 before spitting in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mach , 45 , allegedly rammed her shopping cart in to the man ’ s cart after he removed his face mask before he exited the store June 16 in Mettawa , according to the Lake County sheriff ’ s office .
Mach allegedly told him to put the mask back on since he was not outside the building , the sheriff ’ s office said .
The man , 50 , ignored her , at which point she allegedly yelled , “ I am a schoolteacher and I have COVID-19.
” She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spat in his face .
She left the store in the 25900 block of Riverwoods Road and drove off , the sheriff ’ s office said .
10:13 a.m. Lightfoot unveils roadmap to economic recovery from coronavirus pandemic Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said Chicago will need “ nothing less than the most breathtaking recovery effort our city has ever seen ” to come roaring back from the economic devastation created by the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home shutdown it triggered .
She ’ s said — to some ridicule — that she hopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago ’ s flag .
Now , she has a roadmap to get there .
The 105-page report is called “ Forward Together , Building a Stronger Chicago.
” • A wage and standards board to establish a workers ’ bill of right .
Read the full story from Fran Spielman here .
8:16 a.m. Too early to tell whether CPS can safely reopen this fall , ex-U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says Former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday it ’ s “ too early to tell ” whether the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to in-classroom learning .
It all depends on whether Chicago adults behave responsibly or recklessly this summer to prevent a surge in coronavirus cases that mirrors what ’ s happening in nearly two dozen other states .
“ We , as a country , haven ’ t taken the hard steps we need to open schools and to make things safe , ” said Duncan , who spent more than seven years as CPS ’ chief executive .
“ What we as a country are willing to do — what small sacrifices we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children can safely return to school this fall — that ’ s up to us .
Schools systems can ’ t do this by themselves .
They don ’ t live in a bubble.
” “ Wear a mask .
Don ’ t hang out at the beaches .
Don ’ t go to bars .
Don ’ t go eat indoors at restaurants , ” he said .
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman or listen to the full interview on “ The Fran Spielman Show ” podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive for the coronavirus in Illinois , health officials said Wednesday , marking the largest number of new cases reported during a 24-hour period in over a month .
• The Illinois Department of Public Health reported another 36 deaths attributed to COVID-19 Wednesday , raising the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 7,099 .
• Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Monday that she had tested positive for COVID-19 .
6:52 p.m. We can ’ t fly ; we can ’ t hug ; at least let us grin When my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alinea ’ s new novel coronavirus-shaped canapé , conscientious newsman that I am , I suggested heading over right away to try the tidbit .
To comment intelligently , I had to first sample the purplish sphere of coconut custard with Szechuan peppercorn , dotted with freeze-dried raspberries that caused some on Instagram to grouse that lives lost to COVID-19 are being mocked by a confection .
Alas , time is of the essence .
So all I could do is acquaint myself with the thorough treatment by Block Club Chicago , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ em , one disgruntled person , complaining on Instagram .
“ This isn ’ t ok ... this isn ’ t ‘ cute.
’ This is shameful , ” wrote the irked individual .
No , what ’ s shameful is Donald Trump insisting America ’ s schools re-open in the fall , pandemic be damned .
As is the same people who are willing to sacrifice Grandma to stay behind him now tossing Junior onto the pyre as well .
Our nation marinates in humiliation like Hawaiian chicken .
8:27 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face testing delays nationwide as coronavirus cases continues to surge For two weeks , Rachael Jones has stayed home , going without a paycheck while waiting and waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test from a pharmacy near Philadelphia .
“ I ’ m just so disappointed .
I just don ’ t know how — with the resources and the people we have and the money we have — we can ’ t get this right , ” she said .
Four months , 3 million confirmed infections and over 130,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. , Americans confronted with a resurgence of the scourge are facing long lines at testing sites in the summer heat or are getting turned away .
Others are going a week or more without receiving a diagnosis .
Some sites are running out of kits , while labs are reporting shortages of materials and workers to process the swabs .
Some frustrated Americans are left to wonder why the U.S. can ’ t seem to get its act together , especially after it was given fair warning as the virus wreaked havoc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and New York .
“ It ’ s a hot mess , ” said 47-year-old Jennifer Hudson of Tucson , Arizona .
“ The fact that we ’ re relying on companies and we don ’ t have a national response to this , it ’ s ridiculous .
… It ’ s keeping people who need tests from getting tests .
”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said Chicago will need “nothing less than the most breathtaking recovery effort our city has ever seen” to come roaring back from the economic devastation created by the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home shutdown it triggered.
Today she unveiled her plan for the city’s economic recovery following the pandemic. Here’s what’s in her plan and all the other coronavirus-related news that broke in Chicago and around the state.
News
8:55 p.m. Biggest coronavirus testing day ever in Illinois results in state’s worst day for new cases in a month
Workers check in residents at a mobile COVID-19 testing site in Chicago on June 23, 2020. Scott Olson/Getty Images (file photo)
llinois was hit with its worst day for new coronavirus cases in over a month Thursday as health officials announced an additional 1,018 people have tested positive, sending the state’s overall case tally over 150,000.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also said another 20 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19, raising the state’s pandemic death toll to 7,119.
While that increase in deaths is close to the state’s daily average so far in July, Illinois had not tallied 1,000 cases or more in a day since June 5.
And since a nearly three-month low case count of 462 on June 22, daily caseloads have inched upward — but so have the state’s testing numbers.
The latest cases were confirmed among 36,180 test results, the state’s largest batch received in any given day, good for a positivity rate of about 2.8%. That’s above the state’s rolling positivity rate of 2.6% over the last week, but Gov. J.B. Pritkzer’s office said it’s not cause for alarm.
“We’re watching the data closely every day, but our uptick in cases closely correlates with increased testing that’s been accomplished over the last couple of weeks,” Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said.
Read the full story by reporter Mitchell Armentrout here.
4:45 p.m. Baby, don’t you wanna watch? Stars sing ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ to aid local artists
Jim Belushi, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Keegan-Michael Key and dozens of other talents with roots in Chicago — singers, actors, dancers and more — belt out the city’s unofficial anthem in a new music video meant to ease the pandemic burden for local artists.
Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller counts down the beats to open the clip, which also spotlights the voices of stage stars E. Faye Butler (riffing, “Let me explain something to you ...) and André De Shields (resplendent in a glittering butterfly pendant). Jazz singer Kurt Elling carries another chunk of the vocal load.
Ramsey Lewis tickles the piano. Survivor rocker Jim Peterik wails on the guitar. Rachel Barton Pine saws away on the violin. Twista spits a mile-a-minute list of the city’s greatest assets.
Chef Rick Bayless dances in front of a flaming grill and confesses, “That was way harder than I thought it would be.”
The six-minute, quick-cut rendition of “Sweet Home Chicago,” from local production company HMS Media, urges viewers to donate to the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund, which helps artists throughout Chicago and Illinois who are struggling in the wake of COVID-19 closures.
Read the full story and watch the video here.
3:17 p.m. COVID-19 side effect: ‘The Great Restroom Shortage’
Filling up on gas or food is easy with many service stations and chain restaurants off busy Interstate 5. Finding a public restroom, clean or otherwise? Now that can be a challenge.
Whether it’s the Burger King or the El Pollo Loco at the Lyons Avenue exit off the artery linking Los Angeles and San Francisco in this city, or even the Mobil or Shell gas stations, restrooms are temporarily off-limits.
Fear of the coronavirus has made one of the most important conveniences of life on the open road — the public restroom — harder to come by at one long-dependable source: fast-food outlets. Many are now limited to drive-thrus only.
With gas stations not necessarily a sure bet either, motorists are forced to alternatives like truck stops, supermarkets or big-box retailers like Walmart or Home Depot.
Alisa Stewart discovered the problem first hand while leading family trips to Las Vegas, a 290-mile slog one way from home in Santa Monica, California, to visit relatives twice last month. On one journey, rest stops and a Starbucks’ loo were closed. A normally dependable standby, the landmark Mad Greek Cafe in the town of Baker, was shuttered. “Before COVID-19, they were open 24 hours,” she lamented in an email.
The Great Restroom Shortage has been cropping up sporadically around the country.
Read the full story here.
2:45 p.m. Field Museum reopens July 17
After four turbulent months that included the loss of 71 jobs, the Field Museum is set to re-open July 17 following the coronavirus shutdown.
But don’t expect big crowds. The museum plans to cap daily attendance at one-fourth of capacity, officials said Thursday. Masks will be mandatory, and markers on the floor will help people with social distancing.
The museum will open to members only beginning July 17, then to the general public July 24.
The re-opening comes as the Field gets set to welcome a new president later this year. Julian Siggers, director of the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, takes the helm at Field in September.
Read the full story here.
1:11 p.m. Would you go to the beach or a public pool if you could? What Chicagoans told us.
With temperatures in the 90s for day after day, we asked Chicagoans whether they’d venture out to the city’s pools and beaches if they were open. Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“I would go to a pool to swim laps where you have a reservation to keep the numbers to a minimum, but hell no to any ‘free swims.’ I don’t really go to the beach because the lake is cold, and sand is annoying.” — Shannon Heath Jeropke
“I would not because it would be flooded with people — taking no safety precautions, of course — and I’m trying to stay healthy! Plus I have my own pool in my backyard.” — Jaleesa Flores
“Ugh. I’d love to go to the beach. I live in Indiana. The national park beaches are beautiful. But they are totally crowded with people coming from Illinois. Can’t find parking, can’t find a socially distanced place to sit, and everyone is leaving loads of trash behind.” — Chris Jacobs Clark
Read more responses from our readers on the topic here.
12:15 p.m. Starbucks in-store customers will be required to wear face masks starting July 15
Starbucks will now require customers and employees to wear face masks when they enter stores.
The policy applies to all company-owned café locations in the U.S., according to a statement by Starbucks.
At select locations where a local government mandate is not in place, customers that may not be wearing a facial covering will have various options to order their Starbucks, including ordering at the drive-thru, curbside pickup through the Starbucks app or placing an order for delivery through Starbucks Delivers.
“The company is committed to playing a constructive role in supporting health and government officials as they work to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” reads the statement.
Read the full story here.
11:46 a.m. Woman spits in man’s face during dispute over face mask in Lake County Costco: police
A Highland Park woman was allegedly so mad that a man removed his face mask in a north suburban Costco that she yelled she had COVID-19 before spitting in his face, police said.
Elizabeth H. Mach, 45, allegedly rammed her shopping cart in to the man’s cart after he removed his face mask before he exited the store June 16 in Mettawa, according to the Lake County sheriff’s office.
Mach allegedly told him to put the mask back on since he was not outside the building, the sheriff’s office said.
The man, 50, ignored her, at which point she allegedly yelled, “I am a schoolteacher and I have COVID-19.” She then allegedly removed her own mask and spat in his face.
She left the store in the 25900 block of Riverwoods Road and drove off, the sheriff’s office said.
Read the full story here.
10:13 a.m. Lightfoot unveils roadmap to economic recovery from coronavirus pandemic
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said Chicago will need “nothing less than the most breathtaking recovery effort our city has ever seen” to come roaring back from the economic devastation created by the coronavirus pandemic and the stay-at-home shutdown it triggered.
She’s said — to some ridicule — that she hopes it will warrant a fifth star on Chicago’s flag.
Now, she has a roadmap to get there.
The 105-page report is called “Forward Together, Building a Stronger Chicago.”
Specific recommendations include:
• A public-private venture fund to provide venture capital for local entrepreneurs.
• A portable benefits program for gig workers.
• Subsidized child care.
• A 211 line for mental health emergencies.
• A wage and standards board to establish a workers’ bill of right.
Read the full story from Fran Spielman here.
8:16 a.m. Too early to tell whether CPS can safely reopen this fall, ex-U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says
Former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Wednesday it’s “too early to tell” whether the Chicago Public Schools can safely reopen this fall to in-classroom learning.
It all depends on whether Chicago adults behave responsibly or recklessly this summer to prevent a surge in coronavirus cases that mirrors what’s happening in nearly two dozen other states.
“We, as a country, haven’t taken the hard steps we need to open schools and to make things safe,” said Duncan, who spent more than seven years as CPS’ chief executive.
“What we as a country are willing to do — what small sacrifices we’re willing to make so our children can safely return to school this fall — that’s up to us. Schools systems can’t do this by themselves. They don’t live in a bubble.”
Those sacrifices?
“Wear a mask. Don’t hang out at the beaches. Don’t go to bars. Don’t go eat indoors at restaurants,” he said.
Read the full story from City Hall reporter Fran Spielman or listen to the full interview on “The Fran Spielman Show” podcast.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
6:52 p.m. We can’t fly; we can’t hug; at least let us grin
When my boss asked me to gather thoughts on Alinea’s new novel coronavirus-shaped canapé, conscientious newsman that I am, I suggested heading over right away to try the tidbit. To comment intelligently, I had to first sample the purplish sphere of coconut custard with Szechuan peppercorn, dotted with freeze-dried raspberries that caused some on Instagram to grouse that lives lost to COVID-19 are being mocked by a confection.
Shoe-leather reporting. Direct experience. Can’t beat it.
Alas, time is of the essence. So all I could do is acquaint myself with the thorough treatment by Block Club Chicago, which sadly chose to quote one, count ’em, one disgruntled person, complaining on Instagram.
“This isn’t ok ... this isn’t ‘cute.’ This is shameful,” wrote the irked individual.
No, what’s shameful is Donald Trump insisting America’s schools re-open in the fall, pandemic be damned. As is the same people who are willing to sacrifice Grandma to stay behind him now tossing Junior onto the pyre as well. Our nation marinates in humiliation like Hawaiian chicken.
Read Neil Steinberg’s full column here.
8:27 a.m. ‘A hot mess’: Americans face testing delays nationwide as coronavirus cases continues to surge
For two weeks, Rachael Jones has stayed home, going without a paycheck while waiting and waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test from a pharmacy near Philadelphia.
“I’m just so disappointed. I just don’t know how — with the resources and the people we have and the money we have — we can’t get this right,” she said.
Four months, 3 million confirmed infections and over 130,000 deaths into the coronavirus outbreak in the U.S., Americans confronted with a resurgence of the scourge are facing long lines at testing sites in the summer heat or are getting turned away. Others are going a week or more without receiving a diagnosis.
Some sites are running out of kits, while labs are reporting shortages of materials and workers to process the swabs.
Some frustrated Americans are left to wonder why the U.S. can’t seem to get its act together, especially after it was given fair warning as the virus wreaked havoc in China and then Italy, Spain and New York.
“It’s a hot mess,” said 47-year-old Jennifer Hudson of Tucson, Arizona. “The fact that we’re relying on companies and we don’t have a national response to this, it’s ridiculous. … It’s keeping people who need tests from getting tests.”
Read the full story here.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-09--‘Symbols of hate’ — Madigan wants Stephen Douglas portrait, statues removed from state Capitol

The Velvet Hammer is taking a swing at the Little Giant .
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan on Thursday said he ’ s pushing to remove a portrait of Stephen Douglas from the Illinois House chambers , saying he just learned a few months ago “ of Stephen Douglas ’ disturbing past as a Mississippi slave owner and his abhorrent words toward people of color.
” Douglas , a Democratic senator from Illinois , is best known for his debates with Abraham Lincoln and the Kansas-Nebraska Act , which created “ popular sovereignty ” — leaving open the question of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transcontinental railroad .
“ Stephen Douglas had touted his bill as a peaceful settlement of national issues , but what it produced was a prelude to civil war , ” a U.S. Senate summary of the Kansas-Nebraska Act notes .
Douglas was known as the “ Little Giant , ” because he was 5 foot 4 inches tall , but cast a long shadow in national politics .
His tomb is in Chicago ’ s Bronzeville neighborhood , just east of South 35th Street and Cottage Grove .
Madigan , 78 , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sidney Blumenthal ’ s book “ All the Powers of Earth , a volume in a series of Lincoln biographies .
The speaker said he became more “ resolute ” in his decision to remove the portrait after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police .
Madigan is far from alone .
Across the country , Confederate monuments and images are being removed as the country grapples with its heavily documented racist past .
This week in Richmond , Virginia , crews were removing Confederate monuments after the city ’ s mayor ordered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to the Associated Press .
Known as the “ Velvet Hammer , ” for his quiet but iron-fisted control of the House , Madigan said he will introduce a resolution to authorize the removal , and to also replace the portrait with one of former President Barack Obama , whom he called “ a more fitting representation of the modern-day Democratic Party.
” In the meantime , the powerful Southwest Side Democrat said he plans to cover the portrait until he can get the resolution passed .
The speaker says he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statues of Douglas and Pierre Menard — a 19th Century state official who owned enslaved people — from the Capitol grounds .
And he wants to move a statue of the the Rev .
Martin Luther King Jr. “ to a location of more prominence and honor.
” The speaker said he wants a “ thorough review of all statues , portraits and symbols on the Capitol grounds to ensure any inappropriate fixtures are removed and all feel welcome.
” “ Memorializing people and a time that allowed slavery and fostered bigotry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , where the work of all Illinoisans is conducted , ” Madigan said in a statement .
“ We can only move forward in creating a more just world when these symbols of hate are removed from our everyday lives.
” According to Dave Druker , spokesman for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White , two statues of Douglas sit on the Capitol grounds : One is outside on the east side of the Capitol , and the other is inside on the second floor near the Hall of Governors .
Douglas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois legislators .
The Douglas portrait is inside the House chambers .
Lincoln is also memorialized with two statues at the Capitol , Druker said .
The outdoor Douglas statue was dedicated on Oct. 5 , 1918 and was produced for about $ 25,000 .
The statue was moved in 1935 to its present location .
“ Engraved on the base of the statue is Douglas ’ dying message to his children , ‘ ... to obey the laws and support the Constitution of the United States , ’ ” the Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statue tour pamphlet .
A statue of Menard sits on the lawn between the southwest corner of the Capitol and the Howlett Building near Second street , Druker said .
The son of Menard ’ s former business partner donated about $ 10,000 for the statue and a 10-foot granite base , according to the secretary of state ’ s office .
Menard was a French Canadian businessman and fur trader , and was presiding officer of the Illinois Territorial Legislature .
He also served as the state ’ s first lieutenant governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Illinois Department of Natural Resources .
Menard ’ s home in Ellis Grove is a historical site open to visitors .
Menard is listed as a “ slave owner , ” on the state ’ s website .
The 8-foot bronze statue of Menard was placed on the Capitol lawn on May 28 , 1886 .
The sculpture shows Menard “ depicted trading with a Native American along the Mississippi River .
The fox skin and calumet pipe symbolize the peaceful commerce Menard fostered between the Native American and white communities , @ @ @ @ @ @

The Velvet Hammer is taking a swing at the Little Giant.
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan on Thursday said he’s pushing to remove a portrait of Stephen Douglas from the Illinois House chambers, saying he just learned a few months ago “of Stephen Douglas’ disturbing past as a Mississippi slave owner and his abhorrent words toward people of color.”
Douglas, a Democratic senator from Illinois, is best known for his debates with Abraham Lincoln and the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which created “popular sovereignty” — leaving open the question of slavery — in order to build a transcontinental railroad.
“Stephen Douglas had touted his bill as a peaceful settlement of national issues, but what it produced was a prelude to civil war,” a U.S. Senate summary of the Kansas-Nebraska Act notes.
Douglas was known as the “Little Giant,” because he was 5 foot 4 inches tall, but cast a long shadow in national politics.
Statue of Stephen Douglas inside the state Capitol in Springfield. Neal Earley/Chicago Sun-Times.
His tomb is in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood, just east of South 35th Street and Cottage Grove.
Madigan, 78, said he learned of Douglas’ past from Sidney Blumenthal’s book “All the Powers of Earth, a volume in a series of Lincoln biographies. The speaker said he became more “resolute” in his decision to remove the portrait after George Floyd was killed by Minneapolis police.
Madigan is far from alone. Across the country, Confederate monuments and images are being removed as the country grapples with its heavily documented racist past. This week in Richmond, Virginia, crews were removing Confederate monuments after the city’s mayor ordered all city-owned Confederate statues cleared away, according to the Associated Press.
Stephen Douglas, left; House Speaker Mike Madigan, right, in 2017. Sun-Times archives; Rich Hein/Sun-Times
Known as the “Velvet Hammer,” for his quiet but iron-fisted control of the House, Madigan said he will introduce a resolution to authorize the removal, and to also replace the portrait with one of former President Barack Obama, whom he called “a more fitting representation of the modern-day Democratic Party.”
In the meantime, the powerful Southwest Side Democrat said he plans to cover the portrait until he can get the resolution passed.
The speaker says he’s also calling for the removal of statues of Douglas and Pierre Menard — a 19th Century state official who owned enslaved people — from the Capitol grounds. And he wants to move a statue of the the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. “to a location of more prominence and honor.”
A portrait of Stephen Douglas overlooks the Illinois House. Provided photo.
The speaker said he wants a “thorough review of all statues, portraits and symbols on the Capitol grounds to ensure any inappropriate fixtures are removed and all feel welcome.”
“Memorializing people and a time that allowed slavery and fostered bigotry and oppression has no place in the Illinois House, where the work of all Illinoisans is conducted,” Madigan said in a statement. “We can only move forward in creating a more just world when these symbols of hate are removed from our everyday lives.”
According to Dave Druker, spokesman for Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, two statues of Douglas sit on the Capitol grounds: One is outside on the east side of the Capitol, and the other is inside on the second floor near the Hall of Governors. Douglas’ statue is one of several honoring Illinois legislators. The Douglas portrait is inside the House chambers.
Statue of Stephen Douglas outside the state Capitol in Springfield. Neal Earley/Chicago Sun-Times file
Lincoln is also memorialized with two statues at the Capitol, Druker said.
The outdoor Douglas statue was dedicated on Oct. 5, 1918 and was produced for about $25,000. The statue was moved in 1935 to its present location.
“Engraved on the base of the statue is Douglas’ dying message to his children, ‘... to obey the laws and support the Constitution of the United States,’” the Secretary of State’s office wrote in a statue tour pamphlet.
A statue of Menard sits on the lawn between the southwest corner of the Capitol and the Howlett Building near Second street, Druker said. The son of Menard’s former business partner donated about $10,000 for the statue and a 10-foot granite base, according to the secretary of state’s office.
Sculpture of Pierre Menard and an unnamed Native American outside the state Capitol in Springfield. Neal Earley/Chicago Sun-Times file
Menard was a French Canadian businessman and fur trader, and was presiding officer of the Illinois Territorial Legislature. He also served as the state’s first lieutenant governor between 1818 and 1822, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Menard’s home in Ellis Grove is a historical site open to visitors. Menard is listed as a “slave owner,” on the state’s website.
The 8-foot bronze statue of Menard was placed on the Capitol lawn on May 28, 1886. The sculpture shows Menard “depicted trading with a Native American along the Mississippi River. The fox skin and calumet pipe symbolize the peaceful commerce Menard fostered between the Native American and white communities,” the tour pamphlet reads.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-09--Man shot dead in Cicero

Man shot dead in Cicero

He was shot multiple times about 1:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of South Cicero Avenue , according to the @ @ @ @ @ s office .
He was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later .
Though he remains @ @ @ @ @ Thursday ruled his death a homicide , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
@ @ @ @ @ respond to a request for details .

A man was fatally shot Wednesday in west suburban Cicero.
He was shot multiple times about 1:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of South Cicero Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was pronounced dead about 20 minutes later.
Though he remains unidentified, autopsy results released Thursday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
Cicero police did not immediately respond to a request for details.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-09--Fish kills, cooling lakes: Update on 7-9-20 on fish kills (better than first look) at LaSalle and Br

Fish kills, cooling lakes: Update on 7-9-20 on fish kills (better than first look) at LaSalle and Braidwood lakes

I decided to push the initial version down and lead with the update from Thursday evening .
UPDATE from the evening of 07-08-20 The good news is the fish kill this week at LaSalle Lake looks worse than it is and appears thermal related rather than one related to a crash of dissolved oxygen ( DO ) .
“ This is not the 2008 Braidwood kill , ” fisheries biologist David Wyffels said Thursday evening .
“ Definitely not that type of a kill.
” The imfamous 2008 Braidwood kill was related to an odd crashing of DO .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on at LaSalle , though the launch area in particular looked brutal earlier this week .
Earlier Thursday , Wyffels emailed this explanation , “ The situation at LaSalle is related to increased cooling pond temperatures due to the high air temps and lack of wind not dissolved oxygen issues on the main lake .
Areas hardest hit are the boat launch area .
The boat launch area is cooler than the cooling loop ( main lake ) and many fish are congregating in that area trying to get into cooler water .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is outside the cooling loop ( little to no circulation ) and had lower dissolved oxygen .
So in that area fish are really stressed .
Fish from all species were observed in this die off with gizzard shad and thread fin accounting for most of dead fish .
Hybrid , white and yellow bass would be second .
“ From observations made yesterday I do not see it as a total kill .
I fully expect the fishery to recover .
Looking at the weather I am hopeful for some rain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorable for decreased cooling pond temperatures .
I will continue to monitor the situation.
” “ At some point , there was one of every species , ” Wyffels said .
But he also noted that they saw some bass , blue catfish and channel catfish swimming in the boat launch area while they were assessing things .
“ Definitely not a DO issue , it was definitely thermal .
You worry about the DO crashing .
Blue cats are a little more thermal tolerant .
The fish are used to it getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little out of the norm .
“ It was not a total kill .
I don ’ t see any reason this fishery will crash or suffer.
” As to Braidwood , fisheries biologist Seth Love said Thursday evening , “ From what I was talking to people , threadfin and gizzard shad and some hybrid stripers are popping up , but it is nothing close to the stories of 2008.
” He is hopeful that the weather change will provide some assistance .
Part of the problem , especially at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that wind really helps and this week has been relatively calm , especially Tuesday .
“ I will be checking as often as possible , ” Love said .
“ I like to come by every day if I can.
” Wyffels and Love will be definitely be checking again on Friday .
“ Hopefully , a good storm rolling in and we should be good to go , hopefully , ” Wyffels said .
MARSEILLES , Ill.—The stench of a serious fish kill clutches your nostrils , then hangs on like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a serious fish kill is occurring or occurred at LaSalle Lake , the cooling lake south of Seneca .
A minor one of mostly shad is occurring or occurred at Braidwood Lake , the cooling lake in southwestern Will County .
Jeremiah Haas , the principal aquatic biologist for Exelon ’ s Quad Cities Generating Station , arrived to check LaSalle shortly after I did Wednesday morning .
Thousands of small shad were the primary dead fish easily seen , but I also spotted nearly everything swimming in the lake : big common @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bass , drum , channel catfish , bluegill and bullhead .
The kill extending across all species is a bad sign ; as were the dead bullheads .
IDNR fisheries biologist David Wyffels will also be assessing the fish kill today and I expect to follow up with him later on the severity and the future .
I also drove to check Braidwood and found nothing more than a few shad floating .
Fisheries biologist Seth Love expected to swing by Braidwood this evening .
Here ’ s the reality , you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday morning .
At LaSalle , when I arrived , Don Guier was just launching through the dead fish and said , “ I drove all the way here , I am going to fish.
” This online story will be updated , maybe several times over the next few days .
Unfortunately , this has the looks of a potentially major kill fish at LaSalle .

I decided to push the initial version down and lead with the update from Thursday evening.
UPDATE from the evening of 07-08-20
The good news is the fish kill this week at LaSalle Lake looks worse than it is and appears thermal related rather than one related to a crash of dissolved oxygen (DO).
“This is not the 2008 Braidwood kill,” fisheries biologist David Wyffels said Thursday evening. “Definitely not that type of a kill.”
The imfamous 2008 Braidwood kill was related to an odd crashing of DO.
That is not what appears to be going on at LaSalle, though the launch area in particular looked brutal earlier this week.
Earlier Thursday, Wyffels emailed this explanation, “The situation at LaSalle is related to increased cooling pond temperatures due to the high air temps and lack of wind not dissolved oxygen issues on the main lake. Areas hardest hit are the boat launch area.
The boat launch area is cooler than the cooling loop (main lake) and many fish are congregating in that area trying to get into cooler water. Problem is that the boat launch area is outside the cooling loop (little to no circulation) and had lower dissolved oxygen. So in that area fish are really stressed. Fish from all species were observed in this die off with gizzard shad and thread fin accounting for most of dead fish. Hybrid, white and yellow bass would be second.
“From observations made yesterday I do not see it as a total kill. I fully expect the fishery to recover. Looking at the weather I am hopeful for some rain, cooler weather and wind. Forecast look favorable for decreased cooling pond temperatures. I will continue to monitor the situation.”
I did a follow-up call Thursday evening with Wyffels.
“At some point, there was one of every species,” Wyffels said. But he also noted that they saw some bass, blue catfish and channel catfish swimming in the boat launch area while they were assessing things.
“Definitely not a DO issue, it was definitely thermal. You worry about the DO crashing. Blue cats are a little more thermal tolerant. The fish are used to it getting warm at some point, this was a little out of the norm.
“It was not a total kill. I don’t see any reason this fishery will crash or suffer.”
As to Braidwood, fisheries biologist Seth Love said Thursday evening, “From what I was talking to people, threadfin and gizzard shad and some hybrid stripers are popping up, but it is nothing close to the stories of 2008.”
He is hopeful that the weather change will provide some assistance.
Part of the problem, especially at a perched lake such as LaSalle, is that wind really helps and this week has been relatively calm, especially Tuesday.
“I will be checking as often as possible,” Love said. “I like to come by every day if I can.”
Wyffels and Love will be definitely be checking again on Friday.
“Hopefully, a good storm rolling in and we should be good to go, hopefully,” Wyffels said.
(Initial posting from 7-8-20)
MARSEILLES, Ill.—The stench of a serious fish kill clutches your nostrils, then hangs on like a bad memory.
As of Wednesday, a serious fish kill is occurring or occurred at LaSalle Lake, the cooling lake south of Seneca. A minor one of mostly shad is occurring or occurred at Braidwood Lake, the cooling lake in southwestern Will County.
Jeremiah Haas, the principal aquatic biologist for Exelon’s Quad Cities Generating Station, arrived to check LaSalle shortly after I did Wednesday morning.
Thousands of small shad were the primary dead fish easily seen, but I also spotted nearly everything swimming in the lake: big common carp, big blue catfish, largemouth bass, drum, channel catfish, bluegill and bullhead.
The kill extending across all species is a bad sign; as were the dead bullheads.
IDNR fisheries biologist David Wyffels will also be assessing the fish kill today and I expect to follow up with him later on the severity and the future.
I also drove to check Braidwood and found nothing more than a few shad floating. Fisheries biologist Seth Love expected to swing by Braidwood this evening.
Here’s the reality, you can fish both cooling lakes and people were Wednesday morning.
At LaSalle, when I arrived, Don Guier was just launching through the dead fish and said, “I drove all the way here, I am going to fish.”
He was targeting blue catfish.
This online story will be updated, maybe several times over the next few days. Unfortunately, this has the looks of a potentially major kill fish at LaSalle.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-10--Businesses burglarized in Bronzeville, Kenwood: police

Six businesses have been burglarized recently on the same street in Bronzeville and Kenwood on the South Side .
In @ @ @ @ @ into a store or restaurant on 47th Street and stole property from inside , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ happened in the morning hours between June 14 and July 3 on 47th Street between @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , police said .
The suspects were described as one or two people wearing @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read @ @ @ @ @ track the city ’ s homicides .

Six businesses have been burglarized recently on the same street in Bronzeville and Kenwood on the South Side.
In each incident, someone broke into a store or restaurant on 47th Street and stole property from inside, Chicago police said.
The burglaries happened in the morning hours between June 14 and July 3 on 47th Street between Vincennes Avenue and Lake Park Avenue, police said.
The suspects were described as one or two people wearing black hoodies, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-10--Dear Abby: My depressed ex won’t return my calls — or my cat

DEAR ABBY : My girlfriend and I have been separated for nearly a year .
Prior to this we dated for nearly four years .
After her mom passed , she fell into a depression and was grieving deeply .
I went to see her and she said it was over .
We ’ ve had some contact , but it has dwindled to nothing .
I brought my cat into the relationship , and now she won ’ t give it back .
She isn ’ t answering my phone calls or texts .
I ’ m blocked .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends try to talk to her .
It ’ s just mind-boggling .
She ’ s 57 years old .
She ’ s not a spring chicken .
I will have to go to small claims court to get my cat back .
I ’ d like to salvage the relationship and try to avoid all this .
— CAT PROBLEMS IN FLORIDA DEAR CAT PROBLEMS : You seem like a nice person , and I sympathize , so I will offer this observation .
You deserve an apology from that woman for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salvage the relationship , which appears to have ended when her mother died .
In time , you will find a lady friend who will reciprocate your feelings .
DO take her to small claims court to get your cat back because , as it stands , it is the safest and most legal way you are going to have your furry family member returned .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m in high school .
My boyfriend lives across the country in a different state .
He is a teenager , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this before and mostly gotten the same answer .
They say , “ Wait ‘ til you ’ re older , ” or , “ Your mom is just looking out for you.
” I don ’ t believe it .
So I ’ m asking for advice on how to tell my mom that I ’ m in a long-distance relationship , and I would like to meet him in person .
We met on a game about a year and a half ago .
We ’ ve dated twice before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But now we have been dating for almost five months .
When I told my mom about him , she didn ’ t like him .
She doesn ’ t even know him !
How can I convince her that he ’ s a good person and she just has to get to know him so she ’ ll let me see him ?
I ’ m afraid to tell her because the idea makes me nervous .
She refuses to understand that he is good to me , and he loves me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re only teenagers , we have talked about forever .
Do you have any advice for me ?
— STRUGGLING IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR STRUGGLING : Yes , I do , and I hope you will take to heart what I am about to say because I am not patronizing you .
Look at this from your mother ’ s perspective .
This young man is someone she has never met in person and neither have you .
Yes , you have been talking , but there is no guarantee that he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in those conversations .
It is a mother ’ s JOB to protect her child .
There is truth to the statement that she is “ just looking out for you.
” I believe the feelings you have for this young man are valid , but I also feel that if he lived close by and your mother could meet him , things might be different .
For the time being , continue communicating with him and perhaps a more serious relationship will develop .
However , consider this : What would you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same room with him and the chemistry wasn ’ t what you expected it would be ?
This has been known to happen .
( Trust me on that ! )
Time will tell if this is the real thing .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ 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: My girlfriend and I have been separated for nearly a year. Prior to this we dated for nearly four years.
After her mom passed, she fell into a depression and was grieving deeply. I went to see her and she said it was over. We’ve had some contact, but it has dwindled to nothing. I brought my cat into the relationship, and now she won’t give it back. She isn’t answering my phone calls or texts. I’m blocked. I’ve tried letters and had friends try to talk to her. It’s just mind-boggling.
She’s 57 years old. She’s not a spring chicken. I will have to go to small claims court to get my cat back. I’d like to salvage the relationship and try to avoid all this. — CAT PROBLEMS IN FLORIDA
DEAR CAT PROBLEMS: You seem like a nice person, and I sympathize, so I will offer this observation. You deserve an apology from that woman for her behavior. Do not try to salvage the relationship, which appears to have ended when her mother died. In time, you will find a lady friend who will reciprocate your feelings. DO take her to small claims court to get your cat back because, as it stands, it is the safest and most legal way you are going to have your furry family member returned.
DEAR ABBY: I’m in high school. My boyfriend lives across the country in a different state. He is a teenager, too. I have asked people for advice about this before and mostly gotten the same answer. They say, “Wait ‘til you’re older,” or, “Your mom is just looking out for you.” I don’t believe it.
So I’m asking for advice on how to tell my mom that I’m in a long-distance relationship, and I would like to meet him in person. We met on a game about a year and a half ago. We’ve dated twice before for about a month or two. But now we have been dating for almost five months.
When I told my mom about him, she didn’t like him. She doesn’t even know him! How can I convince her that he’s a good person and she just has to get to know him so she’ll let me see him? I’m afraid to tell her because the idea makes me nervous. She refuses to understand that he is good to me, and he loves me and I love him. Although we’re only teenagers, we have talked about forever. Do you have any advice for me? — STRUGGLING IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR STRUGGLING: Yes, I do, and I hope you will take to heart what I am about to say because I am not patronizing you. Look at this from your mother’s perspective. This young man is someone she has never met in person and neither have you. Yes, you have been talking, but there is no guarantee that he is everything he has represented himself to be in those conversations.
It is a mother’s JOB to protect her child. There is truth to the statement that she is “just looking out for you.” I believe the feelings you have for this young man are valid, but I also feel that if he lived close by and your mother could meet him, things might be different.
For the time being, continue communicating with him and perhaps a more serious relationship will develop. However, consider this: What would you do if you finally found yourself in the same room with him and the chemistry wasn’t what you expected it would be? This has been known to happen. (Trust me on that!) Time will tell if this is the real thing.
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--2020-07-10--A room Zoom Zoom: Will Matt Nagy’s virtual offseason give Bears an edge?

The early front-runner for NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 is Doc Rivers .
The Clippers ’ coach and Maywood product was a huge hit on the COVID-19 circuit — with the Bears , Colts and Rams — as NFL coaches looked for a way to break the monotony of Zoom meetings .
Rivers definitely did that for coach Matt Nagy in his appearance May 21 in front of the Bears .
Nagy was tight-lipped with the Chicago media about guest speakers who addressed the team during the offseason program , but he opened up to the Los Angeles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ I ’ ve heard a lot of people talk to groups , and Doc , to me — not to take anything away from anybody else — but that was one of the most powerful hour-and-15-minute discussions that I had selfishly for myself and we had as a team , ’ ’ Nagy said .
‘ ‘ Man , there was so much good stuff in there .
A lot of the stuff I don ’ t even want to tell because I don ’ t want other people to know.
’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has credentials professional athletes respect from his 13-year career as an NBA player and someone who has won 938 games and an NBA title as a coach .
And his candor and communication skills are well-known in NBA circles .
He ’ s a two-time winner of the Rudy Tomjanovich Award , given by NBA writers for cooperation with the media .
‘ ‘ Probably the best Zoom thing that we did was the Doc Rivers talk , ’ ’ Bears running backs coach Charles London said .
‘ ‘ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent the first eight seasons of his career ] .
I grew up a huge Doc Rivers fan , going downtown to the Omni to watch him play .
So that was pretty cool for me .
.
.
to have him talk and just share some of his thoughts and stuff.
’ ’ But while Nagy did not divulge his guest-speaker list , it was clear Rivers was hardly the exception in terms of making an impact during virtual meetings that challenged most , if not all , NFL coaches to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on the big picture .
‘ ‘ Doc Rivers was phenomenal , absolutely phenomenal , ’ ’ Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey said .
‘ ‘ We ’ ve been very fortunate in our room .
We ’ ve had four or five Hall of Famers come talk to our guys — a 45-minute session that all of them pretty much turned into two hours .
‘ ‘ And it wasn ’ t just guys talking about what they did and how they did it .
Our guys were asking questions ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picked some great things from all of them .
We ’ ve learned a lot this offseason from some great players of what it ’ s taken to be great.
’ ’ Though Nagy ’ s expertise as a new-age NFL coordinator and play-caller is still undefined after two seasons , his progressive approach as a manager and his ability to relate to all of his players has come in handy during an offseason thrown off the rails by the COVID-19 pandemic .
‘ ‘ You can take everything we ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the window because there ’ s new rules , ’ ’ Nagy said in mid-May .
The Bears ’ defense under coordinator Chuck Pagano has only tweaking to do with three new starters .
But with four new offensive coaches and Nick Foles acquired to challenge Mitch Trubisky for the starting quarterback job , the challenge is significant .
Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor , quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo , offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barone are trying to build relationships , create new habits and install new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keeping players focused is more important than ever .
The Zoom offseason never will replace being on the field .
But it very likely can ’ t be a waste of time , either .
Maybe teams that are already well-oiled machines — the Chiefs , Saints and Ravens — can get away with a cursory offseason program , but the Bears needed to get everything they could out of it .
Nagy appears to have pushed the right buttons and made all the right moves to prepare his team for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team meeting in the wake of the civil unrest after George Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was a bonding moment .
‘ ‘ As a team , there was a level of healing involved in that [ meeting ] , and there was a level of us just coming together , ’ ’ defensive end Akiem Hicks said .
‘ ‘ We just got a little bit tighter because we had this experience together.
’ ’ And some coaches said the dynamic of the Zoom calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ I think it ’ s actually made me a better coach because the guys are there .
.
.
and you ’ ve got to find ways to keep guys engaged , ’ ’ London said .
‘ ‘ You ’ ve got to find different ways to motivate guys.
’ ’ Be that as it may , a few key questions hang over the Bears as they head toward training camp this month : Will that mean anything ?
Will making the most of a bad situation put them in any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they finally get on the field ?
Or will the Zoom offseason be like a good week of practice , a poor indicator — or even a false indicator — of preparedness ?
Even as DeFilippo was saying that Foles ’ character will help him get acclimated quickly , he couldn ’ t ignore the obvious .
‘ ‘ It ’ s not ideal the way this offseason was going , not [ being ] on the field , ’ ’ DeFilippo said .
‘ ‘ We can sit here and say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sliced bread , but it ’ s not .
It ’ s not the same as being on the field with your teammates , high-fiving your teammates .
It ’ s not the same .
We can ’ t pretend it to be the same.
’ ’ Only when the players get back on the field will we know whether the coaching staff made progress this offseason — and how well Nagy ’ s messages got through .
‘ ‘ Coach Nagy , he wants to see who is going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and who ’ s not , and that ’ s going to tell it all , ’ ’ safety Eddie Jackson said .
‘ ‘ A lot of guys say : ‘ Yeah , I ’ m working .
I ’ m doing this .
I ’ m doing that.
’ But it ’ s all going to show when it ’ s time to report to camp .
’ ’

The early front-runner for NFL Coach of the Year in 2020 is Doc Rivers. The Clippers’ coach and Maywood product was a huge hit on the COVID-19 circuit — with the Bears, Colts and Rams — as NFL coaches looked for a way to break the monotony of Zoom meetings.
Rivers definitely did that for coach Matt Nagy in his appearance May 21 in front of the Bears. Nagy was tight-lipped with the Chicago media about guest speakers who addressed the team during the offseason program, but he opened up to the Los Angeles Times about Rivers’ appearance.
‘‘I’ve heard a lot of people talk to groups, and Doc, to me — not to take anything away from anybody else — but that was one of the most powerful hour-and-15-minute discussions that I had selfishly for myself and we had as a team,’’ Nagy said. ‘‘Man, there was so much good stuff in there. A lot of the stuff I don’t even want to tell because I don’t want other people to know.’’
Rivers’ impact is no surprise. He has credentials professional athletes respect from his 13-year career as an NBA player and someone who has won 938 games and an NBA title as a coach. And his candor and communication skills are well-known in NBA circles. He’s a two-time winner of the Rudy Tomjanovich Award, given by NBA writers for cooperation with the media.
‘‘Probably the best Zoom thing that we did was the Doc Rivers talk,’’ Bears running backs coach Charles London said. ‘‘I grew up in Atlanta [where Rivers spent the first eight seasons of his career]. I grew up a huge Doc Rivers fan, going downtown to the Omni to watch him play. So that was pretty cool for me . . . to have him talk and just share some of his thoughts and stuff.’’
But while Nagy did not divulge his guest-speaker list, it was clear Rivers was hardly the exception in terms of making an impact during virtual meetings that challenged most, if not all, NFL coaches to hold their players’ attention and keep them focused on the big picture.
‘‘Doc Rivers was phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal,’’ Bears receivers coach Mike Furrey said. ‘‘We’ve been very fortunate in our room. We’ve had four or five Hall of Famers come talk to our guys — a 45-minute session that all of them pretty much turned into two hours.
‘‘And it wasn’t just guys talking about what they did and how they did it. Our guys were asking questions; they were highly involved. We have picked some great things from all of them. We’ve learned a lot this offseason from some great players of what it’s taken to be great.’’
Bears coach Matt Nagy raved about Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers’ Zoom appearance. Nam Y. Huh/AP
Though Nagy’s expertise as a new-age NFL coordinator and play-caller is still undefined after two seasons, his progressive approach as a manager and his ability to relate to all of his players has come in handy during an offseason thrown off the rails by the COVID-19 pandemic.
‘‘You can take everything we’ve done in prior years and just throw it out the window because there’s new rules,’’ Nagy said in mid-May.
The Bears’ defense under coordinator Chuck Pagano has only tweaking to do with three new starters. But with four new offensive coaches and Nick Foles acquired to challenge Mitch Trubisky for the starting quarterback job, the challenge is significant. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo, offensive line coach Juan Castillo and tight ends coach Clancy Barone are trying to build relationships, create new habits and install new techniques without meeting their players in person.
Keeping players focused is more important than ever. The Zoom offseason never will replace being on the field. But it very likely can’t be a waste of time, either. Maybe teams that are already well-oiled machines — the Chiefs, Saints and Ravens — can get away with a cursory offseason program, but the Bears needed to get everything they could out of it.
Nagy appears to have pushed the right buttons and made all the right moves to prepare his team for an abbreviated training camp and preseason. The team meeting in the wake of the civil unrest after George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer was a bonding moment.
‘‘As a team, there was a level of healing involved in that [meeting], and there was a level of us just coming together,’’ defensive end Akiem Hicks said. ‘‘We just got a little bit tighter because we had this experience together.’’
And some coaches said the dynamic of the Zoom calls helped them communicate with players.
‘‘I think it’s actually made me a better coach because the guys are there . . . and you’ve got to find ways to keep guys engaged,’’ London said. ‘‘You’ve got to find different ways to motivate guys.’’
Be that as it may, a few key questions hang over the Bears as they head toward training camp this month: Will that mean anything? Will making the most of a bad situation put them in any better position to hit the ground running when they finally get on the field? Or will the Zoom offseason be like a good week of practice, a poor indicator — or even a false indicator — of preparedness?
Even as DeFilippo was saying that Foles’ character will help him get acclimated quickly, he couldn’t ignore the obvious.
‘‘It’s not ideal the way this offseason was going, not [being] on the field,’’ DeFilippo said. ‘‘We can sit here and say the Zoom deal is the next-best thing to sliced bread, but it’s not. It’s not the same as being on the field with your teammates, high-fiving your teammates. It’s not the same. We can’t pretend it to be the same.’’
Only when the players get back on the field will we know whether the coaching staff made progress this offseason — and how well Nagy’s messages got through.
‘‘Coach Nagy, he wants to see who is going to be conditioned when we get back to camp and who’s not, and that’s going to tell it all,’’ safety Eddie Jackson said. ‘‘A lot of guys say: ‘Yeah, I’m working. I’m doing this. I’m doing that.’ But it’s all going to show when it’s time to report to camp.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-07-10--Black bear there: In Illinois? Next? What? When? Where? Taking care the next time? There will be nex

Black bear there: In Illinois? Next? What? When? Where? Taking care the next time? There will be next time.

When Stefanie Fitzsimons added wildlife disease and large carnivore biologist to her duties as a district wildlife biologist , she didn ’ t anticipate a great change .
Illinois doesn ’ t have many large non-human carnivores wandering around .
“ When I took this job in April , I figured the most difficult task to handle was going to be chronic wasting disease !
” emailed Fitzsimons , who normally works wildlife duties in Lake , McHenry and Kane counties .
Then she had to ( God forgive me for typing this ) bear down with some unexpected duties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and became an internet sensation .
“ The black bear was first spotted in Illinois on approximately June 10 when it crossed over from Wisconsin at Highway 5 and the state line and headed towards East Dubuque , ” she emailed .
“ Illinois DNR was first notified of the presence of the black bear near the Wisconsin border ( Monroe , Wis. ) , north of Freeport , on June 5 .
“ Once the bear crossed into Illinois on the 10th , it was only in Illinois for a short time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went into Iowa .
Due to constant contact between Iowa and Illinois DNR , we know that the bear crossed the river back into Illinois near Andalusia on June 18 .
It has been moving south in Illinois since and has made appearances in Oquawka , Stronghurst , Augusta , El Dara and , finally , Atlas .
“ It spent a night on Clarksville Island in the Mississippi River , June 30 into July 1 , and has now been spotted moving south in Missouri.
” Illinois rang in the 21st Century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carnivores : gray wolves , mountain lions and black bears .
All three were natives extirpated .
The first confirmed modern mountain lion ( cougar , puma ) in Illinois was hit by a train on July 17 , 2000 in Randolph County .
Illinois ’ first confirmed modern wolf was shot on Dec. 29 , 2092 by coyote hunter Randy Worker in Marshall County .
A black bear wandered , generally around Bureau County , in 2008 , before being captured in February , 2009 .
It was probably not a wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wild black bear wandered northern Illinois .
Which Fitzsimons noted , “ We actually had a very similar situation in spring of 2014 ( in my first months with the Wildlife Division ) , where a male black bear came down from Wisconsin in to JoDaviess County , went to Rockford area and down in to Rochelle area and then back in to Wisconsin.
” She had good help this time .
“ I did have to spend a lot of time weeding through sighting confirmation emails and sightings posted on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked with some amazing [ conservation police officers ] in our law enforcement division who provided protection and crowd control for the bear while it was on his journey through Illinois.
” When I asked what the usual duties are for a wildlife disease and large carnivore biologist , she emailed , “ Duties of the job entail managing large carnivore events ( when an actual large carnivore is in an area of Illinois ) , coordinating with USDA Wildlife Services large carnivore specialist in cases of livestock and property damage from large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large carnivore sighting .
This particular part of this position doesn ’ t get much attention since we don ’ t have breeding populations of any of the three large carnivores we protect .
That us until this year !
” Bruno , as he was dubbed , was thought to be looking for love .
I ask every one in Fitzsimon ’ s position , which of the big three may establish a population .
“ I think of all three , it ’ s possible to have a small black bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distant future , ” she answered .
“ But these large carnivores aren ’ t called large for nothing .
They need a lot of habitat for breeding and sustaining .
We don ’ t have enough continuous habitat for cougars or gray wolves and its very questionable for black bear.
” Whether or not bears establish a breeding population , more will wander into Illinois , so I asked Fitzsimon ’ s advice when the next one moseys in .
“ We were really pushing this point when the bear was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be the last time we have a black bear in Illinois , it ’ s worth repeating : The outcome of visiting black bear is 100 percent dependent on how the public reacts around the bear , ” she stressed .
“ If the public can follow the rules of the ` Be Bear Aware ’ [ bebearaware.org ] campaign and leave the bear alone , it will be able to continue its journey safely .
Stay 100 yards back and let them be .
Black bears are a timid species but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harass , do not feed , do not try to take selfies with the bear .
It is a wild animal and it is a protected species in Illinois .
”

When Stefanie Fitzsimons added wildlife disease and large carnivore biologist to her duties as a district wildlife biologist, she didn’t anticipate a great change. Illinois doesn’t have many large non-human carnivores wandering around.
“When I took this job in April, I figured the most difficult task to handle was going to be chronic wasting disease!” emailed Fitzsimons, who normally works wildlife duties in Lake, McHenry and Kane counties.
Then she had to (God forgive me for typing this) bear down with some unexpected duties. A black bear wandered into Illinois and became an internet sensation.
“The black bear was first spotted in Illinois on approximately June 10 when it crossed over from Wisconsin at Highway 5 and the state line and headed towards East Dubuque,” she emailed. “Illinois DNR was first notified of the presence of the black bear near the Wisconsin border (Monroe, Wis.), north of Freeport, on June 5.
“Once the bear crossed into Illinois on the 10th, it was only in Illinois for a short time and it crossed the Mississippi River and went into Iowa. Due to constant contact between Iowa and Illinois DNR, we know that the bear crossed the river back into Illinois near Andalusia on June 18. It has been moving south in Illinois since and has made appearances in Oquawka, Stronghurst, Augusta, El Dara and, finally, Atlas.
“It spent a night on Clarksville Island in the Mississippi River, June 30 into July 1, and has now been spotted moving south in Missouri.”
Illinois rang in the 21st Century with sporadic returns of the big three carnivores: gray wolves, mountain lions and black bears. All three were natives extirpated.
The first confirmed modern mountain lion (cougar, puma) in Illinois was hit by a train on July 17, 2000 in Randolph County.
Illinois’ first confirmed modern wolf was shot on Dec. 29, 2002 by coyote hunter Randy Worker in Marshall County.
A black bear wandered, generally around Bureau County, in 2008, before being captured in February, 2009. It was probably not a wild bear. In 2014, a young wild black bear wandered northern Illinois.
Which Fitzsimons noted, “We actually had a very similar situation in spring of 2014 (in my first months with the Wildlife Division), where a male black bear came down from Wisconsin in to JoDaviess County, went to Rockford area and down in to Rochelle area and then back in to Wisconsin.”
She had good help this time.
“I did have to spend a lot of time weeding through sighting confirmation emails and sightings posted on social media!” she emailed. “I worked with some amazing [conservation police officers] in our law enforcement division who provided protection and crowd control for the bear while it was on his journey through Illinois.”
In her regular job as district wildlife biologist, Stefanie Fitzsimons at the McHenry County check station last year showed an attentive Autumn Selleck how a deer is assessed. Credit: Dale Bowman
When I asked what the usual duties are for a wildlife disease and large carnivore biologist, she emailed, “Duties of the job entail managing large carnivore events (when an actual large carnivore is in an area of Illinois), coordinating with USDA Wildlife Services large carnivore specialist in cases of livestock and property damage from large carnivores, and managing the database of large carnivore sighting. This particular part of this position doesn’t get much attention since we don’t have breeding populations of any of the three large carnivores we protect. That us until this year!”
Bruno, as he was dubbed, was thought to be looking for love.
I ask every one in Fitzsimon’s position, which of the big three may establish a population.
“I think of all three, it’s possible to have a small black bear population in southern Illinois in the very distant future,” she answered. “But these large carnivores aren’t called large for nothing. They need a lot of habitat for breeding and sustaining. We don’t have enough continuous habitat for cougars or gray wolves and its very questionable for black bear.”
Whether or not bears establish a breeding population, more will wander into Illinois, so I asked Fitzsimon’s advice when the next one moseys in.
“We were really pushing this point when the bear was in Illinois and, since this won’t be the last time we have a black bear in Illinois, it’s worth repeating: The outcome of visiting black bear is 100 percent dependent on how the public reacts around the bear,” she stressed. “If the public can follow the rules of the `Be Bear Aware’ [bebearaware.org] campaign and leave the bear alone, it will be able to continue its journey safely. Stay 100 yards back and let them be. Black bears are a timid species but will attack if provoked. Do not harass, do not feed, do not try to take selfies with the bear. It is a wild animal and it is a protected species in Illinois.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-10--2 hurt in River North shootout

2 hurt in River North shootout

A concealed-carry license holder shot a man Friday after someone shot a woman he was with in River North on the Near North Side .
The 22-year-old man was driving eastbound about 2:55 a.m. in the 100 block of West Superior Street when two white sedans boxed him in , according to Chicago police .
A man got out of one of the cars and fired multiple shots .
A 21-year-old woman riding in the boxed-in vehicle was hit in the leg and arm , police said .
The driver , who has a valid FOID card and concealed-carry license @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the shooter ’ s car in the leg .
The victims drove off but the suspects found them again and side-swiped them in the 100 block of West Huron Street , causing the vehicle to hit a building , police said .
The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition .
The 23-year-old man who was with the suspects was dropped off at Lurie Children ’ s Hospital and transferred to Northwestern in fair condition , police said .
The other suspects are not in custody and it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victims .
Police said charges may be pending against the 23-year-old .
Area Three detectives are investigating .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A concealed-carry license holder shot a man Friday after someone shot a woman he was with in River North on the Near North Side.
The 22-year-old man was driving eastbound about 2:55 a.m. in the 100 block of West Superior Street when two white sedans boxed him in, according to Chicago police. A man got out of one of the cars and fired multiple shots.
A 21-year-old woman riding in the boxed-in vehicle was hit in the leg and arm, police said. The driver, who has a valid FOID card and concealed-carry license, returned fire and hit a man from the shooter’s car in the leg.
The victims drove off but the suspects found them again and side-swiped them in the 100 block of West Huron Street, causing the vehicle to hit a building, police said. The woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition.
The 23-year-old man who was with the suspects was dropped off at Lurie Children’s Hospital and transferred to Northwestern in fair condition, police said. The other suspects are not in custody and it was not immediately clear who fired at the victims.
Police said charges may be pending against the 23-year-old. Area Three detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-10--‘The Old Guard’: Charlize Theron leads the charge as warrior who can hurt but not die

As much as I enjoy watching Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson and Chadwick Boseman and Gal Gadot and Chris Hemsworth et al .
ripping it up in the movies , my favorite action star right now is … Charlize Theron .
Come on !
Who ’ s with me ?
From “ Aeon Flux ” ( 2005 ) through “ Mad Max : Fury Road ” ( 2015 ) through “ Atomic Blonde ” ( 2017 ) and now “ The Old Guard , ” Theron is the baddest badass of all the badasses — an Academy Award-winning acting talent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beauty , a wicked sense of humor , a serious approach to comic book material and the ability to make us believe she ’ s capable of taking down a room of villains in close quarters .
Based on the graphic novel of the same name and streaming on Netflix beginning July 10 , “ The Old Guard ” is a perfect showcase for Theron ’ s aforementioned skill set .
This is a rousing and satisfying actioner that occasionally gets bogged down in complicated exposition but presents some intriguing twists on time-honored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Consider Theron ’ s thousand-year-old warrior , Andromache the Scythian , and thank goodness she ’ s called Andy for short .
Andy is an immortal who feels pain and bleeds and suffers but can not die , who has all the human emotions but none of the human concerns about the frailty of life .
She denies herself the experience of falling in love , of making great mortal friends , of having children — because they would only die , and she would go on living , and what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in love all over again ?
It would be a constant cycle of mourning everyone you care about .
Andy is the leader of a typical action-movie ragtag band of immortal fighters , including Booker ( Matthias Schoenaerts ) , a card-carrying member since the early 19th century , and Joe ( Marwan Kenzari ) and Nicky ( Luca Marinelli ) , a gay couple who met-brute when they “ killed ” each other during the Crusades while fighting on opposite sides and have been together for hundreds of years .
The newest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States Marine named Nile Freeman ( Kiki Layne ) , who is killed in combat in Afghanistan — only to rise up and take out the enemy who had just slashed her throat .
If you think he ’ s freaked out , imagine Nile ’ s reaction to becoming something of a zombie , albeit a zombie who is fully self-aware , doesn ’ t stagger about in search of humans to eat and still looks the same .
After an early and bloody and well-choreographed action sequence from director Gina Prince-Bythewood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wondering if there will come a time when the wounds will not heal , when the stopped heart won ’ t resume beating : “ I ’ ve been here before over and over again , and each time the same question : Is this it ?
Will this be the one ?
And each time the same answer … and I ’ m just so tired of it.
” Andy even takes a year off to heal emotionally and spiritually , but then it ’ s time to get back in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be defeated , wrongs to be righted , situations to be handled .
( The outside world views them as mercenaries , but these wisecracking , grimy killers are more Avengers-like than they ’ d admit . )
The always reliable Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Copley , a former CIA operative who has aligned himself with the wrong guy : the obligatory sniveling , odious , Big Pharma villain Merrick ( Harry Melling , who was Dudley Dursey in the “ Harry Potter ” films ) , who has obtained footage of Andy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and intends to have them captured and sliced up so he can sell their DNA to the highest bidder .
“ We can all wave goodbye to dementia !
” howls Merrick .
“ Mr .
Merrick , this is about science , not profits , ” says Copley , as he realizes , maybe too late , he ’ s been aiding and abetting a Nazi-esque madman .
Come on Copley , haven ’ t you seen any of those movies with greedy corporate villains who want to kill magnificent beings for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more than a little Furiosa from “ Fury Road ” in Theron ’ s look and steely-eyed lethality , but “ The Old Guard ” is a more existential vehicle , with an ambitious and ethereal score , beautiful mood-piece cinematography and some heavy notes , including certain characters sharing memory/dreams , provocative flashbacks ( imagine being discovered as an immortal during the era of literal witch hunts ) and some truly stunning reveals about Andy ’ s tragic past .
With all the plot machinations and stylish action sequences and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guard , ” the force holding it all together is Charlize Theron , one of the great action stars of our time .

As much as I enjoy watching Tom Cruise and Dwayne Johnson and Chadwick Boseman and Gal Gadot and Chris Hemsworth et al. ripping it up in the movies, my favorite action star right now is …
Charlize Theron. Come on! Who’s with me?
From “Aeon Flux” (2005) through “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) through “Atomic Blonde” (2017) and now “The Old Guard,” Theron is the baddest badass of all the badasses — an Academy Award-winning acting talent with a movie-star presence, world-class beauty, wicked sense of humor, a serious approach to comic-book material and the ability to make us believe she’s capable of taking down a room of villains in close quarters.
‘The Old Guard’
Untitled Netflix presents a film directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and written by Greg Rucka, based on his graphic novels. Rated R (for sequences of graphic violence, and language). Running time: 125 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix.
Based on the graphic novel of the same name, “The Old Guard,” which started streaming Friday on Netflix, is a perfect showcase for Theron’s skill set. This is a rousing and satisfying actioner that occasionally gets bogged down in complicated exposition but presents some intriguing twists on time-honored themes about the double-edged sword of immortality.
Consider Theron’s 1,000-year-old warrior Andromache the Scythian, and thank goodness she’s called Andy for short. Andy is an immortal who feels pain and bleeds and suffers but cannot die, who has all the human emotions but none of the human concerns about the frailty of life. She denies herself the experience of falling in love, of making great mortal friends, of having children — because they would only die, and she would go on living, and what’s she supposed to do, fall in love all over again? It would be a constant cycle of mourning everyone you care about.
Andy is the leader of a typical action-movie ragtag band of immortal fighters, including Booker (Matthias Schoenaerts), a card-carrying member since the early 19th century, and Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli), a gay couple who met-brute when they “killed” each other during the Crusades while fighting on opposite sides and have been together for hundreds of years. The newest member of the group is a United States Marine named Nile Freeman (Kiki Layne), who is killed in combat in Afghanistan — only to rise up and take out the enemy who had just slashed her throat. If you think he’s freaked out, imagine Nile’s reaction to becoming something of a zombie, albeit a zombie who is fully self-aware, doesn’t stagger about in search of humans to eat and still looks the same.
After an early and bloody and well-choreographed action sequence from director Gina Prince-Bythewood, we hear Andy in voice-over, wondering if there will come a time when the wounds will not heal, when the stopped heart won’t resume beating: “I’ve been here before over and over again, and each time the same question: Is this it? Will this be the one? And each time the same answer … and I’m just so tired of it.”
Andy even takes a year off to heal emotionally and spiritually. But then it’s time to get back in the game. There are bad guys to be defeated, wrongs to be righted, situations to be handled. (The outside world views them as mercenaries, but these wisecracking, grimy killers are more Avengers-like than they’d admit.)
Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is part of a Big Pharma project to capture Andy’s team. Netflix
The always reliable Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Copley, a former CIA operative who has aligned himself with the wrong guy: the obligatory sniveling, odious, Big Pharma villain Merrick (Harry Melling, who was Dudley Dursey in the “Harry Potter” films), who has obtained footage of Andy and the team miraculously healing from their wounds and intends to have them captured and sliced up so he can sell their DNA to the highest bidder. “We can all wave goodbye to dementia!” howls Merrick.
“Mr. Merrick, this is about science, not profits,” says Copley, as he realizes, maybe too late, he’s been aiding and abetting a Nazi-esque madman. Come on Copley, haven’t you seen any of those movies with greedy corporate villains who want to kill magnificent beings for their blood and tissue?!
There’s more than a little Furiosa from “Fury Road” in Theron’s look and steely-eyed lethality. But “The Old Guard” is a more existential vehicle, with an ambitious and ethereal score, beautiful mood-piece cinematography and some heavy notes, including certain characters sharing memory/dreams, provocative flashbacks (imagine being discovered as an immortal during the era of literal witch hunts) and some truly stunning reveals about Andy’s tragic past.
With all the plot machinations and stylish action sequences and heavy thoughts swirling about “The Old Guard,” the force holding it all together is Charlize Theron, one of the great action stars of our time.