chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Trump throws darts at Lightfoot, Pritzker over crime while offering help with ‘unsolved challenges’

President Donald Trump , in a Friday letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker filled with insults — and coming after Trump on Thursday called Chicago “ worse than Afghanistan ” — accused the Democratic leaders of putting their “ political interests ” ahead of “ your own citizens.
” Trump offered , in the letter , to help “ tackle unsolved challenges ” in improving public safety .
He wrote , if Lightfoot and Pritzker “ were willing to put partisanship aside , we can revitalize distressed neighborhood in Chicago , together .
But to succeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A Pritzker spokeswoman said it was the other way around and the Trump letter was the president ’ s attempt “ to politicize tragedy.
” The letter comes in this context : more horrible shootings in Chicago and as Congress ended the week in a stalemate between Democrats and Republicans over addressing police reform in the wake of the chokehold death of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer .
The protests across the nation prompted Trump to issue an executive order on policing .
Trump ’ s action followed a shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intolerance of race-based policing as the Black Lives Matter movement mainstreamed after the Floyd death .
The jabs came in a letter where Trump cites a Sun-Times June 8 story he said he read about 18 murders on one bloody June day , the most violent day in the city in 60 years .
“ Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect .
I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respect for the men and women in law enforcement , ” Trump wrote .
Trump goes on to summarize federal funds that have flowed to the city , including law enforcement related money .
He does not mention that his administration has tried over the years to take away law enforcement related federal grants because of the city ’ s sanctuary city status .
Chicago officials declared Chicago a sanctuary city in the wake of Trump ’ s immigration crackdowns and have fought other policy directives from the Trump White House .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s struggles with shootings , up to his comment on Thursday in a Fox News interview about Chicago being “ worse than Afghanistan , ” comparing the city unfavorably to “ Honduras , Guatemala.
” Lightfoot on Friday , noting Trump ’ s hotel off Michigan Avenue , hit back in a Tweet with a screenshot from the Trump hotels website touting the city as a world-class tourist destination .
Trump in his letter called for bipartisanship at the same time he zinged Lightfoot and Pritzer .
He said he will “ ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with them to help “ devise a plan to make Chicago safe , since a successful formula has escaped both you and your predecessors.
” Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh told the Sun-Times , “ President Trump is a failure who has once again resorted to a press stunt in an attempt to distract from his long list of failures , especially his response to the deadly coronavirus and nationwide calls for racial justice .
The people of this state and this nation have unfortunately come to expect his unhinged attempts to politicize tragedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distract , distract , distract.
” Trump has sided with Chicago ’ s Fraternal Order of Police when it comes to policing issues in Chicago .
In May Trump tweeted congratulations to John Catanzara when he was elected the new FOP chief .
Trump — for years a critic of how Chicago handles crime — last October , in his first visit to the city as president , slammed the city at a convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police .
Trump has focused on Chicago crime since his 2016 presidential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Rahm Emanuel of thwarting police and at one point pledging to “ send in the Feds.
” One of Trump ’ s oft-cited claims , which has never been proved , is that he talked to a “ top police officer in Chicago ” who told him he could stop crime in the city “ within one week .
”

President Donald Trump, in a Friday letter to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker filled with insults — and coming after Trump on Thursday called Chicago “worse than Afghanistan” — accused the Democratic leaders of putting their “political interests” ahead of “your own citizens.”
Trump offered, in the letter, to help “tackle unsolved challenges” in improving public safety. He wrote that if Lightfoot and Pritzker “were willing to put partisanship aside, we can revitalize distressed neighborhoods in Chicago, together. But to succeed, you must establish law and order.”
A Pritzker spokeswoman said it was the other way around and the Trump letter was the president’s attempt “to politicize tragedy.”
Lightfoot replied: “I don’t need leadership lessons from Donald Trump. As our police officers, street outreach workers and residents continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe, he’s using the victims of gun violence in our city to score cheap political points, spew racist rhetoric, and ignore the impact of COVID across this country. It is despicable, disgusting and all too typical. Same old tired playbook. How about some leadership not steeped in the divide and conquer tactics?
“I stand with the Governor in providing for the safety and well-being of our residents.”
The Trump letter comes in this context: more shootings in Chicago, and Congress ending the week in a stalemate over addressing police reform after George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer.
Protests across the nation prompted Trump to issue an executive order on policing. Trump’s action followed a shift of public opinion on intolerance of race-based policing as the Black Lives Matter movement mainstreamed after Floyd’s death.
Opinion bug Opinion
Trump has been accusing Democrats of being soft on crime while running as the “law and order president.” The jabs came in a letter where Trump cites a Sun-Times June 8 story he said he read about 18 shooting deaths on one bloody June day, the most violent day in the city in 60 years.
“Your lack of leadership on this important issue continues to fail the people you have sworn to protect. I am concerned it is another example of your lack of commitment to the vulnerable citizens who are victims of this violence and a lack of respect for the men and women in law enforcement,” Trump wrote.
Trump goes on to summarize federal funds that have flowed to the city, including for law enforcement. He does not mention that his administration has tried over the years to take away law enforcement related federal grants because of the city’s sanctuary city status.
Chicago officials declared Chicago a sanctuary city in the wake of Trump’s immigration crackdowns and have fought other policy directives from the Trump White House.
Trump for years has focused on Chicago’s struggles with shootings, up to his comment on Thursday in a Fox News interview about Chicago being “worse than Afghanistan,” comparing the city unfavorably to “Honduras, Guatemala.”
Lightfoot on Friday, noting Trump’s hotel off Michigan Avenue, hit back in a Tweet with a screenshot from the Trump hotels website touting the city as a world-class tourist destination.
Trump in his letter called for bipartisanship at the same time he zinged Lightfoot and Pritzker.
He said he will “ask members of my Cabinet” to meet with them to help “devise a plan to make Chicago safe, since a successful formula has escaped both you and your predecessors.”
Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh told the Sun-Times: “President Trump is a failure who has once again resorted to a press stunt in an attempt to distract from his long list of failures, especially his response to the deadly coronavirus and nationwide calls for racial justice. The people of this state and this nation have unfortunately come to expect his unhinged attempts to politicize tragedy with his predictable and worn-out strategy to distract, distract, distract.”
Trump has sided with Chicago’s Fraternal Order of Police when it comes to policing issues in Chicago. In May, Trump tweeted congratulations to John Catanzara when he was elected the new FOP chief.
Trump — for years a critic of how Chicago handles crime — last October, in his first visit to the city as president, slammed the city at a convention of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Trump has focused on Chicago crime since his 2016 presidential campaign, accusing city leaders and then Mayor Rahm Emanuel of thwarting police and at one point pledging to “send in the Feds.”
One of Trump’s oft-cited claims, which has never been proved, is that he talked to a “top police officer in Chicago” who told him he could stop crime in the city “within one week.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Raindrops, reps and relief on first day of Illinois’ Phase 4 reopening

That ’ s all Elaine Sakellariou felt as she seated her first customers in three months Friday morning at George ’ s Gyros , 3445 S. Halsted St. “ It just brings back life to this place , ” said Sakellariou , who owns the restaurant her father opened more than 40 year ago .
She ’ d been able to get through the heart of the coronavirus pandemic with gift card sales and takeout orders from loyal customers , but Illinois ’ Phase 4 reopening couldn ’ t come soon enough for the Bridgeport joint — or any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state that are now allowed to seat customers inside at 25 % capacity .
A handful of regulars were back like clockwork by the time she opened , but some of the older clientele hesitate to venture back out with COVID-19 still looming , she said .
“ A little bit of normalcy — I haven ’ t felt this in awhile , ” customer Robert Bell said .
“ It feels good.
” Sharon McKennie had been able to set up a few tables for the last month outside her Austin neighborhood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ W. Madison St. , so Friday ’ s rainy weather provided an early test of the 25 % indoor seating capacity limit .
“ Unfortunately the rain kept people off the patio , but it ’ s good having some people back inside , ” McKennie said .
“ We ’ re a family-oriented restaurant , so it ’ s just good to be able to see more people again.
” For many Chicagoans , Phase 4 also meant finally starting to work off some of those quarantine pounds .
Gov .
J.B. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitness clubs to reopen at 50 % capacity , though that ’ s limited to 25 % in the city , with classes capped at 50 people .
“ I am a little uncomfortable , ” Robert Mathews said before entering a Planet Fitness in Logan Square , 2719 N. California Ave. “ This is like a test run .
I don ’ t even know if I ’ ve got to wear my mask.
” “ Basically I ’ ve been on my ass since quarantine started .
Home workouts aren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve gained 15 pounds , ” said Mathews , 30 , a poker player .
“ I ’ m kind of just here to check it out , ” he said , adding he was wary of being around a lot of other people .
Omar Cervantes said other gym-goers were on their best socially distant behavior as he completed his first indoor workout in more than three months , at the Bronzeville LA Fitness , 3435 S. King Drive .
Machines were spaced out , lockers were closed and spray bottles were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exercise mostly by running through the Back of the Yards neighborhood , Cervantes said he was happy to hit the weights again .
“ It was just relieving , being able to do something different finally , ” he said .
The masked workouts will take some getting used to , though .
“ It gets pretty sweaty pretty quick .
I had to stop and pull it off a few times for a quick breather , ” Cervantes said .
Illinoisans will soon have other recreation options available in Phase 4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , skating rinks and movie theaters — a handful of which are resuming operations in the suburbs , though options in the city remain sparse .
Museums will also reopen at limited capacities , with the Shedd Aquarium announcing it ’ ll welcome back members Wednesday and the general public on Friday .
Reopening dates haven ’ t been announced for the Field Museum , Adler Planetarium or the Art Institute of Chicago .
Lincoln Park Zoo ’ s outdoor exhibits are reopening Monday ; reservations are required but free .
Tickets and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which reopens to members Wednesday and to the general public July 8 .

Relief.
That’s all Elaine Sakellariou felt as she seated her first customers in three months Friday morning at George’s Gyros, 3445 S. Halsted St.
“It just brings back life to this place,” said Sakellariou, who owns the restaurant her father opened more than 40 year ago.
She’d been able to get through the heart of the coronavirus pandemic with gift card sales and takeout orders from loyal customers, but Illinois’ Phase 4 reopening couldn’t come soon enough for the Bridgeport joint — or any of the thousands of other restaurants across the state that are now allowed to seat customers inside at 25% capacity.
“It’s a good thing I saved,” Sakellariou said.
A handful of regulars were back like clockwork by the time she opened, but some of the older clientele hesitate to venture back out with COVID-19 still looming, she said.
“A little bit of normalcy — I haven’t felt this in awhile,” customer Robert Bell said. “It feels good.”
Sharon McKennie had been able to set up a few tables for the last month outside her Austin neighborhood institution MacArthur’s Restaurant, 5412 W. Madison St., so Friday’s rainy weather provided an early test of the 25% indoor seating capacity limit.
Robert Mathews heads in to the Logan Square Planet Fitness for hist first indoor pandemic workout. Mitch Dudek/Sun-Times
“Unfortunately the rain kept people off the patio, but it’s good having some people back inside,” McKennie said. “We’re a family-oriented restaurant, so it’s just good to be able to see more people again.”
For many Chicagoans, Phase 4 also meant finally starting to work off some of those quarantine pounds. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan allows health and fitness clubs to reopen at 50% capacity, though that’s limited to 25% in the city, with classes capped at 50 people.
“I am a little uncomfortable,” Robert Mathews said before entering a Planet Fitness in Logan Square, 2719 N. California Ave. “This is like a test run. I don’t even know if I’ve got to wear my mask.”
(The Illinois Department of Public Health urges the use of masks, but does not require them while exercising. Local jurisdictions can issue stricter guidelines if they choose, and in Chicago, you do have to wear a mask while exercising in gyms. )
“Basically I’ve been on my ass since quarantine started. Home workouts aren’t really doing it. I’ve gained 15 pounds,” said Mathews, 30, a poker player.
“I’m kind of just here to check it out,” he said, adding he was wary of being around a lot of other people.
Omar Cervantes said other gym-goers were on their best socially distant behavior as he completed his first indoor workout in more than three months, at the Bronzeville LA Fitness, 3435 S. King Drive. Machines were spaced out, lockers were closed and spray bottles were plentiful.
Omar Cervantes worked out Friday at the LA Fitness center in Bronzeville, Mitchell Armentrout/Sun-Times
After months of getting his exercise mostly by running through the Back of the Yards neighborhood, Cervantes said he was happy to hit the weights again.
“It was just relieving, being able to do something different finally,” he said.
The masked workouts will take some getting used to, though.
“It gets pretty sweaty pretty quick. I had to stop and pull it off a few times for a quick breather,” Cervantes said.
Illinoisans will soon have other recreation options available in Phase 4, too, including pools, bowling alleys, skating rinks and movie theaters — a handful of which are resuming operations in the suburbs, though options in the city remain sparse.
Museums will also reopen at limited capacities, with the Shedd Aquarium announcing it’ll welcome back members Wednesday and the general public on Friday. Reopening dates haven’t been announced for the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium or the Art Institute of Chicago.
Lincoln Park Zoo’s outdoor exhibits are reopening Monday; reservations are required but free. Tickets and reservations also are required at Brookfield Zoo, which reopens to members Wednesday and to the general public July 8.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Facebook to label all rule-breaking posts - even Trump’s

OAKLAND , Calif. — Facebook said Friday that it will flag all “ newsworthy ” posts from politicians that break its rules , including those from President Donald Trump .
Separately , Facebook ’ s stock dropped more than 8 % , erasing roughly $ 50 billion from its market valuation , after the European company behind brands such as Ben & Jerry ’ s and Dove announced it would boycott Facebook ads through the end of the year over the amount of hate speech and divisive rhetoric on its platform .
Later in the day , Coca-Cola also announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 days .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously refused to take action against Trump posts suggesting that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud , saying that people deserved to hear unfiltered statements from political leaders .
Twitter , by contrast , slapped a “ get the facts ” label on them .
Until Friday , Trump ’ s posts with identical wording to those labeled on Twitter remained untouched on Facebook , sparking criticism from Trump ’ s opponents as well as current and former Facebook employees .
Now , Facebook is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president the next time he posts something the company deems to be violating its rules .
“ The policies we ’ re implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they ’ re showing up across our community , ” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page announcing the changes .
Zuckerberg said the social network is taking additional steps to counter election-related misinformation .
In particular , the social network will begin adding new labels to all posts about voting that will direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local election officials .
Facebook is also banning false claims intended to discourage voting , such as stories about federal agents checking legal status at polling places .
The company also said it is increasing its enforcement capacity to remove false claims about local polling conditions in the 72 hours before the U.S. election .
Ethan Zuckerman , director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology ’ s Center for Civic Media , said the changes are a “ reminder of how powerful Facebook may be in terms of spreading disinformation during the upcoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will depend on how good Facebook ’ s artificial intelligence is at identifying posts to label .
“ If every post that mentions voting links , people will start ignoring those links .
If they ’ re targeted to posts that say things like ‘ Police will be checking warrants and unpaid traffic tickets at polls ’ — a classic voter suppression disinfo tactic — and clearly mark posts as disinfo , they might be useful , ” he said .
But Zuckerman noted that Facebook “ has a history of trying hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given how tightly President Trump has aligned himself with voter-suppressing misinfo , it seems likely that Facebook will err on the side of non-intrusive and ignorable labels , which would minimize impact of the campaign.
” Earlier in the day , shares of Facebook and Twitter dropped sharply after consumer-product maker Unilever announced a new ad boycott on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram through at least the end of the year .
The European company said it took the move to protest the amount of hate speech online .
Unilever said the polarized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s presidential election placed responsibility on brands to act .
In addition to the decline in Facebook shares , Twitter ended the day more than 7 % lower .
Unilever , which is based in the Netherlands and Britain , joins a raft of other advertisers pulling back from online platforms .
Facebook in particular has been the target of an escalating movement to withhold advertising dollars to pressure it to do more to prevent racist and violent content from being shared on its platform .
“ We have decided that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the year , we will not run brand advertising in social media newsfeed platforms Facebook , Instagram and Twitter in the U.S. , ” Unilever said .
“ Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society.
” Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
On Thursday , Verizon joined others in the Facebook boycott .
Unilever “ has enough influence to persuade other brand advertisers to follow its lead , ” said eMarketer analyst Nicole Perrin .
She noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ longer , on more platforms ( including Twitter ) and for more expansive reasons ” — in particular , by citing problems with “ divisiveness ” as well as hate speech .
Sarah Personette , vice president of global client solutions at Twitter , said the company ’ s “ mission is to serve the public conversation and ensure Twitter is a place where people can make human connections , seek and receive authentic and credible information , and express themselves freely and safely.
” She added that Twitter is “ respectful of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work and communicate closely with them during this time .
”

OAKLAND, Calif. — Facebook said Friday that it will flag all “newsworthy” posts from politicians that break its rules, including those from President Donald Trump.
Separately, Facebook’s stock dropped more than 8%, erasing roughly $50 billion from its market valuation, after the European company behind brands such as Ben & Jerry’s and Dove announced it would boycott Facebook ads through the end of the year over the amount of hate speech and divisive rhetoric on its platform. Later in the day, Coca-Cola also announced it joined the boycott for at least 30 days.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg had previously refused to take action against Trump posts suggesting that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud, saying that people deserved to hear unfiltered statements from political leaders. Twitter, by contrast, slapped a “get the facts” label on them.
Until Friday, Trump’s posts with identical wording to those labeled on Twitter remained untouched on Facebook, sparking criticism from Trump’s opponents as well as current and former Facebook employees. Now, Facebook is all but certain to face off with the president the next time he posts something the company deems to be violating its rules.
“The policies we’re implementing today are designed to address the reality of the challenges our country is facing and how they’re showing up across our community,” Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page announcing the changes.
Zuckerberg said the social network is taking additional steps to counter election-related misinformation. In particular, the social network will begin adding new labels to all posts about voting that will direct users to authoritative information from state and local election officials.
Facebook is also banning false claims intended to discourage voting, such as stories about federal agents checking legal status at polling places. The company also said it is increasing its enforcement capacity to remove false claims about local polling conditions in the 72 hours before the U.S. election.
Ethan Zuckerman, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Civic Media, said the changes are a “reminder of how powerful Facebook may be in terms of spreading disinformation during the upcoming election.”
He said the voting labels will depend on how good Facebook’s artificial intelligence is at identifying posts to label.
“If every post that mentions voting links, people will start ignoring those links. If they’re targeted to posts that say things like ‘Police will be checking warrants and unpaid traffic tickets at polls’ — a classic voter suppression disinfo tactic — and clearly mark posts as disinfo, they might be useful,” he said.
But Zuckerman noted that Facebook “has a history of trying hard not to alienate right-leaning users, and given how tightly President Trump has aligned himself with voter-suppressing misinfo, it seems likely that Facebook will err on the side of non-intrusive and ignorable labels, which would minimize impact of the campaign.”
Earlier in the day, shares of Facebook and Twitter dropped sharply after consumer-product maker Unilever announced a new ad boycott on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram through at least the end of the year.
The European company said it took the move to protest the amount of hate speech online. Unilever said the polarized atmosphere in the United States ahead of November’s presidential election placed responsibility on brands to act.
In addition to the decline in Facebook shares, Twitter ended the day more than 7% lower.
Unilever, which is based in the Netherlands and Britain, joins a raft of other advertisers pulling back from online platforms. Facebook in particular has been the target of an escalating movement to withhold advertising dollars to pressure it to do more to prevent racist and violent content from being shared on its platform.
“We have decided that starting now through at least the end of the year, we will not run brand advertising in social media newsfeed platforms Facebook, Instagram and Twitter in the U.S.,” Unilever said. “Continuing to advertise on these platforms at this time would not add value to people and society.”
Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment. On Thursday, Verizon joined others in the Facebook boycott.
Unilever “has enough influence to persuade other brand advertisers to follow its lead,” said eMarketer analyst Nicole Perrin. She noted that Unilever pulled back spending “for longer, on more platforms (including Twitter) and for more expansive reasons” — in particular, by citing problems with “divisiveness” as well as hate speech.
Sarah Personette, vice president of global client solutions at Twitter, said the company’s “mission is to serve the public conversation and ensure Twitter is a place where people can make human connections, seek and receive authentic and credible information, and express themselves freely and safely.”
She added that Twitter is “respectful of our partners’ decisions and will continue to work and communicate closely with them during this time.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Police: Springfield warehouse shooting suspect killed himself

SPRINGFIELD — A 48-year-old man suspected in the fatal shooting of two co-workers and the critical wounding of another at a Springfield , Illinois , warehouse died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound , the city ’ s police chief said Friday .
Michael L. Collins of Springfield , two other men and a woman all arrived for work about 7 a.m. Friday in the welding area of the Bunn-O-Matic facility , Springfield Chief Kenny Winslow said during a news conference .
The shooting happened shortly after 11 a.m. , police said .
The sheriff of nearby Morgan County called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day to say the suspect ’ s body had been found in his car , a victim of a gunshot wound , Winslow said .
Two handguns were found alongside Collins ’ body in his car after the shooting .
No other suspects were being sought .
Winslow released Collins ’ name earlier Friday but later said he would not repeat it .
The names of the slain victims were not released , neither was the name of a female co-workers who was in critical condition at a hospital .
The bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police officers searching the building .
The female employee was found injured in the parking lot and was rushed to a hospital , he said .
Winslow said one of the men who died was in his 60s , one was in his 20s and the woman who was critically injured is in her 50s .
Winslow said investigators were seeking a motive behind the shootings .
One employee described a chaotic scene when the crack of of gunfire shattered an otherwise quiet workday .
Charles Bantle estimated that about half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to concerns about the coronavirus .
“ I was in the maintenance shop and just heard the gunshots and everybody started running , ” Bantle , told The ( Springfield ) State Journal-Register .
“ And I ’ m in maintenance , so I figured something ’ s broken .
So I started walking towards it , figured it was the air compressor blowing up or something , and I was going to have to go fix it .
But then everyone was screaming and yelling , telling me to go the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took cover.
” About 100 employees hurried from the company ’ s main building , and police gathered them together to determine if everyone had left the facility , the police chief said .
Bunn-O-Matic manufactures dispensed beverage equipment , and is headquartered in Springfield , according to the company ’ s website .

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The 48-year-old man suspected of fatally shooting two coworkers and critically wounding another at a central Illinois warehouse Friday died after apparently shooting himself, the city’s police chief said.
Springfield police believe Michael L. Collins fatally shot himself Friday after shooting and killing two co-workers at the Bunn-O-Matic facility shortly after 11 a.m. Collins, of Springfield, also critically injured another woman, police said.
Collins, the two other men and the woman all arrived for work at about 7 a.m. Friday in the welding area of the facility, Springfield Police Chief Kenny Winslow told reporters Friday evening. They all worked in the same area, he said.
Winslow said the sheriff of nearby Morgan County called his office later Friday to say Collins’ body had been found in the suspect’s car. Two handguns were found in the car. No other suspects were being sought.
Winslow released Collins’ name earlier Friday but later said he would not repeat it. The names of the victims were not released, neither was the name of the female co-worker who was in critical condition at a hospital.
“Words can’t explain what occurred,” Winslow said Friday evening. “I know we all want answers. People want motives. I don’t have that at this time. It’s too early in the investigation.”
The bodies of the two dead employees were found by officers searching the building. The female employee was found in the parking lot and taken to a hospital. Winslow said one of the men who died was in his 60s, one was in his 20s and the woman is in her 50s.
“We’re trying to verify if anything occurred today, or if there was any kind of activity that would cause something like this,” he continued. “We are digging into the background of the suspect. We are reaching out to acquaintances and family members of him.”
Bunn-O-Matic manufactures dispensed beverage equipment, and is headquartered in Springfield, according to the company’s website.
One employee described a chaotic scene when the crack of gunfire shattered an otherwise quiet workday. Charles Bantle estimated that about half of the warehouse employees weren’t working due to concerns about the coronavirus.
“I was in the maintenance shop and just heard the gunshots and everybody started running,” Bantle told The (Springfield) State Journal-Register. “And I’m in maintenance, so I figured something’s broken. So I started walking towards it, figured it was the air compressor blowing up or something, and I was going to have to go fix it. But then everyone was screaming and yelling, telling me to go the other way. So we all ran and took cover.”
Nearly 175 workers were in several buildings at the site at the time of the shootings, Winslow said. About 100 employees hurried from the main building, and police gathered them together to determine if everyone had left the facility, he said.
“We’re still trying to see exactly when he left,” Winslow said of the suspect.
Winslow said investigators are working with the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency to determine whether the guns in Collins’ car were obtained legally. They’re also looking into how Collins was able to get a weapon into the Springfield facility.
“I don’t know what the protocols are at this time for entering the building,” Winslow said. “I don’t know what safety mechanism they may or may not have in place.”
Babwin reported from Chicago. Reporter Corey Williams in West Bloomfield, Michigan, contributed to this report.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--NBA season resumes July 30 with Pelicans-Jazz, Lakers-Clippers twinbill

Zion Williamson is about to get another chance at opening night .
Injury kept him out of New Orleans ’ appearance in the first game of this NBA season when the Pelicans started the year at Toronto , but now the big-name rookie will be in position to be on center stage at Disney when play resumes — against the team that was the first to find itself in the middle of the NBA ’ s coronavirus situation .
New Orleans will be in the first game of the resumed NBA season on July 30 , taking on Utah at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida in the opener of a doubleheader .
And just as the initial first night of this season-like-none-other did , the second game of nationally televised twinbill will pit the Los Angeles Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers .
The Jazz were a logical storyline for the first game back , after Utah ’ s All-Star center Rudy Gobert was the first player in the league to test positive for the coronavirus — a development that forced the league to suspend the season on March 11 .
More than four and a half @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the NBA , but the league officially completed talks Friday with the National Basketball Players Association on the terms for restarting the season and therefore could release the 88-game slate of what are being called seeding games .
Finally , play will resume in a season that started with political strife between the NBA and China in October , the deaths of David Stern and Kobe Bryant in January , a pandemic breaking out in March and racial issues surrounding police brutality and other forms of inequality dividing the country once again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutdown .
“ There ’ s no question this season and frankly this year has been one which none of us will soon forget , ” NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said .
“ Obviously , the virus came at us hard without any prior warning and then we were faced with the prospect of losing the season.
” But with a plan for strict medical protocols agreed upon , the league and its players believe it is safe to resume .
Players will start arriving at the Disney complex on July 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get there , and could be away from their families for more than three months .
Families aren ’ t expected to be permitted on-site at Disney until the start of the second round of the playoffs , set to begin in late August or early September .
“ Everyone is making some type of sacrifice , ” Miami Heat forward Andre Iguodala said .
“ A lot of people in America don ’ t have jobs right now , and we have the opportunity to be a beacon of light , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social injustices .
We ’ re going to shed light on that , people being away from their families , understanding that sacrifice … the greater good of everything that our players stand for , including the game of basketball.
” For the 22 teams going to Disney , the setup of the eight-game slates will be largely the same — one back-to-back for each of the clubs , with all the games set to be played in a 16-day span ending Aug. 14 .
The NBA will be using three arenas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-game slate on the opening night there will be somewhere between four and seven games played each day .
There will be some very unusual elements , with games starting as early as 1 p.m. on weekdays , 12:30 p.m. on weekends and most nights seeing the slate end with 9 p.m. tip-offs — other than NBA Finals games , an absolute rarity for games being played on the East coast .
Plans call for 52 of the 88 seeding games to be nationally televised , with 18 on TNT ( including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 14 on NBA TV and three on ABC .
Games will be shown in local markets as well .
Most of the arenas on the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus will be used for multiple games each day , with no tip-off scheduled for less than four hours apart in each of those three buildings — with the league allowing time in between games for sanitizing of everything that players , coaches or staff could come into contact with .
If a play-in tournament for the No .
8 seed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team finishing within four games of the team in eighth , those games in a best-of-two series that the No .
9 team would need to sweep will begin on Aug. 15 .
The NBA playoffs will begin Aug. 17 , and the NBA Finals are set to begin Sept. 30 with a possible Game 7 on Oct. 13 .

Zion Williamson is about to get another chance at opening night.
Injury kept him out of New Orleans’ appearance in the first game of this NBA season when the Pelicans started the year at Toronto, but now the big-name rookie will be in position to be on center stage at Disney when play resumes — against the team that was the first to find itself in the middle of the NBA’s coronavirus situation.
New Orleans will be in the first game of the resumed NBA season on July 30, taking on Utah at the Disney World complex near Orlando, Florida in the opener of a doubleheader. And just as the initial first night of this season-like-none-other did, the second game of nationally televised twinbill will pit the Los Angeles Lakers against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Jazz were a logical storyline for the first game back, after Utah’s All-Star center Rudy Gobert was the first player in the league to test positive for the coronavirus — a development that forced the league to suspend the season on March 11. More than four and a half months will have passed between game nights in the NBA, but the league officially completed talks Friday with the National Basketball Players Association on the terms for restarting the season and therefore could release the 88-game slate of what are being called seeding games.
Finally, play will resume in a season that started with political strife between the NBA and China in October, the deaths of David Stern and Kobe Bryant in January, a pandemic breaking out in March and racial issues surrounding police brutality and other forms of inequality dividing the country once again during much of the league’s shutdown.
“There’s no question this season and frankly this year has been one which none of us will soon forget,” NBPA executive director Michele Roberts said. “Obviously, the virus came at us hard without any prior warning and then we were faced with the prospect of losing the season.”
But with a plan for strict medical protocols agreed upon, the league and its players believe it is safe to resume.
Players will start arriving at the Disney complex on July 7, will be tested daily once they get there, and could be away from their families for more than three months. Families aren’t expected to be permitted on-site at Disney until the start of the second round of the playoffs, set to begin in late August or early September.
“Everyone is making some type of sacrifice,” Miami Heat forward Andre Iguodala said. “A lot of people in America don’t have jobs right now, and we have the opportunity to be a beacon of light, not just for that one particular thing but the social injustices. We’re going to shed light on that, people being away from their families, understanding that sacrifice … the greater good of everything that our players stand for, including the game of basketball.”
For the 22 teams going to Disney, the setup of the eight-game slates will be largely the same — one back-to-back for each of the clubs, with all the games set to be played in a 16-day span ending Aug. 14. The NBA will be using three arenas at Disney, and other than the two-game slate on the opening night there will be somewhere between four and seven games played each day.
There will be some very unusual elements, with games starting as early as 1 p.m. on weekdays, 12:30 p.m. on weekends and most nights seeing the slate end with 9 p.m. tip-offs — other than NBA Finals games, an absolute rarity for games being played on the East coast.
Plans call for 52 of the 88 seeding games to be nationally televised, with 18 on TNT (including the opening-night doubleheader), 17 on ESPN, 14 on NBA TV and three on ABC. Games will be shown in local markets as well.
Most of the arenas on the ESPN Wide World of Sports campus will be used for multiple games each day, with no tip-off scheduled for less than four hours apart in each of those three buildings — with the league allowing time in between games for sanitizing of everything that players, coaches or staff could come into contact with.
If a play-in tournament for the No. 8 seed in either conference is needed by the ninth-place team finishing within four games of the team in eighth, those games in a best-of-two series that the No. 9 team would need to sweep will begin on Aug. 15.
The NBA playoffs will begin Aug. 17, and the NBA Finals are set to begin Sept. 30 with a possible Game 7 on Oct. 13.
All Times Eastern
Thursday, July 30
Utah vs. New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.
L.A. Clippers vs. L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m.
Friday, July 31
Orlando vs. Brooklyn, 2:30 p.m.
Memphis vs. Portland, 4 p.m.
Phoenix vs. Washington, 4 p.m.
Boston vs. Milwaukee, 6:30 p.m.
Sacramento vs. San Antonio, 8 p.m.
Houston vs. Dallas, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 1
Miami vs. Denver, 1 p.m.
Utah vs. Oklahoma City, 3:30 p.m.
New Orleans vs. L.A. Clippers, 6 p.m.
Philadelphia vs. Indianapolis, 7 p.m.
L.A. Lakers vs. Toronto, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 2
Washington vs. Brooklyn, 2 p.m.
Portland vs. Boston, 3:30 p.m.
San Antonio vs. Memphis, 4 p.m.
Sacramento vs. Orlando, 6 p.m.
Milwaukee vs. Houston, 8:30 p.m.
Dallas vs. Phoenix, 9 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 3
Toronto vs. Miami, 1:30 p.m.
Denver vs. Oklahoma City, 4 p.m.
Indianapolis vs. Washington, 4 p.m.
Memphis vs. New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.
San Antonio vs. Philadelphia, 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers vs. Utah, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 4
Brooklyn vs. Milwaukee, 1:30 p.m.
Dallas vs. Sacramento, 2:30 p.m.
Phoenix vs. L.A. Clippers, 4 p.m.
Orlando vs. Indianapolis, 6 p.m.
Boston vs. Miami, 6:30 p.m.
Houston vs. Portland, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 5
Memphis vs. Utah, 2:30 p.m.
Philadelphia vs. Washington, 4 p.m.
Denver vs. San Antonio, 4 p.m.
Oklahoma City vs. L.A. Lakers, 6:30 p.m.
Toronto vs. Orlando, 8 p.m.
Brooklyn vs. Boston, 9 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 6
New Orleans vs. Sacramento, 1:30 p.m.
Miami vs. Milwaukee, 4 p.m.
Indianapolis vs. Phoenix, 4 p.m.
L.A. Clippers vs. Dallas, 6:30 p.m.
Portland vs. Denver, 8 p.m.
L.A. Lakers vs. Houston, 9 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 7
Utah vs. San Antonio, 1 p.m.
Oklahoma City vs. Memphis, 4 p.m.
Sacramento vs. Brooklyn, 5 p.m.
Orlando vs. Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m.
Washington vs. New Orleans, 8 p.m.
Boston vs. Toronto, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 8
L.A. Clippers vs. Portland, 1 p.m.
Utah vs. Denver, 3:30 p.m.
L.A. Lakers vs. Indianapolis, 6 p.m.
Phoenix vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Milwaukee vs. Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 9
Washington vs. Oklahoma City, 12:30 p.m.
Memphis vs. Toronto, 2 p.m.
San Antonio vs. New Orleans, 3 p.m.
Orlando vs. Boston, 5 p.m.
Philadelphia vs. Portland, 6:30 p.m.
Houston vs. Sacramento, 8 p.m.
Brooklyn vs. L.A. Clippers, 9 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 10
Oklahoma City vs. Phoenix, 2:30 p.m.
Dallas vs. Utah, 3 p.m.
Toronto vs. Milwaukee, 6:30 p.m.
Indianapolis vs. Miami, 8 p.m.
Denver vs. L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11
Brooklyn vs. Orlando, 1 p.m.
Houston vs. San Antonio, 2 p.m.
Phoenix vs. Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m.
Portland vs. Dallas, 5 p.m.
Boston vs. Memphis, 6:30 p.m.
New Orleans vs. Sacramento, 9 p.m.
Milwaukee vs. Washington, 9 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 12
Indianapolis vs. Houston, 4 p.m.
Toronto vs. Philadelphia, 6:30 p.m.
Miami vs. Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
L.A. Clippers vs. Denver, 9 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 13
Washington vs. Boston, TBA
Portland vs. Brooklyn, TBA
Sacramento vs. L.A. Lakers, TBA
Milwaukee vs. Memphis, TBA
New Orleans vs. Orlando, TBA
Dallas vs. Phoenix, TBA
San Antonio vs. Utah, TBA
Friday, Aug. 14
Philadelphia vs. Houston, TBA
Miami vs. Indianapolis, TBA
Oklahoma City vs. L.A. Clippers, TBA
Denver vs. Toronto, TBA


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Family of girl injured by Chicago police SUV during protests files lawsuit against city

A lawsuit was filed against the City of Chicago on behalf of a 15-year-old girl who was injured after a Chicago police SUV rolled over her body during the George Floyd protests in Roseland last month .
The suit , filed by Astarte Washington ’ s family in Cook County Circuit Court , accuses the city of willful and wanton conduct and exhibiting “ a conscious disregard for the safety of others.
” Astarte and her brother were walking from their grandmother ’ s home in the 9700 block of South Yale Avenue to their home in West Pullman on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They tried to take a bus , but CTA service had been disrupted because of the protests following Floyd ’ s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer .
Astarte and her brother ran into a large group of protesters and looters , forcing them off the sidewalk and into the crowd in the middle of the street at the intersection of 111th Street and South Michigan Avenue , the suit states .
Police were trying to control the masses at the intersection , and Astarte heard several officers order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
Several people dispersed as officers gave the order , but Astarte listened to the officers and went to the ground , the suit states .
As she was lying down , an officer allegedly jumped out of a marked a 2017 Chicago police SUV without putting it in park .
The SUV reversed over Astarte ’ s body twice , with the rear and front tires , “ causing traumatic and severe permanent injuries , ” the suit states .
Astarte was an eighth grader at DuBois Elementary School at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suit states .
She was the acting student council president and captain of the basketball team .
Chicago police , in a statement , said officers were responding to reports of looting in the area .
“ Upon arrival , an officer exited his vehicle to assist another officer in need of help , ” the statement read .
“ He then observed his vehicle rolling backward , injuring one officer and one juvenile civilian who were in the street .
The incident was documented in a traffic crash report .
An investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The suit seeks more than $ 50,000 in damages .

A lawsuit was filed against the City of Chicago on behalf of a 15-year-old girl who was injured after a Chicago police SUV rolled over her body during the George Floyd protests in Roseland last month.
The suit, filed by Astarte Washington’s family in Cook County Circuit Court, accuses the city of willful and wanton conduct and exhibiting “a conscious disregard for the safety of others.”
Astarte and her brother were walking from their grandmother’s home in the 9700 block of South Yale Avenue to their home in West Pullman on May 31, according to the suit. They tried to take a bus, but CTA service had been disrupted because of the protests following Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
Astarte and her brother ran into a large group of protesters and looters, forcing them off the sidewalk and into the crowd in the middle of the street at the intersection of 111th Street and South Michigan Avenue, the suit states. Police were trying to control the masses at the intersection, and Astarte heard several officers order the group to stop and get on the ground.
Several people dispersed as officers gave the order, but Astarte listened to the officers and went to the ground, the suit states. As she was lying down, an officer allegedly jumped out of a marked a 2017 Chicago police SUV without putting it in park.
The SUV reversed over Astarte’s body twice, with the rear and front tires, “causing traumatic and severe permanent injuries,” the suit states.
Astarte was an eighth grader at DuBois Elementary School at the time she was injured, the suit states. She was the acting student council president and captain of the basketball team.
Chicago police, in a statement, said officers were responding to reports of looting in the area.
“Upon arrival, an officer exited his vehicle to assist another officer in need of help,” the statement read.
“He then observed his vehicle rolling backward, injuring one officer and one juvenile civilian who were in the street. The incident was documented in a traffic crash report. An investigation has been opened into this incident.”
City officials didn’t respond to a request for comment Friday evening.
The suit seeks more than $50,000 in damages.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Have your own Pride Parade: Take our tour of 17 Chicago LGBTQ landmarks

Have your own Pride Parade : Take our tour of 17 Chicago LGBTQ landmarks Share All sharing options for : Have your own Pride Parade : Take our tour of 17 Chicago LGBTQ landmarks Chicago has long been a hub of LGBTQ life and culture and advocacy for LGBTQ rights .
There ’ s a rich queer history that includes hosting what ’ s believed to be the nation ’ s first pride parade , in June 1970 , passing a pioneering human rights ordinance in 1988 offering protections from discrimination and electing Lori Lightfoot in 2018 as the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s no Chicago Pride Parade this year because of the coronavirus pandemic .
So we put together this list to highlight some key places and moments in the city ’ s LGBTQ life and history .
The grassy area of what ’ s technically Washington Square Park has long been known as Bughouse Square and as a tourist destination because of its history as a center for public debate .
In the LGBTQ community , Bughouse Square also was known as a popular cruising area and hook-up site and , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go and realize they weren ’ t alone , according to Owen Keehnen , a Chicago LGBTQ historian .
“ People were shocked that there were this many gay people in the world , ” Keehnen says .
“ They might have grown up thinking they were the only one , only to realize , ‘ I guess I ’ m not.
’ ” Bughouse Square also holds another distinction in gay history .
It ’ s where the nation ’ s first pride parade began — on June 27 , 1970 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City ’ s 1969 Stonewall riots , the uprising that followed a police raid on the gay club the Stonewall Inn and became a catalyst for the gay rights movement .
New York ’ s own parade — the Christopher Street Liberation Day march , marking the same anniversary — was held June 28 , 1970 , a day after Chicago ’ s march , according to Devlyn Camp , producer of the podcast “ A Queer Serial.
” Located downtown at Daley Plaza , the untitled Picasso sculpture , unveiled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a landmark moment in LGBTQ history : the end of that first pride march in 1970 .
People marched from Bughouse Square to the Picasso at what was then called the Civic Center Plaza .
Albert Williams , a Columbia College Chicago professor and former editor of the Windy City Times LGBTQ newspaper , was there and says the march ended with a circle dance at the Picasso .
The Legacy Walk outdoor walking museum stretches just over a half a mile on Halsted Street , between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Boystown .
The city declared it a historic landmark last year .
It ’ s marked by rainbow-colored pylons standing 25 feet tall that line both sides of Halsted .
Each pylon features a pair of figures and events key to the LGBTQ rights movement , among them writers James Baldwin and Walt Whitman and the Stonewall riots .
“ Grade-school kids are brought in and go down it , ” says Rick Garcia , a longtime activist who lives in Edgewater .
“ It shows gay people throughout history who made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from all over the country.
” After visiting the Legacy Walk , you can stop by the Center on Halsted , an LGBTQ community center at 3656 N. Halsted St. that opened in 2007 .
Before the coronavirus pandemic , about 1,400 people a day typically would visit the center , according to Modesto Valle , its chief executive officer .
The center provides social services and community programs including HIV testing , group therapy , workshops and meals for people over 55 and vocational development help .
Though it ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , Valle says he expects the center ’ s expansive lobby to reopen to the public in the coming week .
“ People come here to be in a safe place , ” he says , “ where they see people who look like them , where they feel heard.
” A hub of gay-owned businesses and bustling nightlife , the heavily LGBTQ North Side neighborhood known as Boystown received the city 's official designation as a gay village in 1997 .
Running generally from the lake to west of Clark Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s where you can find some of the oldest and best-known gay bars in Chicago .
Among them : Little Jims , 3501 N. Halsted St. , a tavern in the heart of Boystown that recently was sold that ’ s a landmark in the neighborhood .
Within a couple of blocks are other longstanding nightlife handouts Roscoe ’ s Tavern , 3356 N. Halsted St. , and Sidetrack Chicago , 3349 N. Halsted St .
Since the early days of Boystown , the bars and nightlife that can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a magnet for LGBTQ people , according to Keehnen .
“ Bars are so important , ” he says .
“ It ’ s not just to drink and pick people up .
They were simply so important because , if there isn ’ t a place for community to happen , community doesn ’ t happen.
” The Belmont Rocks lining the lakefront between Diversey Harbor and Belmont Harbor were a place for forging and solidifying friendships in the LGBTQ community , says Keehnen , 60 , who lives in Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunches , the limestone blocks offered a safe place for queer Chicagoans to congregate .
In 2003 , the city paved over the Belmont Rocks , and Keehnen posted on Facebook bemoaning this loss .
Ald .
Tom Tunney ( 44th ) , who is gay , paid notice .
So did the Chicago Park District .
As a result , Keehnen and others helped envision an AIDS Garden to be built where the Belmont Rocks were .
It so far includes “ Self-Portrait , ” a green sculpture , standing 30 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist Keith Haring of a man that ’ s visible from Lake Shore Drive .
Landscaping still needs to be done , and the garden is expected to be fully open sometime in the fall , according to Keehnen , who works as a historian for the project .
The garden also will include a walkway with a chronology of the AIDS epidemic in Chicago .
Keehnen says it ’ s “ not a memorial garden .
It ’ s to celebrate not only the lives that were lost , but also those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community to endure the disease.
” Women & Children First started as a feminist bookstore founded to address a scarcity of feminist literature in Chicago , according to co-founder Linda Bubon , and “ really evolved in an organic kind of way ” into a store that caters to the LGBTQ community that developed in Andersonville in the 1990s .
Some who live there since the 1990s credit the bookshop with helping Andersonville grow into the city ’ s best-known lesbian community , known as Girlstown .
The store has held memorial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years also worked to deepen its ties with the transgender community .
The Leather Archives & Museum , founded by gay business people Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase , celebrates the leather and bondage subculture .
Rather than present the subculture as taboo , it offers exhibitions that include bondage gear and also literature and art that the owners say shows the subculture as a movement integral to the LGBTQ community .
The Aragon Ballroom , a music venue that dates to 1926 , has long hosted pop music concerts and , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Orange Balls and other LGBTQ fundraisers .
The Orange Balls , held by gay activists including Renslow , were held to protest singer Anita Bryant ’ s anti-gay Save Our Children campaign .
In response , gay activists held the Orange Balls .
Medinah Temple , an Islamic Revival-style building , originally was a 4,200-seat auditorium and now is a Macy ’ s store .
In 1977 , it was the site of a protest against Bryant and her anti-gay coalition .
When Bryant came to Chicago to perform at the Shriners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protesters marched in a circle around Medinah Temple , holding signs that read “ God drinks wine , not orange juice ” — a reference to Bryant ’ s orange juice commercials — and “ Anita is McCarthy in drag , ” according to historian John D ’ Emilio .
The Henry Gerber House is one in a row of protected landmark Queen Anne-style houses in Old Town .
Granted that status by the city in 2001 , it ’ s where Henry Gerber secretly organized the nation ’ s first gay emancipation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historic landmark in 2015 — the second in the nation , after the Stonewall Inn , to get that designation because of its significance in LGBTQ history .
Gerber , a Bavarian immigrant lauded as the grandfather of the American gay movement , created the group in 1924 and named it the Society for Human Rights in an effort to organize gays nationwide .
But the group was short-lived .
In 1925 , the police raided Gerber ’ s house , arrested him and shut down the society .
Even though the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it cost Gerber his $ 600 life savings and his job at the post office for “ conduct unbecoming a postal worker.
” Remembering Gerber , in Camp ’ s eyes , is a way to commemorate LGBTQ ancestors .
Just north of Devon Avenue , the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is named for Gerber and Pearl Hart , who fought against police violence toward gays .
The library focuses on LGBTQ history from Chicago and the Midwest and hosts lectures , workshops and classes .
Chicago ’ s three coliseums , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used for sports and exhibitions— and , from the 1930s , drag balls and gay dances .
The city ’ s third coliseum , on South Wabash Avenue , hosted drag balls in the 1930s that drew diverse crowds and eventually were sponsored by African American business owners , according to historian Tristan Cabello .
Later , the same coliseum was where Chicago ’ s first public gay dance , in the 1960s , was held by Chicago ’ s Gay Liberation Front .
The organization had hosted dances twice before at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the university ’ s campus for violating dance attendance limits and moved to the coliseum , making the dance public .
A Black insurance broker insured the dance at the Chicago Coliseum after other agents refused to do so for fear of police raids .
You still can see a trace of the third coliseum in the form of Coliseum Park , facing its former site , now a lay Buddhist building .
The park ’ s stone and metal pavilion is reminiscent of the third coliseum ’ s castle-style turrets and crenellations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nobel Peace Prize in 1931 , founded Hull-House , Chicago ’ s first settlement , on the Near West Side in 1889 .
These places , which originated in London in the 1880s , provided social services and aimed to help address social problems that arose amid urbanization , immigration and industrialization .
What Chicagoans might not know about Addams is that she had a relationship with a woman , Mary Rozet Smith , for 40 years .
She was inducted posthumously into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2008 .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of residents at the Hull-House — Addams included — provided education and day care to children of working mothers and English and citizenship classes to immigrants .
The house now is a museum commemorating Addams ’ work .
Jeffery Pub is one of the oldest gay bars in the city and the country and , according to owner Jamal Junior , the only African American-owned LGBTQ bar in Chicago .
With much of Chicago ’ s LGBTQ hub concentrated on the North Side , Jeffery Pub often was seen as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the south suburbs .
“ We ’ re 100 % open for everyone to come in , ” Junior says .
“ But when there were issues on the North Side , African American communities were always able to have a safe home on the South Side at Jeffery Pub.
” It ’ s a myth that the Latino community is reluctant to accept LGBTQ people , according Garcia , the longtime activist .
And La Cueva nightclub in Little Village offers testament to that .
It hosts drag shows and other entertainment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hub of LGBTQ nightlife .
In 1935 , the basement of a tavern at 38th Street and Michigan Avenue hosted the first of what were called Finnie ’ s Balls — a series of drag balls created by Black gay gambler and street hustler Alfred Finnie .
Guests paid a quarter to enter the first gathering , which was a small affair compared to the lavish event it later became .
In the early days , the balls provided gay and lesbian people with the opportunity to socialize publicly in an intimate setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year at various locations until 1943 , when Finnie was killed in a gambling brawl .

Chicago has long been a hub of LGBTQ+ life and culture and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights.
There’s a rich queer history that includes hosting what’s believed to be the nation’s first pride parade (in June 1970), passing a pioneering human rights ordinance in 1988 offering protections from discrimination, and electing Lori Lightfoot in 2018 as the city’s first LGBTQ+ mayor.
There was no Chicago Pride Parade in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. So at the time, we put together this list to highlight some key places and moments in the city’s LGBTQ+ life and history. Even though there’s a parade this year, you can still take the self-guided tour.
Bughouse Square
901 N. Clark St.
People gathered at Bughouse Square in 1975. Sun-Times file
The grassy area of what’s technically Washington Square Park has long been known as Bughouse Square and as a tourist destination because of its history as a center for public debate.
In the LGBTQ+ community, Bughouse Square also was known as a popular cruising area and hook-up site and, as the community grew, somewhere queer people could go and realize they weren’t alone, according to Owen Keehnen, a Chicago LGBTQ+ historian.
“People were shocked that there were this many gay people in the world,” Keehnen says. “They might have grown up thinking they were the only one, only to realize, ‘I guess I’m not.’”
Bughouse Square also holds another distinction in gay history. It’s where the nation’s first pride parade began — on June 27, 1970.
The march marked the first anniversary of New York City’s 1969 Stonewall riots, the uprising that followed a police raid on the gay club the Stonewall Inn and became a catalyst for the gay rights movement.
New York’s own parade — the Christopher Street Liberation Day march, marking the same anniversary — was held June 28, 1970, a day after Chicago’s march, according to Devlyn Camp, producer of the podcast “A Queer Serial.”
The Picasso
50 W. Washington St.
The Picasso sculpture downtown was where marchers finished the first pride parade in 1970. Rich Hein / Sun-Times
Located downtown at Daley Plaza, the untitled Picasso sculpture, unveiled in 1967, is the site of a landmark moment in LGBTQ+ history: the end of that first pride march in 1970.
People marched from Bughouse Square to the Picasso at what was then called the Civic Center Plaza.
Albert Williams, a Columbia College Chicago professor and former editor of the Windy City Times LGBTQ+ newspaper, was there and says the march ended with a circle dance at the Picasso.
The Legacy Walk
3245-3704 N. Halsted St.
The Legacy Walk features rainbow pylons and plaques commemorating the life and work of notable LGBTQ figures and events. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
The Legacy Walk outdoor walking museum stretches just over a half a mile on Halsted Street, between Belmont Avenue and Grace Street, in the largely LGBTQ+ Lake View neighborhood known as Northhalsted. (Note: The neighborhood officially dropped the name Boystown and adopted Northhalsted in September 2020.)
The city declared it a historic landmark last year.
It’s marked by rainbow-colored pylons standing 25 feet tall that line both sides of Halsted. Each pylon features a pair of figures and events key to the LGBTQ+ rights movement, among them writers James Baldwin and Walt Whitman and the Stonewall riots.
“Grade-school kids are brought in and go down it,” says Rick Garcia, a longtime activist who lives in Edgewater. “It shows gay people throughout history who made significant contributions. Seeing that draws people from all over the country.”
Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted St.
The Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted St., is an LGBTQ+ community center offering social services. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
After visiting the Legacy Walk, you can stop by the Center on Halsted, an LGBTQ+ community center at 3656 N. Halsted St. that opened in 2007.
The center provides social services and community programs including HIV testing, group therapy, workshops and meals for people over 55 and vocational development help.
Northalsted
East Lake View
A hub of gay-owned businesses and bustling nightlife, the heavily LGBTQ+ North Side neighborhood known as Northalsted received the city's official designation as a gay village in 1997.
Running generally from the lake to west of Clark Street between Irving Park Road and Diversey Avenue, it’s where you can find some of the oldest and best-known gay bars in Chicago.
Among them are a pair of longstanding nightlife handouts: Roscoe’s Tavern, 3356 N. Halsted St., and Sidetrack Chicago, 3349 N. Halsted St.
Since the early days of Northalsted, the bars and nightlife that can be found along Halsted Street and nearby have been a magnet for LGBTQ+ people, according to Keehnen.
“Bars are so important,” he says. “It’s not just to drink and pick people up. They were simply so important because, if there isn’t a place for community to happen, community doesn’t happen.”
AIDS Garden
3003 N. Lakefront Trail
Keith Haring’s “Self Portrait” sits in the middle of the AIDS Garden at 3003 N Lakefront Trail, formerly the site of the Belmont Rocks. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
The Belmont Rocks lining the lakefront between Diversey Harbor and Belmont Harbor were a place for forging and solidifying friendships in the LGBTQ+ community, says Keehnen, 60, who lives in Rogers Park. From sun-tanning to having picnic lunches, the limestone blocks offered a safe place for queer Chicagoans to congregate.
In 2003, the city paved over the Belmont Rocks, and Keehnen posted on Facebook bemoaning this loss. Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), who is gay, paid notice. So did the Chicago Park District. As a result, Keehnen and others helped envision an AIDS Garden to be built where the Belmont Rocks were.
It so far includes “Self-Portrait,” a green sculpture, standing 30 feet tall, created by artist and AIDS activist Keith Haring of a man that’s visible from Lake Shore Drive. Landscaping still needs to be done, and the garden is expected to be fully open sometime in the fall, according to Keehnen, who works as a historian for the project.
The garden also will include a walkway with a chronology of the AIDS epidemic in Chicago.
Keehnen says it’s “not a memorial garden. It’s to celebrate not only the lives that were lost, but also those that survived and the coming together of a community to endure the disease.”
Women & Children First
5233 N. Clark St.
Women & Children First bookstore is on Clark Street in Andersonville, an area nicknamed “Girlstown.” Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
Women & Children First started as a feminist bookstore founded to address a scarcity of feminist literature in Chicago, according to co-founder Linda Bubon, and “really evolved in an organic kind of way” into a store that caters to the LGBTQ+ community that developed in Andersonville in the 1990s.
Some who live there since the 1990s credit the bookshop with helping Andersonville grow into the city’s best-known lesbian community, known as Girlstown.
The store has held memorial services and lesbian showers and in recent years also worked to deepen its ties with the transgender community.
Leather Archives & Museum
6418 N. Greenview Ave.
Leather Archives & Museum, 6418 N. Greenview Ave., in Rogers Park. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
The Leather Archives & Museum, founded by gay business people Chuck Renslow and Tony DeBlase, celebrates the leather and bondage subculture. Rather than present the subculture as taboo, it offers exhibitions that include bondage gear and also literature and art that the owners say shows the subculture as a movement integral to the LGBTQ+ community.
Aragon Ballroom
1106 W. Lawrence Ave.
The Aragon Ballroom, which dates to 1926, was the site of a 1977 protest of singer Anita Bryant and her anti-gay campaign. The Uptown hall is seen here in 1968. Sun-Times file
The Aragon Ballroom, a music venue that dates to 1926, has long hosted pop music concerts and, in 1977 and 1978, was the venue for Orange Balls and other LGBTQ+ fundraisers.
The Orange Balls, held by gay activists including Renslow, were held to protest singer Anita Bryant’s anti-gay Save Our Children campaign. In response, gay activists held the Orange Balls.
Medinah Temple
600 N. Wabash Ave.
Medinah Temple on Wabash Avenue, seen here in 1998, was a site of 1977 protests against anti-gay activist Anita Bryant. Rich Hein/ Sun-Times
Medinah Temple, an Islamic Revival-style building, originally was a 4,200-seat auditorium and now is a Macy’s store. In 1977, it was the site of a protest against Bryant and her anti-gay coalition.
When Bryant came to Chicago to perform at the Shriners Hospital for Children, gay and lesbian protesters marched in a circle around Medinah Temple, holding signs that read “God drinks wine, not orange juice”— a reference to Bryant’s orange juice commercials — and “Anita is McCarthy in drag,” according to historian John D’Emilio.
Henry Gerber House
1710 N. Crilly Ct.
The Henry Gerber House, 1704 N. Crilly Ct., commemorates Gerber, who created the nation’s first gay liberation group. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
The Henry Gerber House is one in a row of protected landmark Queen Anne-style houses in Old Town. Granted that status by the city in 2001, it’s where Henry Gerber secretly organized the nation’s first gay emancipation group.
It was designated a national historic landmark in 2015 — the second in the nation, after the Stonewall Inn, to get that designation because of its significance in LGBTQ+ history.
Gerber, a Bavarian immigrant lauded as the grandfather of the American gay movement, created the group in 1924 and named it the Society for Human Rights in an effort to organize gays nationwide. But the group was short-lived. In 1925, the police raided Gerber’s house, arrested him and shut down the society.
Even though the legal case against Gerber ultimately was dismissed, it cost Gerber his $600 life savings and his job at the post office for “conduct unbecoming a postal worker.”
Remembering Gerber, in Camp’s eyes, is a way to commemorate LGBTQ+ ancestors.
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives
6500 N. Clark St.
The Gerber/Hart Library and Archives, 6500 N. Clark St., in Rogers Park, focuses on LGBTQ+ Midwestern history. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
Just north of Devon Avenue, the Gerber/Hart Library and Archives is named for Gerber and Pearl Hart, who fought against police violence toward gays. The library focuses on LGBTQ+ history from Chicago and the Midwest and hosts lectures, workshops and classes.
Chicago Coliseum
1513 S. Wabash Ave.
In the early 1900s, the third Chicago Coliseum hosted some of the city’s first public gay dances and drag balls. Sun-Times file
Chicago’s three coliseums, no longer in existence, were indoor arenas used for sports and exhibitions— and, from the 1930s, drag balls and gay dances.
The city’s third coliseum, on South Wabash Avenue, hosted drag balls in the 1930s that drew diverse crowds and eventually were sponsored by African American business owners, according to historian Tristan Cabello.
Later, the same coliseum was where Chicago’s first public gay dance, in the 1960s, was held by Chicago’s Gay Liberation Front. The organization had hosted dances twice before at the University of Chicago but got kicked off the university’s campus for violating dance attendance limits and moved to the coliseum, making the dance public. A Black insurance broker insured the dance at the Chicago Coliseum after other agents refused to do so for fear of police raids.
You still can see a trace of the third coliseum in the form of Coliseum Park, facing its former site, now a lay Buddhist building. The park’s stone and metal pavilion is reminiscent of the third coliseum’s castle-style turrets and crenellations.
Jane Addams Hull-House Museum
800 S. Halsted St.
The historic Jane Addams Hull-House. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
Jane Addams, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931, founded Hull-House, Chicago’s first settlement, on the Near West Side in 1889. These places, which originated in London in the 1880s, provided social services and aimed to help address social problems that arose amid urbanization, immigration and industrialization.
What Chicagoans might not know about Addams is that she had a relationship with a woman, Mary Rozet Smith, for 40 years. She was inducted posthumously into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame in 2008.
From the late 1800s to early 1900s, a group of residents at the Hull-House — Addams included — provided education and day care to children of working mothers and English and citizenship classes to immigrants. The house now is a museum commemorating Addams’ work.
Jeffery Pub
7041 S. Jeffery Blvd.
Jeffery Pub is an African American-owned gay bar at 7041 S. Jeffery Blvd. in South Shore. Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times file
Jeffery Pub is one of the oldest gay bars in the city and the country and, according to owner Jamal Junior, the only African American-owned LGBTQ+ bar in Chicago.
With much of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ hub concentrated on the North Side, Jeffery Pub often was seen as a refuge for people from South Shore or the south suburbs.
“We’re 100% open for everyone to come in,” Junior says. “But when there were issues on the North Side, African American communities were always able to have a safe home on the South Side at Jeffery Pub.”
La Cueva
4153 W. 26th St.
La Cueva nightclub, 4153 W. 26th St., in Little Village. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
It’s a myth that the Latino community is reluctant to accept LGBTQ+ people, according Garcia, the longtime activist. And La Cueva nightclub in Little Village offers testament to that. It hosts drag shows and other entertainment, Garcia says, and is a hub of LGBTQ+ nightlife.
Finnie’s Balls
38th Street and Michigan Avenue
The approximate location of a tavern in the 3800 block of South Michigan Avenue in Bronzeville that hosted Finnie’s Balls from 1935 until the 1940s. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times
In 1935, the basement of a tavern at 38th Street and Michigan Avenue hosted the first of what were called Finnie’s Balls — a series of drag balls created by Black gay gambler and street hustler Alfred Finnie.
Guests paid a quarter to enter the first gathering, which was a small affair compared to the lavish event it later became.
In the early days, the balls provided gay and lesbian people with the opportunity to socialize publicly in an intimate setting. They were held about five times a year at various locations until 1943, when Finnie was killed in a gambling brawl.
(Editor’s note: A version of this story was originally published in June 2020.)


chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--Bears look to take Eddie Jackson’s game to another level in 2020

The second contract is the ultimate motivation for many young NFL players .
Bears players such as Roquan Smith , Tarik Cohen and Mitch Trubisky have acknowledged the significance of playing for that post-rookie deal .
So what does Eddie Jackson do now ?
The Bears safety signed a second contract and it was a whopper — a four-year , $ 58 million deal with $ 33 million guaranteed .
It ’ s the largest per-year contract for a safety in NFL history .
Motivation will have to come from within now .
“ Pay day or not , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bears secondary coach Deshea Townsend said .
“ You just have to continue to make the skills that he has … stronger than his weaknesses .
Make them even better.
” Bears general manager Ryan Pace has had his hits and misses in player acquisition , but has a much better batting average investing in known quantities .
Defensive end Akiem Hicks ( four years , $ 48 million ) , cornerback Kyle Fuller ( 4- $ 56 million ) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman ( 4- $ 42 million ) have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linebacker Khalil Mack ( 6- $ 141 million ) was better than advertised in an All-Pro season after Pace made him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history in 2018 .
Left tackle Charles Leno ( 4- $ 37 million ) made the Pro Bowl after getting paid , though he has something to prove in 2020 after a difficult 2019 season .
Center Cody Whitehair ( 5- $ 51 million ) had a subpar season while switching from center to guard and back to center in 2019 after signing a contract @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of the offense and a potential Pro Bowl player .
Jackson looks like a good bet to be at the high end of that list .
He ’ s in his prime at 27 and playing behind an elite front seven that has been fortified with the addition of pass rusher Robert Quinn .
One big question is whether Jackson will get the opportunity to be the playmaker he was in his first two NFL seasons , when he scored five touchdowns .
Jackson had two interceptions , one fumble recovery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made the Pro Bowl .
“ For Eddie , the thing for him is just continue to be a leader — continue to lead by example , ” Townsend said .
“ And then just trust the game .
Try not to get too frustrated when things aren ’ t happening his way .
“ That ’ s the biggest thing for him — he is a playmaker and sometimes when teams know that they stay away from you .
You can kind of get a little anxious and do things you shouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust the process and know that those are the way that he will get better — not to try to force the game and let it come to him.
” Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano compared Jackson ’ s challenge to that of Ed Reed , the Hall of Fame safety Pagano coached with the Ravens .
“ There ’ s a lot of offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches … everybody that we ’ re gon na play who ’ s gon na say , “ Hey , if he ’ s back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the post , don ’ t throw it anywhere inside the numbers , ” Pagano said .
“ And if he ’ s in this half of the field , go to the other side .
And if he ’ s over here , go over here.
” That ’ s just part of the issue , too .
A lot like Ed Reed , and he ’ s watched a lot of tape , Eddie has , and he ’ s got ta figure out ways to mess with quarterbacks and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the script on them.
” But Pagano acknowledged that ’ s part of his job as well .
“ We all know he ’ s got rare instincts , he ’ s got rare anticipation and range and ball skills , ” Pagano said .
“ I ’ ve got ta do a better job of making sure we accentuate those things and put him in position to make plays , because he ’ s a playmaker .
”

The second contract is the ultimate motivation for many young NFL players. Bears players such as Roquan Smith, Tarik Cohen and Mitch Trubisky have acknowledged the significance of playing for that post-rookie deal.
So what does Eddie Jackson do now? The Bears safety signed a second contract and it was a whopper — a four-year, $58 million deal with $33 million guaranteed. It’s the largest per-year contract for a safety in NFL history.
Motivation will have to come from within now.
“Pay day or not, the thing has to stay the same,” Bears secondary coach Deshea Townsend said. “You just have to continue to make the skills that he has … stronger than his weaknesses. Make them even better.”
Bears general manager Ryan Pace has had his hits and misses in player acquisition, but has a much better batting average investing in known quantities. Defensive end Akiem Hicks (four years, $48 million), cornerback Kyle Fuller (4-$56 million) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman (4-$42 million) have flourished since getting big contracts.
Outside linebacker Khalil Mack (6-$141 million) was better than advertised in an All-Pro season after Pace made him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history in 2018. Left tackle Charles Leno (4-$37 million) made the Pro Bowl after getting paid, though he has something to prove in 2020 after a difficult 2019 season. Center Cody Whitehair (5-$51 million) had a subpar season while switching from center to guard and back to center in 2019 after signing a contract extension, but still is a foundation piece of the offense and a potential Pro Bowl player.
Jackson looks like a good bet to be at the high end of that list. He’s in his prime at 27 and playing behind an elite front seven that has been fortified with the addition of pass rusher Robert Quinn.
One big question is whether Jackson will get the opportunity to be the playmaker he was in his first two NFL seasons, when he scored five touchdowns. Jackson had two interceptions, one fumble recovery and no touchdowns in 2019, but still made the Pro Bowl.
“For Eddie, the thing for him is just continue to be a leader — continue to lead by example,” Townsend said. “And then just trust the game. Try not to get too frustrated when things aren’t happening his way.
“That’s the biggest thing for him — he is a playmaker and sometimes when teams know that they stay away from you. You can kind of get a little anxious and do things you shouldn’t do. Just continue to trust the process and know that those are the way that he will get better — not to try to force the game and let it come to him.”
Bears defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano compared Jackson’s challenge to that of Ed Reed, the Hall of Fame safety Pagano coached with the Ravens.
“There’s a lot of offensive coordinators and quarterback coaches … everybody that we’re gonna play who’s gonna say, “Hey, if he’s back there, if he’s in the post, don’t throw it anywhere inside the numbers,” Pagano said. “And if he’s in this half of the field, go to the other side. And if he’s over here, go over here.” That’s just part of the issue, too. A lot like Ed Reed, and he’s watched a lot of tape, Eddie has, and he’s gotta figure out ways to mess with quarterbacks and make them believe one thing and then flip the script on them.”
But Pagano acknowledged that’s part of his job as well.
“We all know he’s got rare instincts, he’s got rare anticipation and range and ball skills,” Pagano said. “I’ve gotta do a better job of making sure we accentuate those things and put him in position to make plays, because he’s a playmaker.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--Woman missing from Edgewater found

Woman missing from Edgewater found

Ex-CPS principal who turned around tough Fenger High explains why cops don ’ t belong in schools Liz Dozier significantly @ @ @ @ @ South Side school .
Here ’ s why she thinks there are better ways to @ @ @ @ @ than having police in Chicago ’ s schools .

Pvt. Travis King entered the North while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village July 18, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--Bears coaches not wary about returning, vow to take coronavirus precautions

Clancy Barone ’ s mom had six-hour brain surgery the night before the Bears played his Vikings in the 2018 season finale .
He cared for the 83-year-old throughout 2019 , the first time since he entered the NFL in 2004 that he didn ’ t have a full-time coaching job .
He went to California and helped her recover .
About three months after surgery , she had a request .
“ She wanted me to take her to the local casino , ” Barone , who was hired in January as the Bears ’ tight ends coach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then that Mom was better .
“ She ’ s able to get around without a walker for the first time in maybe 10 years .
She ’ s doing absolutely fantastic .
She wants to start driving again .
I ’ ll probably pump the brakes on that one.
” Barone is worried about his mom during the coronavirus outbreak — but not himself .
“ I have zero concerns about my own health and safety , but I also have to be very sensitive to others , ” said Barone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s my mindset .
So with my mom at her age and whatever else , she ’ s in that category .
I ’ m very concerned about things of that nature .
But for myself , I ’ m not all that concerned about me , no matter what.
” Asked if his wife was worried about him heading to Halas Hall for training camp amid the outbreak , he joked that she wasn ’ t .
“ I dunno — I ride Harleys , ” he said .
“ I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m just not all that concerned .
And that ’ s just me personally — right or wrong .
And that ’ s nothing to do with illness or .
.
.
I ’ m just not concerned about a lot of stuff.
” Bears coaches didn ’ t report to Halas Hall when the NFL gave the all clear earlier this month .
When they head back to the facility , it will be for training camp in late July .
In a sport in which vocalizing fear is a four-letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last people to publicly admit any concern about returning .
Rather , many Bears coaches said a version of the same thing last week : that they trust the NFL and the Bears to put protocols in place at Halas Hall to keep employees safe .
What those will be remain murky .
A week ago , the NFL Players Association said it was still “ working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities ” for training camp and the season .
Final protocols figure to include social-distancing in the locker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and assigning tiered access to players and staff members to limit their ability to roam the building .
Players will be tested frequently .
“ I ’ m sure the organization is doing everything that we ’ re asked to do , and I don ’ t have any concerns about getting back , ” running backs coach Charles London said .
“ We ’ re going to follow all the protocols , and I feel totally comfortable getting back in the building — whenever that is.
” The NFL is still planning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though it could cancel some — or all — preseason games .
“ I think one challenge is just going to be getting used to whatever the new normal is — which , I don ’ t know what that is , ” safeties coach Sean Desai said .
“ I don ’ t know if anybody quite does yet in the NFL .
And I know the league and the teams are working on that .
But it ’ s going to be different.
” From an age standpoint , the Bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coach .
Offensive line coach Juan Castillo , who is 60 , is the oldest .
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano is a year younger .
He had open-heart surgery at 36 and was diagnosed with cancer , which he eventually beat , eight years ago .
He said his medical history doesn ’ t make him more vulnerable to the ravages of the coronavirus but plans to be vigilant nonetheless .
“ I ’ m far enough removed , I think , from the cancer stuff , ” he said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like anybody else .
So I ’ ll take the necessary precautions and follow orders .
Like anything else , I don ’ t think you can just take a sigh of relief and take a big breath and exhale , say , ‘ OK , we ’ re all good.
’ Special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor has been cognizant of the virus — he washes his hands more now than ever — but he suspects his mind will worry more about football once he walks into Halas Hall .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on trying to be ready , ” he said .
“ I don ’ t want to say it ’ s going to take a back seat — but that ’ s not going to be at the forefront of my mind , to be honest.
” His loved ones will worry .
He ’ ll try his best to be cautious .
“ I think that ’ s a responsibility of myself , though , ’ ’ he said .
‘ ‘ I have to do a good job of making sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment , I don ’ t put myself in situations I don ’ t have to , to where I heighten the risk or heighten the possibility of catching it .
This is a tough one .
There is no doubt about it.
” Coaches love a game plan , though .
And they ’ re willing to carry one out , whether they ’ re personally worried about getting sick or not .
“ If we ’ re asked to do certain things — having meetings six feet apart , wearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Z , obviously I ’ ll certainly comply with it , ” Barone said .
“ But I ’ m not overly concerned .
”

Clancy Barone’s mom had six-hour brain surgery the night before the Bears played his Vikings in the 2018 season finale. He cared for the 83-year-old throughout 2019, the first time since he entered the NFL in 2004 that he didn’t have a full-time coaching job.
He went to California and helped her recover. About three months after surgery, she had a request.
“She wanted me to take her to the local casino,” Barone, who was hired in January as the Bears’ tight ends coach, said last week. “I knew then that Mom was better.
“She’s able to get around without a walker for the first time in maybe 10 years. She’s doing absolutely fantastic. She wants to start driving again. I’ll probably pump the brakes on that one.”
Barone is worried about his mom during the coronavirus outbreak — but not himself.
“I have zero concerns about my own health and safety, but I also have to be very sensitive to others,” said Barone, who is 56. “That’s my mindset. So with my mom at her age and whatever else, she’s in that category. I’m very concerned about things of that nature. But for myself, I’m not all that concerned about me, no matter what.”
Asked if his wife was worried about him heading to Halas Hall for training camp amid the outbreak, he joked that she wasn’t.
“I dunno — I ride Harleys,” he said. “I do a lot of . . . I’m just not all that concerned. And that’s just me personally — right or wrong. And that’s nothing to do with illness or . . . I’m just not concerned about a lot of stuff.”
Bears coaches didn’t report to Halas Hall when the NFL gave the all clear earlier this month. When they head back to the facility, it will be for training camp in late July.
In a sport in which vocalizing fear is a four-letter word, coaches and players might be the last people to publicly admit any concern about returning. Rather, many Bears coaches said a version of the same thing last week: that they trust the NFL and the Bears to put protocols in place at Halas Hall to keep employees safe.
What those will be remain murky. A week ago, the NFL Players Association said it was still “working on the best mitigation procedures at team facilities” for training camp and the season. Final protocols figure to include social-distancing in the locker room, holding video meetings whenever possible and assigning tiered access to players and staff members to limit their ability to roam the building. Players will be tested frequently.
“I’m sure the organization is doing everything that we’re asked to do, and I don’t have any concerns about getting back,” running backs coach Charles London said. “We’re going to follow all the protocols, and I feel totally comfortable getting back in the building — whenever that is.”
The NFL is still planning to play a full regular season, though it could cancel some — or all — preseason games.
“I think one challenge is just going to be getting used to whatever the new normal is — which, I don’t know what that is,” safeties coach Sean Desai said. “I don’t know if anybody quite does yet in the NFL. And I know the league and the teams are working on that. But it’s going to be different.”
From an age standpoint, the Bears don’t have an at-risk position coach. Offensive line coach Juan Castillo, who is 60, is the oldest.
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano is a year younger. He had open-heart surgery at 36 and was diagnosed with cancer, which he eventually beat, eight years ago. He said his medical history doesn’t make him more vulnerable to the ravages of the coronavirus but plans to be vigilant nonetheless.
“I’m far enough removed, I think, from the cancer stuff,” he said. “I can’t let my guard down, like anybody else. So I’ll take the necessary precautions and follow orders. Like anything else, I don’t think you can just take a sigh of relief and take a big breath and exhale, say, ‘OK, we’re all good.’
“I’ll be mindful of everything.”
Special-teams coordinator Chris Tabor has been cognizant of the virus — he washes his hands more now than ever — but he suspects his mind will worry more about football once he walks into Halas Hall.
“I’m going to be so focused in on trying to be ready,” he said. “I don’t want to say it’s going to take a back seat — but that’s not going to be at the forefront of my mind, to be honest.”
His loved ones will worry. He’ll try his best to be cautious.
“I think that’s a responsibility of myself, though,’’ he said. ‘‘I have to do a good job of making sure that when I’m in that environment, I don’t put myself in situations I don’t have to, to where I heighten the risk or heighten the possibility of catching it. This is a tough one. There is no doubt about it.”
Coaches love a game plan, though. And they’re willing to carry one out, whether they’re personally worried about getting sick or not.
“If we’re asked to do certain things — having meetings six feet apart, wearing a mask, whatever that is, A through Z, obviously I’ll certainly comply with it,” Barone said. “But I’m not overly concerned.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-27--Man, 18, missing from Lincoln Park found

Carlos Coleman , who was convicted of first-degree murder in 1998 , was charged in the murder of Brandon McGhee @


chicagosun-times--2020-06-26--Police seek suspects in fatal Parkway Gardens shooting

Police released images Friday of three suspects wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Parkway Gardens last week on @ @ @ @ @ responded to reports of gunfire just after midnight June 19 in the 6300 block of @ @ @ @ @ a 23-year-old man on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ the scene .
He was identified as Armond Procter of Gresham , according to the @ @ @ @ @ s office .
The suspects were seen running towards a vehicle which was waiting near @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The vehicle was last seen eastbound on 63rd Street from Calumet @ @ @ @ @ is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

Police released images Friday of three suspects wanted in connection with a fatal shooting in Parkway Gardens last week on the South Side.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire just after midnight June 19 in the 6300 block of South King Drive and found a 23-year-old man on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
He was identified as Armond Procter of Gresham, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
The suspects were seen running towards a vehicle which was waiting near the scene of the shooting, police said. The vehicle was last seen eastbound on 63rd Street from Calumet Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.