chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--‘Greenland’: Comet threatens Earth in disaster movie that’s more than just chaos

Even in mindless action fare such as “ Den of Thieves ” and and “ Hunter Killer ” and “ Angel Has Fallen ” and “ London Has Fallen ” and “ Olympus Has Fallen ” and that ’ s a lot of falling , Gerard Butler retains a screen-captivating , grim-faced presence with a burning intensity who leaps giant plot holes in a single bound , usually with a gun in his hand and some sort of dark cloud haunting him .
At 51 , Butler is firmly in the Bruce Willis/Liam Neeson Zone , with a particular set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fare .
Now , just in time for escapist holiday home viewing , Butler gives a grounded everyman performance as the obligatory family man who has to rise to the action-hero occasion when a natural catastrophe threatens the very future of the world in Ric Roman Waugh ’ s well-crafted and surprisingly humanistic thriller “ Greenland.
” Unlike the typical , effects-laden , comet-threatens-the-planet B-movie , “ Greenland ” is more in the vein of Steven Spielberg ’ s “ War of the Worlds , ” with the scenes of chaos and destruction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of one family ’ s desperate quest for survival — even when circumstances have ripped them apart .
Butler ’ s John Garrity is a structural engineer ( “ I build buildings ” is the way he describes his profession ) who is estranged from his wife Allison ( Morena Baccarin ) .
John and his young son Nathan ( Roger Dale Floyd ) are shopping for last-minute supplies for Nathan ’ s birthday party when John gets an alert on his phone and then a call from a number identified as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” carrying a message saying John and his wife and son have been selected for “ emergency shelter relocation.
” Seems there ’ s a comet coming and the comet ’ s name is Clarke , and contrary to the advance chatter on the radio and TV talk shows , Clarke isn ’ t headed for the Atlantic Ocean — it ’ s on a collision course for Florida , and there are untold numbers of equally lethal , stadium-sized “ fragments ” also headed our way .
Why has John ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few in a safe bunker ?
Because John ’ s a structural engineer who “ builds buildings , ” remember ?
That will make him one seriously essential worker when it ’ s time to rebuild .
The first strong indication “ Greenland ” is a cut above standard disaster-movie material is when a neighbor begs with the Garritys to take her daughter , but they have to refuse because the government ’ s instructions were clear : If they bring anyone else , they ’ ll be turned away at the checkpoint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene , beautifully played by Butler and Baccarin as parents who are devastated they can ’ t help another parent ’ s child , but resolute in protecting their own .
The Garrity family is THISCLOSE to boarding a transport plane to safety when they hit one major roadblock after another , starting with the military discovering Nathan is diabetic and his condition should have disqualified them from the relocation .
John is separated from Allison and Nathan — and then Allison is literally left on the side of the road by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) who seize Nathan as their ticket to safety .
With a score from the Roland Emmerich School of Disaster Films setting the pace , “ Greenland ” finds time for an interlude at the ranch of Allison ’ s widowed father Dale ( the always welcome Scott Glenn ) , where the family is miraculously reunited and gears up for one last attempt to somehow hitch a ride to one the last possible safe havens for humankind : GREENLAND !
I knew that title had to come into play at some point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of action drama pacing , and the special effects team does a fine job of providing CGI snapshots of the world bending to Clarke ’ s will , with the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House among the recognizable structural casualties .
Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin are playing variations on characters we ’ ve seen in many a movie such as this , but they ’ re outstanding as a long-married couple who weren ’ t sure they were going to stay together — until that damned Clarke came calling and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in this crazy world of ours .
They might well have to relocate to Greenland , but you best believe they ’ re gon na do it as a family .

Even in mindless action fare such as “Den of Thieves” and and “Hunter Killer” and “Angel Has Fallen” and “London Has Fallen” and “Olympus Has Fallen” and that’s a lot of falling, Gerard Butler retains a screen-captivating, grim-faced presence with a burning intensity who leaps giant plot holes in a single bound, usually with a gun in his hand and some sort of dark cloud haunting him. At 51, Butler is firmly in the Bruce Willis/Liam Neeson Zone, with a particular set of skills well-suited to glossy B-movie thriller fare.
‘Greenland’
Untitled STXfilms presents a film directed by Ric Roman Waugh and written by Chris Sparling. Rated PG-13 (for intense sequences of disaster action, some violence, bloody images and brief strong language). Running time: 119 minutes. Available Friday on demand.
Now, just in time for escapist holiday home viewing, Butler gives a grounded everyman performance as the obligatory family man who has to rise to the action-hero occasion when a natural catastrophe threatens the very future of the world in Ric Roman Waugh’s well-crafted and surprisingly humanistic thriller “Greenland.” Unlike the typical, effects-laden, comet-threatens-the-planet B-movie, “Greenland” is more in the vein of Steven Spielberg’s “War of the Worlds,” with the scenes of chaos and destruction serving as the backdrop for the story of one family’s desperate quest for survival — even when circumstances have ripped them apart.
Butler’s John Garrity is a structural engineer (“I build buildings” is the way he describes his profession) who is estranged from his wife Allison (Morena Baccarin). John and his young son Nathan (Roger Dale Floyd) are shopping for last-minute supplies for Nathan’s birthday party when John gets an alert on his phone and then a call from a number identified as “United States Department of Homeland Security,” carrying a message saying John and his wife and son have been selected for “emergency shelter relocation.” Seems there’s a comet coming and the comet’s name is Clarke, and contrary to the advance chatter on the radio and TV talk shows, Clarke isn’t headed for the Atlantic Ocean — it’s on a collision course for Florida, and there are untold numbers of equally lethal, stadium-sized “fragments” also headed our way.
Comet fragments rain down from the sky. STXfilms
Why has John’s family been chosen to join the relative few in a safe bunker? Because John’s a structural engineer who “builds buildings,” remember? That will make him one seriously essential worker when it’s time to rebuild. The first strong indication “Greenland” is a cut above standard disaster-movie material is when a neighbor begs with the Garritys to take her daughter, but they have to refuse because the government’s instructions were clear: If they bring anyone else, they’ll be turned away at the checkpoint. It’s a genuinely moving scene, beautifully played by Butler and Baccarin as parents who are devastated they can’t help another parent’s child, but resolute in protecting their own.
The Garrity family is THISCLOSE to boarding a transport plane to safety when they hit one major roadblock after another, starting with the military discovering Nathan is diabetic and his condition should have disqualified them from the relocation. John is separated from Allison and Nathan — and then Allison is literally left on the side of the road by a couple (David Denman and Hope Davis) who seize Nathan as their ticket to safety.
With a score from the Roland Emmerich School of Disaster Films setting the pace, “Greenland” finds time for an interlude at the ranch of Allison’s widowed father Dale (the always welcome Scott Glenn), where the family is miraculously reunited and gears up for one last attempt to somehow hitch a ride to one the last possible safe havens for humankind: GREENLAND!
I knew that title had to come into play at some point.
Director Waugh has a keen sense of action drama pacing, and the special effects team does a fine job of providing CGI snapshots of the world bending to Clarke’s will, with the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera House among the recognizable structural casualties. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin are playing variations on characters we’ve seen in many a movie such as this, but they’re outstanding as a long-married couple who weren’t sure they were going to stay together — until that damned Clarke came calling and they were reminded of what really matters in this crazy world of ours. They might well have to relocate to Greenland, but you best believe they’re gonna do it as a family.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Teen boy fatally shot in East Chicago

Teen boy fatally shot in East Chicago

A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot Tuesday in East Chicago , Indiana , according to the Lake County coroner ’ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. he was in the 3800 block of Guthrie Street , when he was shot @ @ @ @ @ office said .
He was identified as being Jayden Brown , the coroner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ was ruled a homicide Wednesday morning .
East Chicago police were not available for comment @ @ @

A 17-year-old boy died Tuesday evening after being shot in East Chicago, Indiana.
Jayden Brown, of East Chicago, was pronounced dead at 7:55 p.m. after being hit by gunfire in the 3800 block of Guthrie Street, according to the Lake County coroner’s office.
His death was ruled a homicide, according to autopsy results released Wednesday morning.
East Chicago police did not immediately release details about the shooting.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--SWAT called for armed man barricaded inside home in Lincoln Square

An armed man barricaded himself inside a home Wednesday morning in Lincoln Square on the North Side .
SWAT personnel @ @ @ @ @ in the 2300 block of West Giddings Street about 1:50 a.m. , for calls of @ @ @ @ @ armed and barricaded himself inside alone , Chicago police said .
The situation ended about @ @ @ @ @ man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for an evaluation , police said .

An armed man barricaded himself inside a home Wednesday morning in Lincoln Square on the North Side.
SWAT personnel were called to a home in the 2300 block of West Giddings Street about 1:50 a.m., for calls of a suicidal man who was armed and barricaded himself inside alone, Chicago police said.
The situation ended about 3:50 a.m., and the man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for an evaluation, police said.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Teen boy shot in Englewood

Teen boy shot in Englewood

A 16-year-old boy was shot Wednesday in Englewood on the South Side .
About 2:15 a.m. , he was walking @ @ @ @ @ South Union Avenue , when he heard shots and felt a pain , Chicago police @ @ @ @ @ in the chest , torso , and was taken to University of Chicago University in @ @ @ @ @ .

A 16-year-old boy was shot Wednesday in Englewood on the South Side.
About 2:15 a.m., he was walking in the 7100 block of South Union Avenue, when he heard shots and felt a pain, Chicago police said.
He was struck in the chest, torso, and was taken to University of Chicago University in serious condition, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Teen boys, 13 and 15, charged with armed carjacking in Rogers Park

Two teenage boys are accused of carjacking a 65-year-old woman at gunpoint Tuesday in Rogers Park on the North Side @ @ @ @ @ and 15 , allegedly threatened the woman with a gun and took her vehicle about @ @ @ @ @ in the 1200 block of West Farwell Avenue , Chicago police said .
They were @ @ @ @ @ hour later in the 4700 block of North Racine Avenue .
Both were charged with @ @ @ @ @ aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm , police said .
They @ @ @ @ @ they are minors .
The boys are both due in bond court Wednesday .

Two teenage boys are accused of carjacking a 65-year-old woman at gunpoint Tuesday in Rogers Park on the North Side.
The boys, 13 and 15, allegedly threatened the woman with a gun and took her vehicle about 3:50 p.m. after she parked in the 1200 block of West Farwell Avenue, Chicago police said.
The teens were arrested less than half an hour later in the 4700 block of North Racine Avenue, police said.
Both were charged with one felony count each of aggravated vehicular hijacking and aggravated vehicular hijacking with a firearm, police said.
They were not named because they are minors.
The boys were expected to appear in juvenile court Wednesday.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Mitch Trubisky in his comfort zone

Mitch Trubisky in his comfort zone

Maybe Matt Nagy finally has found the secret to success with Mitch Trubisky — keep the quarterback happy .
After trying to tailor the quarterback for his offense , Nagy instead has started tailoring the offense for his quarterback since Trubisky replaced Nick Foles against the Packers in Week 12 after a seven-game benching .
Running more up-tempo plays , moving the pocket with bootlegs and roll-outs , utilizing rookie tight end Cole Kmet in the passing game and running back David Montgomery as a dual threat — are all elements that have sparked Trubisky ’ s resurgence .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a 100.0 passer rating in his three starts , including ratings of 108.3 against the Lions and 126.7 in a 36-7 rout of the Texans — with four touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last two games .
“ I do feel comfortable , ” Trubisky said .
“ After getting benched and being able to go back in , these are just some of the things I ’ ve been asking for .
I feel like they are strengths of mine and also strengths of this offense .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get Cole more involved , to get David more involved , to get A-Rob [ wide receiver Allen Robinson ] more involved .
You just got ta get the ball to your playmakers in space and stretch the field horizontally and vertically but also keeping the defense off balance , and I think the change in tempo really helps this offense .
I think moving the pocket really helps me and helps our offensive line and also helps create run lanes .
“ So these are things I ’ m very comfortable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking for and I think everyone ’ s buying into it and I think we ’ re starting to build an identity and we just need to keep getting better and better .
When we play 11 guys as one and we ’ re playing as a unit and we ’ re executing , that ’ s when the good plays will continue to happen.
” Trubisky chuckled when asked why it ’ s taken Nagy so long to figure this out or how different the Bears ’ season might have been had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trubisky started the first three games of the season .
“ Yeah , that ’ s a good question .
I guess you never know , ” Trubisky said .
“ I was asking .
I was putting in my input .
But you can ’ t change the past , so we are where we are now and the offense is progressing over the last few weeks and all we can do is try to stay on this path that we are on now and keep getting better .
“ Can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t put myself back in the game a couple weeks ago or anything like that .
It ’ s got to continue with this constant communication , having the open dialogue and always doing what is best for the Bears ’ offense.
” The newfangled offensive game plan have brought out the best in Trubisky — albeit against defenses that rank 29th and 31st in the NFL .
Regardless of the opponent , he certainly looked to be in a better comfort zone than in the first three games of the season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Against the Lions in the season opener , Trubisky had a 58.3 passer rating in the first half and a 138.5 rating in the second .
Against the Giants , he had a 136.1 rating in the first half and a 17.1 rating in the second half .
Against the Falcons , it was 94.4 in the first half and 16.7 in three second-half plays after a fateful interception that got him benched .
But he ’ s been more consistent since his return .
Against the Packers — his first start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passer rating was 77.3 in the first half , 73.2 in the second .
Against the Lions , 104.0 in the first half , 110.5 in the second .
Against the Texans his rating was 141.6 in the first and 74.7 in the second — but the Bears already led 30-7 at halftime and the second half was inconsequential .
But not all the changes that have benefitted Trubisky were as easy as flipping a switch .
The offensive dynamic has changed since Week 1 .
Nagy handed play-calling duties to offensive coordinator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been revamped because of injuries and performance , with only right guard Germain Ifedi and left tackle Charles Leno at the same position .
And Kmet no longer is a green rookie .
And while moving the pocket seems like a natural tack for a quarterback with Trubisky ’ s mobility , it has taken time for Nagy to work it into the offense .
“ It ’ s been key — that ’ s obvious , ” Nagy said .
“ When you have somebody like Mitchell that can extend plays with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I came from in Kansas City and some of the things we did , there wasn ’ t as much of that .
It takes some time .
It doesn ’ t just happen overnight.
” It remains to be seen if Trubisky — and the offense — can sustain their current success .
But the Bears have one thing going for them — a quarterback who is in a groove mentally and physically .
“ What gives me confidence is I ’ ve felt the offense getting better each week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game , ” Trubisky said .
“ It comes down to in practice making sure we ’ re focused every day on the execution .
Guys are buying into the plan and locked in mentally and doing our jobs .
And when we get to Sunday , make sure we ’ re executing .
“ But it ’ s been working and I think we ’ ve been progressing and we just [ have to ] make sure we ’ re stay trending that way .
”

Maybe Matt Nagy finally has found the secret to success with Mitch Trubisky — keep the quarterback happy.
After trying to tailor the quarterback for his offense, Nagy instead has started tailoring the offense for his quarterback since Trubisky replaced Nick Foles against the Packers in Week 12 after a seven-game benching.
Running more up-tempo plays, moving the pocket with bootlegs and rollouts, utilizing rookie tight end Cole Kmet in the passing game and running back David Montgomery as a dual threat — are all elements that have sparked Trubisky’s resurgence. The former No. 2 overall draft pick has posted ratings of 108.3 against the Lions and 126.7 in a 36-7 rout of the Texans — with four touchdown passes and no interceptions.
“I do feel comfortable,” Trubisky said. “After getting benched and being able to go back in, this is just some of the things I’ve been asking for. I feel like they are strengths of mine and also strengths of this offense.
“I just thought it was a good idea to get Cole more involved, to get David more involved, to get A-Rob [wide receiver Allen Robinson] more involved. You just gotta get the ball to your playmakers in space and stretch the field horizontally and vertically but also keeping the defense off-balance, and I think the change in tempo really helps this offense. I think moving the pocket really helps me and helps our offensive line and also helps create run lanes.
“So these are things I’m very comfortable with, things I’ve been asking for, and I think everyone’s buying into it, and I think we’re starting to build an identity and we just need to keep getting better and better. When we play 11 guys as one and we’re playing as a unity and we’re executing, that’s when the good plays will continue to happen.”
Trubisky chuckled when asked why it’s taken Nagy so long to figure this out or how different the Bears’ season might have been had the current dynamic been in place from the start.
“Yeah, that’s a good question. I guess you never know,” Trubisky said. “I was asking. I was putting in my input. But you can’t change the past, so we are where we are now, and the offense is progressing over the last few weeks, and all we can do is try to stay on this path that we are on now and keep getting better.
“Can’t change the past. I can’t put myself back in the game a couple weeks ago or anything like that. It’s got to continue with this constant communication, having the open dialogue and always doing what is best for the Bears’ offense.”
The newfangled offensive game plan has brought out the best in Trubisky — albeit against defenses that rank 29th and 31st in the NFL. He certainly looked to be in a better comfort zone than in the first three games of the season, when he was dogged by inconsistency.
But not all the changes Trubisky asked for were like flipping a switch. The offensive dynamic has changed since Week 1. Nagy handed play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. The offensive line has been revamped because of injuries and performance. And Kmet no longer is a green rookie.
And while moving the pocket seems like a natural tack for a quarterback with Trubisky’s mobility, it has taken time for Nagy to work it into the offense.
“It’s been key — that’s obvious,” Nagy said. “When you have somebody like Mitchell that can extend plays with his legs — and with the background that I came from in Kansas City and some of the things we did, there wasn’t as much of that. It takes some time. It doesn’t just happen overnight.”
It remains to be seen if Trubisky — and the offense — can sustain their current success. But the Bears have one thing going for them — a quarterback who is in a groove.
“What gives me confidence is I’ve felt the offense getting better each week — in practice and also that translates to the game,” Trubisky said. “It comes down to in practice making sure we’re focused every day on the execution. Guys are buying into the plan and locked in mentally and doing our jobs. And when we get to Sunday, make sure we’re executing.
“But I think it’s been working, and I think we’ve been progressing, and we just [have to] make sure we’re stay trending that way.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--National Signing Day: Trent Howland is Joliet West’s first Power Five recruit in more than 20 years

Trent Howland wasn ’ t going to be a football player and he wasn ’ t going to Joliet West .
But his mom , Valerie Brooks , had some perspective on how it came to be that the senior running back is Joliet West ’ s first Power Five football recruit in more than 20 years .
“ My mom , she ’ s real religious , ” Howland said after signing his letter of intent with Indiana on Wednesday afternoon .
“ She always said God has a plan for me.
” For years , that plan seemed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sport Howland started playing in second grade — five years before he played an organized football game .
“ I ’ d see NBA games on TV all the time , ” said Howland , who remembers thinking , “ That ’ s what I wanted when I grow older , an NBA player.
” He played AAU ball through grade school and missed the start of football practice as a freshman because of a family trip that included a tournament in Las Vegas .
In fact .
Howland initially was enrolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he kept bugging his mom about making a change .
“ He kept saying , ‘ Mom , I want to go with the kids I ’ ve been going to school with who are my friends , ’ ” Brooks said .
“ He wanted to stay in the neighborhood .
He wanted to stay at Joliet West.
” So Brooks enrolled her son at West and emailed Tigers athletic director Steve Millsaps about joining the football program , Millsaps said yes , and the rest is history .
Howland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Five football recruit since 1997 grad Eric Parker , who played at Tennessee before spending time in the NFL with the Chargers .
Howland did so despite not playing this fall with prep football sidelined because of COVID-19 restrictions .
He made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2018 , current coach Bill Lech ’ s first season in charge .
It didn ’ t take Lech long to figure out Howland was special .
“ You can eyeball a kid and say he passes the test , and Trent certainly did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 6-2 , he ’ s 210 pounds .
He ’ s just got that stature .
He ’ s not afraid to run between tackles and he ’ s able to get outside when he has to .
“ His hands are incredible .
That ’ s where his basketball skills come in — his ability to catch the ball , his ability to position his body.
” When West ’ s top running back was sidelined by injury during Howland ’ s sophomore year , Lech pulled him up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , he was kind of timid and shy , just finding his way , ” Lech said , “ By the time he was a junior ... he started to assert himself.
” That year , Howland had a 300-yard rushing game against Plainfield Central even though the Wildcats packed the box to stop the run .
College recruiters started to take notice , and Howland realized where his future lay .
“ After junior year football season , the college coaches started rolling in , calling me , hitting me up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ And I was like , ‘ Wow , I guess football is the way I ’ m going to go.
’ ” But he was still playing basketball , helping the Tigers stage a remarkable turnaround from five wins in 2018-19 to 29-4 and a regional title last season .
And Howland was getting looks from Youngstown State and other mid-major basketball programs .
“ Given his gifts , how well he rebounded and ran the floor , he could have played college basketball , no doubt about it , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Howland isn ’ t playing anything right now , partly because of COVID restrictions and partly because he ’ s rehabbing a torn right ACL suffered doing a basketball drill on Oct. 13 .
He didn ’ t realize the severity of the injury initially , and it took an MRI to confirm the damage .
Howland had surgery on Nov. 13 and is expected to be able to start running in May with the entire recovery time expected to be nine months .
“ The first week ( after surgery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Howland said .
“ I had a wrap on with my brace and crutches .
It was hard to move .
I just stayed in bed most of the time.
” But he ’ s back on his feet and moving toward his college career .
It seems like another part of that plan his mom kept telling him about .

Trent Howland wasn’t going to be a football player and he wasn’t going to Joliet West.
But his mom, Valerie Brooks, had some perspective on how it came to be that the senior running back is Joliet West’s first Power Five football recruit in more than 20 years.
“My mom, she’s real religious,” Howland said after signing his letter of intent with Indiana on Wednesday afternoon. “She always said God has a plan for me.”
For years, that plan seemed to include a future in basketball, a sport Howland started playing in second grade — five years before he played an organized football game.
He played AAU ball through grade school and missed the start of football practice as a freshman because of a family trip that included a tournament in Las Vegas.
In fact, Howland initially was enrolled at a different high school that year. But he kept bugging his mom about making a change.
“He kept saying, ‘Mom, I want to go with the kids I’ve been going to school with who are my friends,’ ” Brooks said. “He wanted to stay in the neighborhood. He wanted to stay at Joliet West.”
So Brooks enrolled her son at West and emailed Tigers athletic director Steve Millsaps about joining the football program. Millsaps said yes, and the rest is history.
Howland is the program’s first Power Five football recruit since 1997 grad Eric Parker, who played at Tennessee before spending time in the NFL with the Chargers.
Howland did so despite not playing this fall with prep football sidelined because of COVID-19 restrictions.
He made his varsity debut as a sophomore in 2018, current coach Bill Lech’s first season in charge. It didn’t take Lech long to figure out Howland was special.
“You can eyeball a kid and say he passes the test, and Trent certainly did,” Lech said. “He’s 6-2, he’s 210 pounds. He’s just got that stature. He’s not afraid to run between tackles and he’s able to get outside when he has to.
“His hands are incredible. That’s where his basketball skills come in — his ability to catch the ball, his ability to position his body.”
When West’s top running back was sidelined by injury during Howland’s sophomore year, Lech pulled him up to the varsity.
“Those first couple weeks, he was kind of timid and shy, just finding his way, Lech said. “By the time he was a junior . . . he started to assert himself.”
That year, Howland had a 300-yard rushing game against Plainfield Central even though the Wildcats packed the box to stop the run. College recruiters started to take notice, and Howland realized where his future lay.
“After junior year football season, the college coaches started rolling in, calling me, hitting me up, offering me,” Howland said. “And I was like, ‘Wow, I guess football is the way I’m going to go.’ ”
But he was still playing basketball, helping the Tigers stage a remarkable turnaround from five wins in 2018-19 to 29-4 and a regional title last season.
Joliet West’s Trent Howland (4) grabs a rebound and goes up strong for a dunk against Hillcrest. Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times
And Howland was getting looks from Youngstown State and other mid-major basketball programs.
But Howland isn’t playing anything right now, partly because of COVID restrictions and partly because he’s rehabbing a torn right ACL suffered doing a basketball drill Oct. 13.
Howland had surgery Nov. 13 and is expected to be able to start running in May with the entire recovery time expected to be nine months.
“The first week [after surgery], it was a mess,” Howland said. “I had a wrap on with my brace and crutches. It was hard to move. I just stayed in bed most of the time.”
But he’s back on his feet and moving toward his college career.
It seems like another part of that plan his mom kept telling him about.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Chicago schools chief Janice Jackson gets $40,000 raise

Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson is getting a $ 40,000 raise , bringing her salary to $ 300,000 in a mid-pandemic increase that was unanimously approved by the city ’ s school board .
Jackson , 43 , is a former social studies teacher and CPS graduate who , when she was appointed to the role in 2018 by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel , became the first alumna who also taught in the district to lead the nation ’ s third largest school system .
She was preceded by years of executives who had not previously been educators .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ student and has overseen improvements in math and reading scores and graduation rates , but she ’ s also seen her share of scandals in her time at CPS ’ central office and was at the helm during the longest teachers strike in three decades .
School board President Miguel del Valle said in a statement that he and other members “ unanimously and vigorously decided to make an adjustment ” to Jackson ’ s salary .
“ She is a nationally respected leader and the district is grateful to have her at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system in the country , ” del Valle said .
“ Her compensation , however , is not on par with that of superintendents across the state or country .
We took it as a matter of equity to ensure that the CEO of Chicago Public Schools is fairly compensated and this salary adjustment is a step in that direction.
” Jackson ’ s counterparts in New York City , Los Angeles and Miami — the first , second and fourth largest districts , respectively — all earn around $ 350,000 .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ School , Jackson served as the founding principal of the Al Raby School for Community and Environment then led Westinghouse College Prep .
Before taking the CEO position , Jackson served as the district ’ s education chief .
Jackson ’ s name has recently been floated as a potential pick for U.S. Education Secretary in the incoming Joe Biden administration .

Chicago Public Schools CEO Janice Jackson is getting a $40,000 raise, bringing her salary to $300,000 in a mid-pandemic increase that was unanimously approved by the city’s school board.
Jackson, 43, is a former social studies teacher and CPS graduate who, when she was appointed to the role in 2018 by former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, became the first alumna who also taught in the district to lead the nation’s third largest school system. She was preceded by years of executives who had not previously been educators.
Jackson is a parent of a CPS student and has overseen improvements in math and reading scores and graduation rates, but she’s also seen her share of scandals in her time at CPS’ central office and was at the helm during the longest teachers strike in three decades.
School board President Miguel del Valle said in a statement that he and other members “unanimously and vigorously decided to make an adjustment” to Jackson’s salary.
“She is a nationally respected leader and the district is grateful to have her at the helm of the third largest school system in the country,” del Valle said. “Her compensation, however, is not on par with that of superintendents across the state or country. We took it as a matter of equity to ensure that the CEO of Chicago Public Schools is fairly compensated and this salary adjustment is a step in that direction.”
Jackson’s counterparts in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami — the first, second and fourth largest districts, respectively — all earn around $350,000.
After five years teaching at South Shore High School, Jackson served as the founding principal of the Al Raby School for Community and Environment then led Westinghouse College Prep. Before taking the CEO position, Jackson served as the district’s education chief.
Jackson’s name has recently been floated as a potential pick for U.S. Education Secretary in the incoming Joe Biden administration.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--More than 6 in 10 CPS kids — including most students of color — won’t be in schools when in-person l

More than 6 in 10 CPS kids — including most students of color — won’t be in schools when in-person learning resumes

Nearly 80,000 Chicago Public Schools students plan to return to classrooms once schools reopen in the new year , accounting for 37 % of K-8 , preschool and special education cluster program students who will initially be eligible for in-person learning , according to data released by the district Wednesday .
Matching a trend seen in other large urban school systems that have already resumed some in-person instruction , a disproportionate number of those CPS families that opted to send their children back to schools were white , while families of color were more likely to decline the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality raises questions about the argument that has been made for weeks by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS officials that reopening schools will help reduce racial inequity gaps caused by remote learning — a belief the district repeated at Wednesday ’ s virtual Board of Education meeting .
“ While we have continued to refine and improve upon the online learning experience , online learning has been a significant struggle for many of our working families , ” LaTanya McDade , CPS ’ education chief , told the board .
“ Providing our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option is simply put an issue of equity , which we continue to say , and we look forward to bringing our students back.
” The 77,000 children are out of 191,000 elementary school students who were eligible to return Feb. 1 , and 16,900 kids who are in pre-K or have complex disabilities that could have come back Jan. 11 .
The actual number of students who return could end up lower because families who opted in have the option of changing their minds after their initial indications were due last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are required to do so until April .
Of the students who said they might return , 23.4 % are white , 30.2 % are Black , 38.9 % are Latino and 4.4 % are Asian American .
The racial demographics of students who were eligible to return were 12.9 % white , 33.2 % Black , 46.7 % Latino and 5 % Asian American .
The starkest comparison comes in looking at the share of each racial group that decided to return : About one-third of Black , Latino and Asian American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classrooms , while two-thirds of white families are going back .
There were also disproportionately low numbers of English learnings and students from low-income families who indicated they would resume in-person learning .
The share of homeless students and those in special education who opted to return matched their share of eligible students — but homeless families were hardest to reach , as almost a third didn ’ t respond to the survey and were automatically assigned to remain in remote learning .
Union : ‘ All options are on the table ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials ’ minds that they ’ ll reopen their buildings in the new year , in-classroom education relies on teachers being there — something that isn ’ t a guarantee right now .
“ Our union will have to have an internal discussion about what to do next if we can ’ t reach agreements on how to make our schools safe for everyone , ” Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey told the school board Wednesday .
“ When we have those discussions , all options are going to be on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t trust CPS to implement the protocols it ’ s promising and doesn ’ t agree with the fact that no specific metric tied to the number of COVID cases in the community or test positivity rate has been identified as a threshold for reopening .
Those disputes are “ going to make our union campaign in a way which is going to have very real consequences in this whole city , ” he said .
The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board is due to issue a ruling at a hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be granted an injunction delaying CPS ’ reopening date until the two sides reach agreements on the union ’ s demands .
If the CTU ’ s case is successful , the district ’ s return would likely be set back for weeks .
The union and district have met 43 times since June to discuss reopening plans , but little has been accomplished .
CPS health chief Kenneth Fox said data around the country and in Illinois has shown that schools “ are rarely a source of COVID-19 transmission ” as long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
CPS has already purchased 1.2 million cloth face coverings that are ready in school buildings for students and staff , and portable ventilation units are being deployed ( with some already in place ) to classrooms in every school , officials said .
“ Now we know from studies across the globe that no correlation has been shown between reopening of schools and community spread of the virus , ” Fox said .
“ We did not know it would work out that way , but now we do.
” CPS is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Ask the Expert ” in which district officials will speak on several key facets of reopening , such as health and safety and child development .
Those will be held on CPS ’ social media channels every Thursday starting this week through Jan. 21 .
CPS CEO Janice Jackson said teachers will also be offered training on simultaneous teaching , which will require teachers to educate students in their classrooms and those who are still remote at the same time .
Officials said teachers won ’ t be asked to livestream their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remote , but will be required to provide 150 minutes per day of live online instruction to those children .
Those daily instruction schedules and safety protocols will be uniform across the district , but principals will be given flexibility on other decisions like teacher assignments , which are likely to change for many students .
Final classroom assignments will be given to preschool and special ed cluster families this Friday , and to elementary families Jan. 18 .
“ I know that this will be a complicated process and that maybe the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like they are during any school year , ” schools chief Janice Jackson said .
“ But I know that after a while we will get our sea legs and be able to do this safely and ensure that our kids get the education that they deserve.
” Sharkey argued that the majority of students will be hurt by a return to classrooms since most will keep learning remotely and could lose some attention from teachers who have to balance both sets of children .
“ Because the vast majority of students will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go into the school buildings is actually going to harm the education of more children than it will help , ” Sharkey said .
“ Because inevitably our attention as instructors will be occupied by the small number of students in our classroom instead of our larger number on our Google Classroom.
” Returning to schools not safe , parents tell board Several parents spoke against the district ’ s reopening plan in the public participation portion of the school board meeting , saying they didn ’ t feel it was safe .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Peirce Elementary ’ s Local School Council , said she ’ s concerned with CPS ’ plans to allow district employees to send their children to school four days every week instead of two .
She said that exception will threaten the integrity of student pods , which split students into Monday-Tuesday groups and Thursday-Friday groups to limit contact .
CPS employees ’ students , if they go to school four days a week , will be mixing with both groups and could spread infection to multiple pods if there ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPS halt its plans to return to in-person learning in January and February and instead work with Local School Councils , parents and community groups and the Chicago Teachers Union to create a plan that is safe , equitable and ensures trust for all parties , ” Noble said .

Nearly 80,000 Chicago Public Schools students plan to return to classrooms once schools reopen in the new year, accounting for 37% of K-8, preschool and special education cluster program students who will initially be eligible for in-person learning, according to data released by the district Wednesday.
Matching a trend seen in other large urban school systems that have already resumed some in-person instruction, a disproportionate number of those CPS families that opted to send their children back to schools were white, while families of color were more likely to decline the opportunity to return, CPS data shows.
That reality raises questions about the argument that has been made for weeks by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS officials that reopening schools will help reduce racial inequity gaps caused by remote learning — a belief the district repeated at Wednesday’s virtual Board of Education meeting.
“While we have continued to refine and improve upon the online learning experience, online learning has been a significant struggle for many of our working families,” LaTanya McDade, CPS’ education chief, told the board. “Providing our families with a safe, in-person learning option is simply put an issue of equity, which we continue to say, and we look forward to bringing our students back.”
The 77,000 children are out of 191,000 elementary school students who were eligible to return Feb. 1, and 16,900 kids who are in pre-K or have complex disabilities that could have come back Jan. 11. The actual number of students who return could end up lower because families who opted in have the option of changing their minds after their initial indications were due last week. Those who decided to stay home are required to do so until April.
Of the students who said they might return, 23.4% are white, 30.2% are Black, 38.9% are Latino and 4.4% are Asian American. The racial demographics of students who were eligible to return were 12.9% white, 33.2% Black, 46.7% Latino and 5% Asian American.
The starkest comparison comes in looking at the share of each racial group that decided to return: About one-third of Black, Latino and Asian American families are sending their kids back to classrooms, while two-thirds of white families are going back.
There were also disproportionately low numbers of English learnings and students from low-income families who indicated they would resume in-person learning. The share of homeless students and those in special education who opted to return matched their share of eligible students — but homeless families were hardest to reach, as almost a third didn’t respond to the survey and were automatically assigned to remain in remote learning.
Union: ‘All options are on the table’
Though there remains no doubt in CPS officials’ minds that they’ll reopen their buildings in the new year, in-classroom education relies on teachers being there — something that isn’t a guarantee right now.
“Our union will have to have an internal discussion about what to do next if we can’t reach agreements on how to make our schools safe for everyone,” Chicago Teachers Union President Jesse Sharkey told the school board Wednesday. “When we have those discussions, all options are going to be on the table.”
The union has said it doesn’t trust CPS to implement the protocols it’s promising and doesn’t agree with the fact that no specific metric tied to the number of COVID cases in the community or test positivity rate has been identified as a threshold for reopening. Those disputes are “going to make our union campaign in a way which is going to have very real consequences in this whole city,” he said.
The Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board is due to issue a ruling at a hearing Thursday morning over whether the CTU will be granted an injunction delaying CPS’ reopening date until the two sides reach agreements on the union’s demands. If the CTU’s case is successful, the district’s return would likely be set back for weeks. The union and district have met 43 times since June to discuss reopening plans, but little has been accomplished.
CPS health chief Kenneth Fox said data around the country and in Illinois has shown that schools “are rarely a source of COVID-19 transmission” as long as proper mitigation protocols are in place. CPS has already purchased 1.2 million cloth face coverings that are ready in school buildings for students and staff, and portable ventilation units are being deployed (with some already in place) to classrooms in every school, officials said.
Erik Olson, principal at Hamline Elementary, walks through safety protocols at his school in a video presented at Chicago’s Board of Education meeting. Chicago Public Schools/YouTube
“Now we know from studies across the globe that no correlation has been shown between reopening of schools and community spread of the virus,” Fox said. “We did not know it would work out that way, but now we do.”
CPS is launching an series of informational discussions called “Ask the Expert” in which district officials will speak on several key facets of reopening, such as health and safety and child development. Those will be held on CPS’ social media channels every Thursday starting this week through Jan. 21.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson said teachers will also be offered training on simultaneous teaching, which will require teachers to educate students in their classrooms and those who are still remote at the same time. Officials said teachers won’t be asked to livestream their entire school day to students who are remote, but will be required to provide 150 minutes per day of live online instruction to those children.
Those daily instruction schedules and safety protocols will be uniform across the district, but principals will be given flexibility on other decisions like teacher assignments, which are likely to change for many students. Final classroom assignments will be given to preschool and special ed cluster families this Friday, and to elementary families Jan. 18.
“I know that this will be a complicated process and that maybe the first two weeks will be complicated just like they are during any school year,” schools chief Janice Jackson said. “But I know that after a while we will get our sea legs and be able to do this safely and ensure that our kids get the education that they deserve.”
Sharkey argued that the majority of students will be hurt by a return to classrooms since most will keep learning remotely and could lose some attention from teachers who have to balance both sets of children.
“Because the vast majority of students will be staying home, making all teachers go into the school buildings is actually going to harm the education of more children than it will help,” Sharkey said. “Because inevitably our attention as instructors will be occupied by the small number of students in our classroom instead of our larger number on our Google Classroom.”
Returning to schools not safe, parents tell board
Several parents spoke against the district’s reopening plan in the public participation portion of the school board meeting, saying they didn’t feel it was safe.
Aisha Noble, an incoming parent representative on Peirce Elementary’s Local School Council, said she’s concerned with CPS’ plans to allow district employees to send their children to school four days every week instead of two.
She said that exception will threaten the integrity of student pods, which split students into Monday-Tuesday groups and Thursday-Friday groups to limit contact. CPS employees’ students, if they go to school four days a week, will be mixing with both groups and could spread infection to multiple pods if there’s a breakout.
“We ask that CPS halt its plans to return to in-person learning in January and February and instead work with Local School Councils, parents and community groups and the Chicago Teachers Union to create a plan that is safe, equitable and ensures trust for all parties,” Noble said.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Special taxing district is needed to help ailing Mag Mile — but only if it’s done correctly

North Michigan Avenue has lost a good deal of its sheen this year , thanks to the pandemic and the summer ’ s unrest — with its looting and widespread store damage — scaring away shoppers .
So we support the creation of a special taxing district that would raise funds to revive the Mag Mile .
But we also agree with the aldermen who put the brakes on the measure this week , claiming that rushing to approval in just five months , when the process normally takes a year or so , is risky .
“ The SSA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really important way stations and checkpoints to protect the taxpayers who are being asked to pay this extra burden , ” Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) , whose ward includes the Mag Mile , told the City Council ’ s Committee on Economic and Capital Development this week .
“ When we go through shorter , rushed processes , we make mistakes , ” he said .
We can ’ t argue with that .
The city made its most egregious screw-ups when it hit the gas pedal .
Think of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a parking meter deal in 2008 to Mayor Rahm Emanuel ’ s hasty 2013 decision to close 50 public schools .
The stakes wouldn ’ t be as high if we could afford the SSA going sideways .
But given Michigan Avenue ’ s importance , the appropriate time and care must be taken to create a taxing district that really works .
Worth the time to get it right Chicago has more than 50 special service areas , each funded by an added property tax paid by businesses within each district @ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of enhancements designed to make commercial areas more attractive to shoppers and shop owners , including added security , street clean-up and signage .
The Chicago Loop Alliance , which administers the State Street SSA , also uses its revenue to market the thoroughfare as a destination , provide infrastructure maintenance and handle outdoor public art installations .
The group also undertakes urban planning exercises to re-envision the future of the street .
The State Street SSA also benefits from longevity , having been created in 1977 , with renewals over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue SSA — which would stretch from Oak Street to the Chicago River — would have only a three-year lifespan .
Presumably , it could be renewed but playing such short ball gives credence to the belief the plan is rushed and undercooked .
“ This needs to be a standard SSA , ” Ald .
Brian Hopkins ( 2nd ) , whose ward also encompasses the Mag Mile , told the City Council committee this week .
“ It needs to be a 10-year lifespan .
The budgetary issues need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t time to do this.
” Meanwhile , Reilly said the Michigan Avenue SSA needs “ hard improvements to infrastructure , ” such as retractable protective bollards and a network of security cameras .
He might have a point in that , but the city and shop owners should take the time — certainly more than five months — to figure out the level and type of security needed to keep the area from feeling like a hyper-monitored encampment .
The aldermen also beefed about how much of the taxing district ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and operating costs .
For instance , the Mag Mile taxing district would raise $ 742,000 over its three-year life with $ 200,000 going to the Magnificent Mile Association , the group that would be administrators of the district .
Another $ 100,000 would go to people-counters who would tally foot traffic along the strip .
“ Any one of us can walk out on the avenue and count the people on two hands .
That ’ s not a good investment right now , ” Reilly said .
That ’ s 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent on salaries , contracts and operating expenses alone — and the $ 100,000 worth of people-counters caused our eyebrows to raise , also .
But running a major , mile-long SSA isn ’ t cheap .
The State Street SSA collects $ 3 million in revenue a year and spends $ 800,000 — about 26 % of its take per annum — on salaries and benefits , but another $ 1.5 million in contracts for landscaping , pressure washing and banners .
And the street is the better for it .
Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mag Mile district , the aldermen are right to want to devote more time to getting the thing right .
As Hopkins told the City Council committee , “ vote this particular version [ of the Michigan Avenue SSA ] down and stand with us as we hit the reset button .
.
.
on a process that can and will result ” in a better proposal .
Get to work on a better plan No surprise , Mayor Lori Lightfoot criticized Reilly and Hopkins for shooting down the SSA plan , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst.
” The mayor and the city ’ s Department of Planning and Development wanted to seal the deal before a Dec. 29 filing deadline .
Now the measure is trapped in committee , allowing aldermen to hit the reset button as Hopkins suggests , but it also means the taxing district and the needed revenue it would generate are at least 15 months away .
“ The Mag Mile has never been in a tougher situation .
.
.
It ’ s really a dire situation .
.
.
not just for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DePorter , CEO of Harry Caray ’ s Restaurants , said .
No doubt this is true .
But a hastily created SSA won ’ t make things much better .
Now it ’ s time to get to work to create a better one .

North Michigan Avenue has lost a good deal of its sheen this year, thanks to the pandemic and the summer’s unrest — with its looting and widespread store damage — scaring away shoppers.
So we support the creation of a special taxing district that would raise funds to revive the Mag Mile. But we also agree with the aldermen who put the brakes on the measure this week, claiming that rushing to approval in just five months, when the process normally takes a year or so, is risky.
“The SSA [Special Service Area] process has really important way stations and checkpoints to protect the taxpayers who are being asked to pay this extra burden,” Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes the Mag Mile, told the City Council’s Committee on Economic and Capital Development this week.
“When we go through shorter, rushed processes, we make mistakes,” he said.
Editorials bug Editorials
We can’t argue with that. The city made its most egregious screw-ups when it hit the gas pedal. Think of Mayor Richard M. Daley’s fiasco of a parking meter deal in 2008 to Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s hasty 2013 decision to close 50 public schools.
The stakes wouldn’t be as high if we could afford the SSA going sideways. But given Michigan Avenue’s importance, the appropriate time and care must be taken to create a taxing district that really works.
Worth the time to get it right
Chicago has more than 50 special service areas, each funded by an added property tax paid by businesses within each district. SSA revenue can pay for a range of enhancements designed to make commercial areas more attractive to shoppers and shop owners, including added security, street clean-up and signage.
The Chicago Loop Alliance, which administers the State Street SSA, also uses its revenue to market the thoroughfare as a destination, provide infrastructure maintenance and handle outdoor public art installations. The group also undertakes urban planning exercises to re-envision the future of the street.
The State Street SSA also benefits from longevity, having been created in 1977, with renewals over the past 40 years. The proposed Michigan Avenue SSA — which would stretch from Oak Street to the Chicago River — would have only a three-year lifespan.
Presumably, it could be renewed but playing such short ball gives credence to the belief the plan is rushed and undercooked.
“This needs to be a standard SSA,” Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), whose ward also encompasses the Mag Mile, told the City Council committee this week. “It needs to be a 10-year lifespan. The budgetary issues need to be resolved in advance. There simply wasn’t time to do this.”
Meanwhile, Reilly said the Michigan Avenue SSA needs “hard improvements to infrastructure,” such as retractable protective bollards and a network of security cameras. He might have a point in that, but the city and shop owners should take the time — certainly more than five months — to figure out the level and type of security needed to keep the area from feeling like a hyper-monitored encampment.
The aldermen also beefed about how much of the taxing district’s revenue would be spent on salaries and operating costs.
For instance, the Mag Mile taxing district would raise $742,000 over its three-year life with $200,000 going to the Magnificent Mile Association, the group that would be administrators of the district. Another $100,000 would go to people-counters who would tally foot traffic along the strip.
“Any one of us can walk out on the avenue and count the people on two hands. That’s not a good investment right now,” Reilly said.
That’s 40% of the district’s haul spent on salaries, contracts and operating expenses alone — and the $100,000 worth of people-counters caused our eyebrows to raise, also. But running a major, mile-long SSA isn’t cheap. The State Street SSA collects $3 million in revenue a year and spends $800,000 — about 26% of its take per annum — on salaries and benefits, but another $1.5 million in contracts for landscaping, pressure washing and banners. And the street is the better for it.
Still, given the size of the proposed Mag Mile district, the aldermen are right to want to devote more time to getting the thing right. As Hopkins told the City Council committee, “vote this particular version [of the Michigan Avenue SSA] down and stand with us as we hit the reset button . . . on a process that can and will result” in a better proposal.
That’s precisely what’s needed.
Get to work on a better plan
No surprise, Mayor Lori Lightfoot criticized Reilly and Hopkins for shooting down the SSA plan, calling their move “aldermanic prerogative at its worst.”
The mayor and the city’s Department of Planning and Development wanted to seal the deal before a Dec. 29 filing deadline. Now the measure is trapped in committee, allowing aldermen to hit the reset button as Hopkins suggests, but it also means the taxing district and the needed revenue it would generate are at least 15 months away.
“The Mag Mile has never been in a tougher situation . . . It’s really a dire situation . . . not just for people on the avenue,” Grant DePorter, CEO of Harry Caray’s Restaurants, said.
No doubt this is true. But a hastily created SSA won’t make things much better.
Now it’s time to get to work to create a better one.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Grappling with COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle home, state chief of veterans affairs appears before Hou

Grappling with COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle home, state chief of veterans affairs appears before House committee

The director of the Illinois Department of Veterans ’ Affairs and her chief of staff faced members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday as state officials question how the coronavirus outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home started and what was done to prevent the spread of the virus that ’ s killed 33 veterans .
Linda Chapa LaVia , an Army veteran and director of the state ’ s VA department , and Tony Kolbeck , her chief of staff , appeared along with Dr. Avery Hart , who represented the state Department of Public Health , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus at the LaSalle Veterans Home .
Kolbeck told the committee he has not had direct contact with the head of the state ’ s public health department , Dr. Ngozi Ezike , during the height of the outbreak or beyond that period .
There was also a complaint filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration because some employees at the facility worked even though they ’ d tested positive for the virus .
After the release of two reports detailing conditions within the home , Hart said staff have “ responded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closing the identified gaps in infection control practice.
” That work includes “ interdisciplinary leadership rounds , ” which means the acting administrator , the acting director of nursing and other top figures at the home making rounds together .
All frontline staff are also required to complete in-service training on the coronavirus , which will be a “ scenario based infection control training — it ’ s designed specifically with best practices for COVID-19 in mind , ” Hart said .
In one heated exchange , LaVia talked over one representative , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she can with “ the resources and tools I have to investigation my own department and see where we went wrong ” despite elected officials in LaSalle and elsewhere advising people to not adhere to mitigations set up by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker last month .
“ But I also want to put something into play .
… Our commander in chief Dr. Ngozi [ Ezike ] , from day one , has been requesting people to wear their face masks , to wash their hands , to keep their distance , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state ’ s attorney in LaSalle telling people not to adhere to mitigations in LaSalle , every one of the long-term care facilities had an outbreak , sir … ” As of last Friday , 33 residents at the home have died .
Of the residents who ’ ve tested positive for the virus , 43 have recovered .
Of the 103 staff members who ’ ve tested positive for the virus , 100 have recovered ; no employees have died .
At a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coincidence ” that cases within the home “ began to rise just as cases rose dramatically in the surrounding community.
” Pritzker and state veterans officials launched an investigation into the circumstances around the spread of the deadly virus at the LaSalle Veterans ’ Home in November .
That decision followed the release of two reports that found the home had ineffective hand sanitizer , employees showing up for work after testing positive for the coronavirus and inadequate “ hand hygiene.
” That hand sanitizer was “ discovered ” at one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but has since been replaced , Kolbeck said Wednesday .
Nearly two weeks later , Angela Mehlbrech , the administrator of the home located about 95 miles southwest of Chicago , was fired .
Kolbeck declined to comment on why Mehlbrech was terminated , saying it ’ s a “ personnel matter that we ’ re not able to speak about.
” The state ’ s Department of Veterans ’ Affairs said in a statement the personnel change followed the announcement of an independent investigation into the outbreak at the home led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Human Services .
Acting Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn was tapped to serve as the interim administrator as the department searches for a permanent replacement .
Asked about the outbreak at the home at a briefing on the coronavirus last week , Pritzker said he bears “ the responsibility of leadership of the state , and that means that everything that happens across state government to some degree or another lands on my shoulders.
” “ ...
I think most importantly , the question is , at the time that people become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening , what are their reactions ?
How do they care for people there and make sure that they ’ re safe ?
” Pritzker said .
“ And then , what do we learn from that very importantly , to carry on elsewhere to make sure that we ’ re keeping all of our veterans safe .
”

The director of the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs and her chief of staff faced members of the House Veterans Affairs Committee on Wednesday as state officials question how the coronavirus outbreak at the LaSalle Veterans Home started and what was done to prevent the spread of the virus that’s killed 33 veterans.
Linda Chapa LaVia, an Army veteran and director of the state’s VA department, and Tony Kolbeck, her chief of staff, appeared along with Dr. Avery Hart, who represented the state Department of Public Health, to answer questions about the spread of the virus at the LaSalle Veterans Home.
Kolbeck told the committee he has not had direct contact with the head of the state’s public health department, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, during the height of the outbreak or beyond that period.
There was also a complaint filed with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration because some employees at the facility worked even though they’d tested positive for the virus.
After the release of two reports detailing conditions within the home, Hart said staff have “responded to this very tragic outbreak … by closing the identified gaps in infection control practice.”
That work includes “interdisciplinary leadership rounds,” which means the acting administrator, the acting director of nursing and other top figures at the home making rounds together.
All frontline staff are also required to complete in-service training on the coronavirus, which will be a “scenario based infection control training — it’s designed specifically with best practices for COVID-19 in mind,” Hart said.
In one heated exchange, LaVia talked over one representative, arguing she’s doing the best she can with “the resources and tools I have to investigate my own department and see where we went wrong” despite elected officials in LaSalle and elsewhere advising people to not adhere to mitigations set up by Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month.
“But I also want to put something into play. … Our commander in chief Dr. Ngozi [Ezike], from day one, has been requesting people to wear their face masks, to wash their hands, to keep their distance,” LaVia said. “When you have a state’s attorney in LaSalle telling people not to adhere to mitigations in LaSalle, every one of the long-term care facilities had an outbreak, sir …”
As of last Friday, 33 residents at the home have died. Of the residents who’ve tested positive for the virus, 43 have recovered. Of the 103 staff members who’ve tested positive for the virus, 100 have recovered; no employees have died.
At a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing last month, LaVia said it’s “no coincidence” that cases within the home “began to rise just as cases rose dramatically in the surrounding community.”
Pritzker and state veterans officials launched an investigation into the circumstances around the spread of the deadly virus at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home in November.
That decision followed the release of two reports that found the home had ineffective hand sanitizer, employees showing up for work after testing positive for the coronavirus and inadequate “hand hygiene.”
That hand sanitizer was “discovered” at one of the state’s other veterans affairs facilities but has since been replaced, Kolbeck said Wednesday.
Nearly two weeks later, Angela Mehlbrech, the administrator of the home located about 95 miles southwest of Chicago, was fired. Kolbeck declined to comment on why Mehlbrech was terminated, saying it’s a “personnel matter that we’re not able to speak about.”
The state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs said in a statement the personnel change followed the announcement of an independent investigation into the outbreak at the home led by the acting inspector general of the Illinois Department of Human Services.
Acting Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn was tapped to serve as the interim administrator as the department searches for a permanent replacement.
Asked about the outbreak at the home at a briefing on the coronavirus last week, Pritzker said he bears “the responsibility of leadership of the state, and that means that everything that happens across state government to some degree or another lands on my shoulders.”
“... I think most importantly, the question is, at the time that people become aware on site of what’s happening, what are their reactions? How do they care for people there and make sure that they’re safe?” Pritzker said. “And then, what do we learn from that very importantly, to carry on elsewhere to make sure that we’re keeping all of our veterans safe.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Cubs’ manager David Ross wants to improve communication with players, coaches in 2021

So you want to be a Major League manager ?
If you do , you probably wouldn ’ t have picked 2020 as the year to do it , but it was the hand that Cubs ’ manager David Ross was dealt and despite all of the years challenges both on and off the field , things couldn ’ t have gone much better for the first-year skipper .
Sure , winning a World Series title in your first season as a manager would be as good as it gets , but realistically , as a first-year manager with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of boxes in ‘ 20 .
If you asked anybody around the Cubs or baseball about what Ross ’ strength as a manager would be , most would tell you that his ability as a communicator was his biggest strength .
But after an honest self-scouting of himself this offseason , that strength is what he wants to improve most .
“ If I could go back , I probably would be a little less patient and push some either ideas I had or talk a little more baseball [ with players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve talked to multiple players and I think the guys want more conversation from me , because I tried to separate that manager-player spot [ in me ] at times and also come in as how I know them .
“ So maybe just a little bit more communication from me on where I think we can have things that are short-term .
...
I just wish I would have brought some stuff to guys a little bit earlier that I saw , but I tried to be patient and trust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Ross and his players has always been his foundation .
As his responsibilities have changed , going from player to special advisor and now manager , he ’ s continuing to ensure that him and his coaching staff are always on the same page .
“ That ’ s the one that ’ s really hit home is the dynamic where I was out of baseball and had a lot of relationships with the front office , ” he said .
“ Obviously playing , I know what it ’ s like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it ’ s like to communicate with those guys and [ with ] those guys , we have built up respect and friendships , but managing a coaching staff was definitely different , where you have men and communicating with them about your wants and needs .
“ Just keeping those lines of communication open .
I think I can do a better job at that .
I wouldn ’ t say I was terrible .
I just want to continue to build on the relationship with my coaches and get in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to interact with everybody .
You ’ re trying to touch all bases.
” In his first season as manager , the Cubs went 34-26 and captured the National League Central title for the first time since 2017 .
But as he goes into year two of his tenure , he ’ s looking to take his “ game ” to another level .
During the 2020 season , Ross often deferred to his experiences as a player because , frankly , they were the only ones he could lean on while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As expected , there were growing pains of a first-year manager along the way .
Combine that with an offense that evaporated , a struggling closer and the highs and lows of a season .
Not to mention the daily task of managing a baseball team during a global pandemic .
But Ross fared well and now has something he didn ’ t have a year ago when he took the job , or even six months ago when the season began and that ’ s managerial experience .
And after having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ ll continue to be his own worst critic as he makes adjustments in 2021 .
“ I think everybody ’ s hard on themselves in this job because you want to be better , ” Ross said .
“ The wins are awesome and you turn the page and the losses , you kind of agonize over and carry into the night and try to be a new guy the next day and come in with a fresh attitude .
”

So you want to be a major-league manager?
If you do, 2020 would not have been the ideal year to begin your foray, but it was the hand Cubs manager David Ross was dealt. And despite all the challenges on and off the field, things couldn’t have gone much better during his first season.
Winning a World Series in your first season as manager would be optimal, but, realistically, Ross checked a lot of boxes in ’20 despite his lack of experience.
If you asked anybody around the Cubs or baseball what Ross’ strength as a manager would be, most would tell you his ability as a communicator. But after some honest self-scouting this offseason, Ross says that forte is what he wants to improve most.
“If I could go back, I probably would be a little less patient and push some ideas I had or talk a little more baseball [with players],” Ross said. “I’ve talked to multiple players, and I think the guys want more conversation from me because I tried to separate that manager-player spot [in me] at times.
“So maybe just a little bit more communication from me on where I think we can have things that are short term. . . . I just wish I would have brought some stuff to guys a little bit earlier that I saw, but I tried to be patient and trust in their adjustment abilities.”
The relationship between Ross and his players always has been his foundation. As his responsibilities have changed, going from player to special adviser to manager, he’s trying to ensure that he’s always on the same page with his coaching staff.
“That’s the one that’s really hit home: the dynamic where I was out of baseball and had a lot of relationships with the front office,” he said. “Obviously playing, I know what it’s like to be a player; I know what it’s like to communicate with those guys. And [with] those guys, we have built up respect and friendships. But managing a coaching staff was definitely different, where you have men and communicate with them about your wants and needs.
“Just keeping those lines of communication open. I think I can do a better job at that. I wouldn’t say I was terrible. I just want to continue to build on the relationships with my coaches and get in there with those guys and find the time to interact with everybody. You’re trying to touch all bases.”
The Cubs went 34-26 and captured the National League Central for the first time since 2017. But as he goes into Year 2 of his tenure, Ross is looking to take his game to another level.
During the 2020 season, he often deferred to his experiences as a player because, frankly, that was the only thing he could lean on while learning on the job. As expected, there were growing pains along the way, and he had to deal with an evaporating offense, a struggling closer and, of course, the requisite highs and lows of a season. Oh, yeah, and he also had the daily task of guiding a team through a global pandemic.
But Ross fared well and now has some managerial experience under his belt. And after a few months spent evaluating his performance, he’ll continue to be his own worst critic as he makes adjustments in 2021.
“I think everybody’s hard on themselves in this job because you want to be better,” Ross said.
“The wins are awesome and you turn the page, and the losses you kind of agonize over and carry into the night and try to be a new guy the next day and come in with a fresh attitude.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Piping plover who hatched on Montrose Beach spotted alive and well in Florida

Some good news in an otherwise bleak year : A Piping Plover born this year on Montrose Beach has been spotted alive and well in Florida .
Chicago Piping Plover , a conservation group focused on protecting the endangered species , confirmed that Nish , a chick born on Montrose Beach earlier this year , successfully landed in Florida .
The bird was spotted in Anclote Key State Park , just north of Tampa .
“ For all of us who have followed Nish ’ s growth from an egg on the beach at Montrose in May , to hatching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and migrating in August , it ’ s incredibly gratifying to see this healthy Great Lakes Piping Plover foraging independently , ” the conservation group wrote in an online post .
The birds made headlines in June 2019 when a music festival on Montrose Beach threatened to upset the environment where two Piping Plovers , nicknamed Monty and Rose , had just laid their eggs .
The festival was ultimately canceled , and the endangered birds , whose numbers had been dwindling in the Great Lakes region , were able to hatch their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Monty and Rose returned to the beach , and Nish , along with two other chicks , hatched in June .

Some good news in an otherwise bleak year: A piping plover born this year on Montrose Beach has been spotted alive and well in Florida.
Chicago Piping Plover, a conservation group focused on protecting the endangered species, confirmed that Nish, a chick born on Montrose Beach earlier this year, successfully landed in Florida. The bird was spotted in Anclote Key State Park, just north of Tampa.
“For all of us who have followed Nish’s growth from an egg on the beach at Montrose in May, to hatching in June, fledging in July, and migrating in August, it’s incredibly gratifying to see this healthy Great Lakes Piping Plover foraging independently,” the conservation group wrote in an online post.
Danny Sauvageau, who describes himself as a “citizen scientist,” snapped the photo of Nish on Dec. 15. He’s been documenting and photographing shorebirds since 2013.
“I use a 400mm camera lens and tons of patience to get the proper angle and lighting to read these tiny numbers,” he said. “So far I have documented 248 different Piping Plover in my area.”
Rose, Nish’s mother, was also spotted in Florida. Danny Sauvageau
Rose, Nish’s mother, was also spotted in the Sunshine State. Both birds were photographed with tracking bands visible on their legs.
The birds made headlines in June 2019 when a music festival on Montrose Beach threatened to upset the environment where Rose and another plover, Monty, had just laid their eggs. The festival was ultimately canceled, and the endangered birds, whose numbers had been dwindling in the Great Lakes region, were able to hatch their chicks in peace.
This past May, Monty and Rose returned to the beach, and Nish, along with two other chicks, hatched in June.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-16--Black lawmakers in Springfield look to take on criminal justice reform, systemic racism in lame duck

Black lawmakers in Springfield look to take on criminal justice reform, systemic racism in lame duck session

Sen. Kimberly Lightford said Wednesday she ’ s lost a lot of sleep trying to create an agenda that the Legislative Black Caucus , and her colleagues in the General Assembly , could unite around .
“ I thought over and over again how to make sure that it was all based on data and facts and that it was solid , because I ’ ve been a legislator too long to not understand the nuances , ” Lightford , the current chair of the Legislative Black Caucus , said .
“ This time there was an opportunity to leverage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caucus to come together , more unified than ever , to take action.
” Comparing this year ’ s agenda and planning process to policy plans of previous years , Lightford said caucus members wanted to engage their colleagues and “ make sure we ’ re learning ” together .
The idea behind their agenda was to address the question : “ What impedes the growth and prosperity of black Americans ?
” Lightford said .
Following the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis , the Maywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first thing caucus members “ acknowledged ” was the need for criminal justice reform .
Lightford , the Senate majority leader , said the group plans to introduce four omnibus bills — one for each of the pillars outlined in their agenda — when legislators convene Jan. 13 , ahead of the swearing in of new members .
Those four pillars are criminal justice reform , violence reduction and police accountability ; education and workforce development ; economic access , equity and opportunity ; and health care and human services .
The caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall and has had its own meetings with advocacy groups from all sides to craft and draft the legislation , the senator said .
Among other things , the bill on criminal justice reform will address intervention and conflict de-escalation , limiting the circumstances where use of force is justifiable and officer wellness .
It will include a statutory restriction of qualified immunity , a legal exception that keeps police officers and other public officials from being personally liable for constitutional violations .
The bill on education and workforce development will include a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates an American history commission that will review K-12 standards , requirements and assessments for history lessons .
The bill will look at how to “ create a well informed , tolerant and equitable society through education and history , ” Lightford said .
“ We want to do all that we can to make sure we get this right , ” Lightford said .
Those bills will be first introduced in the state Senate , Lightford said .
The bills for the other two pillars will begin in the House and will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Camille Lilly , who are both Democrats from Chicago , Lightford said .
“ We ’ re building this black agenda focused on these pillars so that we can confirm the foundational causes of systemic racism and oppression across Illinois , in particular in our government and policy , that impedes the growth and progress of the black community , ” Lightford said , adding : “ We want to address these inequities.
” The caucus will get an overview of the language of the bills before the end of the week and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the next couple of days into the language of the bills , she said .
The senator said she believes the caucus will be successful in passing its agenda .
Many of her colleagues in both chambers of the assembly have been engaged with the work , Lightford said .
“ I feel very optimistic that we ’ ll finally begin to embrace our differences and come together in solidarity to end this era of ... systemic racism that has plagued our communities for far too long , ” Lightford said @

Sen. Kimberly Lightford said Wednesday she’s lost a lot of sleep trying to create an agenda that the Legislative Black Caucus, and her colleagues in the General Assembly, could unite around.
“I thought over and over again how to make sure that it was all based on data and facts and that it was solid, because I’ve been a legislator too long to not understand the nuances,” Lightford, the current chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, said. “This time there was an opportunity to leverage the moment of unrest that led our caucus to come together, more unified than ever, to take action.”
Comparing this year’s agenda and planning process to policy plans of previous years, Lightford said caucus members wanted to engage their colleagues and “make sure we’re learning” together.
At 5:30 p.m. Thursday night, the caucus is holding a virtual online forum for residents to weigh in on their plans.
The idea behind their agenda was to address the question: “What impedes the growth and prosperity of black Americans?” Lightford said.
Following the unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, the Maywood Democrat said in an interview that the first thing caucus members “acknowledged” was the need for criminal justice reform.
Lightford, the Senate majority leader, said the group plans to introduce four omnibus bills — one for each of the pillars outlined in their agenda — when legislators convene Jan. 13, ahead of the swearing in of new members.
Those four pillars are criminal justice reform, violence reduction and police accountability; education and workforce development; economic access, equity and opportunity; and health care and human services.
The caucus had subject matter hearings throughout the early fall and has had its own meetings with advocacy groups from all sides to craft and draft the legislation, the senator said.
Among other things, the bill on criminal justice reform will address intervention and conflict de-escalation, limiting the circumstances where use of force is justifiable and officer wellness. It will include a statutory restriction of qualified immunity, a legal exception that keeps police officers and other public officials from being personally liable for constitutional violations.
The bill on education and workforce development will include a proposal for Black history curriculum reform and creates an American history commission that will review K-12 standards, requirements and assessments for history lessons. The bill will look at how to “create a well informed, tolerant and equitable society through education and history,” Lightford said.
“We want to do all that we can to make sure we get this right,” Lightford said.
Those bills will be first introduced in the state Senate, Lightford said. The bills for the other two pillars will begin in the House and will be spearheaded by Reps. Sonya Harper and Camille Lilly, who are both Democrats from Chicago, Lightford said.
“We’re building this black agenda focused on these pillars so that we can confirm the foundational causes of systemic racism and oppression across Illinois, in particular in our government and policy, that impedes the growth and progress of the black community,” Lightford said, adding: “We want to address these inequities.”
The caucus will get an overview of the language of the bills before the end of the week and they’ll “take deeper dives” in the next couple of days into the language of the bills, she said.
The senator said she believes the caucus will be successful in passing its agenda. Many of her colleagues in both chambers of the assembly have been engaged with the work, Lightford said.
“I feel very optimistic that we’ll finally begin to embrace our differences and come together in solidarity to end this era of ... systemic racism that has plagued our communities for far too long,” Lightford said.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-17--Bald eagle and Moses: Aaron Yetter drops a vivid analogy (and photo) from the aerial waterfowl surve

Bald eagle and Moses: Aaron Yetter drops a vivid analogy (and photo) from the aerial waterfowl survey

Aaron Yetter ’ s latest blog off the weekly aerial waterfowl survey for the Illinois Natural History Survey included a wonderful account and photo of a bald eagle parting a flock of ducks .
As to duck numbers , they still remain good , but building ice and the end of seasons impacts hunters .
Click here for the listings of aerial surveys by the Illinois Natural History Survey .
Keep up with research updates and aerial surveys at the Forbes Biological Station Facebook page .
We made it back into the air on Tuesday , December 15th following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low 20 ’ s .
Consequently , ice returned to many areas along both rivers .
Total duck numbers remained 50 % and 43 % above average along the Illinois ( 240,805 ducks ) and central Mississippi rivers ( 554,885 ducks ) .
Mallards were the dominant species encountered and represented 74 % of the total ducks along the Illinois River and 60 % of total ducks on the Mississippi River .
Northern pintail , green-winged teal , and ring-necked ducks were still plentiful in many locations .
The North Zone duck season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducting the survey , and the Central Zone season will close on December 22nd .
Despite the ample number of ducks , ice and poor hunting success have prompted many duck hunters in the northern half of the state to pack it in for the year .
Many reports suggest it was a poor duck season at best along both rivers .
Maybe goose hunters will have better luck as we head into the frozen winter season .
We witnessed a spectacular sight at Ted Shanks Conservation Area in Missouri on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and northern pintail , a young bald eagle decided to buzz the flock .
Eagles often fly low over flocks of waterfowl looking for sick or injured birds to prey upon .
This eagle parted the flock of ducks much like Moses parted the Red Sea back in Biblical times ( Exodus 14 ) .
Fortunately for the ducks , the eagle failed to snatch a bird .
Be careful out there !
For more information about the waterfowl survey , check out our webpage at www.bellrose.org .
Stay tuned for more updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a refresher on Moses parting the Red Sea , click here for the account in Exodus 14 from Biblegateway.com .

Aaron Yetter’slatest blog off the weekly aerial waterfowl survey for the Illinois Natural History Survey included a wonderful account and photo of a bald eagle parting a flock of ducks.
As to duck numbers, they still remain good, but building ice and the end of seasons impacts hunters.
Click herefor the listings of aerial surveys by the Illinois Natural History Survey. Keep up with research updates and aerial surveys at the Forbes Biological Station Facebook page.
Here is Yetter’s latest blog:
December 16th, 2020 – Aerial Waterfowl Inventory Blog We made it back into the air on Tuesday, December 15th following a couple of nights with temperatures in the low 20’s. Consequently, ice returned to many areas along both rivers. Total duck numbers remained 50% and 43% above average along the Illinois (240,805 ducks) and central Mississippi rivers (554,885 ducks). Mallards were the dominant species encountered and represented 74% of the total ducks along the Illinois River and 60% of total ducks on the Mississippi River. Northern pintail, green-winged teal, and ring-necked ducks were still plentiful in many locations. The North Zone duck season in Illinois was closing as we were conducting the survey, and the Central Zone season will close on December 22nd. Despite the ample number of ducks, ice and poor hunting success have prompted many duck hunters in the northern half of the state to pack it in for the year. Many reports suggest it was a poor duck season at best along both rivers. Maybe goose hunters will have better luck as we head into the frozen winter season. We witnessed a spectacular sight at Ted Shanks Conservation Area in Missouri on Tuesday. As we viewed this flock of mallards and northern pintail, a young bald eagle decided to buzz the flock. Eagles often fly low over flocks of waterfowl looking for sick or injured birds to prey upon. This eagle parted the flock of ducks much like Moses parted the Red Sea back in Biblical times (Exodus 14). Fortunately for the ducks, the eagle failed to snatch a bird. Be careful out there! For more information about the waterfowl survey, check out our webpage at www.bellrose.org. Stay tuned for more updates next week…….
In case you need a refresher on Moses parting the Red Sea, click here for the account in Exodus 14 from Biblegateway.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-17--Dear Abby: Man misses out on time with his child because he’s outside smoking

DEAR ABBY : My husband is smart , hard-working and a wonderful father to our young son .
We hope to grow our family .
However , my husband is a cigarette smoker and extremely defensive about any suggestion about him possibly quitting .
Both of his parents passed away from cancer relatively young , and his mother was a smoker , too .
I ’ m terrified he will get sick and die young .
Not only that , he constantly misses precious moments with our son , who stands at the window and cries when he sees his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming resentful of the constant breaks he takes while I sit inside comforting our son .
I have tried reasoning with him and suggesting we ask a doctor for help , but he shuts me down and gets angry .
How can I try to approach it again ?
— ANTI-SMOKER IN COLORADO DEAR ANTI-SMOKER : You fell in love with an addict .
Your husband is addicted to tobacco and appears not to understand or care about how it may affect himself or you and his son in the coming years .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ your husband for now and ask your doctor to refer you to a support group for friends and family members of people with a smoking addiction .
DEAR ABBY : My ex had a prior relationship with my cousin “ Earl.
” When she talked about her past relationships , a common theme emerged .
Her partners were emotionally abusive — cheating , berating her , throwing rage fits where they screamed in her face and threw things .
My own history is similar .
My partners have done the same to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such behavior . )
Earl told her he still has feelings for her , despite the emotional abuse he had inflicted upon her .
I confronted him and told him that what he did was inappropriate .
Abby , when she heard about it , she dumped me and tried to get back together with Earl !
My cousin , having done work to remedy his issues , rejected her outright .
He told her it would never work between them despite the lingering feelings .
Now she has come back to me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Should I take her back ?
— SO MIXED-UP DEAR SO MIXED-UP : Heck no .
This woman has made clear that you are her second choice .
Please don ’ t take her up on her offer .
You can ’ t fix what ’ s wrong with this very mixed-up woman , and you shouldn ’ t waste your time trying because if you do , she will only cause you more pain .
DEAR ABBY : A man and a woman liked ( and loved ) each other in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different people .
After a decade , the man sends wedding anniversary wishes to the woman on Facebook .
Without any reply , the next day the woman blocks the man , and on the second day she deactivates her account on FB .
What does it mean ?
— MYSTIFIED IN THE MIDDLE EAST DEAR MYSTIFIED : It means the long-ago chapter of your storybook teen romance is over .
She has moved on and so should you .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: My husband is smart, hard-working and a wonderful father to our young son. We hope to grow our family. However, my husband is a cigarette smoker and extremely defensive about any suggestion about him possibly quitting.
Both of his parents passed away from cancer relatively young, and his mother was a smoker, too. I’m terrified he will get sick and die young. Not only that, he constantly misses precious moments with our son, who stands at the window and cries when he sees his father go outside. I’m becoming resentful of the constant breaks he takes while I sit inside comforting our son.
I have tried reasoning with him and suggesting we ask a doctor for help, but he shuts me down and gets angry. How can I try to approach it again? — ANTI-SMOKER IN COLORADO
DEAR ANTI-SMOKER: You fell in love with an addict. Your husband is addicted to tobacco and appears not to understand or care about how it may affect himself or you and his son in the coming years. My advice would be to stop pressuring your husband for now and ask your doctor to refer you to a support group for friends and family members of people with a smoking addiction.
DEAR ABBY: My ex had a prior relationship with my cousin “Earl.” When she talked about her past relationships, a common theme emerged. Her partners were emotionally abusive — cheating, berating her, throwing rage fits where they screamed in her face and threw things. My own history is similar. My partners have done the same to me. (I do not engage in such behavior.)
Earl told her he still has feelings for her, despite the emotional abuse he had inflicted upon her. I confronted him and told him that what he did was inappropriate. Abby, when she heard about it, she dumped me and tried to get back together with Earl!
My cousin, having done work to remedy his issues, rejected her outright. He told her it would never work between them despite the lingering feelings. Now she has come back to me, saying she wants a serious relationship. Should I take her back? — SO MIXED-UP
DEAR SO MIXED-UP: Heck no. This woman has made clear that you are her second choice. Please don’t take her up on her offer. You can’t fix what’s wrong with this very mixed-up woman, and you shouldn’t waste your time trying because if you do, she will only cause you more pain.
DEAR ABBY: A man and a woman liked (and loved) each other in their teenage years, but they married different people. After a decade, the man sends wedding anniversary wishes to the woman on Facebook. Without any reply, the next day the woman blocks the man, and on the second day she deactivates her account on FB. What does it mean? — MYSTIFIED IN THE MIDDLE EAST
DEAR MYSTIFIED: It means the long-ago chapter of your storybook teen romance is over. She has moved on and so should you.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.