chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’: From an infamous event, Aaron Sorkin makes an instant classic

And they ’ ve chained him to a chair Won ’ t you please come to Chicago just to sing In a land that ’ s known as freedom , how can such a thing be fair Won ’ t you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring ” The 1969 trial of the Chicago 7 has been the subject of more than two dozen songs and numerous TV and film interpretations — but leave it to the brilliant Aaron Sorkin to deliver an especially electric and profound and important take on one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of Chicago and this nation .
Who better than Sorkin ( “ A Few Good Men ” ) to give us an instant classic of a courtroom drama , filled with crackling exchanges and stunning outbursts ?
One might be excused for believing Sorkin is engaging in melodramatic histrionics — but much of this story is rooted in fact .
A U.S. District Judge really did order a defendant to be bound and gagged in a 20th century American courtroom .
Two defendants really did appear in court wearing judicial robes — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were sporting Chicago police uniforms underneath .
The former Attorney General of the United States really did testify as a witness for the defense — only to have the judge bar the testimony .
“ The Trial of the Chicago 7 ” kicks off with the obligatory Turbulent ’ 60s explainer , with archival footage of President Lyndon B. Johnson announcing a doubling of the national draft call from 17,000 to 35,000 per month ; the televised draft lottery ; news of the assassinations of Martin Luther King and then Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening their mailboxes and receiving their draft notices , etc .
In rapid fashion , we meet antiwar activists from separate factions who are planning to convene at the Democratic National Convention in the summer of 1968 in Chicago , including : Tom Hayden ( Eddie Redmayne ) , leader of the Students for a Democratic Society ; clown princes Jerry Rubin ( Jeremy Strong ) and Abbie Hoffman ( Sacha Baron Cohen ) of the Youth International Party , aka Yippies ; Bobby Seale ( Yahya Abdul-Mateen II ) , the national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and David Dellinger ( John Carroll Lynch ) , who ’ s a generation older than the rest but shares their passion and commitment .
Not that they share similar attitudes .
Rubin and Hoffman say Chicago will be a great place to party and get , um , lucky .
Hayden believes in old-school , traditional protest .
Dellinger reassures his family , telling them “ [ Mayor ] Daley is not going to let his city turn into a theater of war , ” while Seale scoffs at non-violent protest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] is dead .
He had a dream , well now he has a f -- -ing bullet in his head .
Martin ’ s dead , Malcolm ’ s dead , Medgar ’ s dead , Bobby ’ s dead , Jesus is dead .
They tried it peacefully , we ’ re gon na try something else.
” All hell breaks loose , with the Chicago Police and protesters clashing in violent fashion in and around Grant Park .
A year later , the aforementioned protest leaders , along with Lee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Froines ( Daniel Flaherty ) and Rennie Davis ( Alex Sharp ) , are charged with conspiracy to cross lines with the intention of inciting riots .
( Weiner , acknowledging he ’ s a relatively minor figure in the proceedings , quips : “ This is the Academy Awards of protests and as far as I ’ m concerned it ’ s an honor just to be nominated.
” ) “ The Trial of the Chicago 7 ” nimbly alternates between scenes of the 1969 trial , re-creations and archival footage of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Hyde Park home of veteran liberal attorney William Kunstler ( Mark Rylance ) , dubbed “ Conspiracy Office ” by the volunteers answering the phones .
Meanwhile , rising star Richard Schultz ( Joseph Gordon-Levitt ) quietly puts together the prosecution case , despite personal misgivings about whether there should even be a trial .
A perfectly cast Frank Langella looms large over the proceedings as Judge Julius Hoffman , who rules the courtroom with a heavy gavel , handing out Contempt of Court citations like parking tickets , growling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and sometimes appearing addled .
Hoffman , Rubin and Seale disrupt the proceedings with their outbursts — but it ’ s Judge Hoffman who turns the trial into a Constitution-disregarding , obscenely anti-American circus .
It ’ s Judge Hoffman who orders bailiffs to “ take [ Seale ] into a room and deal with him as he should be dealt with.
” When Seale is wheeled back into the courtroom , bound and gagged , it ’ s a breathtakingly offensive moment to anyone who believes in the American justice system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice dialogue , e.g.
, Abbie Hoffman on the stand telling the prosecutor ( as he did in real life ) , “ I ’ ve never been on trial for my thoughts before , ” or the ultra-liberal Kunstler telling Dellinger why he won ’ t put him on the stand : “ You were a conscientious objector during World War II , even I want to punch you.
” Michael Keaton shows up late and shows up strong as former Atty .
General Ramsey Clark , who commands every room he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was — and even though Hoffman wouldn ’ t allow the jury to hear what Clark had to say , we have that privilege .
Certain events are rearranged from the factual timelines , and yes , “ The Trial of the Chicago 7 ” exercises poetic license .
This is not a documentary ; it ’ s a dramatization of events that resonates with great power while containing essential truths , and it ’ s one of the best movies of the year .

“So your brother’s bound and gagged
And they’ve chained him to a chair
Won’t you please come to Chicago just to sing
In a land that’s known as freedom, how can such a thing be fair
Won’t you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring”
Graham Nash, “Chicago,” 1971
The 1969 trial of the Chicago 7 has been the subject of more than two dozen songs and numerous TV and film interpretations — but leave it to the brilliant Aaron Sorkin to deliver an especially electric and profound and important take on one of the most infamous and historic legal chapters in the history of Chicago and this nation.
‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’
Untitled Netflix presents a film written and directed by Aaron Sorkin. Rated R (for language throughout, some violence, bloody images and drug use). Running time: 129 minutes. Now showing at Landmark Century Centre, iPic Bolingbrook and iPic South Barrington; premieres on Netflix Oct. 16.
Who better than Sorkin (“A Few Good Men”) to give us an instant classic of a courtroom drama, filled with crackling exchanges and stunning outbursts? One might be excused for believing Sorkin is engaging in melodramatic histrionics — but much of this story is rooted in fact. A U.S. District Judge really did order a defendant to be bound and gagged in a 20th century American courtroom. Two defendants really did appear in court wearing judicial robes — and when ordered to lose the robes, they were sporting Chicago police uniforms underneath. The former Attorney General of the United States really did testify as a witness for the defense — only to have the judge bar the testimony.
“The Trial of the Chicago 7” kicks off with the obligatory Turbulent ’60s explainer, with archival footage of President Lyndon B. Johnson announcing a doubling of the national draft call from 17,000 to 35,000 per month; the televised draft lottery; news of the assassinations of Martin Luther King and then Robert F. Kennedy; re-creations of young men opening their mailboxes and receiving their draft notices, etc. In rapid fashion, we meet antiwar activists from separate factions who are planning to convene at the Democratic National Convention in the summer of 1968 in Chicago, including: Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), leader of the Students for a Democratic Society; clown princes Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong) and Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) of the Youth International Party, aka Yippies; Bobby Seale (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II), the national chairman of the Black Panther Party, and David Dellinger (John Carroll Lynch), who’s a generation older than the rest but shares their passion and commitment.
Chicago 7 History Stream Read the true story behind ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’ The Chicago Sun-Times was on the front lines reporting as history unfolded in Chicago during the trial of the “Chicago 7,” the seven people accused of inciting a riot during the tumultuous 1968 Democratic National Convention in the city. The Sun-Times’ ‘Chicago 7’ Archives Read our original stories from the Sun-Times archives from the initial charges through every twist and turn of the trial, including the story by Thomas Fitzpatrick that won the 1970 Pulitzer Prize for local reporting.
Not that they share similar attitudes. Rubin and Hoffman say Chicago will be a great place to party and get, um, lucky. Hayden believes in old-school, traditional protest. Dellinger reassures his family, telling them “[Mayor] Daley is not going to let his city turn into a theater of war,” while Seale scoffs at non-violent protest, exclaiming, “[Martin Luther King] is dead. He had a dream, well now he has a f---ing bullet in his head. Martin’s dead, Malcolm’s dead, Medgar’s dead, Bobby’s dead, Jesus is dead. They tried it peacefully, we’re gonna try something else.”
All hell breaks loose, with the Chicago Police and protesters clashing in violent fashion in and around Grant Park. A year later, the aforementioned protest leaders, along with Lee Weiner (Noah Robbins), John Froines (Daniel Flaherty) and Rennie Davis (Alex Sharp), are charged with conspiracy to cross lines with the intention of inciting riots. (Weiner, acknowledging he’s a relatively minor figure in the proceedings, quips: “This is the Academy Awards of protests and as far as I’m concerned it’s an honor just to be nominated.”)
“The Trial of the Chicago 7” nimbly alternates between scenes of the 1969 trial, re-creations and archival footage of the protests, and defense strategy sessions at the Hyde Park home of veteran liberal attorney William Kunstler (Mark Rylance), dubbed “Conspiracy Office” by the volunteers answering the phones. Meanwhile, rising star Richard Schultz (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) quietly puts together the prosecution case, despite personal misgivings about whether there should even be a trial.
A perfectly cast Frank Langella looms large over the proceedings as Judge Julius Hoffman, who rules the courtroom with a heavy gavel, handing out Contempt of Court citations like parking tickets, growling his contempt for the defendants and their attorneys, and sometimes appearing addled. Hoffman, Rubin and Seale disrupt the proceedings with their outbursts — but it’s Judge Hoffman who turns the trial into a Constitution-disregarding, obscenely anti-American circus. It’s Judge Hoffman who orders bailiffs to “take [Seale] into a room and deal with him as he should be dealt with.” When Seale is wheeled back into the courtroom, bound and gagged, it’s a breathtakingly offensive moment to anyone who believes in the American justice system.
Imperious Judge Julius Hoffman (Frank Langella) openly despises the defendants. Netflix
Writer-director Sorkin peppers the screenplay with choice dialogue, e.g., Abbie Hoffman on the stand telling the prosecutor (as he did in real life), “I’ve never been on trial for my thoughts before,” or the ultra-liberal Kunstler telling Dellinger why he won’t put him on the stand: “You were a conscientious objector during World War II, even I want to punch you.” Michael Keaton shows up late and shows up strong as former Atty. General Ramsey Clark, who commands every room he’s in like the Marine he was — and even though Hoffman wouldn’t allow the jury to hear what Clark had to say, we have that privilege.
Certain events are rearranged from the factual timelines, and yes, “The Trial of the Chicago 7” exercises poetic license. This is not a documentary; it’s a dramatization of events that resonates with great power while containing essential truths, and it’s one of the best movies of the year.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--Bronzeville mural celebrates legacy of historic community

A once-vacant Bronzeville lot is the home of a 40-yard mural depicting the neighborhood ’ s historic legacy , with the help of a partnership between ComEd , community groups and local artists .
The Bronzeville Renaissance Mural , placed on 38th Street and Michigan Avenue , was painted onto the wall of a ComEd owned microgrid unit and completed in mid- August .
On Thursday , it was officially unveiled during a virtual event where company officials and community groups spoke to the resiliency of the project and community .
The mural took more than six months to complete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic .
To beat these challenges , artists used a technique that called for the mural to be painted on a fabric that was later assembled into larger panels and attached to the outdoor wall .
As a result , it ’ s expected to last at least 25 years without needing a touch-up .
The mural tells the story of Bronzeville ’ s past and potential future through the representation of iconic Black leaders and activists connected to the community , such as the late Mayor Harold Washington and trailblazing journalist/activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ links digital and physical spaces through the use of virtual reality , an initiative spearheaded by Miami-based creative lab Before It ’ s Too Late .
It hopes to celebrate the legacy of the community while also leaving space for new sustainable advancements , says Dr. Shay Bahramirad , vice president of Smart Grid and Engineering at ComEd .
“ The mural is a true reflection of the community ’ s past and present , ’ says Bahramirad .
“ From the climate crisis to intense social change , this mural is meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Artistic elements were led by Gallery Guichard , a Bronzeville art gallery opened in 2005 , and local artists Shawn Warren and Rahmaan Barnes , including help from students from Little Black Pearl High School .
Warren painted the section that shows the neighborhood ’ s history while Barnes painted the parts of the mural that speak to the future .
Andre and Frances Guichard , co-owners of Gallery Guichard , say the mural could not have come at a better time to reinvigorate a “ community steeped in 80 years of art @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be seen as a community that still engages with art and sees it as something important , ” says Frances Guichard .
“ It allows our many community artists to be properly represented for generations to come.
” The project came to fruition under ComEd ’ s “ Community of the Future ” initiative .
The initiative works to build neighborhoods where residents and businesses can “ enjoy savings , sustainability , and innovative products that make their lives easier , ” according to a ComEd news release .
Ald .
Pat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between ComEd and Bronzeville residents shows the potential of the community .
“ One word I ’ d use to describe Bronzeville is resilient .
We ’ ve seen the good and the bad .
We ’ re in the middle of a pandemic , but we ’ re surviving , and this mural speaks to that , ” she says .

A once-vacant Bronzeville lot is the home of a 40-yard mural depicting the neighborhood’s historic legacy, with the help of a partnership between ComEd, community groups and local artists.
The Bronzeville Renaissance Mural, placed on 38th Street and Michigan Avenue, was painted onto the wall of a ComEd owned microgrid unit and completed in mid- August. On Thursday, it was officially unveiled during a virtual event where company officials and community groups spoke to the resiliency of the project and community.
The mural took more than six months to complete after struggles with winter weather and the COVID-19 pandemic. To beat these challenges, artists used a technique that called for the mural to be painted on a fabric that was later assembled into larger panels and attached to the outdoor wall. As a result, it’s expected to last at least 25 years without needing a touch-up.
The mural tells the story of Bronzeville’s past and potential future through the representation of iconic Black leaders and activists connected to the community, such as the late Mayor Harold Washington and trailblazing journalist/activist Ida B. Wells. It also links digital and physical spaces through the use of virtual reality, an initiative spearheaded by Miami-based creative lab Before It’s Too Late. It hopes to celebrate the legacy of the community while also leaving space for new sustainable advancements, says Dr. Shay Bahramirad, vice president of Smart Grid and Engineering at ComEd.
“The mural is a true reflection of the community’s past and present,’ says Bahramirad. “From the climate crisis to intense social change, this mural is meant to inspire us to do more.”
“Bronzeville Renaissance” mural by ComEd near 38th Street and Michigan Avenue in Bronzeville. Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Artistic elements were led by Gallery Guichard, a Bronzeville art gallery opened in 2005, and local artists Shawn Warren and Rahmaan Barnes, including help from students from Little Black Pearl High School. Warren painted the section that shows the neighborhood’s history while Barnes painted the parts of the mural that speak to the future.
Andre and Frances Guichard, co-owners of Gallery Guichard, say the mural could not have come at a better time to reinvigorate a “community steeped in 80 years of art history.”
“This project allows us to be seen as a community that still engages with art and sees it as something important,” says Frances Guichard. “It allows our many community artists to be properly represented for generations to come.”
The project came to fruition under ComEd’s “Community of the Future” initiative. The initiative works to build neighborhoods where residents and businesses can “enjoy savings, sustainability, and innovative products that make their lives easier,” according to a ComEd news release.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) says the partnership between ComEd and Bronzeville residents shows the potential of the community.
“One word I’d use to describe Bronzeville is resilient. We’ve seen the good and the bad. We’re in the middle of a pandemic, but we’re surviving, and this mural speaks to that,” she says.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--‘Being a judge takes courage’: Amy Barrett, the Chicago-based jurist Trump may tap for Supreme Court

A few days before the 2016 presidential election , when all signs pointed to a Hillary Clinton victory over Donald Trump , Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett offered a few thoughts on how the winner of the race could shape the Supreme Court .
After commenting at length on the type of justices Clinton might nominate , Barrett finally said to her audience , “ What would we have in a Trump court ?
” With a chuckle , she answered her own question , “ Who knows ?
” Four years after Barrett ’ s lecture at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we now know .
President Trump said he will announce his Supreme Court nominee Saturday following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
And after serving only three years as a federal judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , the frontrunner for the seat appears to be Barrett .
Barrett landed on the appellate court thanks to a 2017 nomination from Trump .
Promoted by a powerful network of social conservatives and the like-minded Federalist Society , Barrett was also considered by the president in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seat .
Trump tapped Brett Kavanaugh instead .
This time around , Barrett is considered the favorite of Marjorie Dannenfelser , the president of the influential anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List , according to a source .
She told Trump as much when they spoke .
If Trump picks Barrett , it will cap her fast-track legal career nurtured by relationships that began when Barrett was a member of Notre Dame ’ s law school class of 1997 .
She is a self-declared “ originalist ” in the mold of the late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom she clerked , which means she seeks to interpret the U.S. Constitution strictly as its authors meant it .
Born and raised in New Orleans — where she picked up Louisiana cuisine cooking skills praised by colleagues who attended her Mardi Gras parties — Barrett moved to South Bend after graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis in 1994 .
Barrett landed at Notre Dame at a time when the law school faculty was expanding to include more professors who had clerked on the Supreme Court , especially with Justices Clarence Thomas and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court is one very much marked by mentorship and friendship and … the experience of the faculty members who are willing to guide students , ” said Notre Dame Law School Professor Paolo Carozza , who met Barrett when she was in law school .
“ …That ’ s how I understand what it would mean for her to have been groomed.
” After graduation , that pipeline led her to clerkships with the nation ’ s leading conservative judges , first with Laurence Silberman , now a senior judge for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ D.C. and then with Scalia .
But networks can go only so far .
Said Notre Dame Law School Professor O. Carter Snead , “ There ’ s just consensus : Amy Barrett , is the best student , the smartest and most talented person to ever come through the University of Notre Dame Law School.
” After clerking for Scalia in 1998 , she did a stint in private practice .
Barrett served in the army of lawyers who helped George W. Bush in his successful 2000 presidential recount battle against Al @ @ @ @ @ @ @ academia .
It was a move she had thought about previously , recalled Notre Dame Law School Professor Nicole Garnett , who met Barrett when Garnett was clerking for Thomas and Barrett was with Scalia .
“ Like many of the young lawyers who we clerked with on the Supreme Court , Judge Barrett was considering the legal academy when I met her in 1998.
” After a stop at the George Washington University Law School , in D.C. , Barrett returned to Notre Dame ’ s law school in 2002 .
Said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teaching at many different law schools .
I am sure that Notre Dame was appealing to her as a young Catholic woman , as it was to me.
” Trump is pushing for a confirmation vote before the Nov. 3 election .
Catholic , evangelical and anti-abortion voters in swing states are a potential key to beating Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
Barrett is aware , Carozza said , that if she is nominated , it “ would arise in the context of a great deal of political and ideological polarization in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does Crossfit workouts , would be the youngest member of the Supreme Court .
With husband Jesse — a former federal prosecutor — they are the parents of seven children , with two adopted from Haiti and a son with Down syndrome .
In her own words Barrett ’ s 2016 lecture at Jacksonville University is interesting because her odds of quickly being nominated to the Supreme Court would have seemed unlikely at the time .
Near the end , during a question-and-answer session , she revealed a personal concern about something she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to whether public policy should be decided by the courts or the electorate .
“ It is a consequential moment , ” Barrett said .
“ And the Who-Decides Question , just as a personal matter , is really important to me .
And so I guess I worry a lot about the Who-Decides Question .
About our decisions , and my voice , kind of getting taken away , depending on what happens .
And that can be true in either candidate ’ s selection of nominees.
” Despite her quip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a prescient point about his likely Supreme Court nominees , referring to a list Trump had released of people he ’ d consider .
She said it was “ populated with people who would take a more Scalia-esque approach to the Constitution.
” The Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals oversees Illinois , Indiana and Wisconsin .
Barrett works most of the time from an office in South Bend .
The path that may lead her to the Supreme Court began on Feb. 20 , 2017 , when , she has said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sen. Todd Young , R-Ind .
He wanted to know whether she ’ d be interested in leaving academics for the appellate court .
In one of her more notable 7th circuit opinions , she dissented in the case of a felon who challenged whether his conviction should eliminate his right to own a firearm .
Though the majority ruled against the felon , Barrett wrote that the history of the law “ does not support the proposition that felons lose their Second Amendment rights solely because of their status as felons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deemed “ dangerous.
” When the full court declined in 2018 to hear an appeal revolving around an abortion law in Indiana , she joined Judge Frank Easterbrook in a dissent .
Though the court had not been called upon to consider what he called an “ anti-eugenics law ” that was part of the overall case , Easterbrook wrote that “ none of the court ’ s abortion decisions holds that states are powerless to prevent abortions designed to choose the sex , race , and other attributes of children.
” Barrett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month shooting down a narrow challenge by the Illinois Republican Party to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s COVID-19 orders .
Barrett ’ s confirmation process in 2017 generated controversy revolving around her Catholic faith when Sen. Dianne Feinstein , D-Calif. , told Barrett that , “ dogma lives loudly within you.
” The comment drew rebukes from people who saw it as evidence of anti-Catholic bigotry , a theme that has re-emerged with talk of a Barrett nomination .
Barrett is a “ mass-going Catholic , ” Snead , of Notre Dame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spotlight may be thrown on her association with People of Praise , which describes itself on its website as a “ charismatic Christian community ” founded in South Bend in 1971 .
According to her Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire , between 2015 and 2017 Barrett served on the board of the Trinity School in South Bend , which says on its website it was founded by the People of Praise .
She has repeatedly said a judge ’ s personal views should not be imposed on the law — and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the outcomes of their own decisions .
She has also spoken about a judge ’ s duty in the face of intense public pressure .
In a speech last year , she spoke of the late Justice Robert Jackson , who she said “ owed his career ” to President Franklin Roosevelt , who appointed Jackson to the court .
Barrett told the audience that Jackson had written a dissenting opinion vehemently objecting to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II .
He did so even though the internment was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Being a judge takes courage , ” Barrett said .
“ The courage of Robert Jackson .
You are not there to decide cases as you may prefer .
You are not there to decide cases as the public or as the press may want you to .
You ’ re not there to win a popularity contest .
You are there to do your duty and to follow the law wherever it may take you .
”

A few days before the 2016 presidential election, when all signs pointed to a Hillary Clinton victory over Donald Trump, Notre Dame law professor Amy Coney Barrett offered a few thoughts on how the winner of the race could shape the Supreme Court.
After commenting at length on the type of justices Clinton might nominate, Barrett finally said to her audience, “What would we have in a Trump court?”
With a chuckle, she answered her own question, “Who knows?”
Four years after Barrett’s lecture at Jacksonville University’s Public Policy Institute, we now know.
President Trump said he will announce his Supreme Court nominee Saturday following the death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And after serving only three years as a federal judge on the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the frontrunner for the seat appears to be Barrett.
Barrett landed on the appellate court thanks to a 2017 nomination from Trump. Promoted by a powerful network of social conservatives and the like-minded Federalist Society, Barrett was also considered by the president in 2018 for retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy’s seat. Trump tapped Brett Kavanaugh instead.
This time around, Barrett is the favorite of Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the influential anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, according to a source. She told Trump as much when they spoke.
Career on fast track
If Trump picks Barrett, it will cap her fast-track legal career nurtured by relationships that began when Barrett was a member of Notre Dame’s law school class of 1997. She is a self-declared “originalist” in the mold of the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, for whom she clerked, which means she seeks to interpret the U.S. Constitution strictly as its authors meant it.
Born and raised in New Orleans — where she picked up Louisiana cuisine cooking skills praised by colleagues who attended her Mardi Gras parties — Barrett moved to South Bend after graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis in 1994.
Barrett landed at Notre Dame at a time when the law school faculty was expanding to include more professors who had clerked on the Supreme Court, especially with Justices Clarence Thomas and Scalia.
“The path to the Supreme Court is one very much marked by mentorship and friendship and … the experience of the faculty members who are willing to guide students,” said Notre Dame Law School Professor Paolo Carozza, who met Barrett when she was in law school. “…That’s how I understand what it would mean for her to have been groomed.”
After graduation, that pipeline led her to clerkships with the nation’s leading conservative judges, first with Laurence Silberman, now a senior judge for the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for D.C. and then with Scalia.
In this Oct. 18, 2011 file photo, Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia looks into the balcony before addressing the Chicago-Kent College Law justice in Chicago. Sun-Times files
But networks can go only so far.
Said Notre Dame Law School Professor O. Carter Snead, “There’s just consensus: Amy Barrett, is the best student, the smartest and most talented person to ever come through the University of Notre Dame Law School.”
After clerking for Scalia in 1998, she did a stint in private practice. Barrett served in the army of lawyers who helped George W. Bush in his successful 2000 presidential recount battle against Al Gore.
She then went back to academia.
It was a move she had thought about previously, recalled Notre Dame Law School Professor Nicole Garnett, who met Barrett when Garnett was clerking for Thomas and Barrett was with Scalia. “Like many of the young lawyers who we clerked with on the Supreme Court, Judge Barrett was considering the legal academy when I met her in 1998.”
After a stop at the George Washington University Law School, in D.C., Barrett returned to Notre Dame’s law school in 2002.
Said Garnett, “She was open to teaching at many different law schools. I am sure that Notre Dame was appealing to her as a young Catholic woman, as it was to me.”
Trump is pushing for a confirmation vote before the Nov. 3 election. Catholic, evangelical and anti-abortion voters in swing states are a potential key to beating Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Barrett is aware, Carozza said, that if she is nominated, it “would arise in the context of a great deal of political and ideological polarization in our country.”
Barrett, 48, who does Crossfit workouts, would be the youngest member of the Supreme Court. With husband Jesse — a former federal prosecutor — they are the parents of seven children, with two adopted from Haiti and a son with Down syndrome.
In her own words
Barrett’s 2016 lecture at Jacksonville University is interesting because her odds of quickly being nominated to the Supreme Court would have seemed unlikely at the time.
Near the end, during a question-and-answer session, she revealed a personal concern about something she called the “Who-Decides Question” — referring to whether public policy should be decided by the courts or the electorate.
“It is a consequential moment,” Barrett said. “And the Who-Decides Question, just as a personal matter, is really important to me. And so I guess I worry a lot about the Who-Decides Question. About our decisions, and my voice, kind of getting taken away, depending on what happens. And that can be true in either candidate’s selection of nominees.”
Despite her quip about a Trump court, Barrett made a prescient point about his likely Supreme Court nominees, referring to a list Trump had released of people he’d consider.
She said it was “populated with people who would take a more Scalia-esque approach to the Constitution.”
Barrett joins 7th circuit
The Chicago-based 7th Circuit Court of Appeals oversees Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Barrett works most of the time from an office in South Bend.
The path that may lead her to the Supreme Court began on Feb. 20, 2017, when, she has said, she got a call from the office of Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind. He wanted to know whether she’d be interested in leaving academics for the appellate court.
In one of her more notable 7th circuit opinions, she dissented in the case of a felon who challenged whether his conviction should eliminate his right to own a firearm.
Though the majority ruled against the felon, Barrett wrote that the history of the law “does not support the proposition that felons lose their Second Amendment rights solely because of their status as felons” but it does if they are deemed “dangerous.”
When the full court declined in 2018 to hear an appeal revolving around an abortion law in Indiana, she joined Judge Frank Easterbrook in a dissent.
Though the court had not been called upon to consider what he called an “anti-eugenics law” that was part of the overall case, Easterbrook wrote that “none of the court’s abortion decisions holds that states are powerless to prevent abortions designed to choose the sex, race, and other attributes of children.”
Barrett also joined in an opinion earlier this month shooting down a narrow challenge by the Illinois Republican Party to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 orders.
Amy Coney Barrett was both a student and professor at Notre Dame. Getty
‘Mass-going Catholic’
Barrett’s confirmation process in 2017 generated controversy revolving around her Catholic faith when Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., told Barrett that, “dogma lives loudly within you.” The comment drew rebukes from people who saw it as evidence of anti-Catholic bigotry, a theme that has re-emerged with talk of a Barrett nomination.
Barrett is a “mass-going Catholic,” Snead, of Notre Dame, said. If she is nominated, a spotlight may be thrown on her association with People of Praise, which describes itself on its website as a “charismatic Christian community” founded in South Bend in 1971. According to her Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire, between 2015 and 2017 Barrett served on the board of the Trinity School in South Bend, which says on its website it was founded by the People of Praise.
She has repeatedly said a judge’s personal views should not be imposed on the law — and that good judges often don’t even like the outcomes of their own decisions.
She has also spoken about a judge’s duty in the face of intense public pressure. In a speech last year, she spoke of the late Justice Robert Jackson, who she said “owed his career” to President Franklin Roosevelt, who appointed Jackson to the court.
Barrett told the audience that Jackson had written a dissenting opinion vehemently objecting to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. He did so even though the internment was based on an executive order from Roosevelt.
“Being a judge takes courage,” Barrett said. “The courage of Robert Jackson. You are not there to decide cases as you may prefer. You are not there to decide cases as the public or as the press may want you to. You’re not there to win a popularity contest. You are there to do your duty and to follow the law wherever it may take you.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--Lightfoot’s pandemic conference calls with aldermen violated Open Meetings Act, state attorney gener

Lightfoot’s pandemic conference calls with aldermen violated Open Meetings Act, state attorney general’s office says  (LIVE UPDATES)

Mayor Lori Lightfoot violated the Open Meetings Act by hosting conference calls with aldermen in the early days of the shutdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic , the Illinois Attorney General ’ s office has concluded .
Deputy Corporation Counsel Jeff Levine had argued the conference calls Lightfoot and top aides held with aldermen on March 26 , March 30 , April 6 and May 8 did not violate the Open Meetings Act because aldermen were acting as “ community-based first responders ” and no “ legislative deliberation or action ” took place .
“ It was essential to disseminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to other city officers who could assist in implementing disaster relief and mitigation , ” Levine wrote June 26 in response to a complaint filed with the Attorney General ’ s office by Pro Publica reporter Mick Dumke .
“ These calls had no legislative aspect whatsoever .
Rather , the sole purpose was to convey information regarding the city ’ s pandemic response to help the aldermen continue to serve effectively in the field as community-based first responders.
” 6:21 p.m .
Early voting starts in collar counties , but Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started in much of Illinois on Thursday — 40 days before the Nov. 3 election — but Cook County residents will be waiting until October to cast a ballot .
Chicago residents must wait another week until early voting kicks off Oct. 1 at the Loop Super Site , 191 N. Clark St. Two weeks later , early voting sites open in all 50 wards .
Five suburban Cook County voting sites open Oct. 7 , including courthouses in Bridgeview , Maywood , Markham , Rolling Meadows and Skokie .
More than 40 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sites are open : weekdays , 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. ; weekends , 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day , Nov. 3 , voting lasts from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday also marked the start of statewide mail-in voting , which has seen a huge boost amid coronavirus concerns .
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced another 2,257 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 30 more deaths from the virus .
The state ’ s test positivity rate — the number used to gauge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between Sept. 17 and 23 remains at 3.5 % , the lowest rate since late July .
Of the 30 new coronavirus-related deaths , seven were in Cook County , with the deceased ranging in age from their 50s to their 90s .
More than 5,100 people have died of the virus in Cook County , according to the IDPH and the county medical examiner ’ s office .
IDPH data show that , over the past two weeks , Chicago ’ s seven-day positivity rate has fallen from 5.3 % to 4.6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the positivity rate has dropped from 6 % to 4.6 % in that same period .
More than 8,500 people in Illinois have died of COVID-19 since the outbreak took hold earlier this year .
The state has reported more than 281,000 positive cases out of nearly 5.3 million coronavirus tests administered .
Weeks after reopening amid the pandemic , the Logan Theatre ( 2646 N. Milwaukee Avenue ) , announced on Wednesday their intention to temporarily shut down due to the lack of new content from the film industry .
The theater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paramount Theatre , released an online statement notifying would-be movie-goers of closing in the interim .
A reopening date has not been announced .
“ While our collaborative efforts to enhance safety standards have been effective in keeping The Logan a safe place to be , the lack of new film has forced us to close our doors after the last show on Thursday , Sept. 24 , ” the statement read .
“ As you may know , Hollywood continues to postpone the distribution of many highly anticipated films until later this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becomes clear that there is a consistent flow of films to play , we will make plans to reopen the theatre.
” 12 p.m .
Native Americans feeling the double pain of COVID-19 and fires ‘ gobbling up the ground ’ When the first fire of the season broke out on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in Northern California in July , Greg Moon faced a dilemma .
As Hoopa ’ s fire chief and its pandemic team leader , Moon feared the impact on the dense coniferous forests of the reservation , near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,000 tribal members depend on steelhead trout and coho salmon fishing .
He was even more terrified of a deadly viral outbreak in his tribe , which closed its land to visitors in March .
“ We ’ re a high-risk community because we have a lot of diabetes , heart disease and elders that live in multigenerational homes , ” Moon said .
“ If a young person gets it , the whole household is going to get it.
” Eventually , the three major fires that burned nearly 100,000 acres around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 25-member fire team .
Moon had no choice but to request help from federal wildland rangers and other tribal firefighters .
Native American tribes are no strangers to fire .
Working with flames to burn away undergrowth and bring nutrients and biodiversity back to lands is an ingrained part of their heritage .
But epidemics also are a familiar scourge .
With the devastation that pathogens like smallpox and measles brought to Native populations following the arrival of Europeans , tribes are especially wary of COVID-19 ’ s impact .
8:04 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for state ad campaigns to include more Black-owned media companies The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce Wednesday said there ’ s a lack of state spending on Black-owned media outlets , public relations firms and advertising firms , particularly in Illinois ’ effort to convey health information about the COVID-19 pandemic .
COVID-19 campaigns focused on the black community are going to white firms , Larry Ivory , who heads up the chamber , said at a news conference .
Ivory called on Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to ensure spending follows state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of awarding 20 % of contracts to businesses owned by people of color , women , and individuals living with disabilities .
“ The state spends several billion dollars on media — advertising and marketing — when you take a look at the spending on Black media , it ’ s less than 1 % , ” Ivory said .
Ivory announced the ISBCC is launching the Coalition for Black Media Equity to bring attention to the disparity and demand fair and equitable awarding of state contracts to Black-owned businesses .
Ivory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s strategy to meet its minority spending goals , but couldn ’ t immediately provide figures .
Illinois saw an additional 22 deaths from COVID-19 and 1,848 new cases Wednesday , bringing the state ’ s death toll to 8,508 and the total number of cases to 279,114 .
The media consisted of a camera crew , a helicopter , and me .
Although I was there in my unofficial capacity .
Not as newspaper columnist but as local resident .
I had heard the chopper , looked at my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that at 4 p.m. Tuesday , Lee Goodman would update the number on his sign to 200,000 to reflect how many Americans have died from COVID-19 .
Lee is the sort of fellow no town should be without and , indeed , most towns have one .
The local gadfly , or activist — lately I ’ ve referred to him las “ the spoon that stirs the pot.
” A retired lawyer , Goodman left the profession to devote his full energies to endeavors such as posting a sign at the busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area set aside for free expression .
It is significant that the other sign , already there , is promoting the annual Lobster Sale at The Episcopal Church of St. James the Less .
As much as I would like to dive into exploring the identity of St. James the Less — cousin of Jesus , apparently — let ’ s keep our focus on Goodman ’ s sign .
I witnessed its arrival Saturday — again , again , not in my journalistic capacity , but as a man smoking a cigar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign drew reaction : a zealous spontaneous rally celebrating the glories of Donald Trump and the insulting absurdity of suggesting that a large number of Americans have died of COVID .
I watched the commotion , briefly , then left with the conviction that this is going to be a very long six weeks , if not six months , if not six years .
Read the full commentary from columnist Neil Steinberg here .
8:30 a.m. ‘ Waves of anger and fear ’ fuel conspiracy theories The COVID pandemic ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have driven many Americans to embrace preposterous conspiracy theories that provide simple storybook explanations for otherwise incomprehensible events .
Amid the devastating wildfires in Oregon last week , for example , the FBI needed to debunk rumors that the disaster was caused by left-wing arsonists .
The agency ’ s Portland office posted a statement on Twitter stating that “ the FBI has investigated several such reports and found them to be untrue.
” Trump and Attorney General William Barr have spoken of designating antifa a terrorist organization .
Alas , writes Rutgers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post : “ Trump can not designate ‘ ANTIFA ’ as a terrorist organization because antifa is not an organization .
Rather , it is a politics of revolutionary opposition to the far right ... You can not subpoena an idea or a movement.
” Mostly an academic movement at that : graduate students and other university-affiliated types blowing off steam .
If antifa ’ s a real threat , who are its leaders ?
Where ’ s its headquarters ?
Who ’ s paying those phantom arsonists ?
The questions answer themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full column from Gene Lyons here .

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced another 2,257 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 30 more deaths from the virus.
The state’s test positivity rate — the number used to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading — between Sept. 17 and 23 remains at 3.5%, the lowest rate since late July.
Here’s what else happened in Chicago and around Illinois in coronavirus-related news.
News
8:55 p.m. Lightfoot’s pandemic conference calls with aldermen violated Open Meetings Act, state attorney general’s office says
Mayor Lori Lightfoot presides over the monthly Chicago City Council meeting and delivers her first budget address at City Hall, Wednesday morning, Oct. 23, 2019. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Mayor Lori Lightfoot violated the Open Meetings Act by hosting conference calls with aldermen in the early days of the shutdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, the Illinois Attorney General’s office has concluded.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Jeff Levine had argued the conference calls Lightfoot and top aides held with aldermen on March 26, March 30, April 6 and May 8 did not violate the Open Meetings Act because aldermen were acting as “community-based first responders” and no “legislative deliberation or action” took place.
“It was essential to disseminate public safety-related information as widely as possible to other city officers who could assist in implementing disaster relief and mitigation,” Levine wrote June 26 in response to a complaint filed with the Attorney General’s office by Pro Publica reporter Mick Dumke.
“These calls had no legislative aspect whatsoever. Rather, the sole purpose was to convey information regarding the city’s pandemic response to help the aldermen continue to serve effectively in the field as community-based first responders.”
Reporter Fran Spielman has the full story.
6:21 p.m. Early voting starts in collar counties, but Cook County voters will wait until October
Hand sanitizer and stickers are set up at a polling station in Chicago on March 17, 2020. James Foster/For the Sun-Times
Early voting started in much of Illinois on Thursday — 40 days before the Nov. 3 election — but Cook County residents will be waiting until October to cast a ballot.
Chicago residents must wait another week until early voting kicks off Oct. 1 at the Loop Super Site, 191 N. Clark St. Two weeks later, early voting sites open in all 50 wards.
Five suburban Cook County voting sites open Oct. 7, including courthouses in Bridgeview, Maywood, Markham, Rolling Meadows and Skokie. More than 40 other suburban voting locations open Oct. 19.
Sites are open: weekdays, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; weekends, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Election Day, Nov. 3, voting lasts from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday also marked the start of statewide mail-in voting, which has seen a huge boost amid coronavirus concerns.
Read the full story here.
5:07 p.m. Illinois reports 2,257 new COVID-19 cases, 30 deaths
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday announced another 2,257 people had tested positive for COVID-19 and 30 more deaths from the virus.
The state’s test positivity rate — the number used to gauge how quickly the virus is spreading — between Sept. 17 and 23 remains at 3.5%, the lowest rate since late July.
Of the 30 new coronavirus-related deaths, seven were in Cook County, with the deceased ranging in age from their 50s to their 90s. More than 5,100 people have died of the virus in Cook County, according to the IDPH and the county medical examiner’s office.
IDPH data show that, over the past two weeks, Chicago’s seven-day positivity rate has fallen from 5.3% to 4.6%. In suburban Cook County, the positivity rate has dropped from 6% to 4.6% in that same period.
More than 8,500 people in Illinois have died of COVID-19 since the outbreak took hold earlier this year. The state has reported more than 281,000 positive cases out of nearly 5.3 million coronavirus tests administered.
Reporter Sam Charles has the full story.
2 p.m. Chicago loses another institution to pandemic shutdowns
Weeks after reopening amid the pandemic, the Logan Theatre (2646 N. Milwaukee Avenue), announced on Wednesday their intention to temporarily shut down due to the lack of new content from the film industry.
The theater, which opened in 1915 as the Paramount Theatre, released an online statement notifying would-be movie-goers of closing in the interim. A reopening date has not been announced.
“While our collaborative efforts to enhance safety standards have been effective in keeping The Logan a safe place to be, the lack of new film has forced us to close our doors after the last show on Thursday, Sept. 24,” the statement read. “As you may know, Hollywood continues to postpone the distribution of many highly anticipated films until later this year and/or into 2021. Once it becomes clear that there is a consistent flow of films to play, we will make plans to reopen the theatre.”
Read the full story here.
12 p.m. Native Americans feeling the double pain of COVID-19 and fires ‘gobbling up the ground’
When the first fire of the season broke out on the Hoopa Valley Reservation in Northern California in July, Greg Moon faced a dilemma.
As Hoopa’s fire chief and its pandemic team leader, Moon feared the impact on the dense coniferous forests of the reservation, near Redwood National and State Parks, where 3,000 tribal members depend on steelhead trout and coho salmon fishing. He was even more terrified of a deadly viral outbreak in his tribe, which closed its land to visitors in March.
“We’re a high-risk community because we have a lot of diabetes, heart disease and elders that live in multigenerational homes,” Moon said. “If a young person gets it, the whole household is going to get it.”
Eventually, the three major fires that burned nearly 100,000 acres around Hoopa were too much for the tribe’s 25-member fire team. Moon had no choice but to request help from federal wildland rangers and other tribal firefighters.
Native American tribes are no strangers to fire. Working with flames to burn away undergrowth and bring nutrients and biodiversity back to lands is an ingrained part of their heritage. But epidemics also are a familiar scourge. With the devastation that pathogens like smallpox and measles brought to Native populations following the arrival of Europeans, tribes are especially wary of COVID-19’s impact.
Read the full story here.
8:04 a.m. Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce calls for state ad campaigns to include more Black-owned media companies
The Illinois State Black Chamber of Commerce Wednesday said there’s a lack of state spending on Black-owned media outlets, public relations firms and advertising firms, particularly in Illinois’ effort to convey health information about the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 campaigns focused on the black community are going to white firms, Larry Ivory, who heads up the chamber, said at a news conference.
Ivory called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to ensure spending follows state law that establishes an “aspirational goal” of awarding 20% of contracts to businesses owned by people of color, women, and individuals living with disabilities.
“The state spends several billion dollars on media — advertising and marketing — when you take a look at the spending on Black media, it’s less than 1%,” Ivory said.
Ivory announced the ISBCC is launching the Coalition for Black Media Equity to bring attention to the disparity and demand fair and equitable awarding of state contracts to Black-owned businesses.
Ivory is seeking information on state spending and the state’s strategy to meet its minority spending goals, but couldn’t immediately provide figures.
Read the full story here.
New cases
Illinois saw an additional 22 deaths from COVID-19 and 1,848 new cases Wednesday, bringing the state’s death toll to 8,508 and the total number of cases to 279,114.
Analysis & Commentary
2 p.m. Leafy suburban paradise roiled by COVID stats
The media consisted of a camera crew, a helicopter, and me.
Although I was there in my unofficial capacity. Not as newspaper columnist but as local resident. I had heard the chopper, looked at my phone — 3:57 p.m. — and remembered that at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Lee Goodman would update the number on his sign to 200,000 to reflect how many Americans have died from COVID-19.
Lee is the sort of fellow no town should be without and, indeed, most towns have one. The local gadfly, or activist — lately I’ve referred to him las “the spoon that stirs the pot.” A retired lawyer, Goodman left the profession to devote his full energies to endeavors such as posting a sign at the busy corner of Shermer and Walters, an area set aside for free expression. It is significant that the other sign, already there, is promoting the annual Lobster Sale at The Episcopal Church of St. James the Less.
As much as I would like to dive into exploring the identity of St. James the Less — cousin of Jesus, apparently — let’s keep our focus on Goodman’s sign.
I witnessed its arrival Saturday — again, again, not in my journalistic capacity, but as a man smoking a cigar while walking a little dog. The sign drew reaction: a zealous spontaneous rally celebrating the glories of Donald Trump and the insulting absurdity of suggesting that a large number of Americans have died of COVID. I watched the commotion, briefly, then left with the conviction that this is going to be a very long six weeks, if not six months, if not six years.
Read the full commentary from columnist Neil Steinberg here.
8:30 a.m. ‘Waves of anger and fear’ fuel conspiracy theories
The COVID pandemic’s “unmentionable odour of death” appears to have driven many Americans to embrace preposterous conspiracy theories that provide simple storybook explanations for otherwise incomprehensible events.
Amid the devastating wildfires in Oregon last week, for example, the FBI needed to debunk rumors that the disaster was caused by left-wing arsonists. The agency’s Portland office posted a statement on Twitter stating that “the FBI has investigated several such reports and found them to be untrue.”
Trump and Attorney General William Barr have spoken of designating antifa a terrorist organization. Alas, writes Rutgers University historian Mark Bray in The Washington Post: “Trump cannot designate ‘ANTIFA’ as a terrorist organization because antifa is not an organization. Rather, it is a politics of revolutionary opposition to the far right ... You cannot subpoena an idea or a movement.”
Mostly an academic movement at that: graduate students and other university-affiliated types blowing off steam. If antifa’s a real threat, who are its leaders? Where’s its headquarters? Who’s paying those phantom arsonists?
The questions answer themselves: nobody and nowhere.
Read the full column from Gene Lyons here.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--ENDORSEMENT: Dan Patlak for Cook County Board of Review, 1st District

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an earthquake for Cook County ’ s system of property assessments , upon which property tax bills are based .
In the race for the Cook County Board of Review District 1 seat , Republican Dan Patlak has a clearer idea of what needs to be done to get assessments in line with how property values have changed than his Democratic opponent , property tax appeals lawyer Tammy Wendt .
Wendt is too comfortable with the current overall system , which is insufficiently transparent .
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has been working to align @ @ @ @ @ @ @ values caused by the pandemic .
The Cook County Board of Review hears appeals of Kaegi ’ s work and has been criticized for undermining Kaegi and being less than transparent in its decisions , which affect every property taxpayer .
We endorse Patlak in the Nov. 3 election because he is less openly opposed to Kaegi ’ s efforts and because , of the board ’ s three commissioners , he is the only Republican .
The board needs a check on Democratic hegemony .
Patlak ’ s experience includes 10 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as an assessment appeals analyst .
He worked to create the Board of Review ’ s first Freedom of Information Act page on the board ’ s website , making it easier to request information .
Cook County ’ s assessment system is broken , with nearly a quarter of a million appeals filed last year , bogging the system down and diverting money from schools and parks into legal fees .
Moreover , too many dollars from property tax lawyers who appear before the Board of Review find their way into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alarms neither of these candidates .
We ’ re not holding our breath , but Patlak holds out the better hope of improving the system .
For more information about this race and others , including candidate questionnaires , go to our Illinois primary voting guide .
Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and , in some cases , politically active investors ; for details , see our owner information page .

The COVID-19 pandemic has been an earthquake for Cook County’s system of property assessments, upon which property tax bills are based. In the race for the Cook County Board of Review District 1 seat, Republican Dan Patlak has a clearer idea of what needs to be done to get assessments in line with how property values have changed than his Democratic opponent, property tax appeals lawyer Tammy Wendt. Wendt is too comfortable with the current overall system, which is insufficiently transparent.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi has been working to align property assessments with the change in property values caused by the pandemic. The Cook County Board of Review hears appeals of Kaegi’s work and has been criticized for undermining Kaegi and being less than transparent in its decisions, which affect every property taxpayer. We endorse Patlak in the Nov. 3 election because he is less openly opposed to Kaegi’s efforts and because, of the board’s three commissioners, he is the only Republican. The board needs a check on Democratic hegemony.
Patlak’s experience includes 10 years as a commissioner and seven prior years as an assessment appeals analyst. He worked to create the Board of Review’s first Freedom of Information Act page on the board’s website, making it easier to request information.
Cook County’s assessment system is broken, with nearly a quarter of a million appeals filed last year, bogging the system down and diverting money from schools and parks into legal fees. Moreover, too many dollars from property tax lawyers who appear before the Board of Review find their way into the commissioners’ campaign coffers, which unfortunately alarms neither of these candidates. We’re not holding our breath, but Patlak holds out the better hope of improving the system.
For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois primary voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--Halas Intrigue Episode 121: Bears vs. Falcons predictions

Illinois Facebook users can apply for up to $ 400 settlement as part of privacy lawsuit The deadline to apply @ @ @ @ @ this year , Facebook agreed to pay out $ 650 million to settle a class-action @ @ @ @ @ of violating an Illinois privacy law .

The conversation continues in our “Halas Intrigue” Facebook group
Join experts including Patrick Finley, Mark Potash, Jason Lieser, Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander after each game to make predictions, share insights and analyze the day’s big stories. This is insight you won’t be able to get anywhere else.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--ENDORSEMENT: Iris Y. Martinez for Cook County Circuit Court Clerk

The next Cook County Circuit Court Clerk must be a strong , savvy boss with the will and ability to end the mismanagement and cronyism that have plagued the office for the last 20 years .
We ’ re hoping Iris Y. Martinez is that person .
We ’ re giving her the nod over Republican candidate Barbara Bellar .
But , frankly , our endorsement of Martinez , a Democrat , is not a full-throated one .
She lacks detailed ideas on how to actually improve the office , resting back when pressed on vague and general promises to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get things fixed .
Martinez has been a capable state senator for the past 17 years , though , and we give weight to that .
The first Hispanic woman elected to the state senate , she has sponsored or co-sponsored practical-minded bills ranging from water heater safety to the regulation of midwives .
Martinez also has been an advocate for immigrants and the working class , and we sense a possible independent streak .
When a retired ComEd lobbyist and confidant to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan urged other lobbyists to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide Madigan had fired for allegedly sending sexually suggestive texts to a political consultant , Martinez called for Madigan to explain the situation or step down as state Democratic Party chairman .
As a lawmaker , Martinez has held legislative leadership positions in Springfield , such as assistant majority leader and minority caucus whip .
We hope those roles will help her transition into the effective leader the circuit court clerk ’ s office needs .
The 2,000-person office is the keeper of every record and document in one of the largest unified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office has been so badly run under current Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown that detainees have sat in jail for months simply because of misplaced files .
And attorneys have long complained about incomplete and missing files .
Meanwhile , we found Bellar to be an intriguing candidate , based on her background as both a doctor and a lawyer .
But Bellar , who has never held public office , is as bereft as Martinez when it comes to innovative ideas for the post .
She ’ s built a public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as opposition to same-sex marriage , that have nothing to do with the circuit court clerk ’ s office .
Our concern is that her interest in becoming clerk is mostly to gain a louder megaphone .
Time will tell if Martinez can straighten out the circuit court clerk ’ s office , but she ’ s earned a shot .
To read more Sun-Times endorsements , please go to suntimes.com/political-endorsements .
For more information about this race and others , including candidate questionnaires , go to our Illinois voting guide .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civic-minded and , in some cases , politically active investors ; for details , see our owner information page .

The next Cook County Circuit Court Clerk must be a strong, savvy boss with the will and ability to end the mismanagement and cronyism that have plagued the office for the last 20 years.
We’re hoping Iris Y. Martinez is that person. We’re giving her the nod over Republican candidate Barbara Bellar.
But, frankly, our endorsement of Martinez, a Democrat, is not a full-throated one. She lacks detailed ideas on how to actually improve the office, resting back when pressed on vague and general promises to sit down with its leaders and work to get things fixed.
Martinez has been a capable state senator for the past 17 years, though, and we give weight to that. The first Hispanic woman elected to the state senate, she has sponsored or co-sponsored practical-minded bills ranging from water heater safety to the regulation of midwives.
Martinez also has been an advocate for immigrants and the working class, and we sense a possible independent streak.
When a retired ComEd lobbyist and confidant to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan urged other lobbyists to steer $30,000 in contracts to an aide Madigan had fired for allegedly sending sexually suggestive texts to a political consultant, Martinez called for Madigan to explain the situation or step down as state Democratic Party chairman.
As a lawmaker, Martinez has held legislative leadership positions in Springfield, such as assistant majority leader and minority caucus whip. We hope those roles will help her transition into the effective leader the circuit court clerk’s office needs.
The 2,000-person office is the keeper of every record and document in one of the largest unified court systems in the world. But the office has been so badly run under current Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown that detainees have sat in jail for months simply because of misplaced files. And attorneys have long complained about incomplete and missing files.
Brown declined to run for a sixth term.
Meanwhile, we found Bellar to be an intriguing candidate, based on her background as both a doctor and a lawyer.
But Bellar, who has never held public office, is as bereft as Martinez when it comes to innovative ideas for the post. She’s built a public profile as a culture warrior, such as opposition to same-sex marriage, that have nothing to do with the circuit court clerk’s office. Our concern is that her interest in becoming clerk is mostly to gain a louder megaphone.
Time will tell if Martinez can straighten out the circuit court clerk’s office, but she’s earned a shot.
To read more Sun-Times endorsements, please go to suntimes.com/political-endorsements. For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.
Send letters to: letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-24--Chicago police union president says Dem pols spread ‘false’ Breonna Taylor narrative to boost Biden’

Chicago police union president says Dem pols spread ‘false’ Breonna Taylor narrative to boost Biden’s Black support

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker were accused Thursday of spreading a “ false ” narrative about the police shooting of Breonna Taylor to drive up African-American support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
Hours after a Louisville grand jury decided not to charge any of the three officers involved for the shooting death of Taylor and charged only one of them with reckless endangerment of Taylor ’ s neighbors , Lightfoot , Pritzker and other elected officials held a news conference to call it a travesty of justice .
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more to do with presidential politics than it does with the racial reckoning triggered by the death of George Floyd , he said .
“ They ’ re trying to incite anger and get people riled up to make sure they show up to the polls .
Police are the boogie man .
Black people are oppressed .
Black people are shot and killed all the time .
We need to rise up .
Make sure you go to the voting booth , ” Catanzara said , his voice dripping with sarcasm .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed the President for re-election , Catanzara said , “ It ’ s disgusting .
They ’ re really willing to sell their souls for an election because they hate the President that much.
” As an attorney and a former Police Board president , he argued Lightfoot should know better than to “ twist ” facts to support her political argument .
“ She should keep her mouth shut and know the facts first .
It ’ s not in her purview .
She ’ s never held a gun and gotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to hear anything about it when she talks about procedure or law enforcement .
In that realm , the saying is , ` Book smart .
Street stupid.
’ Being in uniform and being a police officer is entirely different than reading about it or theorizing about it.
” “ Pritzker is another one .
He ’ s been spoon-fed since birth .
Talk about white privilege .
What does he know about the real world ?
He has no clue whatsoever , ” Catanzara said .
Taylor was shot multiple times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation .
The use of no-knock warrants was subsequently banned by Louisville ’ s Metro Council .
The warrant used was connected to a suspect who did not live there .
No drugs were found inside .
Catanzara maintained the decision by the Louisville grand jury was correct , and the only one possible , based on the facts — not the politics .
He argued the three officers were “ there on a viable warrant ” and it wasn ’ t executed as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They announced that they were the police.
” “ The boyfriend who fired the shots — he can say all he wants that he thought they were being robbed .
But they announced they were police .
He still shot at people coming through the door saying they were police , ” Catanzara said .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker were accused Thursday of spreading a “false” narrative about the police shooting of Breonna Taylor to drive up African-American support for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
Hours after a Louisville grand jury decided not to charge any of the three officers involved for the shooting death of Taylor and charged only one of them with reckless endangerment of Taylor’s neighbors, Lightfoot, Pritzker and other elected officials held a news conference to call it a travesty of justice.
Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara thinks he knows why. It has more to do with presidential politics than it does with the racial reckoning triggered by the death of George Floyd, he said.
“They’re trying to incite anger and get people riled up to make sure they show up to the polls. Police are the boogie man. Black people are oppressed. Black people are shot and killed all the time. We need to rise up. Make sure you go to the voting booth,” Catanzara said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
An outspoken Trump supporter whose union has endorsed the President for re-election, Catanzara said, “It’s disgusting. They’re really willing to sell their souls for an election because they hate the President that much.”
As an attorney and a former Police Board president, he argued Lightfoot should know better than to “twist” facts to support her political argument.
“She should keep her mouth shut and know the facts first. It’s not in her purview. She’s never held a gun and gotten shot at. I don’t want to hear anything about it when she talks about procedure or law enforcement. In that realm, the saying is, `Book smart. Street stupid.’ Being in uniform and being a police officer is entirely different than reading about it or theorizing about it.”
The mayor’s office responded with a brief statement: “We refuse to be a part of a race to the bottom and will not dignify Mr. Catanzara’s comments.”
Catanzara saved a few harsh words for Illinois’ billionaire governor.
“Pritzker is another one. He’s been spoon-fed since birth. Talk about white privilege. What does he know about the real world? He has no clue whatsoever,” Catanzara said.
Taylor was shot multiple times March 13 by officers who entered her home using a no-knock warrant during a narcotics investigation. The use of no-knock warrants was subsequently banned by Louisville’s Metro Council.
The warrant used was connected to a suspect who did not live there. No drugs were found inside.
Catanzara maintained the decision by the Louisville grand jury was correct, and the only one possible, based on the facts — not the politics.
He argued the three officers were “there on a viable warrant” and it wasn’t executed as a no-knock warrant because “they knocked. They announced that they were the police.”
“The boyfriend who fired the shots — he can say all he wants that he thought they were being robbed. But they announced they were police. He still shot at people coming through the door saying they were police,” Catanzara said.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-25--Dear Abby: ‘Let me call you right back,’ friend says, but she never does

DEAR ABBY : I have a very good friend I ’ ve known for 18 years .
Without fail , every time we ’ re on the phone and she gets another call , she ’ ll say , “ Oh , let me call you right back , ” but she never does .
Sometimes days will go by until I call her or she calls me , and then she acts like nothing happened .
We could be in the middle of a conversation but she doesn ’ t call back .
Or , she ’ ll call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and end the call when she has arrived at her destination , if she hasn ’ t already hung up to take another call .
Is she a true friend ?
What should I say or do ?
After years of feeling unimportant in her life , it has really started to get to me lately .
— NOT FINISHED IN THE EAST DEAR NOT FINISHED : Your longtime friend is inconsiderate .
Rather than wait endlessly , call HER back the same day .
And when you do , tell her exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feelings has made you feel .
Do not , however , expect her to like it , because inconsiderate people rarely do when it is pointed out to them .
DEAR ABBY : I got married to a wonderful guy 14 years ago , but after a year of marriage , our children ( his 10-year-old and my 12- and 13-year-olds ) couldn ’ t stand one another and caused a lot of problems .
I was brokenhearted when he gave me divorce papers .
I moved out but continued to date him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , after his son moved out , I moved back in , but he won ’ t ask me to remarry him .
My kids get along fine with him , but his son hates me and refuses to come to any holiday or birthday celebration that I host .
Should I move out and move on ?
I feel like I have wasted 14 years of my life .
— HOPELESS IN OHIO DEAR HOPELESS : I wish you had mentioned why this “ wonderful guy ’ s ” son hates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you for the failure of his parents ’ marriage , or was it something else ?
That this man has allowed his son to dictate how the two of you will spend your lives is very sad .
Unless you can accept living with the status quo ( which has to be painful ) , the answer to your question is : Move on .
DEAR ABBY : In 2014 , I loaned a family friend $ 5,000 .
At the time , and ever since , I never asked the reason for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touch .
However , we recently reconnected and decided to go on a road/camping trip throughout the West .
Three days in , we both realized it was a poor idea to travel together for an extended period of time .
He has now become quite nasty and speaks ill of me .
Should I write and request payment of the loan or let it go ?
— OUT OF POCKET IN VEGAS DEAR OUT OF POCKET : If you had the forethought to put IN WRITING the fact you were lending this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of having the loan repaid .
If you didn ’ t , you can try writing to this family ( former ) friend , but legally it won ’ t be worth the paper your letter is written on .
If that ’ s the case , consider this an expensive lesson .
P.S .
Because no effort was made over the last six years to repay your generosity , your road trip was doomed before it started .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For everything you need to know about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely Wedding.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I have a very good friend I’ve known for 18 years. Without fail, every time we’re on the phone and she gets another call, she’ll say, “Oh, let me call you right back,” but she never does. Sometimes days will go by until I call her or she calls me, and then she acts like nothing happened.
We could be in the middle of a conversation but she doesn’t call back. Or, she’ll call me while she’s driving somewhere and end the call when she has arrived at her destination, if she hasn’t already hung up to take another call.
Is she a true friend? What should I say or do? After years of feeling unimportant in her life, it has really started to get to me lately. — NOT FINISHED IN THE EAST
DEAR NOT FINISHED: Your longtime friend is inconsiderate. Rather than wait endlessly, call HER back the same day. And when you do, tell her exactly how her lack of concern for your feelings has made you feel. Do not, however, expect her to like it, because inconsiderate people rarely do when it is pointed out to them.
DEAR ABBY: I got married to a wonderful guy 14 years ago, but after a year of marriage, our children (his 10-year-old and my 12- and 13-year-olds) couldn’t stand one another and caused a lot of problems. I was brokenhearted when he gave me divorce papers. I moved out but continued to date him without our kids around.
Seven years ago, after his son moved out, I moved back in, but he won’t ask me to remarry him. My kids get along fine with him, but his son hates me and refuses to come to any holiday or birthday celebration that I host.
Should I move out and move on? I feel like I have wasted 14 years of my life. — HOPELESS IN OHIO
DEAR HOPELESS: I wish you had mentioned why this “wonderful guy’s” son hates you. Could it be he blames you for the failure of his parents’ marriage, or was it something else? That this man has allowed his son to dictate how the two of you will spend your lives is very sad. Unless you can accept living with the status quo (which has to be painful), the answer to your question is: Move on.
DEAR ABBY: In 2014, I loaned a family friend $5,000. At the time, and ever since, I never asked the reason for the loan. Over time we lost touch. However, we recently reconnected and decided to go on a road/camping trip throughout the West.
Three days in, we both realized it was a poor idea to travel together for an extended period of time. He has now become quite nasty and speaks ill of me. Should I write and request payment of the loan or let it go? — OUT OF POCKET IN VEGAS
DEAR OUT OF POCKET: If you had the forethought to put IN WRITING the fact you were lending this person money, you have a prayer of having the loan repaid. If you didn’t, you can try writing to this family (former) friend, but legally it won’t be worth the paper your letter is written on. If that’s the case, consider this an expensive lesson.
P.S. Because no effort was made over the last six years to repay your generosity, your road trip was doomed before it started.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-09-25--Dr. Marvin E. Cooper, Chicago pediatrician for 64 years, also taught at Northwestern, dead at 98

Dr. Marvin Cooper was buried with his stethoscope .
It was a fitting accessory for a pediatrician who tended to four generations of some families over his 64-year career .
Dr. Cooper — who practiced until he was 90 from an office in West Rogers Park and taught at Northwestern University ’ s Feinberg School of Medicine — died Sept. 16 at his Lincolnwood home .
He was 98 .
He attributed his longevity to good genes , 69 years of happy marriage to his wife Marcia and , as he put it in a family memoir : “ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ babies.
” He was 5 when he became interested in medicine .
After hitting his head in a fall , he paid attention to the doctor stitching him up .
“ I remember not crying but being totally fascinated as I watched him perform the procedure , which I did by looking through the mirror that was hanging on an opposite wall , ” he wrote .
He grew up on the second floor of a two-flat in Albany Park .
His paternal grandfather Moses Patchipauvich was from Russia .
A U.S. immigration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the name , so he “ went down a list of names in front of him , came across the name Cooper and just assigned it , ” Dr. Cooper wrote .
His parents were Rose and Leon Cooper , founder of the Clever Maid uniform company .
Young Marvin went to Bateman grade school and got his ear twisted when he misbehaved at Congregation Mount Sinai ’ s Hebrew School .
While at Roosevelt High School , he had a weekend job selling shoes at the old Boston Store at State and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , he attended medical school there .
He listened in shock to 1941 radio bulletins about Japanese planes bombing Pearl Harbor .
The following day , “ Almost every one of the pre-medical students went to the Armory on campus and enlisted , ” he wrote .
His service was deferred until after medical school .
After an internship at Michael Reese Hospital and Chicago ’ s Sarah Morris Children ’ s Hospital , where he worked in the polio ward , he entered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Japan , Dr. Cooper won $ 10,000 shooting dice against bored officers .
He knew his parents wouldn ’ t approve and never told them .
He later used the money as a down payment on his house .
To the end of his life , he held onto the lucky dice along with his dog tags but wrote , “ I have never picked up dice again nor have I ever gambled since.
” Dr. Cooper served in Korea until breaking his back on a toboggan outing .
He spent 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to Chicago , he did an internship at Cook County Children ’ s Hospital , where he bumped into Marcia Podolsky , a volunteer .
They talked for three hours .
After she left , he realized he ’ d been so enchanted that he ’ d forgotten to get his future wife ’ s name .
He got the volunteer office to give him her phone number .
In his memoir , he wrote , “ Long ago we pledged our love to each other , established a mutual trust , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go to sleep without saying ‘ I love you.
’ ” In 1950 , they moved to a tract of new homes built for returning GIs in Lincolnwood .
The area was so new , there was no phone service .
“ The closest telephone I could use was located at the ‘ South Seas Restaurant ’ .
.
.
.
[ at ] Lincoln and Pratt .
.
.
If I received a page from the service , I would get up , get dressed , and drive to the restaurant.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night before heading out on house calls .
In the kitchen , his son Adam said , “ We always had a round table , ” where all five children were encouraged to talk about their day and world events .
He inspired his great-nephew Dr. Brian Dubin to become a physician .
Now a radiologist , he recalled being plagued by ear infections as a 2-year-old .
His uncle “ very carefully listened to my heart and lungs and took my blood pressure and found I was very hypertensive and found out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ underwent heart surgery .
“ Had I not got it , I might not be here today , ” said Dubin , 33 .
Among the condolence notes families sent Dr. Cooper ’ s wife , one mother wrote : “ I still have sketches he drew to explain injuries and care instructions written in his meticulous handwriting.
” Dr. Cooper loved crossword puzzles and a good Chicago hot dog .
He requested the Charlie Chaplin song “ Smile ” be played at his funeral Sept. 18 .
In addition to his wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by daughters Sara and Karen , sons Michael and Joel , 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren .
He said his obituary “ should say I was a hale and hearty guy , honest and true .
A lifelong Democrat who hated Trump .
”

Dr. Marvin Cooper was buried with his stethoscope. It was a fitting accessory for a pediatrician who tended to four generations of some families over his 64-year career.
Dr. Cooper — who practiced until he was 90 from an office in West Rogers Park and taught at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine — died Sept. 16 at his Lincolnwood home. He was 98.
He attributed his longevity to good genes, 69 years of happy marriage to his wife Marcia and, as he put it in a family memoir: “For 64 years, had my hands on babies.”
He was 5 when he became interested in medicine. After hitting his head in a fall, he paid attention to the doctor stitching him up.
“I remember not crying but being totally fascinated as I watched him perform the procedure, which I did by looking through the mirror that was hanging on an opposite wall,” he wrote.
He grew up on the second floor of a two-flat in Albany Park. His paternal grandfather Moses Patchipauvich was from Russia. A U.S. immigration officer couldn’t spell or pronounce the name, so he “went down a list of names in front of him, came across the name Cooper and just assigned it,” Dr. Cooper wrote.
His parents were Rose and Leon Cooper, founder of the Clever Maid uniform company. Young Marvin went to Bateman grade school and got his ear twisted when he misbehaved at Congregation Mount Sinai’s Hebrew School. While at Roosevelt High School, he had a weekend job selling shoes at the old Boston Store at State and Madison.
After getting his bachelor’s degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he attended medical school there.
Dr. Marvin Cooper tending his first great-grandchild Ethan Cooper as his granddaughter-in-law Angela looks on. Michael Cooper
He listened in shock to 1941 radio bulletins about Japanese planes bombing Pearl Harbor. The following day, “Almost every one of the pre-medical students went to the Armory on campus and enlisted,” he wrote.
His service was deferred until after medical school. After an internship at Michael Reese Hospital and Chicago’s Sarah Morris Children’s Hospital, where he worked in the polio ward, he entered the Army.
During a troop-ship voyage to Japan, Dr. Cooper won $10,000 shooting dice against bored officers. He knew his parents wouldn’t approve and never told them. He later used the money as a down payment on his house.
To the end of his life, he held onto the lucky dice along with his dog tags but wrote, “I have never picked up dice again nor have I ever gambled since.”
Dr. Cooper served in Korea until breaking his back on a toboggan outing. He spent 18 months recovering in military hospitals.
After returning to Chicago, he did an internship at Cook County Children’s Hospital, where he bumped into Marcia Podolsky, a volunteer. They talked for three hours. After she left, he realized he’d been so enchanted that he’d forgotten to get his future wife’s name. He got the volunteer office to give him her phone number.
Dr. Marvin and Marcia Cooper would have been married 70 years next month. Michael Cooper
In his memoir, he wrote, “Long ago we pledged our love to each other, established a mutual trust, continue to always hold hands and never go to sleep without saying ‘I love you.’ ”
In 1950, they moved to a tract of new homes built for returning GIs in Lincolnwood. The area was so new, there was no phone service.
“The closest telephone I could use was located at the ‘South Seas Restaurant’. . . . [at] Lincoln and Pratt. . . If I received a page from the service, I would get up, get dressed, and drive to the restaurant.”
Dr. Cooper came home for dinner every night before heading out on house calls. In the kitchen, his son Adam said, “We always had a round table,” where all five children were encouraged to talk about their day and world events.
He inspired his great-nephew Dr. Brian Dubin to become a physician. Now a radiologist, he recalled being plagued by ear infections as a 2-year-old. His uncle “very carefully listened to my heart and lungs and took my blood pressure and found I was very hypertensive and found out I had a heart murmur.”
He underwent heart surgery. “Had I not got it, I might not be here today,” said Dubin, 33.
Among the condolence notes families sent Dr. Cooper’s wife, one mother wrote: “I still have sketches he drew to explain injuries and care instructions written in his meticulous handwriting.”
Dr. Cooper loved crossword puzzles and a good Chicago hot dog. He requested the Charlie Chaplin song “Smile” be played at his funeral Sept. 18.
In addition to his wife and son Adam, he is survived by daughters Sara and Karen, sons Michael and Joel, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
He said his obituary “should say I was a hale and hearty guy, honest and true. A lifelong Democrat who hated Trump.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-25--‘The Comey Rule’: Former FBI director does no wrong in Showtime’s plodding drama

A half-decade ago , if you had told the likes of Andrew McCabe , Sally Yates , Rod Rosenstein , James Clapper , Peter Strzok and Lisa Page they ’ d be characters in a premium cable two-part docudrama series , they would have thought your crystal ball was cracked .
If you ’ d told Donald Trump about such a project , he would have responded along the lines of , “ I ’ m not surprised .
Nobody knows more about television than Trump .
A lot of people are saying this show could win 30 Emmys , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Fake News.
” And if you had informed James Comey he ’ d be the lead character in such a series , one can picture Comey saying : “ I can ’ t imagine anybody wanting to watch a show about me .
My life is very boring .
I ’ m just a humble public servant .
[ Pause . ]
I think the best way to get ahead of this is for me to release a statement and call a press conference.
” Showtime ’ s “ The Comey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feature-length sections , premieres Sunday and Monday .
It ’ s based on Comey ’ s book on the same name , so you can imagine who emerges as the most sympathetic character in a saga so fresh in our memory the paint has yet to dry .
Writer-director Billy Ray has penned some of the best “ based-on-a-true-story ” tales of the last 20 years , including “ Shattered Glass , ” “ Captain Phillips ” and “ Richard Jewell , ” which makes it all the more disappointing when “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a well-filmed but plodding and overbaked melodrama offering little in the way of insight or provocative food for thought .
Part One focuses mainly on “ Midyear Exam , ” the investigation into Hillary Clinton ’ s emails on the eve of the 2016 election .
Jeff Daniels , one of our finest actors , makes no attempt to look or sound like Comey , opting instead for a muted , straight-arrow interpretation of Comey as a highly respected , lifelong Republican who was well-liked by his close circle of colleagues and associates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Holly Hunter ) and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe ( Michael Kelly ) .
Even the blunt-speaking FBI agent Lisa Page ( Oona Chaplin ) holds Comey in high regard , though she favors much more aggressive tactics than Comey advocates as his team carefully navigates the task of conducting an investigation of the Secretary of State even as she ’ s involved in a contentious election with Republican challenger Donald Trump .
With the obligatory Legal Political Thriller score pounding home the significance of every new development and Comey responding to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Say more , ” we ’ re constantly reminded Comey is committed to doing the right thing ; time and again , when Jim comes home to his wife Patrice ( Jennifer Ehle ) and their four daughters , they remind him decisions he makes could swing the election to Trump — but no matter how much it hurts Comey personally , he vows to never let politics enter into his decision-making .
Other than a few ominously framed shots that make the president look like the villain in a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t see Brendan Gleeson ’ s Trump until a few minutes into Part 2 , which shifts the focus to the battle of egos and morals and ethics and the law between the newly elected POTUS and the Boy Scout of an FBI director ( and we know how that worked out for everybody ) .
Gleeson is buried under a cotton candy mountain of hair and prosthetics and makeup , and he growls and sniffs between delivering lines that make him sound like a cross between Trump and Don Corleone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s infamous one-on-one meetings with Comey , including a meal for two that plays like a Blumhouse version of “ My Dinner With Andre , ” with Comey looking on in horror as Trump prattles on about loyalty and spoons his ice cream like it ’ s his last meal .
Political junkies and cable news regulars will recognize the names of nearly every character in these stories .
There ’ s Jonathan Banks from “ Better Call Saul ” as James Clapper !
Peter Coyote as Robert Mueller !
Scoot McNairy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hyatt as Loretta Lynch !
And hey , isn ’ t that Joe Lo Truglio from “ Brooklyn Nine-Nine ” as the weasely Jeff Sessions ?
Some fare better than others — Banks is perfect as Clapper — but for the most part , these are smallish , stunt roles , with everyone serving as supporting players for Comey ’ s version of events , which nearly always paint Comey in the best and most sympathetic light .
Comey is no doubt a good man who wanted to do the right thing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if it cost him his job .
“ The Comey Rule ” does a fine job of stating the case , on the record .
What it doesn ’ t do is go beyond the surface in its portrayal of Comey or its re-creations of events we already know all too well .

A half-decade ago, if you had told the likes of Andrew McCabe, Sally Yates, Rod Rosenstein, James Clapper, Peter Strzok and Lisa Page they’d be characters in a premium cable two-part docudrama series, they would have thought your crystal ball was cracked.
If you’d told Donald Trump about such a project, he would have responded along the lines of, “I’m not surprised. Nobody knows more about television than Trump. A lot of people are saying this show could win 30 Emmys, but you won’t hear that from the Fake News.”
‘The Comey Rule’
Untitled A two-part docudrama airing from 8 to 10 p.m. Sunday and Monday on Showtime
And if you had informed James Comey he’d be the lead character in such a series, one can picture Comey saying: “I can’t imagine anybody wanting to watch a show about me. My life is very boring. I’m just a humble public servant. [Pause.] I think the best way to get ahead of this is for me to release a statement and call a press conference.”
Showtime’s “The Comey Rule,” divided into two, feature-length sections, premieres Sunday and Monday. It’s based on Comey’s book on the same name, so you can imagine who emerges as the most sympathetic character in a saga so fresh in our memory the paint has yet to dry.
Writer-director Billy Ray has penned some of the best “based-on-a-true-story” tales of the last 20 years, including “Shattered Glass,” “Captain Phillips” and “Richard Jewell,” which makes it all the more disappointing when “The Comey Rule” turns out to be a well-filmed but plodding and overbaked melodrama offering little in the way of insight or provocative food for thought.
Part One focuses mainly on “Midyear Exam,” the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails on the eve of the 2016 election. Jeff Daniels, one of our finest actors, makes no attempt to look or sound like Comey, opting instead for a muted, straight-arrow interpretation of Comey as a highly respected, lifelong Republican who was well-liked by his close circle of colleagues and associates, including Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates (Holly Hunter) and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe (Michael Kelly).
Even the blunt-speaking FBI agent Lisa Page (Oona Chaplin) holds Comey in high regard, though she favors much more aggressive tactics than Comey advocates as his team carefully navigates the task of conducting an investigation of the Secretary of State even as she’s involved in a contentious election with Republican challenger Donald Trump.
With the obligatory Legal Political Thriller score pounding home the significance of every new development and Comey responding to bombshells from his staff by quietly commanding, “Say more,” we’re constantly reminded Comey is committed to doing the right thing; time and again, when Jim comes home to his wife Patrice (Jennifer Ehle) and their four daughters, they remind him decisions he makes could swing the election to Trump — but no matter how much it hurts Comey personally, he vows to never let politics enter into his decision-making.
Other than a few ominously framed shots that make the president look like the villain in a “Friday the 13th” movie, we don’t see Brendan Gleeson’s Trump until a few minutes into Part 2, which shifts the focus to the battle of egos and morals and ethics and the law between the newly elected POTUS and the Boy Scout of an FBI director (and we know how that worked out for everybody). Gleeson is buried under a cotton candy mountain of hair and prosthetics and makeup, and he growls and sniffs between delivering lines that make him sound like a cross between Trump and Don Corleone. We see dramatic re-creations of Trump’s infamous one-on-one meetings with Comey, including a meal for two that plays like a Blumhouse version of “My Dinner With Andre,” with Comey looking on in horror as Trump prattles on about loyalty and spoons his ice cream like it’s his last meal.
A heavily made-up Brendan Gleeson growls and sniffs his way through the role of Donald Trump. Showtime
Political junkies and cable news regulars will recognize the names of nearly every character in these stories. There’s Jonathan Banks from “Better Call Saul” as James Clapper! Peter Coyote as Robert Mueller! Scoot McNairy as the sniveling Rod Rosenstein! Michael Hyatt as Loretta Lynch! And hey, isn’t that Joe Lo Truglio from “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” as the weasely Jeff Sessions? Some fare better than others — Banks is perfect as Clapper — but for the most part, these are smallish, stunt roles, with everyone serving as supporting players for Comey’s version of events, which nearly always paint Comey in the best and most sympathetic light.
Comey is no doubt a good man who wanted to do the right thing, even if it swayed an election, even if it cost him his job. “The Comey Rule” does a fine job of stating the case, on the record. What it doesn’t do is go beyond the surface in its portrayal of Comey or its re-creations of events we already know all too well.