chicagosun-times--2020-03-12--Coronavirus forces Election Day scramble ‘entirely unprecedented in the history of Chicago’

Scrambling to deal with an election for the city ’ s history books , officials are now trying to relocate “ 85 or more ” Election Day polling places in Chicago and “ more than 32 ” in the Cook County suburbs as concern over the coronavirus hit warp speed .
And growing numbers of election judges are pulling out of their assignments for next Tuesday ’ s primary election .
“ It is entirely unprecedented in the history of Chicago elections , going back to 1837 , ” said Jim Allen , a spokesman for the Chicago Board of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day switches has steadily ticked upward .
Wednesday morning the number was 25 locations .
By Wednesday night , the number of relocations shot up to 65 .
As of 4 p.m. Thursday , 85 or more Chicago Election Day precinct polling locations need to be relocated , Allen said .
In the Cook County suburbs , more than 32 Election Day polling locations will need to be relocated , said James Scalzitti.
, a spokesman for Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough .
Scalzitti said the number of polling locations needing to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though he couldn ’ t provide an exact number by afternoon .
In Chicago , the latest relocations are largely happening at privately owned apartment buildings , churches and a variety of facilities that the city uses , Allen said .
Nursing homes had been pulling out on Wednesday .
After saying Wednesday there hasn ’ t been an uptick in the number of election judges opting to forego their duties , Allen said the board has seen a change .
“ The number of election judges who have resigned is increasing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll just call and say casually ‘ I ’ ve got something else I need to do ’ but we suspect it ’ s all about the same thing .
The concerns are real and valid.
” State officials did not immediately return requests for comment .
The coronavirus certainly does not mark the first time Chicago has held an election amidst a natural disaster .
The mayoral election of 1871 was held just a month after the Great Chicago Fire , which killed an estimated 300 people and left 100,000 homeless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to The History Channel ’ s website .
The city was under martial law for weeks .
Running on the “ Fireproof ” ticket , Joseph Medill won the November mayoral election on a promise of tougher building and fire codes .
“ His victory might also be attributable to the fact that most of the city ’ s voting records were destroyed in the fire , so it was next to impossible to keep people from voting more than once , ” according to history.com .

Scrambling to deal with an election for the city’s history books, officials are now trying to relocate 94 Election Day polling places in Chicago and “more than 32” in the Cook County suburbs as concerns over the coronavirus hit warp speed.
And growing numbers of election judges are pulling out of their assignments for next Tuesday’s primary election — 746 in suburban Cook County alone.
“It is entirely unprecedented in the history of Chicago elections, going back to 1837,” said Jim Allen, a spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
The number of Election Day switches has steadily ticked upward. Chicago precincts without polling places rose from 24 Thursday morning to 94 by evening.
“We are working with the city’s Office of Emergency Management in an attempt to resolve those issues so that we may deliver supplies to new locations by Sunday and Monday,” Allen said.
In the Cook County suburbs, more than 32 Election Day polling locations will need to be relocated, said James Scalzitti, a spokesman for Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough. Scalzitti said the number of polling locations needing to be moved had increased since Thursday morning, though he couldn’t provide an exact number by afternoon.
In Chicago, the latest relocations are largely happening at privately owned apartment buildings, churches and a variety of facilities that the city uses, Allen said. Nursing homes had been pulling out on Wednesday.
And unlike the day before, election judges are now opting to forego their duties, Allen said.
“The number of election judges who have resigned is increasing,” Allen said. “Sometimes they’ll just call and say casually ‘I’ve got something else I need to do’ but we suspect it’s all about the same thing. The concerns are real and valid.”
To help head off an Election Day crunch, city election officials announced that early voting hours were being extended an hour over the weekend at Chicago sites. That’s now 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. And vote-by-mail applications were being accepted past the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline right up until midnight.
State officials did not immediately return requests for comment.
Joseph Medill Sun-Times archives
As chaotic as the situation is, the coronavirus certainly does not mark the first time Chicago has held an election amidst a natural disaster.
The mayoral election of 1871 came just a month after the Great Chicago Fire, which killed an estimated 300 people and left behind 100,000 homeless and damages estimated at $200 million, according to The History Channel’s website. The city was under martial law for weeks.
Running on the “Fireproof” ticket, Joseph Medill won the November mayoral election on a promise of tougher building and fire codes.
“His victory might also be attributable to the fact that most of the city’s voting records were destroyed in the fire, so it was next to impossible to keep people from voting more than once,” according to history.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Dear Abby: Here’s what strangers should not say about my adopted kids

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m an adoptive mother who has had more than my fair share of inappropriate comments directed at me and my children .
They usually come from strangers or acquaintances .
I ’ m about up to here with them , so I thought I would write you about etiquette for interacting with adoptive families : Though we may stand out to you , we think of ourselves as a family like any other .
Please do NOT start a conversation with us that has the sole purpose of pointing out the obvious .
Remember that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not ask questions in front of them about them or their adoption .
Don ’ t ask in private unless you are a close friend .
Better yet , let me broach the subject .
Please do not ALWAYS comment on my daughters ’ hair .
Yes , it is nicely braided and decorated with beautiful beads .
But isn ’ t there something else you can say about them ?
Maybe just once ?
And please don ’ t talk in front of them about how hard it must be for me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ braiding it .
Please don ’ t say I am a saint for adopting them .
I chose to adopt because I never wanted to have biological children .
And please don ’ t say how nice it is for me to love them so much .
Why would you expect that I wouldn ’ t love my children ?
Please do not pity my children .
They have amazing lives , are fiercely loved and have bright futures ahead .
And please do not introduce me to others as someone “ who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because my daughters are black does NOT mean they are from Africa !
I would much prefer you simply say , “ Anne has two 8-year-old daughters.
” And last , please remember that you and I are both people who love our families , and we have more in common than you might think .
— ANNE FROM CALIFORNIA DEAR ANNE : Thank you for a great letter .
Sometimes well-meaning people simply don ’ t think about the impact their words can have when they begin a conversation .
I hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart because they are valid .
DEAR ABBY : While separating photographs after my divorce from my wife , I found some photographs of relatives ’ and friends ’ weddings .
Is there any protocol on what to do with them ?
In some cases , the marriages ( and friendships ) have ended , so I assume I should just dispose of them , correct ?
I will send my ex-wife any photos of her and her family , but none that include my family .
Is this the right way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the same area anymore , and our families were never close .
I would be interested to hear what you think should be done with family photos that include me , my ex-wife and our children .
Should they go just to the children ?
I am in a new committed relationship , and I do not wish to keep any photos of my ex for any reason .
Can you please help ?
— NEEDS TO KNOW IN NEW YORK DEAR NEEDS TO KNOW : Send the family pictures to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with your ex IF she would like to have them .
If you still have a relationship with the friends and relatives , inform them that you found the photos and ask if they would like to have them .
That would be the considerate thing to do .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I’m an adoptive mother who has had more than my fair share of inappropriate comments directed at me and my children. They usually come from strangers or acquaintances. I’m about up to here with them, so I thought I would write you about etiquette for interacting with adoptive families:
Though we may stand out to you, we think of ourselves as a family like any other. Please do NOT start a conversation with us that has the sole purpose of pointing out the obvious. Remember that my children have ears.
Please do not ask questions in front of them about them or their adoption. Don’t ask in private unless you are a close friend. Better yet, let me broach the subject.
Please do not ALWAYS comment on my daughters’ hair. Yes, it is nicely braided and decorated with beautiful beads. But isn’t there something else you can say about them? Maybe just once? And please don’t talk in front of them about how hard it must be for me to do their hair. I LOVE braiding it.
Please don’t say I am a saint for adopting them. I chose to adopt because I never wanted to have biological children. And please don’t say how nice it is for me to love them so much. Why would you expect that I wouldn’t love my children?
Please do not pity my children. They have amazing lives, are fiercely loved and have bright futures ahead. And please do not introduce me to others as someone “who has adopted two girls from Africa.” Because my daughters are black does NOT mean they are from Africa! I would much prefer you simply say, “Anne has two 8-year-old daughters.”
And last, please remember that you and I are both people who love our families, and we have more in common than you might think. — ANNE FROM CALIFORNIA
DEAR ANNE: Thank you for a great letter. Sometimes well-meaning people simply don’t think about the impact their words can have when they begin a conversation. I hope my readers will take your words to heart because they are valid.
DEAR ABBY: While separating photographs after my divorce from my wife, I found some photographs of relatives’ and friends’ weddings. Is there any protocol on what to do with them? In some cases, the marriages (and friendships) have ended, so I assume I should just dispose of them, correct? I will send my ex-wife any photos of her and her family, but none that include my family. Is this the right way to go?
We don’t live in the same area anymore, and our families were never close. I would be interested to hear what you think should be done with family photos that include me, my ex-wife and our children. Should they go just to the children? I am in a new committed relationship, and I do not wish to keep any photos of my ex for any reason. Can you please help? — NEEDS TO KNOW IN NEW YORK
DEAR NEEDS TO KNOW: Send the family pictures to your children and instruct them to share them with your ex IF she would like to have them. If you still have a relationship with the friends and relatives, inform them that you found the photos and ask if they would like to have them. That would be the considerate thing to do.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Shaken (not stirred) by COVID-19

Shaken (not stirred) by COVID-19

As a member of the at-risk group identified as being most endangered by the coronavirus , I ’ d like to go on record saying this is “ No Time to Die.
” Especially not with the release of a new James Bond movie by that name now delayed over concerns of the pandemic ’ s box-office impact .
I ’ ve been a 007 fan since my parents took us to the drive-in to see “ Goldfinger , ” and no matter what you say , Daniel Craig is the best James Bond since Sean Connery .
This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Craig plays the role , and COVID-19 or no COVID-19 , I plan to live long enough to see “ No Time to Die ” in the theater .
If you think I ’ m being flip about a very serious subject , I ’ m not trying to be .
Well , maybe just a little .
I take the coronavirus threat very seriously , probably like you , more seriously by the day , as our understanding evolves .
But I mention James Bond movies to make the point that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defined by public health officials in this particular crisis as anyone over the age of 60 , still have plenty of reasons for which they would prefer to live — some less important than others .
That applies even to those of us with “ underlying medical conditions , ” because , as a 65-year-old with high blood pressure and asthma , it sometimes has felt these past few weeks that I might find myself marked with a big red X and left on the side of the trail as the rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ links .
There has been an undertone in many quarters that the coronavirus must not be all that serious if those in the gravest danger already are in the last quartile of their life expectancy .
This has been the first time I ’ ve found myself in the demographic group most likely to be written off , and I don ’ t much like it .
If nothing else , I ’ d like to attack this notion that we “ seniors ” are all out here just circling the drain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Most of us understand we live in a society that places a higher value on youth .
Having once been the beneficiary of those attitudes , we aren ’ t expecting a sudden reversal now that we ’ ve aged out .
But the deaths of older people can be tragic , too , as anyone who has lost a parent has probably learned .
I certainly don ’ t consider myself “ elderly , ” and from observation , very few people do , even those considerably “ more elderly ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly , I tell people .
I ’ m just old .
My older friends even want to argue that point .
“ If you ’ re old , what does that make us ?
” they ’ ll say .
It makes you old , I tell them .
Here ’ s the thing , though .
None of them is looking to check out any time soon .
They ’ re working or , if retired , making plans .
I can pretty much assure you those old folks who contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get on board thinking they were sailing into life ’ s sunset .
Even the people I might consider elderly find motivation in life ’ s daily challenges and aren ’ t expecting a global pandemic to prematurely end their run .
I ’ ve noticed the pubic conversation has changed considerably now that it ’ s better understood the infection is a risk to the broader population as well .
Now , there ’ s even attention being paid to how younger people can take steps to prevent transmitting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No Time to Die ” is now set to debut in the U.S. around Thanksgiving .
With any luck , everyone reading this will be around to join me in the theater .
Afterward , we can all go back to debating important stuff like who should be the next James Bond .
I ’ m thinking Idris Elba and Damian Lewis are both too old at this point .

As a member of the at-risk group identified as being most endangered by the coronavirus, I’d like to go on record saying this is “No Time to Die.”
Especially not with the release of a new James Bond movie by that name now delayed over concerns of the pandemic’s box-office impact.
I’ve been a 007 fan since my parents took us to the drive-in to see “Goldfinger,” and no matter what you say, Daniel Craig is the best James Bond since Sean Connery.
This is supposed to be the last time Craig plays the role, and COVID-19 or no COVID-19, I plan to live long enough to see “No Time to Die” in the theater.
If you think I’m being flip about a very serious subject, I’m not trying to be. Well, maybe just a little.
I take the coronavirus threat very seriously, probably like you, more seriously by the day, as our understanding evolves.
But I mention James Bond movies to make the point that “elderly” people such as myself, defined by public health officials in this particular crisis as anyone over the age of 60, still have plenty of reasons for which they would prefer to live — some less important than others.
That applies even to those of us with “underlying medical conditions,” because, as a 65-year-old with high blood pressure and asthma, it sometimes has felt these past few weeks that I might find myself marked with a big red X and left on the side of the trail as the rest of you cull the herd of its weak links.
There has been an undertone in many quarters that the coronavirus must not be all that serious if those in the gravest danger already are in the last quartile of their life expectancy.
This has been the first time I’ve found myself in the demographic group most likely to be written off, and I don’t much like it.
If nothing else, I’d like to attack this notion that we “seniors” are all out here just circling the drain, waiting for our number to get called.
Most of us understand we live in a society that places a higher value on youth. Having once been the beneficiary of those attitudes, we aren’t expecting a sudden reversal now that we’ve aged out.
But the deaths of older people can be tragic, too, as anyone who has lost a parent has probably learned.
I certainly don’t consider myself “elderly,” and from observation, very few people do, even those considerably “more elderly” than me.
I’m not elderly, I tell people. I’m just old.
My older friends even want to argue that point.
“If you’re old, what does that make us?” they’ll say.
It makes you old, I tell them.
Here’s the thing, though. None of them is looking to check out any time soon.
They’re working or, if retired, making plans. I can pretty much assure you those old folks who contracted the coronavirus on a cruise ship didn’t get on board thinking they were sailing into life’s sunset.
Even the people I might consider elderly find motivation in life’s daily challenges and aren’t expecting a global pandemic to prematurely end their run.
I’ve noticed the public conversation has changed considerably now that it’s better understood the infection is a risk to the broader population as well.
Now, there’s even attention being paid to how younger people can take steps to prevent transmitting the disease to us old farts.
“No Time to Die” is now set to debut in the U.S. around Thanksgiving. With any luck, everyone reading this will be around to join me in the theater.
Afterward, we can all go back to debating important stuff like who should be the next James Bond.
I’m thinking Idris Elba and Damian Lewis are both too old at this point.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago’s coronavirus point person, has chased disease outbreaks worldwide

Dr. Allison Arwady ’ s typical day in the past week began at 6 a.m. , scrolling through an “ out-of-control ” email inbox .
Then , she ’ d start taking calls .
One would be about someone being tested for the new coronavirus that ’ s now become a worldwide pandemic .
A conference call with her staff would follow .
Then a roundtable discussion that included U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin , D-Illinois .
By 1:30 p.m. , she ’ d also briefed aldermen on the city ’ s response to the virus .
And how many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Public Health washed her hands ?
Arwady pauses to think .
Then , she lets loose an explosive laugh and says , “ Let ’ s see — three , I would say !
” Then an update late in the week : “ I ’ m washing my hands even more than I was even a few days ago !
” The past few weeks , Arwady , with her let ’ s take a breath and keep things in perspective manner , has become the city ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started on Jan. 24 , when she stood before an arc of TV cameras and news reporters to announce the city ’ s first — and the nation ’ s second — case of coronavirus .
Three weeks later , in Chinatown , she was urging people not to let “ fear control your decisions.
” She made a point of saying she was having lunch in a part of town that ’ s seen visitors dwindle over fears about the new virus , which first began its spread in Wuhan , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s public health commissioner in January — after holding that post in an acting role since last June — handling all of this ?
“ You can be calm when you ’ re confident in your team and in your plans and in your response , ” says Arwady , 43 , who grew up in Kalamazoo , Michigan — her father the publisher of the Springfield ( Massachusetts ) Republican newspaper , her mother a school teacher .
She has a bachelor ’ s degree from Harvard , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her medical degree at Yale .
She not only got around the Ivy League , but she also got around the world as a student , going overseas alone for a college summer job updating travel guides .
Over the span of her career , Arwady has gone places only an infectious diseases expert would embrace .
She was there , for instance , with a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team at the start of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in western Africa .
“ I would have gear on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ our ] shoes , being very careful about not touching things , ” Arwady says .
“ This was in a setting , to be perfectly frank , where there was not adequate personal protective equipment for the hospitals , broadly.
” Arwady also was a part of a CDC team that investigated the 2012 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome — MERS — outbreak in Saudi Arabia .
And she spent about a year working with the CDC in Botswana , working on HIV and tuberculosis .
“ Tuberculosis is a disease I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , almost giddy .
“ I love tuberculosis.
” She is fascinated — and appalled — by the infectious diseases she has studied .
“ When the Ebola outbreak was happening , it was intellectually interesting , but it was also really terrible , ” Arwady says .
“ It ’ s not like , ‘ Yay , there ’ s a new disease !
’ It ’ s like , ‘ This is very worrisome , and we have to be really serious and aggressive about understanding what is going on with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deputy city health commissioner until early 2019 , isn ’ t surprised that Arwady , a friend , usually is the person stepping forward and answering questions .
“ Because she ’ s just that damn smart , and she ’ s that damn good , ” says Richardson , now Midwest regional director of the gay-rights advocacy group Lambda Legal .
Dr. John Jay Shannon , who until last year was chief executive officer of Cook County ’ s health arm , says that even in an era in which public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from its communicable disease roots , it ’ s still vital to have people like Arwady who have that expertise .
“ That kind of direct experience and working with the CDC , that ’ s very , very valuable training , ” Shannon says .
Ald .
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa ( 35th ) , one of Arwady ’ s critics in the past , says she has been a capable leader in the city ’ s response to the virus .
Last October , Arwady infuriated Ramirez-Rosa and several other aldermen when , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 200,000 Chicagoans need mental health care but argued that reopening shuttered city clinics isn ’ t the answer .
Ramirez-Rosa says his differences with Arwady are over “ policy ” and “ vision.
” But he says , “ Dr .
Arwady is a very competent and prepared individual.
” So much so , Richardson says , “ It ’ s clear to the elected officials that she is someone who knows what she ’ s doing , too .
So they are happy to pass the microphone to her.
” Arwady @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and ask her about coronavirus .
“ I can ’ t walk down the street without somebody asking me should they fly here and should they go here , and ‘ I have this underlying condition , and what should I being doing ?
’ ” she says .
Arwady doesn ’ t have children .
But that doesn ’ t keep her from dispensing motherly advice .
“ I made sure my nieces and nephews had all really gotten their flu shots , ” she says .
“ I called their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to her own extended family ?
“ The things we ’ re recommending for the general public are the same things I recommend to my family and the same things that I ’ m doing myself , ” Arwady says .
In those increasingly rare moments when she ’ s not thinking about public health , Arwady , who is single , sees patients once a week .
She likes to do pottery .
And she sometimes can be found leading river and walking tours of Chicago architecture .
“ I do a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I talk about reversing the river .
I talk about the public health implications of what the Great Chicago Fire was.
” She ’ s clearly not intimidated by a crowd , whether it ’ s a group of tourists or a gaggle of reporters .
But is there anything that keeps Arwady awake at night ?
“ I think about : Have we done enough ?
” she says .
“ We ’ ve done all that we can think of to do .
And we ’ re doing more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always thinking ahead about all the potential scenarios , including worst-case scenarios .
”

Dr. Allison Arwady’s typical day this past week began at 6 a.m., scrolling through an “out-of-control” email inbox.
Then, she’d start taking calls. One would be about someone being tested for the new coronavirus that’s now become a worldwide pandemic. A conference call with her staff would follow. Then a roundtable discussion.
By 1:30 p.m., she’d also briefed aldermen on the city’s response to the virus.
And how many times had the city’s commissioner of the Department of Public Health washed her hands?
Arwady pauses to consider then lets loose an explosive laugh and says, “Let’s see — three, I would say!”
Later in the week, she offers an update: “I’m washing my hands even more than I was even a few days ago!”
Arwady, with her let’s take a breath and keep things in perspective manner, has become the city’s face for all things coronavirus. It started Jan. 24, when she stood before an arc of TV cameras and reporters to announce the city’s first — and nation’s second — case of the virus.
Three weeks later, in Chinatown, she was urging people not to let “fear control your decisions.” She made a point of saying she was having lunch in a part of town that’s seen visitors dwindle over fears about the new virus, which first began its spread in Wuhan, China.
CLICK TO HEAR STEFANO ESPOSITO ON WCIU’S ‘THE JAM’
How is the woman who became the city’s public health commissioner in January — after holding that post in an acting role since last June — handling all of this?
“You can be calm when you’re confident in your team and in your plans and in your response,” says Arwady, 43, who grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan — her father a newspaper publisher, her mother a school teacher.
She has a bachelor’s degree from Harvard, a master’s from Columbia and got her medical degree at Yale. She not only got around the Ivy League, but she also got around the world as a student, going overseas alone for a college summer job updating travel guides.
Arwady has gone places only an infectious diseases expert would embrace. She was there, for instance, with a federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team at the start of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in western Africa.
“I would have gear on, and we would need to be disinfecting [our] shoes, being very careful about not touching things,” Arwady says. “This was in a setting, to be perfectly frank, where there was not adequate personal protective equipment for the hospitals, broadly.”
Arwady’s father, a newspaper publisher in Springfield, Massachusetts, says his daughter always was fearless.
“She doesn’t bat an eyelash,” says George Arwady, who also has three other children, including Meredith Arwady, a contralto who has performed at opera houses worldwide.
He remembers how his daughter, before she’d even started medical school, was working at the tip of Africa, living in a Quonset hut: “My little five-foot daughter doing sex education in the poorest province of South Africa with a bullhorn.”
Allison Arwady also was a part of a CDC team that investigated the 2012 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome — MERS — outbreak in Saudi Arabia. And she spent about a year with the CDC in Botswana, working on HIV and tuberculosis.
“Tuberculosis is a disease I find absolutely fascinating,” she says, almost giddy. “I love tuberculosis.”
Dr. Allison Arwady discussing the latest on coronavirus Wednesday as Gov. J.B. Pritzker (left), Mayor Lori Lightfoot and other officials look on. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
She is fascinated — and appalled — by the infectious diseases she has studied.
“When the Ebola outbreak was happening, it was intellectually interesting, but it was also really terrible,” Arwady says. “It’s not like, ‘Yay, there’s a new disease!’ It’s like, ‘This is very worrisome, and we have to be really serious and aggressive about understanding what is going on with this disease.’ ”
Brian Richardson, a former deputy city health commissioner, isn’t surprised that Arwady, a friend, is now stepping forward and answering questions.
“Because she’s just that damn smart, and she’s that damn good,” says Richardson, now Midwest regional director of the gay rights advocacy group Lambda Legal.
Dr. John Jay Shannon, who until last year was chief executive officer of Cook County’s health arm, says that even in an era in which public health’s emphasis generally has shifted from its communicable disease roots, it’s still vital to have people like Arwady who have that expertise.
“That kind of direct experience and working with the CDC, that’s very, very valuable training,” Shannon says.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th), a past critic, says Arwady has been a capable leader in the city’s response to the virus.
Last October, Arwady infuriated Ramirez-Rosa and several other aldermen when, during her nomination hearing, she acknowledged that 200,000 Chicagoans need mental health care — but argued that reopening shuttered city clinics isn’t the answer.
Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa. Rich Hein / Sun-Times
Ramirez-Rosa says his differences with Arwady are over “policy” and “vision.”
But he says, “Dr. Arwady is a very competent and prepared individual.”
So much so, Richardson says, “It’s clear to the elected officials that she is someone who knows what she’s doing, too. So they are happy to pass the microphone to her.”
Arwady says people have begun to recognize her — and ask about coronavirus.
“I can’t walk down the street without somebody asking me should they fly here and should they go here, and ‘I have this underlying condition, and what should I being doing?’ ” she says.
Arwady doesn’t have children. But that doesn’t keep her from dispensing motherly advice.
“I made sure my nieces and nephews had all really gotten their flu shots,” she says. “I called their mothers.”
What advice is she giving to her own extended family?
“The things we’re recommending for the general public are the same things I recommend to my family and the same things that I’m doing myself,” Arwady says.
In the increasingly rare moments when she’s not thinking about public health, Arwady, who is single, sees patients once a week. She does pottery. And she can be found leading river and walking tours of Chicago architecture.
“I do a public health spin,” she says. “I talk about reversing the river. I talk about the public health implications of what the Great Chicago Fire was.”
She’s clearly not intimidated by a crowd, be it tourists or reporters. But is there anything that keeps Arwady awake at night?
“I think about: Have we done enough?” she says. “We’ve done all that we can think of to do. And we’re doing more every day. But I’m always thinking ahead about all the potential scenarios, including worst-case scenarios.”
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chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Bridgeport bank failure: Feds have evidence of income-tax fraud, sources say

Share All sharing options for : Bridgeport bank failure : Feds have evidence of income-tax fraud , sources say When federal regulators shut down a century-old bank in Bridgeport in December 2017 amid an investigation of massive fraud and its president ’ s suspicious death , they scrambled to find another bank to step in .
They needed one that could manage $ 140 million in savings and checking accounts from the tiny but clout-heavy Washington Federal Bank for Savings and reassure the closed bank ’ s 4,000 customers their money was safe .
Up stepped Royal Savings Bank , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Southeast Side .
Royal took over the Washington Federal deposits even as federal investigators were working to untangle what they later determined was $ 82.6 million in fraudulent or questionable loans made under Washington Federal president John F. Gembara — who was found dead in a bank customer ’ s bedroom in Park Ridge , with a rope around his neck , shortly before the bank was shut down .
Now , as federal authorities prepare within the next month to bring what they have said will be criminal charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources tell the Chicago Sun-Times : • The investigation of the bank collapse has found evidence of income-tax fraud .
• Some Washington Federal customers could be out hundreds of thousands of dollars because their accounts exceeded the $ 250,000 maximum insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation when the Gembara family-run bank collapsed .
And Royal Bank , which describes itself as “ the good guys ” in this saga , could end up paying a heavy price for stepping in to safeguard the money of Gembara ’ s former customers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to acquire Washington Federal ’ s two buildings — the Bridgeport bank headquarters and a branch in Little Italy .
But it ’ s faced an exodus of customers , FDIC records show .
The $ 140 million in deposits it took over from Washington Federal have plummeted over the past two years to $ 43 million — a 70 percent drop — as customers have steadily withdrawn their money , the records show .
“ I am perplexed with the outflows of the cash , which is not normal in FDIC situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Szwajkowski , Royal ’ s president and chief executive officer .
“ We are taking care of the customers.
” Royal is in the midst of an effort to reassure customers that it had nothing to do with the troubles of Gembara ’ s bank and that it remains on solid financial footing .
Washington Federal was founded in 1913 by Gembara ’ s late grandfather .
At first geared toward serving the Polish immigrants who once populated that part of the South Side neighborhood , the bank remained in the family until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 56 — who was chairman of the board , CEO and president of Washington Federal and owned 21.4 percent of its stock , making him the largest shareholder — was found dead Dec. 3 , 2017 , inside the million-dollar Park Ridge home of Marek Matczuk .
Matczuk was a longtime Gembara friend and bank customer who had five outstanding loans from Washington Federal totaling nearly $ 1.8 million .
His home went into foreclosure about five months before Gembara was found dead in the master bedroom .
Twelve days after Gembara ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office ruled a suicide , federal regulators shut down his bank , citing “ unsafe and unsound practices ” that the FDIC continues to investigate along with the FBI and a federal grand jury .
Authorities say Gembara ’ s bank lost at least $ 80 million in suspicious loans , some made with no collateral to back them up or even any paperwork .
Federal investigators have found that many of those loans didn ’ t require any repayments from the customers , who in some cases also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s loans , the 11th Ward Regular Democratic Organization — which the Daley family has run for decades — borrowed $ 80,000 for repairs to its headquarters at 3659 S. Halsted St. That loan , arranged by Ald .
Patrick Daley Thompson ( 11th ) , wasn ’ t secured by any collateral at the time the FDIC shut down Washington Federal .
It since has been rewritten by Royal and is now secured with a mortgage against the property .
Thompson ’ s financial dealings with Gembara ’ s bank are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources .
William M. Mahon , one of the Daley family ’ s longtime precinct captains , sat on the Washington Federal board of directors for about 20 years .
Mahon also was chairman of the board ’ s loan committee , sources told the Sun-Times , until the bank was closed amid the investigation into fraudulent loans .
During the time he was on the bank ’ s board , Mahon also was working for the city of Chicago .
He ’ s now a deputy commissioner in the city Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year .
A federal grand jury subpoenaed records from City Hall in February 2019 regarding building permits for Mahon ’ s Bridgeport three-flat , for which Washington Federal provided three loans totaling more than $ 1 million , sources say .
Mahon ’ s brother-in-law Michael Huels , a first cousin of former Ald .
Patrick Huels , is a retired accountant who once audited the bank while he worked for Bansley & Kiener , a clout-heavy auditing firm that gave the bank a clean bill of health a few months before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who lives next door to Mahon , retired from Bansley several years ago .
Mahon has been under federal investigation , sources told the Sun-Times , along with the three other Washington Federal board members : • Gembara ’ s sister Janice Weston , who also was the bank ’ s vice president .
• George Kozdemba , a retired electrician with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago .
• Lester Stepien , who is comptroller of a Chicago meat-packing company .
The FDIC took depositions last spring from Mahon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Washington Federal ’ s board had been bonded by Colonial American Casualty and Surety Company .
In September , Colonial American agreed to pay $ 1.25 million to settle a $ 15.6 million claim filed by the FDIC , which is trying to recover as much of the money Gembara ’ s bank lost as it can .
Washington Federal ’ s biggest creditor is Gembara ’ s longtime friend Robert M. Kowalski , a Chicago lawyer who also has developed property with loans from the bank .
After the FDIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in loans from the bank — some of which Kowalski said he already had repaid , though he couldn ’ t provide documentation of that — he filed for bankruptcy protection .
He and his sister Janice Kowalski have since been charged with fraud .
They ’ re accused of hiding assets from the bankruptcy court .
The bankruptcy trustee has been liquidating Kowalski ’ s assets , which include a 46-foot boat named “ Expelliarmus ” that he co-owned with his brother William Kowalski and Gembara .
It ’ s unclear whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the boat .
Huntington National Bank has a $ 177,840 lien against the boat , which is dry-docked at a marina near Hegewisch .
The bank is planning to appraise the boat , which Kowalski valued at $ 180,000 .

When federal regulators shut down a century-old bank in Bridgeport in December 2017 amid an investigation of massive fraud and its president’s suspicious death, they scrambled to find another bank to step in.
They needed one that could manage $140 million in savings and checking accounts from the tiny but clout-heavy Washington Federal Bank for Savings and reassure the closed bank’s 4,000 customers their money was safe.
Up stepped Royal Savings Bank, another small bank, based on Chicago’s Southeast Side.
Royal took over the Washington Federal deposits even as federal investigators were working to untangle what they later determined was $82.6 million in fraudulent or questionable loans made under Washington Federal president John F. Gembara — who was found dead in a bank customer’s bedroom in Park Ridge, with a rope around his neck, shortly before the bank was shut down.
Now, as federal authorities prepare within the next month to bring what they have said will be criminal charges against “many” of those involved, sources tell the Chicago Sun-Times:
The investigation of the bank collapse has found evidence of income-tax fraud.
Some Washington Federal customers could be out hundreds of thousands of dollars because their accounts exceeded the $250,000 maximum insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation when the Gembara family-run bank collapsed.
And Royal Bank, which describes itself as “the good guys” in this saga, could end up paying a heavy price for stepping in to safeguard the money of Gembara’s former customers. It paid the FDIC $1.4 million to acquire Washington Federal’s two buildings — the Bridgeport bank headquarters and a branch in Little Italy.
But it’s faced an exodus of customers, FDIC records show. The $140 million in deposits it took over from Washington Federal have plummeted over the past two years to $43 million — a 70 percent drop — as customers have steadily withdrawn their money, the records show.
“I am perplexed with the outflows of the cash, which is not normal in FDIC situations such as this,” says Leonard Szwajkowski, Royal’s president and chief executive officer. “We are taking care of the customers.”
Royal is in the midst of an effort to reassure customers that it had nothing to do with the troubles of Gembara’s bank and that it remains on solid financial footing.
Washington Federal was founded in 1913 by Gembara’s late grandfather. At first geared toward serving the Polish immigrants who once populated that part of the South Side neighborhood, the bank remained in the family until Gembara’s death.
Gembara, 56 — who was chairman of the board, CEO and president of Washington Federal and owned 21.4 percent of its stock, making him the largest shareholder — was found dead Dec. 3, 2017, inside the million-dollar Park Ridge home of Marek Matczuk.
Matczuk was a longtime Gembara friend and bank customer who had five outstanding loans from Washington Federal totaling nearly $1.8 million. His home went into foreclosure about five months before Gembara was found dead in the master bedroom.
The first story in the Sun-Times investigation of the failed Bridgeport bank Washington Federal Bank for Savings, published March 4, 2018.
Twelve days after Gembara’s death, which the Cook County medical examiner’s office ruled a suicide, federal regulators shut down his bank, citing “unsafe and unsound practices” that the FDIC continues to investigate along with the FBI and a federal grand jury.
Authorities say Gembara’s bank lost at least $80 million in suspicious loans, some made with no collateral to back them up or even any paperwork.
Federal investigators have found that many of those loans didn’t require any repayments from the customers, who in some cases also received additional cash advances.
Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson. Colin Boyle / Sun-Times file
Among Gembara’s loans, the 11th Ward Regular Democratic Organization — which the Daley family has run for decades — borrowed $80,000 for repairs to its headquarters at 3659 S. Halsted St. That loan, arranged by Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson (11th), wasn’t secured by any collateral at the time the FDIC shut down Washington Federal.
It since has been rewritten by Royal and is now secured with a mortgage against the property.
Thompson’s financial dealings with Gembara’s bank are part of the investigation, according to sources.
William M. Mahon, one of the Daley family’s longtime precinct captains, sat on the Washington Federal board of directors for about 20 years. Mahon also was chairman of the board’s loan committee, sources told the Sun-Times, until the bank was closed amid the investigation into fraudulent loans.
William M. Mahon. Facebook
During the time he was on the bank’s board, Mahon also was working for the city of Chicago. He’s now a deputy commissioner in the city Department of Streets and Sanitation, paid $125,000 a year.
A federal grand jury subpoenaed records from City Hall in February 2019 regarding building permits for Mahon’s Bridgeport three-flat, for which Washington Federal provided three loans totaling more than $1 million, sources say.
Mahon’s brother-in-law Michael Huels, a first cousin of former Ald. Patrick Huels, is a retired accountant who once audited the bank while he worked for Bansley & Kiener, a clout-heavy auditing firm that gave the bank a clean bill of health a few months before regulators shut it down. Huels, who lives next door to Mahon, retired from Bansley several years ago.
Mahon has been under federal investigation, sources told the Sun-Times, along with the three other Washington Federal board members:
Gembara’s sister Janice Weston, who also was the bank’s vice president.
George Kozdemba, a retired electrician with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Lester Stepien, who is comptroller of a Chicago meat-packing company.
The FDIC took depositions last spring from Mahon, Weston, Kozdemba and Stepien, sources say.
Their attorney didn’t respond to calls seeking comment.
Washington Federal’s board had been bonded by Colonial American Casualty and Surety Company. In September, Colonial American agreed to pay $1.25 million to settle a $15.6 million claim filed by the FDIC, which is trying to recover as much of the money Gembara’s bank lost as it can.
Washington Federal’s biggest creditor is Gembara’s longtime friend Robert M. Kowalski, a Chicago lawyer who also has developed property with loans from the bank.
Robert M. Kowalski. Provided
After the FDIC demanded that Kowalski repay $20 million in loans from the bank — some of which Kowalski said he already had repaid, though he couldn’t provide documentation of that — he filed for bankruptcy protection.
He and his sister Janice Kowalski have since been charged with fraud. They’re accused of hiding assets from the bankruptcy court.
The bankruptcy trustee has been liquidating Kowalski’s assets, which include a 46-foot boat named “Expelliarmus” that he co-owned with his brother William Kowalski and Gembara. It’s unclear whether William Kowalski still has an ownership interest in the boat.
Huntington National Bank has a $177,840 lien against the boat, which is dry-docked at a marina near Hegewisch. The bank is planning to appraise the boat, which Kowalski valued at $180,000.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Blackhawks ‘Kiss Cam’ favorite Earl Deutsch, owned Deutsch Luggage, dead at 93

Whenever the Kiss Cam landed on them at Blackhawks games , Earl and RoseLee Deutsch would act like newlyweds .
They ’ d smile and gaze into each other ’ s eyes .
As they puckered up , Mr. Deutsch would pump his fist for the camera .
And the crowd would go wild .
After all , it isn ’ t often they ’ d see couples on the Kiss Cam who ’ d been married for 70 years .
Last Sunday , RoseLee , 92 , came to the Blackhawks game alone because Earl , 93 , died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Hawks jersey emblazoned with the number 50 — a gift from the team 20 years ago for the couple ’ s golden anniversary .
The Hawks had a surprise for her .
They paid tribute to the Deutsches — season ticket-holders for more than 60 years — by featuring a montage of five years of their smooches on the Jumbotron .
The United Center crowd watched as , game after game , the radiant couple turned to each other for a peck .
“ When they would come to us , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Deutsch said afterward .
“ We knew how.
” The tribute drew a standing ovation and more than a few tears .
The Deutsches — in their regular seats about 14 rows behind the Blackhawks bench — became the traditional grand finale on the Kiss Cam .
People would applaud and shout their approval and , yes , the occasional , “ Get a room !
” Sometimes , when they were out at a restaurant or elsewhere , fans would recognize them .
Some asked : What ’ s your advice for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Just listening , looking , feeling , loving , ” Mrs. Deutsch would say .
“ That ’ s it.
” She can ’ t remember them ever getting irritated with each other .
“ There were times when we didn ’ t agree on something , but it wasn ’ t an unhappy disagreement .
It was just yes or no.
” “ Dad would joke the biggest mistake he ever made was when he took her out to a hockey game , and she loved it , ” their son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1960s , when the games were at the old Chicago Stadium , and remained so through the Hawks winning four Stanley Cups .
“ We just wanted to do something together , ” Mrs. Deutsch said of going to the games .
They befriended the fans who sat near them .
They got to know the players ’ wives .
“ It just grew to be almost like a family , ” Mrs. Deutsch said .
The couple had four sons : Dr. Stephen Deutsch , Howard Deutsch , Larry Deutsch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren .
A number of them accompanied Mrs. Deutsch at the game last weekend .
“ My parents treated everybody like family , ” Larry Deutsch said .
“ I think it ’ s why none of us had any interest to move .
We love Chicago , but we were never going to leave our family ’ s side.
” Together , the couple built their business , Deutsch Luggage .
At its peak , it had four locations on prime real estate in downtown Chicago and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard J. Daley and Jane M. Byrne , actor-comic Steve Martin and Blackhawks players .
Young Earl grew up on the North Side with a sister , Sydell .
His parents , Hazel and Joe Deutsch , founded Deutsch Luggage in the days of steamer trunks .
He played football for a youth team called the Junior Bears and liked to eat at the old Ashkenaz deli , 1432 W. Morse Ave .
He palled around with another Sullivan High School kid , Sheldon Greenfield , who became a lifelong friend and Las @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reached in Nevada , Greene still remembers his phone number from the old neighborhood — RO ( Rogers Park ) 4-6826 .
In the golden days before they all went off to fight in World War II , he and Earl roamed Rogers Park with friends Bubby Wolf , Ziggy Blum , Buddy Perelman and Bobby Warsaw .
“ We were inseparable , “ Greene said .
“ We actually loved each other .
If anybody ever needed anything from that group , you helped each other out.
” They went to movies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Granada theaters .
Earl “ was very quiet , a little guy , but in all sports ... they would pick Earl , ” Greene said .
“ He was very nice , Earl .
He was a good kid.
” RoseLee Ross met Earl after he returned from World War II , having served as a radio man in Okinawa , Iceland and the Philippines .
With his leonine locks , his mom would call him “ the prettiest boy in Rogers Park.
” They began dating while attending the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attraction , ” Mrs. Deutsch said .
She remembers the day he proposed .
“ We would park in the car in the garage and sit and talk .
Not illicitly .
Just like young people do .
At one point , he reached in his pocket and took out a little box and gave it to me and put it on me .
It was my ring , and I treasured it .
Loved it .
Loved him.
” They got married at the InterContinental Hotel and raised their family in Rogers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they went to Blackhawks games .
“ We had date nights every night when we walked out the door , ” Mrs. Deutsch said .
“ We were a pretty good couple , honey.
” Redheaded Keith Magnuson was a favorite player .
An amateur artist , Mrs. Deutsch said she painted a picture of a dejected Magnuson that she copied from a photo after the Hawks lost the 1971 Stanley Cup to the Montreal Canadiens .
“ I took it by the stadium while they were still practicing , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a copy , ” she said .
The picture appeared in Magnuson ’ s book “ None Against , ” according to Blackhawks historian Bob Verdi , who did an online tribute to the Deutsches .
The Deutsches sold prints of the painting at their luggage shops .
Over the years , they had stores on Van Buren and Oak streets and in Skokie and Oak Brook .
Mr. Deutsch knew how to close a sale .
He also had an eye for new products , like when rolling luggage came out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a personal shopper and consummate gift wrapper for many customers , who trusted her to find one-of-a-kind gifts .
“ They would divide and conquer , ” Larry Deutsch said .
“ They would drive in from Skokie , drop her off at Oak Street .
He ’ d go to Van Buren .
Howie would go to Oak Brook .
Dad might go to Skokie , and a cousin would run the Van Buren store.
” They enjoyed dining at Myron & Phil ’ s in Lincolnwood and Jack ’ s restaurant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edens Expressway .
Mr. Deutsch liked giving give Dove bars to his grandchildren .
And he loved to wear spiffy socks — the more brightly colored and patterned , the better , Stephen Deutsch said .
Each winter , Mr. Deutsch and his four boys would head to Boca Raton to play golf and reconnect .
Services have been been held .
“ They were inseparable , ” Barry Deutsch said .
“ They were always holding hands.
” “ Mom was holding Dad ’ s hands at the end and would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For an hour after he died , “ She would not let go .
”

Whenever the Kiss Cam landed on them at Blackhawks games, Earl and RoseLee Deutsch would act like newlyweds.
They’d smile and gaze into each other’s eyes.
As they puckered up, Mr. Deutsch would pump his fist for the camera.
And the crowd would go wild.
After all, it isn’t often they’d see couples on the Kiss Cam who’d been married for 70 years.
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch, who were married for more than 70 years, were Kiss Cam stars at Blackhawks games. Provided
Last Sunday, RoseLee, 92, came to the Blackhawks game alone because Earl, 93, died in January.
She wore her husband’s Hawks jersey emblazoned with the number 50 — a gift from the team 20 years ago for the couple’s golden anniversary.
The Hawks had a surprise for her. They paid tribute to the Deutsches — season ticket-holders for more than 60 years — by featuring a montage of five years of their smooches on the Jumbotron.
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch pucker up for the United Center Kiss Cam. Provided
RoseLee Deutsch, wearing her late husband Earl’s Blackhawks jersey at a Hawks game March 8, was accompanied by some of her grandchildren and their significant others. Provided
The United Center crowd watched as, game after game, the radiant couple turned to each other for a peck.
“When they would come to us, we’d kiss,” Mrs. Deutsch said afterward. “We knew how.”
The tribute drew a standing ovation and more than a few tears.
The Deutsches — in their regular seats about 14 rows behind the Blackhawks bench — became the traditional grand finale on the Kiss Cam. People would applaud and shout their approval and, yes, the occasional, “Get a room!”
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch. Provided
Sometimes, when they were out at a restaurant or elsewhere, fans would recognize them. Some asked: What’s your advice for having a long and happy marriage?
“Just listening, looking, feeling, loving,” Mrs. Deutsch would say. “That’s it.”
She can’t remember them ever getting irritated with each other. “There were times when we didn’t agree on something, but it wasn’t an unhappy disagreement. It was just yes or no.”
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch renewed their wedding vows last year. Provided
“Dad would joke the biggest mistake he ever made was when he took her out to a hockey game, and she loved it,” their son Larry said.
They became season ticket-holders in the 1960s, when the games were at the old Chicago Stadium, and remained so through the Hawks winning four Stanley Cups.
“We just wanted to do something together,” Mrs. Deutsch said of going to the games.
They befriended the fans who sat near them. They got to know the players’ wives.
“It just grew to be almost like a family,” Mrs. Deutsch said.
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch, who said of him, “He was a marvelous friend, a wonderful husband, a wonderful father.” Provided
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch and their four sons in 2019 when the couple renewed their wedding vows. They’d been married for 70 years at the time of Earl Deutsch’s death in January. Provided
The couple had four sons: Dr. Stephen Deutsch, Howard Deutsch, Larry Deutsch and Barry Deutsch, as well as 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A number of them accompanied Mrs. Deutsch at the game last weekend.
“My parents treated everybody like family,” Larry Deutsch said. “I think it’s why none of us had any interest to move. We love Chicago, but we were never going to leave our family’s side.”
Together, the couple built their business, Deutsch Luggage. At its peak, it had four locations on prime real estate in downtown Chicago and in the suburbs. Their clientele included Mayors Richard J. Daley and Jane M. Byrne, actor-comic Steve Martin and Blackhawks players.
Young Earl grew up on the North Side with a sister, Sydell. His parents, Hazel and Joe Deutsch, founded Deutsch Luggage in the days of steamer trunks. He played football for a youth team called the Junior Bears and liked to eat at the old Ashkenaz deli, 1432 W. Morse Ave.
He palled around with another Sullivan High School kid, Sheldon Greenfield, who became a lifelong friend and Las Vegas headliner known as Shecky Greene.
Reached in Nevada, Greene still remembers his phone number from the old neighborhood — RO (Rogers Park) 4-6826. In the golden days before they all went off to fight in World War II, he and Earl roamed Rogers Park with friends Bubby Wolf, Ziggy Blum, Buddy Perelman and Bobby Warsaw.
“We were inseparable,“ Greene said. “We actually loved each other. If anybody ever needed anything from that group, you helped each other out.”
They went to movies at the 400, the Adelphi and the Granada theaters.
Earl “was very quiet, a little guy, but in all sports ... they would pick Earl,” Greene said. “He was very nice, Earl. He was a good kid.”
Earl Deutsch served in the Navy in World War II. Provided
RoseLee Ross met Earl after he returned from World War II, having served as a radio man in Okinawa, Iceland and the Philippines. With his leonine locks, his mom would call him “the prettiest boy in Rogers Park.”
Earl Deutsch served in the Navy in World War II. Provided
They began dating while attending the University of Illinois. “It was instant attraction,” Mrs. Deutsch said.
She remembers the day he proposed. “We would park in the car in the garage and sit and talk. Not illicitly. Just like young people do. At one point, he reached in his pocket and took out a little box and gave it to me and put it on me. It was my ring, and I treasured it. Loved it. Loved him.”
They got married at the InterContinental Hotel and raised their family in Rogers Park and Skokie.
Through it all, they went to Blackhawks games.
“We had date nights every night when we walked out the door,” Mrs. Deutsch said. “We were a pretty good couple, honey.”
Redheaded Keith Magnuson was a favorite player. An amateur artist, Mrs. Deutsch said she painted a picture of a dejected Magnuson that she copied from a photo after the Hawks lost the 1971 Stanley Cup to the Montreal Canadiens.
RoseLee Deutsch painted this portrait of a dejected Keith Magnuson after the Hawks lost the Stanley Cup in 1971. Provided
“I took it by the stadium while they were still practicing, and I showed it to him and gave him a copy,” she said. The picture appeared in Magnuson’s book “None Against,” according to Blackhawks historian Bob Verdi, who did an online tribute to the Deutsches.
The Deutsches sold prints of the painting at their luggage shops.
Over the years, they had stores on Van Buren and Oak streets and in Skokie and Oak Brook. Mr. Deutsch knew how to close a sale. He also had an eye for new products, like when rolling luggage came out, Howard Deutsch said. Mrs. Deutsch became a personal shopper and consummate gift wrapper for many customers, who trusted her to find one-of-a-kind gifts.
“They would divide and conquer,” Larry Deutsch said. “They would drive in from Skokie, drop her off at Oak Street. He’d go to Van Buren. Howie would go to Oak Brook. Dad might go to Skokie, and a cousin would run the Van Buren store.”
They enjoyed dining at Myron & Phil’s in Lincolnwood and Jack’s restaurant on Touhy Avenue just west of the Edens Expressway. Mr. Deutsch liked giving give Dove bars to his grandchildren. And he loved to wear spiffy socks — the more brightly colored and patterned, the better, Stephen Deutsch said.
Earl Deutsch. Provided
Each winter, Mr. Deutsch and his four boys would head to Boca Raton to play golf and reconnect.
Services have been been held.
“They were inseparable,” Barry Deutsch said. “They were always holding hands.”
“Mom was holding Dad’s hands at the end and would not let go,” Larry Deutsch said. For an hour after he died, “She would not let go.”
Contributing: Mitch Dudek
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch with their grandchildren. Provided
Earl and RoseLee Deutsch surrounded by their great-grandchildren. Provided
RoseLee Deutsch in her husband’s Hawks jersey at last Sunday’s Blackhawks game. It has the number 50 because it was a gift from the team for the couple’s golden wedding anniversary. Provided


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Armed robbers hold up 7-Eleven stores in Bucktown, Lake View

Armed robbers hit two 7-Eleven stores in 10 minutes Thursday in Lake View and Bucktown on the North Side .
In each case , three men walked into the store , one demanding money from employees at gunpoint while the others emptied cash registers or grabbed merchandise , according to a business alert from Chicago police .
In one of the hold-ups , the suspects hit an employee in the head with a handgun and stole his cellphone , police said .
The first robbery occurred about 12:35 a.m. in the 900 block of West Diversey Parkway , police said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later in the 2000 block of North Damen Avenue .
One of the suspects was described as a man between 22 and 30 years old , standing 6 feet to 6-foot-2 and weighing about 160 pounds , police said .
He wore a red hooded sweatshirt .
Another was a man between 20 and 30 , about the same height and weight , wearing a dark hoodie , police said .
The third was a man between 20 and 30 standing 5-foot-7 to 6-foot-2 , weighing 140-160 pounds and wearing a dark hoodie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Armed robbers hit two 7-Eleven stores in 10 minutes Thursday in Lake View and Bucktown on the North Side.
In each case, three men walked into the store, one demanding money from employees at gunpoint while the others emptied cash registers or grabbed merchandise, according to a business alert from Chicago police.
In one of the hold-ups, the suspects hit an employee in the head with a handgun and stole his cellphone, police said.
The first robbery occurred about 12:35 a.m. in the 900 block of West Diversey Parkway, police said. The other happened about 10 minutes later in the 2000 block of North Damen Avenue.
One of the suspects was described as a man between 22 and 30 years old, standing 6 feet to 6-foot-2 and weighing about 160 pounds, police said. He wore a red hooded sweatshirt.
Another was a man between 20 and 30, about the same height and weight, wearing a dark hoodie, police said. The third was a man between 20 and 30 standing 5-foot-7 to 6-foot-2, weighing 140-160 pounds and wearing a dark hoodie.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--4 shot Thursday in Chicago

4 shot Thursday in Chicago

Four people were wounded Thursday in shootings across Chicago .
In the day ’ s latest shooting , a man was left critically wounded in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 7:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of South Karlov Avenue and found the man inside a crashed vehicle , Chicago police said .
The 31-year-old was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the face .
On Thursday afternoon , a man was shot while trying to fight off a robber in Avondale on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was in the street about 3:45 p.m. in the 3200 block of North Drake Avenue when a male approached him , pulled out a gun and demanded property , police said .
A struggle broke out and the man was shot in the neck .
He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center , where his condition was stabilized .
He was shot in the thigh during an argument about 11:35 a.m. in the 7500 block of South South Shore Drive , police said .
He was taken to the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The day ’ s first reported shooting wounded a 39-year-old man in Wrightwood on the South Side .
He was driving south about 10:05 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Washtenaw Avenue when someone in another vehicle opened fire , police said .
He was struck in the left armpit and taken to Christ Medical Center , where his condition was stabilized .
On Wednesday , nine people were wounded in citywide shootings .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Four people were wounded, one fatally, Thursday in shootings across Chicago.
In the day’s latest shooting, a man was shot and killed in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert about 7:30 p.m. in the 3000 block of South Karlov Avenue and found 40-year-old Cesar Salamanca inside a crashed vehicle, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He was found with a gunshot wound to the face and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead Friday morning, authorities said.
Thursday afternoon, a man was shot while trying to fight off a robber in Avondale on the Northwest Side.
The man, 19, was in the street about 3:45 p.m. in the 3200 block of North Drake Avenue when a male approached him, pulled out a gun and demanded property, police said. A struggle broke out and the man was shot in the neck. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized.
A 28-year-old man was shot Thursday morning in South Shore.
He was shot in the thigh during an argument about 11:35 a.m. in the 7500 block of South South Shore Drive, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
The day’s earliest reported shooting wounded a 39-year-old man in Wrightwood on the South Side.
He was driving south about 10:05 a.m. in the 8200 block of South Washtenaw Avenue when someone in another vehicle opened fire, police said. He was struck in the left armpit and taken to Christ Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized.
On Wednesday, nine people were wounded in citywide shootings.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Aurora to halt water disconnections for 30 days amid coronavirus crisis

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced the west suburban city would stop disconnecting water for homes and businesses who haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ their bills amid the heavy tolls the coronavirus has taken on the economy .
“ @ @ @ @ @ in the prevention of the COVID-19 coronavirus , ” Irvin said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ key preventative measure , and no Auroran shouldn ’ t have access to this vital @ @ @ @ @ to pay.
” Irvin is putting a hold on water disconnections for the next 30 @ @ @ @ @ statement from the mayor ’ s office .
However , people will still be responsible @ @ @ @ @ that time .
The City of Aurora has also barred public events on city properties @ @ @ @ @ to slow the spread of coronavirus , the mayor ’ s office said .
While @ @ @ @ @ been reported in Aurora , a Kane County woman in her 60s tested positive earlier @ @ @ @ @ of the first known Illinois cases outside of Cook County .

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin announced the west suburban city would stop disconnecting water for homes and businesses who haven’t been able to pay their bills amid the heavy tolls the coronavirus has taken on the economy.
“Access to water is essential in the prevention of the COVID-19 coronavirus,” Irvin said in a statement. “Consistent hand-washing is a key preventative measure, and no Auroran shouldn’t have access to this vital resource because of an inability to pay.”
Irvin is putting a hold on water disconnections for the next 30 days, according to a statement from the mayor’s office. However, people will still be responsible for their water usage over that time.
The City of Aurora has also barred public events on city properties, among other measures meant to slow the spread of coronavirus, the mayor’s office said.
While no confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in Aurora, a Kane County woman in her 60s tested positive earlier this week, marking one of the first known Illinois cases outside of Cook County.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Cook County Jail implements new coronavirus screening procedures

The Cook County sheriff ’ s office has announced new precautions against the spread of the coronavirus at the Cook County Jail .
While the jail has not had any reported cases of COVID-19 , the new measures “ have been implemented to ensure the health and safety of everyone who enters the facility , ” the sheriff ’ s office said in a statement Thursday .
All non-staff members entering the jail – including visitors , vendors , volunteers , attorneys and contractors – will be screened for symptoms , including having their temperatures checked , authorities said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ entry and encouraged to seek medical attention.
” The sheriff ’ s office has asked area law enforcement agencies to screen arrestees for symptoms before transferring them to the jail .
Jail officials said they have been screening arriving detainees for flu-like symptoms since Jan. 24 .
Incoming detainees will be held in new receiving units for their first week in custody to monitor them for symptoms of COVID-19 , the sheriff ’ s office said .
They will be moved to general population units if they show no symptoms after seven days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ educating detainees about how to recognize and report COVID-19 symptoms and how to prevent the spread of the disease through hand washing and other hygiene practices , the sheriff ’ s office said .
Staff have also “ increased cleaning and sanitation efforts throughout the facility , ” the sheriff ’ s office said .
Detainees will only be allowed one 15-minute visit per week from a single person “ until further notice , ” according to the sheriff ’ s office .
However , the county Department of Corrections will “ work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with their loved ones by phone .
”

The Cook County sheriff’s office has announced new precautions against the spread of the coronavirus at the Cook County Jail.
While the jail has not had any reported cases of COVID-19, the new measures “have been implemented to ensure the health and safety of everyone who enters the facility,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement Thursday.
All non-staff members entering the jail – including visitors, vendors, volunteers, attorneys and contractors – will be screened for symptoms, including having their temperatures checked, authorities said. Anyone showing symptoms “will be denied entry and encouraged to seek medical attention.”
The sheriff’s office has asked area law enforcement agencies to screen arrestees for symptoms before transferring them to the jail. Jail officials said they have been screening arriving detainees for flu-like symptoms since Jan. 24.
Incoming detainees will be held in new receiving units for their first week in custody to monitor them for symptoms of COVID-19, the sheriff’s office said. They will be moved to general population units if they show no symptoms after seven days.
Cermak Health Services has also been educating detainees about how to recognize and report COVID-19 symptoms and how to prevent the spread of the disease through hand washing and other hygiene practices, the sheriff’s office said.
Staff have also “increased cleaning and sanitation efforts throughout the facility,” the sheriff’s office said.
Detainees will only be allowed one 15-minute visit per week from a single person “until further notice,” according to the sheriff’s office. However, the county Department of Corrections will “work to expand opportunities for detainees to communicate with their loved ones by phone.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Phone thieves target Brown Line riders in Lincoln Park, Lake View, North Center

Police are warning residents about thieves who targeted CTA Brown Line riders Wednesday in Lake View , Lincoln Park and North Center on the North Side .
In each case , three or four people approached distracted passengers and snatched cellphones from their hands as Brown Line trains were approaching stations , according to a community alert from Chicago police .
They ran off the trains when the doors opened .
• About 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of West Addison Avenue ; • About 3:50 p.m. in the 900 block of West Wellington Avenue ; and • About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Armitage Avenue .
The suspects were all males between 15 and 20 years old , police said .
One stood about 5-foot-6 with a thin build and wore a maroon jacket and dark pants .
The other three were all about 5-foot-10 , police said .
One wore a dark jacket with light-colored pants , another wore a gray hoodie with dark pants and the third had short black hair and wore a dark jacket with dark pants .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning residents about thieves who targeted CTA Brown Line riders Wednesday in Lake View, Lincoln Park and North Center on the North Side.
In each case, three or four people approached distracted passengers and snatched cellphones from their hands as Brown Line trains were approaching stations, according to a community alert from Chicago police. They ran off the trains when the doors opened.
The thefts occurred:
About 3 p.m. in the 1800 block of West Addison Avenue;
About 3:50 p.m. in the 900 block of West Wellington Avenue; and
About 7:30 p.m. in the 900 block of West Armitage Avenue.
The suspects were all males between 15 and 20 years old, police said. One stood about 5-foot-6 with a thin build and wore a maroon jacket and dark pants.
The other three were all about 5-foot-10, police said. One wore a dark jacket with light-colored pants, another wore a gray hoodie with dark pants and the third had short black hair and wore a dark jacket with dark pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Fran Spielman interviews Lynn Sweet about upcoming Illinois primary election

Early voting sites to remain open in Chicago on Election Day — providing ‘ fallback plans to fallback plans ’ @ @ @ @ @ scramble comes as the list of Election Day polling sites in the city and suburban @ @ @ @ @ to 175 — including those that have already been moved and those still needing a @ @ @

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


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Early voting sites to remain open in Chicago on Election Day — providing ‘fallback plans to fallback

Early voting sites to remain open in Chicago on Election Day — providing ‘fallback plans to fallback plans’

Girding up for an Election Day they expect will wind up as “ Exhibit A ” in the push for changes in the future , city election officials said Friday a judge has given them permission to allow voters to cast ballots Tuesday at early voting locations in addition to regular polling places .
A Cook County Circuit Court judge granted the injunction sought by city election officials , providing a fall back voting location in each of the city ’ s 50 wards on top of those planned for each of the city ’ s 2,069 precincts , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s Board of Election Commissioners .
“ We ’ re seeking fallback plans to fallback plans , contingencies upon contingencies , ” Allen said .
The unprecedented modern day pre-election scramble comes as the list of Election Day polling sites in the city and suburban Cook County requiring relocation climbed to 175 — including those that have already been moved and those still needing a new site .
The city ’ s electoral authority is seeking to move around 110 polling sites .
The Cook County clerk ’ s office identified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found new locations for most of them .
Those numbers have increased steadily over the last few days .
Though Allen and other city officials were hoping the number had “ leveled off yesterday , ” they ’ re taking proactive measures in the face of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus .
Despite dealing with the global pandemic , the city is setting new records for early voting and vote by mail applications .
The city processed 117,813 total applications for vote by mail ballots which is an “ all time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral board .
Twenty thousand of those applications came in on the final day when the city extended its Thursday deadline to midnight .
In 2016 , that number was just 33,955 applications for ballots .
“ That ’ s a pretty remarkable increase , ” Allen said .
“ We were priming that pump , we highlighted it in our mailing to 1.1 million households and even before this week we were approaching 80 to 90,000 applications but the events of the last couple days really pushed this up.
” The city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tracking system for outbound and inbound ballots and will be able to see whether a ballot was mailed on or before Election Day .
The city is also ahead of 2016 numbers for early voting .
Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday , 14,000 people had voted early , putting the city on pace to approach 20,000 early ballots cast .
That would top the 16,000 ballots cast at the same point in the early voting process four years ago , Allen said .
In 2016 , 191,000 pre-election ballots were cast and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this election cycle with 105,000 early ballots cast .
“ We ’ re trying to do the best we can to reroute traffic from the polling places on Election Day , ” Allen said .
“ We ’ re appreciative of the understanding that the voters have demonstrated.
” Allen said this election cycle will likely lead to changes in the future .
“ We think there will be serious conversation about changing how we conduct elections , ” Allen said .
“ We ’ ve been saying for years now that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and this election will be Exhibit A for moving more of our balloting to mail .
”

Girding up for an Election Day they expect will wind up as “Exhibit A” in the push for changes in the future, city election officials said Friday a judge has given them permission to allow voters to cast ballots Tuesday at early voting locations in addition to regular polling places.
A Cook County Circuit Court judge granted the injunction sought by city election officials, providing a fallback voting location in each of the city’s 50 wards on top of those planned for each of the city’s 2,069 precincts, said Jim Allen, a spokesman for the city’s Board of Election Commissioners.
“We’re seeking fallback plans to fallback plans, contingencies upon contingencies,” Allen said.
Early voting hours also have been extended this weekend, with all locations open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
The unprecedented modern day pre-election scramble comes as the list of Election Day polling sites in the city and suburban Cook County requiring relocation climbed to 175 — including those that have already been moved and those still needing a new site.
The city’s electoral authority is seeking to move around 110 polling sites. The Cook County clerk’s office identified 65 sites that needed relocating and has found new locations for most of them.
Those numbers have increased steadily over the last few days. Though Allen and other city officials were hoping the number had “leveled off yesterday,” they’re taking proactive measures in the face of concerns about the spread of the coronavirus.
Despite dealing with the global pandemic, the city is setting new records for early voting and vote by mail applications.
The city processed 117,813 total applications for vote by mail ballots which is an “all time record” for the city’s electoral board. Twenty thousand of those applications came in on the final day when the city extended its Thursday deadline to midnight.
In 2016, that number was just 33,955 applications for ballots.
On the first day of early voting, Edwin Reyes, 62, of Beverly, casts his ballot in the March 17 Illinois primary election at the new Loop super site at 191 N. Clark St. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
“That’s a pretty remarkable increase,” Allen said. “We were priming that pump, we highlighted it in our mailing to 1.1 million households and even before this week we were approaching 80 to 90,000 applications but the events of the last couple days really pushed this up.”
The city worked with the postal service to create a tracking system for outbound and inbound ballots and will be able to see whether a ballot was mailed on or before Election Day.
The city is also ahead of 2016 numbers for early voting. Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, 14,000 people had voted early, putting the city on pace to approach 20,000 early ballots cast. That would top the 16,000 ballots cast at the same point in the early voting process four years ago, Allen said.
In 2016, 191,000 pre-election ballots were cast and the city is likely to surpass that this election cycle with 105,000 early ballots cast.
“We’re trying to do the best we can to reroute traffic from the polling places on Election Day,” Allen said. “We’re appreciative of the understanding that the voters have demonstrated.”
Allen said this election cycle will likely lead to changes in the future.
“We think there will be serious conversation about changing how we conduct elections,” Allen said. “We’ve been saying for years now that we need to rethink this whole precinct-based system and this election will be Exhibit A for moving more of our balloting to mail.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-13--Chicago entertainment events canceled, postponed due to coronavirus

This list of schedule changes in theater , music and other entertainment/cultural arts impacted by the coronavirus outbreak will be updated as new cancellations and postponements are announced .
Share All sharing options for : Chicago entertainment events canceled , postponed due to coronavirus Entertainment venues in and around Chicago are altering plans in response to concerns over exposure to the highly transmittable novel coronavirus , otherwise known as COVID-19 .
We ’ ll be updating this page regularly with cancellations and postponements impacted by the outbreak .
• Lyric Opera of Chicago has canceled the three full “ Ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 13 , with performances through May 3 .
Additionally , the two performances of “ Götterdämmerung ” that were scheduled for April 4 and April 11 have been canceled , along with all “ Ring ” festival programming .
Ticket holders are being notified regarding refunds/exchanges .
• The Art Institute of Chicago will close for two weeks beginning March 14 , with plans to reopen the museum on March 28 .
All museum events — tours , lectures , performances , etc.— will remain on hiatus through April 10 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be closed through March 29 .
• Black Ensemble Theater is suspending all performances of “ The Healing ” effective March 13 ; performances may resume in 30 days .
Ticket holders may exchange their tickets for a future performance date by contacting the box office at ( 773 ) 769-4451 .
• Patrons with questions may contact the Box Office at ( 773 ) 769-4451 .
• Lookigglass Theatre has canceled all remaining performances of “ Her Honor Jane Byrne.
” Ticket holders will be contacted .
• The 36th Chicago Latino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16-30 at the AMC River East 21 Theatre has been postponed .
The new dates will be announced in the near future .
• Broadway in Chicago announced the following ( for ticket refunds , contact point of purchase ) : “ The Bachelor Live on Stage ” at the Cadillac Palace Theatre scheduled for March 14 has been rescheduled to Oct. 10 .
The Keane Cause and Effect Tour stop March 20 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre has been canceled .
“ My Fair Lady ” at the Cadillac Palace Theatre scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rescheduled to May 10-23 , 2021 .
“ What the Constitution Means to Me ” has canceled performances March 13-30 at the Broadway Playhouse ; the show hopes to resume performances March 31 – April 12 at a reduced capacity based on the guidelines related to COVID-19 provided by the CDC and Chicago Department of Public Health , and pending the ongoing guidance of local government .
• Drury Lane Theatre has canceled the remaining performances of “ An America in Paris ” effective March 13 .
All affected tickets for “ Evita @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be exchanged for a later dates .
Ticket holders have been contacted via email ; if you did not receive an email , please contact BoxOffice @ DruryLane.com .
• Northlight Theatre has suspended all performances of “ Intimate Apparel , ” effective March 13 .
Ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds/exchanges .
• The Museum of Science and Industry be closed March 14 through April 6 .
• Cirque du Soleil has canceled the return engagement of “ Alegria , ” scheduled for June 5-28 at Soldier Field ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purchases through the Cirque website or by phone will be contacted/refunded by Cirque .
Contact point of purchase for all other refunds .
Cirque customer service can be reached at 1-877-9 CIRQUE ( 1-877-924-7783 ) .
• The Den Theatre has canceled all performances through April 12 .
The closure includes The Haven Lounge .
Canceled performances include : “ Pineapple ” ( through April 11 ) ; Queer Soup Night ( March 15 ) ; Haven Guest House ( March 16 and 22 ) ; Vape Naysh , presented by First Floor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday , March 18 at 7:30 pm ) ; “ Blackbird ” ( March 21 – April 26 ) ; Alex Cuba ( March 21 ) ; Akaash Singh ( March 27 ) ; Chicago Dance Crash KTF ( March 28 ) ; Cameron Esposito ’ s Save Yourself Book Tour ( March 29 ) ; “ Deathscribe ” ( March 30 ) ; “ Under The Tree ” ( April 1–May 3 ) ; Kurtis Conner ( April 3-4 ) Erik Griffin ( April 10-11 ) .
Refunds are being issued ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxoffice @ thedentheatre.com .
• Navy Pier has postponed the April 3-12 run of “ The Let Go , ” a free , temporary public art installation and dance-based town hall from Nick Cave .
• The Shedd Aquarium will be closed through March 29 .
• Lincoln Park Zoo will be closed through April 10 .
• The Harris Theater has canceled all planned events and performances through April 12 .
Information about potential rescheduling will be made public in the days ahead .
The box office will operate during normal hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have questions about ticket donations , exchanges or refunds email info @ harristheaterchicago .
• Steppenwolf Theatre Company is canceling the remaining performances of “ Bug ” on March 12-15 .
The remaining student and public performances of “ I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter ” will also be canceled .
Also canceled are the remaining performances of “ Plano ” in the 1700 Theatre .
Ticket holders will be contacted .
• The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association ( CSOA ) announces that all CSOA-presented concerts at Symphony Center scheduled through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all associated pre- and post-concert special events .
For refunds or exchanges , visit cso.org .
• Goodman Theatre is suspending all performances starting March 13 until further notice for “ School Girls ; Or , The African Mean Girls Play.
” “ Molly Sweeney ” has been postponed to an April 20 opening .
Options for ticket holders include a credit toward a future Goodman production or a tax deduction for the total value .
• The Auditorium Theatre has canceled all performances/events for the next 30 days .
That includes scheduled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 ) , American Ballet Theatre ( March 19-22 ) and dance troupe Shen Yun ( April 2-5 ) .
Theater staff will be contacting patrons regarding ticket options .
• The Second City suspended performances at its Old Town theater beginning March 13 through March 26 or until further notice .
Ticket holders for performances scheduled March 13-26 can contact the box office at ( 312 ) 337-3992 or via live chat at secondcity.com .
• At the Paramount Theatre in Aurora , remaining performances of “ The Secret of My Success @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tickets will receive a credit for use at the Paramount or RiverEdge Park .
In addition , April performances by Killer Queen , Frank Calends , “ Stomp !
, ” Straight No Chaser and Jay Leno will be rescheduled .
• The world premiere of “ Hit Her With the Skates , ” at the Royal George Theatre has suspended performances until April 21 .
Theater staff will contact patrons who purchased tickets at the box office .
Inquiries about Ticketmaster or third-party ticket purchases must be made directly to those outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled all performances of “ Verboten ” and “ Henry V. ” • Griffin Theatre Company has canceled all remaining performances of “ Mlima ’ s Tale.
” Contact the box office at ( 773 ) 338-2177 for a refund or credit to a future Griffin production .
• The Spring One of a Kind Show , scheduled for April 24 – 26 at the Merchandise Mart has been cancelled .
• Victory Gardens Theater has canceled the run for its upcoming production of “ Dhaba on Devon Avenue.
” Ticket holders will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lifeline Theatre has postponed productions of ‘ Middle Passage ” and “ Neither ” until April 13 .
• Raven Theatre announced it is suspending all performances of “ A Doll ’ s House “ ( scheduled through March 22 ) and its children ’ s production of “ Aesop ’ s Amazing Adventures in the Land of Fables ” ( scheduled through May 5 ) .
• A Red Orchid Theatre ’ s run of “ Do You Feel Anger ?
” will close after the March 13 performance .
Affected ticket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Children ’ s Theatre is canceling all remaining performances of “ Red Kite , Brown Box.
” The spring opening of “ Me ... Jane : the Dreams & Adventures of a Young Jane Goodall ” has been postponed until the fall .
• The New Colony has canceled “ Under The Tree , ” scheduled to play April 1 – May 3 at The Den Theatre , Contact the box office via e-mail at boxoffice @ thedentheatre.com with questions .
• Theatre at the Center and The Center for Visual and Performing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspending all public events and performances through April 29 .
The weekly Sunday Champagne Brunch and the Easter Brunch seatings on April 12 have also been canceled .
Contact the box office at ( 219 ) 836-3255 .
• The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum will close to the public for 30 days beginning March 13 until April 13 .
• Merit School of Music has canceled the majority of programming and events until further notice .
• The March 14 show by comedian Gabriel “ Fluffy ” Iglesias at the United Center has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced later .
• Also at the United Center , the country music duo Dan + Shay postponed an April 17 performance to Aug. 15 .
• Ravinia has canceled all public and privately-hosted events at the park until June 1 , including six remaining spring concerts at Bennett Gordon Hall .
Ticket holders have been notified about refunds .
• Pop star Billie Eilish postponed her North American tour , including a March 24 date at the United Center .
Tickets will be valid on the new dates , to be announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s April 24 show at the Allstate Arena moves to July 24 as part of a tour rescheduled to summer .
Previously purchased tickets will be honored .
• The Chicago engagement of “ Be More Chill ” announced a three-month postponement .
Originally slated to begin April 17 at the Apollo Theater , the show will now begin performances on July 7 .
Beginning March 16 , the Apollo Theater box office will reach out to ticket holders with information on exchanges .
Tickets for dates beginning July 7 will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponing its 25th Anniversary ICONS Gala honoring Broadway legend Joel Grey scheduled for Monday , March 23 , at the Ritz-Carlton .
The rescheduled date will be announced at a later time .
• Trap Door Theater has suspended its run of “ Lipstick Lobotomy ” and postponed its production of “ The Water Hen ” that had been scheduled to open May 7 .
• Country music superstars Little Big Town postponed their March 13 and 14 concerts at the Chicago Theatre to Oct. 22 and 23 .
• Court Theatre has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lady from the Sea ” has been canceled ; the remaining performances of “ An Iliad ” have been postponed ; new performance dates/times will be announced at a later date .
Contact the box office at ( 773 ) 753-4472 .
• The Chicago Flower and Garden Show , scheduled for March 18-22 at Navy Pier , has been canceled .
• Effective March 16 , the Old Town School of Folk Music is suspending all classes , concerts , private lessons , workshops , and jams .
All locations will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Congo Square Theatre Company has cancelled the remaining two weeks of i “ Day of Absence , ” at Victory Gardens Theatre .
Refunds are available at point of purchase .
• The National Museum of Mexican Art is postponing all public events through the end of March .
This includes events that are part of the Sor Juana Festival .
The museum currently plans to host all April events .
• With everyone ’ s health in mind , the Museum is postponing all public events through the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the Sor Juana Festival .
• Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir and his band Wolf Bros have postponed their March 12 concert at the Chicago Theatre until Oct. 20 .
• The downtown and South Side St. Patrick ’ s Day parades and related activities have been postponed by the city of Chicago .
• The Chicago Children ’ s Choir has canceled the World Music Festival slated for 3:30 p.m. March 14 out of “ an abundance of caution.
” • In response to the University of Chicago ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hyde Park School of Dance ’ s production of “ Amira : A Chicago Cinderella Story , ” scheduled for March 28-29 , has been postponed .
• The Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University has announced cancellations/postponements of public events through April 15 .
Their public galleries are currently still open to the public .
• The Marcus Roberts Trio ’ s concert , scheduled for March 14 at Nichols Concert Hall at the Music Institute of Chicago has been rescheduled to for August 1 , 2020 .
The tribute to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Formosa Quartet on April 4 , are also being postponed ( new dates to be determined ) .
Visit musicinst.org for more information .
• Bienen School of Music has canceled all concerts and events from April 3 to 27 .
Patrons with tickets to an event during this period will be issued a refund and no further action needs to be taken .

Entertainment venues in and around Chicago are altering plans in response to concerns over exposure to the highly transmittable novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19.
We’ll be updating this page regularly with cancellations and postponements impacted by the outbreak.
Here’s the current list: