chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Dear Abby: Should old friend and I talk about our hidden love?

DEAR ABBY : I have come into contact with my first and forever love again after 30 years .
We have had a few encounters throughout the years .
When they happened , we fell right back into our comfort zone .
We both have current relationships with others that are not satisfying .
We have both had failed relationships as well .
No relationship I have ever been in compares to the one I have with this man .
He ’ s successful and buries himself in his work .
Even though he never says it , I know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward me as well .
This man has held my heart my entire life .
I never stopped loving him .
Do I finally tell him how I feel and risk possibly losing him forever , or should I remain silent and enjoy the encounters we have when they happen ?
— WANTS IT ALL IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR WANTS IT ALL : I think you should finally let this man know how you feel about him .
If you do , it will either enable him to tell you he feels the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fantasizing about a relationship that will never happen .
If he is satisfied with the status quo , it doesn ’ t necessarily mean these encounters will end , but at least you will know them for what they are .
DEAR ABBY : My mother has no faith in me , mostly because I have a disability .
Even though it ’ s not that bad , she still doesn ’ t think I can do anything hard .
Although I ’ m almost 40 , she still tells me what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way she can , including my parenting .
I can ’ t spend a day with her without wanting to come home and take a bat to the walls .
I have a lot of anger inside , and I don ’ t trust her because she tends to tell her friends or family things I would rather were kept private .
What can I do about this ?
— IRRITATED IN ILLINOIS DEAR IRRITATED : If this is any comfort , I receive letters with the same complaint as yours from readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If your children are healthy and doing well and your mother ’ s criticisms are baseless , my advice is to tune your probably well-meaning but overbearing mother out .
Because she discusses things you confide in her with others , quit telling her anything you don ’ t want broadcast .
It ’ s easier than trying to muzzle her .
You might also consider seeing your mother less often , which could save your walls and the wear and tear on the bat you ’ re tempted to use after those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to propose a new word for general use .
It ’ s “ wasband.
” Definition : male to whom I am no longer married .
Reason : “ Ex ” seems a pejorative term .
I didn ’ t want to add that burden to the baggage our kids may have picked up .
I have used it since the mid-1990s .
I began to think of a new term when I was in a social situation with my wasband , his wife and mutual friends .
I bumped into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to think of a polite term for my former husband , so I could only introduce him as “ the father of my children.
” I think “ wasband ” is a less awkward term .
What do you think , Abby ?
— LOVER OF LANGUAGE IN WASHINGTON DEAR L.O.L .
: I think it is clever .
The term is listed in the Urban Dictionary , and because you started using it so early shows you are one smart cookie .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I have come into contact with my first and forever love again after 30 years. We have had a few encounters throughout the years. When they happened, we fell right back into our comfort zone.
We both have current relationships with others that are not satisfying. We have both had failed relationships as well. No relationship I have ever been in compares to the one I have with this man. He’s successful and buries himself in his work. Even though he never says it, I know in my heart he has hidden feelings toward me as well.
This man has held my heart my entire life. I never stopped loving him. Do I finally tell him how I feel and risk possibly losing him forever, or should I remain silent and enjoy the encounters we have when they happen? — WANTS IT ALL IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR WANTS IT ALL: I think you should finally let this man know how you feel about him. If you do, it will either enable him to tell you he feels the same as you do, or stop you from fantasizing about a relationship that will never happen. If he is satisfied with the status quo, it doesn’t necessarily mean these encounters will end, but at least you will know them for what they are.
DEAR ABBY: My mother has no faith in me, mostly because I have a disability. Even though it’s not that bad, she still doesn’t think I can do anything hard. Although I’m almost 40, she still tells me what to do and criticizes me in any way she can, including my parenting. I can’t spend a day with her without wanting to come home and take a bat to the walls.
I have a lot of anger inside, and I don’t trust her because she tends to tell her friends or family things I would rather were kept private. What can I do about this? — IRRITATED IN ILLINOIS
DEAR IRRITATED: If this is any comfort, I receive letters with the same complaint as yours from readers who don’t have disabilities. If your children are healthy and doing well and your mother’s criticisms are baseless, my advice is to tune your probably well-meaning but overbearing mother out. Because she discusses things you confide in her with others, quit telling her anything you don’t want broadcast. It’s easier than trying to muzzle her. You might also consider seeing your mother less often, which could save your walls and the wear and tear on the bat you’re tempted to use after those encounters.
DEAR ABBY: I would like to propose a new word for general use. It’s “wasband.” Definition: male to whom I am no longer married. Reason: “Ex” seems a pejorative term. I didn’t want to add that burden to the baggage our kids may have picked up.
I have used it since the mid-1990s. I began to think of a new term when I was in a social situation with my wasband, his wife and mutual friends. I bumped into a colleague and wasn’t quick enough to think of a polite term for my former husband, so I could only introduce him as “the father of my children.” I think “wasband” is a less awkward term. What do you think, Abby? — LOVER OF LANGUAGE IN WASHINGTON
DEAR L.O.L.: I think it is clever. The term is listed in the Urban Dictionary, and because you started using it so early shows you are one smart cookie.
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 receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Apartments burglarized in Rogers Park

Apartments burglarized in Rogers Park

Two apartments were burglarized In June and July in Rogers Park on the Northwest Side .
In each incident someone @ @ @ @ @ the bedroom closet and left the closet and bedroom in disarray , Chicago police said @ @ @ @ @ 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. June 22 in the 6300 block of North Richmond Avenue @ @ @ @ @ and 6 p.m. July 14 in the 6200 block of North Francisco Avenue , police @ @ @ @ @ should call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263 .

Two apartments were burglarized In June and July in Rogers Park on the Northwest Side.
In each incident someone broke into apartments, searched the bedroom closet and left the closet and bedroom in disarray, Chicago police said.
The burglaries happened between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. June 22 in the 6300 block of North Richmond Avenue, and between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. July 14 in the 6200 block of North Francisco Avenue, police said.
Anyone with information should call Area Three detectives at 312-744-8263.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Menu planner: French potato salad with Dijon makes a delicious side dish

Place potatoes in large saucepan ; add water to cover by 1 inch and bring to a boil over high heat .
Add salt , reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 6 minutes or until potatoes are tender and paring knife can be slipped in and out of potatoes with little resistance .
Meanwhile , lower skewered garlic into simmering water and blanch for 45 seconds .
Run garlic under cold running water ; remove from skewer and mince .
Reserve 1/4 cup potato-cooking water ; drain and arrange potatoes in tight single layer in rimmed baking sheet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vinegar , mustard , pepper and reserved cooking water together in bowl , then drizzle over potatoes .
Let potatoes stand 10 minutes .
( Potatoes can be refrigerated up to 8 hours ; return to room temperature before continuing . )
Transfer potatoes to large bowl .
Combine shallot , parsley , chives and tarragon in a small bowl , then sprinkle over potatoes and gently toss to coat using rubber spatula before serving .
Per serving : 193 calories , 3 grams protein , 9 grams fat ( 43 % calories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fat , 25 grams carbohydrate , no cholesterol , 383 milligrams sodium , 3 grams fiber .
Place potatoes in shallow baking dish ; cover and microwave on high ( 100 % power ) for 5 minutes .
Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium ; add potatoes and cook 5 minutes , turning occasionally , until golden .
Meanwhile , in medium bowl , combine corn , chilies , pimientos , onions , parsley or cilantro , eggs and water ; mix well .
Add pepper to taste .
Pour mixture over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on medium or until eggs are almost set .
Remove cover .
Sprinkle with parmesan .
Heat broiler .
Wrap skillet handle with heavy-duty foil .
Place skillet 4 to 5 inches from heat .
Broil 1 to 3 minutes to finish cooking eggs and melt cheese .
( Watch carefully ! )
Cut into wedges and serve immediately .
In a large nonstick skillet , heat oil on medium-high .
Add chicken and cook 5 minutes or until brown on both sides .
Remove chicken from skillet ; cover to keep warm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pineapple ( about 1/4 cup ) .
Add to skillet , along with brown sugar , soy sauce and vinegar .
Heat on low and simmer 3 minutes or until sauce thickens .
Add pineapple chunks and chicken .
Bring to a boil ; simmer 5 minutes .
Add tomato sauce and bell pepper ; cook 3 minutes or until heated through .
Garnish with crushed red pepper if desired .
In a shallow dish , combine 1/2 cup light soy sauce , 2 tablespoons sesame seeds , 3 tablespoons honey , 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ onions , 1 clove minced garlic and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger ; mix well .
Add 2 trimmed flank steaks ( 1 pound each ) .
Cover and refrigerate 8 hours ; turn occasionally .
Heat grill to medium .
Remove steaks ; discard marinade .
Grill , covered , 7 minutes per side or until meat thermometer reads 145 degrees .
Let stand 5 minutes ; slice thinly across grain to serve .
Steam chopped fresh broccoli with some unsalted chicken broth until tender .
Stir in canned clam sauce and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through and serve over hot , cooked fettuccine .
To make 1 quesadilla : On half of a whole-grain tortilla , place 2 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese , 4 slices mango and 1 ounce sliced brie cheese ; fold in half .
Place in a heated nonstick skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until browned .

French potato salad with Dijon
Makes 6 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: less than 10 minutes; standing time: 10 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 pounds small red potatoes, unpeeled, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 clove garlic, peeled and threaded on skewer
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 small shallot, minced
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 teaspoon minced fresh tarragon
Place potatoes in large saucepan; add water to cover by 1 inch and bring to a boil over high heat. Add salt, reduce heat to a simmer and cook about 6 minutes or until potatoes are tender and paring knife can be slipped in and out of potatoes with little resistance. Meanwhile, lower skewered garlic into simmering water and blanch for 45 seconds. Run garlic under cold running water; remove from skewer and mince. Reserve 1/4 cup potato-cooking water; drain and arrange potatoes in tight single layer in rimmed baking sheet. Whisk oil, minced garlic, vinegar, mustard, pepper and reserved cooking water together in bowl, then drizzle over potatoes. Let potatoes stand 10 minutes. (Potatoes can be refrigerated up to 8 hours; return to room temperature before continuing.) Transfer potatoes to large bowl. Combine shallot, parsley, chives and tarragon in a small bowl, then sprinkle over potatoes and gently toss to coat using rubber spatula before serving.
Per serving: 193 calories, 3 grams protein, 9 grams fat (43% calories from fat), 1.3 grams saturated fat, 25 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 383 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber.
Carb choices: 1.5.
Southwestern frittata
Makes 4 servings
Preparation time: less than 15 minutes
Cooking time: less than 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
12 ounces (2 medium) potatoes, cut into 1/4-inch slices
1 (8 3/4-ounce) can no-salt-added whole kernel corn, rinsed
1 (4-ounce) can diced green chilies
1 (2-ounce) can or jar sliced pimientos, drained
3 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
8 eggs or 2 cups frozen egg substitute (thawed)
2 teaspoons water
Black pepper to taste
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Place potatoes in shallow baking dish; cover and microwave on high (100% power) for 5 minutes. Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium; add potatoes and cook 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden. Meanwhile, in medium bowl, combine corn, chilies, pimientos, onions, parsley or cilantro, eggs and water; mix well. Add pepper to taste. Pour mixture over potatoes. Cover; cook 10 minutes on medium or until eggs are almost set. Remove cover. Sprinkle with parmesan. Heat broiler. Wrap skillet handle with heavy-duty foil. Place skillet 4 to 5 inches from heat. Broil 1 to 3 minutes to finish cooking eggs and melt cheese. (Watch carefully!) Cut into wedges and serve immediately.
Per serving: 302 calories, 19 grams protein, 12 grams fat (36% calories from fat), 4.3 grams saturated fat, 30 grams carbohydrate, 378 milligrams cholesterol, 362 milligrams sodium, 4 grams fiber.
Carb choices: 2.
Sweet-and-sour chicken
Makes 4 servings
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: less than 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 (8-ounce) can pineapple chunks in juice, divided
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 green bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips
Crushed red pepper, if desired
In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium-high. Add chicken and cook 5 minutes or until brown on both sides. Remove chicken from skillet; cover to keep warm. Mix cornstarch with juice from canned pineapple (about 1/4 cup). Add to skillet, along with brown sugar, soy sauce and vinegar. Heat on low and simmer 3 minutes or until sauce thickens. Add pineapple chunks and chicken. Bring to a boil; simmer 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce and bell pepper; cook 3 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with crushed red pepper if desired.
Per serving: 263 calories, 25 grams protein, 5 grams fat (19% calories from fat), 0.8 gram saturated fat, 27 grams carbohydrate, 73 milligrams cholesterol, 242 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber.
Carb choices: 2.
Marinated flank steak
In a shallow dish, combine 1/2 cup light soy sauce, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, 3 tablespoons honey, 3 tablespoons canola oil, 2 sliced green onions, 1 clove minced garlic and 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger; mix well. Add 2 trimmed flank steaks (1 pound each). Cover and refrigerate 8 hours; turn occasionally. Heat grill to medium. Remove steaks; discard marinade. Grill, covered, 7 minutes per side or until meat thermometer reads 145 degrees. Let stand 5 minutes; slice thinly across grain to serve.
Fettucine with clam sauce and broccoli
Steam chopped fresh broccoli with some unsalted chicken broth until tender. Stir in canned clam sauce and a handful of chopped parsley. Heat through and serve over hot, cooked fettuccine.
Mango brie quesadillas
To make 1 quesadilla: On half of a whole-grain tortilla, place 2 tablespoons shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, 4 slices mango and 1 ounce sliced brie cheese; fold in half. Place in a heated nonstick skillet and cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until browned.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--1 killed, 1 wounded in drive-by in East Garfield Park

A man was killed and a woman was grazed by a bullet Monday in East Garfield Park on the West @ @ @ @ @ they were standing in the 300 block of South Springfield Avenue , when someone in @ @ @ @ @ fired shots , Chicago police said .
The man , 25 , was struck in @ @ @ @ @ Mt .
Sinai Hospital in critical condition and later died , police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ s office identified him as being Malcom Meridy .
He lived in Austin .
A @ @ @ @ @ a bullet on her head and was taken to the same hospital in good condition @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man was killed and a woman was grazed by a bullet Monday in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
About 10:25 p.m. they were standing in the 300 block of South Springfield Avenue, when someone in a black-colored sedan approached and fired shots, Chicago police said.
The man, 25, was struck in the chest and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in critical condition and later died, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as being Malcom Meridy. He lived in Austin.
A 24-year-old woman was grazed by a bullet on her head and was taken to the same hospital in good condition, police said.
Area Four detectives are conducting a homicide investigation.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-20--Horoscope for Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Horoscope for Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Avoid shopping or important decisions after 7 p.m. Chicago time .
The moon is in Leo .
Caution : This is an accident-prone day for your kids .
However , this is also a creative day that will help you to think outside the box and dream up original ideas or boost any project that interests you .
A sudden change to social plans is likely .
A cancellation or an invitation ?
Something unexpected will affect your home or a family member .
Minor breakages could occur or a small appliance might break down .
Surprise company might knock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members ( especially females ) to avoid arguments .
Be careful because this is an accident-prone day because something unexpected could affect your daily routine .
New faces , new places and surprises are likely .
Caution against a verbal clash with someone .
Cool your jets .
Keep an eye on your money because something to do with your finances and your possessions is unstable .
You might find money or you might lose money .
Something you own might be lost , stolen or damaged .
On the upside , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of earning money .
It ’ s a crapshoot .
You might feel restless and even a bit rebellious .
This could show to others , which is why you might be at cross purposes with a boss , parent , teacher or someone in the police .
Don ’ t be lippy .
This is a kind of day where you have to go along to get along .
However , someone might have an eye surprise for you .
No doubt you feel a bit restless today .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more electricity in the air or something like that .
Unexpected news from the media or something to do with someone from another culture or a different country might occur .
However , this is also a creative day !
A friend or a member of a group might surprise you or do something that catches you off guard today .
Or perhaps you will meet someone new who is a real character .
This is because your interactions with others is kinda up for grabs today .
You feel independent , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to be told what to do or bossed around .
This could be why you might be at odds with a parent , boss or someone in a position of authority if something suddenly happens .
( Never underestimate the power of courtesy . )
Travel plans will change today .
You might suddenly have to go somewhere when you did not expect to do so .
Or perhaps , if you are traveling , you will encounter cancellations , delays or changes .
The media might also have surprising news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boring day . )
Double check details regarding banking , shared property , inheritances and anything that you own jointly with someone else because something unexpected could affect these areas in your life .
( Better to be on top of things and be proactive . )
Be careful about jumping to conclusions today .
Everyone feels independent and rebellious .
Likewise , people are impatient with restraints .
In part , this is because some are craving excitement , which makes them want to stir the pot a little .
( Yikes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your job are likely today , which could be related to broken-down machinery , computer glitches , power problems , and perhaps rebellious coworkers ?
Keep smiling and do your best to be cooperative with everyone .
If Your Birthday Is Today Philosopher , professor , author Marshall McLuhan ( 1911-1980 ) shares your birthday .
You are sensitive and observant .
You are also intuitive and creative !
You are happy when you are active and outgoing .
This is an exciting year of change and new opportunities !
You will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , ( maybe not ) explore opportunities to travel and expand your world through learning .
Welcome change !
Let your personal freedom be your goal this year .

Moon Alert
Avoid shopping or important decisions after 7 p.m. Chicago time. The moon is in Leo.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Caution: This is an accident-prone day for your kids. However, this is also a creative day that will help you to think outside the box and dream up original ideas or boost any project that interests you. A sudden change to social plans is likely. A cancellation or an invitation?
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Something unexpected will affect your home or a family member. Minor breakages could occur or a small appliance might break down. Surprise company might knock at your door. Be patient with family members (especially females) to avoid arguments.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Be careful because this is an accident-prone day because something unexpected could affect your daily routine. New faces, new places and surprises are likely. Caution against a verbal clash with someone. Cool your jets.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Keep an eye on your money because something to do with your finances and your possessions is unstable. You might find money or you might lose money. Something you own might be lost, stolen or damaged. On the upside, you might dream up on a new way of earning money. It’s a crapshoot.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You might feel restless and even a bit rebellious. This could show to others, which is why you might be at cross purposes with a boss, parent, teacher or someone in the police. Don’t be lippy. This is a kind of day where you have to go along to get along. However, someone might have an eye surprise for you.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
No doubt you feel a bit restless today. It’s almost as if there’s more electricity in the air or something like that. Unexpected news from the media or something to do with someone from another culture or a different country might occur. However, this is also a creative day!
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
A friend or a member of a group might surprise you or do something that catches you off guard today. Or perhaps you will meet someone new who is a real character. This is because your interactions with others is kinda up for grabs today.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You feel independent, even rebellious, today. You don’t want to be told what to do or bossed around. This could be why you might be at odds with a parent, boss or someone in a position of authority if something suddenly happens. (Never underestimate the power of courtesy.)
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Travel plans will change today. You might suddenly have to go somewhere when you did not expect to do so. Or perhaps, if you are traveling, you will encounter cancellations, delays or changes. The media might also have surprising news. (It’s not a boring day.)
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Double check details regarding banking, shared property, inheritances and anything that you own jointly with someone else because something unexpected could affect these areas in your life. (Better to be on top of things and be proactive.)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Be careful about jumping to conclusions today. Everyone feels independent and rebellious. Likewise, people are impatient with restraints . In part, this is because some are craving excitement, which makes them want to stir the pot a little. (Yikes!) Easy does it.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Disruptions to your job are likely today, which could be related to broken-down machinery, computer glitches, power problems, and perhaps rebellious coworkers? Keep smiling and do your best to be cooperative with everyone.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Philosopher, professor, author Marshall McLuhan (1911-1980) shares your birthday. You are sensitive and observant. You are also intuitive and creative! You are happy when you are active and outgoing. This is an exciting year of change and new opportunities! You will encounter adventure and stimulating situations. If possible, (maybe not) explore opportunities to travel and expand your world through learning. Welcome change! Let your personal freedom be your goal this year.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-20--Monday protest over Columbus statue tense at times but does not escalate

On Monday evening , a group of about 50 protesters called for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park , which was covered in a plastic tarp and surrounded by a chain link fence .
The protesters ridiculed and nearly bumped up against a group of about two dozen police officers who stood on the outside of the fence in riot gear .
After about an hour , demonstrators made the short walk to the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive and blocked traffic .
“ It is time to remove this statue of white supremacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Monday while addressing reporters before the demonstration .
“ This is not someone we should be honoring , if you want to tell our history , tell it in the museums , tell the real history in the schools , but don ’ t put up acts of white supremacy in our communities and act like we should be honoring them , ” Green said .
“ Change is hard , but at the end of the day the removal of this statue is the only demand ; there is no gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t comment on violence directed at police Friday evening during a protest at the statue — violence which was highlighted Monday during a news conference held by Police Supt .
David Brown — and instead pointed out other instances of police brutality .
“ When has the CPD ever done a press conference that showed the video of one of their police officers brutalizing anyone ?
” Green asked .

On Monday evening, a group of about 50 protesters called for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statue in Grant Park, which was covered in a plastic tarp and surrounded by a chain link fence.
The protesters ridiculed and nearly bumped up against a group of about two dozen police officers who stood on the outside of the fence in riot gear. After about an hour, demonstrators made the short walk to the intersection of Roosevelt Road and Columbus Drive and blocked traffic.
“It is time to remove this statue of white supremacy,” activist Ja’Mal Green said Monday while addressing reporters before the demonstration.
“This is not someone we should be honoring, if you want to tell our history, tell it in the museums, tell the real history in the schools, but don’t put up acts of white supremacy in our communities and act like we should be honoring them,” Green said.
“Change is hard, but at the end of the day the removal of this statue is the only demand; there is no gray area,” he said.
Green didn’t comment on violence directed at police Friday evening during a protest at the statue — violence which was highlighted Monday during a news conference held by Police Supt. David Brown — and instead pointed out other instances of police brutality.
“When has the CPD ever done a press conference that showed the video of one of their police officers brutalizing anyone?” Green asked.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-20--Guthrie’s Tavern in Wrigleyville to close, another casualty of COVID-19 restrictions

Guthrie ’ s Tavern , a Wrigleyville fixture for 34 years , announced its permanent closing Monday in a statement @ @ @ @ @ latest tightening of pandemic-slowing regulations on bars .
“ With the new restrictions set today @ @ @ @ @ COVID restrictions , we don ’ t see a way we can survive , ” @ @ @ @ @ “ the Guthrie ’ s staff ” on the establishment ’ s Facebook page .
@ @ @ @ @ the last day of business .
Guthrie ’ s is at 1030 W. Addison .
@ @ @ @ @ and generous collection of board games , the site had operated as a tavern under @ @ @ @ @ becoming Guthrie ’ s in 1986 .
Closed in mid-March in compliance with Gov .
@ @ @ @ @ order , Guthrie ’ s had reopened for business on July 8 .
The new @ @ @ @ @ Lori Lightfoot forbids bars without a retail food license to serve customers indoors .

Guthrie’s Tavern, a Wrigleyville fixture for 34 years, announced its permanent closing Monday in a statement blaming the city’s latest tightening of pandemic-slowing regulations on bars.
“With the new restrictions set today for bars and the ongoing COVID restrictions, we don’t see a way we can survive,” said the statement attributed to “the Guthrie’s staff” on the establishment’s Facebook page.
It said Thursday will be the last day of business. Guthrie’s is at 1300 W. Addison.
Known for its ivy-covered exterior and generous collection of board games, the site had operated as a tavern under several names since Prohibition, becoming Guthrie’s in 1986.
Closed in mid-March in compliance with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s shelter-in-place order, Guthrie’s had reopened for business on July 8.
The new rules imposed Monday by Mayor Lori Lightfoot forbids bars without a retail food license to serve customers indoors.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--GOP legislators: Democrats should demand Springfield action to address ‘breach of trust in governmen

GOP legislators: Democrats should demand Springfield action to address ‘breach of trust in government’

SPRINGFIELD — Insisting that “ silence is corruption , ” a group of Republican legislators on Tuesday called on Democrats to convene a special legislative session to deal with ethics reform just days after ComEd was hit with a criminal case with explosive implications for state House Speaker Mike Madigan .
“ To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle , you should be demanding that we get back into Springfield and address this , ” state Rep. Grant Wehrli , R-Naperville , said .
“ We have a massive conflict — a breach of trust in government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Joining Wehrli in the on-line news conference were fellow GOP Representatives Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst and Dan Ugaste of Geneva .
And while Democrats did not remain silent about the GOP demands , they didn ’ t exactly embrace the call to hurry back to Springfield , either .
State Senate President Don Harmon said the probe into ComEd will require “ a legislative response ” but the Oak Park Democrat stopped short of endorsing a special session .
“ The admission of wrongdoing by ComEd is enormously troubling and will likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ I ’ m continuing to watch and gather more information from this unfolding federal investigation.
” Jordan Abudayyeh , a spokeswoman for Gov .
J.B. Pritzker , said in a statement that a state commission tasked with studying ethics reform “ needs to finish its work and recommend a comprehensive package of effective reforms .
” But she did not say whether the governor is considering calling the Legislature back into session .
For weeks , Republicans have been insisting the Democratic governor make good on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State address to tackle ethics reform .
Those GOP calls got new energy last week after ComEd was charged in federal court with a brazen , years-long Chicago-style bribery scheme that implicated Madigan .
The Southwest Side Democrat faces no criminal charges himself , but the feds say ComEd sent $ 1.3 million to Madigan ’ s associates for doing little or no work for the utility at a time when ComEd was seeking the powerful Democratic leader ’ s support for legislation worth more than $ 150 million to the utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Republicans for years , but the latest revelations also prompted some Democrats , including Pritzker , to say that Madigan should resign if what federal prosecutors laid out in court documents are proved true .
Madigan , through a spokesperson , has denied any wrongdoing .
Last week , just days before the ComEd case became public , Republican House Leader Jim Durkin called for the Legislature to return to Springfield to tackle ethics reform , prompting Madigan to respond by saying “ I would suggest that the Illinois Republicans who want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington , follow up on President Trump ’ s promise to drain the swamp.
” But Republicans said they aren ’ t buying the rebuffs or any excuses to delay taking legislative action .
They see no rationale for waiting for the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to come up with a report .
The newly created panel stopped meeting in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic , but Republicans argue that the General Assembly has proven it can meet when it convened in late May for a brief session to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Why was a toll bridge in Will County or unionizing horse racing more important than ethics reform ?
” Ugaste asked , referring to bills that passed during the truncated session in May .
“ Speaker Madigan has spent decades creating his Springfield machine .
Madigan must go , ” Mazzochi said .
“ Silence is corruption.
” The new ethics panel was created after a number of Democratic lawmakers were charged with federal corruption , prompting Pritzker to argue in his January State of the State speech “ it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under-the-table deals , extortion , or bribery persist.
” A spokesman for Madigan did not respond to request to comment , but Madigan told reporters last week in Springfield that the Legislature will pass an ethics reform bill when it comes back into session , denying that reforms were ignored in May .
“ It was on the table .
It was under discussion .
It continues to be under discussion , ” Madigan said last week , days before the federal documents were made public .
“ It will be under discussion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to do that .
”

SPRINGFIELD — Insisting that “silence is corruption,” a group of Republican legislators on Tuesday called on Democrats to convene a special legislative session to deal with ethics reform just days after ComEd was hit with a criminal case with explosive implications for state House Speaker Mike Madigan.
“To my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, you should be demanding that we get back into Springfield and address this,” state Rep. Grant Wehrli, R-Naperville, said. “We have a massive conflict — a breach of trust in government — and we need to address it.”
Joining Wehrli in the on-line news conference were fellow GOP Representatives Deanne Mazzochi of Elmhurst and Dan Ugaste of Geneva.
And while Democrats did not remain silent about the GOP demands, they didn’t exactly embrace the call to hurry back to Springfield, either.
State Senate President Don Harmon said the probe into ComEd will require “a legislative response” but the Oak Park Democrat stopped short of endorsing a special session.
“The admission of wrongdoing by ComEd is enormously troubling and will likely require a legislative response,” Harmon said in a statement. “I’m continuing to watch and gather more information from this unfolding federal investigation.”
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, D- Oak Park, answers questions from senators in Springfield in May. BlueRoomStream
Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokeswoman for Gov. J.B. Pritzker, said in a statement that a state commission tasked with studying ethics reform “needs to finish its work and recommend a comprehensive package of effective reforms. ” But she did not say whether the governor is considering calling the Legislature back into session.
For weeks, Republicans have been insisting the Democratic governor make good on the promise he made in his State of the State address to tackle ethics reform. Those GOP calls got new energy last week after ComEd was charged in federal court with a brazen, years-long Chicago-style bribery scheme that implicated Madigan.
The Southwest Side Democrat faces no criminal charges himself, but the feds say ComEd sent $1.3 million to Madigan’s associates for doing little or no work for the utility at a time when ComEd was seeking the powerful Democratic leader’s support for legislation worth more than $150 million to the utility.
Madigan has been a frequent punching-bag for Republicans for years, but the latest revelations also prompted some Democrats, including Pritzker, to say that Madigan should resign if what federal prosecutors laid out in court documents are proved true. Madigan, through a spokesperson, has denied any wrongdoing.
Last week, just days before the ComEd case became public, Republican House Leader Jim Durkin called for the Legislature to return to Springfield to tackle ethics reform, prompting Madigan to respond by saying “I would suggest that the Illinois Republicans who want to pursue ethics reform go out to Washington, follow up on President Trump’s promise to drain the swamp.”
But Republicans said they aren’t buying the rebuffs or any excuses to delay taking legislative action.
They see no rationale for waiting for the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform to come up with a report. The newly created panel stopped meeting in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Republicans argue that the General Assembly has proven it can meet when it convened in late May for a brief session to pass a budget and other measures.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, listens to debate during a session of the Illinois House of Representatives at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield in May. Pool photo by Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register
“Why was a toll bridge in Will County or unionizing horse racing more important than ethics reform?” Ugaste asked, referring to bills that passed during the truncated session in May.
“Speaker Madigan has spent decades creating his Springfield machine. Madigan must go,” Mazzochi said. “Silence is corruption.”
The new ethics panel was created after a number of Democratic lawmakers were charged with federal corruption, prompting Pritzker to argue in his January State of the State speech “it’s no longer enough to sit idle while under-the-table deals, extortion, or bribery persist.”
Gov. JB Pritzker answers questions from the media during his daily briefing on the COVID-19 pandemic in Springfield in May. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP
A spokesman for Madigan did not respond to request to comment, but Madigan told reporters last week in Springfield that the Legislature will pass an ethics reform bill when it comes back into session, denying that reforms were ignored in May.
“It was on the table. It was under discussion. It continues to be under discussion,” Madigan said last week, days before the federal documents were made public. “It will be under discussion when we reconvene whenever we’re able to do that.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--White Sox notebook: Yoan Moncada expected to be ready for opener

White Sox manager Rick Renteria said third baseman Yoan Moncada is expected to be in the lineup when the team opens the season against the Twins Friday at Guaranteed Rate Field .
On the morning after he played in his first game during summer camp , Moncada had a busy morning facing numerous pitchers in live simulated game action and taking ground balls at third , where he shook off some rust and made three good plays on sharply hit grounders against the Cubs Monday .
Moncada , who batted .315/.367/.548 with 25 homers and a .915 OPS in 132 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of camp after testing positive for the coronavirus during the intake process .
“ I would anticipate that he will be there , unless there ’ s some unforeseen situation that arises , ” manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday after watching Moncada work Tuesday .
“ I think he ’ s going to be good enough to be with us.
” Facing Dylan Cease , Reynaldo Lopez and Gio Gonzalez , among others , Moncada had plenty of swings , especially batting left-handed .
Results were mixed , with the highlight a home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mazara was sidelined a fourth straight day but the right fielder wasn ’ t yet ruled out for the opener .
Manager Rick Renteria , who has said in recent days only that Mazara was “ under the weather , ” said he wasn ’ t concerned about Mazara ’ s availability .
“ Not yet , not yet , ” Renteria said .
“ But he is still a little under the weather .
As soon as I have more information on how he ’ s doing , if we can share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share , we will.
” While feeling ill raises unique concerns during a pandemic , it ’ s also premature to speculate .
Adam Engel and Leury Garcia started in right in the exhibition games against the Cubs Sunday and Monday .
Mazara , 25 , was acquired from the Rangers in the offseason in a trade for outfield prospect Steele Walker .
He slashed .268/.318/.469 with 19 home runs last season .
Renteria said 15 or 16 pitchers will make the 30-man Opening Day roster , probably putting right-handed prospects Jimmy Lambert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it .
Hard-throwing righty prospect Codi Heuer has also pitched well in camp .
“ We have a pretty good idea ” how the roster will shake out , ” Renteria said .
“ [ Wednesday ] should be a pretty exciting day for a couple of guys , possibly , and then just solidifying the 30 that are going to break.
” No Sox players or coaches knelt during the pregame National Anthems Sunday and Monday , but Renteria said he would “ stand by whatever my players decide that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some San Francisco Giants kneeling Monday .
“ I ’ ll respect it.
” “ And I think it ’ s about time that we start talking about getting together , coming together , ” Renteria said .
“ Anything we can do that is not divisive is probably a helpful thing .
Some people may take whatever actions people take as a divisive action , but I don ’ t see it that way.
” This and that Carlos Rodon will start against the Brewers Wednesday night .
*Tuesday morning ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ optional for many of the players .
Thursday will be an off day in advance of the opener .

Manager Rick Renteria said Tuesday that third baseman Yoan Moncada is expected to be in the lineup when the White Sox open the regular season Friday against the Twins at Guaranteed Rate Field.
On the morning after he played in his first game of summer camp against the Cubs, Moncada faced numerous pitchers in simulated game action and took ground balls at third, where he shook off some rust and made three good plays on sharply hit grounders Monday.
Moncada, who batted .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs in 132 games last season, had missed most of camp after testing positive for the coronavirus during the intake process.
‘‘I would anticipate that he will be there, unless there’s some unforeseen situation that arises,” Renteria said after watching Moncada work. ‘‘I think he’s going to be good enough to be with us.’’
Facing right-handers Dylan Cease and Reynaldo Lopez and left-hander Gio Gonzalez, among others, Moncada took plenty of swings, especially left-handed. Results were mixed, with the highlight being a homer to right against Cease.
Moncada had an RBI single among his three at-bats against the Cubs.
Mazara out for fourth day in row
Right fielder Nomar Mazara was sidelined for the fourth consecutive day, but he hasn’t been ruled out for the opener. Renteria, who has said in recent days that Mazara was ‘‘under the weather,’’ said he wasn’t concerned about Mazara’s availability.
‘‘Not yet, not yet,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘But he is still a little under the weather. As soon as I have more information on how he’s doing, if we can share, we will. What I can share, we will.’’
While feeling ill raises unique concerns during a pandemic, it’s also premature to draw conclusions.
Adam Engel and Leury Garcia started in right field in the exhibition games against the Cubs on Sunday and Monday.
The Sox acquired Mazara, 25, in an offseason trade with the Rangers for outfield prospect Steele Walker. Mazara hit .268/.318/.469 with 19 homers last season.
Getting to 30
Renteria said 15 or 16 pitchers will make the 30-man Opening Day roster, probably putting right-handed prospects Jimmy Lambert and Dane Dunning in good positions to make it. Hard-throwing right-handed prospect Codi Heuer also has pitched well in camp.
‘‘We have a pretty good idea [how the roster will shake out],’’ Renteria said. ‘‘[Wednesday] should be a pretty exciting day for a couple of guys, possibly, and then just solidifying the 30 that are going to break.’’
Taking a knee
No Sox players or coaches knelt during the national anthem Sunday and Monday, but Renteria said he would ‘‘stand by whatever my players decide that they want to do’’ when he was asked about some Giants kneeling Monday.
‘‘I’ll respect it,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘And I think it’s about time that we start talking about getting together, coming together. Anything we can do that is not divisive is probably a helpful thing. Some people may take whatever actions people take as a divisive action, but I don’t see it that way.’’
This and that
Left-hander Carlos Rodon will start the exhibition game Wednesday against the Brewers.
• The morning workout after the night game Monday was optional for many players. Thursday will be a day off in advance of the opener.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Auburn Gresham residents frustrated by weeks of missing mail delivery

Lashann Walker spent more than an hour Tuesday morning picking up her mail at her local post office in Auburn Gresham .
She had to .
It hadn ’ t been delivered to her home for three weeks .
“ I ’ ve been expecting a lot of mail that just hasn ’ t come in yet , ” Walker said outside the Auburn Park branch post office , 8345 S. Ashland Ave .
The post office “ didn ’ t inform me that they were running behind and if they did , I would ’ ve been here a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Even now when I picked up my mail they still didn ’ t tell me when I will get some more mail .
Like , will I have to come back up here every day ?
” It ’ s not exactly clear what is causing home delivery delays in the South Side neighborhood ; Walker was among half a dozen residents interviewed by the Sun-Times who told similar stories .
The problems have gotten the attention of the local congressman , U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush , who said his office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A two-week mail delay might not seem like a big deal to Chicago ’ s USPS leadership , but such a delay in vital services can mean delayed medications for our sick and elderly , or the delayed payment of bills accompanied by undeserved late fees , ” Rush said in a statement issued Tuesday .
“ Despite USPS ’ s attempts to blame the current pandemic for their own incompetence , delayed deliveries are a recurrent problem ... specifically as it relates to the South Side.
” Postal Service spokesman Tim Norman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gresham Tuesday ; told of residents ’ complaints , he recommended calling the Postal Service ’ s consumer affairs hotline at ( 312 ) 983-8403 .
“ The Chicago District has a dedicated workforce that services nearly 1.3 million delivery points daily , ” Norman said .
“ We gladly work to address any specific issue reported from the community.
” Walker said she postal workers told her delivery delays might be the result of coronavirus forcing postal workers to call in sick , but “ we were getting our mail every day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic , so that ’ s why I don ’ t understand why it is happening now.
” Norman didn ’ t say whether the Auburn Park branch was affected by employees missing work due to the pandemic , though the agency is “ flexing our available resources to match the workload created by the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus.
” Monday was the first day in two weeks that Anquita Ward , 35 , received mail at home .
Ward went to the post office anyway , because she was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve been delivered already .
Workers inside Tuesday morning told her “ they are short-staffed and they have mail that has been bagged up since [ July 9 ] and when they get to it , they ’ ll let us know , ” Ward said .
“ They won ’ t even go back there and pull people ’ s packages and they also told us there is medicine that is in there that hasn ’ t been delivered.
” Last week , the Associated Press reported mail deliveries could be delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts being imposed by the new postmaster general .
The plan eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and says employees must adopt a “ different mindset ” to ensure the Postal Service ’ s survival during the coronavirus pandemic .
If postal distribution centers run late , “ they will keep the mail for the next day , ’ ’ Postal Service leaders said in a document obtained by The Associated Press .
The changes come a month after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy , a major donor to President Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ward said there ’ s been tension between postal workers and customers .
As Ward was speaking with the Sun-Times , one of those workers stepped in to say a few words .
“ No it ’ s not mail .
These people are waiting for f -- -ing packages that they can ’ t go to the store and get , ” the postal worker said .
“ So if you can ’ t buy your cheap-ass sh -- at the store , wait for us to bring it to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t give her name but said carriers have gotten “ robbed and jumped ” recently and the Auburn Park Branch was short two-thirds of its staff .
Most concerning , she said , was the number of people ignoring social distancing and refusing to wear masks .
“ When I get COVID , that ’ s one more employee down , when I give it to them ladies up there that ’ s three more employees down , ” the postal worker said before storming back into the building .
The National Association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to questions from the Sun-Times .
Ward understood the postal worker ’ s concerns about COVID-19 , but wasn ’ t happy with how workers described the packages people are waiting on .
“ Whether a person ’ s mail is cheap or not , it ’ s still theirs .
...
I just don ’ t like how they are talking to people , ” Ward said .
“ This is what we always deal with ” at this branch .
Rush said similar issues two years ago led to a series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Promises were made , but none of them were kept , ” Rush said , so he ’ s “ finished with listening to USPS ’ s excuses.
” Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America , a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of Chicago ’ s South and West sides .

Lashann Walker spent more than an hour Tuesday morning picking up her mail at her local post office in Auburn Gresham.
She had to. It hadn’t been delivered to her home for three weeks.
“I’ve been expecting a lot of mail that just hasn’t come in yet,” Walker said outside the Auburn Park branch post office, 8345 S. Ashland Ave.
The post office “didn’t inform me that they were running behind and if they did, I would’ve been here a long time ago,” Walker added. “Even now when I picked up my mail they still didn’t tell me when I will get some more mail. Like, will I have to come back up here every day?”
It’s not exactly clear what is causing home delivery delays in the South Side neighborhood; Walker was among half a dozen residents interviewed by the Sun-Times who told similar stories.
The problems have gotten the attention of the local congressman, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, who said his office has been bombarded with complaints.
“A two-week mail delay might not seem like a big deal to Chicago’s USPS leadership, but such a delay in vital services can mean delayed medications for our sick and elderly, or the delayed payment of bills accompanied by undeserved late fees,” Rush said in a statement issued Tuesday. “Despite USPS’s attempts to blame the current pandemic for their own incompetence, delayed deliveries are a recurrent problem ... specifically as it relates to the South Side.”
The Auburn Park Post Office, 8345 S. Ashland Ave. in Auburn Gresham. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Postal Service spokesman Tim Norman said mail was being delivered in Auburn Gresham Tuesday; told of residents’ complaints, he recommended calling the Postal Service’s consumer affairs hotline at (312) 983-8403.
“The Chicago District has a dedicated workforce that services nearly 1.3 million delivery points daily,” Norman said. “We gladly work to address any specific issue reported from the community.”
Walker said postal workers told her delivery delays might be the result of coronavirus forcing postal workers to call in sick, but “we were getting our mail every day — and sometimes early — all through the pandemic, so that’s why I don’t understand why it is happening now.”
Norman didn’t say whether the Auburn Park branch was affected by employees missing work due to the pandemic, though the agency is “flexing our available resources to match the workload created by the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus.”
Monday was the first day in two weeks that Anquita Ward, 35, received mail at home. Ward went to the post office anyway, because she was still waiting on a package that should’ve been delivered already.
Workers inside Tuesday morning told her “they are short-staffed and they have mail that has been bagged up since [July 9] and when they get to it, they’ll let us know,” Ward said.
“They won’t even go back there and pull people’s packages and they also told us there is medicine that is in there that hasn’t been delivered.”
Last week, the Associated Press reported mail deliveries could be delayed by a day or more under cost-cutting efforts being imposed by the new postmaster general. The plan eliminates overtime for hundreds of thousands of postal workers and says employees must adopt a “different mindset” to ensure the Postal Service’s survival during the coronavirus pandemic.
If postal distribution centers run late, “they will keep the mail for the next day,’’ Postal Service leaders said in a document obtained by The Associated Press. The changes come a month after Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major donor to President Donald Trump, took over the mail service.
Anquita Ward, 35, said she hasn’t received mail at home for two weeks and was at the Auburn Park Post Office, 8345 S. Ashland Ave., trying to retrieve a package Tuesday. Manny Ramos/Sun-Times
Ward said there’s been tension between postal workers and customers. As Ward was speaking with the Sun-Times, one of those workers stepped in to say a few words.
“No it’s not mail. These people are waiting for f---ing packages that they can’t go to the store and get,” the postal worker said. “So if you can’t buy your cheap-ass sh-- at the store, wait for us to bring it to your house.”
The postal worker didn’t give her name but said carriers have gotten “robbed and jumped” recently and the Auburn Park Branch was short two-thirds of its staff. Most concerning, she said, was the number of people ignoring social distancing and refusing to wear masks.
“When I get COVID, that’s one more employee down, when I give it to them ladies up there that’s three more employees down,” the postal worker said before storming back into the building.
The National Association of Letter Carriers union did not respond to questions from the Sun-Times.
Ward understood the postal worker’s concerns about COVID-19, but wasn’t happy with how workers described the packages people are waiting on.
“Whether a person’s mail is cheap or not, it’s still theirs. ... I just don’t like how they are talking to people,” Ward said. “This is what we always deal with” at this branch.
Rush said similar issues two years ago led to a series of meetings with Postal Service. “Promises were made, but none of them were kept,” Rush said, so he’s “finished with listening to USPS’s excuses.”
Contributing: Associated Press
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of Chicago’s South and West sides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Walmart will keep stores closed this Thanksgiving

Walmart stores will be closed this Thanksgiving , the retailer announced Tuesday .
In a memo to employees , Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner announced another bonus for employees and that stores will break from tradition and close for the holiday , which usually is the start of the holiday shopping season and Black Friday weekend .
“ We know holiday shopping will be different this year , and we will be managing sales events differently , ” Furner wrote .
” Our best ideas come from our associates , and this year we have decided to close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26.
” Walmart stores haven ’ t closed on Thanksgiving since the late 1980s , the company told USA TODAY .
Christmas is the only day each year most Walmart locations close .
Furner said the employee who suggested the idea of closing for Thanksgiving was Kevin Carlyle , who works at a store in Round Rock , Texas .
“ We know it ’ s been a trying year , and you ’ ve stepped up , ” Furner wrote .
” We want you to enjoy the day at home with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sam ’ s Club locations will operate with normal hours , the day before Thanksgiving , Nov. 25 .
Store and club hours for Friday , Nov. 27 , which is Black Friday , will be shared at a later date , the company said in a news release .
Sam ’ s Club locations traditionally stay closed on the holiday , but most Walmart stores have kicked off Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving and have kept doors open .
Walmart kicked off its 2019 Black Friday sale in stores at 6 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered many online deals earlier .
Since March , Walmart has been operating with reduced hours due to the coronavirus .
Most stores are open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily .
Walmart and Sam ’ s Club have made other changes including limiting the number of shoppers in stores and on Monday both started requiring all shoppers wear masks .
Walmart and Sam ’ s Club are giving employees another bonus worth approximately $ 428 million , the company said Tuesday .
This is the third special bonus the company has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” totaling $ 1.1 billion in bonuses so far this year , in addition to the regular incentive it provides to frontline associates on a quarterly basis.
” “ You ’ ve been working at an incredible pace , you ’ ve solved problems , and you ’ ve set an amazing example for others , ” Furner wrote in the employee memo .
“ To further appreciate the work that ’ s being done throughout our stores and supply chain , we ’ re pleased to announce another special cash bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 300 for full-time hourly associates and drivers and $ 150 for part-time hourly and temporary associates who work in stores , clubs , supply chain and offices if they are employed as of July 31 .
The bonuses will be included in the Aug. 20 paychecks .
The company said assistant managers also will receive a bonus , and store and facility managers will also receive one for their efforts the first half of this year .
Sam ’ s Club and Walmart gave employees cash bonuses in April and another bonus @ @ @

Walmart stores will be closed this Thanksgiving, the retailer announced Tuesday.
In a memo to employees, Walmart U.S. president and CEO John Furner announced another bonus for employees and that stores will break from tradition and close for the holiday, which usually is the start of the holiday shopping season and Black Friday weekend.
“We know holiday shopping will be different this year, and we will be managing sales events differently,” Furner wrote. ”Our best ideas come from our associates, and this year we have decided to close our stores on Thanksgiving Day – November 26.”
Walmart stores haven’t closed on Thanksgiving since the late 1980s, the company told USA TODAY. Christmas is the only day each year most Walmart locations close.
Furner said the employee who suggested the idea of closing for Thanksgiving was Kevin Carlyle, who works at a store in Round Rock, Texas.
“We know it’s been a trying year, and you’ve stepped up,” Furner wrote. ”We want you to enjoy the day at home with your loved ones.”
Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations will operate with normal hours, the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25. Store and club hours for Friday, Nov. 27, which is Black Friday, will be shared at a later date, the company said in a news release.
Sam’s Club locations traditionally stay closed on the holiday, but most Walmart stores have kicked off Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving and have kept doors open.
Walmart kicked off its 2019 Black Friday sale in stores at 6 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving Day, but offered many online deals earlier.
Since March, Walmart has been operating with reduced hours due to the coronavirus. Most stores are open from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily.
Walmart and Sam’s Club have made other changes including limiting the number of shoppers in stores and on Monday both started requiring all shoppers wear masks.
Walmart giving employees bonuses
Walmart and Sam’s Club are giving employees another bonus worth approximately $428 million, the company said Tuesday.
This is the third special bonus the company has given workers due to the coronavirus pandemic, ”totaling $1.1 billion in bonuses so far this year, in addition to the regular incentive it provides to frontline associates on a quarterly basis.”
“You’ve been working at an incredible pace, you’ve solved problems, and you’ve set an amazing example for others,” Furner wrote in the employee memo. “To further appreciate the work that’s being done throughout our stores and supply chain, we’re pleased to announce another special cash bonus for the summer.”
The bonus is $300 for full-time hourly associates and drivers and $150 for part-time hourly and temporary associates who work in stores, clubs, supply chain and offices if they are employed as of July 31. The bonuses will be included in the Aug. 20 paychecks.
The company said assistant managers also will receive a bonus, and store and facility managers will also receive one for their efforts the first half of this year.
Sam’s Club and Walmart gave employees cash bonuses in April and another bonus in June.
Read more at usatoday.com


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Lightfoot, White House signal Trump might not send Portland-style strike force to Chicago

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she was told there is no “ Portland-style deployment ” of federal agents headed to Chicago — a signal also sent by the White House — as she keeps her guard up with the situation very fluid .
“ I ’ m also not naïve .
And we ’ re gon na be diligent .
We ’ re gon na be ready .
And if we need to stop them , we are going to , ” Lightfoot said .
With an unpredictable President Donald Trump keeping his cards close to the vest , Lightfoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul are leaving nothing to chance .
The three Democrats had a phone conference Monday afternoon to map strategy with their legal teams , the Sun-Times has learned .
Chicago remains on guard as federal agents stay in Portland over the protests of that city ’ s mayor and the Oregon governor .
Federal officers in Portland — not wearing uniforms — patrolled city streets , clashing with demonstrators and making arrests .
The Illinois and Oregon governors and Chicago and Portland mayors and the senators from both states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders of Chicago and Portland as proxies for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as he accuses “ liberal ” Democrats and Biden of being soft on crime .
• Lightfoot said she has talked to John Lausch , the U.S. Attorney in Chicago .
Based on that conversation , “ What I understand at this point — and I caveat that — is that the Trump administration is not going to foolishly deploy unnamed agents to the streets of Chicago , ” the mayor said .
“ As I understand it , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resources in the FBI , the DEA and the ATF.
” The mayor made her remarks at an unrelated news conference outside Guaranteed Rate Field .
“ What we will receive is resources that are going to plug into the existing federal agencies that we work with on a regular basis to help manage and suppress violent crime in our city , ” she said .
“ Unlike what happened in Portland , the U.S. attorney himself , John Lausch , is in the loop and will help managing the additional resources .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Portland , they ignored the U.S. attorney , put these agents on the street and .
.
.
what happened was not only unconstitutional , it was undemocratic.
” Lightfoot said she ’ s all for an “ actual partnership ” with the federal government .
She acknowledged there are “ some things the feds are uniquely-qualified to do and we would welcome that.
” Lightfoot said she has known Lausch for more than 20 years .
They once worked together as assistant federal prosecutors .
But , the mayor noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ only as good as ” what he has been told .
She won ’ t “ put anything past ” the Trump Administration .
• Sens .
Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth plus Rep. Jesus “ Chuy ” Garcia and Rep. Danny Davis — all Illinois Democrats — warned the White House on Tuesday not to send camouflaged “ secret police ” to Chicago .
They want to pass legislation to prevent the Trump White House from deploying paramilitary troops to cities uninvited .
Sen. Ron Wyden , D-Oregon said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unmarked vans full of armed men in military gear are snatching people off the streets.
” Durbin , in his floor speech said , “ If the president truly wants to cooperate with law enforcement efforts , we can find ways to find common ground and make it a safer city together .
But sending in secret police with unmarked vehicles to snatch people off the streets is not only unacceptable , it ’ s un-American.
” • Pritzker , at a press conference in Collinsville , said he called the acting secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was told “ he couldn ’ t possibly get back to me until about 48 hours from now.
” “ That ’ s ridiculous , ” Pritzker said .
If the White House sends agents , “ They need to answer to the governor of the state , to the mayor of the city of Chicago , to the attorney general of the state of Illinois .
We ’ re going to do everything we can to prevent them from coming , and if they do come we ’ re going to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get them out.
” At another event in East St. Louis , Pritzker said Trump “ is not looking to help us reduce violence .
He ’ s looking to create mayhem because he thinks it will him get re-elected in November.
” • At the White House briefing , Press Secretary Kaleigh McEnany , when asked about agents being sent to Chicago , said , “ I think you ’ re getting ahead of the president here .
“ He ’ s made no announcements as to who ’ s going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the violence that he ’ s seen in Chicago.
” “ That ’ s why he sent a very strong letter to Mayor Lightfoot offering help , because she ’ s clearly unable to control her streets , and the governor as well , unable to control that area.
” McEnany did not mention that Lightfoot sent Trump a letter Monday night in which the mayor wrote , “ I would be happy to have my team sit down with yours ” to discuss the situation in Chicago .
• What may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Operation Legend , which McEnany referred to in her briefing .
The Justice Department this week is expected to announce the expansion of that violent-crime initiative .
It is through Operation Legend that Attorney General William Barr earlier sent more than 100 agents from the FBI , U.S .
Marshals Service , DEA and ATF to help state and local law enforcement , beginning in Kansas City , Missouri .
Trump has “ offered his help , and we encourage the mayor to take it and to be forthright about the situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the governor of Missouri was in working with us on Operation Legend to protect the people of Missouri , ” McEnany said .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday she was told there is no “Portland-style deployment” of federal agents headed to Chicago — a signal also sent by the White House — keeping her guard up as President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks on fighting crime on Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany hinted at the Tuesday briefing that federal agents working with Operation Legend may be sent to Chicago. Trump’s Wednesday guidance said he will be delivering remarks on Operation Legend, combating “violent crime in American cities.”
The Justice Department is expected to announce the expansion of that violent-crime initiative. It is through Operation Legend that Attorney General William Barr earlier sent more than 100 agents from the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, DEA and ATF to help state and local law enforcement, beginning in Kansas City, Missouri.
At the briefing, McEnany said Trump has “offered his help, and we encourage the mayor to take it and to be forthright about the situation in her [city], much like the governor of Missouri was in working with us on Operation Legend to protect the people of Missouri,” McEnany said.
With an unpredictable Trump, Lightfoot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, and Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul are leaving nothing to chance.
The three Democrats had a phone conference Monday afternoon to map strategy with their legal teams, the Sun-Times has learned.
“I’m also not naïve. And we’re gonna be diligent. We’re gonna be ready. And if we need to stop them, we are going to,” Lightfoot said.
Chicago remains on guard as federal agents stay in Portland over the protests of that city’s mayor and the Oregon governor. Federal officers in Portland — not wearing uniforms — patrolled city streets, clashing with demonstrators and making arrests.
The Illinois and Oregon governors and Chicago and Portland mayors and the senators from both states are Democrats.
Trump is using the leaders of Chicago and Portland as proxies for presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden as he accuses “liberal” Democrats and Biden of being soft on crime.
In multiple developments on Tuesday:
• Lightfoot said she has talked to John Lausch, the U.S. attorney in Chicago. Based on that conversation, “What I understand at this point — and I caveat that — is that the Trump administration is not going to foolishly deploy unnamed agents to the streets of Chicago,” the mayor said. “As I understand it, what we will be getting are some additional resources in the FBI, the DEA and the ATF.”
The mayor made her remarks at an unrelated news conference outside Guaranteed Rate Field.
“What we will receive is resources that are going to plug into the existing federal agencies that we work with on a regular basis to help manage and suppress violent crime in our city,” she said. “Unlike what happened in Portland, the U.S. attorney himself, John Lausch, is in the loop and will help managing the additional resources.
“That’s a big difference. In Portland, they ignored the U.S. attorney, put these agents on the street and . . . what happened was not only unconstitutional, it was undemocratic.”
Lightfoot said she’s all for an “actual partnership” with the federal government. She acknowledged there are “some things the feds are uniquely-qualified to do and we would welcome that.”
Lightfoot said she has known Lausch for more than 20 years. They once worked together as assistant federal prosecutors.
But, the mayor noted that the information that Lausch gave her is “only as good as” what he has been told. She won’t “put anything past” the Trump Administration.
• Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth plus Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and Rep. Danny Davis — all Illinois Democrats — warned the White House on Tuesday not to send camouflaged “secret police” to Chicago. They want to pass legislation to prevent the Trump White House from deploying paramilitary troops to cities uninvited.
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon said in floor speech, in Portland, “unmarked vans full of armed men in military gear are snatching people off the streets.” Durbin, in his floor speech said, “If the president truly wants to cooperate with law enforcement efforts, we can find ways to find common ground and make it a safer city together. But sending in secret police with unmarked vehicles to snatch people off the streets is not only unacceptable, it’s un-American.”
• Pritzker, at a press conference in Collinsville, said he called the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and was told “he couldn’t possibly get back to me until about 48 hours from now.”
“That’s ridiculous,” Pritzker said. If the White House sends agents, “They need to answer to the governor of the state, to the mayor of the city of Chicago, to the attorney general of the state of Illinois. We’re going to do everything we can to prevent them from coming, and if they do come we’re going to do everything we can from a legal perspective to get them out.”
At another event in East St. Louis, Pritzker said Trump “is not looking to help us reduce violence. He’s looking to create mayhem because he thinks it will him get re-elected in November.”
• At the White House briefing, McEnany, when asked about agents being sent to Chicago, said, “I think you’re getting ahead of the president here.
“He’s made no announcements as to who’s going where. He’s very discouraged by the violence that he’s seen in Chicago.”
“That’s why he sent a very strong letter to Mayor Lightfoot offering help, because she’s clearly unable to control her streets, and the governor as well, unable to control that area.”
McEnany did not mention that Lightfoot sent Trump a letter Monday night in which the mayor wrote, “I would be happy to have my team sit down with yours” to discuss the situation in Chicago.
•


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--3 charged with wire fraud through romance, inheritance scams

Three people are accused of swindling nearly $ 1 million from people through romance and business fraud schemes .
Samuel Aniukwu , 46 , and Anthony Emeka Ibekie , 55 , were both charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Northern District of Illinois .
Aniukwu and Ibeke live in Romeoville and Oswego , respectively .
Jennifer Gosha , 48 , who lives in west suburban Oak Park faces the same charge .
The trio allegedly gained a person ’ s trust through a purported romance on social media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OKCupid , prosecutors said .
The trio then convinced the person to send them money .
In another scheme , they compromised corporate emails and tried soliciting wire transfers , prosecutors said .
In the third scheme , the trio told victims they needed to send money in exchange for inheritance payments .
The schemes amassed at least $ 750,000 , according to prosecutors .
Authorities found several devices , including one with bogus letters from Standard Charter Financial Group asking for money during a search of Aniukwu ’ s home , prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing Tuesday afternoon , prosecutors said .
Ibekie is scheduled to appear in court July 24 , and Gosha was released after posting bond .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Three people are accused of swindling nearly $1 million from people through romance and business fraud schemes.
Samuel Aniukwu, 46, and Anthony Emeka Ibekie, 55, were both charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois. Aniukwu and Ibeke live in Romeoville and Oswego, respectively. Jennifer Gosha, 48, who lives in west suburban Oak Park faces the same charge.
The trio allegedly gained a person’s trust through a purported romance on social media and dating websites, including Match.com and OKCupid, prosecutors said. The trio then convinced the person to send them money.
In another scheme, they compromised corporate emails and tried soliciting wire transfers, prosecutors said. In the third scheme, the trio told victims they needed to send money in exchange for inheritance payments.
The schemes amassed at least $750,000, according to prosecutors.
Authorities found several devices, including one with bogus letters from Standard Charter Financial Group asking for money during a search of Aniukwu’s home, prosecutors said.
Aniukwu appeared for a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon, prosecutors said. Ibekie is scheduled to appear in court July 24, and Gosha was released after posting bond.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Pius Suter signing continues Blackhawks’ fruitful European pipeline

In the past two summers alone , the Blackhawks have poached five of the more NHL-ready stars in the various European hockey leagues .
Last year , it was Switzerland ’ s Dominik Kubalik and Sweden ’ s Anton Wedin and Philip Holm .
Two were busts in North America , but the other turned into a Calder Trophy finalist .
This year , it ’ s the Czech Republic ’ s Matej Chalupa and Switzerland ’ s Pius Suter .
Chalupa is considered more of a project and will likely start the 2020-21 season in the AHL .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won last Thursday , is expected to be in the Hawks ’ lineup as soon as contract goes into effect this fall .
“ We think he ’ s going to be an NHL player for us next year , ” Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said Tuesday .
“ We expect him to be on our team.
” Suter , like Kubalik , was the Swiss league ’ s leading scorer this past season with Zurich SC , and Bowman was quick to point out he actually scored more goals than Kubalik @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t play the exact same style , but they share some common traits — quick hands , strong shots , magnetism towards high-threat areas — that generally translate well to the smaller rinks of the NHL .
“ [ Pius is ] a very intelligent player , plays a good two-way game , very good around the net , ” coach Jeremy Colliton said .
It ’ ll be fascinating to see how much of an impact Suter makes upon his arrival , but for now , the most interesting aspect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hawks ’ robust European pipeline .
As an organization , the Hawks are overflowing with European league connections .
Current assistant coach Marc Crawford coached Zurich from 2012 to 2016 and actually jumpstarted Suter ’ s career with the team in 2015-16 , the latter ’ s rookie season .
Suter ’ s agent , Georges Muller , said last week the Crawford connection was a big part of Suter ’ s decision .
Bowman on Tuesday noted the robust European connections maintained by and frequent European scouting done by Ryan Stewart , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pro scouting , and Mats Hallin , the Hawks ’ director of European scouting , as other contributing factors .
“ I ’ ve got to give them credit .
They do a great job , not only identifying the players but spending a lot of time with them , ” Bowman said .
“ The second part [ is ] your track record does matter .
We ’ ve shown a willingness to give these players a good opportunity and not just put them on the team , but put them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have a chance to do well .
”

In the last two summers alone, the Blackhawks have poached five of the more NHL-ready stars in the various European hockey leagues.
Last year, it was the Czech Republic’s Dominik Kubalik and Sweden’s Anton Wedin and Philip Holm. Two were busts in North America, but the other turned into a Calder Trophy finalist.
This year, it’s the Czech Republic’s Matej Chalupa and Switzerland’s Pius Suter.
Chalupa is considered more of a project and likely will start the 2020-21 season in the AHL. But Suter, whose sweepstakes the Hawks just won last Thursday, is expected to be in the Hawks’ lineup as soon as his contract goes into effect this fall.
“We think he’s going to be an NHL player for us next year,” general manager Stan Bowman said Tuesday. “We expect him to be on our team.”
Suter, like Kubalik, was the Swiss league’s leading scorer this past season with Zurich SC, and Bowman was quick to point out that he actually scored more goals than Kubalik.
The two young forwards don’t play the exact same style, but they share some common traits — quick hands, strong shots, magnetism toward high-threat areas — that generally translate well to the smaller rinks of the NHL.
“[Suter is] a very intelligent player, plays a good two-way game, very good around the net,” coach Jeremy Colliton said.
It’ll be fascinating to see how much of an impact Suter makes upon his arrival, but for now, the most interesting aspect of his signing is the continuation of the Hawks’ robust European pipeline.
As an organization, the Hawks are overflowing with European league connections.
Current assistant coach Marc Crawford coached Zurich from 2012 to 2016 and jump-started Suter’s career with the team in 2015-16, his rookie season. Suter’s agent, Georges Muller, said last week the Crawford connection was a big part of Suter’s decision.
Bowman on Tuesday noted the European connections maintained by Ryan Stewart, the Hawks’ newly promoted assistant GM of pro scouting, and Mats Hallin, the Hawks’ director of European scouting, as another contributing factor.
“I’ve got to give them credit,’’ Bowman said. ‘‘They do a great job, not only identifying the players but spending a lot of time with them.
“The second part [is] your track record does matter. We’ve shown a willingness to give these players a good opportunity and not just put them on the team, but put them in positions where they’re going to have a chance to do well.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-21--Trump is desperate for a new ‘wall,’ but he won’t find it in Chicago

Crime in Chicago is Donald Trump ’ s new border wall .
Facts and truth didn ’ t matter a whit to Trump four years ago when he stoked fears about hordes of rapists and murderers pouring over the border from Mexico to destroy America .
He thought “ the wall ” might help him win him an election — and it did .
Fear sells .
Now Trump is at it again , this time stoking fears about out-of-control crime by thugs and radicals in Chicago and other big cities .
He ’ s throwing it out there and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to get him reelected on Nov. 3 .
Please , voters , don ’ t let him get away with this again .
Chicago ’ s got a serious violent crime problem , no doubt .
But Trump ’ s not out to fix it anymore than he was out to fix our nation ’ s immigration system .
He ’ s out to use it for pure political gain , hoping to scare you into voting for him and fascism-lite .
Trump is not the first American president to prey on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small towns and the suburbs against big cities , but he might be the first to overtly reveal his entirely cynical intentions .
President Richard Nixon loved to rail about “ law and order , ” going on about looters in the streets and “ bums ” on college campus .
But leave it to Trump to pin it all on “ radical left ” Democrats and claim Joe Biden — Joe Biden !
— would “ let terrorists roam free.
” “ Look at what ’ s going on — all run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal Democrats .
All run , really , by radical left , ” Trump said on Monday , describing Chicago and other big cities as out of control .
“ If Biden got in , that would be true for the country .
The whole country would go to hell .
And we ’ re not going to let it go to hell.
” This week , the Trump administration proposed sending about 150 federal agents to Chicago .
Was their plan to throw people into unmarked vans , as they have done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the old East German secret police ?
The joke is that nobody — certainly not Trump — has a clue as to how a bunch of Homeland Security agents , who might not know Englewood from Edison Park , are supposed to stop an 18-year-old gangbanger from shooting up a porch full of people .
The bigger joke is that Trump doesn ’ t care .
So long as he succeeds in whipping up fears about urban crime .
So long as he can shake up those suburban moms whose support he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he can make this ugly plot line stick .
On Tuesday , Mayor Lori Lightfoot , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and state Attorney General Kwame Raoul were trying to keep their focus on fighting crime , not playing politics .
Lightfoot had spoken with John Lausch , the top federal prosecutor in Chicago , about crafting a reasonable plan to use federal resources to help our city .
“ What I understand at this point — and I caveat that — is that the Trump administration is not going to foolishly deploy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the mayor said .
“ As I understand it , what we will be getting are some additional resources in the FBI , the DEA and the ATF.
” Looking for a new “ wall ” Trump is drowning in the polls , done in by his pathetic handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and three years of overwhelming meanness , deceit and incompetence .
He ’ s looking for a fresh new “ wall , ” something on which he can hitch a last-minute ride to election victory , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing might be it .
He tried to politicize the pandemic , but reopening the economy led to a lot more people inconveniently dying .
He tried to politicize religion by holding up a Bible outside a shuttered church , but Trump with a Bible just looked weird .
He has tried to politicize race relations again and again , most recently by going to bat for the Confederate flag , tone deaf to the fact that even a majority of Southerners now think the flag is racist .
And , of course @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that game ’ s running on fumes .
On Tuesday , Trump ordered that undocumented immigrants not be counted in the U.S. Census , though the express purpose of the Census is to count every human being in the country .
We doubt Trump can win on law and order , either .
It ’ s not going to stick .
On the most basic level , we dare to believe , enough Americans are finally just sick of this guy .
In recent weeks , Trump has tweeted the words “ LAW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , but all he ’ s managed to do is drive down his poll numbers even more .
A poll released Sunday by The Washington Post and ABC News shows Biden leading Trump by 15 percentage points .
On the question of who can be trusted more when it comes to “ crime and safety , ” registered voters picked Biden by a nine-point margin , 50 % to 41 % .
Children think professional wrestling is for real , but in time they grow up .
The thrill of the cartoon @ @ @ @

Crime in Chicago is Donald Trump’s new border wall.
Facts and truth didn’t matter a whit to Trump four years ago when he stoked fears about hordes of rapists and murderers pouring over the border from Mexico to destroy America.
He thought “the wall” might help him win him an election — and it did. Fear sells.
Now Trump is at it again, this time stoking fears about out-of-control crime by thugs and radicals in Chicago and other big cities. He’s throwing it out there and hoping it sticks, if just long enough to get him reelected on Nov. 3.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Please, voters, don’t let him get away with this again.
Fascism-lite
Chicago’s got a serious violent crime problem, no doubt. But Trump’s not out to fix it anymore than he was out to fix our nation’s immigration system. He’s out to use it for pure political gain, hoping to scare you into voting for him and fascism-lite.
Editorials bug Editorials
Trump is not the first American president to prey on our fears to divide us, pitting small towns and the suburbs against big cities, but he might be the first to overtly reveal his entirely cynical intentions.
President Richard Nixon loved to rail about “law and order,” going on about looters in the streets and “bums” on college campus.
But leave it to Trump to pin it all on “radical left” Democrats and claim Joe Biden — Joe Biden! — would “let terrorists roam free.”
“Look at what’s going on — all run by Democrats, all run by very liberal Democrats. All run, really, by radical left,” Trump said on Monday, describing Chicago and other big cities as out of control. “If Biden got in, that would be true for the country. The whole country would go to hell. And we’re not going to let it go to hell.”
Federal agents coming to town?
This week, the Trump administration proposed sending about 150 federal agents to Chicago. Was their plan to throw people into unmarked vans, as they have done to protesters in Portland, Oregon, like the old East German secret police?
The joke is that nobody — certainly not Trump — has a clue as to how a bunch of Homeland Security agents, who might not know Englewood from Edison Park, are supposed to stop an 18-year-old gangbanger from shooting up a porch full of people.
The bigger joke is that Trump doesn’t care. So long as he succeeds in whipping up fears about urban crime. So long as he can shake up those suburban moms whose support he needs on Election Day.
So long as he can make this ugly plot line stick.
On Tuesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and state Attorney General Kwame Raoul were trying to keep their focus on fighting crime, not playing politics. Lightfoot had spoken with John Lausch, the top federal prosecutor in Chicago, about crafting a reasonable plan to use federal resources to help our city.
“What I understand at this point — and I caveat that — is that the Trump administration is not going to foolishly deploy unnamed agents to the streets of Chicago,” the mayor said. “As I understand it, what we will be getting are some additional resources in the FBI, the DEA and the ATF.”
Looking for a new “wall”
Trump is drowning in the polls, done in by his pathetic handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and three years of overwhelming meanness, deceit and incompetence. He’s looking for a fresh new “wall,” something on which he can hitch a last-minute ride to election victory, and he thinks this “law and order” thing might be it.
He tried to politicize the pandemic, but reopening the economy led to a lot more people inconveniently dying. He tried to politicize religion by holding up a Bible outside a shuttered church, but Trump with a Bible just looked weird. He has tried to politicize race relations again and again, most recently by going to bat for the Confederate flag, tone deaf to the fact that even a majority of Southerners now think the flag is racist.
And, of course, Trump keeps bashing immigrants, though that game’s running on fumes.
On Tuesday, Trump ordered that undocumented immigrants not be counted in the U.S. Census, though the express purpose of the Census is to count every human being in the country.
We doubt Trump can win on law and order, either. It’s not going to stick. On the most basic level, we dare to believe, enough Americans are finally just sick of this guy.
In recent weeks, Trump has tweeted the words “LAW AND ORDER!” more than 20 times, but all he’s managed to do is drive down his poll numbers even more.
A poll released Sunday by The Washington Post and ABC News shows Biden leading Trump by 15 percentage points. On the question of who can be trusted more when it comes to “crime and safety,” registered voters picked Biden by a nine-point margin, 50% to 41%.
Children think professional wrestling is for real, but in time they grow up.
The thrill of the cartoon strongman is gone.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-22--Dear Abby: I told boyfriend not to call me ‘sweet baby,’ and he does it anyway

DEAR ABBY : My boyfriend and I are middle-aged .
We have been together for 2 1/2 years .
I love him , and I ’ m grateful for such a wonderful man at this point in my life .
My problem is , he calls me “ Sweet Baby ” every single time he addresses me .
( “ Sweet Baby , what do you need help with ?
” “ Sweet Baby , I am on my way.
” “ What did you say , Sweet Baby ?
” ) Even when it comes to trying to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ You ’ re my sweet baby , aren ’ t you ?
” He asks this over and over and over , and then says , “ You ’ re my sweet baby.
” Abby , I could probably take it occasionally , but his continuous use of it now makes me cringe .
I hate it !
I have told him how much I ’ d prefer for him to use my name , but he won ’ t .
He continues with the “ Sweet Baby ” in texts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m starting to wonder if he ’ s doing it deliberately .
He , in turn , likes being called “ Big Daddy , ” but I won ’ t do it .
He ’ s not my daddy , and I don ’ t care for pet names .
How can one little thing like that be so annoying , to the point that I ’ m beginning to avoid him and visit him less ?
It breaks my heart because we can have such a good time together , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m trying not to end a wonderful relationship .
I feel that by ignoring my request , he is being rude .
Your advice ?
— CRINGING IN THE SOUTH DEAR CRINGING : Your boyfriend may be following a script he has written in his head .
Has it occurred to you that “ Sweet Baby ” may be what he has called ALL the women in his life — which would make it less a term of endearment than rote recitation ?
After two years of this , you should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baby ” is not only not having the desired effect , but it ’ s making you cringe .
While you are at it , tell him plainly that you have an aversion to pet names like “ Big Daddy ” because one daddy was enough for you , and you neither want nor need another one .
If you can ’ t communicate what you really feel , then indeed this romance isn ’ t going to last , so you might as well speak up .
DEAR ABBY : My 14-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family a few hours away .
We stayed at my mother ’ s home .
My mother overheard him talking to his male friend about engaging in sexual activity with him .
He thought everyone was asleep when she overheard the conversation .
I never suspected that my son might be gay or bi .
She told me in private the next day .
Should I say something to him about what she heard ?
I don ’ t want to embarrass him , and my mother doesn ’ t want him knowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quiet ?
— CAUGHT BY SURPRISE IN TEXAS DEAR CAUGHT : Your mother may have misinterpreted what she heard .
Your son is at an age when he is trying to figure out who he is .
I don ’ t think it would be constructive to talk to him about what she told you , so bide your time .
Let him know you love him and are always available to listen and talk with him about anything that might concern him .
But the topic of his sexual orientation should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I are middle-aged. We have been together for 2 1/2 years. I love him, and I’m grateful for such a wonderful man at this point in my life. My problem is, he calls me “Sweet Baby” every single time he addresses me. (“Sweet Baby, what do you need help with?” “Sweet Baby, I am on my way.” “What did you say, Sweet Baby?”) Even when it comes to trying to be affectionate, he’ll say, “You’re my sweet baby, aren’t you?” He asks this over and over and over, and then says, “You’re my sweet baby.”
Abby, I could probably take it occasionally, but his continuous use of it now makes me cringe. I hate it! I have told him how much I’d prefer for him to use my name, but he won’t. He continues with the “Sweet Baby” in texts, calls, in person — constantly. I’m starting to wonder if he’s doing it deliberately.
He, in turn, likes being called “Big Daddy,” but I won’t do it. He’s not my daddy, and I don’t care for pet names.
How can one little thing like that be so annoying, to the point that I’m beginning to avoid him and visit him less? It breaks my heart because we can have such a good time together, but he is ruining it. I’m trying not to end a wonderful relationship. I feel that by ignoring my request, he is being rude. Your advice? — CRINGING IN THE SOUTH
DEAR CRINGING: Your boyfriend may be following a script he has written in his head. Has it occurred to you that “Sweet Baby” may be what he has called ALL the women in his life — which would make it less a term of endearment than rote recitation?
After two years of this, you should have made clear to him that “Sweet Baby” is not only not having the desired effect, but it’s making you cringe. While you are at it, tell him plainly that you have an aversion to pet names like “Big Daddy” because one daddy was enough for you, and you neither want nor need another one.
If you can’t communicate what you really feel, then indeed this romance isn’t going to last, so you might as well speak up.
DEAR ABBY: My 14-year-old son and I recently went to visit family a few hours away. We stayed at my mother’s home. My mother overheard him talking to his male friend about engaging in sexual activity with him. He thought everyone was asleep when she overheard the conversation.
I never suspected that my son might be gay or bi. She told me in private the next day. Should I say something to him about what she heard? I don’t want to embarrass him, and my mother doesn’t want him knowing what she heard. Should I keep quiet? — CAUGHT BY SURPRISE IN TEXAS
DEAR CAUGHT: Your mother may have misinterpreted what she heard. Your son is at an age when he is trying to figure out who he is. I don’t think it would be constructive to talk to him about what she told you, so bide your time. Let him know you love him and are always available to listen and talk with him about anything that might concern him. But the topic of his sexual orientation should be raised by him, not you.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)