chicagosun-times--2020-04-30--Businesses ready to open as some state COVID-19 restrictions are lifted

Chicago-area business owners are preparing to open their doors Friday , hoping to recoup some of the money they lost after being shut down for more than six weeks because of the state ’ s stay-at-home order .
Changes to the order taking effect Friday will grant some non-essential businesses the ability to begin serving customers again inside brick-and-mortar stores starting Friday .
But the ease in restrictions is far from a return to normalcy .
Businesses with permission to reopen include beauty supply stores , gardening centers , pet grooming and golf courses , as well as some state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place new safety measures , including restricted hours and constant sanitizing , Some will have to add new services , such as curbside pickup .
House of Melanin , a beauty supply store at 262 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park , specializes in hair care products for African Americans .
It took a major hit during the lockdown , but safety takes priority , said owners Myeisha Campbell and Samuel Campbell .
“ As a business owner I put the health of my community before any type of business profit , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right is that we make sure we are healthy and we are protecting our community from this disease that is disproportionately affecting African Americans.
” Myeisha is also a hospital worker who has seen firsthand how devastating COVID-19 is .
They will open Friday with restricted hours to gauge customers response , and may extend their hours by Monday , Samuel said .
The husband-and-wife duo will mimic how they ’ ve seen larger grocery stores operate during the pandemic .
That includes markers on the floor reminding people to stay 6 feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people in the store .
Customers must wear masks , which will be provided if needed .
“ We will also have staggered hours because we will need time to routinely sanitize our products , wipe down shelves and also sanitize our air , ” Myeisha said .
They ’ ve also added delivery and curbside pickup for customers who order online , since “ people need to touch and smell some products and that is not really an experience you can get online , ” Myeisha said .
John Whedbee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1921 S. Blue Island Ave. , said it ’ s a relief he can get back to work Friday , but there is a level of anxiety .
“ I think it ’ s an honor to be able to provide services for people in a time like this , but it ’ s also a bit of pressure because we are putting ourselves in harm ’ s way to an extent , ” Whedbee said .
His cage-free shop and one-customer-at-a-time approach is an advantage during social distancing , he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between appointments , so he can disinfect the shop .
“ I ’ m actually calling people ahead of their appointment to make sure they have a mask on and I am putting signs up letting people know I can ’ t let people without a mask in , ” Whedbee said .
Demand is still high even with all those precautions ; he ’ s booked for the next three weeks .
Olivia DiCola , general manager of Olivia ’ s Garden in Morgan Park , said the revisions to the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come at a better time .
“ We are feeling pretty blessed because we don ’ t have a ton of business from January through April so we didn ’ t take that big of a financial hit yet with the earlier orders , ” DiCola said .
“ But we were starting to get nervous because we ’ ve been growing our products since November and we can ’ t stop our flowers from growing , ” she added .
“ If we were told we couldn ’ t open until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been pretty disastrous for us.
” Like other businesses , Olivia ’ s Garden , 10730 S. Western Ave. , will have some restrictions in place .
Only 10 to 12 customers at a time will be allowed into the gardening center and everyone must wear a mask , including all 10 employees .
Face masks will be available for customers who don ’ t bring one .
“ I hope it ’ s a good season despite everything that is going on , ” DiCola said .
“ We have a nice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should be a test for what we should expect moving forward.
” Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America , a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago ’ s South and West sides .

Chicago-area business owners are preparing to open their doors Friday, hoping to recoup some of the money they lost after being shut down for more than six weeks because of the state’s stay-at-home order.
Changes to the order taking effect Friday will grant some non-essential businesses the ability to begin serving customers again inside brick-and-mortar stores starting Friday.
But the ease in restrictions is far from a return to normalcy.
Businesses with permission to reopen include beauty supply stores, gardening centers, pet grooming and golf courses, as well as some state parks. Many of these must put in place new safety measures, including restricted hours and constant sanitizing, Some will have to add new services, such as curbside pickup.
House of Melanin, a beauty supply store at 262 Chicago Ave. in Oak Park, specializes in hair care products for African Americans. It took a major hit during the lockdown, but safety takes priority, said owners Myeisha Campbell and Samuel Campbell.
“As a business owner I put the health of my community before any type of business profit,” Myeisha said. “What’s right is that we make sure we are healthy and we are protecting our community from this disease that is disproportionately affecting African Americans.”
Myeisha is also a hospital worker who has seen firsthand how devastating COVID-19 is.
Myeisha Campbell one of the owners of House of Melanin restocks the shelves with an assortment of haircare products, Thursday, April 30, 2020, in Oak Park, Ill. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
They will open Friday with restricted hours to gauge customers response, and may extend their hours by Monday, Samuel said.
The husband-and-wife duo will mimic how they’ve seen larger grocery stores operate during the pandemic. That includes markers on the floor reminding people to stay 6 feet apart. They also will limit the number of people in the store. Customers must wear masks, which will be provided if needed.
“We will also have staggered hours because we will need time to routinely sanitize our products, wipe down shelves and also sanitize our air,” Myeisha said.
They’ve also added delivery and curbside pickup for customers who order online, since “people need to touch and smell some products and that is not really an experience you can get online,” Myeisha said.
John Whedbee, owner of Heart of Chicago Grooming, 1921 S. Blue Island Ave., said it’s a relief he can get back to work Friday, but there is a level of anxiety.
“I think it’s an honor to be able to provide services for people in a time like this, but it’s also a bit of pressure because we are putting ourselves in harm’s way to an extent,” Whedbee said.
John Whedbee, owner of Heart of Chicago Grooming, with his dog, Wally. His grooming salon, at 1921 S. Blue Island Ave. in Pilsen, will reopen to customers on Friday as some parts of a statewide stay-at-home order are eased. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
His cage-free shop and one-customer-at-a-time approach is an advantage during social distancing, he said. He also leaves a 20-minute buffer between appointments, so he can disinfect the shop.
“I’m actually calling people ahead of their appointment to make sure they have a mask on and I am putting signs up letting people know I can’t let people without a mask in,” Whedbee said.
Demand is still high even with all those precautions; he’s booked for the next three weeks.
Olivia DiCola, general manager of Olivia’s Garden in Morgan Park, said the revisions to the state’s stay-at-home order couldn’t come at a better time.
“We are feeling pretty blessed because we don’t have a ton of business from January through April so we didn’t take that big of a financial hit yet with the earlier orders,” DiCola said.
“But we were starting to get nervous because we’ve been growing our products since November and we can’t stop our flowers from growing,” she added. “If we were told we couldn’t open until the end of June it would’ve been pretty disastrous for us.”
Like other businesses, Olivia’s Garden, 10730 S. Western Ave., will have some restrictions in place.
Only 10 to 12 customers at a time will be allowed into the gardening center and everyone must wear a mask, including all 10 employees. Face masks will be available for customers who don’t bring one.
“I hope it’s a good season despite everything that is going on,” DiCola said. “We have a nice 70-degree weekend ahead of us and it should be a test for what we should expect moving forward.”
Heart of Chicago Grooming offers grooming and food for dogs. Owner John Whedbee, who’s been in business about five years, plans to be open Friday as some parts of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order are eased. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Dear Abby: Should girls keep visiting father with a history of DUIs?

DEAR ABBY : My fiancee has two daughters ( 14 and 11 ) from a previous marriage .
Their dad , “ Brett , ” was just arrested for his fourth DUI , the second within a year .
The girls don ’ t trust him anymore , and their image of him has changed greatly .
We have always encouraged the girls to stay with their dad on “ his ” days , but when they do , Brett rarely does anything with them , and he berates them .
I know he misses his girls , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get past this because “ tomorrow is not guaranteed.
” I understand .
I live my life on that premise .
But if Brett isn ’ t willing to change , then why should we continue to encourage his being in their lives ?
He cares only about his image , not the actual relationship with his daughters .
He has a history with drugs and alcohol , and in the last 12 months , he has been fired from three different jobs .
This is not the role model the girls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not their father , but it kills me seeing them hurt .
Should we encourage them to still visit him ?
Or do we let them decide ?
I ’ m a soon-to-be stepfather who wants only what is best for the girls .
— PARENTING IN THE MIDWEST DEAR PARENTING : When there is a divorce with children involved , custody arrangements are usually dictated by the court .
Your fiancee ’ s daughters may not have much choice but to visit their father on “ his ” days .
That said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it becomes necessary .
I agree that someone with four DUIs is not a great role model , and he could be a danger to them if he is still allowed to drive .
Encourage the girls to keep you informed of what transpires during their visits with their father .
I disagree with the relatives who say they must get past their father ’ s neglect and verbal abuse .
DEAR ABBY : I have three sisters .
We are all in our 50s and 60s .
Three of us get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have all had issues with our oldest sister , “ Lulu.
” She has gotten angry at us for many different reasons .
When our father was terminally ill , she wanted one of us to live with him in his home even though we thought it was enough that we were in the same small town and went over there daily .
Also , Lulu is a widow and not financially secure , and she feels we have not helped her out enough .
There have been times we have gotten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always ends in drama .
I miss her regardless of the drama , but she seems to have written us off .
She is convinced that she is right , and we are bad for her .
Must I learn to accept this and move on ?
Or should I try to make it right ?
My youngest sister wants nothing to do with her .
She says Lulu is bad for her mental health .
Can you help me to finally resolve this one way or the other ?
— DYSFUNCTIONAL IN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not responsible for Lulu ’ s financial woes .
Let her know you are there for her , but can not help support her financially .
I ’ m sorry you didn ’ t mention whether she has a job .
If she doesn ’ t , she needs to find one to supplement her income .
Unless you are willing to cave to emotional blackmail and supplement your sister ’ s income for the rest of her life ( or yours ) , accept that it may be time to move on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in @ @ @

DEAR ABBY: My fiancee has two daughters (14 and 11) from a previous marriage. Their dad, “Brett,” was just arrested for his fourth DUI, the second within a year. The girls don’t trust him anymore, and their image of him has changed greatly.
We have always encouraged the girls to stay with their dad on “his” days, but when they do, Brett rarely does anything with them, and he berates them. I know he misses his girls, and his siblings have told us the girls need to get past this because “tomorrow is not guaranteed.” I understand. I live my life on that premise. But if Brett isn’t willing to change, then why should we continue to encourage his being in their lives? He cares only about his image, not the actual relationship with his daughters.
He has a history with drugs and alcohol, and in the last 12 months, he has been fired from three different jobs. This is not the role model the girls need. I know I’m not their father, but it kills me seeing them hurt. Should we encourage them to still visit him? Or do we let them decide? I’m a soon-to-be stepfather who wants only what is best for the girls. — PARENTING IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR PARENTING: When there is a divorce with children involved, custody arrangements are usually dictated by the court. Your fiancee’s daughters may not have much choice but to visit their father on “his” days. That said, the custody arrangement can be altered if it becomes necessary.
I agree that someone with four DUIs is not a great role model, and he could be a danger to them if he is still allowed to drive. Encourage the girls to keep you informed of what transpires during their visits with their father. I disagree with the relatives who say they must get past their father’s neglect and verbal abuse.
DEAR ABBY: I have three sisters. We are all in our 50s and 60s. Three of us get along great and always have, but we have all had issues with our oldest sister, “Lulu.” She has gotten angry at us for many different reasons.
When our father was terminally ill, she wanted one of us to live with him in his home even though we thought it was enough that we were in the same small town and went over there daily. Also, Lulu is a widow and not financially secure, and she feels we have not helped her out enough. There have been times we have gotten along wonderfully, but sadly, it always ends in drama.
I miss her regardless of the drama, but she seems to have written us off. She is convinced that she is right, and we are bad for her. Must I learn to accept this and move on? Or should I try to make it right? My youngest sister wants nothing to do with her. She says Lulu is bad for her mental health. Can you help me to finally resolve this one way or the other? — DYSFUNCTIONAL IN NEW JERSEY
DEAR DYSFUNCTIONAL: You are not responsible for Lulu’s financial woes. Let her know you are there for her, but cannot help support her financially. I’m sorry you didn’t mention whether she has a job. If she doesn’t, she needs to find one to supplement her income. Unless you are willing to cave to emotional blackmail and supplement your sister’s income for the rest of her life (or yours), accept that it may be time to move on.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--‘James Vs. His Future Self’: A funny time-travel tale that’s serious about the science

When time travelers in the movies meet younger/older versions of themselves , it ’ s almost never a good thing , especially at first .
Whether it ’ s Bruce Willis as Old Joe trying to convince Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Young Joe not to kill him in “ Looper , ” Bruce Willis as Grown-Up Russ connecting with Spencer Breslin as Young Rusty in “ Disney ’ s The Kid ” or Bruce Willis as Cole running through an airport while Joseph Melito as Young Cole looks on in “ 12 Monkeys , ” one thing we can be sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself in quite a few movies !
Oh , and also : it ’ s always a bleep-show when characters meet themselves .
That ’ s certainly the case in the cerebral time-travel character study “ James Vs. His Future Self , ” in which a scraggly , intense and crabby old physicist ( Daniel Stern ) barges in from the future to confront his younger self ( Jonas Chernick ) and desperately tries to persuade Young James not to make the mistakes he ’ s already made — which is the kind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these movies , because how can Young James possibly alter a future that ’ s already set in stone , given the presence of Old James ?
You want to go deeper into the weeds ?
Consider that whenever Young James actually does take an action that could alter the timeline , Old James ’ memories change on the spot , to absorb the new information .
So it ’ s as if Old James is always a step ahead of Young James , as he will instantly know whatever Young James has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cause I ’ m not sure I do — but thanks to director and co-writer Jeremy Lalonde taking the science seriously while adopting a comedic/dramatic tone not unlike “ Back to the Future , ” and a ferociously funny and genuinely moving performance by Daniel Stern as Old James , we ’ re usually too involved with the emotional stakes to get bogged down with the physics and questionable logic of all this madness .
Suffice to say the real mystery in “ James Vs. His Future Self ” is whether Young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make things right on the relationship front before it ’ s too late and he winds up a lonely old man who looks like he lives on the streets .
( The 6-foot-4 Stern looks to be about six inches taller than Chernick , but that disparity is explained with a quick bit of a dialogue .
Sort of . )
Old James and Young James despise one another for much of the story .
Old James is enraged and frustrated by Young James ’ ego and obstinacy , while Young James can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bitter loser .
Wake up , Young James !
Listen to , um , yourself .
Cleopatra Coleman is luminous and endearing as Courtney , a colleague and friend of Young James who is about to take a job in Sweden and leave his life for good if he doesn ’ t step up and tell her how he really feels .
Tommie-Amber Pirie is a hoot as Young James ’ sister , who for 15 years has been trying to get him to scatter the remaining ashes of their parents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ James Vs. His Younger Self ” is an evenly matched fight .
We ’ re cheering for the old-timer to knock some sense into a young genius who is acting so dumb .

When time travelers in the movies meet younger/older versions of themselves, it’s almost never a good thing, especially at first. Whether it’s Bruce Willis as Old Joe trying to convince Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Young Joe not to kill him in “Looper,” Bruce Willis as Grown-Up Russ connecting with Spencer Breslin as Young Rusty in “Disney’s The Kid” or Bruce Willis as Cole running through an airport while Joseph Melito as Young Cole looks on in “12 Monkeys,” one thing we can be sure of:
Bruce Willis sure has met himself in quite a few movies! Oh, and also: it’s always a bleep-show when characters meet themselves.
‘James Vs. His Future Self’
Untitled Gravitas Ventures presents a film directed by Jeremy Lalonde and written by Lalonde and Jonas Chernick. No MPAA rating. Running time: 94 minutes. Available Friday on demand.
That’s certainly the case in the cerebral time-travel character study “James Vs. His Future Self,” in which a scraggly, intense and crabby old physicist (Daniel Stern) barges in from the future to confront his younger self (Jonas Chernick) and desperately tries to persuade Young James not to make the mistakes he’s already made — which is the kind of headache-inducing conundrum we always get in these movies, because how can Young James possibly alter a future that’s already set in stone, given the presence of Old James?
You want to go deeper into the weeds? Consider that whenever Young James actually does take an action that could alter the timeline, Old James’ memories change on the spot, to absorb the new information. So it’s as if Old James is always a step ahead of Young James, as he will instantly know whatever Young James has just done. Got it?
Good, cause I’m not sure I do — but thanks to director and co-writer Jeremy Lalonde taking the science seriously while adopting a comedic/dramatic tone not unlike “Back to the Future,” and a ferociously funny and genuinely moving performance by Daniel Stern as Old James, we’re usually too involved with the emotional stakes to get bogged down with the physics and questionable logic of all this madness.
Suffice to say the real mystery in “James Vs. His Future Self” is whether Young James will get his stuff together and make things right on the relationship front before it’s too late and he winds up a lonely old man who looks like he lives on the streets. (The 6-foot-4 Stern looks to be about six inches taller than Chernick, but that disparity is explained with a quick bit of a dialogue. Sort of.)
Old James and Young James despise one another for much of the story. Old James is enraged and frustrated by Young James’ ego and obstinacy, while Young James can’t believe he turned into such a bitter loser. Wake up, Young James! Listen to, um, yourself.
Cleopatra Coleman is luminous and endearing as Courtney, a colleague and friend of Young James who is about to take a job in Sweden and leave his life for good if he doesn’t step up and tell her how he really feels. Tommie-Amber Pirie is a hoot as Young James’ sister, who for 15 years has been trying to get him to scatter the remaining ashes of their parents, who were killed in a plane crash.
“James Vs. His Younger Self” is an evenly matched fight. We’re cheering for the old-timer to knock some sense into a young genius who is acting so dumb.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Long-secret phone bill in David Koschman case reveals early calls to Mayor Daley’s brother

Sixteen years after then-Mayor Richard M. Daley ’ s nephew Richard J .
“ R.J. ” Vanecko threw a punch that cost David Koschman his life , newly released cellphone records reveal that one of the people Vanecko was with called the mayor ’ s brother just eight hours after the incident .
Long hidden from public view by a court order , the phone bill obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows Bridget Higgins McCarthy called attorney Michael Daley around the time that two Chicago police detectives had come to the McCarthys ’ house .
The cops were looking for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punch was thrown , leaving Koschman unconscious on Division Street around 3:15 a.m. on April 25 , 2004 .
McCarthy ’ s husband Kevin , who ’ d initially been handcuffed at the scene , lied to the detectives , telling them he and his wife didn ’ t know the two guys who ran away .
He didn ’ t tell them that he , his wife and those same two men all had been together at an engagement party for one of Michael Daley ’ s daughters earlier that night .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wife .
But he told them she was unavailable , and the police left .
About four hours later , the police investigation came to an abrupt halt , records show .
It didn ’ t resume until May 9 , 2004 — three days after Koschman had died .
The Bridget McCarthy phone bill , released by the Chicago Police Board in response to a public records request , raises new questions about the Daley family ’ s communications with those involved in the Koschman case at the time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daley ’ s control — was conducting an investigation that would keep Vanecko from being brought to justice for nearly a decade .
A special prosecutor , former U.S. Attorney Dan K. Webb , obtained an indictment against Vanecko in 2013 for involuntary manslaughter , and the mayor ’ s nephew , then 39 , pleaded guilty the following year .
Webb is now serving as special prosecutor in another high-profile case : He got an indictment against actor Jussie Smollett from Fox-TV ’ s “ Empire , ” charging him with staging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx over her decision to drop the charges initially filed against Smollett last year .
After Vanecko ’ s guilty plea in January 2014 , Webb said he found “ no evidence that former Mayor Daley , his family or others at their direction engaged in conduct to influence or attempted to influence ” the two Chicago police investigations — one in 2004 , the other in 2011 — into Koschman ’ s death .
But more than a decade and a half after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since Vanecko served two months in jail for killing him , these questions about the handling of the case and Daley ’ s awareness of what happened remain unanswered : • When did the mayor learn about the deadly confrontation ?
• And did the mayor or his family discuss the case with the police department , which never even questioned Vanecko , letting him remain free until the grand jury overseen by Webb indicted him ?
Koschman ’ s death came as Daley was reeling from a federal investigation into the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which the FBI already had seized documents from City Hall and later would question the mayor .
The scandal ended up sending 48 people to prison and prompted Daley to kill the $ 40 million-a-year program .
The police quickly ended their initial investigation into Koschman ’ s death but reviewed the case again in 2011 , prompted by a Sun-Times request to see the police reports from the 2004 case , which officially had remained listed as open and unsolved .
The 2011 investigation ended with detectives formally closing the case , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-defense , though witness statements contradicted that .
The newly released phone records show Bridget McCarthy made three calls to Michael Daley ’ s home and law office between April 25 and April 30 as Koschman , 21 , of Mount Prospect , was undergoing a series of operations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital .
But McCarthy waited until more than a week after Koschman ’ s death before telling the police she knew the two men who ran off — Vanecko and his friend Craig Denham .
Denham later married the sister of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Michael Daley didn ’ t respond to Sun-Times messages asking to interview them about the conversations they had while Koschman lingered in a coma for days before dying .
Michael Daley ’ s law firm has done work for McCarthy ’ s father John “ Jack ” Higgins , a Daley family friend who has a deal to develop government-owned land within the Illinois Medical District on the West Side .
In the six years since Webb closed his investigation , he has refused to release the “ voluntary sworn statements ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — including Michael Daley and Vanecko ’ s parents — gave in writing , which were read to the grand jury by Webb ’ s team .
Webb also has opposed releasing other records , among them the cellphone bills for McCarthy and others , including Daley family members .
The Sun-Times was able to get Bridget McCarthy ’ s phone bill because it surfaced in the disciplinary case against Sgt .
Sam Cirone , who was reprimanded by the Chicago Police Board on Dec. 12 for his role in bungling the 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cirone said his detectives never tried to get cellphone records because they assumed they no longer existed , though City Hall Inspector General Joseph Ferguson later was able to get them .
In response to a records request from the Sun-Times , the police board released evidence against Cirone that included five pages of McCarthy ’ s phone bill from April 2004 .
Each page was marked with an identical notation : “ Confidential grand jury materials subject to court seat and protective order.
” It ’ s unclear whether the police board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permission from the city law department , which oversaw Cirone ’ s disciplinary case .
The law department rejected a request to make public other phone records .
Those records , locked away in Webb ’ s possession , remain sealed under a court order issued by Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin , who appointed Webb as Koschman special prosecutor .
G. Flint Taylor , a lawyer who represented Nanci Koschman in her successful effort to reopen the investigation of her son ’ s killing , says he wants all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McCarthy ’ s phone bill is “ another link between the Daleys and the coverup that began soon after Vanecko ran away .
“ There ’ s a call to Michael Daley at the very time the cops are at the door , ” Taylor says .
“ It ’ s another piece to the puzzle that has so many pieces missing with regard to the Daley family .
It really begs the question as to why this investigation still remains secret and why wasn ’ t it pursued aggressively by Dan Webb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anniversary , 16 years , and the public and Mrs. Koschman have a right to know the full details of the coverup.
” McCarthy ’ s cellphone records provided key evidence in Webb ’ s investigation , according to his final report , which revealed that she and Vanecko were communicating immediately after he fled .
But Webb ’ s report didn ’ t say McCarthy also was calling the mayor ’ s brother .
Koschman ’ s case was an open , unsolved homicide in January 2011 when the Sun-Times asked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daley left the mayor ’ s office .
In response , the police department quickly reviewed the case and then closed it without seeking criminal charges .
But the Sun-Times stories sparked an investigation by Ferguson , who found that the original case files were missing , that detectives never canvassed the area for additional witnesses or videos and that the police didn ’ t try to get phone records from Vanecko , McCarthy and other Daley relatives and friends .
These findings prompted Nanci Koschman to ask for a special prosecutor to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ferguson ’ s files , including the cellphone bills , as Ferguson assisted his investigation .
On Jan. 15 , Toomin gave Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s top City Hall lawyer , Mark Flessner , permission to release Ferguson ’ s summary reports — which included evidence gathered by the grand jury .
City Hall used Ferguson ’ s reports in pushing for disciplinary action against six police officers Webb had said he considered charging with obstruction , including Cirone , but didn ’ t because he said he didn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s decision let Lightfoot fulfill a campaign promise to release inspector general reports involving police discipline in high-profile cases .
City officials say they didn ’ t ask Toomin to release other Koschman records , assuming he ’ d refuse .
Toomin has rejected previous requests to release Koschman files , saying that would violate grand jury secrecy .
But the judge has said the city can release its own records , even if they went to the grand jury , as long as it doesn ’ t identify them as having been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police and the law department have refused to release many records in the Koschman case , saying that they couldn ’ t because the documents were given to the grand jury .
Last summer , the police rejected a Sun-Times request seeking all records in the Koschman case , saying they already had provided those .
But then they released 70 previously unreleased pages of police reports — “ general progress reports ” and other documents that the newspaper had asked for years earlier .
But the department said at that time it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other records .
The Sun-Times has sued City Hall in an effort to obtain those records .
Asked why the city released McCarthy ’ s cellphone records but not others , Kathy Fieweger , a spokeswoman for the law department says : “ As part of your ongoing litigation with the city about this , the Department of Law ’ s position from that case and several other cases and FOIA requests you have submitted is that the protective order remains in place .
To date , the city ’ s legal position @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As such , we will not be providing the records you request.
” With the release of Bridget McCarthy ’ s cellphone bill , as well as previously released police reports , a fuller picture can now be provided of the start of the Chicago Police Department ’ s 2004 investigation of David Koschman ’ s death on April 25 , 2004 .
3:15 a.m. April 25 , 2004 — A drunken argument ensues when David Koschman and four friends bump into Mayor Richard M. Daley ’ s nephew Richard J .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bridget and Kevin McCarthy and Craig Denham — on the sidewalk at 43 W. Division St. Vanecko punches Koschman , then runs off with Denham .
The police arrive and initially handcuff Kevin McCarthy before letting him go .
3:21 a.m. — Chicago Fire Department paramedics treat Koschman , who was left unconscious after falling backward and cracking his skull on a curb .
3:59 a.m. — Bridget McCarthy places another one-minute call to Vanecko .
9:30 a.m. — Detective Rita O ’ Leary calls the hospital to check on Koschman .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her partner Robert Clemens go to the McCarthy home in Lincoln Park .
Kevin McCarthy says they don ’ t know the guys who ran away , and his wife is unavailable .
11:43 a.m. — Off-duty Detective Ronald Yawger logs onto a police computer to review Kevin McCarthy ’ s criminal history .
Yawger wouldn ’ t be assigned to the case until May 9 , three days after Koschman died .
3 p.m. — O ’ Leary calls Michael Connolly , one of two bystanders .
3:20 p.m. — O ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koschman ’ s mother — the last police activity in the case until four days after Koschma ’ s death .

Sixteen years after then-Mayor Richard M. Daley’s nephew Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko threw a punch that cost David Koschman his life, newly released cellphone records reveal that one of the people Vanecko was with called the mayor’s brother just eight hours after the incident.
Long hidden from public view by a court order, the phone bill obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows Bridget Higgins McCarthy called attorney Michael Daley around the time that two Chicago police detectives had come to the McCarthys’ house. The cops were looking for two men who ran away after the punch was thrown, leaving Koschman unconscious on Division Street around 3:15 a.m. on April 25, 2004.
McCarthy’s husband Kevin, who’d initially been handcuffed at the scene, lied to the detectives, telling them he and his wife didn’t know the two guys who ran away. He didn’t tell them that he, his wife and those same two men all had been together at an engagement party for one of Michael Daley’s daughters earlier that night.
The detectives asked to speak with McCarthy’s wife. But he told them she was unavailable, and the police left.
About four hours later, the police investigation came to an abrupt halt, records show. It didn’t resume until May 9, 2004 — three days after Koschman had died.
David Koschman. Sun-Times file
The Bridget McCarthy phone bill, released by the Chicago Police Board in response to a public records request, raises new questions about the Daley family’s communications with those involved in the Koschman case at the time the Chicago Police Department — under Richard M. Daley’s control — was conducting an investigation that would keep Vanecko from being brought to justice for nearly a decade.
A special prosecutor, former U.S. Attorney Dan K. Webb, obtained an indictment against Vanecko in 2013 for involuntary manslaughter, and the mayor’s nephew, who was 39 then and is now 45, pleaded guilty the following year.
Webb is now serving as special prosecutor in another high-profile case: He got an indictment against actor Jussie Smollett from Fox-TV’s “Empire,” charging him with staging a hate crime. And Webb continues to investigate Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx over her decision to drop the charges initially filed against Smollett last year.
After Vanecko’s guilty plea in January 2014, Webb said he found “no evidence that former Mayor Daley, his family or others at their direction engaged in conduct to influence or attempted to influence” the two Chicago police investigations — one in 2004, the other in 2011 — into Koschman’s death.
But more than a decade and a half after Koschman’s death and six years since Vanecko served two months in jail for killing him, these questions about the handling of the case and Daley’s awareness of what happened remain unanswered:
When did the mayor learn about the deadly confrontation?
Who told him?
And did the mayor or his family discuss the case with the police department, which never even questioned Vanecko, letting him remain free until the grand jury overseen by Webb indicted him?
Koschman’s death came as Daley was reeling from a federal investigation into the city’s Hired Truck Program, in which the FBI already had seized documents from City Hall and later would question the mayor. The scandal ended up sending 48 people to prison and prompted Daley to kill the $40 million-a-year program.
The police quickly ended their initial investigation into Koschman’s death but reviewed the case again in 2011, prompted by a Sun-Times request to see the police reports from the 2004 case, which officially had remained listed as open and unsolved. The 2011 investigation ended with detectives formally closing the case, declaring that Vanecko had struck Koschman in self-defense, though witness statements contradicted that.
Bridget Higgins McCarthy. Sun-Times file
The newly released phone records show Bridget McCarthy made three calls to Michael Daley’s home and law office between April 25 and April 30 as Koschman, 21, of Mount Prospect, was undergoing a series of operations at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
But McCarthy waited until more than a week after Koschman’s death before telling the police she knew the two men who ran off — Vanecko and his friend Craig Denham. Denham later married the sister of Mayor Daley’s son-in-law.
McCarthy and Michael Daley didn’t respond to Sun-Times messages asking to interview them about the conversations they had while Koschman lingered in a coma for days before dying.
Michael Daley’s law firm has done work for McCarthy’s father John “Jack” Higgins, a Daley family friend who has a deal to develop government-owned land within the Illinois Medical District on the West Side.
Michael Daley. Colin Boyle / Sun-Times file
In the six years since Webb closed his investigation, he has refused to release the “voluntary sworn statements” that the former mayor and seven relatives — including Michael Daley and Vanecko’s parents — gave in writing, which were read to the grand jury by Webb’s team.
Webb also has opposed releasing other records, among them the cellphone bills for McCarthy and others, including Daley family members.
The Sun-Times was able to get Bridget McCarthy’s phone bill because it surfaced in the disciplinary case against Sgt. Sam Cirone, who was reprimanded by the Chicago Police Board on Dec. 12 for his role in bungling the 2011 investigation into Koschman’s death. Cirone said his detectives never tried to get cellphone records because they assumed they no longer existed, though City Hall Inspector General Joseph Ferguson later was able to get them.
In response to a records request from the Sun-Times, the police board released evidence against Cirone that included five pages of McCarthy’s phone bill from April 2004. Each page was marked with an identical notation: “Confidential grand jury materials subject to court seal and protective order.”
It’s unclear whether the police board released the phone records by mistake or with permission from the city law department, which oversaw Cirone’s disciplinary case.
The law department rejected a request to make public other phone records.
Those records, locked away in Webb’s possession, remain sealed under a court order issued by Cook County Circuit Judge Michael Toomin, who appointed Webb as Koschman special prosecutor.
Webb didn’t return messages seeking comment.
G. Flint Taylor, a lawyer who represented Nanci Koschman in her successful effort to reopen the investigation of her son’s killing, says he wants all of the records made public. He says McCarthy’s phone bill is “another link between the Daleys and the coverup that began soon after Vanecko ran away.
Attorney G. Flint Taylor: “The public and Mrs. Koschman have a right to know the full details of the coverup.” Rich Hein / Sun-Times file
“There’s a call to Michael Daley at the very time the cops are at the door,” Taylor says. “It’s another piece to the puzzle that has so many pieces missing with regard to the Daley family. It really begs the question as to why this investigation still remains secret and why wasn’t it pursued aggressively by Dan Webb.
“Here we are on the anniversary, 16 years, and the public and Mrs. Koschman have a right to know the full details of the coverup.”
McCarthy’s cellphone records provided key evidence in Webb’s investigation, according to his final report, which revealed that she and Vanecko were communicating immediately after he fled. But Webb’s report didn’t say McCarthy also was calling the mayor’s brother.
Koschman’s case was an open, unsolved homicide in January 2011 when the Sun-Times asked to see the police files five months before Daley left the mayor’s office. In response, the police department quickly reviewed the case and then closed it without seeking criminal charges.
But the Sun-Times stories sparked an investigation by Ferguson, who found that the original case files were missing, that detectives never canvassed the area for additional witnesses or videos and that the police didn’t try to get phone records from Vanecko, McCarthy and other Daley relatives and friends.
These findings prompted Nanci Koschman to ask for a special prosecutor to reinvestigate.
Webb then gained access to Ferguson’s files, including the cellphone bills, as Ferguson assisted his investigation.
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s nephew Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko. Colin Boyle / Sun-Times file
On Jan. 15, Toomin gave Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s top City Hall lawyer, Mark Flessner, permission to release Ferguson’s summary reports — which included evidence gathered by the grand jury. City Hall used Ferguson’s reports in pushing for disciplinary action against six police officers Webb had said he considered charging with obstruction, including Cirone, but didn’t because he said he didn’t think he had enough evidence.
Toomin’s decision let Lightfoot fulfill a campaign promise to release inspector general reports involving police discipline in high-profile cases.
City officials say they didn’t ask Toomin to release other Koschman records, assuming he’d refuse.
Toomin has rejected previous requests to release Koschman files, saying that would violate grand jury secrecy. But the judge has said the city can release its own records, even if they went to the grand jury, as long as it doesn’t identify them as having been provided to the grand jury.
The police and the law department have refused to release many records in the Koschman case, saying that they couldn’t because the documents were given to the grand jury.
Last summer, the police rejected a Sun-Times request seeking all records in the Koschman case, saying they already had provided those. But then they released 70 previously unreleased pages of police reports — “general progress reports” and other documents that the newspaper had asked for years earlier.
But the department said at that time it was still withholding an undisclosed number of other records. The Sun-Times has sued City Hall in an effort to obtain those records.
Asked why the city released McCarthy’s cellphone records but not others, Kathy Fieweger, a spokeswoman for the law department says: “As part of your ongoing litigation with the city about this, the Department of Law’s position from that case and several other cases and FOIA requests you have submitted is that the protective order remains in place. To date, the city’s legal position has been upheld in each instance. As such, we will not be providing the records you request.”
Former Mayor Richard M. Daley. Colin Boyle / Sun-Times file
Koschman investigation’s first 12 hours
With the release of Bridget McCarthy’s cellphone bill, as well as previously released police reports, a fuller picture can now be provided of the start of the Chicago Police Department’s 2004 investigation of David Koschman’s death on April 25, 2004.
3:15 a.m. April 25, 2004 — A drunken argument ensues when David Koschman and four friends bump into Mayor Richard M. Daley’s nephew Richard J. “R.J.” Vanecko and three companions — Bridget and Kevin McCarthy and Craig Denham — on the sidewalk at 43 W. Division St. Vanecko punches Koschman, then runs off with Denham. The police arrive and initially handcuff Kevin McCarthy before letting him go.
3:21 a.m. — Chicago Fire Department paramedics treat Koschman, who was left unconscious after falling backward and cracking his skull on a curb.
3:35 a.m. — Koschman arrives at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
3:36 a.m. — Bridget McCarthy places a one-minute call to Vanecko.
3:59 a.m. — Bridget McCarthy places another one-minute call to Vanecko.
9:30 a.m. — Detective Rita O’Leary calls the hospital to check on Koschman.
10:49 a.m. — Bridget McCarthy calls mayoral brother Michael Daley — a two-minute call.
About 11 a.m. — O’Leary and her partner Robert Clemens go to the McCarthy home in Lincoln Park. Kevin McCarthy says they don’t know the guys who ran away, and his wife is unavailable.
11:43 a.m. — Off-duty Detective Ronald Yawger logs onto a police computer to review Kevin McCarthy’s criminal history. Yawger wouldn’t be assigned to the case until May 9, three days after Koschman died.
3 p.m. — O’Leary calls Michael Connolly, one of two bystanders.
3:20 p.m. — O’Leary calls the hospital and speaks with Koschman’s mother — the last police activity in the case until four days after Koschman’s death.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Wild game: Ballpark Venison Burger comes in “Braising the Wild”

Jack Hennessy pulls up the memory of caramelizing onions at Sox Park , something that hangs with many of us as much as the crack of the bat .
Smell , I think , is the sense most attached to memory .
If so , he touches all the bases this week in “ Braising the Wild.
” And I am completely with him when he writes , “ I miss baseball.
’ ’ By the way , his photo about made me go through the screen of my laptop .
To memories , here is the recipe for this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remember my first trip to Comiskey , but for as long as I can recall , the smell of caramelizing onions is as tangible and synonymous with the ballpark as the ticket stub in a pocket .
The distinct aroma hits you just before you step foot onto the concourse .
The freshly mowed field waits beyond , and the blur and commotion of people pass before you—it ’ s a carnival for the senses , something that says , “ Welcome home.
” I miss baseball .
I ’ d suspect most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks of baseball without fans .
That ’ s better than nothing , but the game is so deeply rich with sights and sounds—a telecast is a poor substitute for the sun of an open field , beer in one hand and a burger—dripping with cheese and caramelized onions and mustard—resting on the opposite knee .
While I can ’ t replace baseball , or the Blackhawks ’ playoff run—we all know they would have made it—or the tradition of standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the troughs in Wrigley , I can help replicate some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
QUICK NOTES ON GROUND VENISON : I grind my venison fresh from trim .
I keep the silver skin on during storage to serve as a protective layer ( though I ’ ll talk more about proper storage in the fall ) , and slice off right before grinding .
I have a 1.5-horsepower MEAT !
grinder that makes short work of a week ’ s worth of grinding .
To me , there ’ s a big difference between pre-ground frozen venison versus freshly ground ( again , more to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past two decades , between home-cooking and several years in restaurants , I can confidently say this : I have made caramelized onions an art .
I ’ ve made hundreds of recipes .
This method for onions ranks among the top five , and it ain ’ t hard .
Please enjoy with a Miller Lite .
Go Sox .
In a medium skillet ( preferably cast iron ) heated on medium , add a thin layer of oil along with sliced onions .
Lightly salt and pepper .
Stir often until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may take 10 minutes or so ) .
Turn heat to low .
Stir onions often until sugars release and begin to caramelize onions , turning them a shade of brown .
This will likely take 30-45 minutes .
Once this happens , add 1/2 tablespoon salted butter .
Continue to stir .
Drain and rinse canned mushrooms and add to skillet with onions .
Very lightly salt .
Let them cook together for another 5-10 minutes .
After 5-10 minutes , remove onions and mushrooms and set aside .
Turn skillet up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burgers .
( You may need to do one patty at a time , depending on the size of your skillet , which is fine . )
Lightly salt and pepper burger .
Once burger starts to sweat ( before moisture pools ) , flip and add cheese , cover with aluminum lid until cheese is melted .
Remove and let meat rest a few minutes before adding to bun .
Toast buns , add condiments and make it either a double or single .
Top burger with onion-and-mushroom mix .
Mayonnaise is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it works as a moisture barrier , meaning your bottom bun won ’ t turn soggy .

BALLPARK VENISON BURGER I was too young to remember my first trip to Comiskey, but for as long as I can recall, the smell of caramelizing onions is as tangible and synonymous with the ballpark as the ticket stub in a pocket. The distinct aroma hits you just before you step foot onto the concourse. The freshly mowed field waits beyond, and the blur and commotion of people pass before you—it’s a carnival for the senses, something that says, Welcome home. I miss baseball. I’d suspect most of you feel similarly. There are talks of baseball without fans. That’s better than nothing, but the game is so deeply rich with sights and sounds—a telecast is a poor substitute for the sun of an open field, beer in one hand and a burger—dripping with cheese and caramelized onions and mustard—resting on the opposite knee. While I can’t replace baseball, or the Blackhawks’ playoff run—we all know they would have made it—or the tradition of standing shoulder-to-shoulder at the troughs in Wrigley, I can help replicate some of the flavor, served with wild game. QUICK NOTES ON GROUND VENISON: I grind my venison fresh from trim. I keep the silver skin on during storage to serve as a protective layer (though I’ll talk more about proper storage in the fall), and slice off right before grinding. I have a 1.5-horsepower MEAT! grinder that makes short work of a week’s worth of grinding. To me, there’s a big difference between pre-ground frozen venison versus freshly ground (again, more to come this fall). Over the past two decades, between home-cooking and several years in restaurants, I can confidently say this: I have made caramelized onions an art. I’ve made hundreds of recipes. This method for onions ranks among the top five, and it ain’t hard. Please enjoy with a Miller Lite. Go Sox. Ingredients (two-four servings): 24 ounces ground venison 1 medium yellow onion, sliced into circles 10 ounces canned mushrooms 4 slices cheddar cheese Buns and desired condiments Kosher salt & ground black pepper 1/2 tablespoon salted butter Olive oil In a medium skillet (preferably cast iron) heated on medium, add a thin layer of oil along with sliced onions. Lightly salt and pepper. Stir often until a slight sear appears along edges (may take 10 minutes or so). Turn heat to low. Stir onions often until sugars release and begin to caramelize onions, turning them a shade of brown. This will likely take 30-45 minutes. Once this happens, add 1/2 tablespoon salted butter. Continue to stir. Drain and rinse canned mushrooms and add to skillet with onions. Very lightly salt. Let them cook together for another 5-10 minutes. After 5-10 minutes, remove onions and mushrooms and set aside. Turn skillet up to medium heat. Add pattied venison burgers. (You may need to do one patty at a time, depending on the size of your skillet, which is fine.) Lightly salt and pepper burger. Once burger starts to sweat (before moisture pools), flip and add cheese, cover with aluminum lid until cheese is melted. Remove and let meat rest a few minutes before adding to bun. Toast buns, add condiments and make it either a double or single. Top burger with onion-and-mushroom mix. Mayonnaise is a great option for bottom bun, as it works as a moisture barrier, meaning your bottom bun won’t turn soggy.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--12 hurt in Chicago shootings Thursday

12 hurt in Chicago shootings Thursday

Twelve people , including an off-duty Chicago firefighter and a 17-year-old boy , were injured in shootings across the city on Thursday .
The 54-year-old firefighter was shot that evening in Fernwood on the South Side .
He was in an alley about 6:43 p.m. in the 9900 block of South Yale Avenue when someone approached him and fired shots , according to Chicago police .
He was hit in the ankle , calf and buttocks and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition .
A weapon was recovered at the scene and a person of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The teenager was shot while driving later that night in West Garfield Park on the West Side .
He was driving about 10:15 p.m. on Jackson Boulevard when someone opened fire and struck him in the leg , police said .
He drove himself to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was listed in good condition .
Thursday ’ s latest shooting happened about 11 p.m. in Park Manor on the South Side .
A 27-year-old man was walking in the 400 block of East 71st Street when someone fired shots , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the foot and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
Minutes earlier , another man was shot on the Southwest Side .
The 44-year-old was in a vehicle about 10:54 p.m. in the 4600 block of West 72nd Street when a black SUV pulled up and someone inside opened fire , police said .
He was struck in the abdomen and forearm and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition .
About an hour and a half before that , another man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
About 9:30 p.m. , the 25-year-old was in the 4900 block of West Cortez Street when he was shot in the abdomen , according to police .
He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was later stabilized .
More than an hour earlier , another man was shot in Ashburn on the Southwest Side .
The 27-year-old was on a sidewalk about 8:18 p.m. in the 3700 block of West Myrick Street when a vehicle approached and someone inside fired shots , striking him in the back and face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition .
Several hours before that , a man was shot in Washington Park on the South Side .
About 5:32 p.m. , he was in the 6000 block of South King Drive when he was shot in the leg , police said .
The 31-year-old took himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was listed in good condition .
About 15 minutes earlier , another man was wounded in South Shore .
The 22-year-old was on the sidewalk at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Jeffery Boulevard when a vehicle pulled up and someone inside shot him in the arm , leg and abdomen , according to police .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition .
Less than an hour before that , two people were hurt in a shooting on Lake Shore Drive near Kenwood on the South Side .
The man and woman were riding in a vehicle about 4:50 p.m. in the 4300 block of South Lake Shore when a vehicle pulled up alongside and someone inside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22-year-old woman was hit in the back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition .
The man , 19 , was shot in the shoulder and taken to the same hospital , where he was stabilized .
Earlier that afternoon , a 23-year-old man was shot while taking out the trash in Englewood on the South Side .
He was outside about 12:25 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Green Street when someone shot him from inside a black truck , police said .
Struck in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and called 911 .
Paramedics took him to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
The day ’ s first shooting happened early in the morning in Fuller Park on the South Side .
A 19-year-old man walked into St. Bernard Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the leg , according to police .
He told investigators he was walking about 2:45 a.m. in the 5300 block of South Princeton Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain .
Three people were wounded in gun violence across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Twelve people, including an off-duty Chicago firefighter and a 17-year-old boy, were injured in shootings across the city on Thursday.
The 54-year-old firefighter was shot that evening in Fernwood on the South Side.
He was in an alley about 6:43 p.m. in the 9900 block of South Yale Avenue when someone approached him and fired shots, according to Chicago police. He was hit in the ankle, calf and buttocks and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.
A weapon was recovered at the scene and a person of interest is being questioned, police said.
The teenager was shot while driving later that night in West Garfield Park on the West Side.
He was driving about 10:15 p.m. on Jackson Boulevard when someone opened fire and struck him in the leg, police said. He drove himself to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.
Thursday’s latest shooting happened about 11 p.m. in Park Manor on the South Side.
A 27-year-old man was walking in the 400 block of East 71st Street when someone fired shots, according to police. He was hit in the foot and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Minutes earlier, another man was shot on the Southwest Side.
The 44-year-old was in a vehicle about 10:54 p.m. in the 4600 block of West 72nd Street when a black SUV pulled up and someone inside opened fire, police said. He was struck in the abdomen and forearm and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.
About an hour and a half before that, another man was wounded in Austin on the West Side.
About 9:30 p.m., the 25-year-old was in the 4900 block of West Cortez Street when he was shot in the abdomen, according to police. He was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was later stabilized.
More than an hour earlier, another man was shot in Ashburn on the Southwest Side.
The 27-year-old was on a sidewalk about 8:18 p.m. in the 3700 block of West Myrick Street when a vehicle approached and someone inside fired shots, striking him in the back and face, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.
Several hours before that, a man was shot in Washington Park on the South Side.
About 5:32 p.m., he was in the 6000 block of South King Drive when he was shot in the leg, police said. The 31-year-old took himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition.
About 15 minutes earlier, another man was wounded in South Shore.
The 22-year-old was on the sidewalk at 5:17 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when a vehicle pulled up and someone inside shot him in the arm, leg and abdomen, according to police. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition.
Less than an hour before that, two people were hurt in a shooting on Lake Shore Drive near Kenwood on the South Side.
The man and woman were riding in a vehicle about 4:50 p.m. in the 4300 block of South Lake Shore when a vehicle pulled up alongside and someone inside opened fire, police said. The 22-year-old woman was hit in the back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition. The man, 19, was shot in the shoulder and taken to the same hospital, where he was stabilized.
Earlier that afternoon, a 23-year-old man was shot while taking out the trash in Englewood on the South Side.
He was outside about 12:25 p.m. in the 7100 block of South Green Street when someone shot him from inside a black truck, police said. Struck in the lower leg, he ran back inside and called 911. Paramedics took him to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
The day’s first shooting happened early in the morning in Fuller Park on the South Side.
A 19-year-old man walked into St. Bernard Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to police. He told investigators he was walking about 2:45 a.m. in the 5300 block of South Princeton Avenue when he heard shots and felt pain.
Three people were wounded in gun violence across the city on Wednesday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Patrick Finley: Answering Bears’ biggest draft, free agency questions

The draft has passed but the Bears still have questions to answer .
The Sun-Times ’ Patrick Finley tackles them : Who was the most important veteran the Bears acquired this offseason ?
He won ’ t be as good as edge rusher Robert Quinn and doesn ’ t play as important of a position as quarterback Nick Foles , but new safety Tashaun Gipson is as snug of a fit — at a bargain price — as anyone the Bears added all offseason .
The Bears ’ best draft pick was … Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson was a first-round @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surgery in March .
With the start of the season in flux , this was the perfect year to bet on a player that might not be able to practice until August .
B for boring .
Kmet and Johnson could both slot into the Week 1 starting lineup , but the remaining five draft picks will be lucky to be on the active roster at all .
And none of them are named Jake Fromm , the Georgia quarterback whom the Bears passed on twice in Round 5 .
What ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
To be as good of a player is he is a story — and that might prove impossible .
As a “ Y ” tight end , the St. Viator and Notre Dame alum will be tasked with learning the blocking techniques of a lineman and the routes of a receiver , all without having any on-field work for the foreseeable future .
Which veteran is most in danger of being released before the season starts ?
Tight end Adam Shaheen has played 26 out of a possible 48 games .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to play his position .
Should the Bears pick up Mitch Trubisky ’ s fifth-year option ?
No .
Declining it will be embarrassing to Pace and Trubisky alike — and it should be .
But there ’ s no sane reason to promise someone who might not start this year $ 24.8 million in 2021 , even if it ’ s only guaranteed for injury .
With the schedule coming out in a week , which matchup intrigues you most ?
The NFL vs. reality .
The league plans to release a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can the NFL justify having two teams gather together ?
The Bears ’ tight ends room — 10 players plus a coach — is in itself a violation of social distancing laws .
Did the Packers drafting Jordan Love help or hurt them ?
Aaron Rodgers has thrown one touchdown pass to a first-round pick , ever .
He and Love are the only two first-round offensive skill position players the Packers have drafted in the first round the last 15 years .
The Packers should have given Rodgers a stud receiver instead @

The draft has passed but the Bears still have questions to answer. The Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley tackles them:
Who was the most important veteran the Bears acquired this offseason?
He won’t be as good as edge rusher Robert Quinn and doesn’t play as important of a position as quarterback Nick Foles, but new safety Tashaun Gipson is as snug of a fit — at a bargain price — as anyone the Bears added all offseason.
The Bears’ best draft pick was …
Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson was a first-round talent who slid because he had shoulder surgery in March. With the start of the season in flux, this was the perfect year to bet on a player that might not be able to practice until August.
Grade Ryan Pace’s 2020 draft …
B for boring. Kmet and Johnson could both slot into the Week 1 starting lineup, but the remaining five draft picks will be lucky to be on the active roster at all. And none of them are named Jake Fromm, the Georgia quarterback whom the Bears passed on twice in Round 5.
What’s the expectation for Cole Kmet in 2020?
To be as good of a player is he is a story — and that might prove impossible. As a “Y” tight end, the St. Viator and Notre Dame alum will be tasked with learning the blocking techniques of a lineman and the routes of a receiver, all without having any on-field work for the foreseeable future.
Which veteran is most in danger of being released before the season starts?
Tight end Adam Shaheen has played 26 out of a possible 48 games. The Bears drafted Kmet and signed Demetrius Harris to play his position.
Should the Bears pick up Mitch Trubisky’s fifth-year option?
No. Declining it will be embarrassing to Pace and Trubisky alike — and it should be. But there’s no sane reason to promise someone who might not start this year $24.8 million in 2021, even if it’s only guaranteed for injury.
With the schedule coming out in a week, which matchup intrigues you most?
The NFL vs. reality. The league plans to release a 16-game schedule. Forget fans — how can the NFL justify having two teams gather together? The Bears’ tight ends room — 10 players plus a coach — is in itself a violation of social distancing laws.
Did the Packers drafting Jordan Love help or hurt them?
Aaron Rodgers has thrown one touchdown pass to a first-round pick, ever. He and Love are the only two first-round offensive skill position players the Packers have drafted in the first round the last 15 years. The Packers should have given Rodgers a stud receiver instead.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Smash-and-grab burglar hits North Park auto parts shop

Someone smashed the window of an auto parts shop during a burglary Wednesday in North Park on the Northwest Side @ @ @ @ @ burglar alarm at 9:90 p.m. found the front window of the store broken with a @ @ @ @ @ of North Kedzie Avenue , according to Chicago police .
Petco Auto Parts is located @ @ @ @ @ N. Kedzie .
An unspecified amount of money was taken from a cash box and @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

Someone smashed the window of an auto parts shop during a burglary Wednesday in North Park on the Northwest Side.
Officers responding to a burglar alarm at 9:90 p.m. found the front window of the store broken with a brick in the 5500 block of North Kedzie Avenue, according to Chicago police.
Petco Auto Parts is located in that block at 5522 N. Kedzie.
An unspecified amount of money was taken from a cash box and several auto parts were stolen, police said.
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Overall Chicago crime down 30% in April 2020: police

Overall crime in Chicago fell by 30 % in April 2020 compared to the same month last year amid a statewide stay-at-home order , according to statistics released by Chicago police .
Despite the overall reduction in major crimes , the 207 shootings in April 2020 marked a 1 % increase from the 194 shootings in April 2019 , police said in a statement Friday .
The number of murders fell by about 8 % , from 61 in April 2019 to 56 in April 2020 .
The city saw the most violent five-day period of 2020 so far between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % drop in overall crime comes largely from double-digit reductions in criminal sexual assaults , robberies , aggravated batteries , burglaries , thefts and carjackings , police said .
There have been 625 shootings and 154 murders in Chicago so far this year , police said .
Those are climbs of about 16 % and 8 % , respectively , through the same time period last year .
The police department was largely focused on enforcing the stay-at-home order in April , police said , as the coronavirus continued to spread throughout the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between April 1 and April 29 , police said .
Six citations were issued and 17 arrests were made to people who did not obey dispersal orders or citations .
At least 436 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among police department employees , including 415 officers , police said .
Three officers have died of the coronavirus , in what the city is ruling line-of-duty deaths .
On April 22 , former Dallas Police Chief David Brown was sworn in as Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department , replacing interim Supt .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sworn in , dozens of officers were relocated to the West Side to clamp down on gun violence and enforce the stay-at-home order .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Overall crime in Chicago fell by 30% in April 2020 compared to the same month last year amid a statewide stay-at-home order, according to statistics released by Chicago police.
Despite the overall reduction in major crimes, the 207 shootings in April 2020 marked a 6.7% increase from the 194 shootings in April 2019, police said in a statement Friday. The number of murders fell by about 8.9%, from 61 in April 2019 to 56 in April 2020.
The city saw the most violent five-day period of 2020 so far between April 5 and 9.
The 30% drop in overall crime comes largely from double-digit reductions in criminal sexual assaults, robberies, aggravated batteries, burglaries, thefts and carjackings, police said.
There have been 625 shootings and 154 murders in Chicago so far this year, police said. Those are climbs of about 16% and 8%, respectively, through the same time period last year.
The police department was largely focused on enforcing the stay-at-home order in April, police said, as the coronavirus continued to spread throughout the city.
Officers issued 4,632 dispersal orders between April 1 and April 29, police said. Six citations were issued and 17 arrests were made to people who did not obey dispersal orders or citations.
At least 436 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed among police department employees, including 415 officers, police said. Three officers have died of the coronavirus, in what the city is ruling line-of-duty deaths.
On April 22, former Dallas Police Chief David Brown was sworn in as Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, replacing interim Supt. Charlie Beck. The day after he was sworn in, dozens of officers were relocated to the West Side to clamp down on gun violence and enforce the stay-at-home order.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--Police investigate death of toddler in South Austin

A toddler died after being found unresponsive Thursday in South Austin on the West Side .
The 2-year-old boy was @ @ @ @ @ 7:10 p.m. in a home on Cicero Avenue , Chicago police said .
He was @ @ @ @ @ Center in Oak Park , where he was pronounced dead .
Police would not confirm @ @ @ @ @ .

A toddler died after being found unresponsive Thursday in South Austin on the West Side.
The 2-year-old boy was found by his mother about 7:10 p.m. in a home on Cicero Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy revealed the child died of asphyxiation from entrapment in a car seat, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
Police would not confirm whether foul play was suspected.


chicagosun-times--2020-05-01--5 more cases of COVID-19 in Chicago Police Department

Chicago police announced Friday five more cases of COVID-19 , bringing the number of confirmed cases in the department to @ @ @ @ @ cases , 420 are officers and 21 are civilian employees , police said .
A @ @ @ @ @ reported positive test results but the department ’ s medical section has yet to confirm @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The department announced the death of a third officer from complications of @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier Friday , health officials announced a record-high daily count of 3,137 new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ deaths .

Chicago police announced five more cases of COVID-19 Friday, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the department to 441.
Of the confirmed cases, 420 are officers and 21 are civilian employees, police said.
A total of 450 employees have reported positive test results but the department’s medical section has yet to confirm nine of those cases, police said.
The department announced the death of a third officer from complications of the coronavirus on April 17.
Earlier Friday, health officials announced a record-high daily count of 3,137 new coronavirus cases along with 105 new deaths.