chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Once again, Americans are drinking the Kool-Aid, with predictably tragic results

The time and place of what ’ s been labeled the largest single loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act — until America ’ s Sept. 11 , 2001 , terrorist attack .
The massacre 42 years ago in this steamy Guyanese commune in South America violently claimed the lives of more than 900 men , women and children — Americans who died swallowing cyanide-aced Kool Aid at the direction of a California cult leader , Rev .
Jim Jones .
Now , four decades later ...
I am reminded of an odd kind of personal record .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still working for a Chicago newspaper who covered the tragedy known as “ White Night , ” a midnight summons to a horrific death .
I turned 35 years old just days before the poison-laden vats were ordered filled in Jonestown .
But America seems to have eclipsed into another corner of the “ largest single loss of civilian life ” category : indexed in the denial file in the coronavirus pandemic .
Our nation has now lost more than 247,000 people to a disease that came with little warning at the beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning by President Donald Trump , whose troops include a battalion of cult like-believers and deniers .
The Jonestown nightmare is still the kind of story that can stop you suddenly in the middle of writing a laundry list ; a remembrance of a field of bodies — one third of them children —clothed in a T-shirt rainbow of colors , bodies of babies bloating in the hot Guyanese sun .
Rotting in what had become the City of the Dead , the bodies of 900 people were tagged and body-bagged for transport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airplane transports .
Yet , it ’ s hard not to compare it to televised scenes of body-bagged victims of COVID-19 ’ s tortuous death resting in cooler trucks outside our hospitals ... and the nightmare of “ Mother , Mother , Mother ” screams by the dying nearly a half century ago to today ’ s pandemic deaths without family around .
In an almost cultish fashion , millions of Americans still listen to politicians refusing to take the coronavirus seriously ; refusing to issue mask mandates , stay-at-home advisories and listening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask in public ; conducted maskless events at the White House and political rallies ; and kept saying it ’ s gon na be OK .
Follow me .
Follow my instructions .
Rev .
Jones ’ followers listened to him .
He led nearly 1,000 of them to what they thought was the promised land .
They wound up in a jungle in South America .
And they died there .
And now we are dying .
“ Sometimes , when the night is clear and filled with stars , I hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a loud scream .
It is more like an old whisper .
“ It is the sound of children dying on a starry night in Jonestown , Guyana .
It is the white noise of cyanide-induced death that inhaled the breath of innocent children and sucked the life out of nearly 1,000 cultists led by a monster named Jim Jones.
” I never really heard the children die .
But I clearly remember walking away from my typewriter , stepping onto the balcony of my squalid Pegasus hotel room where we had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toilets , looking up at the sky and wondering where all the screams of the children had gone .
I recall the odor of the shoes worn by my sidekick , left outdoors on the hotel balcony on purpose .
His shoes were permeated with the smell of rancid human fluid after walking through the now empty death camp .
He recalled pet dogs left behind , open doors to empty houses exited in a rush to death , the hollow indents in a grassy field once occupied by the dead .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can still see Jonestown survivor Stanley Clayton — one of only a few who survived the death march sitting between two beds in an empty hotel listening to music on a radio before dialing into the mystery of that night for us .
Clayton , who had survived by escaping through the jungle while people were dying , provided us with exclusive and copyrighted truth that what happened at Jonestown was murder , not suicide .
That guards with guns had forced people to the cyanide vats , that babies were injected with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the jungle .
And the coronavirus is claiming us .
And it appears half our nation is still listening to a maskless Pied Piper whose silence is now deafening , and who believes a mandated mask is a freedom lost .
And file it in the together category .

Nov. 18, 1978.
Jonestown, Guyana.
The time and place of what’s been labeled the largest single loss of American civilian life in a deliberate act — until America’s Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack.
The massacre 42 years ago in this steamy Guyanese commune in South America violently claimed the lives of more than 900 men, women and children — Americans who died swallowing cyanide-laced Kool Aid at the direction of a California cult leader, Rev. Jim Jones.
Now, four decades later ... I am reminded of an odd kind of personal record.
I am most likely the only journalist still working for a Chicago newspaper who covered the tragedy known as “White Night,” a midnight summons to a horrific death. I turned 35 years old just days before the poison-laden vats were ordered filled in Jonestown.
I just turned 77.
Opinion Newsletter
But America seems to have eclipsed into another corner of the “largest single loss of civilian life” category: indexed in the denial file in the coronavirus pandemic.
Our nation has now lost more than 247,000 people to a disease that came with little warning at the beginning of the year and a continually ineffective warning by President Donald Trump, whose troops include a battalion of cult like-believers and deniers.
The Jonestown nightmare is still the kind of story that can stop you suddenly in the middle of writing a laundry list; a remembrance of a field of bodies — one third of them children —clothed in a T-shirt rainbow of colors, bodies of babies bloating in the hot Guyanese sun.
Rotting in what had become the City of the Dead, the bodies of 900 people were tagged and body-bagged for transport back to the U.S. on jumbo military airplane transports.
Yet, it’s hard not to compare it to televised scenes of body-bagged victims of COVID-19’s tortuous death resting in cooler trucks outside our hospitals ... and the nightmare of “Mother, Mother, Mother” screams by the dying nearly a half century ago to today’s pandemic deaths without family around.
In an almost cultish fashion, millions of Americans still listen to politicians refusing to take the coronavirus seriously; refusing to issue mask mandates, stay-at-home advisories and listening to a president who rarely wears a mask in public; conducted maskless events at the White House and political rallies; and kept saying it’s gonna be OK. Follow me. Follow my instructions.
A man and woman lie face down with a child between them in Jonestown, Guyana, two days after the massacre in 1978. At that point, at least 775 of the more than 900 bodies had been found. AP files
Rev. Jones’ followers listened to him. He led nearly 1,000 of them to what they thought was the promised land. They wound up in a jungle in South America. And they died there.
And now we are dying.
Back in 2008, I wrote:
“Sometimes, when the night is clear and filled with stars, I hear children screaming.
“It is not a loud scream. It is more like an old whisper.
“It is the sound of children dying on a starry night in Jonestown, Guyana. It is the white noise of cyanide-induced death that inhaled the breath of innocent children and sucked the life out of nearly 1,000 cultists led by a monster named Jim Jones.”
I never really heard the children die.
But I clearly remember walking away from my typewriter, stepping onto the balcony of my squalid Pegasus hotel room where we had to haul up pool water to flush our toilets, looking up at the sky and wondering where all the screams of the children had gone.
I recall the odor of the shoes worn by my sidekick, left outdoors on the hotel balcony on purpose. His shoes were permeated with the smell of rancid human fluid after walking through the now empty death camp.
He recalled pet dogs left behind, open doors to empty houses exited in a rush to death, the hollow indents in a grassy field once occupied by the dead.
Now, so many years later, I can still see Jonestown survivor Stanley Clayton — one of only a few who survived the death march sitting between two beds in an empty hotel listening to music on a radio before dialing into the mystery of that night for us.
Clayton, who had survived by escaping through the jungle while people were dying, provided us with exclusive and copyrighted truth that what happened at Jonestown was murder, not suicide.
That guards with guns had forced people to the cyanide vats, that babies were injected with cyanide.
Jonestown has now been reclaimed by the jungle.
And the coronavirus is claiming us.
And it appears half our nation is still listening to a maskless Pied Piper whose silence is now deafening, and who believes a mandated mask is a freedom lost.
A freedom lost ... or a freedom gained?
Answer, please ... America.
And file it in the together category.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--‘Run’ gets its dubious drama from the mama

In M. Night Shyamalan ’ s 1999 classic “ The Sixth Sense , ” there ’ s a chilling subplot about a little girl ( played by the very young Mischa Barton ) who was poisoned by her putatively caring stepmother — an example of a deeply disturbing disorder known as Munchausen by proxy .
I don ’ t recall seeing a ton of movies or TV shows invoking that particular form of madness in the ensuing years , but in recent times it ’ s become a go-to plot device on TV and at the movies , from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Act , ” “ The Clique ” and “ The Politician ” to feature films “ The Phantom Thread , ” “ It , ” “ Everything , Everything ” and “ Ma.
” Here we go again with “ Run , ” which shows a lack of creativity in recycling the Munchausen by proxy theme — not to mention that generic title , which was recently used for an HBO limited series and has been invoked for any number of films and TV shows over the years .
Directed with style and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaganty ( who also co-wrote ) and featuring an entertainingly near-camp performance by Sarah Paulson as Mommy Fearest ( I know that ’ s not a word but that ’ s what she is ) , “ Run ” is stopped dead in its tracks by a howler of a screenplay that regularly calls for various characters to behave as stupidly as the dumbest victim in a splatter movie .
And there are not one , not two , but THREE extended sequences that are so insanely implausible and ring so false , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in question ever got past the first rewrite stage .
Paulson ’ s Diane is a twitchy , overly cheerful , smothering mother who has dedicated virtually every waking minute over the last 17 years to nursing , home schooling and tending to the needs of her daughter Chloe ( newcomer Kiera Allen , doing fine work ) , who is paralyzed from the waist down , diabetic and asthmatic .
Like most of the moms in this genre , Diane doesn ’ t allow Chloe to do anything on her own and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or any neighbors or any potential friends for Chloe to so much as enter the house .
And even though Chloe is a smart and seemingly well-adjusted and outgoing kid , she has never questioned that .
Mom also forbids Chloe to have a cell phone and restricts her access to the Internet , essentially keeping Chloe trapped in a deceptively warm and caring bubble .
Chloe has applied to the University of Washington , among other colleges , but oddly enough , none of the schools have responded , even though her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chloe if any letters arrive addressed to her , Chloe will be the first to know — but judging by how Mom dives for the daily mail like she ’ s a linebacker going after a loose football in the fourth quarter , it ’ s pretty obvious she ’ s not telling Chloe the truth .
Gradually , ever so gradually , Chloe comes to suspect something ain ’ t right , and perhaps all those pills and shots Mom gives her aren ’ t for her own good .
Cue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Misery ” !
As Chloe and her mother play verbal games of cat and mouse , with each suspecting the other is withholding some major truths , “ Run ” plays puppeteer with the audience , as Chloe tries to do some investigative digging while plotting an escape .
At one point she winds up desperately clawing her way across the roof of her house , in a scene that plays like a twisted take on one of those TV stunt game shows .
An encounter at the pharmacy is even more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me started on a phone call Chloe makes to a random stranger in the hopes he ’ ll look something up for her on the Google .
( Is it possible for someone to overact in a role that ’ s strictly a voice on the phone ?
Answer : yes . )
After a couple of plot turns we can see barreling down the road , “ Run ” becomes increasingly ridiculous , to the point where if you can indulge the madness and never question the insanely reality-defying developments , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s B-movie Hitchcockian touches and the all-in performances from Paulson and Allen .
But even if you ’ re in a forgiving mood , the epilogue is such a sour downer I can ’ t imagine it not leaving a foul aftertaste .

In M. Night Shyamalan’s 1999 classic “The Sixth Sense,” there’s a chilling subplot about a little girl (played by the very young Mischa Barton) who was poisoned by her putatively caring stepmother — an example of a deeply disturbing disorder known as Munchausen by proxy. I don’t recall seeing a ton of movies or TV shows invoking that particular form of madness in the ensuing years, but in recent times it’s become a go-to plot device on TV and at the movies, from the series “Sharp Objects, “The Act,” “The Clique” and “The Politician” to feature films “The Phantom Thread,” “It,” “Everything, Everything” and “Ma.”
‘Run’
Untitled Hulu presents a film directed by Aneesh Chaganty and written by Chaganty and Sev Ohanian. Rated PG-13 (for disturbing thematic content, some violence/terror and language). Running time: 90 minutes. Available Friday on Hulu.
Here we go again with “Run,” which shows a lack of creativity in recycling the Munchausen by proxy theme — not to mention that generic title, which was recently used for an HBO limited series and has been invoked for any number of films and TV shows over the years. Directed with style and a keen sense of pacing by Aneesh Chaganty (who also co-wrote) and featuring an entertainingly near-camp performance by Sarah Paulson as Mommy Fearest (I know that’s not a word but that’s what she is), “Run” is stopped dead in its tracks by a howler of a screenplay that regularly calls for various characters to behave as stupidly as the dumbest victim in a splatter movie. And there are not one, not two, but THREE extended sequences that are so insanely implausible and ring so false, it’s a wonder the scenes in question ever got past the first rewrite stage.
Paulson’s Diane is a twitchy, overly cheerful, smothering mother who has dedicated virtually every waking minute over the last 17 years to nursing, home schooling and tending to the needs of her daughter Chloe (newcomer Kiera Allen, doing fine work), who is paralyzed from the waist down, diabetic and asthmatic. Like most of the moms in this genre, Diane doesn’t allow Chloe to do anything on her own and apparently never has allowed any other relatives or any neighbors or any potential friends for Chloe to so much as enter the house. And even though Chloe is a smart and seemingly well-adjusted and outgoing kid, she has never questioned that. Mom also forbids Chloe to have a cell phone and restricts her access to the Internet, essentially keeping Chloe trapped in a deceptively warm and caring bubble.
Chloe has applied to the University of Washington, among other colleges, but oddly enough, none of the schools have responded, even though her grades are top-notch. Mom keeps telling Chloe if any letters arrive addressed to her, Chloe will be the first to know — but judging by how Mom dives for the daily mail like she’s a linebacker going after a loose football in the fourth quarter, it’s pretty obvious she’s not telling Chloe the truth. Gradually, ever so gradually, Chloe comes to suspect something ain’t right, and perhaps all those pills and shots Mom gives her aren’t for her own good. Cue the over-the-top orchestral score and the nods to “Misery”!
As Chloe and her mother play verbal games of cat and mouse, with each suspecting the other is withholding some major truths, “Run” plays puppeteer with the audience, as Chloe tries to do some investigative digging while plotting an escape. At one point she winds up desperately clawing her way across the roof of her house, in a scene that plays like a twisted take on one of those TV stunt game shows. An encounter at the pharmacy is even more ludicrous, and don’t get me started on a phone call Chloe makes to a random stranger in the hopes he’ll look something up for her on the Google. (Is it possible for someone to overact in a role that’s strictly a voice on the phone? Answer: yes.)
After a couple of plot turns we can see barreling down the road, “Run” becomes increasingly ridiculous, to the point where if you can indulge the madness and never question the insanely reality-defying developments, you might be able to enjoy Chaganty’s B-movie Hitchcockian touches and the all-in performances from Paulson and Allen. But even if you’re in a forgiving mood, the epilogue is such a sour downer I can’t imagine it not leaving a foul aftertaste.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Bears safety Eddie Jackson preaches accountability, even to offense

In the locker room Monday night , safety Eddie Jackson broke down the huddle , preaching accountability and criticizing players who ran off the field with their heads down .
“ For us , we just got to hold each other accountable , ’ Jackson said Monday night .
“ Offensive side of the guys , our leaders , we got to hold each other accountable on that side of the ball like we would on defense .
And it ’ s that simple.
” Bears coach Matt Nagy liked hearing what Jackson had to say .
“ We talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ” Nagy said Tuesday .
“ Well , he ’ s being a leader after the game at a tough moment where we ’ re all pretty emotional , we ’ re all pretty frustrated , we ’ re all pretty pissed off.
” Jackson admitted frustration with the four-game losing streak Monday night — “ We are tired of it ; t ’ s up to us as a team to change it , ” he said — but Nagy was impressed that he was blunt with his teammates .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with him being a leader on defense , I think it speaks to him to be able to talk to our team , ” Nagy said .
“ And then specifically to our offense , and say , ‘ Listen , here ’ s where we ’ re at : we got your back.
’ “ But there ’ s an accountability for us to play better , specifically on offense .
’ ”

In the locker room Monday night, safety Eddie Jackson broke down the huddle, preaching accountability and criticizing players who ran off the field with their heads down.
“For us, we just got to hold each other accountable,” Jackson said Monday night. “Offensive side of the guys, our leaders, we got to hold each other accountable on that side of the ball like we would on defense. And it’s that simple.”
Bears coach Matt Nagy liked hearing what Jackson had to say.
“We talk about, ‘Leaders create leaders,’” Nagy said Tuesday. “Well, he’s being a leader after the game at a tough moment where we’re all pretty emotional, we’re all pretty frustrated, we’re all pretty pissed off.”
Jackson admitted frustration with the four-game losing streak Monday night — “We are tired of it; it’s up to us as a team to change it,” he said — but Nagy was impressed that he was blunt with his teammates.
“Regardless of what side you play on, with him being a leader on defense, I think it speaks to him to be able to talk to our team,” Nagy said. “And then specifically to our offense, and say, ‘Listen, here’s where we’re at: we got your back.’
“But there’s an accountability for us to play better, specifically on offense.’”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--10 shot Tuesday in Chicago

10 shot Tuesday in Chicago

The day ’ s latest reported shooting left a teenage boy wounded in Back of the Yards on the South Side .
The boy , 16 , was sitting on a porch about 11:55 p.m. in the 5300 block of South Laflin Street when someone fired shots , Chicago police said .
He showed up at St. Bernard Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand , and was listed in fair condition .
About thirty minutes prior , a man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side .
The man , 28 , was shot in the leg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of South Michigan Avenue , Chicago police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
The man would not cooperate with officers , and further details about the shooting were unknown .
A 26-year-old man was shot 40 minutes earlier in Marquette Park on the South Side .
About 10:40 p.m. , he was sitting in a parked vehicle in the 7000 block of South Campbell Avenue when someone in a passing gray vehicle fired shots , Chicago police said .
He was struck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital in good condition .
Earlier Tuesday evening , a man was shot while driving in Brainerd on the South Side .
The man , 19 , was driving about 9:10 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Throop Street when someone in a red vehicle fired shots , Chicago police said .
The man was struck in the back and taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition .
Ten minutes before that , a 25-year-old man was shot and wounded in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
He was on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 block of West 122nd Street when he heard gunshots and felt pain , Chicago police said .
He suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was stabilized .
About half an hour earlier , a 23-year-old man was shot while driving in Humboldt Park .
He was driving about 8:30 p.m in the 3200 block of West Grand Avenue when a red SUV pulled up alongside him and someone inside fired shots , Chicago police said .
The 23-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Norwegian Hospital in fair condition .
A 34-year-old woman was shot less than an hour before that in Lawndale on the Southwest Side .
She was driving about 7:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Hamlin Avenue when she heard gunshots and suffered a graze wound to the head , Chicago police said .
She drove herself to Mount Sinai Hospital , where she was listed in good condition .
A 17-year-old boy was shot while riding his bicycle Tuesday afternoon in Bronzeville .
He was biking about 4:15 p.m. in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when two vehicles pulled up and began firing at each other , police said .
The boy fled and realized he had been grazed by a bullet in the right arm .
He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
A 27-year-old man was seriously wounded in a shooting Tuesday morning in Lawndale on the West Side .
He was walking in the 1100 block of South Richmond Street about 11:50 a.m. when shots rang out , Chicago police said .
The man was taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his abdomen .
In the day ’ s first reported attack , a woman was shot inside a home in Austin on the West Side .
The woman , 52 , was inside her home about 1:40 a.m. in the 1200 block of North Parkside Avenue when someone fired shots from her front porch , Chicago police said .
The woman was struck in the backside and taken to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood , where she was in fair condition .
Police sources said the suspected shooter had gotten into an altercation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , and that woman may have been the intended target .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Ten people were shot Tuesday in Chicago.
The day’s latest reported shooting left a teenage boy wounded in Back of the Yards on the South Side.
The boy, 16, was sitting on a porch about 11:55 p.m. in the 5300 block of South Laflin Street when someone fired shots, Chicago police said. He showed up at St. Bernard Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand, and was listed in fair condition.
About thirty minutes prior, a man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side.
The man, 28, was shot in the leg about 11:20 p.m. in the 4900 block of South Michigan Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition. The man would not cooperate with officers, and further details about the shooting were unknown.
A 26-year-old man was shot 40 minutes earlier in Marquette Park on the South Side.
About 10:40 p.m., he was sitting in a parked vehicle in the 7000 block of South Campbell Avenue when someone in a passing gray vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said. He was struck in the hand and transported to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition.
Earlier Tuesday evening, a man was shot while driving in Brainerd on the South Side.
The man, 19, was driving about 9:10 p.m. in the 9400 block of South Throop Street when someone in a red vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said. The man was struck in the back and taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition.
Ten minutes before that, a 25-year-old man was shot and wounded in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
He was on the sidewalk about 9 p.m. in the 500 block of West 122nd Street when he heard gunshots and felt pain, Chicago police said. He suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was stabilized.
About half an hour earlier, a 23-year-old man was shot while driving in Humboldt Park.
He was driving about 8:30 p.m in the 3200 block of West Grand Avenue when a red SUV pulled up alongside him and someone inside fired shots, Chicago police said. The 23-year-old was struck in the wrist and transported to Norwegian Hospital in fair condition.
A 34-year-old woman was shot less than an hour before that in Lawndale on the Southwest Side.
She was driving about 7:45 p.m. in the 1800 block of South Hamlin Avenue when she heard gunshots and suffered a graze wound to the head, Chicago police said. She drove herself to Mount Sinai Hospital, where she was listed in good condition.
A 17-year-old boy was shot while riding his bicycle Tuesday afternoon in Bronzeville.
He was biking about 4:15 p.m. in the 300 block of East 47th Street, when two vehicles pulled up and began firing at each other, police said. The boy fled and realized he had been grazed by a bullet in the right arm. He was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
A 27-year-old man was seriously wounded in a shooting Tuesday morning in Lawndale on the West Side.
He was walking in the 1100 block of South Richmond Street about 11:50 a.m. when shots rang out, Chicago police said. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital with a gunshot to his abdomen.
In the day’s first reported attack, a woman was shot inside a home in Austin on the West Side.
The woman, 52, was inside her home about 1:40 a.m. in the 1200 block of North Parkside Avenue when someone fired shots from her front porch, Chicago police said. The woman was struck in the backside and taken to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood, where she was in fair condition.
Police sources said the suspected shooter had gotten into an altercation with a woman who was visiting the home, and that woman may have been the intended target.
Twenty-three people were shot Monday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Teen boy shot in Back of the Yards

Teen boy shot in Back of the Yards

A teenage boy was shot Tuesday in Back of the Yards on the South Side .
The boy , 16 @ @ @ @ @ porch about 11:55 p.m. in the 5300 block of South Laflin Street when someone fired @ @ @ @ @ .
He showed up at St. Bernard Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand @ @ @ @ @ fair condition .
The boy told officers he did not see the shooter or know @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A teenage boy was shot Tuesday in Back of the Yards on the South Side.
The boy, 16, was sitting on a porch about 11:55 p.m. in the 5300 block of South Laflin Street when someone fired shots, Chicago police said. He showed up at St. Bernard Hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand, and was listed in fair condition.
The boy told officers he did not see the shooter or know where the shots came from, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Person found dead on CTA tracks at Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren stop

A person was found dead Tuesday on the CTA tracks at the Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren stop .
Emergency crews @ @ @ @ @ p.m. and found the person dead on the tracks at the station , 26 W. @ @ @ @ @ to Chicago fire officials .
Police sources said the person , a male , appeared @ @ @ @ @ , and that a conductor stopped the train before striking him .
Further details were @ @ @ @ @ , Brown and Orange Line services were disrupted for about two hours as emergency crews @ @ @ @ @ without delays about 10 p.m .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office has @ @ @ @ @ death .

A person was found dead Tuesday on the CTA tracks at the Harold Washington Library-State/Van Buren stop.
Emergency crews were called shortly before 8 p.m. and found the person dead on the tracks at the station, 26 W. Van Buren St., according to Chicago fire officials.
Police sources said the person, a male, appeared on the tracks hours earlier, and that a conductor stopped the train before striking him.
Further details were not immediately available.
Pink, Brown and Orange Line services were disrupted for about two hours as emergency crews responded. Trains began running without delays about 10 p.m.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not released details about the death.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Man arrested after failed carjacking attempt in North Mayfair

A man ran across the Edens Expressway and was arrested Tuesday after he tried to carjack two people at gunpoint @ @ @ @ @ Northwest Side .
The man approached a man and woman , 21 and 19 , @ @ @ @ @ stood outside their Chevrolet Camaro in a parking lot in the 4600 block of West @ @ @ @ @ said .
He allegedly pointed a gun at them and took the keys to the @ @ @ @ @ able to get it to drive , so he fired a shot in the air @ @ @ @ @ security guard called police , who showed up shortly after and saw the man running @ @ @ @ @ police said .
He was taken into custody near some bushes by the expressway .
@ @ @ @ @ Swedish Hospital in good condition after complaining about pain in his leg , police said @ @ @ @ @ reported .
Police sources said the weapon the man allegedly used had not been recovered @ @ @ @ @ pending as Area Five detectives investigate .

A man ran across the Edens Expressway and was arrested Tuesday after he tried to carjack two people at gunpoint in North Mayfair on the Northwest Side.
The man approached a man and woman, 21 and 19, about 9:10 p.m. as they stood outside their Chevrolet Camaro in a parking lot in the 4600 block of West Foster Avenue, Chicago police said.
He allegedly pointed a gun at them and took the keys to the car, but was not able to get it to drive, so he fired a shot in the air before running off.
A security guard called police, who showed up shortly after and saw the man running across the Edens Expressway, police said. He was taken into custody near some bushes by the expressway.
The man was taken to Swedish Hospital in good condition after complaining about pain in his leg, police said. No other injuries were reported.
Police sources said the weapon the man allegedly used had not been recovered Tuesday evening.
Charges are pending as Area Five detectives investigate.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-17--Thanksgiving Day dinners available for carryout from Chicago-area restaurants

Thanksgiving Day dinner plans look a little different for many of us this year as the coronavirus pandemic continues across the country .
You may be limiting your typical large family gathering to a smaller meal with your immediate family ( and struggling to scale down your stuffing recipe that makes 20 servings ) , or your high-risk loved ones may be sitting this one out — which means their signature dishes will be absent from your dinner table , too .
At the same time , many of us are actively seeking opportunities to help support beloved local restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus .
Luckily , Chicago-area restaurants are busy making holiday meals that can picked up or delivered for the holiday , so you can enjoy all of your favorite traditional dishes even if your family gathering this year is being hosted by Zoom instead of grandma .
Here ’ s a look at some of the offerings : Sepia ( 123 N. Jefferson ) : Chef Andrew Zimmerman ’ s feast includes celery root soup , apple cider-brined turkey breast , whipped potatoes , roasted Brussels sprouts , sage and rye bread stuffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more .
$ 80 per person .
Reserve by Nov. 18 Himmel ’ s Chicago ( 2251 W. Lawrence ) : Turkey breast and leg meat ; mashed potatoes and gravy , red cabbage , stuffing , green bean casserole , pretzel bread and obatzda , bread pudding ; $ 27.50 per person .
Reserve by Nov. 22 .
Alinea ( 1723 N. Halsted ) : Chef Grant Achatz ’ s Thanksgiving to-go menu includes an 8- to 14-pound turkey packaged with cooking instructions and compound butter , herbs and spices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuffing with roasted garlic and sage , along with a pumpkin pie for dessert .
$ 325 to $ 895 depending on party size .
Seasons 52 ( Oak Brook , Schaumburg ) : Dinner box includes Thanksgiving dinner , choice of salad and six Mini Indulgence desserts .
Boxes serve four to six for $ 150 and are available for pickup on November 24 or 25 .
Blind Faith Cafe ( 525 Dempster , Evanston ) : Enjoy a vegetarian Thanksgiving meal , selected from ready-to-heat-and-serve individual vegetable pot pies ( carrots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cauliflower , celery , mushrooms , roasted gardein and cream topped with homemade pastry ) ; yellow coconut curry ( serves 2 ) ; or a complete dinner package featuring a whole shiitake walnut loaf , mashed sweet potatoes , vegetable gravy , cranberry chutney for $ 75 ( serves 6 ) .
Peninsula Chicago ( 108 E. Superior ) : “ Thanksgiving To-Go , ” featuring dinner for six to ten guests .
whole heirloom turkey or whole roasted herb striploin , cheese and charcuterie appetizer platter , mashed potatoes , gravy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a variety of vegetable side dishes , winter green salad with blood orange dressing , and a selection of rolls ; $ 85 per person .
Order by Nov. 19 .
Formento ’ s ( 925 W. Randolph ) : Thanksgiving Meal *to be reheated at home ( $ 290 , serves 4-5 ) includes pumpkin soup , Salad , protein of choice , fixins , two sides , one full-sized pie .
Ordering : order via Tock here through Nov. 20 .
Last order to be placed no later than 72 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N. Milwaukee ) : Take-home Thanksgiving meal including whole turkey ( $ 240 , serves 4 ) ; Thanksgiving kits ( $ 180 , serves 4 ) ; and A La Carte market shopping with Thanksgiving sides , pies and turkeys for sale ; wine and cocktail pairings The Bristol ( 2152 N. Damen ) : 3-course Thanksgiving-Themed Meal ( $ 85 , serves 2 ) includes salad trio , whole smoked duck with mustard jus , salt baked sweet potato , milkbread with honey butter , cranberry and orange jam whole pie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the celebrated restaurant groups eateries are offering Thanksgiving meals-to-go , including Aba , Antico Posto , Beatrix , Bub City , RPM Italian and more .
Bistsro Campagne ( 4518 N. Lincoln ) : Thanksgiving Meal Kits ( up to 4 people $ 175 ; up to 8 people for $ 300 ) includes herb-butter-roasted turkey ( half bird for 4-person kit ; whole bird for 8-person kit ) ; brioche stuffing , gravy , Brussels sprouts , sweet potato confit , green bean casserole , pumpkin pie with Chantilly cream .
Perry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dinner for $ 45 per person is available as well as a family-style Thanksgiving dinner ( for four or more persons ) for only $ 139 .
The meal includes choice of family-style soup or salad with sliced smoked turkey breast , mashed potatoes , pan gravy , green bean almondine , sausage & sage dressing , cranberry relish , and homemade bread .
Add pumpkin cheesecake ( for four or more persons ) an additional $ 20 .
Tax and 15 % handling fee applied to food to-go purchases ( no gratuity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 4739 N. Lincoln ) : Dinner for four ( $ 180 ; $ 35 each extra person ) includes roast turkey breast in confit onioin-cherry sauce , butternut squash soup , mixed green salad with house vinaigrette , ciabatta bread , roasted garlic mashed potatoes , caramelized sweet potatoes .
mushroom stuffing , poblano gravy , grilled asparagus and choice of two small pies .
Maggiano ’ s Little Italy ( various locations ) : Complete Thanksgiving meal package serves approximately 4-5 people and includes traditional roasted turkey , gravy , focaccia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sweet potatoes , spaghetti and meatballs ; four-cheese ravioli ; caesar salad ; garlic mashed potatoes ; bread ; cranberry relish ; $ 179.99 .
Other sides , desserts available a la carte for additional charge .
Call ( 312 ) 644-5555 to place order .

Thanksgiving Day dinner plans look a little different for many of us this year maid the coronavirus pandemic.
You might be limiting your usual big family gathering to a smaller meal with immediate family (and struggling to scale down your stuffing recipe that makes 20 servings), or your high-risk loved ones could be sitting this one out — which means their signature dishes will be absent from your dinner table, too.
Luckily, many Chicago-area restaurants are offering holiday meals that can picked up or delivered for the holiday, so you can enjoy your favorite dishes even if your family gathering this year is being hosted by Zoom instead of Grandma.
Here’s a look at some of the offerings:
Himmel’s Chicago (2251 W. Lawrence Ave.): Turkey breast and leg meat; mashed potatoes and gravy, red cabbage, stuffing, green bean casserole, pretzel bread and obatzda, bread pudding; $27.50 per person. Reserve by Nov. 22.
Alinea (1723 N. Halsted St.): Chef Grant Achatz’s Thanksgiving to-go menu includes an eight- to 14-pound turkey packaged with cooking instructions and compound butter, herbs and spices, sides including green bean casserole and stuffing with roasted garlic and sage, along with a pumpkin pie. $325 to $895 depending on party size.
Seasons 52 (Oak Brook, Schaumburg): Dinner box includes Thanksgiving dinner, choice of salad and six Mini Indulgence desserts. Boxes serve four to six for $150 and are available for pickup on Nov. 24 or 25.
Enjoy Seasons 52 Thanksgiving dinner at home this year. Seasons 52
Blind Faith Cafe (525 Dempster St., Evanston): A vegetarian Thanksgiving meal, selected from ready-to-heat-and-serve individual vegetable pot pies (carrots, potatoes and peas, corn, cauliflower, celery, mushrooms, roasted gardein and cream topped with homemade pastry); yellow coconut curry (serves two); or a complete dinner package featuring a whole shiitake walnut loaf, mashed sweet potatoes, vegetable gravy and cranberry chutney for $75 (serves six).
Formento’s (925 W. Randolph St.): Thanksgiving meal *to be reheated at home ($290, serves four to five) includes pumpkin soup, Salad, protein of choice, fixings, two sides, one full-sized pie. Order via Tock here through Nov. 20. Last order to be placed no later than 72 hours in advance.
Daisies (2523 N. Milwaukee Ave.): Take-home Thanksgiving meal including whole turkey ($240, serves four), Thanksgiving kits ($180, serves four) and a la carte market shopping with Thanksgiving sides, pies and turkeys for sale; wine and cocktail pairings
The Bristol (2152 N. Damen Ave.): Three-course Thanksgiving-themed meal ($85, serves two) includes salad trio, whole smoked duck with mustard jus, salt baked sweet potato, milkbread with honey butter, cranberry and orange jam whole pie.
Daley’s Restaurant (6257 S. Cottage Grove Ave.): They’re open every day and will be open Thanksgiving Day from 7 a.m to 5 p.m. for pickup or delivery of holiday menu items. Choose from oven-baked turkey, cornish hen or half chicken, grilled or fried pork chops, collard greens, black-eyed peas and more. Call ahead to order at (773) 643-6670.
Libby’s Corner (3931 S. Leavitt) is offering carry-out menu for Thanksgiving; plates $45 (additional sides, $5 each). Full-pan entrees feed 8 to 10 people; prices vary. Pick-up or delivery (additional fee applies). Email your order to hosheannahpratt@gmail.com.
Lettuce Entertain You: A host of the celebrated restaurant group’s eateries are offering Thanksgiving meals-to-go, including Aba, Antico Posto, Beatrix, Bub City, RPM Italian and more.
Convito Cafe & Market (Plaza del Lago 1515 N. Sheridan, Wilmette): “Tastefully Thankful” meal for Thanksgiving Day, the day after or after that; $32 includes individual serving of turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potato cassoulet, green bean Almondine, olive oil roll, pumpkin square. Or create your own heat-at-home feast from their Thanksgiving menu (prices vary).
Bistsro Campagne (4518 N. Lincoln Ave.): Thanksgiving meal kits (up to four people $175; up to eight people for $300) includes herb-butter-roasted turkey (half bird for four-person kit; whole bird for eight-person kit); brioche stuffing, gravy, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato confit, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie with Chantilly cream.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille (Oakbrook and Schaumburg): Thanksgiving dinner for $45 per person is available as well as a family-style Thanksgiving dinner (for four or more) for $139. The meal includes a choice of family-style soup or salad with sliced smoked turkey breast, mashed potatoes, pan gravy, green bean almondine, sausage & sage dressing, cranberry relish and homemade bread. Add pumpkin cheesecake (for four or more) for $20 more. Tax and 15% handling fee applied to food to-go purchases (no gratuity necessary). Call (630) 571-1808.
Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille Thanksgiving dinner. Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille
Jerry’s Sandwiches(4739 N. Lincoln Ave.): Dinner for four ($180; $35 for each extra person) includes roast turkey breast in confit onion-cherry sauce, butternut squash soup, mixed green salad with house vinaigrette, ciabatta, roasted-garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized sweet potatoes. mushroom stuffing, poblano gravy, grilled asparagus and a choice of two small pies.
Maggiano’s Little Italy (multiple locations): Thanksgiving meal package serves four to five people and includes roasted turkey, gravy, focaccia sausage stuffing, country-style smoked ham, whipped sweet potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs; four-cheese ravioli; caesar salad; garlic mashed potatoes; bread; cranberry relish; $179.99. Other sides, desserts available for additional charge. Call (312) 644-5555 to order.
Ascione Bistro (1500 E. 55th St.): Traditional Thanksgiving menu at $39 per person. Choose from soup or salad; turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce; two sides; and a choice of pumpkin pie, apple tart or chocolate cake. Order at (773) 363-8161.
B’ Gabs Goodies (1450 E. 57th St.): Special Thanksgiving main dishes, side dishes and desserts, and gluten-free options available as well. Order by Nov. 21. Order here.
Chant (1509 E. 53rd St.) and Noodles on 57th (1333 E. 57th St.): Thanksgiving family meal includes a choice of main dishes including turkey, ham, prime rib or meatless loaf, sides and desserts. Call (773) 324-1999 or email aldo@chantchicago.com.
Hyde Park Produce (1226 E. 53rd St.): Pre-made dinner includes a 10- to 12-pound turkey, bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry relish for $79.99. Call (773) 324-7100 to order.
La Petite Folie (1504 E 55th St.): Three-course Thanksgiving menu with choice of soup or salad, turkey roasted with herbed butter or rack of lamb with Cognac bordelaise sauce,and three desserts. Call (773) 493-1394 to order by 5 p.m. MondayNov. 23.
Travelle at the Langham (330 N. Wabash Ave.): Several Thanksgiving packages available, from $30 (one plate, full turkey dinner) to a 10-person feast ($112 per person) that includes dishes such as whole roasted turkey, slow-roasted beef tenderloin, garlic pommes puree, truffle yellow corn casserole and more. Thanksgiving pies: $35. Call (312) 923-7705.
Porkchop (5121 S. Harper Ave.): Thanksgiving dinner package, with pickup available in Hyde Park or Lincoln Park. The $50 meal for two includes a half turkey, house salad, mac and cheese, creamed spinach, green beans, mashed potatoes, bourbon pecan cornbread stuffing, cranberry apple compote and dessert. Call (773)-493-9333 or email info@porkchopchicago.com.
Virtue (1462 E. 53rd St.): Chef/owner Erick Williams is offering a Southern Thanksgiving feast for four to six with whole brined and roasted turkey, collard greens, giblet gravy, candied yams, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pecan pie for just $189. Additional sides include mac & cheese, Southern dressing, Brussels sprouts, rolls, and sweet potato pie. Order online at https://www.toasttab.com/virtue/v3/#400000000030860451.fc9c0aad-a10a-4e95-b69c-660dfab2dca7.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--2020 NBA Draft live pick-by-pick results for Round 1

The top young basketball talents from around the world will found out where they ’ re playing next in the @ @ @ @ @ night .
LaMelo Ball , James Wiseman and others will hear their names called early @ @ @ @ @ which starts at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN .
A draft class without a clear @ @ @ @ @ left a good deal of intrigue over how the top of the first round will @ @ @ @ @ the night by taking Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards with the top overall pick , @ @ @ @ @ star next to Karl-Anthony Towns and D ’ Angelo Russell .
The Warriors proceeded to @ @ @ @ @ Wiseman with the second pick , then the Hornets took a swing on playmaking guard @ @ @ @ @ pick .
The Bulls followed through on an emerging rumor in recent days by taking @ @ @ @ @ with the fourth overall pick .
It ’ s the first draft pick under new @ @ @ @ @ Karnisovas .

The top young basketball talents from around the world found out where they’re playing next in the 2020 NBA Draft on Wednesday night.
A draft class without a clear top prospect like Zion Williamson left a good deal of intrigue over how the top of the first round will go. The Timberwolves opened the night by taking Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards with the top overall pick, potentially giving them a third star next to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.
The Warriors proceeded to select Memphis big man James Wiseman with the second pick, then the Hornets took a swing on playmaking guard LaMelo Ball with the third pick.
The Bulls followed through on an emerging rumor in recent days by taking Florida State swingman Patrick Williams with the fourth overall pick. It’s the first draft pick under new president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas.
Auburn’s Isaac Okoro rounded out the top five by going to Cleveland.
Full results for the first round of this year’s NBA Draft are below.
2020 NBA Draft results – Round 1


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--CPS to regularly test staff for COVID-19 after schools reopen

Chicago officials are developing a plan to regularly test public school teachers and staff once they return to classrooms early next year , an effort that could begin to ease the minds of anxious workers and move the school system a step closer to reopening for the first time during the pandemic .
Rapid , 15-minute tests supplied by the federal government will be used to assess asymptomatic school staffers who are in regular contact with students , the Chicago Department of Public Health and Chicago Public Schools said Wednesday .
Workers who don ’ t see students won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be self-administered with the supervision of trained staff , and the swabs only have to be placed halfway up the nose .
If an adult tests positive , they ’ ll be isolated and sent home to quarantine while a contact tracing team from CDPH investigates , officials said .
A CPS spokesman did not say how many tests the district had received or how frequently those tests would be administered , only saying plans are still in development .
Teachers and students who are symptomatic will still be asked to undergo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing site or another medical provider .
The testing plan is the latest element in the district ’ s reopening plan as officials move to convince families and workers that a return to classrooms will be safe .
CPS announced this week that preschoolers and some special education students will return in January , followed by elementary school students at the start of February .
Dr. Marielle Fricchione , medical director in CDPH ’ s COVID bureau , said schools would not reopen in January if the level of spread the city is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials studied the first virus surge in the spring and identified a key metric that marked when the city had turned a corner : Doubling time .
Explaining a threshold first released by health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady a day earlier , Fricchione said she would feel confident that the virus spread had stabilized in Chicago when cases are doubling every 18 days instead of the current 12 days .
CPS CEO Janice Jackson urged Chicagoans at Wednesday ’ s virtual Board of Education meeting to follow public health guidelines so children can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to revise our Thanksgiving plans , we have to revise travel plans , ” Jackson said .
“ And I know that this is hard to hear and difficult for many people , but given the way the pandemic is going , we can not at this time let our guards down.
” Jackson also announced Wednesday that school clerks and technology coordinators , who have been reporting to schools full-time since the start of the school year , would be allowed to work from home two days a week until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue of whether those workers could stay home has been hotly contested by the Chicago Teachers Union , which filed a labor grievance over the matter .
A neutral arbitrator ruled at the start of October that CPS had not proven its buildings were safe and clerks should be able to work from home whenever possible .
CPS has ignored that ruling and said the change this week came only because of Gov .
J.B. Pritzker returning the state to Phase 3 of his reopening plan .
“ The mayor doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaking the law just a little bit less , ” CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said Wednesday .
“ This CPS policy still violates labor law , defies the arbitrator ’ s ruling , breaks our contract and needlessly endangers workers .
”

Chicago officials are developing a plan to regularly test public school teachers and staff once they return to classrooms early next year, an effort that could begin to ease the minds of anxious workers and move the school system a step closer to reopening for the first time during the pandemic.
Rapid, 15-minute tests supplied by the federal government will be used to assess asymptomatic school staffers who are in regular contact with students, the Chicago Department of Public Health and Chicago Public Schools said Wednesday. Workers who don’t see students won’t receive the tests.
The tests can be self-administered with the supervision of trained staff, and the swabs only have to be placed halfway up the nose. If an adult tests positive, they’ll be isolated and sent home to quarantine while a contact tracing team from CDPH investigates, officials said.
A CPS spokesman did not say how many tests the district had received or how frequently those tests would be administered, only saying plans are still in development.
Teachers and students who are symptomatic will still be asked to undergo testing through their physician, a city-run testing site or another medical provider.
The testing plan is the latest element in the district’s reopening plan as officials move to convince families and workers that a return to classrooms will be safe. CPS announced this week that preschoolers and some special education students will return in January, followed by elementary school students at the start of February.
Dr. Marielle Fricchione, medical director in CDPH’s COVID bureau, said schools would not reopen in January if the level of spread the city is seeing today continues.
Fricchione said health officials studied the first virus surge in the spring and identified a key metric that marked when the city had turned a corner: Doubling time. Explaining a threshold first released by health commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady a day earlier, Fricchione said she would feel confident that the virus spread had stabilized in Chicago when cases are doubling every 18 days instead of the current 12 days.
CPS CEO Janice Jackson urged Chicagoans at Wednesday’s virtual Board of Education meeting to follow public health guidelines so children can return to their schools.
“We have to revise our Thanksgiving plans, we have to revise travel plans,” Jackson said. “And I know that this is hard to hear and difficult for many people, but given the way the pandemic is going, we cannot at this time let our guards down.”
Jackson also announced Wednesday that school clerks and technology coordinators, who have been reporting to schools full-time since the start of the school year, would be allowed to work from home two days a week until the first students return in January.
The issue of whether those workers could stay home has been hotly contested by the Chicago Teachers Union, which filed a labor grievance over the matter. A neutral arbitrator ruled at the start of October that CPS had not proven its buildings were safe and clerks should be able to work from home whenever possible. CPS has ignored that ruling and said the change this week came only because of Gov. J.B. Pritzker returning the state to Phase 3 of his reopening plan.
“The mayor doesn’t get a ‘thank you’ for breaking the law just a little bit less,” CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said Wednesday. “This CPS policy still violates labor law, defies the arbitrator’s ruling, breaks our contract and needlessly endangers workers.”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Chicago program adds social equity to holiday shopping list

Putting a social justice twist on Black Friday shopping promotions , Mayor Lori Lightfoot and community partners have started a campaign to encourage Chicagoans to support Black-owned businesses .
Called Black Shop Friday , the initiative will feature a website listing more than 500 businesses , with the Illinois Lottery donating digital advertising to get the word out .
The Chicago Urban League and ad agency O ’ Keefe Reinhard & Paul are among those helping the effort .
“ It ’ s not just about one day , ” said Karen Freeman-Wilson , president and CEO of the Urban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thanksgiving that by tradition marks the start of holiday shopping .
“ This will continue beyond the holiday into 2021.
” She said that by encouraging consumers to support Black-owned businesses , she hopes to chip away at the disadvantages research shows they face , such as poor access to capital .
Freeman-Wilson said Black-owned businesses , which are concentrated in services , were hit especially hard by shutdowns earlier in the pandemic and by recent outbreaks of looting .
Milton Latrell , owner of the custom clothier Agriculture at 67 W. Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can generate foot traffic .
“ Businesses need an opportunity to offer their services and experiences .
Since COVID-19 , the only way to separate yourself as a business is to offer excellent customer service , ” he said .
Latrell said his store was looted Aug. 10 and business is down significantly because buying habits have changed .
“ What Mayor Lightfoot is doing — this is so cool to be a part of this , ” he said .
“ We want the chance to show everyone who walks through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Urban League is completing new research on the financial state of Black-owned firms and hopes the Black Shop Friday program will register in the results , Freeman-Wilson said .
She said she hopes to publish the findings in the first quarter of 2021 .
The website , BlackShopFriday.com , is due to go live Tuesday with more than 500 businesses listed .
Freeman-Wilson said Black-owned businesses that wish to be listed should email Jason Johnson , the league ’ s director of entrepreneurship , at jjohnson @ chiul.org .
The O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign and enlisted ad agency Geletka+ for website design .
Others volunteering work for the campaign include the Edelman public relations firm .
It ’ s part of an effort run by Michael Fassnacht , an ad agency veteran tapped as the city ’ s $ 1-a-year chief marketing officer .
He ’ s devising ways to encourage commerce in Chicago despite the pandemic .
“ This inspiring partnership allows Chicagoans to discover the hundreds of Black-owned businesses in our city , driving the investment dollars that are needed now more than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make this new shopping holiday a huge success , ” Lightfoot said in a statement .

Putting a social justice twist on Black Friday shopping promotions, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and community partners have started a campaign to encourage Chicagoans to support Black-owned businesses.
Called Black Shop Friday, the initiative will feature a website listing more than 500 businesses, with the Illinois Lottery donating digital advertising to get the word out. The Chicago Urban League and ad agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul are among those helping the effort.
“It’s not just about one day,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, president and CEO of the Urban League, referring to the Friday after Thanksgiving that by tradition marks the start of holiday shopping. “This will continue beyond the holiday into 2021.”
She said that by encouraging consumers to support Black-owned businesses, she hopes to chip away at the disadvantages research shows they face, such as poor access to capital. Freeman-Wilson said Black-owned businesses, which are concentrated in services, were hit especially hard by shutdowns earlier in the pandemic and by recent outbreaks of looting.
Milton Latrell, owner of the custom clothier Agriculture at 67 W. Chicago Ave., said he hopes the program can generate foot traffic. “Businesses need an opportunity to offer their services and experiences. Since COVID-19, the only way to separate yourself as a business is to offer excellent customer service,” he said.
Latrell said his store was looted Aug. 10 and business is down significantly because buying habits have changed. “What Mayor Lightfoot is doing — this is so cool to be a part of this,” he said. “We want the chance to show everyone who walks through the door that they’re appreciated.”
The Urban League is completing new research on the financial state of Black-owned firms and hopes the Black Shop Friday program will register in the results, Freeman-Wilson said. She said she hopes to publish the findings in the first quarter of 2021.
The website, BlackShopFriday.com, is due to go live Tuesday with more than 500 businesses listed. Freeman-Wilson said Black-owned businesses that wish to be listed should email Jason Johnson, the league’s director of entrepreneurship, at jjohnson@chiul.org.
The O’Keefe firm created the Black Shop Friday campaign and enlisted ad agency Geletka+ for website design. Others volunteering work for the campaign include the Edelman public relations firm. It’s part of an effort run by Michael Fassnacht, an ad agency veteran tapped as the city’s $1-a-year chief marketing officer. He’s devising ways to encourage commerce in Chicago despite the pandemic.
“This inspiring partnership allows Chicagoans to discover the hundreds of Black-owned businesses in our city, driving the investment dollars that are needed now more than ever, and giving everyone a chance to make this new shopping holiday a huge success,” Lightfoot said in a statement.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Brian Surratt loved to laugh at cartoons, eat pizza and sing — until COVID-19 silenced him forever

Brian Surratt loved singing along with his favorite musical artists , especially Janet Jackson , Michael Jackson and Jody Watley .
He ’ d listen to their recordings over and over again until he not only knew all the lyrics but also could match the singer ’ s delivery .
“ He would sing it so perfectly .
You ’ d be like , where does he get this ?
” said his sister , Char Surratt .
Surratt , a 34-year-old man born with Fragile X syndrome , a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability , died Nov. 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Surratt lived in Englewood with his mother , Irma Chamberlain , who devoted her life to keeping him safe , a task made all the more difficult this year by the coronavirus .
The deadly virus has proven particularly lethal to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities , many of whom like Surratt have underlying health problems and lack the capacity to appreciate its dangers .
There ’ s a lesson in that for all of us , of course , but rather then belabor the point , let me just tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ held a good job at a bank when he was born , but she soon gave it up to devote full-time to his care .
Chamberlain , now 71 , said she started her son in treatment programs when he was just 10 months old .
“ I made sure Brian went to school .
I got him in therapy .
I got him child development .
I put him in classes , ” she said .
Chamberlain also enrolled her son in a Fragile X research program at the University of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ charge moved to Rush .
“ I was always on the move with Brian , ” she said .
As her son grew older , Chamberlain learned to modify her expectations for him .
“ I realized that with all the help and all the stuff I did that Brian was still going to be Brian , no matter what , ” she said .
Brian being Brian had its joys and its challenges .
“ When he was good , he was great .
You ’ d be shocked at what came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
In addition to his music , he liked anything that made him laugh , whether that was Barney or Popeye cartoons or his friends at the Envision United Mock Center , the adult day program he attended in the nearby Auburn Gresham neighborhood .
Surratt loved pizza and fried shrimp and would never let his mother take him home from an outing without buying him something .
He was better off than many others with developmental disabilities because he could walk , talk , feed and dress himself .
But “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to express himself verbally , ” his sister said .
He could recognize and read some words , but not an entire sentence .
“ He definitely could not be left alone , ” Char Surratt said .
“ He didn ’ t necessarily recognize danger .
He was not able to cross a street by himself .
The coronavirus made life even more difficult for Brian Surratt .
Normally , he spent three days a week in the Mock Center ’ s day program , where he was known as an enthusiastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But that came to an end in March when the state temporarily closed such facilities because of the pandemic .
When the center reopened in August , Chamberlain decided it would be safer to keep him home .
The interruption of his routine was difficult for Surratt , who missed his friends and didn ’ t understand what was happening .
Then on Oct. 3 , a home care support worker took Surratt for a rare outing without his mother to give her a break .
They visited a barbershop and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later when Surratt began showing symptoms , although his mother just thought he was coming down with a cold .
When he became increasingly lethargic , she took him to the doctor .
He ’ d been in the hospital about two weeks before he died .
He was not allowed visitors , which pained his family .
“ He had to be very frightened and confused , ” said his sister , who was finally able to win permission for Chamberlain to see him .
It was a short visit .
She @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he opened one eye .
A few hours after leaving the hospital , she got a call from the doctors to tell her he was dead .
“ That was the hardest thing that I ever heard , ” Chamberlain said .
The Cook County Medical Examiner listed Surratt ’ s diabetes and high blood pressure as possible contributing factors to his death .
The family started a GoFundMe page to try to raise $ 8,000 toward the costs of the burial .
Some people tell me they would rather not read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Too bad for them .

Brian Surratt loved singing along with his favorite musical artists, especially Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson and Jody Watley.
He’d listen to their recordings over and over again until he not only knew all the lyrics but also could match the singer’s delivery.
“He would sing it so perfectly. You’d be like, where does he get this?” said his sister, Char Surratt.
“Brian smart,” he’d say proudly.
Surratt, a 34-year-old man born with Fragile X syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability, died Nov. 5 at Stroger Hospital from complications of COVID-19.
Surratt lived in Englewood with his mother, Irma Chamberlain, who devoted her life to keeping him safe, a task made all the more difficult this year by the coronavirus.
The deadly virus has proven particularly lethal to individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, many of whom like Surratt have underlying health problems and lack the capacity to appreciate its dangers.
There’s a lesson in that for all of us, of course, but rather then belabor the point, let me just tell you about Brian Surratt.
His mother held a good job at a bank when he was born, but she soon gave it up to devote full-time to his care.
Chamberlain, now 71, said she started her son in treatment programs when he was just 10 months old.
“I made sure Brian went to school. I got him in therapy. I got him child development. I put him in classes,” she said.
Chamberlain also enrolled her son in a Fragile X research program at the University of Chicago and switched over when the doctor in charge moved to Rush.
“I was always on the move with Brian,” she said.
As her son grew older, Chamberlain learned to modify her expectations for him.
“I realized that with all the help and all the stuff I did that Brian was still going to be Brian, no matter what,” she said.
Brian Surratt. Provided photo.
Brian being Brian had its joys and its challenges.
“When he was good, he was great. You’d be shocked at what came out of his mouth,” Chamberlain said.
In addition to his music, he liked anything that made him laugh, whether that was Barney or Popeye cartoons or his friends at the Envision United Mock Center, the adult day program he attended in the nearby Auburn Gresham neighborhood.
Surratt loved pizza and fried shrimp and would never let his mother take him home from an outing without buying him something.
He was better off than many others with developmental disabilities because he could walk, talk, feed and dress himself.
But “there was a gap in his ability to express himself verbally,” his sister said.
He could recognize and read some words, but not an entire sentence.
“He definitely could not be left alone,” Char Surratt said. “He didn’t necessarily recognize danger. He was not able to cross a street by himself.
The coronavirus made life even more difficult for Brian Surratt.
Normally, he spent three days a week in the Mock Center’s day program, where he was known as an enthusiastic participant in the group’s activities.
But that came to an end in March when the state temporarily closed such facilities because of the pandemic. When the center reopened in August, Chamberlain decided it would be safer to keep him home.
The interruption of his routine was difficult for Surratt, who missed his friends and didn’t understand what was happening.
Then on Oct. 3, a home care support worker took Surratt for a rare outing without his mother to give her a break. They visited a barbershop and a KFC.
It was about a week later when Surratt began showing symptoms, although his mother just thought he was coming down with a cold. When he became increasingly lethargic, she took him to the doctor.
He’d been in the hospital about two weeks before he died. He was not allowed visitors, which pained his family.
“He had to be very frightened and confused,” said his sister, who was finally able to win permission for Chamberlain to see him.
It was a short visit. She spoke her son’s name, and he opened one eye. A few hours after leaving the hospital, she got a call from the doctors to tell her he was dead.
“That was the hardest thing that I ever heard,” Chamberlain said.
The Cook County Medical Examiner listed Surratt’s diabetes and high blood pressure as possible contributing factors to his death.
The family started a GoFundMe page to try to raise $8,000 toward the costs of the burial.
Some people tell me they would rather not read about the lives lost to COVID-19.
Too bad for them.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--CPS students getting more A’s — but also more F’s as remote learning continues

Racial gaps in the rates at which failing grades are handed out to Chicago Public Schools students have widened this school year even as children across the board have received both more A ’ s and more F ’ s than they had this time last year , according to new data released by the school system Wednesday .
CPS officials , who are typically keen to avoid publicizing data that would embarrass the district or show a lack of student progress , used their findings to highlight the growing inequities caused by remote learning as they make their case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In general , educators have said Black and Latino students , children in special education and those who are homeless and come from low-income backgrounds have had the most barriers to success without in-person learning because of systemic failures such as poor access to computers and internet , an inability to remotely support kids with disabilities and a lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers .
Middle-class families , generally speaking , have been more likely to have access to the resources needed to make remote learning viable .
“ I worry that unless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose a generation of students , ” Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade told the city ’ s Board of Education at its virtual meeting Wednesday .
“ The way to avoid this is to follow the public health guidance so we can safely reopen schools.
” In elementary schools , 5 % of the reading grades handed out in the first academic quarter were F ’ s compared to 1.9 % in the first quarter last year , with similar figures in math , district records show .
On the other end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up 34 % of reading grades , up from 30.8 % last year .
Math scores were similar .
There were fewer B ’ s and C ’ s in both subjects , and students of all races saw increases at both ends of the scale .
Black and Latino elementary students , however , suffered the largest increases in F ’ s in both reading and math , and did not see nearly the same increases in A ’ s as white and Asian American children , expanding an already wide gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of math grades and 59.2 % of reading grades handed out to white elementary students in the first quarter , while A ’ s made up 24 % of the math scores and 23.1 % of the reading grades Black students received .
White children ’ s A ’ s increased by six to seven percentage points since last year while the number of A ’ s Black students ’ received went up by three percentage points .
The district ’ s 3,723 elementary students who are homeless received F ’ s at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s at less than half the rate of their peers .
The district also saw a 2.9 % drop in attendance in the first academic quarter compared to last year , again largely falling along racial lines .
There was a 5 % drop among Black students and 2.4 % drop among Latino students , who combined make up 83 % of the district .
White and Asian American children have actually had slightly better attendance than last year .
Homeless children ’ s attendance fell 7.3 % among homeless children and 4.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This is a matter of equity , and it ’ s at the core of everything that we do in Chicago Public Schools , ” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said .
“ The shift here is allowing for multiple options for all of our parents , ” Jackson said , referring to plans announced this week to reopen schools to some children in January and all elementary students in February .
“ Any parent who wants to remain in the remote environment will have the ability to do so .
But beginning in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunity or an option for their students to be educated in person will now have a choice.
” Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates attributed the grading and attendance disparities to poorly constructed virtual schedules that try to emulate a regular , in-person school and the fact that communities of color have been the hardest hit by the pandemic .
She wants to see improvements to remote learning and a more comprehensive plan — with input from more stakeholders — to reopen schools when it ’ s safe .
“ Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their survival , ” Davis Gates said .
“ Is it any wonder that our children are having a tough time with school ?
”

Racial gaps in the rates at which failing grades are handed out to Chicago Public Schools students have widened this school year even as children across the board have received both more A’s and more F’s than they had this time last year, according to new data released by the school system Wednesday.
CPS officials, who are typically keen to avoid publicizing data that would embarrass the district or show a lack of student progress, used their findings to highlight the growing inequities caused by remote learning as they make their case for reopening schools during the pandemic.
In general, educators have said Black and Latino students, children in special education and those who are homeless and come from low-income backgrounds have had the most barriers to success without in-person learning because of systemic failures such as poor access to computers and internet, an inability to remotely support kids with disabilities and a lack of face-to-face interaction with teachers. Middle-class families, generally speaking, have been more likely to have access to the resources needed to make remote learning viable.
“I worry that unless we act with urgency, we will lose a generation of students,” Chief Education Officer LaTanya McDade told the city’s Board of Education at its virtual meeting Wednesday. “The way to avoid this is to follow the public health guidance so we can safely reopen schools.”
In elementary schools, 5% of the reading grades handed out in the first academic quarter were F’s compared to 1.9% in the first quarter last year, with similar figures in math, district records show. On the other end of the scale, A’s made up 34% of reading grades, up from 30.8% last year. Math scores were similar. There were fewer B’s and C’s in both subjects, and students of all races saw increases at both ends of the scale.
Black and Latino elementary students, however, suffered the largest increases in F’s in both reading and math, and did not see nearly the same increases in A’s as white and Asian American children, expanding an already wide gap.
A grades accounted for 60.2% of math grades and 59.2% of reading grades handed out to white elementary students in the first quarter, while A’s made up 24% of the math scores and 23.1% of the reading grades Black students received. White children’s A’s increased by six to seven percentage points since last year while the number of A’s Black students’ received went up by three percentage points.
The district’s 3,723 elementary students who are homeless received F’s at a much higher rate and A’s at less than half the rate of their peers.
Similar trends emerged in high school grades, too.
The district also saw a 2.9% drop in attendance in the first academic quarter compared to last year, again largely falling along racial lines. There was a 5% drop among Black students and 2.4% drop among Latino students, who combined make up 83% of the district. White and Asian American children have actually had slightly better attendance than last year. Homeless children’s attendance fell 7.3% among homeless children and 4.8% among special education students.
“This is a matter of equity, and it’s at the core of everything that we do in Chicago Public Schools,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said.
“The shift here is allowing for multiple options for all of our parents,” Jackson said, referring to plans announced this week to reopen schools to some children in January and all elementary students in February.
“Any parent who wants to remain in the remote environment will have the ability to do so. But beginning in January, those parents who need an opportunity or an option for their students to be educated in person will now have a choice.”
Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates attributed the grading and attendance disparities to poorly constructed virtual schedules that try to emulate a regular, in-person school and the fact that communities of color have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. She wants to see improvements to remote learning and a more comprehensive plan — with input from more stakeholders — to reopen schools when it’s safe.
“Black and Latinx families are literally fighting for their survival,” Davis Gates said. “Is it any wonder that our children are having a tough time with school?”


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Pepsi launches new soda with cinnamon and apple flavors — via sweepstakes

With Thanksgiving around the corner , Pepsi on Tuesday launched its new apple pie-flavored cola and will only be available @ @ @ @ @ Pepsi edition contains cinnamon and apple flavors , resembling a slice of apple pie .
@ @ @ @ @ available in stores , but Pepsi fans can get a free two liter bottle by @ @ @ @ @ of their failed attempt to bake on Twitter or TikTok and using the hashtag # @ @ @ @ @ follow @ Pepsi .
The first 1,500 contestants to enter will be eligible to win @ @ @ @ @ – especially this year – is nothing to be ashamed of , and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ that are truly trying their best during a unique holiday season , ” said Todd @ @ @ @ @ marketing at Pepsi .
Pepsi isn ’ t the only company launching fall inspired drinks @ @ @ @ @ with Oconee Brewing Company to bring a new bacon-infused beer .

With Thanksgiving around the corner, Pepsi on Tuesday launched its new apple pie-flavored cola and will only be available via sweepstakes.
This new Pepsi edition contains cinnamon and apple flavors, resembling a slice of apple pie.
The product is not yet available in stores, but Pepsi fans can get a free two liter bottle by submitting a photo or video of their failed attempt to bake on Twitter or TikTok and using the hashtag #PepsiApplePieChallenge.
Fans must also follow @Pepsi. The first 1,500 contestants to enter will be eligible to win.
“Failing at baking – especially this year – is nothing to be ashamed of, and we’re celebrating those amateur bakers that are truly trying their best during a unique holiday season,” said Todd Kaplan, vice president of marketing at Pepsi.
Pepsi isn’t the only company launching fall inspired drinks. The Waffle House teamed with Oconee Brewing Company to bring a new bacon-infused beer.
☑ Burnt crusts
☑ Too much salt
☑ Undercooked creations
Share a pic of your baking fails with #PepsiApplePieChallenge to get Pepsi Apple Pie.
With hints of warm cinnamon, buttery crust, and fresh apple, it’s the best pie you’ll never have to bake 🥧. pic.twitter.com/gcPD7I0a1x — Pepsi (@pepsi) November 17, 2020
Read more at usatoday.com


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--‘Wonder Woman 1984’ to debut Dec. 25 on HBO Max and in theaters as well

“ Wonder Woman 1984 , ” the hotly awaited and oft-delayed superhero sequel , has a new release plan — @ @ @ @ @ one might be for real .
Warner Bros. Pictures announced Wednesday at the movie will @ @ @ @ @ streaming platform starting Dec. 25 — and also in theaters the same day .
Viewing @ @ @ @ @ fee for HBO Max subscribers , and their access will last only a month .
@ @ @ @ @ unprecedented times , we ’ ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving @ @ @ @ @ our fans , ” said Ann Sarnoff , Chair and CEO of Warner Bros. ’ @ @ @ @ @ spread of COVID-19 has prompted the closing of cinemas in many parts of the country @ @ @ @ @ has ordered theaters to cease operation starting Friday .
Gal Gadot , star of the @ @ @ @ @ , ” returns as the DC Comics crimefighter in the new movie , which co-stars @ @ @ @ @ and Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah .

“Wonder Woman 1984,” the hotly awaited and oft-delayed superhero sequel, has a new release plan — and it looks like this one might be for real.
Warner Bros. Pictures announced Wednesday at the movie will show on the HBO Max streaming platform starting Dec. 25 — and also in theaters the same day. Viewing it will require no additional fee for HBO Max subscribers, and their access will last only a month.
“As we navigate these unprecedented times, we’ve had to be innovative in keeping our businesses moving forward while continuing to super-serve our fans,” said Ann Sarnoff, Chair and CEO of Warner Bros.’ parent company.
The continuing spread of COVID-19 has prompted the closing of cinemas in many parts of the country, including Illinois, which has ordered theaters to cease operation starting Friday.
Gal Gadot, star of the 2017 hit “Wonder Woman,” returns as the DC Comics crimefighter in the new movie, which co-stars Pedro Pascal as Max Lord and Kristen Wiig as The Cheetah.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-18--Only heart disease and cancer now killing more Illinoisans than COVID-19: ‘The virus is back with a

Only heart disease and cancer now killing more Illinoisans than COVID-19: ‘The virus is back with a vengeance’

The coronavirus is now the third leading cause of death in Illinois , public health officials said Wednesday , reporting that the latest 140 lives lost raised the state ’ s pandemic death toll to 11,014 .
The virus that a year ago was scarcely an afterthought for most Illinoisans is now killing more of them than strokes and accidents combined .
Only heart disease and cancer are causing more grief , according to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s office .
Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike estimated last month that the COVID-19 death toll would surpass 11,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she didn ’ t think it would happen with six weeks left on the calendar .
“ It means we ’ re in bad shape , ” Ezike said .
“ I need everybody ’ s help talking to one another , saying , ‘ We really need to rethink Thanksgiving , we need to really rethink this party that you wanted to have… ’ That is our path to making sure that we don ’ t continue to go past 11,000 to 12 , to 13 , to 14,000.
” “ These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ These are our co-workers .
These are our loved ones that may be here now and won ’ t see 2021.
” The latest deaths marked just the third time since the end of the first wave of the pandemic in the spring that the state logged 100 or more deaths in a day — but all three of those instances have occurred over the last eight days , as Illinois weathers an exponential viral resurgence along with most of the nation .
Ninety-five of the latest 140 victims came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them ranged in age from their 30s to 50s .
The toll only figures to get worse in the weeks ahead as an unprecedented number of coronavirus patients continue to be admitted to Illinois hospitals .
As of Tuesday night , COVID-19 patients occupied 5,953 beds , an increase of 66 from the previous night .
The number of patients requiring intensive care fell by 12 to 1,146 , but the number of those requiring a ventilator ticked up again to 547 , the most since the end of May .
Some hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as some of Chicago ’ s far south suburbs , are already approaching capacity due to the surge in coronavirus patients .
“ The virus is back with a vengeance , ” Pritzker said .
Officials on Wednesday also reported an additional 8,922 cases of COVID-19 reported statewide , meaning a total of nearly 607,000 people have contracted the virus over the last eight months .
That ’ s about 4.8 % of the state ’ s population .
In one small , potential “ glimmer of optimism ” noted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while still above the state ’ s daily average over the last month — marked the first time in almost two weeks that the state has reported fewer than 10,000 new cases .
And they were detected among almost 104,000 tests , lowering the statewide average testing positivity rate to 11.9 % , as low as it ’ s been since Nov. 9 .
“ But I have been fooled before by the numbers , ” the Democratic governor said .
“ The numbers fluctuate a little bit ...
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see more days.
” Either way , it ’ ll take a lot more improvement than that for any of the state ’ s 11 regions to shed Pritzker ’ s business restrictions that take effect Friday , limiting store capacities and shutting down theaters , museums and indoor sports programs .
In addition to improving hospital metrics , regions would need to lower their positivity rates below 12 % .
Two regions remain over 20 % positivity and eight more are above 15 % .
Chicago is at 15.5 % positivity and @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The coronavirus is now the third leading cause of death in Illinois, public health officials said Wednesday, reporting that the latest 140 lives lost raised the state’s pandemic death toll to 11,014.
The virus that a year ago was scarcely an afterthought for most Illinoisans is now killing more of them than strokes and accidents combined. Only heart disease and cancer are causing more grief, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office.
Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike estimated last month that the COVID-19 death toll would surpass 11,000 by the end of the year; she didn’t think it would happen with six weeks left on the calendar.
“It means we’re in bad shape,” Ezike said. “I need everybody’s help talking to one another, saying, ‘We really need to rethink Thanksgiving, we need to really rethink this party that you wanted to have…’ That is our path to making sure that we don’t continue to go past 11,000 to 12, to 13, to 14,000.”
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
“These are our family members,” Ezike said. “These are our co-workers. These are our loved ones that may be here now and won’t see 2021.”
The latest deaths marked just the third time since the end of the first wave of the pandemic in the spring that the state logged 100 or more deaths in a day — but all three of those instances have occurred over the last eight days, as Illinois weathers an exponential viral resurgence along with most of the nation.
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike discusses how COVID-19 spreads at the James R. Thompson Center on Tuesday. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
Ninety-five of the latest 140 victims came from the Chicago area. Eight of them ranged in age from their 30s to 50s.
The toll only figures to get worse in the weeks ahead as an unprecedented number of coronavirus patients continue to be admitted to Illinois hospitals. As of Tuesday night, COVID-19 patients occupied 5,953 beds, an increase of 66 from the previous night.
The number of patients requiring intensive care fell by 12 to 1,146, but the number of those requiring a ventilator ticked up again to 547, the most since the end of May.
Some hospitals in the northwest corner of the state, as well as some of Chicago’s far south suburbs, are already approaching capacity due to the surge in coronavirus patients.
“The virus is back with a vengeance,” Pritzker said.
Officials on Wednesday also reported an additional 8,922 cases of COVID-19 reported statewide, meaning a total of nearly 607,000 people have contracted the virus over the last eight months. That’s about 4.8% of the state’s population.
In one small, potential “glimmer of optimism” noted by Pritzker, the latest caseload — while still above the state’s daily average over the last month — marked the first time in almost two weeks that the state has reported fewer than 10,000 new cases.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker attends a news conference at the James R. Thompson Center in the Loop on Tuesday. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
And they were detected among almost 104,000 tests, lowering the statewide average testing positivity rate to 11.9%, as low as it’s been since Nov. 9.
“But I have been fooled before by the numbers,” the Democratic governor said. “The numbers fluctuate a little bit... I don’t want to draw any conclusions until we see more days.”
Graph not displaying properly? Click here.
Either way, it’ll take a lot more improvement than that for any of the state’s 11 regions to shed Pritzker’s business restrictions that take effect Friday, limiting store capacities and shutting down theaters, museums and indoor sports programs.
In addition to improving hospital metrics, regions would need to lower their positivity rates below 12%. Two regions remain over 20% positivity and eight more are above 15%.
Chicago is at 15.5% positivity and suburban Cook County at 16%.


chicagosun-times--2020-11-19--Dear Abby: When mom visits, man barely talks and watches TV instead

DEAR ABBY : Since I moved eight years ago , my son , “ Jim , ” has visited me only once , and that ’ s because I gave his son my car .
I rarely hear from him , and when I have visited , we barely talk .
We have totally different ideas on life , and it has caused a rift in our relationship .
When I have visited Jim and his wife , they just sit , watch movies and eat takeout food unless I take them out and pay for the meal .
Over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son money and housed him when he went through a terrible divorce .
His children are grown now , and I don ’ t hear from them either .
He remarried a woman he met on the internet who has different ideas on things than my family and the way I was brought up .
It hurts me very much .
What ’ s your opinion on what to do about this situation ?
I ’ m at a loss .
— LET DOWN IN IDAHO DEAR LET DOWN : It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with Jim started a long time ago .
It should have been addressed then .
It ’ s not uncommon for adults to have ideas that differ from their parents ’ , but it shouldn ’ t cause a rift .
If your son and his wife are hiding behind their television set rather than conversing , the situation may be as uncomfortable for them as it is for you .
If the dynamics in your relationship are going to improve , you will have to convince them to discuss where things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on certain topics and talk about other things when you see them .
From what you have written , it appears you are doing all the work in the relationship , and that isn ’ t fair to you .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m a gay male who has fallen in love with my best friend , who is straight .
After months of feeling dishonest in our friendship , I told him how I felt .
At first he seemed OK with it .
He told me he couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still loved me as his friend and asked me not to make it “ weird.
” A month later , he said if I can ’ t find a way to fall out of love with him , we could no longer be friends .
I didn ’ t change anything about my relationship with him .
I maintained the status quo , and he seemed good with it .
I don ’ t know what to do .
I am extremely sad because I don ’ t want to lose my best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is why I thought he would appreciate my honesty and we could work through the issue .
What ’ s your advice ?
— TURNED DOWN IN TENNESSEE DEAR TURNED DOWN : This person may be wonderful , but he could not handle the responsibility of a close personal relationship with someone who was in love with him if it wasn ’ t reciprocal .
My advice is to accept it and move on .
You really have no alternative because the decision has already been made for you .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heal from this .
I promise .
DEAR ABBY : All my boyfriend wants to do is clean the house and make love to me .
He also cooks for me , massages me , worships my body , insists that I take naps and makes me laugh nonstop .
What ’ s wrong with him ?
— PONDERING IN THE SUNSHINE STATE DEAR PONDERING : What ’ s wrong with YOU ?
This must be a new relationship .
Give it time , and I am sure you will uncover something .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: Since I moved eight years ago, my son, “Jim,” has visited me only once, and that’s because I gave his son my car. I rarely hear from him, and when I have visited, we barely talk. We have totally different ideas on life, and it has caused a rift in our relationship.
When I have visited Jim and his wife, they just sit, watch movies and eat takeout food unless I take them out and pay for the meal. Over the years, I have given my son money and housed him when he went through a terrible divorce. His children are grown now, and I don’t hear from them either.
He remarried a woman he met on the internet who has different ideas on things than my family and the way I was brought up. It hurts me very much. What’s your opinion on what to do about this situation? I’m at a loss. — LET DOWN IN IDAHO
DEAR LET DOWN: It’s sad, but the breakdown in your relationship with Jim started a long time ago. It should have been addressed then.
It’s not uncommon for adults to have ideas that differ from their parents’, but it shouldn’t cause a rift. If your son and his wife are hiding behind their television set rather than conversing, the situation may be as uncomfortable for them as it is for you.
If the dynamics in your relationship are going to improve, you will have to convince them to discuss where things went off track, agree to disagree on certain topics and talk about other things when you see them. From what you have written, it appears you are doing all the work in the relationship, and that isn’t fair to you.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a gay male who has fallen in love with my best friend, who is straight. After months of feeling dishonest in our friendship, I told him how I felt. At first he seemed OK with it. He told me he couldn’t reciprocate those feelings, but he still loved me as his friend and asked me not to make it “weird.”
A month later, he said if I can’t find a way to fall out of love with him, we could no longer be friends. I didn’t change anything about my relationship with him. I maintained the status quo, and he seemed good with it. I don’t know what to do.
I am extremely sad because I don’t want to lose my best friend. We had a great relationship, which is why I thought he would appreciate my honesty and we could work through the issue. What’s your advice? — TURNED DOWN IN TENNESSEE
DEAR TURNED DOWN: This person may be wonderful, but he could not handle the responsibility of a close personal relationship with someone who was in love with him if it wasn’t reciprocal. My advice is to accept it and move on. You really have no alternative because the decision has already been made for you. You have my sympathy, but you WILL heal from this. I promise.
DEAR ABBY: All my boyfriend wants to do is clean the house and make love to me. He also cooks for me, massages me, worships my body, insists that I take naps and makes me laugh nonstop. What’s wrong with him? — PONDERING IN THE SUNSHINE STATE
DEAR PONDERING: What’s wrong with YOU? This must be a new relationship. Give it time, and I am sure you will uncover something.
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.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)