chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Police officer stabbed at scene of Avondale fire

A Chicago police officer was stabbed by someone who allegedly started a fire Wednesday in Avondale on the Northwest Side @ @ @ @ @ were called about 4:45 p.m. for reports of the fire in the 3100 block of @ @ @ @ @ to Chicago police .
When they arrived , a female started arguing with officers and @ @ @ @ @ who started the fire in the basement of the building , stabbed an officer in @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford .
The officer was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical @ @ @ @ @ injury to the lower right calf , officials said .
The attacker was taken into @ @ @ @ @ , according to police .
The small fire was put out shortly after crews arrived @ @ @ @ @ other injuries were reported .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

A Chicago police officer was stabbed by someone who allegedly started a fire Wednesday in Avondale on the Northwest Side.
Police and fire crews were called about 4:45 p.m. for reports of the fire in the 3100 block of North Spaulding Avenue, according to Chicago police. When they arrived, a female started arguing with officers and firefighters.
The female, who started the fire in the basement of the building, stabbed an officer in the leg, according to Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford.
The officer was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center with a non-life threatening injury to the lower right calf, officials said.
The attacker was taken into custody and charges are pending, according to police.
The small fire was put out shortly after crews arrived, Langford said. No other injuries were reported.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-30--Dear Abby: Brothers’ feud creates conflict between their parents as well

DEAR ABBY : My husband and I have two sons in their late 30s .
We always thought they got along well and loved each other .
Over the past year , they are no longer speaking with each other because of hard feelings over current situations .
They live in the same neighborhood .
My husband refuses to stay at either one ’ s house now when we visit from out of town because he ’ s so upset at the turn of events .
( We have been getting a hotel room . )
When I visit on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older son because there is no place to stay with the younger one .
The disagreement between my husband and me is I want to continue to visit as I have , understanding there are differences but hoping they will come to a solution .
I refuse to choose one over the other , and I ’ m trying to be consistent with love and be a good role model .
Both of our sons know this .
My husband is upset with me because I don ’ t support his position of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make up .
This is creating more friction in a situation that is already breaking our hearts .
What do you recommend ?
We have made our suggestions for a resolution , but these are grown men who must do the work themselves .
— MOM IN A DIFFICULT SPOT DEAR MOM : I recommend you continue to do what makes you comfortable .
Your sons both know you love them .
If your husband thinks that your staying in a hotel — provided you can find one during the current shutdowns — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their differences more quickly , he is mistaken .
It hasn ’ t worked so far .
As you stated , your “ boys ” are grown men .
I agree with you that they will have to hash this out on their own .
DEAR ABBY : My fiance often leaves memory cards out on his dresser after a day of being home alone .
I was by myself one day and looked at them .
There were photos of a nude woman wrapped in his bed sheet on his bed back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is posing .
We were dating when they were taken , but not yet living together or engaged .
He dabbles in photography , but never mentioned this or informed me he was doing this shoot .
I found another set from 2017 — prior to our relationship — that is not as “ tastefully ” done .
Do I have reason for concern ?
I thought these things were professionally done off-site .
His bedroom , though ?
— UNEASY IN NEW YORK DEAR UNEASY : If the photos were taken before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I doubt you have any reason to worry .
However , rather than ask me if you have anything to be concerned about , any questions you have about his “ dabbling ” would be better addressed directly to him .
DEAR ABBY : I have a grown daughter whom my ex-husband named “ Brenda.
” ( It is her middle name . )
She ’ s a married mother of five and lived abroad for quite some time .
She ’ s back in the U.S. now and living 50 miles away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be called by her first name , which is “ Riley.
” The problem is , everyone here at home knows her as Brenda .
Presently , I still call her Brenda .
How can this be resolved ?
— NOT HAPPY IN THE SOUTH DEAR NOT HAPPY : Resolve this by using the name your adult daughter prefers .
If you refuse , expect the distance between you to become greater than 50 miles .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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: My husband and I have two sons in their late 30s. We always thought they got along well and loved each other. Over the past year, they are no longer speaking with each other because of hard feelings over current situations. They live in the same neighborhood.
My husband refuses to stay at either one’s house now when we visit from out of town because he’s so upset at the turn of events. (We have been getting a hotel room.) When I visit on my own, I stay with our older son because there is no place to stay with the younger one.
The disagreement between my husband and me is I want to continue to visit as I have, understanding there are differences but hoping they will come to a solution. I refuse to choose one over the other, and I’m trying to be consistent with love and be a good role model. Both of our sons know this.
My husband is upset with me because I don’t support his position of not staying at either house until they make up. This is creating more friction in a situation that is already breaking our hearts. What do you recommend? We have made our suggestions for a resolution, but these are grown men who must do the work themselves. — MOM IN A DIFFICULT SPOT
DEAR MOM: I recommend you continue to do what makes you comfortable. Your sons both know you love them. If your husband thinks that your staying in a hotel — provided you can find one during the current shutdowns — will somehow manipulate your sons into settling their differences more quickly, he is mistaken. It hasn’t worked so far. As you stated, your “boys” are grown men. I agree with you that they will have to hash this out on their own.
DEAR ABBY: My fiance often leaves memory cards out on his dresser after a day of being home alone. I was by myself one day and looked at them. There were photos of a nude woman wrapped in his bed sheet on his bed back in 2018. In them, she is posing. We were dating when they were taken, but not yet living together or engaged.
He dabbles in photography, but never mentioned this or informed me he was doing this shoot. I found another set from 2017 — prior to our relationship — that is not as “tastefully” done. Do I have reason for concern? I thought these things were professionally done off-site. His bedroom, though? — UNEASY IN NEW YORK
DEAR UNEASY: If the photos were taken before you and your fiance were exclusive, I doubt you have any reason to worry. However, rather than ask me if you have anything to be concerned about, any questions you have about his “dabbling” would be better addressed directly to him.
DEAR ABBY: I have a grown daughter whom my ex-husband named “Brenda.” (It is her middle name.) She’s a married mother of five and lived abroad for quite some time. She’s back in the U.S. now and living 50 miles away from our family. She now wants to be called by her first name, which is “Riley.” The problem is, everyone here at home knows her as Brenda. Presently, I still call her Brenda. How can this be resolved? — NOT HAPPY IN THE SOUTH
DEAR NOT HAPPY: Resolve this by using the name your adult daughter prefers. If you refuse, expect the distance between you to become greater than 50 miles.
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--2020-04-30--Suburban Chicago gynecologist’s mysterious death in Texas ‘was a homicide,’ expert says

The mysterious death of a Palos Park obstetrician and gynecologist in rural Texas two years ago appears to have been a homicide , not an accident , according to a nationally known medical examiner who reviewed the death at the request of the doctor ’ s family .
Dr. George Chronis , 57 , was found dead May 4 , 2018 , on a ranch he ’ d bought as a getaway for hunting .
His fire-scorched body was face down outside the doorway of a two-story barn house that burned down .
Sheriff ’ s officials in Rains County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ death , which they say is suspicious despite a death certificate signed by the justice of the peace saying it was an accident and an autopsy that lists the cause and manner of death as “ undetermined.
” Dr. Brian Peterson , the chief medical examiner for Milwaukee County , examined the autopsy report and postmortem photos of Chronis this past week at the request of Chicago attorney Andy Hale , a friend of the Chronis family .
The pattern of a ligature mark around the neck indicates that Chronis ’ death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has done more than 10,000 autopsies in his 30-year career and has been a consultant on “ Forensic Files ” and other television shows .
“ It ’ s hard to conclude other than this was a homicide , ” Peterson told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ And it was caused by strangulation before the fire.
” Capt .
Walter Kimmel of the Rains County sheriff ’ s office said he plans to contact Peterson about his conclusion .
According to Chronis ’ wife , he ’ d go to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the grind of his OB-GYN practice .
The tree-lined property is about 60 miles northeast of Dallas in Rains County , pop .
2,000 .
Emory , the county seat , is the picture of small-town Texas : pickup trucks , cowboy hats and mom-and-pop barbecue restaurants .
On Chronis ’ last trip , he was planning to stalk wild boars on the tree-lined property , the Sun-Times reported in December .
The last that Connie Chronis heard from her husband was a text asking , “ Notice anything ?
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kitchen in their bunkhouse , but the kitchen table and chairs in weren ’ t theirs — leading her to believe someone must have been staying at the house without permission .
Chronis ’ body was discovered early the next morning .
Rains County sheriff ’ s officials have said they are working the case every day but have been strapped by “ a lack of resources.
” One thing that caught their attention was what Chronis was clutching in his left hand when his body was found .
According to sources , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the doctor ’ s hand and confirmed that what he was holding appears to be two burned $ 100 bills .
A sheriff ’ s captain told the Sun-Times in December he was considering asking for another autopsy .
That hasn ’ t happened .
Sheriff ’ s investigators have interviewed possible suspects , but no one has been arrested .
The Chronis family set up a hotline for tips and have offered a $ 75,000 reward in an effort to determine what happened to the doctor .
In December , Kimmel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statewide investigative agency , wouldn ’ t join the investigation because Chronis ’ death wasn ’ t ruled a homicide but that he needed their help .
The Rangers provided assistance only at the beginning of the investigation .
On Feb. 25 — amid a contested political campaign that saw Sheriff David Traylor narrowly win reelection in March over challenger Jenkins Franklin — the sheriff ’ s office posted an update on the Chronis case , saying the Texas Rangers , Texas Department of Public Safety and Secret Service all had involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very complex and the deputies have put in a lot of hours on the investigation , ” the Facebook post said .
“ We have been actively working to determine what happened and to give Mrs. Chronis and her family closure.
” Two days later , on Feb. 27 , Franklin ’ s campaign posted a response on Facebook that said , “ It wasn ’ t until a media outlet out of Illinois published a story about this case that the citizens of Rains County were made aware of it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty.
” “ Yes , they have been working on the case , but still months will go by with nothing being done on it , ” Franklin said .
“ I ’ m simply seeking justice for a family and a county that deserve long overdue answers and closure.
” Even though sheriff ’ s investigators think Chronis ’ death was suspicious , they haven ’ t formally classified it as a homicide because the autopsy report said the cause was undetermined .
Peterson , the Milwaukee medical examiner who reviewed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m not sure how you get ‘ undetermined , ’ ” he said , noting that the post-mortem photos show the ligature mark around Chronis ’ neck was horizontal , not vertical .
He said that indicates the death was a homicide , not suicide .
“ You also look at the orientation of a ligature mark on the neck , ” he said .
“ The old forensic rule of thumb is that if it ’ s angled , that ’ s suicide ; if it ’ s horizontal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with the way you put a ligature around somebody ’ s neck.
” Despite being found burned , there was no soot in Chronis ’ s lungs .
And the carbon monoxide level in his blood was normal , indicating he didn ’ t die from inhaling smoke , according to Peterson .
“ We ’ ve got , evidently , a case where the fire was not the cause of death , ” he said .
“ This certainly smacks of homicide , where somebody , you know , essentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set a fire to try to disguise that fact.
” Asked about the justice of the peace listing the death as “ accidental ’ on the death certificate , Peterson said : “ There are two possibilities .
One of them is it ’ s just wrong .
The other one is that there is extra information that they turned up that I don ’ t know about .
And I freely admit that could be possible.
” Peterson said he doesn ’ t challenge the way the autopsy was done : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the autopsy the benefit of the doubt in the sense that I will always accept their physical findings .
Now , I might interpret that differently , like in this case , but I can ’ t really argue with him because I wasn ’ t there.
” He also said he wouldn ’ t seek another autopsy if he were in charge of the Chronis investigation .
“ Autopsies change bodies a lot , ” he said .
“ And I got to say , over the years , I have spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing second autopsies .
Exhumations are not inexpensive , number one , and , number two , they don ’ t tend to be really helpful .
”

The mysterious death of a Palos Park obstetrician and gynecologist in rural Texas two years ago appears to have been a homicide, not an accident, according to a nationally known medical examiner who reviewed the death at the request of a friend of the doctor’s family.
Dr. George Chronis, 57, was found dead May 4, 2018, on a ranch he’d bought as a getaway for hunting. His fire-scorched body was face down outside the doorway of a two-story barn house that burned down.
Sheriff’s officials in Rains County, Texas, continue to investigate Chronis’ death, which they say is suspicious despite a death certificate signed by the justice of the peace saying it was an accident and an autopsy that lists the cause and manner of death as “undetermined.”
Dr. Brian Peterson, the chief medical examiner for Milwaukee County, examined the autopsy report and postmortem photos of Chronis this past week at the request of Chicago attorney Andy Hale, a friend of the Chronis family.
The pattern of a ligature mark around the neck indicates that Chronis’ death was a homicide, according to Peterson, who has done more than 10,000 autopsies in his 30-year career and has been a consultant on “Forensic Files” and other television shows.
“It’s hard to conclude other than this was a homicide,” Peterson told the Chicago Sun-Times. “And it was caused by strangulation before the fire.”
Capt. Walter Kimmel of the Rains County sheriff’s office said he plans to contact Peterson about his conclusion.
According to Chronis’ wife, he’d go to the 79-acre ranch to hunt and get away from the grind of his OB-GYN practice.
Connie and George Chronis of Palos Park at their wedding in 1991. Chronis family
The tree-lined property is about 60 miles northeast of Dallas in Rains County, pop. 2,000. Emory, the county seat, is the picture of small-town Texas: pickup trucks, cowboy hats and mom-and-pop barbecue restaurants.
On Chronis’ last trip, he was planning to stalk wild boars on the tree-lined property, the Sun-Times reported in December.
The last that Connie Chronis heard from her husband was a text asking, “Notice something?”
He’d sent a photo of the kitchen in their bunkhouse, but the kitchen table and chairs weren’t theirs — leading her to believe someone must have been staying at the house without permission.
Dr. George Chronis walked in to his bunkhouse and saw something was odd. Someone else’s table and chairs were in the kitchen. Connie Chronis
Chronis’ body was discovered early the next morning.
Rains County sheriff’s officials have said they are working the case every day but have been strapped by “a lack of resources.”
A sheriff’s captain told the Sun-Times in December he was considering asking for another autopsy. That hasn’t happened.
Sheriff’s investigators have interviewed possible suspects, but no one has been arrested.
The Chronis family set up a hotline for tips and have offered a $75,000 reward in an effort to determine what happened to the doctor.
In December, Kimmel told the Sun-Times the Texas Rangers, the statewide investigative agency, wouldn’t join the investigation because Chronis’ death wasn’t ruled a homicide but that he needed their help. The Rangers provided assistance only at the beginning of the investigation.
A billboard on U.S. 69 in Alba, Texas, offers a $75,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the death of Dr. George Chronis, a 57-year-old obstetrician and gynecologist from Palos Park, found dead on his remote property in Rains County, Texas, on May 4, 2018. Angela Piazza / Sun-Times
On Feb. 25 — amid a contested political campaign that saw Sheriff David Traylor narrowly win reelection in March over challenger Jenkins Franklin — the sheriff’s office posted an update on the Chronis case, saying the Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety and Secret Service all had been involved in the investigation.
“This case is very complex and the deputies have put in a lot of hours on the investigation,” the Facebook post said. “We have been actively working to determine what happened and to give Mrs. Chronis and her family closure.”
Rains County Sheriff David Traylor. Facebook
Two days later, on Feb. 27, Franklin’s campaign posted a response on Facebook that said, “It wasn’t until a media outlet out of Illinois published a story about this case that the citizens of Rains County were made aware of it. This is police incompetence and dereliction of duty.”
“Yes, they have been working on the case, but still months will go by with nothing being done on it,” Franklin said. “I’m simply seeking justice for a family and a county that deserve long overdue answers and closure.”
Even though sheriff’s investigators think Chronis’ death was suspicious, they haven’t formally classified it as a homicide because the autopsy report said the cause was undetermined.
Peterson, the Milwaukee medical examiner who reviewed the case, disputes that finding.
“I’m not sure how you get ‘undetermined,’ ” he said, noting that the postmortem photos show the ligature mark around Chronis’ neck was horizontal, not vertical.
Dr. Brian Peterson, chief medical examiner of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Medical Society of Milwaukee
He said that indicates the death was a homicide, not suicide.
“You also look at the orientation of a ligature mark on the neck,” he said. “The old forensic rule of thumb is that if it’s angled, that’s suicide; if it’s horizontal, that’s homicide. It has to do with the way you put a ligature around somebody’s neck.”
Despite being found burned, there was no soot in Chronis’s lungs. And the carbon monoxide level in his blood was normal, indicating he didn’t die from inhaling smoke, according to Peterson.
“We’ve got, evidently, a case where the fire was not the cause of death,” he said. “This certainly smacks of homicide, where somebody, you know, essentially garroted this gentleman to death and then set a fire to try to disguise that fact.”
Asked about the justice of the peace listing the death as “accidental’ on the death certificate, Peterson said: “There are two possibilities. One of them is it’s just wrong. The other one is that there is extra information that they turned up that I don’t know about. And I freely admit that could be possible.”
The remains of George Chronis’ bunkhouse are nearly concealed by overgrown grass more than a year after it was destroyed by fire, and he was found dead in a mystery that’s still unsolved. A barn is one of two structures that remain. Angela Piazza / Sun-Times
Peterson said he doesn’t challenge the way the autopsy was done: “I will give the pathologist who did the autopsy the benefit of the doubt in the sense that I will always accept their physical findings. Now, I might interpret that differently, like in this case, but I can’t really argue with him because I wasn’t there.”
He also said he wouldn’t seek another autopsy if he were in charge of the Chronis investigation.
“Autopsies change bodies a lot,” he said. “And I got to say, over the years, I have spent a lot of time discouraging families from pursuing second autopsies. Exhumations are not inexpensive, number one, and, number two, they don’t tend to be really helpful.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-30--3 shot Wednesday in Chicago

3 shot Wednesday in Chicago

Three people were wounded Wednesday in shootings across Chicago .
The day ’ s latest shooting happened in Brainerd on the South Side .
A 22-year-old man was outside about 7:55 p.m. in the 9300 block of South Halsted Street when someone walked up and fired shots , Chicago police said .
He was struck in the arm and leg and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was listed in fair condition .
A 24-year-old man was shot Wednesday afternoon in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
The man was on the sidewalk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from behind and fired shots in the first block of North Kedzie Avenue , according to police .
He was hit in the right calf and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where his condition was stabilized , police said .
Early Wednesday morning , a man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side .
He was driving about 12:30 a.m. in the 4700 block of South Indiana Avenue when he heard shots and realized he had been struck in the shoulder , police said .
He drove himself to Mercy Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in good condition .
Seven people were shot , two of them fatally , Tuesday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Three people were wounded Wednesday in shootings across Chicago.
The day’s latest shooting happened in Brainerd on the South Side.
A 22-year-old man was outside about 7:55 p.m. in the 9300 block of South Halsted Street when someone walked up and fired shots, Chicago police said. He was struck in the arm and leg and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was listed in fair condition.
A 24-year-old man was shot Wednesday afternoon in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The man was on the sidewalk about 12:30 p.m. when two people approached from behind and fired shots in the first block of North Kedzie Avenue, according to police.
He was hit in the right calf and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized, police said.
Early Wednesday morning, a man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side.
He was driving about 12:30 a.m. in the 4700 block of South Indiana Avenue when he heard shots and realized he had been struck in the shoulder, police said. He drove himself to Mercy Hospital, but was transferred to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Seven people were shot, two of them fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-30--‘Dangerous Lies’ holds back the truth about who can be trusted

I ’ m not sure I trust that one guy .
Oh , and that other guy ?
I DEFINITELY don ’ t trust him .
And I have my suspicions about a couple of other people as well .
“ Dangerous Lies ” is about as generic a title as you could pin on a mystery , but this Netflix original movie truly is an original little gem of a thriller , with a tantalizing setup followed by a steady series of intriguing developments that keep us guessing to the very end .
Working from a clever if occasionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael M. Scott has fashioned a classic cautionary tale about two seemingly good and smart people who make some dumb decisions when greed and opportunity come knocking .
Camila Mendes ( “ Riverdale ” ) delivers an empathetic and layered performance as Katie , who takes a job as a caregiver for the wealthy and elderly Leonard ( the great Elliott Gould ) , who lives alone on a sprawling , rather musty estate in Chicago that looks like it was last decorated in 1961 .
( Principal photography for “ Dangerous Lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we get numerous transition shots of the Chicago skyline and CTA trains zipping past to remind us we ’ re in Chicago .
Alas , squad cars labeled “ Chicago Metro Law Enforcement ” and multiple shots of a newspaper called the Chicago Commenter chip away at the verité . )
Leonard is a lovely but lonely old man who seems to have no family or friends .
( He says he was never married , but that may or may not be the case . )
He takes an instant shine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her his “ caretaker , companion and friend.
” When Katie confides to Leonard she and her husband Adam ( Jessie T. Usher ) are facing financial difficulties , Leonard writes her a check for $ 7,000 , and hires Adam to do some part-time gardening work on the estate .
Adam is a real charmer and even a hero , as he recently thwarted an armed robber at a Chicago diner .
But there ’ s something … suspicious about the way Adam eyes Leonard ’ s vintage car and is always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth .
There might even be something suspicious about that seemingly random diner robbery .
There ’ s also something suspicious about the slick real estate agent ( Cam Gigandet ) who keeps inquiring about Leonard ’ s house and saying he has a highly motivated buyer , even though Katie keeps telling the guy the place is not for sale .
As you might expect or should I say suspect , poor old Leonard doesn ’ t make it out of the movie alive .
He dies of natural causes ( we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estate , where he liked to listen to old 78 rpm records and relax .
Before Katie and Adam even call 911 , Adam goes rooting around in an old trunk in the attic — and discovers nearly $ 100,000 in loose bills .
Hmmmm , what to do ?
If they turn the money over to the authorities , they ’ ll never see it again .
Given how much Leonard cared about Katie and wanted her to have a good life , shouldn ’ t they just take the cash and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What could possibly go wrong ?
Even though Leonard knew Katie for all of four months , he named her as the heir of that multi-million-dollar estate in his will .
What a windfall !
Just like that , without redecorating or putting anything in storage or making any changes whatsoever to the house , Katie and Adam move in — and that ’ s right around the time things begin to close in all around them .
Various characters , including a police investigator and a lawyer , pop in to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ score grows ever more ominous , Katie and Adam start keeping secrets from one another .
The deeper we dive into the story , the less certain we are about everyone ’ s true motivations — which of course is exactly what we want in a mystery such as this .
The production design in “ Dangerous Lies ” is first-rate , especially with the interiors of the home and the garage , with an array of forgotten spaces yielding key pieces of evidence about Leonard ’ s past .
Even the dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they originally appeared to be .
Mendes and Usher are excellent together as a couple in love but not necessarily totally committed to trusting one another .
Jamie Chung shines as an attorney who has a knack for showing up at the right place at the wrong time .
And it ’ s a real treat to see 81-year-old Elliott Gould putting his unique stamp on a character , as he ’ s been doing since the 1960s .

I’m not sure I trust that one guy.
Oh, and that other guy? I DEFINITELY don’t trust him. And I have my suspicions about a couple of other people as well.
“Dangerous Lies” is about as generic a title as you could pin on a mystery, but this Netflix original movie truly is an original little gem of a thriller, with a tantalizing setup followed by a steady series of intriguing developments that keep us guessing to the very end. Working from a clever if occasionally convoluted screenplay by David Golden, director Michael M. Scott has fashioned a classic cautionary tale about two seemingly good and smart people who make some dumb decisions when greed and opportunity come knocking.
‘Dangerous Lies’
Untitled Netflix presents a film directed by Michael M. Scott and written by David Golden. No MPAA rating. Running time: 96 minutes. Now showing on Netflix.
Camila Mendes (“Riverdale”) delivers an empathetic and layered performance as Katie, who takes a job as a caregiver for the wealthy and elderly Leonard (the great Elliott Gould), who lives alone on a sprawling, rather musty estate in Chicago that looks like it was last decorated in 1961. (Principal photography for “Dangerous Lies” actually took place in Vancouver, but we get numerous transition shots of the Chicago skyline and CTA trains zipping past to remind us we’re in Chicago. Alas, squad cars labeled “Chicago Metro Law Enforcement” and multiple shots of a newspaper called the Chicago Commenter chip away at the verité.)
Leonard is a lovely but lonely old man who seems to have no family or friends. (He says he was never married, but that may or may not be the case.) He takes an instant shine to Katie and within months is calling her his “caretaker, companion and friend.” When Katie confides to Leonard she and her husband Adam (Jessie T. Usher) are facing financial difficulties, Leonard writes her a check for $7,000, and hires Adam to do some part-time gardening work on the estate.
Elliott Gould plays a wealthy old man who lives alone on a sprawling Chicago estate in “Dangerous Lies.” Netflix
Adam is a real charmer and even a hero, as he recently thwarted an armed robber at a Chicago diner. But there’s something … suspicious about the way Adam eyes Leonard’s vintage car and is always asking Katie questions about Leonard’s wealth. There might even be something suspicious about that seemingly random diner robbery. There’s also something suspicious about the slick real estate agent (Cam Gigandet) who keeps inquiring about Leonard’s house and saying he has a highly motivated buyer, even though Katie keeps telling the guy the place is not for sale.
As you might expect or should I say suspect, poor old Leonard doesn’t make it out of the movie alive. He dies of natural causes (we think) in the attic of the estate, where he liked to listen to old 78 rpm records and relax. Before Katie and Adam even call 911, Adam goes rooting around in an old trunk in the attic — and discovers nearly $100,000 in loose bills. Hmmmm, what to do? If they turn the money over to the authorities, they’ll never see it again. Given how much Leonard cared about Katie and wanted her to have a good life, shouldn’t they just take the cash and never say a word about it? What could possibly go wrong?
Even though Leonard knew Katie for all of four months, he named her as the heir of that multi-million-dollar estate in his will. What a windfall! Just like that, without redecorating or putting anything in storage or making any changes whatsoever to the house, Katie and Adam move in — and that’s right around the time things begin to close in all around them. Various characters, including a police investigator and a lawyer, pop in to ask questions about suspicious developments. As the score grows ever more ominous, Katie and Adam start keeping secrets from one another. The deeper we dive into the story, the less certain we are about everyone’s true motivations — which of course is exactly what we want in a mystery such as this.
The production design in “Dangerous Lies” is first-rate, especially with the interiors of the home and the garage, with an array of forgotten spaces yielding key pieces of evidence about Leonard’s past. Even the dead characters in this story aren’t what they originally appeared to be.
Mendes and Usher are excellent together as a couple in love but not necessarily totally committed to trusting one another. Jamie Chung shines as an attorney who has a knack for showing up at the right place at the wrong time. And it’s a real treat to see 81-year-old Elliott Gould putting his unique stamp on a character, as he’s been doing since the 1960s.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-30--Catalytic converter thefts reported in South Side neighborhoods: police

Four catalytic converters were reported stolen in April in Bridgeport , McKinley Park and Gage Park on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ stolen from parked vehicles , Chicago police said .
• About 9 p.m. April 12 @ @ @ @ @ West 58th Street ; • Between 4 p.m. April 15 and 5 a.m. April 16 @ @ @ @ @ South Winchester Avenue ; • Between noon April 16 and 6 a.m. April 24 in @ @ @ @ @ Parnell Avenue ; and • About 7:40 p.m. April 20 in the 4200 block of @ @ @ @ @ with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

Four catalytic converters were reported stolen in April in Bridgeport, McKinley Park and Gage Park on the South Side.
The catalytic converters were stolen from parked vehicles, Chicago police said.
The thefts happened:
About 9 p.m. April 12 in the 3000 block of West 58th Street;
Between 4 p.m. April 15 and 5 a.m. April 16 in the 4600 block of South Winchester Avenue;
Between noon April 16 and 6 a.m. April 24 in the 3100 block of South Parnell Avenue; and
About 7:40 p.m. April 20 in the 4200 block of South Maplewood Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Horoscope for Thursday, April 30, 2020

Horoscope for Thursday, April 30, 2020

We have the all clear to shop and do business .
The moon is in Leo .
Guard against impulse-shopping because you ’ re tempted .
( Oh yeah ! )
You ’ ll also be tempted to make spontaneous decisions that affect your finances , cash flow or perhaps something that you own .
Keep your receipts .
Think twice before you act !
Mercury and the sun are both in your sign , and Mercury is lined up with wacky Uranus .
This is why you feel so restless !
It ’ s almost as if there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You are full of ideas and ready to jump the gun .
Caution : Don ’ t do anything you later regret .
Be smart and hedge your bets .
The planet Mercury is your ruler and today it is lined up with impulsive Uranus , which means you feel restless and vaguely excited about something .
( You might not even know what , but you feel it . )
Unexpected news that is hidden or behind the scenes might surprise you .
Someone you know — a friend or a member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that amazes you .
They might have a clever idea that impresses you .
Possibly , you will meet someone new who is unusual or avant-garde ?
It ’ s not a boring day !
Conversations with bosses , parents and anyone in a position of authority will be hard to predict .
An exchange with someone might delight you or anger you .
Whatever happens , keep cool .
Don ’ t quit your day job .
( If you still have one . )
You don ’ t want to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Ketchup helps . )
Anything related to travel plans , higher education or the media will hold some surprises for you .
Quite likely , you ’ re not traveling , but for those who are , your plans will change .
Even matters related to medicine and the law will be unpredictable as well .
Double check issues related to shared property , inheritances , insurance matters and anything related to the government because things might not unfold as you expect them to today .
Prepare for a few surprises .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so good .
A conversation with a partner or close friend will be lively today .
The reason for the excitement might be because one of you has a great idea .
Or possibly , somebody feels rebellious and wants a change in the relationship ?
This is the kind of day where people want independence and freedom .
Hmmm .
You might hear surprising news related to your health or perhaps even a pet .
Certainly , anything that is work-related will be unexpected .
Machinery could break down .
Computer crashes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unreliable because life is full of surprises today !
Parents should be extra vigilant because this is an accident-prone day for your kids .
Therefore , know where they are at all times .
Protect them from potentially hazardous situations .
Likewise , romance is rocky today and also full of surprises .
Yikes !
Your home routine will change today .
Small appliances might break down or a minor breakage could occur .
Domestic arguments might break out because people are defiant or rebellious .
Patience will be your best ally today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go looking for trouble — it will find you !
Be mindful today .
It ’ s important to be careful and pay attention to everything you say and do because this is an accident-prone day for your sign .
This applies to whatever you say and also whatever you do .
Be especially careful driving , biking , jogging - whatever .
Think before you speak !
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Paul Gross ( 1959 ) shares your birthday .
You love beauty and harmony .
You are introspective , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more relaxed year for you .
Because your interactions with others will be important , do your best to cooperate with others .
Look for ways to be kind and helpful .
Be open to engaging with others because business and personal relationships will benefit you .

Moon Alert
We have the all clear to shop and do business. The moon is in Leo.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Guard against impulse-shopping because you’re tempted. (Oh yeah!) You’ll also be tempted to make spontaneous decisions that affect your finances, cash flow or perhaps something that you own. Keep your receipts. Think twice before you act!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Mercury and the sun are both in your sign, and Mercury is lined up with wacky Uranus. This is why you feel so restless! It’s almost as if there’s more electricity in the air? You are full of ideas and ready to jump the gun. Caution: Don’t do anything you later regret. Be smart and hedge your bets.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The planet Mercury is your ruler and today it is lined up with impulsive Uranus, which means you feel restless and vaguely excited about something. (You might not even know what, but you feel it.) Unexpected news that is hidden or behind the scenes might surprise you.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Someone you know — a friend or a member of a group — might do something that amazes you. They might have a clever idea that impresses you. Possibly, you will meet someone new who is unusual or avant-garde? It’s not a boring day!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Conversations with bosses, parents and anyone in a position of authority will be hard to predict. An exchange with someone might delight you or anger you. Whatever happens, keep cool. Don’t quit your day job. (If you still have one.) You don’t want to end up with egg on your face. (Ketchup helps.)
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Anything related to travel plans, higher education or the media will hold some surprises for you. Quite likely, you’re not traveling, but for those who are, your plans will change. Even matters related to medicine and the law will be unpredictable as well.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Double check issues related to shared property, inheritances, insurance matters and anything related to the government because things might not unfold as you expect them to today. Prepare for a few surprises. Could be good — could be not so good.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
A conversation with a partner or close friend will be lively today. The reason for the excitement might be because one of you has a great idea. Or possibly, somebody feels rebellious and wants a change in the relationship? This is the kind of day where people want independence and freedom. Hmmm.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You might hear surprising news related to your health or perhaps even a pet. Certainly, anything that is work-related will be unexpected. Machinery could break down. Computer crashes are likely and high-tech stuff will be unreliable because life is full of surprises today!
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Parents should be extra vigilant because this is an accident-prone day for your kids. Therefore, know where they are at all times. Protect them from potentially hazardous situations. Likewise, romance is rocky today and also full of surprises. Yikes!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Your home routine will change today. Small appliances might break down or a minor breakage could occur. Domestic arguments might break out because people are defiant or rebellious. Patience will be your best ally today - no question. Don’t go looking for trouble — it will find you!
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Be mindful today. It’s important to be careful and pay attention to everything you say and do because this is an accident-prone day for your sign. This applies to whatever you say and also whatever you do. Be especially careful driving, biking, jogging - whatever. Think before you speak!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Paul Gross (1959) shares your birthday. You love beauty and harmony. You are introspective, determined and stubborn. This will be a more relaxed year for you. Because your interactions with others will be important, do your best to cooperate with others. Look for ways to be kind and helpful. Be open to engaging with others because business and personal relationships will benefit you.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Party shut down by cops was held in townhome owned by CFD commander

The Galewood townhome where a packed party was held over the weekend is owned by a Chicago Fire Department commander who also is among several firefighters being investigated over an unrelated online video .
That video , made as part of the “ Don ’ t Rush Challenge , ” might have violated city policy , fire department spokesman Larry Langford said .
Nine female firefighters are in the video ; one , identified as “ Commander Matthews , ” is CFD Cmdr .
Christine Matthews , according to Langford .
Ald .
Gilbert Villegas ( 36th ) confirmed Matthews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of North Narragansett where the party was held .
A video of the Saturday night party , streamed live on Facebook , showed dozens of young people crammed into the home — and hardly anyone wearing face masks .
In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , which is hitting Chicago ’ s African American community especially hard , Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called the gathering “ foolish and reckless.
” Villegas has blamed Matthews ’ son for hosting the party .
The son had a set of keys to his mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disarm the townhome ’ s alarm system , the alderman has said .
It is unclear whether Matthews knew he was planning to hold the event ; she couldn ’ t be reached for comment .
A videographer who was at the party , Tink Purcell , streamed it on Facebook for about 24 minutes .
Purcell has since told the news website The TRiiBE that the party was organized as a memorial to two friends of hers who were lost to gun violence .
Matthews ’ son , 26-year-old Janeal Wright , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an interview livestreamed over Facebook that he was sorry for the party and didn ’ t realize the importance of social distancing when he threw it .
” I ’ ve been totally oblivious to the stay-at-home message and everything , ” Wright said .
“ I really hadn ’ t known anything about it .
I looked at it like a scam or something like that .
Like it wasn ’ t real , but I see how serious it is now.
” Now , another video also could cause trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was made , one acquaintance said , in the spirit of fun , part of the “ Don ’ t Rush Challenge , ” an online event intended to break the stay-at-home boredom triggered by the pandemic .
Chicago Fire Commissioner Richard C. Ford II has asked Inspector General Joe Ferguson to investigate the 2 minute , 9 second video circulating on social media as part of the challenge .
In the Don ’ t Rush Challenge , participants shoot videos of themselves transforming from their bathrobes , pajamas or everyday work clothes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They then merge those videos with those of their peers , relatives and friends .
Most participants , who post the videos on the TikTok video-sharing platform , cover the camera with make-up brushes or towels before showcasing their going-out clothes .
The Chicago video under investigation starts with the nine female firefighters in uniform at firehouses dancing to the song , “ Don ’ t Rush ” by U.K. hip-hop duo Young T & Bugsey .
Then they appear at home dressed up .
The video was produced by Process Progress Films @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CFD jobs are identified — along with some of their Twitter or Instagram handles — in the lower right corner of the screen .
Multiple attempts to reach out to the firefighters for comment were not successful .
“ Shooting video while on-duty in a firehouse or using city equipment for publication without department approval is strictly prohibited , ” Langford wrote in an email to the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ We are aware of this particular video , which was not authorized by the department , and have turned it over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full investigation.
” A man who identified himself as the owner of Process Progress Films said he was sent the film clips and put it together .
The man , who would not give his name , said he had nothing to do with video shot at Chicago firehouses and was not aware those videos violate CFD policy .
“ I didn ’ t come in with a camera to film anyone .
I don ’ t know when they filmed it or how they filmed it .
I was just shipped video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Took about 20 minutes , ” said the owner , who also noted the Don ’ t Rush Challenge has become popular amid the pandemic .
“ I ’ m not sure what the guidelines are .
[ But ] they could potentially lose their jobs for something that doctors , mental [ health professionals ] — everybody has done .
We ’ ve even seen police do it.
” Mike Butkus , director of contract enforcement for the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 , declined to comment on the investigation .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s an allegation .
So I ’ ve got to wait until I get the call and then , we ’ ll go from there , ” Butkus said .
“ This is the first I ’ ve heard of it.
” The Sun-Times offered to send Butkus a copy of the Don ’ t Rush Challenge video .
“ I don ’ t want it sent to me .
I ’ ll eventually get it , ” he said .
“ Nothing ’ s been proven .
”

The Galewood townhome where a packed party was held over the weekend is owned by a Chicago Fire Department commander who also is among several firefighters being investigated over an unrelated online video.
That video, made as part of the “Don’t Rush Challenge,” might have violated city policy, fire department spokesman Larry Langford said. Nine female firefighters are in the video; one, identified as “Commander Matthews,” is CFD Cmdr. Christine Matthews, according to Langford.
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) confirmed Matthews also owns the townhome in the 2000 block of North Narragansett where the party was held.
A video of the Saturday night party, streamed live on Facebook, showed dozens of young people crammed into the home — and hardly anyone wearing face masks. In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which is hitting Chicago’s African American community especially hard, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called the gathering “foolish and reckless.”
Villegas has blamed Matthews’ son for hosting the party. The son had a set of keys to his mother’s building and was able to disarm the townhome’s alarm system, the alderman has said. It is unclear whether Matthews knew he was planning to hold the event; she couldn’t be reached for comment.
A videographer who was at the party, Tink Purcell, streamed it on Facebook for about 24 minutes. Purcell has since told the news website The TRiiBE that the party was organized as a memorial to two friends of hers who were lost to gun violence.
Matthews’ son, 26-year-old Janeal Wright, told state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford in an interview livestreamed over Facebook that he was sorry for the party and didn’t realize the importance of social distancing when he threw it.
”I’ve been totally oblivious to the stay-at-home message and everything,” Wright said. “I really hadn’t known anything about it. I looked at it like a scam or something like that. Like it wasn’t real, but I see how serious it is now.”
Now, another video also could cause trouble for Matthews, the homeowner. It was made, one acquaintance said, in the spirit of fun, part of the “Don’t Rush Challenge,” an online event intended to break the stay-at-home boredom triggered by the pandemic.
Chicago Fire Commissioner Richard C. Ford II has asked Inspector General Joe Ferguson to investigate the 2 minute, 9 second video circulating on social media as part of the challenge.
In the Don’t Rush Challenge, participants shoot videos of themselves transforming from their bathrobes, pajamas or everyday work clothes into evening clothes and cocktail dresses. They then merge those videos with those of their peers, relatives and friends.
Most participants, who post the videos on the TikTok video-sharing platform, cover the camera with make-up brushes or towels before showcasing their going-out clothes.
The Chicago video under investigation starts with the nine female firefighters in uniform at firehouses dancing to the song, “Don’t Rush” by U.K. hip-hop duo Young T & Bugsey. Then they appear at home dressed up.
The video was produced by Process Progress Films. Participants’ last names and their CFD jobs are identified — along with some of their Twitter or Instagram handles — in the lower right corner of the screen.
CFD Cmdr. Christine Matthews, shown in a video apparently shot at several Chicago Fire Department locations. Matthews owns the Galewood townhome that was the site of a packed party over the weekend that police were called to disperse. The video was made as part of the popular “Don’t Rush Challenge” on TikTok. Screenshot
Multiple attempts to reach out to the firefighters for comment were not successful.
“Shooting video while on-duty in a firehouse or using city equipment for publication without department approval is strictly prohibited,” Langford wrote in an email to the Chicago Sun-Times. “We are aware of this particular video, which was not authorized by the department, and have turned it over to the Office of Inspector General for a full investigation.”
A man who identified himself as the owner of Process Progress Films said he was sent the film clips and put it together. The man, who would not give his name, said he had nothing to do with video shot at Chicago firehouses and was not aware those videos violate CFD policy.
“I didn’t come in with a camera to film anyone. I don’t know when they filmed it or how they filmed it. I was just shipped video clips and put ’em together. Took about 20 minutes,” said the owner, who also noted the Don’t Rush Challenge has become popular amid the pandemic.
“I’m not sure what the guidelines are. [But] they could potentially lose their jobs for something that doctors, mental [health professionals] — everybody has done. We’ve even seen police do it.”
Mike Butkus, director of contract enforcement for the Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2, declined to comment on the investigation. “I didn’t see it. It’s an allegation. So I’ve got to wait until I get the call and then, we’ll go from there,” Butkus said. “This is the first I’ve heard of it.”
The Sun-Times offered to send Butkus a copy of the Don’t Rush Challenge video.
“I don’t want it sent to me. I’ll eventually get it,” he said. “Nothing’s been proven.”
Contributing: Jake Wittich


chicagosun-times--2020-04-29--Coronavirus live blog, April 29, 2020: Inmate fighting life sentence for double murder also battling

Coronavirus live blog, April 29, 2020: Inmate fighting life sentence for double murder also battling COVID-19, lawyer says

Officials on Wednesday said another 92 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois , as the case count in the state has reached more than 50,000 .
In total , 2,215 people have died of the coronavirus in the state , according to health officials .
With the newly reported 2,253 cases , the state has now seen 50,355 people test positive for the virus .
Here ’ s what else happened in Chicago and around the state as officials and residents continued to battle the coronavirus pandemic .
8:55 p.m. Inmate fighting life sentence for double murder also battling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , Alfredo “ Freddy ” Gonzalez has been fighting a life sentence for a 1990 double murder he has long claimed he didn ’ t commit .
Now , fighting the symptoms of COVID-19 at Stateville Correctional Center , the 62-year-old is worried he may not live to see the day his name is cleared .
Gonzalez was set to appear for a post-trial hearing on his latest bid to overturn his conviction for the murders of brothers Torrence and Kevin Wiley , and he had reason to believe that his prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has long maintained that he was framed by now-retired Chicago Police Det .
Reynaldo Guevara , and several of the witnesses who testified at his trial have since recanted .
Based on similar claims of physical abuse by Guevara , 20 men have been released from prison .
That number includes Gonzalez ’ s co-defendant , Jose Maysonet , who went free in 2017 after Guevara and four other officers involved in the investigation asserted their Fifth Amendment rights rather than answer questions under oath about allegations of witness coercion and physical abuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus in late March , and landed in a medical unit at the Crest Hill prison , according to his daughter , Maria Gonzalez , an Elgin resident who said she talks to her father everyday .
Gonzalez was still feeling ill last week , but was moved into general population at the prison , said his lawyer , Sean Starr .
8:18 p.m. Rolling out contact tracing in Illinois a daunting task , but essential , expert says Roughly a quarter of the coronavirus tests conducted at the Howard Brown Health clinic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive , amounting to about 20 new confirmed cases a day .
The initial diagnosis is just the start of the staff ’ s work , though .
What comes next is the arduous task of tracking down every person that patient may have encountered , a time-tested public health practice known commonly as contact tracing .
Though local and state officials have said that process is key to slowing the pandemic and reopening the state , a large-scale initiative hasn ’ t been announced to address the daunting task of tracking down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the growing number of COVID-19 patients .
On Wednesday , 2,253 new cases were reported across Illinois as the total number of cases eclipsed 50,000 .
7:04 p.m. Remdesivir proves effective against coronavirus in major study : ‘ We ’ ve got a drug that works , ’ UIC researcher says Promising results from a major study into an experimental drug used to treat the new coronavirus should give people a sense of relief that “ we ’ ve got a drug that works , ” a physician at University of Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study says .
“ They ’ re really good results , ” Dr. Richard Novak , chief of infectious disease at UIC , told the Sun-Times Wednesday of the drug made by Gilead Sciences , called remdesivir .
He added : “ That ’ s great and should give some people a sense of relief who are concerned about getting sick.
” Remdesivir is the first drug to show such promising results against the virus , which has killed more than 218,000 people since it emerged late last year in China .
Having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the global pandemic , especially because health officials say any vaccine is likely a year or more away .
Get the full story from reporters Matthew Hendrickson and Rachel Hinton .
5:35 p.m. Lightfoot ties CPD ’ s surge strategy to need for a new kind of policing during pandemic A “ surge strategy ” that requires Chicago Police officers from low-crime districts to temporarily flood high-crime neighborhoods on the South and West Sides was devised to accommodate the need for a new kind of policing during the pandemic , Mayor Lori @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Brown has apologized to North and Northwest Side aldermen for “ blindsiding ” them about the plan that deprives their districts of officers for roughly two hours at a time .
The apology came during Brown ’ s first full day on the job after being unanimously confirmed by the City Council .
But Lightfoot made no apologies for the surge strategy itself .
“ We are fighting , not only the pandemic of COVID-19 , but … the continuing epidemic of gun violence .
We have no time to waste on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Chicago medical personnel , police officers and firefighters : Here ’ s how to get your laundry done for free in 3 easy steps Chicago ’ s front-line responders have enough on their COVID-19 plates without needing to worry about clean underwear .
So Tide is stepping in to help carry the load — or at least do one .
Starting Wednesday , Tide Cleaners locations in the Chicago area will do the laundry and dry cleaning of front-line responders and their families for free .
The deal lasts through May 9 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available to paramedics , doctors , nurses , hospital and medical staff , medical researchers , police officers and firefighters .
“ The front-line responders of Chicago are working tirelessly to keep our communities safe , ” said Jenny Maxwell , Associate Director for Tide .
“ Our hope is to make everyday chores like laundry as seamless as possible and lighten the load for those at the front lines during this time.
” If you ’ re a front-line responder who is low on clean socks , here ’ s how you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Tide : • Head to Hope.TideCleaners.com to find a Tide Cleaners location and read more on the offer .
• Choose how you want to drop off and pick up your laundry ( limit is four 13-gallon bags per household ) .
Front-line responders can use location 24/7 drop boxes and pick-up kiosks , drive-thru and car-side valet , lobby access or even delivery to the home at some participating locations .
All that is needed is an ID badge with a photo for identification .
Family members will need to show @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re dropping off laundry on the loved one ’ s behalf .
• Get your laundry cleaned and pick it back up in your preferred method .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday named Rep. Bill Foster , D-Ill. , to a new bipartisan House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis tasked with making sure the billions of dollars Congress is shoveling out the door is not “ exploited by profiteers and price-gougers.
” Foster is among seven Democrats Pelosi selected for the panel .
It is not clear yet if Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created as part of the CARES Act .
It is supposed to have seven Democrats and five Republicans as members .
“ As House Speaker , I am proud to appoint these distinguished and accomplished leaders of the Congress and Country to the Select Committee on the Coronavirus , ” Pelosi said in a statement .
“ They bring outstanding mastery of Congressional oversight and decades of experience fighting for working families to our critical mission to ensure that our coronavirus response puts working Families First .
We must make sure that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CARES Act is being used wisely and efficiently to help those in need , not be exploited by profiteers and price-gougers.
” 3:58 p.m. Uptown hospital successfully treats coronavirus patient with blood plasma from someone who recovered from the sickness An Uptown hospital is among the first Chicago-area facilities to successfully treat a coronavirus patient using an investigational therapy involving plasma taken from someone who has recovered from the virus .
The patient was a Chicago man in his 40s who arrived at Weiss Memorial Hospital in “ moderate to severe ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treatments , said Dr. Suzanne Pham , the hospital ’ s associate medical director .
The patient , who had few other health issues , was close to having to be ventilated , Pham said .
“ Within 24 hours of plasma infusion , [ he ] was able to be weaned down on his oxygen needs and was able to be discharged from the hospital within three days of a that plasma infusion , ” Pham said Wednesday .
“ So he recovered very quickly and nicely.
” The patient was discharged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday said another 92 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois , as the case count in the state has reached more than 50,000 .
In total , 2,215 people have died of the coronavirus in the state , according to health officials .
With the newly reported 2,253 cases , the state has now seen 50,355 people test positive for the virus .
According to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office , the state received 14,478 test results on Tuesday .
Nearly 257,000 people have been tested overall .
Between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an additional 45 COVID-19 patients entered ICU rooms in the state ’ s hospitals .
During that same period , an additional 298 people entered hospitals with suspected COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases , the governor ’ s office said .
2:10 p.m.
Here ’ s what will reopen in Illinois Friday under new stay-at-home order With Illinois still battling the coronavirus pandemic , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker issued a modified version of the state ’ s stay-at-home order last week that will run through the end of May .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been in effect since the virus first began to spread in March , but with some important changes that start Friday .
One of the biggest modifications to the stay-at-home order is a requirement for all individuals over age 2 to wear a face covering or mask when in a public place where six feet of separation can not be maintained .
Starting Friday , expect to see everyone covering their face in a grocery store , for example .
1:05 p.m. South Side seniors keep up weekly bingo date with video chat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus infection , so the weekly bingo game at Altgeld Gardens Homes on the Far South Side was swiftly shut down last month as non-essential businesses were shuttered and social gatherings canceled .
But as video conferencing platforms like FaceTime and Zoom quickly became commonplace for stay-at-home workers , Carrie Pullie , program director at Metropolitan Family Services , which serves the public housing complex , had an idea .
She took a quick survey of 21 past bingo players and found nine of them had smart phones that could support video conferencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access Zoom , and dropped off individual playing boards at their door , according to a release from the Chicago Housing Authority .
Now , every Wednesday , the senior bingo game is back .
“ One [ senior ] was so proud of herself .
She said she could not wait to tell her daughter she did it by herself , ” Pullie said in a release from the CHA .
“ Another senior told the group , ‘ I am so happy to see you guys.
’ It was so cute.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Billie Spencer said she ’ s grown to love the video chat bingo dates , which she had worried would feel too long , at two hours per week , from 1-3 p.m. “ You get to see your friends without their masks on and get to listen and laugh and talk , ” she said , according to the release from CHA .
11:23 a.m. COVID-19 drug that showed promise in UChicago tests proves effective in national study A biotech company said Wednesday its experimental drug has proved effective against the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that put it to a strict test .
Gilead Sciences ’ s remdesivir would be the first treatment to pass such a test against the virus .
The study , run by the National Institutes of Health , tested remdesivir versus usual care in about 800 hospitalized coronavirus patients around the world .
The main result is how long it takes patients to recover .
University of Chicago Medicine has been conducting its own clinical trials with remdesivir , which was developed by Gilead Sciences as a treatment for the Ebola and Marburg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 125 COVID-19 patients were treated with remdesivir , 113 of whom had severe symptoms .
Most patients in the clinical trial were being discharged from the hospital in less than a week .
That ’ s notable because the study is investigating both five- and 10-day courses of the drug .
Both Northwestern University and University of Illinois at Chicago have also launched trials of remdesivir .
A statement from the Food and Drug Administration says only that the agency has been talking with Gilead “ regarding making remdesivir available to patients as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Read more about the latest news from Gilead Sciences here , and click here for the earlier report about University of Chicago Medicine ’ s studies .
9:30 a.m .
Roomier trains , wider bike lanes and more proposed solutions for safer public transit during coronavirus In cities around the world , public transit systems are key to getting workers back on the job and restarting devastated economies , yet everything from trains and buses to ferries and bicycles will have to be re-imagined in the coronavirus era .
In Europe in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new front line in the battle to tame the outbreak that has killed over 120,000 of its citizens .
Solutions include putting red stickers on the floor to tell bus passengers in Milan how far apart to stand .
The Dutch are putting on longer , roomier trains , and many cities , including Berlin , are opening up more lanes to cyclists .
In Britain , bus passengers are entering through the middle or rear doors to reduce the risk to the driver .
Announcing a gradual easing of France ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Philippe called public transit a “ key measure for the economic recovery ” yet acknowledged concerns among passengers .
Read more predictions and early plans for making public transit safer here .
8:06 a.m. Mike Pence under fire for not wearing mask during Mayo Clinic visit Vice President Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask Tuesday during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester , Minnesota , an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical center ’ s policy requiring them .
Video feeds show that Pence did not wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employee who has recovered from COVID-19 and is now donating plasma , even though everyone else in the room appeared to be wearing one .
He was also maskless when he visited a lab where Mayo conducts coronavirus tests .
And Pence was the only participant not to wear a mask during a roundtable discussion on Mayo ’ s coronavirus testing and research programs .
All the other participants did , including Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn , top Mayo officials , Gov .
Tim Walz and U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vice president of its mask policy prior to his arrival .
The tweet was later removed .
Mayo officials did not directly respond to a request for comment on why it was removed , or at whose request .
“ Mayo shared the masking policy with the VP ’ s office , ” the health care system said in its response .
7:02 a.m. Married 70 years , husband and wife with COVID-19 held hands in hospital before their deaths Irvin Kaage Jr. and his wife Muriel were known as the couple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Northwest Highway that ’ s been a mainstay in Edison Park for 77 years .
To family members , though , they will always be remembered for the enduring love story that spanned seven decades before the coronavirus brought it to an end this week .
Irv Jr. , 92 , died Sunday at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge , and Muriel , 90 , followed barely 36 hours later .
Both had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Just before Irv ’ s death , the hospital moved their beds together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their son , Irv III .
Losing both parents at once would seem a double dose of heartbreak , but Irv III said it was better that way .
“ They couldn ’ t be apart , ” he said .
6:46 a.m. NBC Sports Chicago to host star-studded COVID-19 fundraiser , pay tribute to front-line workers In partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago and Chicago Community Trust , NBC Sports Chicago is hosting the “ Be Chicago : Together We Can ” telethon Wednesday , which will benefit the community COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The four-hour TV event , which begins at 7 p.m. , will feature several celebrated Chicago athletes — like Horace Grant , A.J .
Pierzynski and Brian Urlacher — and exclusive music performances by Chicago , Brett Eldredge and the Plain White T ’ s .
There will be segments on the 1990s Bulls , 2005 White Sox and 2010 Blackhawks , with some players from each team discussing their favorite memories .
Tim Anderson , Coby White and Tarik Cohen will also team up for a segment where the three young stars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives have been affected by the pandemic and how this experience has changed their lives .
The telethon will also include “ Hero segments , ” where nominated front-line workers will meet their favorite Chicago athletes via Zoom video conferencing .
Get more details from Madeline Kenney here .
• The CTA announced the death of a fourth employee from COVID-19 .
The employee worked in the CTA ’ s technology department for over 20 years .
• Chicago police announced Tuesday seven more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the number of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eighteen employees at a Tootsie Roll manufacturing plant in Chicago have tested positive for COVID-19 since the end of March .
• Health officials on Tuesday said another 144 people in Illinois have died from COVID-19 , marking the highest number of deaths in a day as the pandemic ’ s toll surpassed 2,000 fatalities .
• Officials also reported 2,219 newly confirmed cases , raising the state ’ s total to 48,102 .
Those were the latest numbers as the state received 14,561 test results Monday .
• Chicago police announced Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of confirmed cases in the department to 414 .
7:37 p.m. COVID-19 lawsuits a symptom of a pre-existing condition in Illinois — and the nation Somehow , I ’ ve found myself on the email distribution list for a conservative , pro-Trump news service , which , it turns out , offers handy insight into how the other half of the country thinks without my having to endure the pain of watching FOX News .
For the past 24 hours , the top story on their website has been one with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even if we might not recognize the particular spin : “ Judge Stands Up Against Dem Gov , Excoriates Stay At Home Order.
” The facts of the story are pretty much what you could find in the Chicago Sun-Times or any other mainstream news organization ’ s coverage of the downstate judge ’ s ruling that Gov .
J .
B. Pritzker exceeded his authority by extending his emergency stay-at-home orders beyond 30 days .
The difference is those facts are related from the point of view that Pritzker ’ s orders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state Rep. Darren Bailey and Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney are heroic figures for standing up to him in defense of the Constitution and personal freedom .
Read the rest of Mark Brown ’ s column here .
Even during a pandemic , constitutional rights must be respected , which is why we should all be troubled by an Illinois Supreme Court decision earlier this month to suspend a rule requiring a “ speedy trial.
” The U.S. Constitution guarantees defendants the right to a speedy trial , and the Illinois Legislature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be brought to trial within 120 days for someone in custody and 160 days for others .
An exception can be made when defense lawyers agree to extend the deadline .
Under the usual rules , if the state fails to settle a case or bring it to trial within this time frame , a defendant will be freed .
The purpose of the speedy trial rule is to prevent prosecutors from leaving suspects , who are presumed innocent , behind bars indefinitely .
We can ’ t disagree with the state Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspend the rule of a speedy trial .
Although lower courts are holding bond hearings by video during Illinois ’ stay-at-home lockdown , full trials by video would not be practical nor fair .
That makes it impossible to meet the speedy trial rule except through negotiated plea Read the full editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board .
10:16 a.m. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is pressuring the FDA to police COVID-19 antibody tests Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi , D-Ill. , chairman of a House panel investigating whether COVID-19 antibody tests work , accused the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information about antibody test kits that went on the market before the FDA validated their claims .
There is an enormous interest in developing antibody tests to see if people had COVID-19 , even if they did not show symptoms .
These antibody , or serology tests , are not used to diagnose if a person has the infection .
Antibody blood tests could determine if a person had and recovered from COVID-19 .
Scientists have suggested that people with COVID-19 antibodies are immune from the disease .
In a letter to FDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said officials in Hahn ’ s agency failed “ to respond to our outstanding requests for information in furtherance of our investigation ” into FDA “ policies governing serological testing for coronavirus.
” Read the full story from Lynn Sweet here .
6:39 a.m. A foolish lawsuit threatens your hard work to fight COVID-19 A Downstate judge has ruled that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker no longer has the authority to order folks to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic .
As a matter of law and the Illinois Constitution , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait for reviews by higher courts as to whether Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney got his legal thinking right .
But as a matter of good public policy to keep people safe , there ’ s no debate at all .
Pritzker ’ s initial stay-at-home order on March 20 and his recent 30-day extension have been crucial to slowing the spread of the virus and undoubtedly have saved thousands of lives .
We can only urge our fellow Illinois residents to continue to follow the governor ’ s executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ County , where as of Tuesday morning there were only two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths .
Read the full editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board .

Officials on Wednesday said another 92 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois, as the case count in the state has reached more than 50,000.
In total, 2,215 people have died of the coronavirus in the state, according to health officials. With the newly reported 2,253 cases, the state has now seen 50,355 people test positive for the virus.
Here’s what else happened in Chicago and around the state as officials and residents continued to battle the coronavirus pandemic.
News
8:55 p.m. Inmate fighting life sentence for double murder also battling COVID-19, lawyer says
Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez poses against a backdrop at the Stateville Correctional Center, with his daughter, Maria and two of her sons. Provided
For nearly 30 years, Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez has been fighting a life sentence for a 1990 double murder he has long claimed he didn’t commit. Now, fighting the symptoms of COVID-19 at Stateville Correctional Center, the 62-year-old is worried he may not live to see the day his name is cleared.
Gonzalez was set to appear for a post-trial hearing on his latest bid to overturn his conviction for the murders of brothers Torrence and Kevin Wiley, and he had reason to believe that his prospects for being released were good.
Gonzalez has long maintained that he was framed by now-retired Chicago Police Det. Reynaldo Guevara, and several of the witnesses who testified at his trial have since recanted. Based on similar claims of physical abuse by Guevara, 20 men have been released from prison. That number includes Gonzalez’s co-defendant, Jose Maysonet, who went free in 2017 after Guevara and four other officers involved in the investigation asserted their Fifth Amendment rights rather than answer questions under oath about allegations of witness coercion and physical abuse.
Gonzalez began to feel symptoms of coronavirus in late March, and landed in a medical unit at the Crest Hill prison, according to his daughter, Maria Gonzalez, an Elgin resident who said she talks to her father everyday. Gonzalez was still feeling ill last week, but was moved into general population at the prison, said his lawyer, Sean Starr.
Read the full story by Andy Grimm.
8:18 p.m. Rolling out contact tracing in Illinois a daunting task, but essential, expert says
Roughly a quarter of the coronavirus tests conducted at the Howard Brown Health clinic in Hyde Park have been coming back positive, amounting to about 20 new confirmed cases a day.
The initial diagnosis is just the start of the staff’s work, though. What comes next is the arduous task of tracking down every person that patient may have encountered, a time-tested public health practice known commonly as contact tracing.
Though local and state officials have said that process is key to slowing the pandemic and reopening the state, a large-scale initiative hasn’t been announced to address the daunting task of tracking down every person who has come into contact with the growing number of COVID-19 patients. On Wednesday, 2,253 new cases were reported across Illinois as the total number of cases eclipsed 50,000.
Reporter Tom Schuba has the full story.
7:04 p.m. Remdesivir proves effective against coronavirus in major study: ‘We’ve got a drug that works,’ UIC researcher says
Promising results from a major study into an experimental drug used to treat the new coronavirus should give people a sense of relief that “we’ve got a drug that works,” a physician at University of Illinois at Chicago Health who participated in the study says.
“They’re really good results,” Dr. Richard Novak, chief of infectious disease at UIC, told the Sun-Times Wednesday of the drug made by Gilead Sciences, called remdesivir.
He added: “That’s great and should give some people a sense of relief who are concerned about getting sick.”
Remdesivir is the first drug to show such promising results against the virus, which has killed more than 218,000 people since it emerged late last year in China. Having a treatment could have a profound effect on the global pandemic, especially because health officials say any vaccine is likely a year or more away.
Get the full story from reporters Matthew Hendrickson and Rachel Hinton.
5:35 p.m. Lightfoot ties CPD’s surge strategy to need for a new kind of policing during pandemic
A “surge strategy” that requires Chicago Police officers from low-crime districts to temporarily flood high-crime neighborhoods on the South and West Sides was devised to accommodate the need for a new kind of policing during the pandemic, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday.
Newly-appointed CPD Supt. Brown has apologized to North and Northwest Side aldermen for “blindsiding” them about the plan that deprives their districts of officers for roughly two hours at a time.
The apology came during Brown’s first full day on the job after being unanimously confirmed by the City Council.
But Lightfoot made no apologies for the surge strategy itself.
“We are fighting, not only the pandemic of COVID-19, but … the continuing epidemic of gun violence. We have no time to waste on either,” she said.
Read the full story from Fran Spielman.
4:34 p.m. Chicago medical personnel, police officers and firefighters: Here’s how to get your laundry done for free in 3 easy steps
Chicago’s front-line responders have enough on their COVID-19 plates without needing to worry about clean underwear. So Tide is stepping in to help carry the load — or at least do one.
Starting Wednesday, Tide Cleaners locations in the Chicago area will do the laundry and dry cleaning of front-line responders and their families for free. The deal lasts through May 9, unless otherwise extended, and is available to paramedics, doctors, nurses, hospital and medical staff, medical researchers, police officers and firefighters.
“The front-line responders of Chicago are working tirelessly to keep our communities safe,” said Jenny Maxwell, Associate Director for Tide. “ Our hope is to make everyday chores like laundry as seamless as possible and lighten the load for those at the front lines during this time.”
If you’re a front-line responder who is low on clean socks, here’s how you can get your laundry done for free by Tide:
Head to Hope.TideCleaners.com to find a Tide Cleaners location and read more on the offer. Choose how you want to drop off and pick up your laundry (limit is four 13-gallon bags per household). Front-line responders can use location 24/7 drop boxes and pick-up kiosks, drive-thru and car-side valet, lobby access or even delivery to the home at some participating locations. All that is needed is an ID badge with a photo for identification. Family members will need to show the responder’s ID badge if they’re dropping off laundry on the loved one’s behalf. Get your laundry cleaned and pick it back up in your preferred method.
— Alison Martin
4:15 p.m. Nancy Pelosi taps Bill Foster to new House COVID-19 watchdog panel
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Wednesday named Rep. Bill Foster, D-Ill., to a new bipartisan House Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis tasked with making sure the billions of dollars Congress is shoveling out the door is not “exploited by profiteers and price-gougers.”
Foster is among seven Democrats Pelosi selected for the panel. It is not clear yet if Republicans will appoint anyone to the panel, created as part of the CARES Act. It is supposed to have seven Democrats and five Republicans as members.
“As House Speaker, I am proud to appoint these distinguished and accomplished leaders of the Congress and Country to the Select Committee on the Coronavirus,” Pelosi said in a statement. “They bring outstanding mastery of Congressional oversight and decades of experience fighting for working families to our critical mission to ensure that our coronavirus response puts working Families First. We must make sure that the historic investment of taxpayer dollars made in the CARES Act is being used wisely and efficiently to help those in need, not be exploited by profiteers and price-gougers.”
Read the full story by Lynn Sweet.
3:58 p.m. Uptown hospital successfully treats coronavirus patient with blood plasma from someone who recovered from the sickness
An Uptown hospital is among the first Chicago-area facilities to successfully treat a coronavirus patient using an investigational therapy involving plasma taken from someone who has recovered from the virus.
The patient was a Chicago man in his 40s who arrived at Weiss Memorial Hospital in “moderate to severe” condition and had not responded to other treatments, said Dr. Suzanne Pham, the hospital’s associate medical director. The patient, who had few other health issues, was close to having to be ventilated, Pham said.
“Within 24 hours of plasma infusion, [he] was able to be weaned down on his oxygen needs and was able to be discharged from the hospital within three days of a that plasma infusion,” Pham said Wednesday. “So he recovered very quickly and nicely.”
The patient was discharged in mid-April, she said.
Read the full story by Stefano Esposito.
3:01 p.m. 92 more coronavirus deaths as Illinois tops 50K cases
Officials on Wednesday said another 92 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois, as the case count in the state has reached more than 50,000.
In total, 2,215 people have died of the coronavirus in the state, according to health officials. With the newly reported 2,253 cases, the state has now seen 50,355 people test positive for the virus.
According to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office, the state received 14,478 test results on Tuesday. Nearly 257,000 people have been tested overall.
Between midnight on Monday and midnight on Tuesday, an additional 45 COVID-19 patients entered ICU rooms in the state’s hospitals. During that same period, an additional 298 people entered hospitals with suspected COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed cases, the governor’s office said.
Read the full story by Tina Sfondeles.
2:10 p.m. Here’s what will reopen in Illinois Friday under new stay-at-home order
With Illinois still battling the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a modified version of the state’s stay-at-home order last week that will run through the end of May. It’s similar to the orders that have been in effect since the virus first began to spread in March, but with some important changes that start Friday.
One of the biggest modifications to the stay-at-home order is a requirement for all individuals over age 2 to wear a face covering or mask when in a public place where six feet of separation cannot be maintained. Starting Friday, expect to see everyone covering their face in a grocery store, for example.
Read the full story by Satchel Price.
1:05 p.m. South Side seniors keep up weekly bingo date with video chat
Seniors represent an especially high-risk group for coronavirus infection, so the weekly bingo game at Altgeld Gardens Homes on the Far South Side was swiftly shut down last month as non-essential businesses were shuttered and social gatherings canceled.
But as video conferencing platforms like FaceTime and Zoom quickly became commonplace for stay-at-home workers, Carrie Pullie, program director at Metropolitan Family Services, which serves the public housing complex, had an idea. She took a quick survey of 21 past bingo players and found nine of them had smart phones that could support video conferencing.
She sent each player instructions to access Zoom, and dropped off individual playing boards at their door, according to a release from the Chicago Housing Authority. Now, every Wednesday, the senior bingo game is back.
“One [senior] was so proud of herself. She said she could not wait to tell her daughter she did it by herself,” Pullie said in a release from the CHA. “Another senior told the group, ‘I am so happy to see you guys.’ It was so cute.”
Altgeld Garden resident and bingo player Billie Spencer said she’s grown to love the video chat bingo dates, which she had worried would feel too long, at two hours per week, from 1-3 p.m.
“You get to see your friends without their masks on and get to listen and laugh and talk,” she said, according to the release from CHA.
11:23 a.m. COVID-19 drug that showed promise in UChicago tests proves effective in national study
A biotech company said Wednesday its experimental drug has proved effective against the new coronavirus in a major U.S. government study that put it to a strict test.
Gilead Sciences’s remdesivir would be the first treatment to pass such a test against the virus. The study, run by the National Institutes of Health, tested remdesivir versus usual care in about 800 hospitalized coronavirus patients around the world. The main result is how long it takes patients to recover.
University of Chicago Medicine has been conducting its own clinical trials with remdesivir, which was developed by Gilead Sciences as a treatment for the Ebola and Marburg viruses. In its early findings, 125 COVID-19 patients were treated with remdesivir, 113 of whom had severe symptoms. Most patients in the clinical trial were being discharged from the hospital in less than a week. That’s notable because the study is investigating both five- and 10-day courses of the drug.
Both Northwestern University and University of Illinois at Chicago have also launched trials of remdesivir.
A statement from the Food and Drug Administration says only that the agency has been talking with Gilead “regarding making remdesivir available to patients as quickly as possible, as appropriate.”
Read more about the latest news from Gilead Sciences here, and click here for the earlier report about University of Chicago Medicine’s studies.
9:30 a.m. Roomier trains, wider bike lanes and more proposed solutions for safer public transit during coronavirus
In cities around the world, public transit systems are key to getting workers back on the job and restarting devastated economies, yet everything from trains and buses to ferries and bicycles will have to be re-imagined in the coronavirus era.
In Europe in particular, public transportation is shaping up as a new front line in the battle to tame the outbreak that has killed over 120,000 of its citizens.
Solutions include putting red stickers on the floor to tell bus passengers in Milan how far apart to stand. The Dutch are putting on longer, roomier trains, and many cities, including Berlin, are opening up more lanes to cyclists. In Britain, bus passengers are entering through the middle or rear doors to reduce the risk to the driver.
Announcing a gradual easing of France’s strict lockdown, Prime Minister Édouard Philippe called public transit a “key measure for the economic recovery” yet acknowledged concerns among passengers.
Read more predictions and early plans for making public transit safer here.
8:06 a.m. Mike Pence under fire for not wearing mask during Mayo Clinic visit
Vice President Mike Pence chose not to wear a face mask Tuesday during a tour of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, an apparent violation of the world-renowned medical center’s policy requiring them.
Video feeds show that Pence did not wear a mask when he met with a Mayo employee who has recovered from COVID-19 and is now donating plasma, even though everyone else in the room appeared to be wearing one. He was also maskless when he visited a lab where Mayo conducts coronavirus tests.
And Pence was the only participant not to wear a mask during a roundtable discussion on Mayo’s coronavirus testing and research programs. All the other participants did, including Food and Drug Administration chief Stephen Hahn, top Mayo officials, Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Rep. Jim Hagedorn.
Mayo tweeted that it had informed the vice president of its mask policy prior to his arrival. The tweet was later removed. Mayo officials did not directly respond to a request for comment on why it was removed, or at whose request.
“Mayo shared the masking policy with the VP’s office,” the health care system said in its response.
Read the full report here.
7:02 a.m. Married 70 years, husband and wife with COVID-19 held hands in hospital before their deaths
Irvin Kaage Jr. and his wife Muriel were known as the couple behind the Kaage’s Corner newsstand on Northwest Highway that’s been a mainstay in Edison Park for 77 years.
To family members, though, they will always be remembered for the enduring love story that spanned seven decades before the coronavirus brought it to an end this week.
Irv Jr., 92, died Sunday at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, and Muriel, 90, followed barely 36 hours later. Both had tested positive for COVID-19.
Just before Irv’s death, the hospital moved their beds together so they could hold hands, said their son, Irv III.
Losing both parents at once would seem a double dose of heartbreak, but Irv III said it was better that way.
“They couldn’t be apart,” he said.
Read Mark Brown’s full story here.
6:46 a.m. NBC Sports Chicago to host star-studded COVID-19 fundraiser, pay tribute to front-line workers
In partnership with United Way of Metro Chicago and Chicago Community Trust, NBC Sports Chicago is hosting the “Be Chicago: Together We Can” telethon Wednesday, which will benefit the community COVID-19 Response Fund and honor front-line workers.
The four-hour TV event, which begins at 7 p.m., will feature several celebrated Chicago athletes — like Horace Grant, A.J. Pierzynski and Brian Urlacher — and exclusive music performances by Chicago, Brett Eldredge and the Plain White T’s.
There will be segments on the 1990s Bulls, 2005 White Sox and 2010 Blackhawks, with some players from each team discussing their favorite memories. Tim Anderson, Coby White and Tarik Cohen will also team up for a segment where the three young stars will discuss how their professional and personal lives have been affected by the pandemic and how this experience has changed their lives.
The telethon will also include “Hero segments,” where nominated front-line workers will meet their favorite Chicago athletes via Zoom video conferencing.
Get more details from Madeline Kenney here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
7:37 p.m. COVID-19 lawsuits a symptom of a pre-existing condition in Illinois — and the nation
Somehow, I’ve found myself on the email distribution list for a conservative, pro-Trump news service, which, it turns out, offers handy insight into how the other half of the country thinks without my having to endure the pain of watching FOX News.
For the past 24 hours, the top story on their website has been one with which we are very familiar in Illinois even if we might not recognize the particular spin: “Judge Stands Up Against Dem Gov, Excoriates Stay At Home Order.”
The facts of the story are pretty much what you could find in the Chicago Sun-Times or any other mainstream news organization’s coverage of the downstate judge’s ruling that Gov. J. B. Pritzker exceeded his authority by extending his emergency stay-at-home orders beyond 30 days.
The difference is those facts are related from the point of view that Pritzker’s orders were “obviously” illegal and that state Rep. Darren Bailey and Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney are heroic figures for standing up to him in defense of the Constitution and personal freedom.
Read the rest of Mark Brown’s column here.
4:42 p.m. Pandemic’s disorder in the court
Even during a pandemic, constitutional rights must be respected, which is why we should all be troubled by an Illinois Supreme Court decision earlier this month to suspend a rule requiring a “speedy trial.”
The U.S. Constitution guarantees defendants the right to a speedy trial, and the Illinois Legislature has decided that means a case must be brought to trial within 120 days for someone in custody and 160 days for others. An exception can be made when defense lawyers agree to extend the deadline.
Under the usual rules, if the state fails to settle a case or bring it to trial within this time frame, a defendant will be freed.
The purpose of the speedy trial rule is to prevent prosecutors from leaving suspects, who are presumed innocent, behind bars indefinitely.
We can’t disagree with the state Supreme Court’s thinking in deciding to suspend the rule of a speedy trial. Although lower courts are holding bond hearings by video during Illinois’ stay-at-home lockdown, full trials by video would not be practical nor fair. That makes it impossible to meet the speedy trial rule except through negotiated plea
Read the full editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board.
10:16 a.m. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi is pressuring the FDA to police COVID-19 antibody tests
Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., chairman of a House panel investigating whether COVID-19 antibody tests work, accused the FDA on Tuesday of stonewalling in developing information about antibody test kits that went on the market before the FDA validated their claims.
There is an enormous interest in developing antibody tests to see if people had COVID-19, even if they did not show symptoms.
These antibody, or serology tests, are not used to diagnose if a person has the infection. Antibody blood tests could determine if a person had and recovered from COVID-19. Scientists have suggested that people with COVID-19 antibodies are immune from the disease.
In a letter to FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn sent Tuesday, Krishnamoorthi said officials in Hahn’s agency failed “to respond to our outstanding requests for information in furtherance of our investigation” into FDA “policies governing serological testing for coronavirus.”
Read the full story from Lynn Sweet here.
6:39 a.m. A foolish lawsuit threatens your hard work to fight COVID-19
A Downstate judge has ruled that Gov. J.B. Pritzker no longer has the authority to order folks to stay indoors during the coronavirus pandemic.
As a matter of law and the Illinois Constitution, that’s debatable. We’ll just have to wait for reviews by higher courts as to whether Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney got his legal thinking right.
But as a matter of good public policy to keep people safe, there’s no debate at all. Pritzker’s initial stay-at-home order on March 20 and his recent 30-day extension have been crucial to slowing the spread of the virus and undoubtedly have saved thousands of lives.
We can only urge our fellow Illinois residents to continue to follow the governor’s executive order, even in highly conservative Clay County, where as of Tuesday morning there were only two reported cases of COVID-19 and no deaths.
Read the full editorial from the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board.