chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Man tried sexually assaulting woman at knifepoint in Hermosa: police

A man tried to sexually assault a woman at knifepoint last week in Hermosa on the Northwest Side , police @ @ @ @ @ , the 36-year-old was walking about 1 a.m. in the 1900 block of North Keystone @ @ @ @ @ , pulled out a knife and threatened to sexually assault her , Chicago police said @ @ @ @ @ to the ground , kicked and punched her before cutting her arm and fleeing , @ @ @ @ @ was described as a 35 to 45-year-old man standing 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and weighing 150-170 @ @ @ @ @ type hair style , ” police said .
He was wearing all black clothing and @ @ @ @ @ with information is asked to call Area Five detectives at 312-746-6554 .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

A man tried to sexually assault a woman at knifepoint last week in Hermosa on the Northwest Side, police said.
On May 16, the 36-year-old was walking about 1 a.m. in the 1900 block of North Keystone Avenue when a man approached, pulled out a knife and threatened to sexually assault her, Chicago police said.
He pushed the woman to the ground, kicked and punched her before cutting her arm and fleeing, police said.
The suspect was described as a 35 to 45-year-old man standing 5-foot-6 to 5-foot-8 and weighing 150-170 pounds with an “afro type hair style,” police said. He was wearing all black clothing and black combat boots.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Five detectives at 312-746-6554.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Bulls have decided to keep assistant coach Nate Loenser in the mix

The Bulls continued organizational decisions on Thursday , as source confirmed that assistant coach Nate Loenser had his contract picked @ @ @ @ @ .
New executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has been very aggressive in @ @ @ @ @ , already firing former general manager Gar Forman and head trainer Jeff Tanaka , while @ @ @ @ @ Boylen to mutually agree to part ways with assistant coach Shawn Respert .
As for @ @ @ @ @ as a video coordinator back in 2015 by former coach Fred Hoiberg , and has @ @ @ @ @ to an assistant job .
NBC Sports Chicago was the first to report the Loenser @ @

The Bulls continued organizational decisions on Thursday, as source confirmed that assistant coach Nate Loenser had his contract picked up for the 2020-21 season.
New executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas has been very aggressive in the revamping of the Bulls, already firing former general manager Gar Forman and head trainer Jeff Tanaka, while allowing current head coach Jim Boylen to mutually agree to part ways with assistant coach Shawn Respert.
As for Loenser, he was hired as a video coordinator back in 2015 by former coach Fred Hoiberg, and has slowly climbed his way up to an assistant job.
NBC Sports Chicago was the first to report the Loenser decision.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--A ‘slap in the face’ or a wise decision? Restaurateurs split on Lightfoot’s move to keep patios clos

A ‘slap in the face’ or a wise decision? Restaurateurs split on Lightfoot’s move to keep patios closed

Doug Dunlay was “ absolutely thrilled ” when Gov .
J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that restaurants could start serving customers on their patios as soon as May 29 , the day his current stay-at-home order expires .
Dunlay , the owner of Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park , said he and his team immediately sprang into action and started mapping out the restaurant ’ s patio to adhere to the state ’ s social distancing guidelines .
After struggling for months after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold , he said the announcement marked “ the first time we actually had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lightfoot told reporters Thursday that she doesn ’ t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week , Dunlay said he felt as if she “ pulled the carpet out from under us.
” “ I think it ’ s short-sighted and I think it ’ s a slap in the face or a gut punch , ” said Dunlay .
While Lightfoot said she hopes to have restaurant patios up-and-running by next month , she noted that the process has to be done safely and steps must first be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have been hit hard by the pandemic and will now have to limit capacities .
Dunlay claimed the mayor ’ s statements were vague and said he was frustrated that his restaurant is missing out on the spring and summer , which are vital seasons for his business .
For now , Smoke Daddy has cut much of its staff and is focusing , like many restaurants , on take-out and delivery .
“ It ’ s not like we were all asleep , and then yesterday we were just told we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to scramble and not be able to be prepared , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve been stocking up on masks and gloves and sanitizer , and we ’ ve been getting partitions to get in between booths for people to feel safe and for our employees to be safe.
” However , not all restaurateurs are so hot to trot .
Dave Miller , co-owner of Baker Miller in Lincoln Square , said those pushing to reopen now are actually in the minority .
Miller credited Lightfoot for “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city and viewing the city as separate from the state.
” “ I think it shows a lot of wisdom , and I really respect her decision , ” said Miller .
Miller ’ s restaurant has found some success pivoting to a take-out spot , and he ’ s in no rush to open his dining room or patio .
Deeply concerned about continued spread , he said Baker Miller likely won ’ t reopen until a vaccine or herd immunity is developed .
“ Just because the law lets you doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that consumers are going to do it , ” he said .
“ That ’ s the thing that these people are pushing for , but I don ’ t really get the point because consumers are not going to eat out on a patio .
”

Doug Dunlay was “absolutely thrilled” when Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that restaurants could start serving customers on their patios as soon as May 29, the day his current stay-at-home order expires.
Dunlay, the owner of Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, said he and his team immediately sprang into action and started mapping out the restaurant’s patio to adhere to the state’s social distancing guidelines. After struggling for months after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, he said the announcement marked “the first time we actually had any hope.”
So when Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Thursday that she doesn’t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week, Dunlay said he felt as if she “pulled the carpet out from under us.”
“I think it’s short-sighted and I think it’s a slap in the face or a gut punch,” said Dunlay.
While Lightfoot said she hopes to have restaurant patios up-and-running by next month, she noted that the process has to be done safely and steps must first be taken to maximize the revenues of restaurants that have been hit hard by the pandemic and will now have to limit capacities.
Dunlay claimed the mayor’s statements were vague and said he was frustrated that his restaurant is missing out on the spring and summer, which are vital seasons for his business. For now, Smoke Daddy has cut much of its staff and is focusing, like many restaurants, on take-out and delivery.
“It’s not like we were all asleep, and then yesterday we were just told we can do this and we’re going to scramble and not be able to be prepared,” he said. “We’ve been stocking up on masks and gloves and sanitizer, and we’ve been getting partitions to get in between booths for people to feel safe and for our employees to be safe.”
However, not all restaurateurs are so hot to trot. Dave Miller, co-owner of Baker Miller in Lincoln Square, said those pushing to reopen now are actually in the minority.
Miller credited Lightfoot for “making decisions that are best for the city and viewing the city as separate from the state.”
“I think it shows a lot of wisdom, and I really respect her decision,” said Miller.
Miller’s restaurant has found some success pivoting to a take-out spot, and he’s in no rush to open his dining room or patio. Deeply concerned about continued spread, he said Baker Miller likely won’t reopen until a vaccine or herd immunity is developed.
“Just because the law lets you doesn’t mean it’s wise and that consumers are going to do it,” he said. “That’s the thing that these people are pushing for, but I don’t really get the point because consumers are not going to eat out on a patio.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Blackhawks reducing salaries, furloughing employees during pandemic as ‘in-depth review of organizat

Blackhawks reducing salaries, furloughing employees during pandemic as ‘in-depth review of organization’ continues

The Blackhawks have temporarily reduced salaries and furloughed some employees as the coronavirus pandemic and NHL season shutdown drags into its third month .
The decisions come as part of an “ orderly and in-depth ” organizational review that the Hawks are currently conducting internally .
Interim team president Danny Wirtz — in one of his first moves in the position — delivered the news to Hawks employees in a Thursday memo obtained by the Sun-Times .
Wirtz , who became interim president when longtime president John McDonough was abruptly fired April 27 , wrote that the furloughs and reductions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He added that the franchise has also taken other steps to minimize expenditures .
“ We were fortunate not to have to immediately reallocate our staff or resources in the hopes that this issue would resolve itself quickly , ” Wirtz wrote .
“ Unfortunately , that was not the case and no business can sustain itself for the long-term in this manner .
The recent tough decisions we have made and the efforts underway will ensure that we turn the corner strong and viable.
” The Hawks have remained on media lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 , with no players , coaches or front office staff making comment — even after McDonough ’ s dismissal .
Thursday ’ s memo is one of the only pieces of Hawks news to enter the public sphere since then .
Hawks chairman Rocky Wirtz announced in April that Danny Wirtz , his son , would head the team ’ s search for a new president .
Danny Wirtz did not provide an update on that search Thursday but did mention the franchise continues to “ pivot in a new direction.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , business and hockey operations teams ” have been left intact , the memo adds .
The NHL reportedly continues to evaluate numerous plans for resuming the 2019-20 season , with a recent proposal for a 24-team playoff — one which would include the Hawks , which ranked 12th in the Western Conference when the season stopped — gaining steam .
A season resumption would not make up for the Hawks ’ lost ticket and concession sale revenue but would provide an influx of money to all 31 teams through the league ’ @ @ @ @

The Blackhawks have temporarily reduced salaries and furloughed some employees as the coronavirus pandemic and NHL season shutdown drags into its third month.
The decisions come as part of an “orderly and in-depth” organizational review that the Hawks are currently conducting internally.
Interim team president Danny Wirtz — in one of his first moves in the position — delivered the news to Hawks employees in a Thursday memo obtained by the Sun-Times.
Wirtz, who became interim president when longtime president John McDonough was abruptly fired April 27, wrote that the furloughs and reductions were “difficult but necessary decisions.” He added that the franchise has also taken other steps to minimize expenditures.
“We were fortunate not to have to immediately reallocate our staff or resources in the hopes that this issue would resolve itself quickly,” Wirtz wrote. “Unfortunately, that was not the case and no business can sustain itself for the long-term in this manner.
“The recent tough decisions we have made and the efforts underway will ensure that we turn the corner strong and viable.”
The Hawks have remained on media lockdown since the NHL paused its season March 12, with no players, coaches or front office staff making comment — even after McDonough’s dismissal. Thursday’s memo is one of the only pieces of Hawks news to enter the public sphere since then.
Hawks chairman Rocky Wirtz announced in April that Danny Wirtz, his son, would head the team’s search for a new president. Danny Wirtz did not provide an update on that search Thursday but did mention the franchise continues to “pivot in a new direction.”
The Hawks’ “core front office, business and hockey operations teams” have been left intact, the memo adds. Former team website writer Chris Kuc tweeted Friday that he won’t be working for the Hawks moving forward.
The NHL reportedly continues to evaluate numerous plans for resuming the 2019-20 season, with a recent proposal for a 24-team playoff — one which would include the Hawks, which ranked 12th in the Western Conference when the season stopped — gaining steam.
A season resumption would not make up for the Hawks’ lost ticket and concession sale revenue but would provide an influx of money to all 31 teams through the league’s television contract.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Before cutting federal unemployment benefits, make sure workers can get work

In just a little over two months , more than a million Illinois residents have applied for unemployment benefits .
They did not do so , as some politicians in Washington would have you believe , because they would rather not work .
They did so because their jobs disappeared , wiped out by Illinois ’ stay-at-home order as the coronavirus spread .
Across the country , 38.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in the last nine weeks .
And many analysts warn that unemployment rates could rise higher still , outpacing anything seen even during the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the continued worries of millions of Americans who just want to feed their families and stay in their homes — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell this week flatly stated that the next coronavirus aid package would not extend federal unemployment benefits , which provide an extra $ 600 a week to out-of-work Americans .
The federal benefits are set to expire in July .
President Donald Trump doesn ’ t want to extend the benefits , either , though House Democrats are calling for an extension through the remainder of the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to state benefits , which last for 26 weeks in most parts of the country .
What ’ s going on here ?
Politicians who blithely enacted tax cuts for the rich that drove up annual federal budget deficits can ’ t seriously claim now to be troubled by deficits .
No , they say , their real concern is that giving people federal unemployment benefits destroys their incentive to go back to their jobs .
To which we would ask : What jobs ?
It ’ s true that the combination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay many workers more money than they got from working .
And some people , no doubt , will collect that money as long as they can .
But most workers who have a chance to go back to work — in a pandemic-safe environment — fully understand that their unemployment benefits won ’ t last indefinitely .
Moreover , working-age Americans generally get their health insurance through their employer .
No job , no health insurance .
What really makes McConnell ’ s position so mean-spirited is that the jobs he fears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t there .
Not yet , and not by a long shot .
You don ’ t see large numbers of businesses complaining that they want to reopen but can ’ t because their workers prefer to say home .
Beggaring workers won ’ t make jobs miraculously appear .
It will only drag down the economy further because Americans will have even less to spend .
Federal unemployment benefits won ’ t continue forever .
The American economy one day will recover .
But to end federal benefits six weeks from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers will be able to rush back to their jobs — their nonexistent jobs — is unconscionable .

In just a little over two months, more than a million Illinois residents have applied for unemployment benefits.
They did not do so, as some politicians in Washington would have you believe, because they would rather not work. They did so because their jobs disappeared, wiped out by Illinois’ stay-at-home order as the coronavirus spread.
Across the country, 38.6 million Americans have filed for unemployment benefits in the last nine weeks. And many analysts warn that unemployment rates could rise higher still, outpacing anything seen even during the Great Depression.
Editorials bug Editorials
For all of that — despite the continued worries of millions of Americans who just want to feed their families and stay in their homes — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell this week flatly stated that the next coronavirus aid package would not extend federal unemployment benefits, which provide an extra $600 a week to out-of-work Americans. The federal benefits are set to expire in July.
President Donald Trump doesn’t want to extend the benefits, either, though House Democrats are calling for an extension through the remainder of the year. The federal benefits are in addition to state benefits, which last for 26 weeks in most parts of the country.
What’s going on here? Politicians who blithely enacted tax cuts for the rich that drove up annual federal budget deficits can’t seriously claim now to be troubled by deficits.
No, they say, their real concern is that giving people federal unemployment benefits destroys their incentive to go back to their jobs.
To which we would ask: What jobs?
It’s true that the combination of state and federal unemployment benefits does temporarily pay many workers more money than they got from working. And some people, no doubt, will collect that money as long as they can.
But most workers who have a chance to go back to work — in a pandemic-safe environment — fully understand that their unemployment benefits won’t last indefinitely. Moreover, working-age Americans generally get their health insurance through their employer. No job, no health insurance.
What really makes McConnell’s position so mean-spirited is that the jobs he fears people won’t take just aren’t there. Not yet, and not by a long shot.
You don’t see large numbers of businesses complaining that they want to reopen but can’t because their workers prefer to say home. Beggaring workers won’t make jobs miraculously appear. It will only drag down the economy further because Americans will have even less to spend.
Federal unemployment benefits won’t continue forever. The American economy one day will recover. But to end federal benefits six weeks from now because of some stupid notion that workers will be able to rush back to their jobs — their nonexistent jobs — is unconscionable.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Chicago restaurants likely won’t reopen until sometime in June (LIVE UPDATES)

Chicago likely won ’ t be ready to reopen restaurants May 29 , mayor says Gov .
Pritzker is allowing Illinois restaurants to open for outdoor dining on May 29 .
But Chicago won ’ t be taking advantage of it — at least not yet .
“ I don ’ t think we ’ re gon na be ready by May 29 .
But my hope is that soon in June , we will be ready , ” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday .
Lightfoot said there is “ nothing magic about ” May 29 .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , stay-at-home order expires .
But Chicago “ has its own responsibilities and obligations to craft public health policies that are specific to the city.
” “ I was heartened by the comments that the governor made … about restaurants .
But we ’ ve got to do it safely .
I need to understand and be certain that restaurants across the city — not just the big ones , not just the ones that have a lot of cash flow , but the small ones , too — have a means to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public that will patronize them , ” Lightfoot said .
The mayor said she ’ s working on plans to make outdoor dining more lucrative by closing streets and sidewalks and allowing restaurants to set up tables in the adjacent outdoor parking lots .
All that takes time to arrange .
Read the full story by City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here .
6:50 p.m. Lightfoot offers a sneak preview of her detailed plan to reopen Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot is preparing to flesh out her plan to slowly but safely reopen Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industries .
After disappointing Chicago restaurant owners by saying outdoor dining will not be authorized on May 29 , Lightfoot fielded some other questions stir-crazy Chicagoans want answered .
Like when and how she will loosen her grip by reopening the lakefront , the downtown Riverwalk and the 606 Trail .
“ There ’ s not a day that goes by that I don ’ t get a call , a text , an email or all of the above asking about the lakefront .
I understand that .
The lakefront is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this at a time that is safe and in a way that we can remain safe , ” the mayor said after a news conference called to announce additional mental health services during the pandemic .
Read the full story by Fran Spielman here .
The Cook County Board approved a plan to waive fees on late property tax bills and extended the county ’ s disaster proclamation at its Thursday meeting , providing some relief to property owners and allowing Board President Toni Preckwinkle the power to make some unchecked , emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commissioners still questioned the finer points of the plans — as well as the need to extend the county ’ s disaster proclamation until the end of September .
At Thursday ’ s meeting , he and Commissioner Bridget Gainer , D-Chicago , were the only no votes on the measure , despite other commissioners calling into question why such a long extension was needed .
Read the full story by Rachel Hinton here .
Virtual events will now bring a taste of the Chicago blues , gospel and house music festivals directly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cultural Affairs and Special Events on Thursday announced the “ Millennium Park at Home ” online series , which will bring the music of the three canceled festivals directly to fans via YouTube performances by artists including Toronzo Cannon , DJ Jes , The Tommies Reunion Choir , Melody Angel and more .
The series kicks off May 22-23 with DJ house mix sets .
On May 29-30 it ’ s all about gospel music , and on June 5-7 the series will feature blues music .
3:32 p.m .
Addresses of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , leaving Preckwinkle ‘ profoundly disappointed ’ Dealing a blow to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and privacy advocates , the County Board on Thursday narrowly approved a resolution that will provide suburban police officers and other first responders with the addresses of those who ’ ve tested positive for the coronavirus .
Preckwinkle said she was “ profoundly disappointed ” by the passage of the controversial resolution , which has sparked a debate on the clash between protecting police officers , firefighters , paramedics and other first responders and the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t see how anyone who understands the endemic nature of racism in this country , and the discrimination that black and brown people have experienced will assume that this resolution is somehow going to be immune from that discrimination and endemic racism , ” Preckwinkle said , unsuccessfully urging commissioners to vote against the measure .
“ So for those reasons , there ’ s no way … that I would encourage anyone to support [ the resolution . ]
” Despite the plea , nine commissioners voted to approve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and one commissioner voted present .
Read the full story by Rachel Hinton here .
State health officials on Thursday announced 87 more people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois while an additional 2,268 tested positive for the virus .
That raised the state ’ s death toll to 4,607 and the overall statewide case tally to 102,686 since the virus first hit Illinois four months ago .
The state received 29,307 test results from a day earlier , with Illinois ’ seven-day rolling positivity rate sitting at 7.8 % .
Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday said the state ’ s coronavirus hospitalizations were at “ the lowest number since we were capturing these numbers , ” with 3,914 patients in hospitals and 1,005 in intensive care units .
And with Gov .
J.B. Pritzker expressing optimism this week that the state is “ falling from a peak , ” the Democratic governor revealed he ’ d expedite part of his five-phase regional reopening plan to allow bars and restaurants to reopen for outdoor customers at the end of the month .
Read the full story by Mitchell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicagoans doing with their weekends during the coronavirus stay-at-home order ?
We asked Chicagoans stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic how they ’ re spending their weekends .
Unable to get out on the lakefront or go to neighborhood festivals anytime soon , they ’ re finding things to do from the safety of their homes .
Some of these answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
“ I ’ ve gone on several trips just this week .
I took several trips to the kitchen , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stumbled down the basement steps after letting the dog out .
It ’ s been nothing but a party over here.
” — Marta Omarr “ There ’ s seven of us , and it ’ s never a dull moment .
Every couple of weeks , we have a themed day .
Since quarantine , we ’ ve had a stay-at-home brewery tour , casino night and camping .
Technology and creativity have been our best friends.
” — Laura E. Mena Read more stories from Chicagoans on how they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m .
Feds should do more to safeguard nursing homes from COVID-19 , U. of C. expert tells Senate panel The federal government should come to the rescue of people in nursing homes that primarily serve non-white residents because those are where the risk is highest of being infected with the coronavirus and dying , a University of Chicago professor testified before a U.S. Senate panel Thursday .
In online video testimony , Tamara Konetzka , who has researched nursing homes for 25 years , told members of the Senate Special Subcommittee on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is needed for nursing homes , particularly those with the highest risk of having coronavirus outbreaks .
She recommended that nursing homes test all residents at least twice a month .
Konetzka looked at COVID-19 infections in more than 5,500 nursing homes in Illinois and 11 other states and found that nursing homes with the lowest percentage of white residents were more than twice as likely to have a coronavirus case or death .
Read the full story by Frank Main here .
12:35 p.m. Cicero nursing home where 10 died from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a west suburban nursing home where nine residents and one worker died from complications related to the coronavirus said all current residents at the facility recently tested negative for COVID-19 .
The City View MultiCare Center , which underwent a court-ordered inspection after it was sued by the town of Cicero for allegedly not following health guidelines , said two rounds of independent testing by Chicago-based Simple Laboratories showed that none of the residents have the virus .
More than 200 residents and staff members at the facility , at 5825 W. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
COVID-19 tests administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health in March showed 55 % of residents and 15 % of staff tested positive for the virus , City View said in a statement Thursday .
Read the full story by Matthew Hendrickson here .
11:10 a.m. ‘ Cocktails for Hope ’ would allow restaurants to sell carry-out drinks Democrats back in Springfield plan to file a COVID-19 package that includes “ Cocktails for Hope , ” which would help struggling bars get additional revenue during the pandemic .
The proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act to allow bars and restaurants to sell cocktails-to-go in “ properly sealed containers.
” Those buying carry-out cocktails would have to be 21 , and any alcohol transported in a vehicle would have to be placed in the trunk or in an area inaccessible to the driver .
Bars and restaurants would have to adhere to strict requirements for sealing the cocktails .
The push for to-go adult beverages is designed to be temporary to help businesses during the pandemic .
It is to be discussed in an Illinois House Executive Session @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bailey lawsuit to federal court in tactical move that could stall ruling on his stay-at-home order One day before a hearing scheduled to be held before a skeptical downstate judge that threatened his stay-at-home order , a lawyer for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Thursday moved a lawsuit from Rep. Darren Bailey out of state court in Clay County and into federal court .
It wasn ’ t immediately clear what the move would mean for the court hearing on Friday before Clay County Judge Michael McHaney , who has already said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by the stay-at-home order .
If nothing else , it could delay a ruling .
Tom DeVore , Bailey ’ s attorney , told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday it is a “ stall tactic.
” “ The governor ’ s trying to buy time , ” said DeVore , who added that there are “ zero federal issues raised ” in Bailey ’ s lawsuit .
Legal experts told the Sun-Times parties can move cases from state court to federal court if there is a constitutional issue at play , but opposing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer Thomas Verticchio wrote in Thursday ’ s removal notice that Bailey ’ s lawsuit “ seeks redress for alleged deprivations of Bailey ’ s federal constitutional rights caused by actions taken under color of state law.
” Read the full story by Jon Seidel here .
8:18 a.m .
If liquor stores , dispensaries are essential , why not churches ?
Willie Wilson asks Willie Wilson ’ s support for Illinois churches holding services in violation of the stay-at-home order took another step Wednesday .
The former mayoral candidate and influential businessman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fines given to three Chicago churches that held services Sunday .
Philadelphia Romanian Church of God in Uptown , Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Albany Park and Metro Praise International Church in Belmont Cragin were criticized and fined by authorities for allowing more than 10 people — the current limit set by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker — to attend services .
Wilson , in a statement Wednesday , said that limit infringes on the churches ’ free exercise of religion .
“ The Governor and Mayor continue to trample on our constitutional rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Order that treats the church as non-essential , ” the statement said .
“ It is shameful that the church is discriminated against , while liquor stores , marijuana dispensaries and Home Depot [ are ] treated as essential businesses.
” Read the full story by Ben Pope here .
7:03 a.m .
Seven in 10 Latinos worried about keeping up with rent , food , utilities during the pandemic , poll finds Latino households in Illinois and across the country are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 % of Latinos polled nationwide said they or someone in their household had either lost their job , taken a pay cut or were furloughed due to the pandemic .
That loss of income has translated into anxieties about keeping up with the bills : Nearly 70 % of Latinos in the national poll said they soon won ’ t be able to afford basic expenses like rent , food , utilities and mortgage payments .
For Latinos polled in Illinois , it ’ s closer to 80 % .
Almost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t received a coronavirus stimulus check and half of Latino business owners said they found it difficult to access small business loans offered by the federal government .
A quarter of Latinos also reported they or a family member had contracted COVID-19 ; 27 % said they knew someone who presented symptoms of the disease but was unable to get tested .
Read the full story by Carlos Ballesteros here .
6:38 a.m. CPS to allow drive-thru and home-visit graduation ceremonies Graduation ceremonies won ’ t look the same as usual this spring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to be on a laptop , either , according to new guidance released Wednesday by Chicago Public Schools .
After previously indicating only virtual ceremonies would be allowed , CPS officials now say drive-through graduations and celebrations featuring staff visits to graduates ’ homes are OK as long as safety precautions are put in place and strictly followed .
CPS officials said they added drive-thru and home-visit ceremonies to the list of acceptable graduations because Illinois is anticipated to move into “ Phase 3 ” of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
Schools planning any non-virtual events will have to follow guidance released earlier this month by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education .
Read the full story by Nader Issa here .
• Graffiti artist Ralphy ‘ Redr ’ Campos dies of COVID-19 at 38 : ‘ He really had a great heart ’ • COVID-19 cases in Chicago Police Department now at 530 .
• Annie Glenn , the widow of NASA astronaut and Sen. John Glenn , died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ operator is the fifth CTA employee to die of COVID-19 , the agency announced Tuesday .
• Chicago police announced Tuesday nine more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the total in the department to 529 .
• Another employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk ’ s office has tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the overall total to 25 .
• Seven more employees of Cook County ’ s Juvenile Temporary Detention Center have tested positive for COVID-19 .
6:45 p.m. Students with special needs shouldn ’ t become second-class Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long history of shortchanging children with special needs .
It has taken years of activism , judges ’ rulings and monitoring by independent watchdogs to force progress on this front .
The district can ’ t be allowed to backslide now , even during a pandemic .
Children with special needs deserve access to an education that is equal in quality to that of any other child .
We support a CPS policy that requires teachers and clinicians to revise learning plans for special education students to incorporate home-based remote learning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the “ new normal ” for now , in Chicago and across the country , and likely will continue into the fall in some fashion .
Read the full editorial by Chicago Sun-Times editorial board here .
5 p.m .
Stuck at home ?
Try living at O ’ Hare — since April Linda Benavides and her husband , Manuel , slept at O ’ Hare International Airport Wednesday night .
In Terminal 1 , near baggage claim .
At least they tried to sleep , until 2:30 a.m. , when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They went to sleep on the Blue Line .
Or tried to .
“ There was a party on the train , ” she said .
“ The Blue Line is bad .
Drug addicts.
” Most likely they will be back at O ’ Hare tonight , sleeping there again , or trying to , leaning against each other , using their jackets as blankets .
They ’ ve slept at O ’ Hare most nights for the past month .
A good place to sleep , Linda said , because the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly pleasant .
Read the full commentary from columnist Neil Steinberg here .
1:38 p.m. New COVID-19 outbreak at homeless shelter raises concerns for some still staying there Robert Ewaniuk has been staying at a West Side homeless shelter operated by Franciscan Outreach for a little more than a week , during which he ’ s been tested twice for COVID-19 after other residents contracted the disease .
At age 54 and with several underlying health conditions including diabetes and Parkinson ’ s disease , Ewaniuk is considered high risk for coronavirus complications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Normally , those health problems would make Ewaniuk a candidate for a room at Hotel 166 , a boutique tourist hotel off Michigan Avenue where the city has been housing some homeless people with medical needs to shield them from the virus .
But Hotel 166 is operating at capacity , as are other facilities the city has established to temporarily house at-risk homeless individuals during the pandemic .
The result is Ewaniuk and many others like him are stuck in limbo at shelters while they wait to learn whether the city can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read the full commentary from columnist Mark Brown here .
6:45 a.m. Lynn Sweet ’ s rules of the road for social distancing while walking , running and biking Q .
You are walking on one side of a sidewalk .
Someone strolling toward you veers within six feet of you .
You don ’ t have any room to move but the other person does .
You call out through your mask , “ Six feet !
” The correct action for that person is : a. Pretend not to hear and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you the finger and swerve a little .
c. Create some distance by moving away .
The correct answer is c. As some of our COVID-19 pandemic lockdown rules in Illinois are easing and the spring weather is bringing us outside more frequently to walk , run and bike , I ’ ve been navigating the new normal while social distancing .
There is no best practices manual for this .
I ’ m a speed walker .
I aim at five miles a day .
As I roam around , I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social or physical distancing behavior — who among us tries to observe the six feet ; who doesn ’ t ; and whether lapses appear willful or the result of being oblivious .
I ’ ve become a student of the various tactics people are using and developing some of my own .
Read the full column by Lynn Sweet here .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot threw cold water on Chicagoans’ plans to dine outdoors at restaurants on May 29 by saying she didn’t think restaurants would be ready. She hopes to have a plan in place for reopening in June, but didn’t commit to a date.
While there were 87 deaths in the state, the numbers still are trending in the right direction for Illinois to move to the next phase of the governor’s reopening plan,
Here’s what happened in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago and around the state.
News
7:45 p.m. A ‘slap in the face’ or a wise decision? Restaurateurs split on Lightfoot’s move to keep patios closed
Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division Sun-Times
Doug Dunlay was “absolutely thrilled” when Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday that restaurants could start serving customers on their patios as soon as May 29, the day his current stay-at-home order expires.
Dunlay, the owner of Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, said he and his team immediately sprang into action and started mapping out the restaurant’s patio to adhere to the state’s social distancing guidelines. After struggling for months after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, he said the announcement marked “the first time we actually had any hope.”
So when Mayor Lori Lightfoot told reporters Thursday that she doesn’t think Chicago restaurants will be ready to reopen by next week, Dunlay said he felt as if she “pulled the carpet out from under us.”
“I think it’s short-sighted and I think it’s a slap in the face or a gut punch,” said Dunlay.
Read the full story by Tom Schuba here.
6:50 p.m. Lightfoot offers a sneak preview of her detailed plan to reopen Chicago
Mayor Lori Lightfoot is preparing to flesh out her plan to slowly but safely reopen Chicago, with guidelines for specific areas and industries.
Thursday, she offered a preview.
After disappointing Chicago restaurant owners by saying outdoor dining will not be authorized on May 29, Lightfoot fielded some other questions stir-crazy Chicagoans want answered.
Like when and how she will loosen her grip by reopening the lakefront, the downtown Riverwalk and the 606 Trail.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t get a call, a text, an email or all of the above asking about the lakefront. I understand that. The lakefront is a treasure. But we have to do this at a time that is safe and in a way that we can remain safe,” the mayor said after a news conference called to announce additional mental health services during the pandemic.
5:50 p.m. County Board approves property tax relief plan, extension of disaster proclamation giving Preckwinkle emergency powers
The Cook County Board approved a plan to waive fees on late property tax bills and extended the county’s disaster proclamation at its Thursday meeting, providing some relief to property owners and allowing Board President Toni Preckwinkle the power to make some unchecked, emergency decisions for another three months.
Some commissioners still questioned the finer points of the plans — as well as the need to extend the county’s disaster proclamation until the end of September.
Cook County Commissioner Sean Morrison, R-Palos Park, previously called the extension a “massive overreach.”
At Thursday’s meeting, he and Commissioner Bridget Gainer, D-Chicago, were the only no votes on the measure, despite other commissioners calling into question why such a long extension was needed.
Read the full story by Rachel Hinton here.
4 p.m. House, blues, gospel music set for online Millennium Park at Home series
Virtual events will now bring a taste of the Chicago blues, gospel and house music festivals directly to you.
The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on Thursday announced the “Millennium Park at Home” online series, which will bring the music of the three canceled festivals directly to fans via YouTube performances by artists including Toronzo Cannon, DJ Jes, The Tommies Reunion Choir, Melody Angel and more.
The series kicks off May 22-23 with DJ house mix sets. On May 29-30 it’s all about gospel music, and on June 5-7 the series will feature blues music.
Read the full story here.
3:32 p.m. Addresses of COVID-19 patients to be provided to first responders, leaving Preckwinkle ‘profoundly disappointed’
Dealing a blow to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and privacy advocates, the County Board on Thursday narrowly approved a resolution that will provide suburban police officers and other first responders with the addresses of those who’ve tested positive for the coronavirus.
Preckwinkle said she was “profoundly disappointed” by the passage of the controversial resolution, which has sparked a debate on the clash between protecting police officers, firefighters, paramedics and other first responders and the public’s right to privacy.
“I don’t see how anyone who understands the endemic nature of racism in this country, and the discrimination that black and brown people have experienced will assume that this resolution is somehow going to be immune from that discrimination and endemic racism,” Preckwinkle said, unsuccessfully urging commissioners to vote against the measure. “So for those reasons, there’s no way … that I would encourage anyone to support [the resolution.]”
Despite the plea, nine commissioners voted to approve the measure — seven voted against it and one commissioner voted present.
Read the full story by Rachel Hinton here.
2:40 p.m. 87 more Illinois coronavirus deaths as state unemployment tops 16%
State health officials on Thursday announced 87 more people have died of the coronavirus in Illinois while an additional 2,268 tested positive for the virus.
That raised the state’s death toll to 4,607 and the overall statewide case tally to 102,686 since the virus first hit Illinois four months ago.
The state received 29,307 test results from a day earlier, with Illinois’ seven-day rolling positivity rate sitting at 7.8%.
Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike on Wednesday said the state’s coronavirus hospitalizations were at “the lowest number since we were capturing these numbers,” with 3,914 patients in hospitals and 1,005 in intensive care units.
And with Gov. J.B. Pritzker expressing optimism this week that the state is “falling from a peak,” the Democratic governor revealed he’d expedite part of his five-phase regional reopening plan to allow bars and restaurants to reopen for outdoor customers at the end of the month.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
2:20 p.m. Chicago likely won’t be ready to reopen restaurants May 29, mayor says
Many restaurants in Chicago have had to close or modify their business model to amid the coronavirus pandemic. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Gov. Pritzker is allowing Illinois restaurants to open for outdoor dining on May 29. But Chicago won’t be taking advantage of it — at least not yet.
“I don’t think we’re gonna be ready by May 29. But my hope is that soon in June, we will be ready,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday.
Lightfoot said there is “nothing magic about” May 29. It’s the date that Pritzker’s statewide, stay-at-home order expires. But Chicago “has its own responsibilities and obligations to craft public health policies that are specific to the city.”
“I was heartened by the comments that the governor made … about restaurants. But we’ve got to do it safely. I need to understand and be certain that restaurants across the city — not just the big ones, not just the ones that have a lot of cash flow, but the small ones, too — have a means to protect their employees and members of the public that will patronize them,” Lightfoot said.
The mayor said she’s working on plans to make outdoor dining more lucrative by closing streets and sidewalks and allowing restaurants to set up tables in the adjacent outdoor parking lots. All that takes time to arrange.
Read the full story by City Hall reporter Fran Spielman here.
2 p.m. What are Chicagoans doing with their weekends during the coronavirus stay-at-home order?
We asked Chicagoans stuck at home because of the coronavirus pandemic how they’re spending their weekends.
Unable to get out on the lakefront or go to neighborhood festivals anytime soon, they’re finding things to do from the safety of their homes.
Some of these answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
“I’ve gone on several trips just this week. I took several trips to the kitchen, and my most exciting trip was when I stumbled down the basement steps after letting the dog out. It’s been nothing but a party over here.” — Marta Omarr
“There’s seven of us, and it’s never a dull moment. Every couple of weeks, we have a themed day. Since quarantine, we’ve had a stay-at-home brewery tour, casino night and camping. Technology and creativity have been our best friends.” — Laura E. Mena
Read more stories from Chicagoans on how they’re enjoying their weekends amid COVID-19.
1:17 p.m. Feds should do more to safeguard nursing homes from COVID-19, U. of C. expert tells Senate panel
The federal government should come to the rescue of people in nursing homes that primarily serve non-white residents because those are where the risk is highest of being infected with the coronavirus and dying, a University of Chicago professor testified before a U.S. Senate panel Thursday.
In online video testimony, Tamara Konetzka, who has researched nursing homes for 25 years, told members of the Senate Special Subcommittee on Aging an “emergency influx of resources” is needed for nursing homes, particularly those with the highest risk of having coronavirus outbreaks.
She recommended that nursing homes test all residents at least twice a month.
Konetzka looked at COVID-19 infections in more than 5,500 nursing homes in Illinois and 11 other states and found that nursing homes with the lowest percentage of white residents were more than twice as likely to have a coronavirus case or death.
Read the full story by Frank Main here.
12:35 p.m. Cicero nursing home where 10 died from coronavirus says current residents test negative
Officials at a west suburban nursing home where nine residents and one worker died from complications related to the coronavirus said all current residents at the facility recently tested negative for COVID-19.
The City View MultiCare Center, which underwent a court-ordered inspection after it was sued by the town of Cicero for allegedly not following health guidelines, said two rounds of independent testing by Chicago-based Simple Laboratories showed that none of the residents have the virus.
More than 200 residents and staff members at the facility, at 5825 W. Cermak Road, tested positive several weeks ago.
COVID-19 tests administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health in March showed 55% of residents and 15% of staff tested positive for the virus, City View said in a statement Thursday.
Read the full story by Matthew Hendrickson here.
11:10 a.m. ‘Cocktails for Hope’ would allow restaurants to sell carry-out drinks
Photo by Victor J. Blue/Getty Images
Democrats back in Springfield plan to file a COVID-19 package that includes “Cocktails for Hope,” which would help struggling bars get additional revenue during the pandemic. The proposed measure would change the Illinois Liquor Control Act to allow bars and restaurants to sell cocktails-to-go in “properly sealed containers.”
Those buying carry-out cocktails would have to be 21, and any alcohol transported in a vehicle would have to be placed in the trunk or in an area inaccessible to the driver. Bars and restaurants would have to adhere to strict requirements for sealing the cocktails.
The push for to-go adult beverages is designed to be temporary to help businesses during the pandemic. It is to be discussed in an Illinois House Executive Session on Thursday.
Read more here.
10:45 a.m. Pritzker moves Bailey lawsuit to federal court in tactical move that could stall ruling on his stay-at-home order
One day before a hearing scheduled to be held before a skeptical downstate judge that threatened his stay-at-home order, a lawyer for Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday moved a lawsuit from Rep. Darren Bailey out of state court in Clay County and into federal court.
It wasn’t immediately clear what the move would mean for the court hearing on Friday before Clay County Judge Michael McHaney, who has already said “the Bill of Rights is being shredded” by the stay-at-home order. If nothing else, it could delay a ruling. Tom DeVore, Bailey’s attorney, told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday it is a “stall tactic.”
“The governor’s trying to buy time,” said DeVore, who added that there are “zero federal issues raised” in Bailey’s lawsuit.
Legal experts told the Sun-Times parties can move cases from state court to federal court if there is a constitutional issue at play, but opposing parties can fight the move. State lawyer Thomas Verticchio wrote in Thursday’s removal notice that Bailey’s lawsuit “seeks redress for alleged deprivations of Bailey’s federal constitutional rights caused by actions taken under color of state law.”
Read the full story by Jon Seidel here.
8:18 a.m. If liquor stores, dispensaries are essential, why not churches? Willie Wilson asks
Willie Wilson’s support for Illinois churches holding services in violation of the stay-at-home order took another step Wednesday.
The former mayoral candidate and influential businessman announced he will pay the $500 fines given to three Chicago churches that held services Sunday.
Philadelphia Romanian Church of God in Uptown, Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Albany Park and Metro Praise International Church in Belmont Cragin were criticized and fined by authorities for allowing more than 10 people — the current limit set by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — to attend services.
Wilson, in a statement Wednesday, said that limit infringes on the churches’ free exercise of religion.
“The Governor and Mayor continue to trample on our constitutional rights while hiding behind a Stay at Home Order that treats the church as non-essential,” the statement said. “It is shameful that the church is discriminated against, while liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries and Home Depot [are] treated as essential businesses.”
Read the full story by Ben Pope here.
7:03 a.m. Seven in 10 Latinos worried about keeping up with rent, food, utilities during the pandemic, poll finds
Latino households in Illinois and across the country are struggling to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a poll released Wednesday.
Around 60% of Latinos polled nationwide said they or someone in their household had either lost their job, taken a pay cut or were furloughed due to the pandemic.
That loss of income has translated into anxieties about keeping up with the bills: Nearly 70% of Latinos in the national poll said they soon won’t be able to afford basic expenses like rent, food, utilities and mortgage payments. For Latinos polled in Illinois, it’s closer to 80%.
Almost a third of Latinos said they hadn’t received a coronavirus stimulus check and half of Latino business owners said they found it difficult to access small business loans offered by the federal government.
A quarter of Latinos also reported they or a family member had contracted COVID-19; 27% said they knew someone who presented symptoms of the disease but was unable to get tested.
Read the full story by Carlos Ballesteros here.
6:38 a.m. CPS to allow drive-thru and home-visit graduation ceremonies
Graduation ceremonies won’t look the same as usual this spring, but they don’t necessarily have to be on a laptop, either, according to new guidance released Wednesday by Chicago Public Schools.
After previously indicating only virtual ceremonies would be allowed, CPS officials now say drive-through graduations and celebrations featuring staff visits to graduates’ homes are OK as long as safety precautions are put in place and strictly followed.
CPS officials said they added drive-thru and home-visit ceremonies to the list of acceptable graduations because Illinois is anticipated to move into “Phase 3” of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan by the end of this month. Schools planning any non-virtual events will have to follow guidance released earlier this month by the Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois State Board of Education.
Read the full story by Nader Issa here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
6:45 p.m. Students with special needs shouldn’t become second-class Americans during a pandemic
Chicago Public Schools has a long history of shortchanging children with special needs. It has taken years of activism, judges’ rulings and monitoring by independent watchdogs to force progress on this front.
The district can’t be allowed to backslide now, even during a pandemic. Children with special needs deserve access to an education that is equal in quality to that of any other child.
We support a CPS policy that requires teachers and clinicians to revise learning plans for special education students to incorporate home-based remote learning. For all its limitations, remote learning is the “new normal” for now, in Chicago and across the country, and likely will continue into the fall in some fashion.
Read the full editorial by Chicago Sun-Times editorial board here.
5 p.m. Stuck at home? Try living at O’Hare — since April
Linda Benavides and her husband, Manuel, slept at O’Hare International Airport Wednesday night. In Terminal 1, near baggage claim. At least they tried to sleep, until 2:30 a.m., when the police kicked them out, again. They went to sleep on the Blue Line.
Or tried to.
“There was a party on the train,” she said. “The Blue Line is bad. Drug addicts.”
Most likely they will be back at O’Hare tonight, sleeping there again, or trying to, leaning against each other, using their jackets as blankets.
They’ve slept at O’Hare most nights for the past month. A good place to sleep, Linda said, because the bathrooms are right there. But not exactly pleasant.
Read the full commentary from columnist Neil Steinberg here.
1:38 p.m. New COVID-19 outbreak at homeless shelter raises concerns for some still staying there
Robert Ewaniuk has been staying at a West Side homeless shelter operated by Franciscan Outreach for a little more than a week, during which he’s been tested twice for COVID-19 after other residents contracted the disease.
At age 54 and with several underlying health conditions including diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, Ewaniuk is considered high risk for coronavirus complications if he were to become infected.
Normally, those health problems would make Ewaniuk a candidate for a room at Hotel 166, a boutique tourist hotel off Michigan Avenue where the city has been housing some homeless people with medical needs to shield them from the virus.
But Hotel 166 is operating at capacity, as are other facilities the city has established to temporarily house at-risk homeless individuals during the pandemic.
The result is Ewaniuk and many others like him are stuck in limbo at shelters while they wait to learn whether the city can find a safer place for them.
Read the full commentary from columnist Mark Brown here.
6:45 a.m. Lynn Sweet’s rules of the road for social distancing while walking, running and biking
A quiz.
Q. You are walking on one side of a sidewalk. Someone strolling toward you veers within six feet of you. You don’t have any room to move but the other person does. You call out through your mask, “Six feet!”
The correct action for that person is:
a. Pretend not to hear and stay the course.
b. Give you the finger and swerve a little.
c. Create some distance by moving away.
The correct answer is c.
As some of our COVID-19 pandemic lockdown rules in Illinois are easing and the spring weather is bringing us outside more frequently to walk, run and bike, I’ve been navigating the new normal while social distancing. There is no best practices manual for this.
I’m a speed walker. I aim at five miles a day. As I roam around, I’ve made it a point to observe social or physical distancing behavior — who among us tries to observe the six feet; who doesn’t; and whether lapses appear willful or the result of being oblivious. I’ve become a student of the various tactics people are using and developing some of my own.
Read the full column by Lynn Sweet here.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--3 more COVID-19 cases in Chicago Police Department

Chicago police announced Thursday three more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the number of cases in the department to 533 @ @ @ @ @ 506 are officers and 27 are civilian employees , police said .
All of the @ @ @ @ @ the department ’ s medical section .
The department announced the death of a third @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus on April 17 .
Illinois health officials Thursday announced 87 more people died of @ @ @ @ @ , while an additional 2,268 tested positive .

Chicago police announced Thursday three more cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in the department to 533.
Of the cases, 506 are officers and 27 are civilian employees, police said. All of the cases have been confirmed by the department’s medical section.
The department announced the death of a third officer from complications of the coronavirus on April 17.
Illinois health officials Thursday announced 87 more people died of the coronavirus in the state, while an additional 2,268 tested positive.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Students with special needs shouldn’t become second-class Americans during a pandemic

Chicago Public Schools has a long history of shortchanging children with special needs .
It has taken years of activism , judges ’ rulings and monitoring by independent watchdogs to force progress on this front .
The district can ’ t be allowed to backslide now , even during a pandemic .
Children with special needs deserve access to an education that is equal in quality to that of any other child .
We support a CPS policy that requires teachers and clinicians to revise learning plans for special education students to incorporate home-based remote learning .
For all its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new normal ” for now , in Chicago and across the country , and likely will continue into the fall in some fashion .
Contrary to what the Chicago Teachers Union contends in a lawsuit filed this week challenging the CPS policy , there ’ s no need for a “ wholesale redrafting ” of Individual Education Plans .
CPS is requiring , in the words of a spokesperson , only that “ basic accommodations ” be made to “ help students adjust ” to remote learning .
That ’ s not “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CTU suit asserts , if the union and the school administration resolve to work together .
On this issue , we find ourselves in rare agreement with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos .
She rightly declined to waive federal requirements that compel school districts to rewrite students ’ IEPs whenever needed .
A pandemic is a challenge , not a reason to let educators off the hook when it comes to equitable services for kids with special needs .
We understand that remote learning can be particularly challenging for students with disabilities .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aides and clinicians .
Those services can be difficult to duplicate when the kids are learning from home .
But children with disabilities don ’ t become second class Americans when times get tough .
“ What is needed for students with disabilities is robust support while they and their families are at home balancing the challenges of remote learning , ” Chris Yun , of the advocacy group Access Living , told us .
“ It is unfortunate to see that CPS and CTU are clashing over crucial services for these students @ @ @ @ @ @

Chicago Public Schools has a long history of shortchanging children with special needs. It has taken years of activism, judges’ rulings and monitoring by independent watchdogs to force progress on this front.
The district can’t be allowed to backslide now, even during a pandemic. Children with special needs deserve access to an education that is equal in quality to that of any other child.
We support a CPS policy that requires teachers and clinicians to revise learning plans for special education students to incorporate home-based remote learning. For all its limitations, remote learning is the “new normal” for now, in Chicago and across the country, and likely will continue into the fall in some fashion.
Editorials bug Editorials
Contrary to what the Chicago Teachers Union contends in a lawsuit filed this week challenging the CPS policy, there’s no need for a “wholesale redrafting” of Individual Education Plans. CPS is requiring, in the words of a spokesperson, only that “basic accommodations” be made to “help students adjust” to remote learning.
That’s not “impossible to accomplish,” as the CTU suit asserts, if the union and the school administration resolve to work together.
On this issue, we find ourselves in rare agreement with Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. She rightly declined to waive federal requirements that compel school districts to rewrite students’ IEPs whenever needed. A pandemic is a challenge, not a reason to let educators off the hook when it comes to equitable services for kids with special needs.
We understand that remote learning can be particularly challenging for students with disabilities. At school, they often require assistance from aides and clinicians. Those services can be difficult to duplicate when the kids are learning from home.
But children with disabilities don’t become second class Americans when times get tough.
“What is needed for students with disabilities is robust support while they and their families are at home balancing the challenges of remote learning,” Chris Yun, of the advocacy group Access Living, told us. “It is unfortunate to see that CPS and CTU are clashing over crucial services for these students in these unprecedented times.”
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Two-tower plan OKd for former Chicago Spire site

The city ’ s planning agency Thursday endorsed a two-tower rental development for a lakefront site once eyed for the ill-fated Chicago Spire .
The Chicago Plan Commission unanimously supported the plan by development firm Related Midwest to build towers of 765 and 875 feet .
The action clears the way for the project to get final consideration by the City Council , but timing of construction will depend on how the economy fares through the pandemic .
The 2.2-acre site is at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive .
Years ago , a prior developer recruited celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2,000 feet , would have been the city ’ s tallest .
But the deal collapsed during the Great Recession , leaving behind a 76-foot-deep hole dug for the foundation .
The new design by Skidmore , Owings & Merrill doesn ’ t aim for any height records but still would reference classic Chicago architecture with setbacks and terra cotta accents .
Situated near where Lake Michigan meets the Chicago River , it would become a landmark of the skyline .
The buildings would contain 1,100 apartments .
With a design altered after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had the support of downtown Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) .
A hotel planned for the complex was eliminated , along with a podium that many thought deadened the project ’ s appearance at the pedestrian level .
Parking for the development will be below grade .
The developer promised changes to improve access to the future DuSable Park .
The design changes will reduce the traffic load on East North Water Street , a key access point , Reilly said .
The Plan Commission , which reviews large-scale zoning proposals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted virtually because of COVID-19 concerns .
In other matters , the commission also approved : —Zoning for a 144,000-square-foot warehouse to be occupied by Amazon that will be built within the Pullman Park industrial and retail development near 104th Street and Woodlawn Avenue .
—A proposal by developer Habitat for a 33-story , 343-unit apartment building at 344 N. Canal .
It would replace a brick building occupied for years by Cassidy Tire .

The city’s planning agency Thursday endorsed a two-tower rental development for a lakefront site once eyed for the ill-fated Chicago Spire.
The Chicago Plan Commission unanimously supported the plan by development firm Related Midwest to build towers of 765 and 875 feet. The action clears the way for the project to get final consideration by the City Council, but timing of construction will depend on how the economy fares through the pandemic.
The 2.2-acre site is at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive. Years ago, a prior developer recruited celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava to design a building that, at 2,000 feet, would have been the city’s tallest. But the deal collapsed during the Great Recession, leaving behind a 76-foot-deep hole dug for the foundation.
The new design by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill doesn’t aim for any height records but still would reference classic Chicago architecture with setbacks and terra cotta accents. Situated near where Lake Michigan meets the Chicago River, it would become a landmark of the skyline.
The buildings would contain 1,100 apartments. With a design altered after discussions with community groups, the project had the support of downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd).
A hotel planned for the complex was eliminated, along with a podium that many thought deadened the project’s appearance at the pedestrian level. Parking for the development will be below grade. The developer promised changes to improve access to the future DuSable Park.
The design changes will reduce the traffic load on East North Water Street, a key access point, Reilly said.
The Plan Commission, which reviews large-scale zoning proposals, approved the project during a meeting conducted virtually because of COVID-19 concerns.
In other matters, the commission also approved:
—Zoning for a 144,000-square-foot warehouse to be occupied by Amazon that will be built within the Pullman Park industrial and retail development near 104th Street and Woodlawn Avenue.
—A proposal by developer Habitat for a 33-story, 343-unit apartment building at 344
A rendering of the building planned for 344 N. Canal. Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates
N. Canal. It would replace a brick building occupied for years by Cassidy Tire.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Lightfoot offers a sneak preview of her detailed plan to reopen Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is preparing to flesh out her plan to slowly but safely reopen Chicago , with guidelines for specific areas and industries .
After disappointing Chicago restaurant owners by saying outdoor dining will not be authorized on May 29 , Lightfoot fielded some other questions stir-crazy Chicagoans want answered .
Like when and how she will loosen her grip by reopening the lakefront , the downtown Riverwalk and the 606 Trail .
“ There ’ s not a day that goes by that I don ’ t get a call , a text , an email or all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I understand that .
The lakefront is a treasure .
But we have to do this at a time that is safe and in a way that we can remain safe , ” the mayor said after a news conference called to announce additional mental health services during the pandemic .
“ I ’ m very worried about a spike and a surge in cases when we do open back up .
We ’ re gon na work to try to mitigate against that .
But having thousands of people congregating on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ways that I know that we would have the kind of surge that would set us back and then have us have to re-impose additional restrictions on mobility.
” Lakefront aldermen have suggested ways to control the number of people on the lakefront , including time-of-day restrictions for different recreational activities ; a free , ticketed “ timed-entry ” system ; and reserved picnicking spots .
The Chicago Area Runners Association has proposed that the mayor begin by opening the lakefront trail from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. for running , walking and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more .
But , it ’ s not quite that simple .
“ It ’ s not just the lakefront .
It ’ s what do we do about the marinas and boating ?
What do we do about golf .
We ’ ve got golf courses … along the lakefront on the North Side and the South Side .
So there ’ s a lot of pieces that go into shutting down and then , reopening .
We ’ re looking at all of them , ” she said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to change when Chicagoans who ’ ve been staying home return to work .
She answered with a series of questions being asked behind the scenes .
“ How do we clean ?
How do we make sure that we ’ ve got spacing and social distancing so we don ’ t have , kind of the traditional rush hour with people congregated on platforms and at bus stops ?
How many people will we allow on a bus at any given time ?
” the mayor said .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regular buses .
I believe it ’ s 12 or 15 .
On the larger buses , it ’ s in the low-20 ’ s .
Are we gon na change those numbers in any way ?
I ’ m not sure that we will .
Does that mean that we need to put more buses in service , particularly on some of these heavily traveled bus routes ?
Same thing with the trains.
” The mayor was also asked about her decision to fine a handful of churches that defied the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars of some of their patrons .
She said she ’ s working with religious leaders to “ craft specific guidance ” for a return to in-person services .
“ How do members of the choir come together … and express themselves through song in a way that ’ s protected ?
I don ’ t know about you , but when I sing , I ’ m expressive .
Droplets are coming out of my mouth .
I may be sweating .
Those are the very circumstances where the virus can breed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When we talk about passing the collection plate , how do we do that in a way that is safe ?
When we talk about taking communion — there are many faith traditions where people drink from the same chalice .
How do we do that without putting ourselves at risk ?
” With temperatures in the 80s expected over the long holiday weekend , Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady was asked about swimming in public and private pools .
“ COVID-19 is not in the water itself .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pool or through the lake .
The concern is the interaction of the swimmers , ” Arwady said .
“ A pool in somebody ’ s backyard that they ’ re using with their family , I don ’ t have a concern for that .
The public pools are part of the larger conversation … about where are we as a city .
What structural things need to be in place .
Those would be a much bigger decision because it is difficult to keep that sort of physical distancing — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the pool .
”

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is preparing to flesh out her plan to slowly but safely reopen Chicago, with guidelines for specific areas and industries.
Thursday, she offered a preview.
After disappointing Chicago restaurant owners by saying outdoor dining will not be authorized on May 29, Lightfoot fielded some other questions stir-crazy Chicagoans want answered.
Like when and how she will loosen her grip by reopening the lakefront, the downtown Riverwalk and the 606 Trail.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t get a call, a text, an email or all of the above asking about the lakefront. I understand that. The lakefront is a treasure. But we have to do this at a time that is safe and in a way that we can remain safe,” the mayor said after a news conference called to announce additional mental health services during the pandemic.
“I’m very worried about a spike and a surge in cases when we do open back up. We’re gonna work to try to mitigate against that. But having thousands of people congregating on the lakefront is one of the surest ways that I know that we would have the kind of surge that would set us back and then have us have to re-impose additional restrictions on mobility.”
Lakefront aldermen have suggested ways to control the number of people on the lakefront, including time-of-day restrictions for different recreational activities; a free, ticketed “timed-entry” system; and reserved picnicking spots.
The Chicago Area Runners Association has proposed that the mayor begin by opening the lakefront trail from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. for running, walking and biking.
Lightfoot is considering all those and more. But, it’s not quite that simple.
“It’s not just the lakefront. It’s what do we do about the marinas and boating? What do we do about golf. We’ve got golf courses … along the lakefront on the North Side and the South Side. So there’s a lot of pieces that go into shutting down and then, reopening. We’re looking at all of them,” she said.
The mayor was asked how CTA service is likely to change when Chicagoans who’ve been staying home return to work.
She answered with a series of questions being asked behind the scenes.
“How do we clean? How do we make sure that we’ve got spacing and social distancing so we don’t have, kind of the traditional rush hour with people congregated on platforms and at bus stops? How many people will we allow on a bus at any given time?” the mayor said.
“We’ve got [passenger] limitations on the regular buses. I believe it’s 12 or 15. On the larger buses, it’s in the low-20’s. Are we gonna change those numbers in any way? I’m not sure that we will. Does that mean that we need to put more buses in service, particularly on some of these heavily traveled bus routes? Same thing with the trains.”
The mayor was also asked about her decision to fine a handful of churches that defied the stay-at-home order last Sunday and tow the cars of some of their patrons.
She said she’s working with religious leaders to “craft specific guidance” for a return to in-person services.
“How do members of the choir come together … and express themselves through song in a way that’s protected? I don’t know about you, but when I sing, I’m expressive. Droplets are coming out of my mouth. I may be sweating. Those are the very circumstances where the virus can breed and spread,” the mayor said.
“When we talk about passing the collection plate, how do we do that in a way that is safe? When we talk about taking communion — there are many faith traditions where people drink from the same chalice. How do we do that without putting ourselves at risk?”
With temperatures in the 80s expected over the long holiday weekend, Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady was asked about swimming in public and private pools.
“COVID-19 is not in the water itself. It’s not that it could spread through the pool or through the lake. The concern is the interaction of the swimmers,” Arwady said.
“A pool in somebody’s backyard that they’re using with their family, I don’t have a concern for that. The public pools are part of the larger conversation … about where are we as a city. What structural things need to be in place. Those would be a much bigger decision because it is difficult to keep that sort of physical distancing — especially where you think about kids playing in the pool.”


chicagosun-times--2020-05-21--Person of interest identified in death of man fatally hit by vehicle in Wheeling

Police are searching for a man in connection with the death of a father who was fatally struck by a vehicle Wednesday in northwest suburban wheeling , an incident that police are investigating as a homicide .
Jose Fermin Zavala-Hernandez , 38 , is considered a person of interest in the death of 32-year-old Carlos Maciel-Pulido , Wheeling police said in a statement .
Officers responded to reports of a crash about 7:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Equestrian Drive and found a Toyota SUV partially lodged into the front of a home , police said .
No one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maciel-Pulido was found near the scene of the crash and pronounced dead at the scene .
Autopsy results released Thursday confirmed he died of injuries from being struck by a vehicle and ruled his death a homicide , the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
Maciel-Pulido was a father of three who lived in a nearby apartment complex , police said .
Investigators believe Zavala-Hernandez had a “ strong personal disagreement ” with Maciel-Pulido stemming from a May 17 domestic violence incident , police said .
He was previously arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled substance and obstructing/resisting a peace officer by Arlington Heights police but was released on an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet , police said .
Anyone with information was asked to call Wheeling police at 847-459-2636 .

Police are searching for a man in connection with the death of a father who was fatally struck by a vehicle Wednesday in northwest suburban wheeling, an incident that police are investigating as a homicide.
Jose Fermin Zavala-Hernandez, 38, is considered a person of interest in the death of 32-year-old Carlos Maciel-Pulido, Wheeling police said in a statement.
Officers responded to reports of a crash about 7:30 a.m. in the 700 block of Equestrian Drive and found a Toyota SUV partially lodged into the front of a home, police said. No one inside the home was injured, but Maciel-Pulido was found near the scene of the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.
Autopsy results released Thursday confirmed he died of injuries from being struck by a vehicle and ruled his death a homicide, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Maciel-Pulido was a father of three who lived in a nearby apartment complex, police said.
Investigators believe Zavala-Hernandez had a “strong personal disagreement” with Maciel-Pulido stemming from a May 17 domestic violence incident, police said.
He was previously arrested for aggravated DUI, possession of a controlled substance and obstructing/resisting a peace officer by Arlington Heights police but was released on an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet, police said.
Anyone with information was asked to call Wheeling police at 847-459-2636.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Dear Abby: The biological family that I just found won’t talk to me

DEAR ABBY : I recently found out who my biological father is/was .
Apparently , my mother and this man had an affair more than 50 years ago .
There ’ s only speculation as to why .
What bothers me is , I have always lived no more than 15 miles from this man and his family .
I tried reaching out to the one half-sibling I am most knowledgeable about .
They have made no attempt to contact me about this elephant in the room .
I don ’ t know if it ’ s shame or embarrassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respectable man with a great family .
Why someone would not want to reach out and at least get to know a brother they supposedly never knew existed is beyond me .
We ’ ve wasted way too many years kept in the dark about this well-kept secret .
My thought is that you can never have too big a family — even if we are only half-siblings .
Should I continue attempting to reach them , or just sweep all of this under the rug and pretend it never happened ?
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Not everyone is as open-hearted or inclusive as you .
After half a century , your birth father ’ s family may prefer not to open this chapter of their father ’ s life , and they should not be forced to .
Because you have already reached out to them without getting a response , I don ’ t think you should push the issue .
You wrote that you are a respectable man with a great family .
Count your blessings , because not everyone is so fortunate .
DEAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lives at home with my parents after getting out of an abusive relationship .
A full night ’ s sleep is important to me and waking up early from avoidable noises is upsetting because I am unable to go back to sleep .
My mother ’ s cellphone is what ’ s waking me up .
I have asked her numerous times to turn off the ringer at night .
She has no reason to be a go-to for emergencies , yet she acts as if she is .
The last time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the phone calls she missed ( because she forgot to turn her ringer back on ) are more important than my sleep .
She says she ’ s glad I ’ m back living at home because I am making life a little easier for them .
They are getting old , and I have come to the conclusion I will be here taking care of my parents in the coming years .
I have told Mom numerous times to have her hearing checked , too , to no avail .
I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blares so loudly .
On numerous occasions I have been sitting upstairs and heard Dad ask her a question in the living room , and Mom , who is sitting right next to him , says , “ What ?
” She ’ s in denial about her hearing .
I would rather not move out , but I am about ready to do it for peace and quiet .
Do you have any words of wisdom for me ?
— INJURED EARS IN ILLINOIS DEAR INJURED EARS : Yes , I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone on vibrate at bedtime or use its do-not-disturb feature between certain hours .
If she refuses , then purchasing a white noise machine might be a solution .
Suggest to your father that he inform their doctor about your mother ’ s hearing problems .
Perhaps if the doctor tells her it ’ s time to have her hearing checked by an audiologist , she won ’ t tune out the message .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I recently found out who my biological father is/was. Apparently, my mother and this man had an affair more than 50 years ago. There’s only speculation as to why.
What bothers me is, I have always lived no more than 15 miles from this man and his family. I tried reaching out to the one half-sibling I am most knowledgeable about. They have made no attempt to contact me about this elephant in the room. I don’t know if it’s shame or embarrassment on their part.
I am a respectable man with a great family. Why someone would not want to reach out and at least get to know a brother they supposedly never knew existed is beyond me. We’ve wasted way too many years kept in the dark about this well-kept secret. My thought is that you can never have too big a family — even if we are only half-siblings. Should I continue attempting to reach them, or just sweep all of this under the rug and pretend it never happened? — EXPANDING THE FAMILY IN OHIO
DEAR EXPANDING: Not everyone is as open-hearted or inclusive as you. After half a century, your birth father’s family may prefer not to open this chapter of their father’s life, and they should not be forced to. Because you have already reached out to them without getting a response, I don’t think you should push the issue. You wrote that you are a respectable man with a great family. Count your blessings, because not everyone is so fortunate.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 42-year-old man who lives at home with my parents after getting out of an abusive relationship. A full night’s sleep is important to me and waking up early from avoidable noises is upsetting because I am unable to go back to sleep. My mother’s cellphone is what’s waking me up.
I have asked her numerous times to turn off the ringer at night. She has no reason to be a go-to for emergencies, yet she acts as if she is. The last time I asked, she actually told me the phone calls she missed (because she forgot to turn her ringer back on) are more important than my sleep.
She says she’s glad I’m back living at home because I am making life a little easier for them. They are getting old, and I have come to the conclusion I will be here taking care of my parents in the coming years.
I have told Mom numerous times to have her hearing checked, too, to no avail. I think that may be why her cellphone ringer blares so loudly. On numerous occasions I have been sitting upstairs and heard Dad ask her a question in the living room, and Mom, who is sitting right next to him, says, “What?” She’s in denial about her hearing.
I would rather not move out, but I am about ready to do it for peace and quiet. Do you have any words of wisdom for me? — INJURED EARS IN ILLINOIS
DEAR INJURED EARS: Yes, I do. Ask your mother to put her phone on vibrate at bedtime or use its do-not-disturb feature between certain hours. If she refuses, then purchasing a white noise machine might be a solution.
Suggest to your father that he inform their doctor about your mother’s hearing problems. Perhaps if the doctor tells her it’s time to have her hearing checked by an audiologist, she won’t tune out the message.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-05-22--Wild game: Smoked Wild Turkey with Red Bell Cream Sauce in “Braising the Wild”

I read Jack Hennessy ’ s lead paragraph and thought , “ Yea , I know that from personal experience.
” As always , he brings nuggets of broader knowledge to wild-game cooking , this time on how to make wild turkey without turning it into old leather .
Here is his recipe : The two biggest mistakes hunters make when cooking wild turkey : 1 .
Failing to butcher the bird and cook separate parts via appropriate methods .
2 .
Cooking breast meat as if it were a domestic bird .
Wild turkey breasts , since leaner than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lower temperatures are required for an even , full cook ; otherwise temperatures like 325 could dry out the outer layer by the time the middle of breast reaches 160 .
Smoking is a great option .
I prefer mesquite wood chunks and use a Pyro Tower , which allows me to smoke low then quickly add more woods or coals and crank up the heat for a quick sear , but whatever equipment you use : try to cook low then quickly sear at end .
Mix brine ( all ingredients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Add turkey breast , fully submerged , and allow to brine for 10-12 hours ( no longer ) .
After 10-12 hours , thoroughly rinse off turkey breast under cold water .
Pat dry and put in fridge for a couple hours .
For sauce , add a thin layer of olive oil to large , deep skillet and heat on medium .
Add minced onions and lightly salt and pepper .
Meanwhile , roast red bell pepper in oven ( if fresh ) at 400 degrees until red flesh chars and skin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Place in colander and run under cold water while removing stem , seeds and outer skin .
Set aside .
Once onions start to brown , turn heat to low and allow onions to caramelize ( approximately 30-45 minutes ) .
Once color of brown sugar , add tablespoon of butter along with minced garlic .
Stir onions and garlic for 5 minutes then deglaze with 1/2 of sweet marsala .
Stir and scrape up any brown bits and after 5 minute longer , add to food processor .
In same food processor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper .
Blend thoroughly then add back to deep skillet or pot and set heat to medium-low .
Add pint of cream , mix thoroughly and stir often , letting liquids reduce to half ( make sure cream doesn ’ t boil over ) .
Once reduced , add drained canned mushrooms .
Salt and pepper to taste .
In a separate pot , add rice and water , cover with lid and bring to a boil on medium-high heat .
Once boiling , reduce to very low and allow rice to mostly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To cook wild turkey breast , smoke at 220-240 until internal temperature reads 140 .
Quickly reverse sear on either hot cast iron or over high fire , until temp reads 150 .
Remove and cover with aluminum foil .
Allow wild turkey to rest for 5 minutes before carving and adding to rice , topping with cream sauce and possibly thyme as a garnish .

SMOKED WILD TURKEY WITH RED BELL CREAM SAUCE The two biggest mistakes hunters make when cooking wild turkey: 1. Failing to butcher the bird and cook separate parts via appropriate methods. 2. Cooking breast meat as if it were a domestic bird. Wild turkey breasts, since leaner than domestic meat, dries out far quicker. Lower temperatures are required for an even, full cook; otherwise temperatures like 325 could dry out the outer layer by the time the middle of breast reaches 160. Smoking is a great option. I prefer mesquite wood chunks and use a Pyro Tower, which allows me to smoke low then quickly add more woods or coals and crank up the heat for a quick sear, but whatever equipment you use: try to cook low then quickly sear at end. Ingredients (two servings): One 12- to 18-ounce wild turkey breast For brine: 1/2 gallon cold water 1/4 kosher salt 1/4 cup white sugar 1/2 cup black peppercorns 1/4 coriander seeds 1/2 bulb garlic, smashed Olive oil 1 tablespoon salted butter For sauce: 1 roasted red bell pepper (canned or fresh) 1/2 medium yellow onion, minced 2 large cloves of garlic, minced 1/2 cup sweet marsala cooking wine 1 pint heavy whipping cream 6 ounces sliced, canned mushrooms Salt and pepper to taste Rice: 1-1/2 cups white or jasmine rice 2 cups water Optional garnish: dry or fresh thyme Mix brine (all ingredients) until salt and sugar dissolve. Add turkey breast, fully submerged, and allow to brine for 10-12 hours (no longer). After 10-12 hours, thoroughly rinse off turkey breast under cold water. Pat dry and put in fridge for a couple hours. For sauce, add a thin layer of olive oil to large, deep skillet and heat on medium. Add minced onions and lightly salt and pepper. Meanwhile, roast red bell pepper in oven (if fresh) at 400 degrees until red flesh chars and skin loosens (approximately 18-20 minutes). Place in colander and run under cold water while removing stem, seeds and outer skin. Set aside. Once onions start to brown, turn heat to low and allow onions to caramelize (approximately 30-45 minutes). Once color of brown sugar, add tablespoon of butter along with minced garlic. Stir onions and garlic for 5 minutes then deglaze with 1/2 of sweet marsala. Stir and scrape up any brown bits and after 5 minute longer, add to food processor. In same food processor, add roasted and peeled red bell pepper. Blend thoroughly then add back to deep skillet or pot and set heat to medium-low. Add pint of cream, mix thoroughly and stir often, letting liquids reduce to half (make sure cream doesn’t boil over). Once reduced, add drained canned mushrooms. Salt and pepper to taste. In a separate pot, add rice and water, cover with lid and bring to a boil on medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce to very low and allow rice to mostly absorb water before turning off heat. To cook wild turkey breast, smoke at 220-240 until internal temperature reads 140. Quickly reverse sear on either hot cast iron or over high fire, until temp reads 150. Remove and cover with aluminum foil. Allow wild turkey to rest for 5 minutes before carving and adding to rice, topping with cream sauce and possibly thyme as a garnish.