chicagosun-times--2020-04-28--Post-pandemic recovery depends on ‘a whole new class of jobs’ to help people feel safe in public aga

Post-pandemic recovery depends on ‘a whole new class of jobs’ to help people feel safe in public again, Lightfoot says (LIVE UPDATES)

Post-pandemic recovery depends on ‘ a whole new class of jobs ’ to help people feel safe in public again , Lightfoot says Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she expects a “ whole new class of jobs that didn ’ t exist before ” to be created by the need to reassure people it ’ s safe begin congregating in public again .
From mandatory temperature checks to contact tracing , Lightfoot said Chicagoans who have lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic could find new ones when the twice-extended stay-at-home order is finally lifted .
“ There are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that didn ’ t exist before that are gon na be coming out of our thoughts about what recovery and opening up the city looks like , ” the mayor said .
“ There ’ s gon na be a whole category of new people that are gon na be working for businesses and buildings .
Their job ... is gon na be making sure that people that enter those premises are well .
… We ’ re gon na be able to ultimately employ more people because it ’ s going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming into congregate settings again.
” Irvin Kaage Jr. and his wife Muriel were known as the couple behind the Kaage ’ s Corner newsstand on Northwest Highway that ’ s been a mainstay in Edison Park for 77 years .
To family members , though , they will always be remembered for the enduring love story that spanned seven decades before the coronavirus brought it to an end this week .
Irv Jr. , 92 , died Sunday at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge , and Muriel , 90 , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
Just before Irv ’ s death , the hospital moved their beds together so they could hold hands , said their son , Irv III .
It was a fitting end to the story the Kaages always delighted in telling — and retelling .
More than 200 residents and staff of a Cicero nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19 , while 10 of them — including one staff member — have died from the disease , city officials announced Tuesday .
At least 163 residents and 41 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at City View Multicare Center , 5825 W. Cermak Rd.
, according to the results released Tuesday afternoon by city spokesman Ray Hanania .
The deaths at the nearly 500-bed facility include nine residents and one employee who died in the last two days , Hanania said .
The test results come after state health officials mandated last week that the City View test every resident and member of the facility .
Test results are still pending for 39 staff members .
Cicero officials have complained about City View ’ s health safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works to improve the safety of its residents .
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday meant to stave off a shortage of chicken , pork and other meat on American supermarket shelves because of the coronavirus .
The order will use the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as critical infrastructure to keep production plants open .
The order comes after industry leaders warned that consumers could see meat shortages in a matter of days after workers at major facilities tested positive for the virus .
A senior White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to prevent a situation in which a majority of processing plants shut down for a period of time , which could lead to an 80 % drop in the availability of meat in supermarkets .
The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the order before its release .
While you ’ re keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and other owners at the dog park , be sure to give your pet equal distance from other animals : the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends pet owners isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close contact with other animals after two domestic cats in New York tested positive for the virus .
From a New York Times report last week : The CDC says in the advisory that “ based on the limited information available to date , the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low .
A small number of pets have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 , mostly after contact with people with COVID-19.
” “ At this time , there is no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spreading the virus that causes COVID-19 , ” the agency asserts .
But if you or someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19 , it recommends limiting contact .
If your pet displays symptoms of a possible respiratory infection , you should contact your veterinarian .
For more information , visit the CDC ’ s guide to “ COVID-19 and Animals.
” 2:30 p.m. Record-high 144 people die in Illinois from COVID-19 as state toll surpasses 2,000 Health officials on Tuesday said another 144 people in Illinois have died from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a day as the pandemic ’ s toll surpassed 2,000 fatalities .
Officials also reported 2,219 newly confirmed cases , raising the state ’ s total to 48,102 , officials said .
Those were the latest numbers as the state received 14,561 test results Monday .
In all , 2,125 people have died of the coronavirus in the state .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s administration last week acknowledged the state was experiencing a peak period regarding COVID-19 fatalities that could stretch into the first week of May .
Pritzker ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between 50 and 150 deaths on those days .
The state previously saw two days in which 125 people died .
But Tuesday ’ s fatality count set a new high .
Pritzker ’ s office on Tuesday said there were 4,738 COVID-19 patients in the state ’ s hospitals as of midnight Monday , which was 66 patients more compared to Sunday .
There were also an additional 15 COVID-19 patients on ventilators in that same time period .
Read the latest from today ’ s news conference here .
Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private donations to provide $ 5,000 grants to microbusinesses affected by the coronavirus .
Plans call for the $ 5 million Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program to swiftly award up to 1,000 grants to enterprises in low- to moderate-income areas .
The city ’ s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will administer the program with help from five community organizations .
Applications will be open until May 4 .
City officials promised the grants will be awarded just a week later , by May 11 , under a lottery .
To qualify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have four or fewer employees , less than $ 250,000 in annual revenue and experienced a 25 % decrease in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak .
All recipients must have been in business for at least a year .
1 p.m .
Founder of South Side nonprofit doles out COVID-19 supplies to hard hit black community Diane Latiker has never been one to wait for others to solve problems .
After all , she started her nonprofit Kids Off the Block 16 years ago by opening up her own living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence , quickly gaining national recognition that included being honored as a CNN hero and one of L ’ Oreal Paris ’ Women of Worth .
Before the spotlight was turned on the disproportionate COVID-19 deaths among African Americans — and social determinants fueling them — Latiker knew the disadvantaged population she served in Roseland would be hard hit .
After the Chicago Public Schools closed March 17 , Latiker and her husband set up a donated tent at 115th Street & Michigan Avenue , offering burgers , chips and juice to hungry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my bedroom watching all the devastating coronavirus news and feeling afraid , even with my faith as strong as it is .
So I prayed , and it came to me , ” said the 63-year-old mother of eight and grandmother of 15 .
11:12 a.m. White House vows to send Illinois 20K swabs per day in May to expand testing : Pritzker Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said the White House has vowed to send Illinois 20,000 swabs a day for the month of May in order to ramp up testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state needs to obtain more swabs , reagents and VTMs [ viral transport medium ] — all needed to process COVID-19 tests .
“ We ’ ve done a pretty good job in Illinois of acquiring our own supplies , but now the White House is getting engaged and they ’ re promising to deliver to us for the month of May about 20,000 swabs per day , which is very important ” Pritzker said on NBC ’ s “ Today Show ” on Tuesday .
“ We ’ re currently doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so having 20,000 additional swabs will help us.
” Pritzker said Illinois is already in the top 10 among states for volume of daily COVID-19 testing .
Illinois has seen five consecutive days of more than 10,000 test results , which was the original benchmark set by Pritzker .
Still , some experts say that testing rate is far from the daily total needed before states can consider lifting guidelines that encourage social distancing .
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Romer has said that half the country should get tested each week , amounting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Last week , President Trump said both Illinois and Maryland “ didn ’ t understand ” their testing capacities .
Pritzker in turn said Trump didn ’ t understand the difference between testing capacity and getting testing results .
The governor last week said Illinois had the machines , but not all supplies needed to run the tests .
“ You need everything from swabs to VTM – viral transport medium – to RNA extractor reagent .
And if you don ’ t have those…then you can ’ t run a test , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the recent ruling by a downstate judge that challenged his stay-at-home order extension in his appearance on the talk show Tuesday .
Watch the full segment here .
9:59 a.m. What reopening looks like in states lifting lockdowns In Georgia , Gov .
Brian Kemp is pushing one of the most aggressive reopening plans in the United States .
Barbershops , gyms and nail salons were allowed to reopen Friday , and dine-in restaurant service and movie screenings were freed to resume Monday — despite warnings that , without sufficient testing , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Even there , though , life was far from normal Monday .
Patrons went to restaurants with X ’ s on some tables , chatted across the room to one another and gave orders to servers whose faces were covered by masks .
In Maryland , Gov .
Larry Hogan envisions a phased reopening — something the federal government also advocates .
First small shops could open , and some outdoor recreation could resume , then perhaps restaurants and bars .
Phase three , which the administration cautions it has no realistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger social gatherings and high-capacity bars , restaurants and entertainment venues could reopen .
Even with strict rules in place , it ’ s a delicate dance , as Dennis McKinley learned this weekend .
He had planned to open two of the three branches of his restaurant , The Original Hot Dog Factory , for dine-in service in the Atlanta area .
He reversed himself Monday after getting about 40 calls from politicians , community leaders and customers urging him to keep diners out .
8:42 a.m .
Mask safety tips : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s new executive order takes effect Friday , masks will be required in all public places where people can ’ t maintain a 6-foot social distance .
With shortages of personal protective equipment continuing across the country , many Illinoisans will need to buy or make homemade face coverings to meet Pritzker ’ s guidelines .
We asked experts to answer some frequently asked questions about mask safety .
How should it fit ?
A medical or cloth mask covers the face from the bridge of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chin .
It ’ s held in place by loops around the ears .
Never drop one side to talk , as that defeats the purpose of the mask .
Unlike an N95 mask , which fits tightly around the nose and mouth , a medical or cloth mask will have gaps near the ears .
Still , either type offers better protection than a bandana , which tends to gap right under the mouth , says Jill Crittenden , a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be washed daily in soapy water and run through a dryer on low heat or hung to dry .
Disposable medical masks should sit for a week before being used again .
Crittenden says she has seven medical masks labeled “ Monday , ” “ Tuesday , ” “ Wednesday ” and so forth , which she rotates from week to week .
Read the full story from Stephanie Zimmerman here .
7:02 a.m. ‘ There may be people who contract coronavirus ’ as a result of state rep. ’ s suit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge on Monday agreed with a Republican legislator that Democratic Gov .
J.B. Pritzker lacks the legal authority to force him to stay home past 30 days during the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s a decision that only applies to the Southern Illinois lawmaker – state Rep. Darren Bailey – but the governor said it will endanger all Illinoisans and open the door for others to file suit .
Pritzker was made aware of Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney ’ s ruling Monday afternoon during his live COVID-19 briefing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision to take to the courts to try and dismantle public health directives designed to keep people safe is an insult to all Illinoisans that have been lost during this COVID-19 crisis , and it ’ s a danger to millions of people who may get ill because of his recklessness , ” Pritzker said .
“ At best , no one is better off because of this ruling , and at worst , people ’ s health and safety will suffer tremendously in Illinois.
” The filing , which sought a temporary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Pritzker ’ s decision limited “ Bailey ’ s constitutionally protected freedoms in that it ordered him to stay at home , or at his place of residence , as well as limited his ability to travel within the state.
” Read the full report from Tina Sfondeles here .
6:51 a.m. El Milagro closes tortilla factory for two weeks after employee dies from coronavirus Midwest tortilla giant El Milagro has shut down one of its factories in Chicago for two weeks after a worker died from the coronavirus earlier this month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the weekend and obtained by the Sun-Times , the company said it was “ deeply saddened to learn about the death of one of our longtime sanitation employees due to complications from COVID-19.
” El Milagro said the deceased worker — who was not named in the letter — had not been at the plant at 2919 S. Western Ave. since April 9 and that two additional employees have since tested positive for the virus while four others are showing symptoms .
The company said it is closing the plant for two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can sanitize the facility .
All employees scheduled to work at the facility “ will be paid ( 40 hours per week ) during this time off , ” El Milagro said .
The Los Angeles Lakers have repaid a loan of roughly $ 4.6 million from coronavirus business relief funds after learning the program had been depleted .
The Lakers applied for the loan under the Small Business Administration ’ s Paycheck Protection Program , a part of the federal government ’ s $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package .
The Lakers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of distribution , but after the fund ran out of money in less than two weeks , the team returned its loan , as did several wealthier business including Shake Shack and AutoNation .
“ The Lakers qualified for and received a loan under the Payroll Protection Program , ” the statement read .
“ However , once we found out the funds from the program had been depleted , we repaid the loan so that financial support would be directed to those most in need .
The Lakers remain completely committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” • Eighteen employees at a Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant in Chicago have tested positive for COVID-19 since the end of March .
• Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced 50 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Illinois , bringing the state ’ s total lives lost to 1,983 .
With 1,980 more positive cases reported Monday , the state ’ s tally is 45,883 , state officials said .
• Chicago police announced Monday 21 more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the number of confirmed cases in the department to 414 .
A Downstate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker no longer has the authority to order folks to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic .
As a matter of law and the Illinois Constitution , that ’ s debatable .
We ’ ll just have to wait for reviews by higher courts as to whether Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney got his legal thinking right .
But as a matter of good public policy to keep people safe , there ’ s no debate at all .
Pritzker ’ s initial stay-at-home order on March 20 and his recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus and undoubtedly have saved thousands of lives .
We can only urge our fellow Illinois residents to continue to follow the governor ’ s executive order , even in highly conservative Clay County , where as of Tuesday morning there were only two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths .
Read the full editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board .
6:17 a.m .
In fight against COVID-19 , house party is a slap in the face There ’ s no point in trying to shame the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowded throw-down over the weekend .
It wouldn ’ t do much good .
But this incident shows how disconnected this demographic is from the rest of the city .
The house party , which allegedly took place in the Galewood community on the West Side , was captured on video and posted on the TMZ website .
But the blatant disregard of the state ’ s stay-at-home order is more than an embarrassing moment .
It is a slap in the face of a black mayor who is desperately trying to enforce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more on columnist Mary Mitchell ’ s perspective here .
6:08 a.m. Let prisoners go during COVID-19 pandemic Across the United States and across the world , prisoners are among the most vulnerable to the coronavirus .
Overcrowded facilities , shortages of food and medicine , and totally inadequate testing expose prisoners who are disproportionately poor and afflicted with prior conditions that render them vulnerable to the disease .
Prisoners increasingly are protesting their conditions , objecting to being sentenced to die in prison .
The United States locks up more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , largely because of harsh and wrong-headed policies .
Fifty-five thousand are detained in jail awaiting trials , too poor to pay for their freedom under the current cash bail system that is prevalent in many states .
Read more from Rev .
Jesse Jackson here .

Health officials on Tuesday said another 144 people in Illinois have died from COVID-19, marking the highest number of deaths in a day as the pandemic’s toll surpassed 2,000 fatalities.
Here’s what happen in Chicago and around the state as the coronavirus pandemic continued.
News
8:57 p.m. Post-pandemic recovery depends on ‘a whole new class of jobs’ to help people feel safe in public again, Lightfoot says
Temperature checks, like this one being conducted outside a courts complex in Greece this week, could be required to enter City Hall and other buildings once shelter-in-place orders are lifted, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday. AP
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she expects a “whole new class of jobs that didn’t exist before” to be created by the need to reassure people it’s safe begin congregating in public again.
From mandatory temperature checks to contact tracing, Lightfoot said Chicagoans who have lost jobs during the coronavirus pandemic could find new ones when the twice-extended stay-at-home order is finally lifted.
“There are going to be a whole new class of jobs that didn’t exist before that are gonna be coming out of our thoughts about what recovery and opening up the city looks like,” the mayor said.
“There’s gonna be a whole category of new people that are gonna be working for businesses and buildings. Their job ... is gonna be making sure that people that enter those premises are well. … We’re gonna be able to ultimately employ more people because it’s going to be necessary for us to feel secure coming into congregate settings again.”
Read the full story by Fran Spielman.
8:21 p.m. U. of C. gets $500K to bolster South Side coronavirus testing, while Humboldt Park opens site
University of Chicago Medicine received a $500,000 donation that will help bolster coronavirus testing efforts at clinics and community hospitals in South Side communities that have been hit hard by the disease.
The financial support will enable U. of C. and its partners to expand testing to 1,000 people a day, according to a statement Tuesday. Uninsured patients will be tested for free, while those with health insurance will simply have their provider billed and won’t be subjected to co-pays.
The grant funding comes from the nonprofit United Health Foundation, which was established by the UnitedHealth Group, a publicly traded health care firm based in Minneapolis. The donation is part of the company’s initial $70 million commitment to fight COVID-19 and support areas that have been disproportionately affected by the virus.
Read the full story from reporter Tom Schuba here.
7:54 p.m. Oscars revamp rules; streaming films now eligible but for 1 year only
LOS ANGELES — Movies that debuted on a streaming service without a theatrical run will be eligible for the Oscars, but only this year.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences on Tuesday announced the change for the 93rd Academy Awards as a response to how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted the film industry.
The film academy also said it will condense the two sound categories into one and prohibit DVD screeners for 2022’s 94th Oscars in an effort to become more carbon neutral.
Read the full report here.
7:04 p.m. Edison Park mainstays’ 7-decade love story ends with coronavirus deaths 36 hours apart
Irvin Kaage Jr. and his wife Muriel were known as the couple behind the Kaage’s Corner newsstand on Northwest Highway that’s been a mainstay in Edison Park for 77 years.
To family members, though, they will always be remembered for the enduring love story that spanned seven decades before the coronavirus brought it to an end this week.
Irv Jr., 92, died Sunday at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, and Muriel, 90, followed barely 36 hours later. Both had tested positive for COVID-19.
Just before Irv’s death, the hospital moved their beds together so they could hold hands, said their son, Irv III.
It was a fitting end to the story the Kaages always delighted in telling — and retelling.
Read Mark Brown’s full column here.
5:30 p.m. 10 die from COVID-19 at Cicero nursing home, including employee
More than 200 residents and staff of a Cicero nursing home have tested positive for COVID-19, while 10 of them — including one staff member — have died from the disease, city officials announced Tuesday.
At least 163 residents and 41 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at City View Multicare Center, 5825 W. Cermak Rd., according to the results released Tuesday afternoon by city spokesman Ray Hanania.
The deaths at the nearly 500-bed facility include nine residents and one employee who died in the last two days, Hanania said. The test results come after state health officials mandated last week that the City View test every resident and member of the facility. Test results are still pending for 39 staff members.
Cicero officials have complained about City View’s health safety record, and hope the facility improves works to improve the safety of its residents.
Read the full story here.
4 p.m. Trump to sign order keeping meat processing plants open
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order Tuesday meant to stave off a shortage of chicken, pork and other meat on American supermarket shelves because of the coronavirus.
The order will use the Defense Production Act to classify meat processing as critical infrastructure to keep production plants open.
The order comes after industry leaders warned that consumers could see meat shortages in a matter of days after workers at major facilities tested positive for the virus.
A senior White House official said the administration was working to prevent a situation in which a majority of processing plants shut down for a period of time, which could lead to an 80% drop in the availability of meat in supermarkets. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the order before its release.
Read the full story here.
2:40 p.m. CDC now recommends social distancing for pets
Tina Sfondeles/Sun-Times
While you’re keeping 6 feet of distance between yourself and other owners at the dog park, be sure to give your pet equal distance from other animals: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommends pet owners isolate their dogs, cats and hamsters from close contact with other animals after two domestic cats in New York tested positive for the virus.
From a New York Times report last week:
The cats, from different parts of the state, are showing only mild symptoms and are expected to be fine. The owners brought both cats to veterinarians because they showed symptoms of a respiratory infection. One owner had tested positive for the virus. No human in the other cat’s household tested positive.
The CDC says in the advisory that “based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low. A small number of pets have been reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after contact with people with COVID-19.”
“At this time, there is no evidence that animals play a significant role in spreading the virus that causes COVID-19,” the agency asserts. But if you or someone in your household has been diagnosed with COVID-19, it recommends limiting contact. If your pet displays symptoms of a possible respiratory infection, you should contact your veterinarian.
For more information, visit the CDC’s guide to “COVID-19 and Animals.”
2:30 p.m. Record-high 144 people die in Illinois from COVID-19 as state toll surpasses 2,000
Health officials on Tuesday said another 144 people in Illinois have died from COVID-19, marking the highest number of deaths in a day as the pandemic’s toll surpassed 2,000 fatalities.
Officials also reported 2,219 newly confirmed cases, raising the state’s total to 48,102, officials said. Those were the latest numbers as the state received 14,561 test results Monday.
In all, 2,125 people have died of the coronavirus in the state.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration last week acknowledged the state was experiencing a peak period regarding COVID-19 fatalities that could stretch into the first week of May. Pritzker’s team projections show a range of between 50 and 150 deaths on those days.
The state previously saw two days in which 125 people died. But Tuesday’s fatality count set a new high.
Pritzker’s office on Tuesday said there were 4,738 COVID-19 patients in the state’s hospitals as of midnight Monday, which was 66 patients more compared to Sunday. There were also an additional 15 COVID-19 patients on ventilators in that same time period.
Read the latest from today’s news conference here.
2:12 p.m. Mayor Lightfoot announces grant program for microbusinesses
Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a program Tuesday backed by private donations to provide $5,000 grants to microbusinesses affected by the coronavirus.
Plans call for the $5 million Microbusiness Recovery Grant Program to swiftly award up to 1,000 grants to enterprises in low- to moderate-income areas. The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection will administer the program with help from five community organizations.
Applications will be open until May 4. City officials promised the grants will be awarded just a week later, by May 11, under a lottery.
To qualify, businesses within the targeted neighborhoods must have four or fewer employees, less than $250,000 in annual revenue and experienced a 25% decrease in revenue as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. All recipients must have been in business for at least a year.
Read the full story here.
1 p.m. Founder of South Side nonprofit doles out COVID-19 supplies to hard hit black community
Diane Latiker has never been one to wait for others to solve problems.
After all, she started her nonprofit Kids Off the Block 16 years ago by opening up her own living room to at-risk youth to curb gang violence, quickly gaining national recognition that included being honored as a CNN hero and one of L’Oreal Paris’ Women of Worth.
Before the spotlight was turned on the disproportionate COVID-19 deaths among African Americans — and social determinants fueling them — Latiker knew the disadvantaged population she served in Roseland would be hard hit.
After the Chicago Public Schools closed March 17, Latiker and her husband set up a donated tent at 115th Street & Michigan Avenue, offering burgers, chips and juice to hungry youth.
“I was sitting in my bedroom watching all the devastating coronavirus news and feeling afraid, even with my faith as strong as it is. So I prayed, and it came to me,” said the 63-year-old mother of eight and grandmother of 15.
Read the full story here.
11:12 a.m. White House vows to send Illinois 20K swabs per day in May to expand testing: Pritzker
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said the White House has vowed to send Illinois 20,000 swabs a day for the month of May in order to ramp up testing capacity.
The Democratic governor has said the state needs to obtain more swabs, reagents and VTMs [viral transport medium] — all needed to process COVID-19 tests.
“We’ve done a pretty good job in Illinois of acquiring our own supplies, but now the White House is getting engaged and they’re promising to deliver to us for the month of May about 20,000 swabs per day, which is very important” Pritzker said on NBC’s “Today Show” on Tuesday. “We’re currently doing around 12,000 [tests] per day so having 20,000 additional swabs will help us.”
Pritzker said Illinois is already in the top 10 among states for volume of daily COVID-19 testing.
Illinois has seen five consecutive days of more than 10,000 test results, which was the original benchmark set by Pritzker. Still, some experts say that testing rate is far from the daily total needed before states can consider lifting guidelines that encourage social distancing. Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Romer has said that half the country should get tested each week, amounting to 23 million tests a day.
Last week, President Trump said both Illinois and Maryland “didn’t understand” their testing capacities. Pritzker in turn said Trump didn’t understand the difference between testing capacity and getting testing results.
The governor last week said Illinois had the machines, but not all supplies needed to run the tests.
“You need everything from swabs to VTM – viral transport medium – to RNA extractor reagent. And if you don’t have those…then you can’t run a test,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker also addressed the recent ruling by a downstate judge that challenged his stay-at-home order extension in his appearance on the talk show Tuesday. Watch the full segment here.
— Tina Sfondeles
9:59 a.m. What reopening looks like in states lifting lockdowns
In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp is pushing one of the most aggressive reopening plans in the United States. Barbershops, gyms and nail salons were allowed to reopen Friday, and dine-in restaurant service and movie screenings were freed to resume Monday — despite warnings that, without sufficient testing, the state could see a surge in infections.
Even there, though, life was far from normal Monday. Patrons went to restaurants with X’s on some tables, chatted across the room to one another and gave orders to servers whose faces were covered by masks.
In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan envisions a phased reopening — something the federal government also advocates. First small shops could open, and some outdoor recreation could resume, then perhaps restaurants and bars. Phase three, which the administration cautions it has no realistic time frame for reaching, would allow larger social gatherings and high-capacity bars, restaurants and entertainment venues could reopen.
Even with strict rules in place, it’s a delicate dance, as Dennis McKinley learned this weekend. He had planned to open two of the three branches of his restaurant, The Original Hot Dog Factory, for dine-in service in the Atlanta area. He reversed himself Monday after getting about 40 calls from politicians, community leaders and customers urging him to keep diners out.
Read the full story here.
8:42 a.m. Mask safety tips: Sizing questions, washing instructions and more
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new executive order takes effect Friday, masks will be required in all public places where people can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance. With shortages of personal protective equipment continuing across the country, many Illinoisans will need to buy or make homemade face coverings to meet Pritzker’s guidelines.
We asked experts to answer some frequently asked questions about mask safety.
How should it fit?
A medical or cloth mask covers the face from the bridge of the nose, over the mouth and under the chin. It’s held in place by loops around the ears. Never drop one side to talk, as that defeats the purpose of the mask.
Unlike an N95 mask, which fits tightly around the nose and mouth, a medical or cloth mask will have gaps near the ears. Still, either type offers better protection than a bandana, which tends to gap right under the mouth, says Jill Crittenden, a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who’s on the N95 consortium.
How should I clean a cloth mask?
Cloth masks should be washed daily in soapy water and run through a dryer on low heat or hung to dry.
Disposable medical masks should sit for a week before being used again. Crittenden says she has seven medical masks labeled “Monday,” “Tuesday,” “Wednesday” and so forth, which she rotates from week to week.
Read the full story from Stephanie Zimmerman here.
7:02 a.m. ‘There may be people who contract coronavirus’ as a result of state rep.’s suit over stay-at-home extension: Pritzker
A downstate judge on Monday agreed with a Republican legislator that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker lacks the legal authority to force him to stay home past 30 days during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s a decision that only applies to the Southern Illinois lawmaker – state Rep. Darren Bailey – but the governor said it will endanger all Illinoisans and open the door for others to file suit.
Pritzker was made aware of Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney’s ruling Monday afternoon during his live COVID-19 briefing.
“Rep. Darren Bailey’s decision to take to the courts to try and dismantle public health directives designed to keep people safe is an insult to all Illinoisans that have been lost during this COVID-19 crisis, and it’s a danger to millions of people who may get ill because of his recklessness,” Pritzker said. “At best, no one is better off because of this ruling, and at worst, people’s health and safety will suffer tremendously in Illinois.”
The filing, which sought a temporary restraining order against the stay-at-home order, said Pritzker’s decision limited “Bailey’s constitutionally protected freedoms in that it ordered him to stay at home, or at his place of residence, as well as limited his ability to travel within the state.”
Read the full report from Tina Sfondeles here.
6:51 a.m. El Milagro closes tortilla factory for two weeks after employee dies from coronavirus
Midwest tortilla giant El Milagro has shut down one of its factories in Chicago for two weeks after a worker died from the coronavirus earlier this month.
In a letter to employees sent over the weekend and obtained by the Sun-Times, the company said it was “deeply saddened to learn about the death of one of our longtime sanitation employees due to complications from COVID-19.”
El Milagro said the deceased worker — who was not named in the letter — had not been at the plant at 2919 S. Western Ave. since April 9 and that two additional employees have since tested positive for the virus while four others are showing symptoms.
The company said it is closing the plant for two weeks so that an outside cleaning company can sanitize the facility. All employees scheduled to work at the facility “will be paid (40 hours per week) during this time off,” El Milagro said.
Reporter Carlos Ballesteros has the full story.
6:19 a.m. Lakers return $4.6 million from coronavirus stimulus loan program
The Los Angeles Lakers have repaid a loan of roughly $4.6 million from coronavirus business relief funds after learning the program had been depleted.
The Lakers applied for the loan under the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, a part of the federal government’s $2.2 trillion stimulus package. The Lakers’ request was granted in the first round of distribution, but after the fund ran out of money in less than two weeks, the team returned its loan, as did several wealthier business including Shake Shack and AutoNation.
The Lakers issued a statement Monday confirming what happened.
“The Lakers qualified for and received a loan under the Payroll Protection Program,” the statement read. “However, once we found out the funds from the program had been depleted, we repaid the loan so that financial support would be directed to those most in need. The Lakers remain completely committed to supporting both our employees and our community.”
Read the full report here.
New cases
Eighteen employees at a Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant in Chicago have tested positive for COVID-19 since the end of March.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced 50 more confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Illinois, bringing the state’s total lives lost to 1,983. With 1,980 more positive cases reported Monday, the state’s tally is 45,883, state officials said.
Chicago police announced Monday 21 more cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the department to 414.
Analysis & Commentary
6.39 p.m. A foolish lawsuit threatens your hard work to fight COVID-19
A Downstate judge has ruled that Gov. J.B. Pritzker no longer has the authority to order folks to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a matter of law and the Illinois Constitution, that’s debatable. We’ll just have to wait for reviews by higher courts as to whether Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney got his legal thinking right.
But as a matter of good public policy to keep people safe, there’s no debate at all. Pritzker’s initial stay-at-home order on March 20 and his recent 30-day extension have been crucial to slowing the spread of the virus and undoubtedly have saved thousands of lives.
We can only urge our fellow Illinois residents to continue to follow the governor’s executive order, even in highly conservative Clay County, where as of Tuesday morning there were only two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths.
Read the full editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board.
6:17 a.m. In fight against COVID-19, house party is a slap in the face
There’s no point in trying to shame the young people that took part in a crowded throw-down over the weekend.
It wouldn’t do much good.
But this incident shows how disconnected this demographic is from the rest of the city.
The house party, which allegedly took place in the Galewood community on the West Side, was captured on video and posted on the TMZ website.
But the blatant disregard of the state’s stay-at-home order is more than an embarrassing moment. It is a slap in the face of a black mayor who is desperately trying to enforce social distancing without criminalizing normal behavior.
Read more on columnist Mary Mitchell’s perspective here.
6:08 a.m. Let prisoners go during COVID-19 pandemic
Across the United States and across the world, prisoners are among the most vulnerable to the coronavirus. Overcrowded facilities, shortages of food and medicine, and totally inadequate testing expose prisoners who are disproportionately poor and afflicted with prior conditions that render them vulnerable to the disease.
Prisoners increasingly are protesting their conditions, objecting to being sentenced to die in prison.
The United States locks up more people than any other country in the world, largely because of harsh and wrong-headed policies. Fifty-five thousand are detained in jail awaiting trials, too poor to pay for their freedom under the current cash bail system that is prevalent in many states.
Read more from Rev. Jesse Jackson here.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-28--Man arriving from Germany arrested at O’Hare, charged in 2015 Orland Park home invasion

A man who fled the country after allegedly breaking into a home in south suburban Orland Park in 2015 was arrested last week .
Faisal S. Radi , 35 , is charged with one felony count of home invasion , Orland Park police said in a statement .
Officers responded about 11:35 p.m. Sept. 18 , 2015 , to reports of a break-in at a home in the 9100 block of Fairmount Court , police said .
There , they learned Radi allegedly forced his way in , hit someone with a gun and fled the scene .
Authorities identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warrant for his arrest Sept. 23 , 2015 , police said .
On April 24 , U.S. Customs and Border Protection informed investigators Radi was traveling to Chicago from Frankfurt , Germany , police said .
Upon arrival at O ’ Hare Airport , he was taken into custody .
Police later learned he fled the country September 19 , 2015 .
He was ordered held on $ 1.5 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court May 14 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides @

A man who fled the country after allegedly breaking into a home in south suburban Orland Park in 2015 was arrested last week.
Faisal S. Radi, 35, is charged with one felony count of home invasion, Orland Park police said in a statement.
Officers responded about 11:35 p.m. Sept. 18, 2015, to reports of a break-in at a home in the 9100 block of Fairmount Court, police said. There, they learned Radi allegedly forced his way in, hit someone with a gun and fled the scene.
Authorities identified him as the suspect and issued a warrant for his arrest Sept. 23, 2015, police said.
On April 24, U.S. Customs and Border Protection informed investigators Radi was traveling to Chicago from Frankfurt, Germany, police said. Upon arrival at O’Hare Airport, he was taken into custody. Police later learned he fled the country September 19, 2015.
He was ordered held on $1.5 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court May 14.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-28--Student-based budgeting here to stay, Chicago schools chief says

A school funding formula first introduced under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and since adjusted under new schools leadership is here to stay , the Chicago Public Schools CEO said Tuesday , despite calls for changes from the teachers union , activists and parents at six public meetings held this winter to discuss the issue .
The way the district allocates dollars to its 514 schools has long been under the microscope as a potential source of deepening inequity at CPS .
Schools in low-income neighborhoods that have seen population loss are hurt financially by factors outside their control under a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a school when students leave .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on finding a better way to give schools the resources they need .
Schools chief Janice Jackson said Tuesday that modifications can still be made , but she believes the basis of the current formula — called “ student-based budgeting ” and directly tied to student enrollment — is the most equitable available .
Jackson argued there simply needs to be increased state and federal funding across the board .
By the state ’ s own assessments , CPS is still only funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state formula that was put in place two years ago to prioritize resources for the districts with the most needs .
Jackson also argued that only a little more than 50 % of the schools budget is determined by student-based budgeting .
Other measures aim to fill in the gaps , such as so-called “ equity grants ” to schools affected by decreased enrollment .
Getting that message across to parents and teachers is partly why the district held those community meetings that were advertised as a way to hear input from stakeholders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why we committed to the engagement process is to bring about more awareness , ” Jackson told reporters on a video-streamed news conference Tuesday as the district unveiled new school budgets given to principals .
“ This is a funding issue , and that is a conclusion that was reached by the working group and conclusions that were reached at those six forums , ” Jackson said .
“ If we ’ re having a discussion about how we slice the pie and the pie isn ’ t big enough for everybody , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have those debates.
” None of the recommendations released Tuesday by that 20-member working group included a concrete revamping of the formula .
The decision to keep the current funding formula was criticized by the Chicago Teachers Union .
Lightfoot “ must move equity from paper to reality , which requires an immediate end to student-based budgeting , ” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said in a statement Tuesday .
The budgets for each school next fall included increases across the board to special education and funds devoted to teacher pay raises negotiated during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of school budgets has increased by $ 125 million over last year , the district said .
The budgets released Tuesday identify how much money each principal will be given to spend at their individual school .
A district-wide , centralized budget will be released later this summer and will include money for building renovations and other special projects .
The equity grants in this year ’ s budgets increased to $ 44 million at 255 schools from last year ’ s $ 31 million at 219 schools .
The average equity grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the largest at nearly $ 700,000 — and an extra $ 100,000 is being given to the highest-needs schools .
Taking a recommendation from the working group , Jackson said the district used the University of Illinois at Chicago ’ s Economic Hardship Index to target those resources for schools in the 12 areas of greatest need .
The index uses a more nuanced approach to poverty , taking into account unemployment , housing , income , education and other economic hardship factors , rather than the district ’ s old method of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or reduced lunch .
An additional $ 97 million has been set aside for schools to offer supports to special education students , which CPS said is the “ largest one-year budget increase ” for those services .
CPS officials said that includes allocating special education positions , such as teachers and classroom aides , based on a previous year ’ s needs so schools will no longer face staffing shortages at the start of the year because of enrollment drops .
The school level budgets also include 3 % increases to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million to hire 55 additional nurses , 44 additional social workers and 40 additional special education case managers , all issues that were negotiated during last fall ’ s teachers strike Jackson has worked to release school budgets in the spring since she came to the helm of the 355,000-student district , to allow principals more time to plan for the fall .
In previous years , some principals could face last-minute cuts later in the summer if enrollments dropped .
While still early this year , school budgets were released about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , likely due in part to the coronavirus crisis .
“ CPS is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to determine its potential impact on the district ’ s financial position .
Based on current expectations about the district ’ s financial outlook , CPS does not anticipate making modifications to the plan released today , ” officials said in a news release announcing the budgets .

A school funding formula first introduced under former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and since adjusted under new schools leadership is here to stay, the Chicago Public Schools CEO said Tuesday, despite calls for changes from the teachers union, activists and parents at six public meetings held this winter to discuss the issue.
The way the district allocates dollars to its 514 schools has long been under the microscope as a potential source of deepening inequity at CPS. Schools in low-income neighborhoods that have seen population loss are hurt financially by factors outside their control under a funding formula that takes away money from a school when students leave. Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on finding a better way to give schools the resources they need.
Schools chief Janice Jackson said Tuesday that modifications can still be made, but she believes the basis of the current formula — called “student-based budgeting” and directly tied to student enrollment — is the most equitable available.
Jackson argued there simply needs to be increased state and federal funding across the board. By the state’s own assessments, CPS is still only funded at 64% adequacy in a new state formula that was put in place two years ago to prioritize resources for the districts with the most needs.
Jackson also argued that only a little more than 50% of the schools budget is determined by student-based budgeting. Other measures aim to fill in the gaps, such as so-called “equity grants” to schools affected by decreased enrollment.
Getting that message across to parents and teachers is partly why the district held those community meetings that were advertised as a way to hear input from stakeholders, she said.
“The reason why we committed to the engagement process is to bring about more awareness,” Jackson told reporters on a video-streamed news conference Tuesday as the district unveiled new school budgets given to principals.
“This is a funding issue, and that is a conclusion that was reached by the working group and conclusions that were reached at those six forums,” Jackson said. “If we’re having a discussion about how we slice the pie and the pie isn’t big enough for everybody, we’re going to continue to have those debates.”
None of the recommendations released Tuesday by that 20-member working group included a concrete revamping of the formula.
The decision to keep the current funding formula was criticized by the Chicago Teachers Union.
Lightfoot “must move equity from paper to reality, which requires an immediate end to student-based budgeting,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said in a statement Tuesday.
The budgets for each school next fall included increases across the board to special education and funds devoted to teacher pay raises negotiated during the teachers strike.
The overall sum of school budgets has increased by $125 million over last year, the district said. The budgets released Tuesday identify how much money each principal will be given to spend at their individual school. A district-wide, centralized budget will be released later this summer and will include money for building renovations and other special projects.
The equity grants in this year’s budgets increased to $44 million at 255 schools from last year’s $31 million at 219 schools. The average equity grant this year is $174,000, with the largest at nearly $700,000 — and an extra $100,000 is being given to the highest-needs schools. Taking a recommendation from the working group, Jackson said the district used the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Economic Hardship Index to target those resources for schools in the 12 areas of greatest need. The index uses a more nuanced approach to poverty, taking into account unemployment, housing, income, education and other economic hardship factors, rather than the district’s old method of counting how many students qualified for free or reduced lunch.
An additional $97 million has been set aside for schools to offer supports to special education students, which CPS said is the “largest one-year budget increase” for those services. CPS officials said that includes allocating special education positions, such as teachers and classroom aides, based on a previous year’s needs so schools will no longer face staffing shortages at the start of the year because of enrollment drops.
The school level budgets also include 3% increases to pay for higher teacher salaries and $13 million to hire 55 additional nurses, 44 additional social workers and 40 additional special education case managers, all issues that were negotiated during last fall’s teachers strike
Jackson has worked to release school budgets in the spring since she came to the helm of the 355,000-student district, to allow principals more time to plan for the fall. In previous years, some principals could face last-minute cuts later in the summer if enrollments dropped. While still early this year, school budgets were released about a month later than they were last year, likely due in part to the coronavirus crisis.
“CPS is closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 crisis to determine its potential impact on the district’s financial position. Based on current expectations about the district’s financial outlook, CPS does not anticipate making modifications to the plan released today,” officials said in a news release announcing the budgets.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-28--Chicago’s Fat Rice closes; reopening as meal kits-only Super Fat Rice Mart

Logan Square staple Fat Rice is no more .
Co-owners Abraham Conlon and Adrienne Lo announced the restaurant ’ s closure Tuesday , and according to media reports , they will re-open a meals kit-only marketplace on Wednesday .
The new Super Fat Rice Mart will occupy the former restaurant ’ s location at 2957 W. Diversey .
The meal kits — available for pickup-only , will feature produce , spices , grains as well as prepared items , along with step-by-step instructions for at-home cooking , and will start at $ 100 .
Pick-up hours are 4 to 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday .
The restaurant ’ s website posted a message to patrons late Tuesday , which read , in part : “ Super Fat Rice Mart allows customers and guests to experience the food of Fat Rice in many new and exciting ways !
Super Fat Rice Mart is a specialty cooking store offering Fat Rice at-home cook kits along with organic and local produce , Portuguese imports , beers and wine offerings , a wide array of fun , Asian pantry items and take-away favorites all with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurant has been closed to dine-in patrons since March when Illinois non-essential businesses were ordered closed by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
In an interview with the NYT , Conlon said , “ The restaurant for the foreseeable future is dead .
We need to face the reality that we can ’ t exist in the future as it looks now .
People are not going to feel comfortable being in close quarters or being in a cramped dining room.
” Conlon and Lo are James Beard Award-winners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been operating since 2012 .
In 2018 , after receiving James Beard honors for best chef Great Lakes Region , Conlon was emotional when he spoke about his critically acclaimed eatery , backstage at the gala ceremony .
“ I ’ m amazed , I ’ m humbled … I ’ m happy for my team , for Adrienne , for everyone who stands behind me every day that really puts in the hard work of waking up , going in there , cooking the food , serving the food , serving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind me to actually make it happen .
I think I ’ m just a spirit animal , ” he said .

Logan Square staple Fat Rice is no more.
Co-owners Abraham Conlon and Adrienne Lo announced the restaurant’s closure Tuesday, and according to media reports, they will re-open a meals kit-only marketplace on Wednesday.
The new Super Fat Rice Mart will occupy the former restaurant’s location at 2957 W. Diversey.
The meal kits — available for pickup-only — will feature produce, spices, grains as well as prepared items, along with step-by-step instructions for at-home cooking, and will start at $100. Pick-up hours are 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The restaurant’s website posted a message to patrons late Tuesday, which read, in part:
“Super Fat Rice Mart allows customers and guests to experience the food of Fat Rice in many new and exciting ways! Super Fat Rice Mart is a specialty cooking store offering Fat Rice at-home cook kits along with organic and local produce, Portuguese imports, beers and wine offerings, a wide array of fun, Asian pantry items and take-away favorites all with that fun Fat Rice flair!”
The restaurant has been closed to dine-in patrons since March when Illinois non-essential businesses were ordered closed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with the New York Times, Conlon said, “The restaurant for the foreseeable future is dead. We need to face the reality that we can’t exist in the future as it looks now. People are not going to feel comfortable being in close quarters or being in a cramped dining room.”
Conlon and Lo are James Beard Award-winners for the Portuguese/Macanese restaurant, which had been operating since 2012.
In 2018 in Chicago, after receiving James Beard honors for best chef Great Lakes Region, Conlon was emotional when he spoke about his critically acclaimed eatery, backstage at the gala ceremony. “I’m amazed, I’m humbled … I’m happy for my team, for Adrienne, for everyone who stands behind me every day that really puts in the hard work of waking up, going in there, cooking the food, serving the food, serving the wine. It takes a whole village behind me to actually make it happen. I think I’m just a spirit animal,” he said.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-28--A foolish lawsuit threatens your hard work to fight COVID-19

A Downstate judge has ruled that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker no longer has the authority to order folks to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic .
As a matter of law and the Illinois Constitution , that ’ s debatable .
We ’ ll just have to wait for reviews by higher courts as to whether Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney got his legal thinking right .
But as a matter of good public policy to keep people safe , there ’ s no debate at all .
Pritzker ’ s initial stay-at-home order on March 20 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to slowing the spread of the virus and undoubtedly have saved thousands of lives .
We can only urge our fellow Illinois residents to continue to follow the governor ’ s executive order , even in highly conservative Clay County , where as of Tuesday morning there were only two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths .
Strictly speaking , we should stress , the judge ’ s ruling allows only the plaintiff in the suit , state Rep. Darren Bailey , R-Xenia , to ignore the extension of the executive order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff can seem a little much in small rural communities that , so far , have seen little sign of the coronavirus .
We understand how devastating the lockdown can be for small businesses , paychecks and our daily lives .
To somebody like Bailey , a fellow who once proposed that the rest of Illinois kick Chicago out of the state , we suppose it might look like a big city Democratic plot .
But the science doesn ’ t lie , even if some people don ’ t put much stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is to say , that critics of the governor ’ s executive order reportedly laughed in court when a lawyer for the state argued that people would die if the stay-at-home order were lifted .
The science says the spread of the coronavirus is beginning to peak in Illinois precisely because the vast majority of us have been following the rules of social isolation .
If we let up on the rules too soon , the virus will come roaring back — bet on it — sweeping even through the loneliest crossroads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should note , also represents parts of neighboring Jasper County , population 9,611 , which has reported three deaths from COVID-19 .
That ’ s the highest per-capita death rate of all the state ’ s 102 counties .
The virus has arrived .
Illinois will not remain closed indefinitely .
It simply can ’ t .
We are , as a state , feeling our way forward , trying to strike a humane and responsible balance between doing what ’ s best to fight the virus and what ’ s best for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all yearn for a return to some semblance of normalcy .
Even as Pritzker last week extended his stay-at-home order through May — the action Judge McHaney ruled to be unconstitutional — he signaled the beginning of an end to restrictions .
Most notably , he called for a phased-in reopening of state parks , golf courses and “ new essential businesses ” such as garden centers and pet grooming shops .
Every step to reopen Illinois will require tough decisions about tough tradeoffs .
Everybody knows that .
There will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never be an easy call .
We just think those decisions are best made together — as one state , headed by a pretty reasonable governor — based on the best expert advice of scientists , economists , business leaders and others .
Bailey ’ s lawsuit , whatever its legal merits , does Illinois no favors .

A Downstate judge has ruled that Gov. J.B. Pritzker no longer has the authority to order folks to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a matter of law and the Illinois Constitution, that’s debatable. We’ll just have to wait for reviews by higher courts as to whether Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney got his legal thinking right.
Editorials bug Editorials
But as a matter of good public policy to keep people safe, there’s no debate at all. Pritzker’s initial stay-at-home order on March 20 and his recent 30-day extension have been crucial to slowing the spread of the virus and undoubtedly have saved thousands of lives.
We can only urge our fellow Illinois residents to continue to follow the governor’s executive order, even in highly conservative Clay County, where as of Tuesday morning there were only two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths.
Strictly speaking, we should stress, the judge’s ruling allows only the plaintiff in the suit, state Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, to ignore the extension of the executive order.
Science doesn’t lie
We know all this social distancing stuff can seem a little much in small rural communities that, so far, have seen little sign of the coronavirus. We understand how devastating the lockdown can be for small businesses, paychecks and our daily lives. To somebody like Bailey, a fellow who once proposed that the rest of Illinois kick Chicago out of the state, we suppose it might look like a big city Democratic plot.
But the science doesn’t lie, even if some people don’t put much stock in science.
It is appalling, that is to say, that critics of the governor’s executive order reportedly laughed in court when a lawyer for the state argued that people would die if the stay-at-home order were lifted.
As Pritzker said Tuesday, that’s “abominable.”
The science says the spread of the coronavirus is beginning to peak in Illinois precisely because the vast majority of us have been following the rules of social isolation. If we let up on the rules too soon, the virus will come roaring back — bet on it — sweeping even through the loneliest crossroads of Clay County.
Feeling our way forward
Bailey, we should note, also represents parts of neighboring Jasper County, population 9,611, which has reported three deaths from COVID-19. That’s the highest per-capita death rate of all the state’s 102 counties. The virus has arrived.
Illinois will not remain closed indefinitely. It simply can’t. We are, as a state, feeling our way forward, trying to strike a humane and responsible balance between doing what’s best to fight the virus and what’s best for our economy and way of life. We all yearn for a return to some semblance of normalcy.
State Rep. Darren Bailey Facebook
Even as Pritzker last week extended his stay-at-home order through May — the action Judge McHaney ruled to be unconstitutional — he signaled the beginning of an end to restrictions. Most notably, he called for a phased-in reopening of state parks, golf courses and “new essential businesses” such as garden centers and pet grooming shops.
Never an easy call
Every step to reopen Illinois will require tough decisions about tough tradeoffs. Everybody knows that. There will never be a completely safe time. It will never be an easy call.
We just think those decisions are best made together — as one state, headed by a pretty reasonable governor — based on the best expert advice of scientists, economists, business leaders and others.
Bailey’s lawsuit, whatever its legal merits, does Illinois no favors.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-28--Man shot in Longwood Manor dies a year later

A 32-year-old man died nearly a year after he was shot in Longwood Manor on the South Side .
Laramie @ @ @ @ @ about 7:47 p.m. June 23 , 2019 , in the 9600 block of South Carpenter @ @ @ @ @ to his head , officials said .
A man who saw the shooting said Parker @ @ @ @ @ a light-colored vehicle .
Parker was taken to Christ Medical Center in critical condition , @ @ @ @ @ from complications of his gunshot wound Monday .
An autopsy ruled his death a homicide @ @ @ @

A 32-year-old man died nearly a year after he was shot in Longwood Manor on the South Side.
Laramie Parker was found by officers about 7:47 p.m. June 23, 2019, in the 9600 block of South Carpenter Street with a gunshot wound to his head, officials said. A man who saw the shooting said Parker was shot by someone in a light-colored vehicle.
Parker was taken to Christ Medical Center in critical condition, authorities said. He died from complications of his gunshot wound Monday.
An autopsy ruled his death a homicide, authorities said.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Dear Abby: Once fit and active, boyfriend eats too much, packs on weight

DEAR ABBY : I love my boyfriend .
We have been together nearly six years , but there are a few issues .
The biggest one is his diet .
He eats like it ’ s going out of style .
The only reason he ’ s not 400 pounds is because his job keeps him active .
He has put on 60 pounds since we started dating , and we can no longer sleep together because of the snoring his weight gain has caused .
He can no longer stand to be outdoors when he ’ s home because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” When we first started seeing each other , he was fit and active .
Now he comes home , eats and stares at his phone .
He ’ s always unhappy with his weight , but when I ask him to please eat better , his response is , “ Nothing makes me as happy as a cookie.
” He would rather be a 500-pound blob who never had to move if it meant he could eat cake all day .
I feel he has chosen food over me .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll have to sleep alone for however long I ’ m with him .
I don ’ t know if I can do that .
I make an effort to maintain myself for him , but clearly , the favor isn ’ t returned .
What are your thoughts ?
— WORRYING IN FLORIDA DEAR WORRYING : If nothing makes your boyfriend happier than eating a cookie , it ’ s time you got to the bottom of what is eating HIM .
When a fit and active person suddenly loses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his diet , one has to wonder if he may be using food to cope with painful or unpleasant emotions .
Continue to help and support him as much as you can , but frankly , it may be time for the two of you to seek relationship counseling from a licensed mental health professional before your boyfriend ’ s diet causes permanent damage to his health .
DEAR ABBY : I can not believe it !
My parents tricked me into comforting a child molester .
When I was young , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison .
My family told it like this : “ Dave had an affair with a 17-year-old girl who was pretending to be 18 .
They made a sex tape , her parents found it and accused him of rape .
He went to prison for life.
” My parents visit and talk to him regularly , although nobody else in the extended family does , and they always encouraged me to communicate with him .
They say he made “ poor decisions ” but doesn ’ t deserve his prison sentence or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for him , so I willingly joined in phone calls and letter writing .
I recently mentioned all this to a friend who is experienced in the legal field .
He thought the story sounded peculiar , so we looked up Dave and found out he had multiple counts of sexual assault on a child under 14 .
In other words , my parents tricked me into regular conversations with a child molester .
I ’ m floored .
Should I confront them ?
If so , what do I say ?
Should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing to do with Dave , and I ’ m horrified that my parents would lie in his defense .
— HORRIFIED IN OKLAHOMA DEAR HORRIFIED : I can understand why you want nothing to do with this relative .
Tell your parents that you have written to me .
Ask them why they chose to minimize what your uncle did and encourage you to communicate with a predator .
Doing so was a gross betrayal of your trust .
I ’ m not sure how they can justify their actions because it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their child .
You should absolutely tell your brother what has been happening because it ’ s appalling .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I love my boyfriend. We have been together nearly six years, but there are a few issues. The biggest one is his diet.
He eats like it’s going out of style. The only reason he’s not 400 pounds is because his job keeps him active. He has put on 60 pounds since we started dating, and we can no longer sleep together because of the snoring his weight gain has caused. He can no longer stand to be outdoors when he’s home because it’s always “too hot.”
When we first started seeing each other, he was fit and active. Now he comes home, eats and stares at his phone. He’s always unhappy with his weight, but when I ask him to please eat better, his response is, “Nothing makes me as happy as a cookie.” He would rather be a 500-pound blob who never had to move if it meant he could eat cake all day.
I feel he has chosen food over me. I’m only 27, and I know I’ll have to sleep alone for however long I’m with him. I don’t know if I can do that. I make an effort to maintain myself for him, but clearly, the favor isn’t returned. What are your thoughts? — WORRYING IN FLORIDA
DEAR WORRYING: If nothing makes your boyfriend happier than eating a cookie, it’s time you got to the bottom of what is eating HIM. When a fit and active person suddenly loses interest in his health and becomes careless about his diet, one has to wonder if he may be using food to cope with painful or unpleasant emotions. Continue to help and support him as much as you can, but frankly, it may be time for the two of you to seek relationship counseling from a licensed mental health professional before your boyfriend’s diet causes permanent damage to his health.
DEAR ABBY: I cannot believe it! My parents tricked me into comforting a child molester.
When I was young, my uncle “Dave” went to prison. My family told it like this: “Dave had an affair with a 17-year-old girl who was pretending to be 18. They made a sex tape, her parents found it and accused him of rape. He went to prison for life.”
My parents visit and talk to him regularly, although nobody else in the extended family does, and they always encouraged me to communicate with him. They say he made “poor decisions” but doesn’t deserve his prison sentence or the family neglect. I felt bad for him, so I willingly joined in phone calls and letter writing.
I recently mentioned all this to a friend who is experienced in the legal field. He thought the story sounded peculiar, so we looked up Dave and found out he had multiple counts of sexual assault on a child under 14. In other words, my parents tricked me into regular conversations with a child molester.
I’m floored. Should I confront them? If so, what do I say? Should I tell my brother? I want nothing to do with Dave, and I’m horrified that my parents would lie in his defense. — HORRIFIED IN OKLAHOMA
DEAR HORRIFIED: I can understand why you want nothing to do with this relative. Tell your parents that you have written to me. Ask them why they chose to minimize what your uncle did and encourage you to communicate with a predator. Doing so was a gross betrayal of your trust. I’m not sure how they can justify their actions because it is the job of parents to protect their child.
You should absolutely tell your brother what has been happening because it’s appalling.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is pressuring the FDA to police COVID-19 antibody tests

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , D-Ill. , chairman of a House panel investigating whether COVID-19 antibody tests work , accused the FDA on Tuesday of stonewalling in developing information about antibody test kits that went on the market before the FDA validated their claims .
There is an enormous interest in developing antibody tests to see if people had COVID-19 , even if they did not show symptoms .
These antibody , or serology tests , are not used to diagnose if a person has the infection .
Antibody blood tests could determine if a person had and recovered from COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 antibodies are immune from the disease .
In a letter to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn sent Tuesday , Krishnamoorthi said officials in Hahn ’ s agency failed “ to respond to our outstanding requests for information in furtherance of our investigation ” into FDA “ policies governing serological testing for coronavirus.
” Krishnamoorthi said in the letter , “ With many plans to reopen the economy requiring the availability of consistently reliable serological testing , we need your answers now , while there is still time to fix shortfalls in FDA policy.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ released a report that found the coronavirus antibody tests on the market “ face unanswered scientific questions of utility and accuracy.
” The report also found the FDA did not review any coronavirus “ rapid ” antibody test kits before they went on the market , and a “ lack of enforcement by FDA has allowed manufacturers to make fraudulent claims about their efficacy.
” The FDA “ failed to police the coronavirus serological antibody test market , ” the report concluded .
The report cited research on antibody tests conducted by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of California , Berkeley ; and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub that found “ that 11 of 14 serology tests that were analyzed did not deliver consistently reliable results.
” On Tuesday , Krishnamoorthi ’ s panel sent letters to four companies making or distributing tests that did not pass the muster of the University of California researchers .
The companies were told the “ subcommittee is concerned that FDA is not conducting substantive review of serological tests that it has allowed on the market and that those tests may not meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies were asked to produce , by May 11 , data to show their tests were effective .
The FDA was asked to pledge , by May 6 , to revise its policy to require serological test makers apply to the FDA for approval before selling to the public .
The FDA was urged to use its enforcement tools “ on bad actors ” and “ pull ineffective serological tests from the market.
” Krishnamoorthi represents the north suburban 8th Congressional District .
He is the chairman of the subcommittee on economic and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Oversight and Reform , the principal oversight committee of the House .

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., chairman of a House panel investigating whether COVID-19 antibody tests work, accused the FDA on Tuesday of stonewalling in developing information about antibody test kits that went on the market before the FDA validated their claims.
There is an enormous interest in developing antibody tests to see if people had COVID-19, even if they did not show symptoms.
These antibody, or serology tests, are not used to diagnose if a person has the infection. Antibody blood tests could determine if a person had and recovered from COVID-19. Scientists have suggested that people with COVID-19 antibodies are immune from the disease.
In a letter to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn sent Tuesday, Krishnamoorthi said officials in Hahn’s agency failed “to respond to our outstanding requests for information in furtherance of our investigation” into FDA “policies governing serological testing for coronavirus.”
Krishnamoorthi said in the letter, “With many plans to reopen the economy requiring the availability of consistently reliable serological testing, we need your answers now, while there is still time to fix shortfalls in FDA policy.”
Krishnamoorthi’s panel last week released a report that found the coronavirus antibody tests on the market “face unanswered scientific questions of utility and accuracy.”
The report also found the FDA did not review any coronavirus “rapid” antibody test kits before they went on the market, and a “lack of enforcement by FDA has allowed manufacturers to make fraudulent claims about their efficacy.”
The FDA “failed to police the coronavirus serological antibody test market,” the report concluded.
The report cited research on antibody tests conducted by the University of California, San Francisco; the University of California, Berkeley; and the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub that found “that 11 of 14 serology tests that were analyzed did not deliver consistently reliable results.”
On Tuesday, Krishnamoorthi’s panel sent letters to four companies making or distributing tests that did not pass the muster of the University of California researchers.
The companies were told the “subcommittee is concerned that FDA is not conducting substantive review of serological tests that it has allowed on the market and that those tests may not meet a reasonable standard of accuracy.”
The companies were asked to produce, by May 11, data to show their tests were effective.
The FDA was asked to pledge, by May 6, to revise its policy to require serological test makers apply to the FDA for approval before selling to the public. The FDA was urged to use its enforcement tools “on bad actors” and “pull ineffective serological tests from the market.”
Krishnamoorthi represents the north suburban 8th Congressional District. He is the chairman of the subcommittee on economic and consumer policy, part of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, the principal oversight committee of the House.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--‘Hollywood’ a so-so fantasy about La La Land in its Golden Age

Once Upon a Time ... in Post-War Hollywood , aspiring actor Rock Hudson lived with African-American screenwriter Archie Coleman ; Hattie McDaniel became a mentor to Camille Washington , the first black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar ; the wife of legendary studio boss Ace Amberg took the reins when Amberg suffered a heart attack , and Vivien Leigh had an ongoing sexual affair with a failed actor named Ernie who operated a prostitution ring out of a full-service gas station .
If only some of those names ring a bell , that ’ s because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan ( “ Glee , ” “ Scream Queens ” ) have fashioned a revisionist history look at 1940s Hollywood with a mix of real-life and fictional characters , a la Quentin Tarantino ’ s “ Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood.
” The main players in “ Hollywood ” — a director , a screenwriter , a couple of actors , the aforementioned studio chief and the gas station owner/pimp — are made up , but they interact with the likes of Tallulah Bankhead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , real-life talent agent Henry Wilson , Cole Porter , even Eleanor Roosevelt .
It ’ s a fascinating blend of fact ( or least stories based on factual characters ) and fiction , and the performances from the cast of rising stars and reliable veterans are dazzling — but like many a motion picture , “ Hollywood ” can ’ t overcome script problems that surface about midway through the story .
With big-band classics from Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller on the soundtrack and a nonstop parade of fabulous period-piece fashions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Golden Age tone , “ Hollywood ” devotes its early episodes to introducing us to a group of young hopefuls who arrive in Los Angeles at about the same time to pursue their showbiz dreams , including : • Raymond Ainsley ( Darren Criss ) , a talented aspiring director , who lives with Camille Washington ( Laura Harrier ) , a gorgeous actress with real star power .
• Archie Coleman ( Jeremy Pope ) , a screenwriter whose very first script is garnering some serious buzz .
• Rock Hudson ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Illinois who looks like a Greek statue come to life but is a very unpolished actor , and that ’ s putting it kindly .
When we meet this bunch , they ’ re all struggling , and in some cases , they resort to desperate and seedy measures to survive .
Jack is married with a child on the way , but he hesitates for all of a Hollywood minute before joining the team of handsome young gigolos who pose as attendants at the Golden Tip Gasoline Station , but are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aforementioned Ernie to service the older men and women who pull up and announce their intentions by uttering the code phrase : “ I want to go to Dreamland.
” One such regular customer is Patti LuPone ’ s Avis Amberg , the neglected wife of bombastic studio chief Ace Amberg ( Rob Reiner ) .
Before you can say “ Tinseltown ” three times fast , Avis is teaming up with director Raymond , screenwriter Archie and lead actors Jack and Camille to make a movie called “ Meg , ” which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s an interracial love story .
All the while , “ Hollywood ” constantly explores the theme of individuals trapped in the heartbreakingly unfair social mores of the time .
Avis is taken seriously as a businesswoman only when her husband is literally in a coma , and Rock can ’ t go public with his romance because it would destroy his career .
Jim Parsons turns in a darkly funny performance as powerful agent Henry Wilson , who isn ’ t above turning to the mob for help in quashing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henry Wilson , who repped the likes of Tab Hunter and Troy Donahue as well as one Roy Scherer , whose name he changed to Rock Hudson , wound up traveling a very different life path than what ’ s depicted in the series . )
Samara Weaving sparkles as Claire , the spoiled-rotten daughter of Ace and Avis Amberg , who wants to be an actress , much to their dismay .
Heck , everyone ’ s terrific , from the opening curtain to the closing credits .
We find ourselves rooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to realize their dreams in almost ridiculously rapid fashion .
But “ Hollywood ” makes some curious choices , e.g.
, depicting Ernie the gas station pimp as an avuncular figure , loved by one and all , even though this guy is raking in cash by turning out impressionable , financially strapped young men .
Plausibility is further stretched by three major characters experiencing radical changes in personality , as if a magic wand had appeared and suddenly made all three infinitely more likable human beings .
“ Hollywood ” winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short of living up to the pitch .

Once Upon a Time ... in Post-War Hollywood, aspiring actor Rock Hudson lived with African-American screenwriter Archie Coleman; Hattie McDaniel became a mentor to Camille Washington, the first black woman to be nominated for a Best Actress Oscar; the wife of legendary studio boss Ace Amberg took the reins when Amberg suffered a heart attack, and Vivien Leigh had an ongoing sexual affair with a failed actor named Ernie who operated a prostitution ring out of a full-service gas station.
If only some of those names ring a bell, that’s because in the Netflix limited series “Hollywood,” co-creators Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan (“Glee,” “Scream Queens”) have fashioned a revisionist history look at 1940s Hollywood with a mix of real-life and fictional characters, a la Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood.” The main players in “Hollywood” — a director, a screenwriter, a couple of actors, the aforementioned studio chief and the gas station owner/pimp — are made up, but they interact with the likes of Tallulah Bankhead, Noel Coward, Anna May Wong, real-life talent agent Henry Wilson, Cole Porter, even Eleanor Roosevelt. It’s a fascinating blend of fact (or least stories based on factual characters) and fiction, and the performances from the cast of rising stars and reliable veterans are dazzling — but like many a motion picture, “Hollywood” can’t overcome script problems that surface about midway through the story.
‘Hollywood’
Untitled A limited series premiering Friday on Netflix.
With big-band classics from Benny Goodman and Glenn Miller on the soundtrack and a nonstop parade of fabulous period-piece fashions and automobiles helping to set the post-war Golden Age tone, “Hollywood” devotes its early episodes to introducing us to a group of young hopefuls who arrive in Los Angeles at about the same time to pursue their showbiz dreams, including:
• Jack Costello (David Corenswet), a handsome corn-fed actor from the Midwest.
• Raymond Ainsley (Darren Criss), a talented aspiring director, who lives with Camille Washington (Laura Harrier), a gorgeous actress with real star power.
• Archie Coleman (Jeremy Pope), a screenwriter whose very first script is garnering some serious buzz.
• Rock Hudson (Jake Picking), a gee-whiz fella from Illinois who looks like a Greek statue come to life but is a very unpolished actor, and that’s putting it kindly.
Samara Weaving is a “Hollywood” standout as an actress wannabe. Netflix
When we meet this bunch, they’re all struggling, and in some cases, they resort to desperate and seedy measures to survive. Jack is married with a child on the way, but he hesitates for all of a Hollywood minute before joining the team of handsome young gigolos who pose as attendants at the Golden Tip Gasoline Station, but are in reality prostitutes, hired by the aforementioned Ernie to service the older men and women who pull up and announce their intentions by uttering the code phrase: “I want to go to Dreamland.”
One such regular customer is Patti LuPone’s Avis Amberg, the neglected wife of bombastic studio chief Ace Amberg (Rob Reiner). Before you can say “Tinseltown” three times fast, Avis is teaming up with director Raymond, screenwriter Archie and lead actors Jack and Camille to make a movie called “Meg,” which is sure to cause controversy given it’s an interracial love story. (Like many a movie-within-a-movie, “Meg” looks awful based on the snippets of scenes we see.) All the while, “Hollywood” constantly explores the theme of individuals trapped in the heartbreakingly unfair social mores of the time. Avis is taken seriously as a businesswoman only when her husband is literally in a coma; Rock can’t go public with his romance because it would destroy his career; Archie learns his name is going to be taken off the script because the studio doesn’t want the public to know the movie has been written by a black man; the greatly gifted actress Anna May Wong (Michelle Krusiec) has resigned herself to never getting the roles she deserves because she’s Chinese-American.
Jim Parsons (left) plays an agent whose client list includes Rock Hudson (Jake Picking) in “Hollywood.”
Jim Parsons turns in a darkly funny performance as powerful agent Henry Wilson, who isn’t above turning to the mob for help in quashing a scandalous tabloid story. (The real-life Henry Wilson, who repped the likes of Tab Hunter and Troy Donahue as well as one Roy Scherer, whose name he changed to Rock Hudson, wound up traveling a very different life path than what’s depicted in the series.) Samara Weaving sparkles as Claire, the spoiled-rotten daughter of Ace and Avis Amberg, who wants to be an actress, much to their dismay. Mira Sorvino is wonderful as an actress of a certain age who is given a dream role just when she thought her career had hit a brick wall.
Heck, everyone’s terrific, from the opening curtain to the closing credits. We find ourselves rooting for the band of up-and-comers as they begin to realize their dreams in almost ridiculously rapid fashion. But “Hollywood” makes some curious choices, e.g., depicting Ernie the gas station pimp as an avuncular figure, loved by one and all, even though this guy is raking in cash by turning out impressionable, financially strapped young men. Plausibility is further stretched by three major characters experiencing radical changes in personality, as if a magic wand had appeared and suddenly made all three infinitely more likable human beings. “Hollywood” winds up being a project that just falls short of living up to the pitch.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Brothers shoot suspected robber in Bridgeview

A store clerk and his brother shot a suspected robber Tuesday in Bridgeview after he allegedly tried to rob a @ @ @ @ @ for the second time in five days .
The male tried to rob the store @ @ @ @ @ Street and Roberts Road in Justice , but was foiled by the clerk , according @ @ @ @ @ .
He was also suspected of robbing the same place on Friday .
The clerk @ @ @ @ @ was driving with friends nearby on Roberts Road , Hanania said .
Together , they @ @ @ @ @ Bridgeview , where they engaged in a brief shootout .
The suspected robber was shot @ @ @ @ @ in good condition , Hanania said .
Weapons were recovered from both the suspect and @ @ @ @ @ are investigating the shootings , while Justice police are investigating the robberies , Hanania said @ @ @ @ @ the suspected robber , Hanania said .
The brothers will not be charged .

A store clerk and his brother shot a suspected robber Tuesday in Bridgeview after he allegedly tried to rob a business in southwest suburban Justice for the second time in five days.
The male tried to rob the store about 6:15 p.m. near 82nd Street and Roberts Road in Justice, but was foiled by the clerk, according to Bridgeview spokesman Ray Hanania. He was also suspected of robbing the same place on Friday.
The clerk called his brother, who was driving with friends nearby on Roberts Road, Hanania said. Together, they chased the suspected robber into Bridgeview, where they engaged in a brief shootout.
The suspected robber was shot in the back and hospitalized in good condition, Hanania said. Weapons were recovered from both the suspect and the brothers.
Bridgeview police are investigating the shootings, while Justice police are investigating the robberies, Hanania said.
Charges are pending against the suspected robber, Hanania said. The brothers will not be charged.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--2 killed, 5 wounded Tuesday in Chicago shootings

Seven people were shot , two of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
The day ’ s latest shooting left a man dead in Park Manor on the South Side .
The 55-year-old was found unresponsive near the entrance of a building about 10:05 p.m. in the 100 block of West 72nd Street , Chicago police said .
He was shot in the head and neck .
He was pronounced dead on the scene , police said .
Earlier in the evening , a man was shot to death in Gresham on the South Side .
The 32-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8:20 p.m. in the 8300 block of South Paulina Street when someone in a light-colored vehicle shot him , police said .
He was struck in the abdomen and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ t released details about either death .
In non-fatal shootings , a 16-year-old boy was wounded in in South Deering He was outside about 5:25 p.m. on East 106th Street when someone fired shots , striking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The boy was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition .
Two men were shot Tuesday afternoon in Lawndale on the West Side .
About 2:15 p.m. , they were in the 1100 block of South Kostner Avenue when someone opened fire , police said .
A 26-year-old man was struck in the head and taken to Loretto Hospital in critical condition , police said .
The other man , 27 , was shot in the hand and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
In the day ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a shootout in Uptown on the North Side .
The pair began shooting at each other about 12:15 p.m. in the 4800 block of North Magnolia Avenue , according to police .
One man , 23 , was shot in the back of his head and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition , police said .
The other , 19 , was struck in his hand and taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston , where he was in good condition .
Five people were injured Monday in citywide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

Seven people were shot, two of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
The day’s latest shooting left a man dead in Park Manor on the South Side.
The 55-year-old was found unresponsive near the entrance of a building about 10:05 p.m. in the 100 block of West 72nd Street, Chicago police said. He was shot in the head and neck.
He was pronounced dead on the scene, police said.
Earlier in the evening, a man was shot to death in Gresham on the South Side.
The 32-year-old was on the porch of a home about 8:20 p.m. in the 8300 block of South Paulina Street when someone in a light-colored vehicle shot him, police said.
He was struck in the abdomen and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details about either death.
In non-fatal shootings, a 16-year-old boy was wounded in in South Deering
He was outside about 5:25 p.m. on East 106th Street when someone fired shots, striking him in the arm, police said. The boy was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition.
Two men were shot Tuesday afternoon in Lawndale on the West Side.
About 2:15 p.m., they were in the 1100 block of South Kostner Avenue when someone opened fire, police said.
A 26-year-old man was struck in the head and taken to Loretto Hospital in critical condition, police said. The other man, 27, was shot in the hand and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
In the day’s first reported shooting, two men were wounded in a shootout in Uptown on the North Side.
The pair began shooting at each other about 12:15 p.m. in the 4800 block of North Magnolia Avenue, according to police.
One man, 23, was shot in the back of his head and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, police said. The other, 19, was struck in his hand and taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, where he was in good condition.
Five people were injured Monday in citywide shootings.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.