chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Drivers on Chicago’s busiest routes among nearly 900 CTA employees with COVID-19 (LIVE UPDATES)

Bus drivers on Chicago ’ s busiest routes among nearly 900 CTA employees with COVID-19 Two of the CTA ’ s busiest bus routes — the No .
79 that runs along 79th Street and the No .
49 on Western Avenue — have recorded the most coronavirus cases among bus drivers , with nine drivers on each run falling ill over a six-month span , records show .
Three other routes — the No .
4 , No .
8 and No .
22 — each saw eight CTA drivers infected with COVID-19 over the same period .
Four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , No .
20 , No .
29 and No .
72 — had seven drivers each diagnosed with the virus .
Together , those nine routes carried more than 65,000 riders on the average weekday in September .
Indiana ’ s hospitals will have to postpone elective surgeries starting in the coming week under an order the state ’ s governor said is needed to free up hospital capacity amid steep recent increases in serious COVID-19 illnesses .
An initial shipment of 55,000 doses of the first coronavirus vaccine is expected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health care workers start to receive shots .
The past year that we ’ ve all been struggling through has been described as the most tumultuous one in America since 1968 .
There were multiple crises that contributed to the 2020 mess , but there is no question that it was made worse by two massive frauds that were perpetrated on our country .
If you look up the word “ fraud ” in the dictionary , you will find the following definition : “ deceit , trickery , sharp practice , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.
” The first national fraud consists of two oft-communicated suggestions from the White House : 1 ) The wearing of masks might not mitigate the contraction of COVID-19 , and ; 2 ) The country has been “ rounding the turn ” toward ending the pandemic for several months .
There is so much evidence of the president saying this — and it being false — that I wasn ’ t sure how to select just one reference link .
I ended up providing two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walk into any hospital and ask the thousands of doctors and nurses who are fighting to save lives every day .
It would take you quite a while to find one who agrees with either statement .
Would universal mask-wearing end the pandemic if you could actually enforce it ?
Of course not .
But we ’ re talking about mitigation .
Not only did the president repeatedly question the effectiveness of masking , he also organized , promoted and performed at mass rallies across the country where his minions did not wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a requirement .
He did not .
COVID-19 ’ s rampage through vulnerable Illinois communities continued unabated Friday as public health officials announced 190 more people have died of the coronavirus .
At least 3,782 people in Illinois have succumbed to the virus over the last month alone , a toll greater than the state saw during the previous four months combined .
The latest tally included a Cook County man in his 20s and two people in their 30s , among a total of 106 Chicago-area fatalities .
They brought the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14,000 milestone , now up to 14,050 lives lost .
Another thousand deaths are considered to have been probable but untested viral cases .
10:34 a.m. Union says almost 20 % of MLS players tested positive for coronavirus The Major League Soccer Players ’ Association says nearly 20 % of the league ’ s players tested positive for the coronavirus over the course of the season .
Bob Foose , executive director of the union , revealed the results in a conference call with reporters Thursday .
“ During a time when most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players were going to work every day , really just about every single day .
Almost 20 % of the players in the league at one point or another were infected with the virus , which meant that those who became infected and those who didn ’ t become infected became dangers and dangerous to their partners , their family and their friends just by virtue of doing their jobs , ” Foose said .
MLS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the figure , which would mean about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s protocols called for several tests to confirm cases .
Some of the league ’ s players also tested positive only after international duty .
10:22 a.m. National Guard joins fight against COVID-19 at veterans homes Veterans homes dealing with coronavirus outbreaks will receive help from members of the Illinois National Guard , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Thursday as his administration looks to curb a rise in cases at the long-term care facilities .
The Guard is on the ground at the LaSalle Veterans ’ Home — which has had 33 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be sent Monday to facilities in Quincy and Manteno , Pritzker said .
They will provide staff support for screening and handling testing data .
“ … Here in Illinois , we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to safeguard our most vulnerable , especially those who lived to serve , ” Pritzker said at his Thursday briefing on the coronavirus .
So far , 55 veterans at the Quincy home have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday — and a total of 125 residents and staff have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manteno home , 18 residents and 33 employees have tested positive for the virus since August , according to an update from the state ’ s Department of Veterans ’ Affairs dated Thursday .
Read the full story from Rachel Hinton here .
WASHINGTON — A U.S. government advisory panel has endorsed Pfizer ’ s coronavirus vaccine , in a major step toward an epic vaccination campaign that could finally conquer the outbreak .
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the recommendation issued Thursday by its expert advisers .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one abstention , concluded that the shot appears safe and effective against the coronavirus in people 16 and older .
A final FDA decision is expected within days .
Millions of shots would then ship to begin vaccinating health care workers and nursing home residents .
Widespread access to the general public is not expected until the spring .
The meeting of outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration represented the next-to-last hurdle before the expected start of the biggest vaccination campaign in U.S. history .
Depending on how fast the FDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommendation , shots could begin within days .
• COVID-19 has killed 196 more Illinois residents , public health officials announced Thursday , the third-most deaths ever reported in a single day .
The virus has claimed nearly 1,600 Illinois lives over the first 10 days of December .
• Among the latest victims were 101 Chicago-area residents , including a Cook County man in his 30s and two women in their 40s .
• Maria Lopez , the wife of Guadalupe Lopez , a beloved 911 dispatcher who died from complications of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 on Friday .
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold , Illinois nursing home residents were already vulnerable , suffering and alone .
Illinois nursing homes ranked 50th in the nation for direct care nursing hours per resident per day and were the second worst in the nation for long-stay residents receiving inappropriate use of antipsychotic medication , according to a 2018 AARP report .
More than eight in 10 voters in Illinois back in 2019 said that action should be taken to increase the quality of care in Illinois nursing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Then COVID-19 arrived , making the already tragic circumstances for Illinois ’ nursing home residents devastatingly worse .
12:56 p.m. Police officers should wear masks whenever they interact with the public Because of COVID-19 restrictions , I have been working from home for the last nine months and have spent more time in the Chicago neighborhood where I have lived for 17 years .
It is a neighborhood where a significant number of active and retired members of the Chicago Police Department also live .
The same three marked police cars are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ routine traffic stops at a nearby busy intersection , I have often seen police officers not wearing masks as they approached drivers and pedestrians .
Numerous reports of uniformed CPD members not wearing masks in public offices and other public spaces , both on and off duty have emerged , including at DePaul University , where I am on faculty .
Photos and videos of officers assigned to protests earlier this year showed officers just as likely to wear masks as not .
Recently , a federal judge admonished the Chicago Federation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing and wearing masks in a courtroom .
The CPD launched its own “ I Wear My Mask ” campaign recently to encourage officers to comply with masks .
As the number of deaths from COVID in this country hit an all-time high of more than 3,000 in one day , closer to home , the Illinois Department of Public Health lists the number of COVID cases and deaths by Zip code .
8:49 a.m. COVID killed my stepfather , who followed the rules This is a story about a good man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , paid his taxes , played by the rules and was starting to enjoy retirement , only to die a week after testing positive for COVID-19 .
No longer able to live by himself , Terry finally agreed a few months ago to move to a retiree apartment complex 15 minutes away from me and my family in Chicago .
It had a good track record of keeping its residents safe from COVID-19 , provided him three squares a day and a spacious one-bedroom apartment where he could snack on Snickers and watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Last week , he learned several staffers at the apartment complex had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Within days , his own test came back positive .
He had no symptoms , but as a precaution , he was taken to the hospital , where he was infused with bamlanivimab , the experimental antibody drug .
The ER doctor called his prognosis good , and he was released .
Two days later , he was dead , his body discovered during the morning delivery of breakfast to his room .
Read the @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Illinois passed a grim pandemic milestone: more than 14,000 deaths from COVID-19 statewide. But there was some hope announced at the end of the day.
Here’s what you need to know in coronavirus-related news.
News
8:55 p.m. Bus drivers on Chicago’s busiest routes among nearly 900 CTA employees with COVID-19
Commuters board the CTA’s southbound No. 49 bus on North Western Avenue at West Leland Avenue on the North Side, Friday morning, Dec. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
Two of the CTA’s busiest bus routes — the No. 79 that runs along 79th Street and the No. 49 on Western Avenue — have recorded the most coronavirus cases among bus drivers, with nine drivers on each run falling ill over a six-month span, records show.
Three other routes — the No. 4, No. 8 and No. 22 — each saw eight CTA drivers infected with COVID-19 over the same period.
Four more routes — the No. 3, No. 20, No. 29 and No. 72 — had seven drivers each diagnosed with the virus.
Together, those nine routes carried more than 65,000 riders on the average weekday in September.
Read the full Watchdogs story here.
8:44 p.m. FDA approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
WASHINGTON — The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans, according to a person familiar with the decision but not authorized to discuss it publicly.
Shots for health workers and nursing home residents are expected to begin in the coming days after the Food and Drug Administration authorized an emergency rollout of what promises to be a strongly protective vaccine from Pfizer Inc. and its German partner BioNTech.
Initial doses are scarce and rationed as the U.S. joins Britain and several other countries in scrambling to vaccinate as many people as possible ahead of a long, grim winter. It will take months of work to tamp down the coronavirus that has surged to catastrophic levels in recent weeks and already claimed 1.5 million lives globally.
Read the full report here.
6:11 p.m. Indiana reinstating surgery limits amid COVID-19 surge
Indiana’s hospitals will have to postpone elective surgeries starting in the coming week under an order the state’s governor said is needed to free up hospital capacity amid steep recent increases in serious COVID-19 illnesses.
An initial shipment of 55,000 doses of the first coronavirus vaccine is expected to arrive at Indiana hospitals shortly as front-line health care workers start to receive shots.
Read the full report here.
3:22 p.m. White House fraud worsened pandemic, eroded trust
The past year that we’ve all been struggling through has been described as the most tumultuous one in America since 1968.
There were multiple crises that contributed to the 2020 mess, but there is no question that it was made worse by two massive frauds that were perpetrated on our country.
If you look up the word “fraud” in the dictionary, you will find the following definition: “deceit, trickery, sharp practice, or breach of confidence, perpetrated for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.”
The first national fraud consists of two oft-communicated suggestions from the White House: 1) The wearing of masks might not mitigate the contraction of COVID-19, and; 2) The country has been “rounding the turn” toward ending the pandemic for several months.
There is so much evidence of the president saying this — and it being false — that I wasn’t sure how to select just one reference link. I ended up providing two nonpartisan fact-checkers. But you could also walk into any hospital and ask the thousands of doctors and nurses who are fighting to save lives every day. It would take you quite a while to find one who agrees with either statement.
Would universal mask-wearing end the pandemic if you could actually enforce it? Of course not. But we’re talking about mitigation. Not only did the president repeatedly question the effectiveness of masking, he also organized, promoted and performed at mass rallies across the country where his minions did not wear masks. He could have made it a requirement. He did not.
Read the full story here
1:49 p.m. Another 190 coronavirus deaths push Illinois toll past 14,000
COVID-19’s rampage through vulnerable Illinois communities continued unabated Friday as public health officials announced 190 more people have died of the coronavirus.
At least 3,782 people in Illinois have succumbed to the virus over the last month alone, a toll greater than the state saw during the previous four months combined.
The latest tally included a Cook County man in his 20s and two people in their 30s, among a total of 106 Chicago-area fatalities.
They brought the state’s pandemic death toll past the 14,000 milestone, now up to 14,050 lives lost. Another thousand deaths are considered to have been probable but untested viral cases.
Reporter Mitch Armentrout has the full story.
10:34 a.m. Union says almost 20% of MLS players tested positive for coronavirus
The Major League Soccer Players’ Association says nearly 20% of the league’s players tested positive for the coronavirus over the course of the season.
Bob Foose, executive director of the union, revealed the results in a conference call with reporters Thursday.
“During a time when most professionals were working at home, our players were going to work every day, really just about every single day. Almost 20% of the players in the league at one point or another were infected with the virus, which meant that those who became infected and those who didn’t become infected became dangers and dangerous to their partners, their family and their friends just by virtue of doing their jobs,” Foose said.
MLS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the figure, which would mean about 150 players tested positive. The league’s protocols called for several tests to confirm cases. Some of the league’s players also tested positive only after international duty.
Read the full story here.
10:22 a.m. National Guard joins fight against COVID-19 at veterans homes
Veterans homes dealing with coronavirus outbreaks will receive help from members of the Illinois National Guard, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday as his administration looks to curb a rise in cases at the long-term care facilities.
The Guard is on the ground at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home — which has had 33 residents die from the virus — and will be sent Monday to facilities in Quincy and Manteno, Pritzker said.
They will provide staff support for screening and handling testing data.
“… Here in Illinois, we will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to safeguard our most vulnerable, especially those who lived to serve,” Pritzker said at his Thursday briefing on the coronavirus.
So far, 55 veterans at the Quincy home have tested positive for the coronavirus as of Wednesday — and a total of 125 residents and staff have recovered from the virus. At the Manteno home, 18 residents and 33 employees have tested positive for the virus since August, according to an update from the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs dated Thursday.
Read the full story from Rachel Hinton here.
8:13 a.m. Panel of FDA advisors back Pfizer coronavirus vaccine
WASHINGTON — A U.S. government advisory panel has endorsed Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, in a major step toward an epic vaccination campaign that could finally conquer the outbreak.
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to follow the recommendation issued Thursday by its expert advisers. The advisory group, in 17-4 vote with one abstention, concluded that the shot appears safe and effective against the coronavirus in people 16 and older.
A final FDA decision is expected within days. Millions of shots would then ship to begin vaccinating health care workers and nursing home residents. Widespread access to the general public is not expected until the spring.
The meeting of outside advisers to the Food and Drug Administration represented the next-to-last hurdle before the expected start of the biggest vaccination campaign in U.S. history. Depending on how fast the FDA signs off on the panel’s recommendation, shots could begin within days.
Read the full report here.
New Cases
Analysis & Commentary
3:24 p.m. Legislative panel should approve nursing home safety rules
Long before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold, Illinois nursing home residents were already vulnerable, suffering and alone.
Illinois nursing homes ranked 50th in the nation for direct care nursing hours per resident per day and were the second worst in the nation for long-stay residents receiving inappropriate use of antipsychotic medication, according to a 2018 AARP report.
More than eight in 10 voters in Illinois back in 2019 said that action should be taken to increase the quality of care in Illinois nursing homes, according to an AARP survey.
Then COVID-19 arrived, making the already tragic circumstances for Illinois’ nursing home residents devastatingly worse.
Read the full column here.
12:56 p.m. Police officers should wear masks whenever they interact with the public
Because of COVID-19 restrictions, I have been working from home for the last nine months and have spent more time in the Chicago neighborhood where I have lived for 17 years. It is a neighborhood where a significant number of active and retired members of the Chicago Police Department also live.
The same three marked police cars are usually parked in neighboring blocks. On routine traffic stops at a nearby busy intersection, I have often seen police officers not wearing masks as they approached drivers and pedestrians.
Numerous reports of uniformed CPD members not wearing masks in public offices and other public spaces, both on and off duty have emerged, including at DePaul University, where I am on faculty. Photos and videos of officers assigned to protests earlier this year showed officers just as likely to wear masks as not.
Recently, a federal judge admonished the Chicago Federation of Police for its lack of compliance with social distancing and wearing masks in a courtroom. The CPD launched its own “I Wear My Mask” campaign recently to encourage officers to comply with masks.
As the number of deaths from COVID in this country hit an all-time high of more than 3,000 in one day, closer to home, the Illinois Department of Public Health lists the number of COVID cases and deaths by Zip code.
Read the full column here.
8:49 a.m. COVID killed my stepfather, who followed the rules
This is a story about a good man who worked brutally hard his adult life, paid his taxes, played by the rules and was starting to enjoy retirement, only to die a week after testing positive for COVID-19.
No longer able to live by himself, Terry finally agreed a few months ago to move to a retiree apartment complex 15 minutes away from me and my family in Chicago.
It had a good track record of keeping its residents safe from COVID-19, provided him three squares a day and a spacious one-bedroom apartment where he could snack on Snickers and watch TV to his heart’s content.
Last week, he learned several staffers at the apartment complex had tested positive for COVID-19. Within days, his own test came back positive. He had no symptoms, but as a precaution, he was taken to the hospital, where he was infused with bamlanivimab, the experimental antibody drug. The ER doctor called his prognosis good, and he was released.
Two days later, he was dead, his body discovered during the morning delivery of breakfast to his room.
Read the full column by Steve Warmbir here.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Mike Madigan is making lots of promises to win votes for House speaker, but can he keep them?

Outsiders may not get it , but it makes some sense that the majority of House Democrats still back House Speaker Michael Madigan ’ s reelection .
He ’ s been a genius at getting things done for his caucus .
He is loyal to his people and has infinitely more institutional memory and can pull more strings and push more buttons than anyone alive .
In his nearly 50 years in office , Madigan has been heavily involved with four legislative remap processes and has been in the House for five of them .
Madigan has played a decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary and permanent ) since the tax was established in 1969 — and he was a delegate to the constitutional convention which created it .
He has also negotiated dozens of budgets since he became House Speaker in 1983 .
His campaign operation meticulously tracks the number of knocked doors in contested races and every contact made , and he reviews that data each week and calls candidates to provide his feedback .
He knows how to win .
And at this moment in history , with redistricting coming up , a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massively destructive pandemic causing rampant suffering and , in less than two years , a midterm election under a Democratic president ( with a new map ) , most of his members are rightly worried sick .
For these and many other reasons , this is exactly the moment when his members would need Madigan the most , and he most certainly knows this and is deftly playing on that angst as 19 of his members are in open revolt .
But the sweeping and aggressive federal investigation is this/close to Madigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of innocence and some reasonable arguments that he did nothing illegal , the G is obviously after Madigan ’ s head .
Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has taken loads of heat for not pushing Madigan out of office , even though he couldn ’ t do it if he tried .
Pritzker is up for re-election in 2022 and a Madigan re-election would certainly mean big trouble .
Yes , Pritzker won by 16 points two years ago , but that was during an unpopular Republican president ’ s midterm against a super-weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to hustle to win .
Pritzker pledged during the campaign and ever since taking office that he will veto a legislative redistricting plan that isn ’ t “ fair ” which was defined ( by me ) in March 2018 as any proposal “ that is in any way drafted or created by legislators , political party leaders and/or their staffs or allies.
” So , when Madigan told the House Black Caucus during a recent private meeting that he is the best person to draw the new map , he guaranteed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There will be no finessing Pritzker ’ s pledge .
And overriding a veto will be hugely difficult because suburbanites who ran as good government types in swing districts and true-blue progressives are gon na be in a major quandary .
It ’ s pretty difficult to see how this fight gets as far as an override showdown .
Speaker Madigan also said during the meeting that he was prepared to pass another income tax increase if the governor requests it .
Like with his remap pledge , his statement likely killed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hike .
Just imagine the governor ( or any vulnerable Democrat ) running in 2022 with Madigan still in office , a Madigan-drawn district map in place and a Madigan tax hike .
Maybe the Democrats will get lucky and the Republicans will nominate unelectable far-right candidates , but basing your plan on your opponent collapsing is never a wise idea .
So , it ’ s just difficult to see how Speaker Madigan can keep all the reelection campaign promises he ’ s making .
If he wants to avoid the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drawn by the Republicans after a losing veto fight , he ’ ll likely have to submit to a new process which won ’ t be nearly as advantageous to his members .
A Madigan-backed tax hike is pretty much out of the question .
Same goes for a gimmicky Madigan budget .
And while he ’ s been the patronage and fixer king for decades , how much can he actually accomplish for his members when he ’ s under this horribly dark cloud ?
No matter what , Madigan still has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But if he somehow manages to flip enough votes to get re-elected in the first place and the feds don ’ t take him out , the reality going forward will be much different than he ’ s making it out to be .

Outsiders may not get it, but it makes some sense that the majority of House Democrats still back House Speaker Michael Madigan’s reelection.
He’s been a genius at getting things done for his caucus. He is loyal to his people and has infinitely more institutional memory and can pull more strings and push more buttons than anyone alive.
In his nearly 50 years in office, Madigan has been heavily involved with four legislative remap processes and has been in the House for five of them.
Madigan has played a decisive role in every income tax increase (temporary and permanent) since the tax was established in 1969 — and he was a delegate to the constitutional convention which created it.
He has also negotiated dozens of budgets since he became House Speaker in 1983.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
His campaign operation meticulously tracks the number of knocked doors in contested races and every contact made, and he reviews that data each week and calls candidates to provide his feedback. He knows how to win.
And at this moment in history, with redistricting coming up, a huge revenue shortfall, horrific budget problems, a massively destructive pandemic causing rampant suffering and, in less than two years, a midterm election under a Democratic president (with a new map), most of his members are rightly worried sick.
For these and many other reasons, this is exactly the moment when his members would need Madigan the most, and he most certainly knows this and is deftly playing on that angst as 19 of his members are in open revolt.
But the sweeping and aggressive federal investigation is this/close to Madigan now. Despite all of his protests of innocence and some reasonable arguments that he did nothing illegal, the G is obviously after Madigan’s head.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has taken loads of heat for not pushing Madigan out of office, even though he couldn’t do it if he tried. Pritzker is up for re-election in 2022 and a Madigan re-election would certainly mean big trouble. Yes, Pritzker won by 16 points two years ago, but that was during an unpopular Republican president’s midterm against a super-weak incumbent. He’s going to have to hustle to win.
A gubernatorial confrontation with a reelected Madigan is inevitable.
Pritzker pledged during the campaign and ever since taking office that he will veto a legislative redistricting plan that isn’t “fair” which was defined (by me) in March 2018 as any proposal “that is in any way drafted or created by legislators, political party leaders and/or their staffs or allies.”
So, when Madigan told the House Black Caucus during a recent private meeting that he is the best person to draw the new map, he guaranteed that Pritzker had to veto it. There will be no finessing Pritzker’s pledge. And overriding a veto will be hugely difficult because suburbanites who ran as good government types in swing districts and true-blue progressives are gonna be in a major quandary. It’s pretty difficult to see how this fight gets as far as an override showdown.
Speaker Madigan also said during the meeting that he was prepared to pass another income tax increase if the governor requests it. Like with his remap pledge, his statement likely killed the already very slim prospects for a tax hike.
Just imagine the governor (or any vulnerable Democrat) running in 2022 with Madigan still in office, a Madigan-drawn district map in place and a Madigan tax hike. Maybe the Democrats will get lucky and the Republicans will nominate unelectable far-right candidates, but basing your plan on your opponent collapsing is never a wise idea.
So, it’s just difficult to see how Speaker Madigan can keep all the reelection campaign promises he’s making.
If he wants to avoid the risk of a new district map being possibly drawn by the Republicans after a losing veto fight, he’ll likely have to submit to a new process which won’t be nearly as advantageous to his members. A Madigan-backed tax hike is pretty much out of the question. Same goes for a gimmicky Madigan budget. And while he’s been the patronage and fixer king for decades, how much can he actually accomplish for his members when he’s under this horribly dark cloud?
No matter what, Madigan still has his unmatchable campaign prowess going for him. But if he somehow manages to flip enough votes to get re-elected in the first place and the feds don’t take him out, the reality going forward will be much different than he’s making it out to be.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--My readers are pleading for the recipe to Aunt Mary’s German chocolate cake

“ Dear Mr. Fountain , Not fair to tantalizingly describe this mouth-watering cake and not provide the recipe !
Have mercy !
” — A reader It ’ s a family secret — my sweet Aunt Mary ’ s triple-decker German chocolate cake , to which generations of the Hagler family clan were treated on holidays made sweeter by her culinary majesty .
It ’ s a secret .
Period .
But inquiring minds want to know… In fact , the discovery recently of the next best thing to Aunt Mary ’ s German chocolate cake— baked by a friend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share a literary slice .
My cake chronicles apparently also tantalized the palates — and stoked home-baked holiday memories — of a few readers .
Some of them were moved to inquire about the fine details of Aunt Mary ’ s recipe .
Another writes : “ I would love to try your recipe.
” Signed , “ Viola ” But the requests kept coming , eventually softening me up like Aunt Mary ’ s sweet dinner rolls .
Writes another : “ Could you please send a copy of the recipe to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along the way ?
I will pay you for the recipe… ” Hmmmm .
Pay me for the recipe ?
The thought tickles my ears .
Yet another request : “ This article makes me want to bake this cake from scratch for my husband .
He loves German chocolate cake .
I love peach cobbler and was wondering if there is a way to get these two recipes ?
Is there a cookbook ?
Thanks for any information… Mary ” “ Mary ?
” Like Aunt Mary ?
Really ?
Uh-huh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cookbook by Aunt Mary and me ?
Hmmm… Between the recipes , we might even share the stories and reflections behind the dish , like the fact that Aunt Mary told me that her baking mastery was birthed out of necessity once upon a time when the family was low on funds .
“ We didn ’ t have money to eat out , ” my aunt , now 82 , told me this week .
“ So we just learned to cook whatever they made at restaurants.
” But I digress @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t ask a barbecue rib master for the secret to his succulent baby backs or the ingredients of his finger-licking sweet and tangy sauce .
Isn ’ t the formula to Coca-Cola still a closely guarded secret ?
The various pinches , dashes , sprinkles and combination of spices that blend into family perfections passed down through generations are sacred gems : cakes , pies and assorted dishes that make life sweeter , and the seasons of life , love and family everlasting .
Honestly , Aunt Mary did bequeath to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my career travels when I was far from home .
Over the telephone , she divulged her cake ingredients and her process with the care and cadence of a surgeon .
I used to bake “ my version ” of Aunt Mary ’ s German chocolate cake .
But I ceased over time , fearing that I would grow as big as a house .
Years ago , my wife transcribed Aunt Mary ’ s recipe on a small piece of paper .
She stored it in a black binder that she recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they helped her prepare Thanksgiving dinner , will be theirs someday .
Aunt Mary ’ s recipe is still stored there , somewhere between the pages and clippings of endless recipes over the years — for assorted curries of chicken and rice , Jamaican jerk chicken , “ Perfect Apple Pie , ” and my wife ’ s own , shall I say , infamous meat loaf “ muffins.
” But again , I digress… I told Aunt Mary that inquiring minds want to know her German chocolate cake recipe .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said sweetly .
It would be my honor .
But not before I ’ ve told them about the heart of the woman whose hands baked our family ’ s cakes for years and filled our lives with sweet goodness .
Mercy !

“Dear Mr. Fountain, Not fair to tantalizingly describe this mouth-watering cake and not provide the recipe! Have mercy!” — A reader
It’s a family secret — my sweet Aunt Mary’s triple-decker German chocolate cake, to which generations of the Hagler family clan were treated on holidays made sweeter by her culinary majesty. It’s a secret. Period.
But inquiring minds want to know…
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
In fact, the discovery recently of the next best thing to Aunt Mary’s German chocolate cake— baked by a friend also named Mary — prompted me to share a literary slice. My cake chronicles apparently also tantalized the palates — and stoked home-baked holiday memories — of a few readers. Some of them were moved to inquire about the fine details of Aunt Mary’s recipe.
A reader writes: “Would u share the recipe? Thanks”
Another writes: “I would love to try your recipe.” Signed, “Viola”
“Huh? Really?” I thought. “No can do.”
But the requests kept coming, eventually softening me up like Aunt Mary’s sweet dinner rolls.
Writes another: “Could you please send a copy of the recipe to me, including any hints she included along the way? I will pay you for the recipe…”
Hmmmm. Pay me for the recipe? The thought tickles my ears.
Yet another request: “This article makes me want to bake this cake from scratch for my husband. He loves German chocolate cake. I love peach cobbler and was wondering if there is a way to get these two recipes? Is there a cookbook? Thanks for any information… Mary”
“Mary?” Like Aunt Mary? Really? Uh-huh, and my name is Joe.
But a cookbook by Aunt Mary and me? Hmmm… Between the recipes, we might even share the stories and reflections behind the dish, like the fact that Aunt Mary told me that her baking mastery was birthed out of necessity once upon a time when the family was low on funds.
“We didn’t have money to eat out,” my aunt, now 82, told me this week. “So we just learned to cook whatever they made at restaurants.”
But I digress. Part with her recipe?
You wouldn’t ask a barbecue rib master for the secret to his succulent baby backs or the ingredients of his finger-licking sweet and tangy sauce. Isn’t the formula to Coca-Cola still a closely guarded secret?
The various pinches, dashes, sprinkles and combination of spices that blend into family perfections passed down through generations are sacred gems: cakes, pies and assorted dishes that make life sweeter, and the seasons of life, love and family everlasting.
Honestly, Aunt Mary did bequeath to me her recipe some time ago during my career travels when I was far from home. Over the telephone, she divulged her cake ingredients and her process with the care and cadence of a surgeon.
I used to bake “my version” of Aunt Mary’s German chocolate cake. But I ceased over time, fearing that I would grow as big as a house.
Years ago, my wife transcribed Aunt Mary’s recipe on a small piece of paper. She stored it in a black binder that she recently told our two young adult children, as they helped her prepare Thanksgiving dinner, will be theirs someday.
Aunt Mary’s recipe is still stored there, somewhere between the pages and clippings of endless recipes over the years — for assorted curries of chicken and rice, Jamaican jerk chicken, “Perfect Apple Pie,” and my wife’s own, shall I say, infamous meat loaf “muffins.”
But again, I digress… I told Aunt Mary that inquiring minds want to know her German chocolate cake recipe.
“Give it to them,” she said sweetly.
It would be my honor. But not before I’ve told them about the heart of the woman whose hands baked our family’s cakes for years and filled our lives with sweet goodness. Mercy!
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
Email John Fountain at Author@johnwfountain.com


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Supreme Court rejects Republican attack on Biden victory

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden ’ s election victory , ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation ’ s highest court .
The court ’ s order was its second this week rebuffing Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election outcome .
The justices turned away an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday .
The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president .
Trump had called the lawsuit filed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wisconsin “ the big one ” that would end with the Supreme Court undoing Biden ’ s substantial Electoral College majority and allowing Trump to serve another four years in the White House .
In a brief order , the court said Texas does not have the legal right to sue those states because it “ has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.
” Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas , who have said previously the court does not have the authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they would have heard Texas ’ complaint .
But they would not have done as Texas wanted pending resolution of the lawsuit , and set aside those four states ’ 62 electoral votes for Biden .
Three Trump appointees sit on the high court .
In his push to get the most recent of his nominees , Justice Amy Coney Barrett , confirmed quickly , Trump said she would be needed for any post-election lawsuits .
Barrett appears to have participated in both cases this week .
None of the Trump appointees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eighteen other states won by Trump in last month ’ s election , 126 GOP members of Congress and Trump himself joined Texas in calling on the justices to take up the case that sought to stop electors from casting their votes for Biden .
The four states sued by Texas had urged the court to reject the case as meritless .
They were backed by another 22 states and the District of Columbia .

The Supreme Court on Friday rejected a lawsuit backed by President Donald Trump to overturn Joe Biden’s election victory, ending a desperate attempt to get legal issues rejected by state and federal judges before the nation’s highest court.
The court’s order was its second this week rebuffing Republican requests that it get involved in the 2020 election outcome. The justices turned away an appeal from Pennsylvania Republicans on Tuesday.
The Electoral College meets Monday to formally elect Biden as the next president.
Trump had called the lawsuit filed by Texas against Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin “the big one” that would end with the Supreme Court undoing Biden’s substantial Electoral College majority and allowing Trump to serve another four years in the White House.
In a brief order, the court said Texas does not have the legal right to sue those states because it “has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections.”
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, who have said previously the court does not have the authority to turn away lawsuits between states, said they would have heard Texas’ complaint. But they would not have done as Texas wanted pending resolution of the lawsuit, and set aside those four states’ 62 electoral votes for Biden.
Three Trump appointees sit on the high court. In his push to get the most recent of his nominees, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, confirmed quickly, Trump said she would be needed for any post-election lawsuits. Barrett appears to have participated in both cases this week. None of the Trump appointees noted a dissent in either case.
Eighteen other states won by Trump in last month’s election, 126 GOP members of Congress and Trump himself joined Texas in calling on the justices to take up the case that sought to stop electors from casting their votes for Biden.
The four states sued by Texas had urged the court to reject the case as meritless. They were backed by another 22 states and the District of Columbia.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Blood-covered man goes to police station, admits he fatally stabbed friend, prosecutors say

A man charged with stabbing his longtime friend to death walked into a police station and admitted to the killing while covered in the victim ’ s blood , prosecutors said in court Friday .
Larry Morris told officers at the Grand Crossing District station that he killed 61-year-old Kevin Sudduth Sr. because he believed Sudduth had stolen his identity and $ 80,000 from him , Cook County prosecutors said .
Morris , 60 , who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia , told officers he believed Sudduth was taking is Social Security checks , but that he had “ caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knife on him , ” Assistant State ’ s Attorney James Murphy said .
A bloody steak knife was found in Morris ’ coat pocket , prosecutors said .
An hour earlier , Morris told officers he went to Sudduth ’ s apartment in the 8200 block of South Indiana Avenue and was buzzed into the building by the victim , prosecutors said .
After Sudduth let Morris inside his home , they began arguing .
Morris then stabbed Sudduth more than 85 times , prosecutors said , before fleeing the building and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintenance man identified Morris as the person he saw leaving the apartment building that afternoon and said he noticed Morris ’ hands were covered in blood , prosecutors said .
Sudduth daughter found her father ’ s body inside his apartment after the building ’ s landlord called her .
Morris was charged Thursday with a count of first-degree murder .
Sudduth ’ s daughter told police her father and Morris had been friends for years .
Sudduth would buy groceries for Morris and pay his phone bill at times , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , prosecutors said .
Sudduth ’ s daughter said Morris never had checks or any mail forwarded to her father ’ s home .
Morris did not appear at the hearing Friday because he was hospitalized , prosecutors said .
An assistant public defender could provide no additional information about Morris , saying they hadn ’ t spoken yet .
Judge Susana Ortiz ordered Morris held without bail and set his next hearing for Dec. 18 .

A man charged with stabbing his longtime friend to death walked into a police station and admitted to the killing while covered in the victim’s blood, prosecutors said in court Friday.
Larry Morris told officers at the Grand Crossing District station that he killed 61-year-old Kevin Sudduth Sr. because he believed Sudduth had stolen his identity and $80,000 from him, Cook County prosecutors said.
Morris, 60, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, told officers he believed Sudduth was taking is Social Security checks, but that he had “caught up” Sudduth and “put the knife on him,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said.
A bloody steak knife was found in Morris’ coat pocket, prosecutors said.
Larry Morris Chicago police
An hour earlier, Morris told officers he went to Sudduth’s apartment in the 8200 block of South Indiana Avenue and was buzzed into the building by the victim, prosecutors said. After Sudduth let Morris inside his home, they began arguing.
Morris then stabbed Sudduth more than 85 times, prosecutors said, before fleeing the building and going to the police station.
A maintenance man identified Morris as the person he saw leaving the apartment building that afternoon and said he noticed Morris’ hands were covered in blood, prosecutors said. Sudduth daughter found her father’s body inside his apartment after the building’s landlord called her.
Morris was charged Thursday with a count of first-degree murder.
Sudduth’s daughter told police her father and Morris had been friends for years.
Sudduth would buy groceries for Morris and pay his phone bill at times, as well as allow Morris to stay at his home, prosecutors said. Sudduth’s daughter said Morris never had checks or any mail forwarded to her father’s home.
Morris did not appear at the hearing Friday because he was hospitalized, prosecutors said.
An assistant public defender could provide no additional information about Morris, saying they hadn’t spoken yet.
Judge Susana Ortiz ordered Morris held without bail and set his next hearing for Dec. 18.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--House Dems ‘crazy’ for challenging Mike Madigan? There’s precedent in Illinois.

Former state Sen. Bill Morris of Waukegan has some advice for the 19 House Democrats who want to overthrow Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan .
“ They have to come up with a better name , ” said Morris , a member of the so-called Crazy Eight group of independent-minded Democrats who sparked a six-week battle in 1977 for the Illinois Senate presidency .
Morris was mostly joking .
“ The 19 , ” as the group is currently known , has bigger challenges than what to call itself , not least of which is how to become 60 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But a cohesive identity that captured the public imagination was no doubt an asset for the Crazy Eight during the protracted 1977 holdout that ended with Democrat Tom Hynes of Chicago being elected on the 186th ballot .
As House Democrats prepare for what is expected to be the state Legislature ’ s biggest leadership battle in decades , many are looking for lessons from the 1977 Senate stalemate and from a similar 93-ballot battle for House speaker in 1975 that gave the gavel to Democrat William Redmond of Bensenville .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate presidency fight , having arrived in Springfield for the first time later that year .
It ’ s not a perfect comparison to the forthcoming speakership contest by any means .
Most important , the Senate presidency was open that year .
Cecil Partee , the previous occupant , had retired .
There was no longterm incumbent like Madigan being pried from the position .
On top of that , the 1977 fight wasn ’ t so much about who would occupy the top Senate spot as it was about the dissidents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power and open up the legislative process .
Hynes was the leading candidate from the start , backed by the then-still powerful Cook County Democratic Organization — The Machine , if you will .
The Crazy Eight ’ s candidate was Terry Bruce of Olney , who would go on to become a congressman .
The eight formed an alliance with the then smaller Black Caucus , which had a candidate of its own whose name you might recognize : Harold Washington .
This combined group of 13 had no real chance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together , they could block Hynes from reaching the 30 votes he needed .
Holding out , which brought all other legislative action to a standstill , was not easy .
“ It ’ s a lot more pressure than you ’ d think , ” said Morris , now 75 , who went on be elected mayor of Waukegan just weeks after the 1977 leadership battle .
The pressure came from colleagues at first , then from Democratic-allied interest groups like labor unions .
Morris remembers the autoworkers union and the steelworkers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big difference in those days , Morris said , is that it didn ’ t cost a lot to run for office .
His first campaign cost $ 12,000 to $ 15,000 , much of which he raised by hosting softball tournaments , he said .
By comparison , the cost of a contested Senate seat today can start at $ 1 million .
What that meant is that members of the Crazy Eight were confident they didn ’ t need the party ’ s support to get re-elected , Morris said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders like Madigan to raise campaign money .
Unlike the loosely formed group of 19 who have publicly expressed opposition to Madigan , the Crazy Eight had been working closely together on policy matters for two years before the 1977 leadership battle .
They called themselves the Democratic Study Group .
In addition to supporting other members on legislation , they backed each other up with technical assistance on elections , Morris said .
The Crazy Eight nickname had been bestowed by reporters and was much loathed by the individual who probably became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future state Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch .
Morris , a former radio reporter , didn ’ t mind .
Originally embraced by the media as reformers , the dissident group came under fire for being “ obstructionists ” as the fight dragged on .
Newly elected Gov .
James R. Thompson , tasked by the Constitution with presiding over the Senate until it picked a leader , was losing patience as well .
But the Crazy Eight stood firm .
“ After the second week , it wasn ’ t that hard any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Morris , who now lives in Grayslake .
Eventually , Hynes settled with the Black Caucus , allowing its members to choose a member of leadership , and finally with the Crazy Eight through improved committee assignments and procedures .
“ The 19 have to decide : Is it until the end , or can they be picked off for various and sundry issues ?
” Morris said .
For now , I understand their position to be : anybody but Madigan .
Some of their colleagues think they ’ @ @ @

Former state Sen. Bill Morris of Waukegan has some advice for the 19 House Democrats who want to overthrow Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan.
“They have to come up with a better name,” said Morris, a member of the so-called Crazy Eight group of independent-minded Democrats who sparked a six-week battle in 1977 for the Illinois Senate presidency.
Morris was mostly joking. “The 19,” as the group is currently known, has bigger challenges than what to call itself, not least of which is how to become 60 — the number needed to choose a speaker.
But a cohesive identity that captured the public imagination was no doubt an asset for the Crazy Eight during the protracted 1977 holdout that ended with Democrat Tom Hynes of Chicago being elected on the 186th ballot.
As House Democrats prepare for what is expected to be the state Legislature’s biggest leadership battle in decades, many are looking for lessons from the 1977 Senate stalemate and from a similar 93-ballot battle for House speaker in 1975 that gave the gavel to Democrat William Redmond of Bensenville.
I’m slightly better acquainted with the Senate presidency fight, having arrived in Springfield for the first time later that year.
It’s not a perfect comparison to the forthcoming speakership contest by any means.
Most important, the Senate presidency was open that year. Cecil Partee, the previous occupant, had retired. There was no longterm incumbent like Madigan being pried from the position.
On top of that, the 1977 fight wasn’t so much about who would occupy the top Senate spot as it was about the dissidents seeking concessions that would give them more power and open up the legislative process.
Hynes was the leading candidate from the start, backed by the then-still powerful Cook County Democratic Organization — The Machine, if you will.
The Crazy Eight’s candidate was Terry Bruce of Olney, who would go on to become a congressman.
Sen. Terry Bruce of Olney and Sen. Dawn Clark Netsch of Chicago were key members of the Crazy Eight. She hated the nickname. Sun-Times file
The eight formed an alliance with the then smaller Black Caucus, which had a candidate of its own whose name you might recognize: Harold Washington.
This combined group of 13 had no real chance of electing someone. But, by sticking together, they could block Hynes from reaching the 30 votes he needed.
Holding out, which brought all other legislative action to a standstill, was not easy.
“It’s a lot more pressure than you’d think,” said Morris, now 75, who went on to be elected mayor of Waukegan just weeks after the 1977 leadership battle.
The pressure came from colleagues at first, then from Democratic-allied interest groups like labor unions. Morris remembers the autoworkers union and the steelworkers trying to twist his arm.
A big difference in those days, Morris said, is that it didn’t cost a lot to run for office. His first campaign cost $12,000 to $15,000, much of which he raised by hosting softball tournaments, he said. By comparison, the cost of a contested Senate seat today can start at $1 million.
What that meant is that members of the Crazy Eight were confident they didn’t need the party’s support to get re-elected, Morris said, while today’s legislators depend on leaders like Madigan to raise campaign money.
Unlike the loosely formed group of 19 who have publicly expressed opposition to Madigan, the Crazy Eight had been working closely together on policy matters for two years before the 1977 leadership battle. They called themselves the Democratic Study Group. In addition to supporting other members on legislation, they backed each other up with technical assistance on elections, Morris said.
The Crazy Eight nickname had been bestowed by reporters and was much loathed by the individual who probably became the group’s best-known member, future state Comptroller Dawn Clark Netsch. Morris, a former radio reporter, didn’t mind.
Originally embraced by the media as reformers, the dissident group came under fire for being “obstructionists” as the fight dragged on.
Newly elected Gov. James R. Thompson, tasked by the Constitution with presiding over the Senate until it picked a leader, was losing patience as well.
But the Crazy Eight stood firm.
Former state Sen. Bill Morris in 1977 on the night he was elected mayor of Waukegan. Sun Times file
“After the second week, it wasn’t that hard any more because then you dig in deeper,” said Morris, who now lives in Grayslake.
Eventually, Hynes settled with the Black Caucus, allowing its members to choose a member of leadership, and finally with the Crazy Eight through improved committee assignments and procedures.
“The 19 have to decide: Is it until the end, or can they be picked off for various and sundry issues?” Morris said.
For now, I understand their position to be: anybody but Madigan.
Some of their colleagues think they’re crazy.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-11--Bears notebook: Khalil Mack questionable for Texans game

Linebacker Khalil Mack practiced on a limited basis after not practicing Wednesday and Thursday because of a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for the Bears ’ game against the Houston Texans on Sunday at Soldier Field .
Mack is expected to play .
He has been listed as questionable seven previous times this season and has yet to miss a game .
Nickel cornerback Buster Skrine ( concussion ) and reserve linebacker James Vaughters ( knee ) are out .
Tight end J.P. Holtz ( shoulder/knee ) is questionable .
Rookie wide receiver Darnell Mooney did not practice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Nagy was optimistic Mooney would play .
For the Texans , running back David Johnson was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play .
Back-up Duke Johnson , who started when Johnson missed three games with a concussion in Weeks 10-12 , is expected to start against the Bears .
Defensive end Akiem Hicks has gone through the football version of five stages of grief in dealing with the surprising collapse against the Lions last week .
“ The first emotion is disbelief — you can ’ t believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation , ” Hicks said .
“ The next part is being a little pissed off about it — let it hurt ; be frustrated , want better for yourself .
Then you have to accept it … and do something to get yourself out of it .
“ We ’ ve accepted the fact we haven ’ t played the type of defense we ’ re accustomed to and now it ’ s up to us to step up and show — not just the public , the fans , the media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play the type of football we ’ re accustomed to.
” Second-year cornerback Duke Shelley , a sixth-round draft pick in 2019 , is a candidate to replace Skrine , with Sherrick McManis and DeAndre Houston-Carson .
[ Shelly ’ s ] arrow is up , ” Nagy said .
“ It took him a little bit of time to learn the speed and learn the defense , but now he ’ s getting … more confidence in himself .
And he gets to learn from one of the best nickels in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na make mistakes ?
Sure .
But he ’ s a ballhawk .
He ’ s usually around the ball and he ’ s got good ball skills.
” Tight end Jimmy Graham said being nominated for the NFL ’ s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award was particularly special as a Chicago Bear .
“ The surprise of it was pretty incredible , ” Graham said .
“ First finding out in front of the team , right next to the Walter Payton Center — knowing how near and dear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team and the NFL because of all that Walter Payton did for so many people.
” Graham , an aerobatic and helicopter pilot , was recognized for his work with The Jimmy Graham Foundation , which provides “ impactful experiences through the freedom of flight ” for underprivileged youth .
But he is dedicated to other philanthropic ventures , including Ignite , an agency dedicated to serving homeless youths .
“ It was kind of a surreal moment because I do a lot of private stuff , ” Graham said .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nagy ] kept asking me about all the things I had done in the offseason and that I ’ ve done these last few years .
”

Linebacker Khalil Mack practiced on a limited basis after not practicing Wednesday and Thursday because of a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for the Bears’ game against the Houston Texans on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Mack is expected to play. He has been listed as questionable seven previous times this season and has yet to miss a game.
Nickel cornerback Buster Skrine (concussion) and reserve linebacker James Vaughters (knee) are out. Tight end J.P. Holtz (shoulder/knee) is questionable.
Rookie wide receiver Darnell Mooney did not practice again Friday because of a personal issue, but Nagy was optimistic Mooney would play.
For the Texans, running back David Johnson was put on the reserve/COVID-19 list and will not play. Back-up Duke Johnson, who started when Johnson missed three games with a concussion in Weeks 10-12, is expected to start against the Bears.
Akiem Hicks’ lament
Defensive end Akiem Hicks has gone through the football version of five stages of grief in dealing with the surprising collapse against the Lions last week.
“The first emotion is disbelief — you can’t believe you’ve been put in that situation,” Hicks said. “The next part is being a little pissed off about it — let it hurt; be frustrated, want better for yourself. Then you have to accept it … and do something to get yourself out of it.
“We’ve accepted the fact we haven’t played the type of defense we’re accustomed to and now it’s up to us to step up and show — not just the public, the fans, the media — but show ourselves that we can play the type of football we’re accustomed to.”
Next Man Up
Second-year cornerback Duke Shelley, a sixth-round draft pick in 2019, is a candidate to replace Skrine, with Sherrick McManis and DeAndre Houston-Carson.
[Shelly’s] arrow is up,” Nagy said. “It took him a little bit of time to learn the speed and learn the defense, but now he’s getting … more confidence in himself. And he gets to learn from one of the best nickels in the game [Skrine]. Is he gonna make mistakes? Sure. But he’s a ballhawk. He’s usually around the ball and he’s got good ball skills.”
Payton nominee Graham grateful
Tight end Jimmy Graham said being nominated for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award was particularly special as a Chicago Bear.
“The surprise of it was pretty incredible,” Graham said. “First finding out in front of the team, right next to the Walter Payton Center — knowing how near and dear that is to this city and this team and the NFL because of all that Walter Payton did for so many people.”
Graham, an aerobatic and helicopter pilot, was recognized for his work with The Jimmy Graham Foundation, which provides “impactful experiences through the freedom of flight” for underprivileged youth. But he is dedicated to other philanthropic ventures, including Ignite, an agency dedicated to serving homeless youths.
“It was kind of a surreal moment because I do a lot of private stuff,” Graham said. “I was always wondering why coach [Matt Nagy] kept asking me about all the things I had done in the offseason and that I’ve done these last few years.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--Unheralded center Lucas Wallmark could have big impact on Blackhawks in 2021

Lucas Wallmark is the forgotten man of the Blackhawks ’ offseason .
Signed to a one-year contract Oct. 12 at the tail end of a surge of Hawks activity — they released Corey Crawford , traded Brandon Saad for Nikita Zadorov and signed Mattias Janmark — Wallmark had no chance of penetrating that intense news cycle .
When the season finally begins , many fans may see his name and ask , “ Who ?
” But Wallmark could end up making a surprisingly noticeable impact .
“ I want to be a solid two-way player , playing on both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said this week .
“ I ’ m a guy you can always trust on the ice .
That ’ s what I want to bring to a team , and hopefully we can get started soon.
” Those aren ’ t just pleasant-sounding buzzwords .
The 25-year-old center has backed them up with action in his first two seasons in the NHL .
Wallmark broke out with 28 points in 81 games with the Hurricanes in 2018-19 , plus five more in 15 postseason appearances , then added 25 points in 67 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019-20 .
Those point totals are respectable for a bottom-six forward , but it ’ s on the defensive end where Wallmark truly has excelled .
Over the last two seasons combined , he allowed opponents just 23.3 scoring chances per 60 minutes he spent on the ice .
That ranked 43rd among 431 forwards leaguewide .
By comparison , the Hawks ’ highest-ranking forward in that statistic was Ryan Carpenter at 135th .
Most of Wallmark ’ s defensive prowess is in the slot — up and down the middle of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he drastically limits opponents ’ expected goals rate .
In fact , all three of the Hawks ’ notable offseason additions — Wallmark , Janmark and Zadorov — are particularly good at defending that region , likely indicating a broader goal for the Hawks moving forward .
But general manager Stan Bowman has actually kept eyes on Wallmark since his 2014 draft year .
“ I remember watching him closely that year , ” Bowman said this fall .
“ He was always such a good player , but his skating was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to the fourth round .
You know what ?
He ’ s one of those guys that just overcomes it .
He ’ s not the fastest guy on your team , but he ’ s such a competitive kid , he ’ s got underrated skill , and he ’ s a really smart two-way player .
He gives [ us ] a lot of options on how we want to roll our lines.
” Wallmark himself identified his skating as a weakness and has trained to improve it , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ ve been working extremely hard to get faster , ” he said .
“ I ’ ve been taking steps , and when you feel that , you get more confident .
Sometimes you change small things if you don ’ t feel like that helps , but I ’ ve been working on that all the time.
” Unlike a multitude of other lower-tier free agents whose searches for employment have been held up by uncertainty about next season , Wallmark luckily received interest from numerous teams right away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ultimately chose the Hawks based on conversations with Bowman and the coaching staff , plus some advice from a former Canes teammate whom Chicagoans know well : Teuvo Teravainen .
“ We ’ re good friends outside of the rink , ” Wallmark said .
“ He has always been saying that it ’ s a first-class organization and he loved the organization and the city , so it ’ s fun to talk about that now .
He ’ s pumped for me to play for them.
” Now quarantining in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new place this week and get ready for training camp , which reports indicate could start as soon as Jan. 3 .
“ You always want to be faster and stronger out there , ” he said .
“ Hopefully that ’ s worked out .
I feel good in my body now , so it feels good so far .
”

Lucas Wallmark is the forgotten man of the Blackhawks’ offseason.
Signed to a one-year contract Oct. 12 at the tail end of a surge of Hawks activity — they released Corey Crawford, traded Brandon Saad for Nikita Zadorov and signed Mattias Janmark — Wallmark had no chance of penetrating that intense news cycle. When the season finally begins, many fans may see his name and ask, “Who?”
But Wallmark could end up making a surprisingly noticeable impact.
“I want to be a solid two-way player, playing on both ends of the ice,” he said this week. “I’m a guy you can always trust on the ice. That’s what I want to bring to a team, and hopefully we can get started soon.”
Those aren’t just pleasant-sounding buzzwords. The 25-year-old center has backed them up with action in his first two seasons in the NHL.
Wallmark broke out with 28 points in 81 games with the Hurricanes in 2018-19, plus five more in 15 postseason appearances, then added 25 points in 67 games with the Canes and Panthers in 2019-20. Those point totals are respectable for a bottom-six forward, but it’s on the defensive end where Wallmark truly has excelled.
Over the last two seasons combined, he allowed opponents just 23.3 scoring chances per 60 minutes he spent on the ice. That ranked 43rd among 431 forwards leaguewide. By comparison, the Hawks’ highest-ranking forward in that statistic was Ryan Carpenter at 135th.
Most of Wallmark’s defensive prowess is in the slot — up and down the middle of the defensive zone — where advanced analytics show he drastically limits opponents’ expected goals rate.
In fact, all three of the Hawks’ notable offseason additions — Wallmark, Janmark and Zadorov — are particularly good at defending that region, likely indicating a broader goal for the Hawks moving forward.
But general manager Stan Bowman has actually kept eyes on Wallmark since his 2014 draft year.
“I remember watching him closely that year,” Bowman said this fall. “He was always such a good player, but his skating was a little step behind, so he dropped down to the fourth round. You know what? He’s one of those guys that just overcomes it. He’s not the fastest guy on your team, but he’s such a competitive kid, he’s got underrated skill, and he’s a really smart two-way player. He gives [us] a lot of options on how we want to roll our lines.”
Wallmark himself identified his skating as a weakness and has trained to improve it, including this offseason at home in Sweden.
“I’ve been working extremely hard to get faster,” he said. “I’ve been taking steps, and when you feel that, you get more confident. Sometimes you change small things if you don’t feel like that helps, but I’ve been working on that all the time.”
Unlike a multitude of other lower-tier free agents whose searches for employment have been held up by uncertainty about next season, Wallmark luckily received interest from numerous teams right away when the market opened Oct. 9.
He ultimately chose the Hawks based on conversations with Bowman and the coaching staff, plus some advice from a former Canes teammate whom Chicagoans know well: Teuvo Teravainen.
“We’re good friends outside of the rink,” Wallmark said. “He has always been saying that it’s a first-class organization and he loved the organization and the city, so it’s fun to talk about that now. He’s pumped for me to play for them.”
Now quarantining in Chicago, Wallmark plans to move into a new place this week and get ready for training camp, which reports indicate could start as soon as Jan. 3.
“You always want to be faster and stronger out there,” he said. “Hopefully that’s worked out. I feel good in my body now, so it feels good so far.”


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--Dear Abby: Woman living with her mom brings home a kitten without her OK

DEAR ABBY : My 34-year-old daughter lives with me to get ahead on her student loans .
She has a good job , pays rent and has a serious boyfriend .
My niece , her cousin , recently died by suicide , and naturally , we are all devastated , but my daughter took the news especially hard .
I had to be out of town for three weeks , and during this time she has been spending time with my sister-in-law ’ s family as they all navigate this tragedy .
My niece left behind several pets — dogs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ My daughter called me , announced she had brought a kitten home and declared that this kitten has helped her in her grief process .
I am livid that she didn ’ t ask me first ( she knew the answer would be a firm “ no ” ) .
She ’ s now claiming that I don ’ t care about her grief .
I feel emotionally blackmailed , and I ’ m dreading the confrontation when I get home .
This kitten has taken this devastating tragedy to a new level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — FAMILY GRIEF DEAR FAMILY GRIEF : While I understand your feelings , handle it by being less hard-nosed about the fact that your daughter didn ’ t follow protocol by asking permission before bringing home the kitten .
Allow her to keep it , and during those times when she can ’ t be home because she ’ s working , etc.
, encourage her to leave the little furball with her boyfriend .
Make plain that the creature is — and will be — HER responsibility , meaning she will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ litter box , etc .
And , most important of all , try not to fall in love with it because when your daughter leaves , Kitty will be going with her .
DEAR ABBY : I am a straight female .
I have been divorced for 10-plus years and recently decided , after five years of trying to attract a new man through online dating , that I want to be single and celibate for the rest of my life .
Literally days after I wrote the decision in my journal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woodwork , chatting me up , even giving unsolicited hugs .
I ’ m bewildered .
I subscribed to a dating site for a full-year membership and got not one single reply to any of my messages .
Not one !
I also tried a different dating site , where my friend met her spouse .
It yielded crickets .
No man ever messaged me to say , “ Hey , I like your photo and want to know more about you.
” This reinforces my decision that I want nothing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALONE DEAR LEAVE ME ALONE : And your question is ?
If you are asking me to validate a decision you made out of frustration after a year of terrible luck , I can ’ t in good conscience do that .
We can ’ t run from life because we are afraid of the pain of being open .
That is the coward ’ s choice .
If men are showing an interest , allow them to get to know you and vice versa , instead of hiding .
Be present and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available people , which sometimes yields better results than the pressure of online dating .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 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 . )

DEAR ABBY: My 34-year-old daughter lives with me to get ahead on her student loans. She has a good job, pays rent and has a serious boyfriend. My niece, her cousin, recently died by suicide, and naturally, we are all devastated, but my daughter took the news especially hard. I had to be out of town for three weeks, and during this time she has been spending time with my sister-in-law’s family as they all navigate this tragedy.
My niece left behind several pets — dogs and a mama cat with kittens. My daughter called me, announced she had brought a kitten home and declared that this kitten has helped her in her grief process. I am livid that she didn’t ask me first (she knew the answer would be a firm “no”). She’s now claiming that I don’t care about her grief.
I feel emotionally blackmailed, and I’m dreading the confrontation when I get home. This kitten has taken this devastating tragedy to a new level. How should I handle this? — FAMILY GRIEF
DEAR FAMILY GRIEF: While I understand your feelings, handle it by being less hard-nosed about the fact that your daughter didn’t follow protocol by asking permission before bringing home the kitten. Allow her to keep it, and during those times when she can’t be home because she’s working, etc., encourage her to leave the little furball with her boyfriend. Make plain that the creature is — and will be — HER responsibility, meaning she will be responsible for feeding, vet bills, litter box, etc. And, most important of all, try not to fall in love with it because when your daughter leaves, Kitty will be going with her.
DEAR ABBY: I am a straight female. I have been divorced for 10-plus years and recently decided, after five years of trying to attract a new man through online dating, that I want to be single and celibate for the rest of my life.
Literally days after I wrote the decision in my journal, guys are coming at me out of the woodwork, chatting me up, even giving unsolicited hugs. I’m bewildered.
I subscribed to a dating site for a full-year membership and got not one single reply to any of my messages. Not one! I also tried a different dating site, where my friend met her spouse. It yielded crickets. No man ever messaged me to say, “Hey, I like your photo and want to know more about you.” This reinforces my decision that I want nothing to do with men. — LEAVE ME ALONE
DEAR LEAVE ME ALONE: And your question is? If you are asking me to validate a decision you made out of frustration after a year of terrible luck, I can’t in good conscience do that. We can’t run from life because we are afraid of the pain of being open. That is the coward’s choice.
If men are showing an interest, allow them to get to know you and vice versa, instead of hiding. Be present and live your life in situations that include available people, which sometimes yields better results than the pressure of online dating.
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.)


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--Ray of hope? Cole Kmet catching on for Bears

As much as Mitch Trubisky vs. Deshaun Watson has been a storyline this week as the Bears seek to end a six-game losing streak , the sad reality is this : There ’ s nothing Trubisky can do Sunday to change the narrative .
If he outplays Watson and leads the Bears to victory over the Texans , it ’ s not going to change anybody ’ s mind .
The Bears still should have drafted Watson in 2017 ( or , better yet , Patrick Mahomes ) .
And Trubisky still figures to head into free agency and out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But what about the rest of the Bears ’ offense , most of which figures to be around in 2020 whether or not Matt Nagy is the head coach or Ryan Pace is the general manager ?
Is there anything salvageable out of an offense that ranks 30th in the NFL in total yards and 28th in points ?
The final four games might not be a great indicator .
The Bears ’ offense will face three opponents that rank in the bottom 10 in total defense and scoring : the Texans ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Jaguars ( 32nd/29th ) .
They finish with the Packers , who rank 11th in yards and 15th in scoring but might be coasting into the playoffs in Week 17 .
Still , any sign of hope is better than nothing .
Here are three players to watch in the final month who could signal better things to come in 2021 .
After the Bears ’ Oct. 26 loss to the Rams , Nagy kept a promise that he would play the rookie tight end from Notre Dame more .
But it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( three catches for 17 yards over four games ) until last week , when Kmet had a modest five receptions for 37 yards and an impressive 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown .
“ I ’ m excited for the future with him , ” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said this week .
“ You saw some toughness with the ball in his hand [ on the touchdown ] .
You saw some play speed with the ball in his hand .
Ability-wise , all the things you want to see , he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lazor said , is learning the nuances — reading defenders ’ coverage and body language and knowing the details of pass routes versus zone or man defenses .
“ Once you get a guy having success , if he ’ s hungry , you can start feeding him those little nuances , ” Lazor said .
“ And that ’ s what will show up as we move forward — and I think we still have time for that to happen this year , and it will just accelerate.
” A fifth-round draft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a bad offense is a pretty good sign of potential .
So while Mooney ’ s overall numbers are modest — 40 receptions for 428 yards ( 10.7 average ) and two touchdowns — his potential for growth , especially as a speed guy , is promising .
Mooney has started the last five games and has played nearly as many snaps ( 294 , 88.1 % ) as Allen Robinson ( 301 , 90.1 % ) .
But while Robinson has gotten 45 targets in that span and Anthony Miller has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown to show for it .
There ’ s a bit of buzz about the latest makeshift offensive line combination , with undrafted Sam Mustipher at center , Cody Whitehair at left guard and undrafted Alex Bars at right guard .
But the Bears still figure to revamp the line in the offseason with the return of guard James Daniels and possibly two new tackles .
Montgomery has a chance at a strong finish .
The second-year running back has struggled with the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yards per carry in the first nine games .
But since missing the Vikings game with a concussion , he has a combined 28 carries for 175 yards ( 6.3 average ) against the Lions and Packers .
With nine receptions for 79 yards , he has averaged 127 total yards the last two games .

As much as Mitch Trubisky vs. Deshaun Watson has been a storyline this week as the Bears seek to end a six-game losing streak, the sad reality is this: There’s nothing Trubisky can do Sunday to change the narrative.
If he outplays Watson and leads the Bears to victory over the Texans, it’s not going to change anybody’s mind. The Bears still should have drafted Watson in 2017 (or, better yet, Patrick Mahomes). And Trubisky still figures to head into free agency and out of Chicago when this season ends.
But what about the rest of the Bears’ offense, most of which figures to be around in 2020 whether or not Matt Nagy is the head coach or Ryan Pace is the general manager? Is there anything salvageable out of an offense that ranks 30th in the NFL in total yards and 28th in points?
The final four games might not be a great indicator. The Bears’ offense will face three opponents that rank in the bottom 10 in total defense and scoring: the Texans (30th/24th), Vikings (23rd/26th) and Jaguars (32nd/29th). They finish with the Packers, who rank 11th in yards and 15th in scoring but might be coasting into the playoffs in Week 17.
Still, any sign of hope is better than nothing. Here are three players to watch in the final month who could signal better things to come in 2021.
Cole Kmet
After the Bears’ Oct. 26 loss to the Rams, Nagy kept a promise that he would play the rookie tight end from Notre Dame more. But it didn’t show up in production (three catches for 17 yards over four games) until last week, when Kmet had a modest five receptions for 37 yards and an impressive 11-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
“I’m excited for the future with him,” offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said this week. “You saw some toughness with the ball in his hand [on the touchdown]. You saw some play speed with the ball in his hand. Ability-wise, all the things you want to see, he’s already shown.”
The next step, Lazor said, is learning the nuances — reading defenders’ coverage and body language and knowing the details of pass routes versus zone or man defenses.
“Once you get a guy having success, if he’s hungry, you can start feeding him those little nuances,” Lazor said. “And that’s what will show up as we move forward — and I think we still have time for that to happen this year, and it will just accelerate.”
Darnell Mooney
A fifth-round draft pick making an impression as a rookie in a bad offense is a pretty good sign of potential. So while Mooney’s overall numbers are modest — 40 receptions for 428 yards (10.7 average) and two touchdowns — his potential for growth, especially as a speed guy, is promising.
Mooney has started the last five games and has played nearly as many snaps (294, 88.1%) as Allen Robinson (301, 90.1%). But while Robinson has gotten 45 targets in that span and Anthony Miller has 37, Mooney has 34 — with 19 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown to show for it.
David Montgomery
There’s a bit of buzz about the latest makeshift offensive line combination, with undrafted Sam Mustipher at center, Cody Whitehair at left guard and undrafted Alex Bars at right guard. But the Bears still figure to revamp the line in the offseason with the return of guard James Daniels and possibly two new tackles.
Montgomery has a chance at a strong finish. The second-year running back has struggled with the rest of the offense most of this season — 3.6 yards per carry in the first nine games. But since missing the Vikings game with a concussion, he has a combined 28 carries for 175 yards (6.3 average) against the Lions and Packers. With nine receptions for 79 yards, he has averaged 127 total yards the last two games.


chicagosun-times--2020-12-12--It’s Mitch Trubisky or bust for Bears as they try to save their season vs. Texans

Mitch Trubisky was at the center of one of the ugliest Bears collapses in recent memory last week .
With just under two minutes remaining , he stood at his own 7-yard line grasping for a ball he ’ d fumbled , which the Lions recovered to set up their game-winning touchdown .
It was as bad an ending as the Bears could have imagined , and there ’ s no excusing it .
But before that , Trubisky actually did pretty well .
And as the Bears roll with him into a potentially season-deciding game against the Texans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on him to continue everything he did right last week .
If he does , they have a shot at snapping their six-game losing streak and making a run at the playoffs .
“ He ’ s playing the game at a fast pace , ” Nagy said .
“ This past game , his decision-making was really good .
And I love where his mindset is at.
” If not for the fumble , it would have been Trubisky ’ s best game of the season .
He completed 76.5 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career .
He led the Bears to points on their first three possessions .
He threw for 267 yards , a mark this team has hit just five times the last two seasons , and finished with a 108.3 passer rating .
Trubisky and the Bears fell flat at times , but it was one of their best overall performances of the year .
“ We ’ re making progress as an offense , ” Trubisky said .
“ And I feel that it ’ s just a little reassurance that .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard work in practice translate to the game a little more .
The execution is coming to life , and we ’ re able to make plays and move the ball and score some more points .
It ’ s just another step in the right direction .
We have to keep doing that.
” The key disclaimer is that this came against the Lions , against whom a lot of offenses look good — something Trubisky and Nagy seem to forget .
But the Lions aren ’ t much different than what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the Texans one of the NFL ’ s 10 worst defenses , but they ’ re especially bad against the pass , allowing a league-high 106.6 opponent passer rating , which essentially means every quarterback they face turns into Russell Wilson .
These are the kinds of teams Trubisky has feasted on throughout his short career .
In 18 games against defenses that finished in the bottom 10 in opponent passer rating , or are in that tier this season , he has completed 69 % of his passes , averaged 232.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seven interceptions for a 106.1 rating .
The Texans ’ defense is an ideal adversary for him , and that ’ s the part of this matchup that matters — not the showdown with fellow 2017 first-round quarterback Deshaun Watson .
The only way Watson comes into play for Trubisky is if he lights up the Bears so badly that Trubisky can ’ t keep up .
Given Trubisky ’ s obvious improvement against the Lions after Nagy talked up his return against the Packers , it seems increasingly likely the Bears will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the season .
Nick Foles has recovered from the hip injury he suffered a month ago , but Nagy sounds committed .
Asked whether he ’ d be willing to make an in-game change , he said , “ We ’ re just focusing right now on Mitchell at quarterback against the Texans .
That ’ s what ’ s important .
Nick ’ s been doing a great job on where he ’ s at right now and getting back from the injury .
I think Mitch is in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a great place , but good enough to handle the lightweights the Bears need to beat to stay in the hunt .
If Trubisky can repeat 99 % of what he did in the Lions game , that should be sufficient .

Mitch Trubisky was at the center of one of the ugliest Bears collapses in recent memory last week. With just under two minutes remaining, he stood at his own 7-yard line grasping for a ball he’d fumbled, which the Lions recovered to set up their game-winning touchdown.
It was as bad an ending as the Bears could have imagined, and there’s no excusing it. But before that, Trubisky actually did pretty well.
And as the Bears roll with him into a potentially season-deciding game against the Texans on Sunday, coach Matt Nagy is counting on him to continue everything he did right last week. If he does, they have a shot at snapping their six-game losing streak and making a run at the playoffs.
“He’s playing the game at a fast pace,” Nagy said. “This past game, his decision-making was really good. And I love where his mindset is at.”
If not for the fumble, it would have been Trubisky’s best game of the season. He completed 76.5% of his passes — the sixth-highest percentage of his career. He led the Bears to points on their first three possessions. He threw for 267 yards, a mark this team has hit just five times the last two seasons, and finished with a 108.3 passer rating.
Trubisky and the Bears fell flat at times, but it was one of their best overall performances of the year.
“We’re making progress as an offense,” Trubisky said. “And I feel that it’s just a little reassurance that . . . you’re seeing the hard work in practice translate to the game a little more. The execution is coming to life, and we’re able to make plays and move the ball and score some more points. It’s just another step in the right direction. We have to keep doing that.”
The key disclaimer is that this came against the Lions, against whom a lot of offenses look good — something Trubisky and Nagy seem to forget. But the Lions aren’t much different than what Trubisky will face Sunday.
Not only are the Texans one of the NFL’s 10 worst defenses, but they’re especially bad against the pass, allowing a league-high 106.6 opponent passer rating, which essentially means every quarterback they face turns into Russell Wilson.
These are the kinds of teams Trubisky has feasted on throughout his short career. In 18 games against defenses that finished in the bottom 10 in opponent passer rating, or are in that tier this season, he has completed 69% of his passes, averaged 232.8 yards and thrown for 29 touchdowns against seven interceptions for a 106.1 rating.
The Texans’ defense is an ideal adversary for him, and that’s the part of this matchup that matters — not the showdown with fellow 2017 first-round quarterback Deshaun Watson. The only way Watson comes into play for Trubisky is if he lights up the Bears so badly that Trubisky can’t keep up.
Given Trubisky’s obvious improvement against the Lions after Nagy talked up his return against the Packers, it seems increasingly likely the Bears will sink or swim with him for the rest of the season. Nick Foles has recovered from the hip injury he suffered a month ago, but Nagy sounds committed.
Asked whether he’d be willing to make an in-game change, he said, “We’re just focusing right now on Mitchell at quarterback against the Texans. That’s what’s important. Nick’s been doing a great job on where he’s at right now and getting back from the injury. I think Mitch is in a good place, too.”
Maybe not a great place, but good enough to handle the lightweights the Bears need to beat to stay in the hunt. If Trubisky can repeat 99% of what he did in the Lions game, that should be sufficient.