chicagosun-times--2020-04-03--CPS principal investigated for allegedly throwing bottle at lunchroom worker, causing concussion

The principal at a top-rated Chicago elementary school is under investigation after he was accused of throwing a water bottle that hit a lunchroom worker in the face , giving her a concussion and requiring a wound to be closed .
The case is the most troubling incident to take place at Franklin Elementary Fine Arts Center over the past few months , but it isn ’ t the only one , according to several workers , teachers and parents who describe an uncomfortable and sometimes toxic environment at the school .
The principal , Kurt Jones , is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools spokeswoman confirmed Thursday , two weeks after a police report was filed for the incident .
Jones , 46 , has not been charged with a crime and has not been publicly identified by Chicago police as the offender in the case .
“ The district takes employee complaints seriously and the matter was referred to the law department for investigation immediately after learning of the incident , ” CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton said in an emailed statement .
She declined further comment , citing an ongoing investigation , and wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Jones by members of the school community .
Franklin ’ s elected Local School Council made up of parents , teachers and community members voted unanimously in January to renew Jones ’ $ 152,330-a-year contract through June 2024 , and the Board of Education approved the renewal the next month .
None of the LSC ’ s 10 members could be reached for comment .
A Chicago police spokesman confirmed that detectives are conducting a criminal investigation into a March 20 report of a man in his mid-40s striking a 49-year-old woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , causing a cut to her nose and above her left eye .
The case is classified as simple battery , a misdemeanor , and happened on school property , according to police records .
An arrest hasn ’ t been made in the case .
Faye Jenkins , the worker hit by the flying bottle , said she feels her complaint and injury aren ’ t being taken seriously .
Jenkins is a woman of color and has worked in the cafeteria at Franklin for 16 years , where she and lunchroom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the incident , are two of the four lowest-paid employees in the school .
She believes CPD would be treating the case differently if the roles were reversed .
“ I was crying because I felt if it was the other way around , I would ’ ve been arrested and fired by now , ” Jenkins said .
“ We take every crime seriously and detectives investigate every case fully .
In this case , detectives are still awaiting follow-up information from the victim and will reach out to her again , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You hit me in my ‘ effing face ’ Jenkins and Harris had just spent hours distributing food to families in need for the fourth straight day during the coronavirus school closures .
The duo was cleaning up the kitchen when Jones came by looking to play around , they said .
“ I told him from the get-go , I wasn ’ t playing , I had to do my work , ” Jenkins said .
Within minutes , a small girls ’ shoe came flying at her .
Jones , under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , had grabbed it from a bin where leftover items from a locker cleanout were discarded and threw it in her direction , Jenkins and Harris said .
They have seen him previously throwing items around the school , including food , they said .
She wasn ’ t hit that time .
Moments later , when she was at the refrigerator with her back turned to Jones , he threw a hard plastic reusable water bottle that he got from that same bin , Jenkins and Harris said .
Before Jenkins could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face and glasses .
“ It just hit me so hard and I just went back some , ” Jenkins said .
“ I put my hand over my face and I started yelling .
I said , ‘ My ‘ effing face , you hit me in my ‘ effing face.
’ ” She started bleeding , and at least two other workers at the school , including the security guard , said they came running in because they heard her screaming in pain .
The security guard wrote a letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard Jenkins tell Jones she wasn ’ t playing around , and that he rushed in when he heard her yell out .
All three workers said Jones started apologizing , but Jenkins was incredulous .
“ I was just in disbelief .
I couldn ’ t believe he had thrown an object like that at anybody , ” Jenkins said .
Jones , who served as principal at Libby Elementary from 2007 to 2016 , did not respond to calls , emails or messages seeking comment .
Jones was a math teacher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved to Libby .
Harris and another worker went with Jenkins that afternoon to the 18th District police station to file a report , then to urgent care , where her wound was treated and she was diagnosed with a concussion , medical records show .
At Jenkins ’ fourth follow-up appointment Friday , a doctor wrote that “ due to your worsening headache , we will order a CT scan of your head , ” according to medical records .
‘ Next thing you know a chair comes crashing down ’ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of concerns the school community has raised about Jones .
Some of the incidents date back more than a year , including one in December 2018 that was captured on video showing a man , identified by four people as Jones , throwing a chair over the edge of a second-floor balcony in the lunchroom .
The video shows the man ducking down before sending the chair crashing to the lower floor with a loud bang .
A woman ’ s voice can be heard at the end of the video saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me ” as the man who threw the chair laughs .
Jenkins and Harris said they ’ ve seen Jones throw chairs and other items off the balcony repeatedly , claiming he is “ jokingly ” trying to startle the workers who are sitting at a table about 20 feet away having lunch .
They acknowledged the principal doesn ’ t appear to be trying to hit anyone .
“ We ’ re talking , taking a break , and next thing you know a chair comes crashing down , ” Harris said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property .
You didn ’ t pay for that.
” “ We all finish eating lunch , we ’ re sitting back talking … then something will come flying over the balcony and drop to the floor and scare the daylight out of all of us , ” Jenkins said .
‘ He walks around like he can ’ t be touched ’ The relationship between Jones and staffers at Franklin is “ weak , ” according to a University of Chicago school atmosphere survey administered yearly at all CPS schools .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past two school years found teacher-principal trust at Franklin at low levels : in 2018 , the relationship was rated 28 out of 100 , and in 2019 it was 38 .
An average CPS school is around 60 out of 100 for that category .
Franklin is a highly regarded , elite magnet elementary school for the arts in Old Town that draws students from across the city .
In 2018 , more than a third of teachers felt they couldn ’ t share their feelings , worries and frustrations with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the principal ’ s word , according to the survey .
“ We have a very hostile environment where people don ’ t know who to trust because he turns teachers on each other , ” said a teacher who spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation .
Harris and Jenkins , the two lunchroom workers , said Jones routinely walks into the lunchroom and allegedly throws whatever he can get his hands on — food , drinks , a football or , in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harris said there have been times when Jones will walk up to the lunch line , pick up a fist full of mashed potatoes off a tray , and throw it across the kitchen .
Other times he allegedly knocked over an entire tub of oatmeal , thrown apples and oranges and spilled cartons of milk — all as a “ joke , ” they said , leaving them to clean up the mess .
“ I ’ m like , ‘ Really ?
’ ” Harris said , “ ‘ You ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ “ He bullies us because he ’ s the principal of the school and he feels he can get away with whatever , ” Harris said .
“ He walks around like he can ’ t be touched .
”

The principal at a top-rated Chicago elementary school is under investigation after he was accused of throwing a water bottle that hit a lunchroom worker in the face, giving her a concussion and requiring a wound to be closed.
The case is the most troubling incident to take place at Franklin Elementary Fine Arts Center over the past few months, but it isn’t the only one, according to several workers, teachers and parents who describe an uncomfortable and sometimes toxic environment at the school.
The principal, Kurt Jones, is still on the job, a Chicago Public Schools spokeswoman confirmed Thursday, two weeks after a police report was filed for the incident. Jones, 46, has not been charged with a crime and has not been publicly identified by Chicago police as the offender in the case.
“The district takes employee complaints seriously and the matter was referred to the law department for investigation immediately after learning of the incident,” CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton said in an emailed statement. She declined further comment, citing an ongoing investigation, and wouldn’t answer questions about previous complaints made against Jones by members of the school community.
Franklin’s elected Local School Council made up of parents, teachers and community members voted unanimously in January to renew Jones’ $152,330-a-year contract through June 2024, and the Board of Education approved the renewal the next month. None of the LSC’s 10 members could be reached for comment.
A Chicago police spokesman confirmed that detectives are conducting a criminal investigation into a March 20 report of a man in his mid-40s striking a 49-year-old woman in the face with a water bottle, causing a cut to her nose and above her left eye. The case is classified as simple battery, a misdemeanor, and happened on school property, according to police records. An arrest hasn’t been made in the case.
Faye Jenkins suffered a cut to her face that required stitches after she alleges she was hit in the face with a water bottle. Provided
Faye Jenkins, the worker hit by the flying bottle, said she feels her complaint and injury aren’t being taken seriously. Jenkins is a woman of color and has worked in the cafeteria at Franklin for 16 years, where she and lunchroom colleague DeBrianna Harris, a witness to the incident, are two of the four lowest-paid employees in the school. She believes CPD would be treating the case differently if the roles were reversed.
“I was crying because I felt if it was the other way around, I would’ve been arrested and fired by now,” Jenkins said.
“We take every crime seriously and detectives investigate every case fully. In this case, detectives are still awaiting follow-up information from the victim and will reach out to her again,” a CPD spokeswoman said.
‘You hit me in my effing face’
Jenkins and Harris had just spent hours distributing food to families in need for the fourth straight day during the coronavirus school closures.
The duo was cleaning up the kitchen when Jones came by looking to play around, they said.
“I told him from the get-go, I wasn’t playing, I had to do my work,” Jenkins said.
Within minutes, a small girls’ shoe came flying at her. Jones, under the guise that he was being playful, had grabbed it from a bin where leftover items from a locker cleanout were discarded and threw it in her direction, Jenkins and Harris said. They have seen him previously throwing items around the school, including food, they said.
She wasn’t hit that time. Moments later, when she was at the refrigerator with her back turned to Jones, he threw a hard plastic reusable water bottle that he got from that same bin, Jenkins and Harris said.
Before Jenkins could react, the bottle hit her in the face and glasses.
“It just hit me so hard and I just went back some,” Jenkins said. “I put my hand over my face and I started yelling. I said, ‘My effing face, you hit me in my effing face.’”
Faye Jenkins sits in the Franklin Elementary kitchen with a cut to her face. | Provided 1 of 2 A pink reusable plastic water bottle was allegedly thrown toward Jenkins and hit her in the face. | Provided 2 of 2
She started bleeding, and at least two other workers at the school, including the security guard, said they came running in because they heard her screaming in pain. The security guard wrote a letter that day to CPS administrators saying he heard Jenkins tell Jones she wasn’t playing around, and that he rushed in when he heard her yell out.
All three workers said Jones started apologizing, but Jenkins was incredulous.
“I was just in disbelief. I couldn’t believe he had thrown an object like that at anybody,” Jenkins said.
Kurt Jones, former principal at Libby Elementary, chats with then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel November 19, 2012. Brian Jackson/Sun-Times
Jones, who served as principal at Libby Elementary from 2007 to 2016, did not respond to calls, emails or messages seeking comment. Jones was a math teacher at Franklin for five years before he moved to Libby.
Harris and another worker went with Jenkins that afternoon to the 18th District police station to file a report, then to urgent care, where her wound was treated and she was diagnosed with a concussion, medical records show.
At Jenkins’ fourth follow-up appointment Friday, a doctor wrote that “due to your worsening headache, we will order a CT scan of your head,” according to medical records.
‘Next thing you know a chair comes crashing down’
The incident was just the latest in a series of concerns the school community has raised about Jones.
Some of the incidents date back more than a year, including one in December 2018 that was captured on video showing a man, identified by four people as Jones, throwing a chair over the edge of a second-floor balcony in the lunchroom.
The video shows the man ducking down before sending the chair crashing to the lower floor with a loud bang. A woman’s voice can be heard at the end of the video saying “that s--- almost hit me” as the man who threw the chair laughs.
The view from the balcony at Franklin Elementary of the lunch table where workers take their break. Provided
Jenkins and Harris said they’ve seen Jones throw chairs and other items off the balcony repeatedly, claiming he is “jokingly” trying to startle the workers who are sitting at a table about 20 feet away having lunch. They acknowledged the principal doesn’t appear to be trying to hit anyone.
“We’re talking, taking a break, and next thing you know a chair comes crashing down,” Harris said. “That’s damaging CPS property. You didn’t pay for that.”
“We all finish eating lunch, we’re sitting back talking … then something will come flying over the balcony and drop to the floor and scare the daylight out of all of us,” Jenkins said.
‘He walks around like he can’t be touched’
The relationship between Jones and staffers at Franklin is “weak,” according to a University of Chicago school atmosphere survey administered yearly at all CPS schools. The “5 Essentials” survey conducted the past two school years found teacher-principal trust at Franklin at low levels: in 2018, the relationship was rated 28 out of 100, and in 2019 it was 38. An average CPS school is around 60 out of 100 for that category.
Franklin is a highly regarded, elite magnet elementary school for the arts in Old Town that draws students from across the city.
In 2018, more than a third of teachers felt they couldn’t share their feelings, worries and frustrations with the principal, and didn’t trust the principal’s word, according to the survey.
Kurt Jones (middle left) sits with Franklin Elementary lunchroom and custodial staff, including Faye Jenkins (left), for a Twitter video explaining CPS’ meal distribution plan during coronavirus closures. @FFAC225/Twitter
“We have a very hostile environment where people don’t know who to trust because he turns teachers on each other,” said a teacher who spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation.
Harris and Jenkins, the two lunchroom workers, said Jones routinely walks into the lunchroom and allegedly throws whatever he can get his hands on — food, drinks, a football or, in the latest case, a water bottle.
Harris said there have been times when Jones will walk up to the lunch line, pick up a fist full of mashed potatoes off a tray, and throw it across the kitchen. Other times he allegedly knocked over an entire tub of oatmeal, thrown apples and oranges and spilled cartons of milk — all as a “joke,” they said, leaving them to clean up the mess.
“I’m like, ‘Really?’” Harris said, “‘You’re touching the kids’ food?’
“He bullies us because he’s the principal of the school and he feels he can get away with whatever,” Harris said. “He walks around like he can’t be touched.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-03--Bleak picture for restaurant and hotel industries among hardest hit by the pandemic

Trade groups representing two industries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic offered a bleak forecast on Friday of the economic aftermath .
Sam Toia , president of the Illinois Restaurant Association , said up to 25 percent of the roughly 7,500 restaurants that have made Chicago one of the food capitals of the world may never re-open .
Without dine-in customers , restaurant revenue is down 71 percent .
And 40 percent of all restaurants aren ’ t even doing pick-ups and deliveries .
Michael Jacobson , president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association , said he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry statewide , with many of those jobs “ lost for the long-term.
” With conventions canceled well into the summer and McCormick Place being converted into a 3,000 bed hospital , major hotels like the Hilton Chicago and Sheraton Grand have closed their doors .
At those Chicago hotels that do remain open , occupancy rates have dropped to the single-digits .
The bottom line : Both industries need more help .
The first three phases of the $ 2 trillion economic stimulus program approved by Congress is nowhere near enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ put aside .
You get your annual average monthly payroll times 2.5 to keep your employees on payroll and also try to pay your rent , mortgage and/or utilities , ” Toia said .
“ We don ’ t know how long this is gon na last .
I think we ’ re gon na have to go to a Phase 4 and a Phase 5 of the stimulus bill at the federal level .
They ’ re saying we haven ’ t even hit the top of the curve yet.
” Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county to defer property tax bills due this summer .
It ’ s all about cash flow .
“ Some of our larger downtown hotels are shut down right now .
There ’ s zero revenue coming in the door and $ 30,000-a-day in property taxes accruing .
The math simply doesn ’ t add up , ” Jacobson said “ That ’ s what ’ s gon na make a really tough decision for a hotel owner on whether or not to re-open or simply walk away .
”

Trade groups representing two industries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic offered a bleak forecast on Friday of the economic aftermath.
Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, said up to 25 percent of the roughly 7,500 restaurants that have made Chicago one of the food capitals of the world may never re-open.
Without dine-in customers, restaurant revenue is down 71 percent. And 40 percent of all restaurants aren’t even doing pick-ups and deliveries.
“It’s not a pretty picture,” Toia told the Sun-Times.
Michael Jacobson, president of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association, said he’s expecting over 120,000 layoffs in the hotel industry statewide, with many of those jobs “lost for the long-term.”
With conventions canceled well into the summer and McCormick Place being converted into a 3,000 bed hospital, major hotels like the Hilton Chicago and Sheraton Grand have closed their doors. At those Chicago hotels that do remain open, occupancy rates have dropped to the single-digits.
The bottom line: Both industries need more help.
The first three phases of the $2 trillion economic stimulus program approved by Congress is nowhere near enough.
“There’s $377 billion put aside. You get your annual average monthly payroll times 2.5 to keep your employees on payroll and also try to pay your rent, mortgage and/or utilities,” Toia said.
“We don’t know how long this is gonna last. I think we’re gonna have to go to a Phase 4 and a Phase 5 of the stimulus bill at the federal level. They’re saying we haven’t even hit the top of the curve yet.”
Both Toia and Jacobson want property tax bills due this summer to be deferred. It’s all about cash flow.
“Some of our larger downtown hotels are shut down right now. There’s zero revenue coming in the door and $30,000-a-day in property taxes accruing. The math simply doesn’t add up,” Jacobson said
“That’s what’s gonna make a really tough decision for a hotel owner on whether or not to re-open or simply walk away.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-03--2 teens critically wounded in Englewood shooting

Two 16-year-old boys were wounded in a shooting Friday in Englewood on the South Side .
They were in an @ @ @ @ @ the 7200 block of South Carpenter Street when a light-colored car pulled up , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ out and fired shots before driving off .
One teen was struck in the back @ @ @ @ @ other suffered a gunshot wound to the back , police said .
Both were taken @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in critical condition .
Read more on crime , and track the city @ @ @ @

Two 16-year-old boys were wounded in a shooting Friday in Englewood on the South Side.
They were in an alley about 3:21 p.m. near the 7200 block of South Carpenter Street when a light-colored car pulled up, Chicago police said. Someone stepped out and fired shots before driving off.
One teen was struck in the back and thigh, while the other suffered a gunshot wound to the back, police said. Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.
Area South detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-03--Illinois companies report layoffs of 14,100 workers in March

Businesses in Illinois notified state officials of about 14,100 layoffs in March at more than 190 locations , according to a report released Friday by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity .
The overwhelming number of closings was in the Chicago area .
The monthly layoff reports typically include a few companies .
The March version , coupled with data on state unemployment filings and the rising rate of joblessness , registers the early impact on the economy from the coronavirus .
Almost all the companies reporting layoffs cited COVID-19 as the reason .
The list was dominated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump International Hotel & Tower said it was cutting 294 jobs at its Chicago location .
The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile reported 350 layoffs .
The largest single reported layoff was a plant closing of Fabrik Molded Plastics in McHenry , costing 600 jobs .
But a spokeswoman for the commerce department said late Friday that the listing was an error and that Fabrik will be removed from the report .
Other layoffs or closings were reported businesses or franchise sites such as : California Pizza Kitchens , Xsport Fitness , Barrington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Onni Properties , Paper Source , Skender Manufacturing , Gerber Collision & Glass and YMCAs in the Joliet region .
Some of the layoffs were identified as temporary .
The state notices are filed under the WARN act , or the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act .
It applies to companies with at least 75 full-time employees .
They generally must give 60-day notice of job cuts if they apply to 25 or more people and constitute at least a third of the workforce , or any layoff of at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waived for business emergencies .

Businesses in Illinois notified state officials of about 14,100 layoffs in March at more than 190 locations, according to a report released Friday by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The overwhelming number of closings was in the Chicago area.
The monthly layoff reports typically include a few companies. The March version, coupled with data on state unemployment filings and the rising rate of joblessness, registers the early impact on the economy from the coronavirus. Almost all the companies reporting layoffs cited COVID-19 as the reason.
The list was dominated by hotels, restaurants and fitness clubs. Trump International Hotel & Tower said it was cutting 294 jobs at its Chicago location. The InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile reported 350 layoffs.
The largest single reported layoff was a plant closing of Fabrik Molded Plastics in McHenry, costing 600 jobs. But a spokeswoman for the commerce department said late Friday that the listing was an error and that Fabrik will be removed from the report.
Other layoffs or closings were reported businesses or franchise sites such as: California Pizza Kitchens, Xsport Fitness, Barrington Orthopedics, Greyhound Lines, Hooters Restaurants, Onni Properties, Paper Source, Skender Manufacturing, Gerber Collision & Glass and YMCAs in the Joliet region. Some of the layoffs were identified as temporary.
The state notices are filed under the WARN act, or the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act. It applies to companies with at least 75 full-time employees. They generally must give 60-day notice of job cuts if they apply to 25 or more people and constitute at least a third of the workforce, or any layoff of at least 250 people. The notice requirement is waived for business emergencies.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Dear Abby: Imprisoned boyfriend thinks I want him back home — but I don’t

DEAR ABBY : My boyfriend of 15 years is in prison .
We have two children together .
Our relationship has been rough .
We had a fight , and he went to jail for it .
Another reason he went to prison is he violated his probation and failed to report .
I take the kids to see him , and he still wants us to be together .
He has nowhere to go when he gets out .
How do I tell him I don ’ t want him back at my house without him retaliating on me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : This is how .
Tell him plainly that because of the circumstances that sent him to jail , you no longer want him living under your roof .
It ’ s bad for the children .
Therefore , he will be finding other living arrangements when he is released .
He may not like it , but please remember you owe him nothing .
You have to stand your ground for your children ’ s sake .
Should he stalk or threaten you in any way , go to the police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and why , and ask about a restraining order because he is violent .
DEAR ABBY : When my husband and I eat a meal , as soon as he ’ s finished he gets up and wanders around .
We call that the “ wandering ” phase of his meal .
I have asked him to no avail to stay seated and talk with me .
I think it is disrespectful .
My husband also pulls out his phone when we are out with friends .
I have told him that what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them he would rather see what ’ s on his phone than converse with them .
He doesn ’ t do it for the entire meal , but when he does , it irritates me .
How can I get basic manners across to him ?
— LONELY AT MEALTIME DEAR LONELY : I knew a person years ago who had an impulse control problem similar to the one you describe your husband having .
The man had been in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury .
In your husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either has attention deficit disorder or “ suffers ” from a lack of consideration for your feelings .
There is help for the former , but you can ’ t teach basic manners to someone who doesn ’ t want to learn .
You have my sympathy .
Try not to let it give you heartburn .
DEAR ABBY : I work as a parcel clerk in a major retail store .
The biggest part of my job is returning shopping carts from the parking lot to the lobby .
Shoppers have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder than it needs to be , so I want to get this message out to as many people as possible : Please push your shopping cart all the way into the next one when you put it away .
I ’ m not asking you to bring your cart all the way back to the store .
Just remember that each cart can nest into the one in front of it .
You have no idea how much faster I could do my job if everybody did this .
Thank you for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PLEA FROM THE PARKING LOT DEAR PLEA : Glad to help .
And as long as we are on the subject of shopping carts , may I add that those cute little straps that are meant to secure small children in the upper compartment of the cart tend to get caught and lock the carts together if folks are careless after they unhook their children .
It can be next to impossible to untangle those carts .
I speak from experience .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For everything you need to know about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely Wedding.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend of 15 years is in prison. We have two children together. Our relationship has been rough. We had a fight, and he went to jail for it. Another reason he went to prison is he violated his probation and failed to report.
I take the kids to see him, and he still wants us to be together. He has nowhere to go when he gets out. How do I tell him I don’t want him back at my house without him retaliating on me? — AFRAID IN TEXAS
DEAR AFRAID: This is how. Tell him plainly that because of the circumstances that sent him to jail, you no longer want him living under your roof. It’s bad for the children. Therefore, he will be finding other living arrangements when he is released.
He may not like it, but please remember you owe him nothing. You have to stand your ground for your children’s sake. Should he stalk or threaten you in any way, go to the police. Tell them you are afraid of him and why, and ask about a restraining order because he is violent.
DEAR ABBY: When my husband and I eat a meal, as soon as he’s finished he gets up and wanders around. We call that the “wandering” phase of his meal. I have asked him to no avail to stay seated and talk with me. I think it is disrespectful.
My husband also pulls out his phone when we are out with friends. I have told him that what he’s doing is basically telling them he would rather see what’s on his phone than converse with them. He doesn’t do it for the entire meal, but when he does, it irritates me. How can I get basic manners across to him? — LONELY AT MEALTIME
DEAR LONELY: I knew a person years ago who had an impulse control problem similar to the one you describe your husband having. The man had been in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. In your husband’s case, it appears he either has attention deficit disorder or “suffers” from a lack of consideration for your feelings. There is help for the former, but you can’t teach basic manners to someone who doesn’t want to learn. You have my sympathy. Try not to let it give you heartburn.
DEAR ABBY: I work as a parcel clerk in a major retail store. The biggest part of my job is returning shopping carts from the parking lot to the lobby. Shoppers have a habit that makes my job a lot harder than it needs to be, so I want to get this message out to as many people as possible:
Please push your shopping cart all the way into the next one when you put it away. I’m not asking you to bring your cart all the way back to the store. Just remember that each cart can nest into the one in front of it.
You have no idea how much faster I could do my job if everybody did this. Thank you for helping get the word out. — PLEA FROM THE PARKING LOT
DEAR PLEA: Glad to help. And as long as we are on the subject of shopping carts, may I add that those cute little straps that are meant to secure small children in the upper compartment of the cart tend to get caught and lock the carts together if folks are careless after they unhook their children. It can be next to impossible to untangle those carts. I speak from experience.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Teen shot in Humboldt Park

Teen shot in Humboldt Park

A 17-year-old boy was wounded when he was shot Friday in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
He was @ @ @ @ @ he heard gunshots and felt pain , Chicago police said .
The teen was struck @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s in fair condition at Stroger Hospital .
He hasn ’ t told @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A 17-year-old boy was wounded when he was shot Friday in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
He was walking about 11:30 p.m. when he heard gunshots and felt pain, Chicago police said. The teen was struck in the chest, and he’s in fair condition at Stroger Hospital.
He hasn’t told investigators details about the incident, police said.
Area North detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Finding much to be grateful for, even during a pandemic

While we ’ re going through this unusual time , I find it helpful to focus on what I have , not what I am missing .
I ’ ve made a list of everything I ’ m grateful for .
There are more than 300 things on it , and I keep adding .
They are things from my past as well as the present .
They include people , objects , services , living conditions and experiences .
Every day , I try to spend three minutes thinking about one or more items on the list .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blessings for granted .
On my list are the big things — family , friends and fairly good health — as well as the less important stuff , such as parks , washing machines and paper towels .
One item on my list is to always remember how much better my life is , even in these challenging times , than it was for my recently deceased 96-year-old mother or my great-grandparents .
I ask myself whether I ’ d rather be alive in 2020 , 1920 , 1820 or earlier .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : letters @ suntimes.com .
Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes .
Medicare for All , now more than ever Now more than ever we need proper health care .
But with 3.2 million people filing for unemployment benefits last week — and another 6.6 million filing this week — and laid-off workers practically everywhere reporting delays in getting claims filed , people suddenly find themselves with no health insurance .
Do people who are laid off in France lose their health care ?
No .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ United Kingdom ?
No .
I can just imagine how many people who objected to Medicare for All , saying they like their health insurance , realize now that when they really need it , it ’ s no longer there .
We don ’ t need to spend money on “ broadband , waterworks and roads ” when the roads are emptying because of the lockdowns .
Broadband companies are rich .
What we need is for governors to guarantee they will end the lockdowns April 30 so restaurant , small business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work .
They threw 10 million people out of work and made them dependent on unemployment funds that will soon go broke .
What then ?

While we’re going through this unusual time, I find it helpful to focus on what I have, not what I am missing. I’ve made a list of everything I’m grateful for. There are more than 300 things on it, and I keep adding.
They are things from my past as well as the present. They include people, objects, services, living conditions and experiences. Every day, I try to spend three minutes thinking about one or more items on the list. It has helped me to not take my blessings for granted.
On my list are the big things — family, friends and fairly good health — as well as the less important stuff, such as parks, washing machines and paper towels.
One item on my list is to always remember how much better my life is, even in these challenging times, than it was for my recently deceased 96-year-old mother or my great-grandparents.
I ask myself whether I’d rather be alive in 2020, 1920, 1820 or earlier. The answer is easy.
Gary Jump, Itasca
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.
Medicare for All, now more than ever
Now more than ever we need proper health care. But with 3.2 million people filing for unemployment benefits last week — and another 6.6 million filing this week — and laid-off workers practically everywhere reporting delays in getting claims filed, people suddenly find themselves with no health insurance.
Do people who are laid off in France lose their health care? No. In Germany? No. In the United Kingdom?No.
I can just imagine how many people who objected to Medicare for All, saying they like their health insurance, realize now that when they really need it, it’s no longer there.
Lee Knohl, Evanston
Put people back to work April 30
We don’t need to spend money on “broadband, waterworks and roads” when the roads are emptying because of the lockdowns. Broadband companies are rich.
What we need is for governors to guarantee they will end the lockdowns April 30 so restaurant, small business and hospitality workers can go back to work. They threw 10 million people out of work and made them dependent on unemployment funds that will soon go broke. What then?
Norman Watkins, Edgewater


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Bears hope Robert Quinn makes their vaunted defense ‘more dangerous’

Robert Quinn ’ s free-agent choice was down to two teams : the Bears and the Falcons .
“ My agent was just relaying some messages and I really couldn ’ t make up my mind , ” the outside linebacker said on a teleconference Friday .
“ So I had to do it the honest way.
” Which was , he said , a coin flip .
“ That ’ s kind of how it came down to the final decision , ” he said .
“ It was still pretty tough .
I mean basically that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coin flip .
The Bears were on the right side of it .
I don ’ t regret it .
I ’ ve moved on from the past .
“ It ’ s basically how I picked my college .
… I think the powers above always do things in a funny way .
I think I ’ m going to Chicago for a reason.
” The Bears claimed afterward that , despite Quinn answering multiple questions about the coin toss — he also said “ you just got ta figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your agent and flip a coin ” — their new edge rusher was just using a figure of speech .
Either way — whether the coin exists or it was just a figurative tossup between the Bears and Falcons — general manager Ryan Pace is lucky Quinn made the decision he did .
The $ 30 million guaranteed on a five-year , $ 70 million deal helped , of course .
The Bears signed the soon-to-be 30-year-old rather than bring back Leonard Floyd on a one-year , $ 13.2 million deal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his four-year Bears career .
Quinn has 30 ½ in the same time period — and 80 ½ in his nine-year career .
“ One of the first things that comes to mind as you strengthen your team is your pass rush affecting the opposing quarterback , ” Pace said .
“ We just feel like Quinn ’ s a proven pass rusher .
He ’ s got excellent edge speed .
He ’ s got outstanding ability to bend the corner and I think we can take a position of strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it even stronger and more dangerous.
” Pace talked to defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano , outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino and the team ’ s scouts about how to make Quinn as comfortable as possible .
The Bears play a 3-4 , a scheme Quinn has been uncomfortable with in the past .
He ’ s played most of his career on the right-hand side as a 4-3 defensive end .
He did his most damage when the Rams were ran a 4-3— the same role he had when he had 11 ½ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should fit well with Khalil Mack on the left side — whether he ’ s standing up or , on passing downs , in a three-point stance .
“ I think we ’ ve got a comfortable understanding that hopefully I get to stay on the right side … ” Quinn said .
“ If we ’ ve got to flip-flop , I guess I ’ ve got to get more comfortable playing on the left .
As I get older , I realize that you ’ ve got to be a little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Quinn starred for the Cowboys last year playing opposite DeMarcus Lawrence ’ s double teams .
The Bears want him to do the same , across from Mack , in 2020 .
“ He ’ s probably going to get the double teams or more attention , ” Quinn said .
“ So hopefully that frees me up a little bit and I get to take advantage .
”

Robert Quinn’s free-agent choice was down to two teams: the Bears and the Falcons.
“My agent was just relaying some messages and I really couldn’t make up my mind,” the outside linebacker said on a teleconference Friday. “So I had to do it the honest way.”
Which was, he said, a coin flip.
Seriously, a real coin flip?
“That’s kind of how it came down to the final decision,” he said. “It was still pretty tough. I mean basically that’s what it boiled down to, is a coin flip. The Bears were on the right side of it. I don’t regret it. I’ve moved on from the past.
“It’s basically how I picked my college. … I think the powers above always do things in a funny way. I think I’m going to Chicago for a reason.”
The Bears claimed afterward that, despite Quinn answering multiple questions about the coin toss — he also said “you just gotta figure out the pros and cons, talk to your agent and flip a coin” — their new edge rusher was just using a figure of speech. Either way — whether the coin exists or it was just a figurative tossup between the Bears and Falcons — general manager Ryan Pace is lucky Quinn made the decision he did.
The $30 million guaranteed on a five-year, $70 million deal helped, of course. The Bears signed the soon-to-be 30-year-old rather than bring back Leonard Floyd on a one-year, $13.2 million deal.
The reason: Floyd had 18 ½ sacks in his four-year Bears career. Quinn has 30 ½ in the same time period — and 80 ½ in his nine-year career.
“One of the first things that comes to mind as you strengthen your team is your pass rush affecting the opposing quarterback,” Pace said. “We just feel like Quinn’s a proven pass rusher. He’s got excellent edge speed. He’s got outstanding ability to bend the corner and I think we can take a position of strength on our defense. And we make it even stronger and more dangerous.”
Pace talked to defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano, outside linebackers coach Ted Monachino and the team’s scouts about how to make Quinn as comfortable as possible.
The Bears play a 3-4, a scheme Quinn has been uncomfortable with in the past. He’s played most of his career on the right-hand side as a 4-3 defensive end. He did his most damage when the Rams were ran a 4-3— the same role he had when he had 11 ½ sacks the Cowboys last year.
He should fit well with Khalil Mack on the left side — whether he’s standing up or, on passing downs, in a three-point stance.
“I think we’ve got a comfortable understanding that hopefully I get to stay on the right side …” Quinn said. “If we’ve got to flip-flop, I guess I’ve got to get more comfortable playing on the left. As I get older, I realize that you’ve got to be a little multi-talented, or be able to change.”
Quinn starred for the Cowboys last year playing opposite DeMarcus Lawrence’s double teams. The Bears want him to do the same, across from Mack, in 2020.
“He’s probably going to get the double teams or more attention,” Quinn said. “So hopefully that frees me up a little bit and I get to take advantage.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Bears defend signing ‘very motivated’ TE Jimmy Graham

No player the Bears added this offseason has been more scrutinized than Jimmy Graham .
Less than a week after the Packers decided Graham wasn ’ t worth a one-year , $ 8 million deal , the Bears last month gave him a two-year pact worth $ 16 million — with $ 9 million guaranteed .
Asked to explain , the Bears said they believe they can get more out of him .
“ I think it ’ s a good example where we are all connected to a vision with a player on our team , ” general manager @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saints when Graham starred there at the start of the last decade , said Friday .
“ You start with the physical evaluation on the player .
He ’ s a guy we know well .
But then you have to fit with our offensive scheme .
“ And I just think there are a lot of discussions on how to maximize Jimmy Graham in this offense , and that ’ s with [ coach ] Matt [ Nagy ] and all of our offensive coaches and our scouts.
” Nagy said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it than just looking at numbers ” — Graham ’ s 38 catches for 447 yards last year were the lowest figures in both categories since his rookie year .
“ When you talk to him , as well , you understand the knowledge that he has for the game , ” Nagy said .
“ He ’ s very , very motivated right now , which I love .
And so it ’ s just a fit for us of a big-sized , 6-6 playmaker that you can get some mismatches with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I ’ m very , very looking forward to being able to put him in some great situations .
”

No player the Bears added this offseason has been more scrutinized than Jimmy Graham.
Less than a week after the Packers decided Graham wasn’t worth a one-year, $8 million deal, the Bears last month gave him a two-year pact worth $16 million — with $9 million guaranteed.
Asked to explain, the Bears said they believe they can get more out of him.
“I think it’s a good example where we are all connected to a vision with a player on our team,” general manager Ryan Pace, who worked for the Saints when Graham starred there at the start of the last decade, said Friday. “You start with the physical evaluation on the player. He’s a guy we know well. But then you have to fit with our offensive scheme.
“And I just think there are a lot of discussions on how to maximize Jimmy Graham in this offense, and that’s with [coach] Matt [Nagy] and all of our offensive coaches and our scouts.”
Nagy said “there’s a lot more to it than just looking at numbers” — Graham’s 38 catches for 447 yards last year were the lowest figures in both categories since his rookie year.
“When you talk to him, as well, you understand the knowledge that he has for the game,” Nagy said. “He’s very, very motivated right now, which I love. And so it’s just a fit for us of a big-sized, 6-6 playmaker that you can get some mismatches with.
“And I know me personally, I’m very, very looking forward to being able to put him in some great situations.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Searching for Joe Biden

Searching for Joe Biden

The question comes via my emails , my social media channels , on the tube .
Where have you gone , Joe Biden ?
Lately , they say , the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is living up to his Trumpian nickname , “ Sleepy Joe.
” Last Wednesday , White House advisor Kellyanne Conway ridiculed Biden for working out of his home in Delaware .
“ Why doesn ’ t Vice President Biden call the White House today and offer some support ?
” she asked .
“ He ’ s in his bunker in Wilmington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re not talking about politics here at the White House at all .
We ’ re talking about ventilators and vaccines , not Biden and Bernie.
” Biden , like the rest of us , is obeying stay-at-home orders , delivering his media and digital appearances from a professional studio in his basement .
He has all but vanquished U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary contests , and now he has a few precious months left to banish President Donald J. Trump .
He can ’ t wait on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely understand or control .
Campaigning in the time of COVID-19 is tough and treacherous , for sure .
The obstacles are physical and psychic .
Rallies , fundraising dinners and door-knocking are verboten .
Can Joe Biden overcome that ?
Jason McGrath , a Democratic consultant and strategist , pushed back on the claim the campaign lacks visibility .
It ’ s an “ overblown , non-story ” perpetuated by “ people who are not supporters , ” he said in a phone interview .
McGrath served as an advisor to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is not currently affiliated with it .
He took a break Friday from tending to his young children at his home in Bowmanville on Chicago ’ s North Side , which he called a “ day care , school and two businesses.
” Biden needed time to adjust to the social distancing , virtual new world , McGrath noted .
It took three days , for example , for the campaign to build the studio .
The campaign is very active , McGrath said , and he ticked off the ways .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook.
” A “ Happy Hour Town Hall.
” Biden has appeared “ on Jake Tapper , Jimmy Kimmel , Hispanic radio , cable news.
” “ Think about the campaign as a marathon , ” McGrath said .
“ Three days putting the studio together is seven steps.
” It is Biden ’ s “ responsibility , ” he said , to call out Trump ’ s mishandling of the crisis because the president “ has avoided the media for so long…other than doing campaign rallies.
” “ There is no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” McGrath said , “ when President Trump is out there making a fool out of himself every day.
” Trump owns the most-watched bully pulpit in the world .
Every afternoon he strolls into the White House briefing room to command the airwaves , pontificate and bluster about the “ incredible ” job he is doing in the war against COVID-19 .
Biden must break through at a time when Americans are losing their jobs , homes , businesses and lives .
A time when Election Day , Nov. 3 , feels @ @ @ @ @

The question comes via my emails, my social media channels, on the tube. Where have you gone, Joe Biden?
Lately, they say, the former vice president and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is living up to his Trumpian nickname, “Sleepy Joe.”
Last Wednesday, White House adviser Kellyanne Conway ridiculed Biden for working out of his home in Delaware.
Opinion bug Opinion
“Why doesn’t Vice President Biden call the White House today and offer some support?” she asked. “He’s in his bunker in Wilmington, and I have to tell you, we’re not talking about politics here at the White House at all. We’re talking about ventilators and vaccines, not Biden and Bernie.”
Biden, like the rest of us, is obeying stay-at-home orders, delivering his media and digital appearances from a professional studio in his basement.
He has all but vanquished U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the primary contests, and now he has a few precious months left to banish President Donald J. Trump. He can’t wait on a virus whose vagaries no one can completely understand or control.
Campaigning in the time of COVID-19 is tough and treacherous, for sure. The obstacles are physical and psychic. Rallies, fundraising dinners and door-knocking are verboten.
Can Joe Biden overcome that? Jason McGrath, a Democratic consultant and strategist, pushed back on the claim the campaign lacks visibility.
It’s an “overblown, non-story” perpetuated by “people who are not supporters,” he said in a phone interview.
McGrath served as an adviser to the Biden campaign during the Illinois primary but is not currently affiliated with it. He took a break Friday from tending to his young children at his home in Bowmanville on Chicago’s North Side, which he called a “day care, school and two businesses.”
Biden needed time to adjust to the social distancing, virtual new world, McGrath noted. It took three days, for example, for the campaign to build the studio.
The campaign is very active, McGrath said, and he ticked off the ways. Biden has captured “millions of views on Facebook.” A “Happy Hour Town Hall.” Biden has appeared “on Jake Tapper, Jimmy Kimmel, Hispanic radio, cable news.”
There’s time.
“Think about the campaign as a marathon,” McGrath said. “Three days putting the studio together is seven steps.”
It is Biden’s “responsibility,” he said, to call out Trump’s mishandling of the crisis because the president “has avoided the media for so long … other than doing campaign rallies.”
“There is no benefit to hiding the vice president,” McGrath said, “when President Trump is out there making a fool out of himself every day.”
Trump owns the most-watched bully pulpit in the world. Every afternoon he strolls into the White House briefing room to command the airwaves, pontificate and bluster about the “incredible” job he is doing in the war against COVID-19.
Biden must break through at a time when Americans are losing their jobs, homes, businesses and lives. A time when Election Day, Nov. 3, feels like a century away.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com
Follow Laura S. Washington on Twitter @MediaDervish


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Teen wounded in Wrightwood drive-by

Teen wounded in Wrightwood drive-by

A 15-year-old boy was wounded when he was shot Saturday in Wrightwood on the South Side .
He was walking @ @ @ @ @ in a passing black vehicle fired shots , Chicago police said .
The teen was @ @ @ @ @ and he was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in good condition .
No @ @ @ @ @ Area Central detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

A 15-year-old boy was wounded when he was shot Saturday in Wrightwood on the South Side.
He was walking about 12:39 a.m. when someone in a passing black vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said. The teen was struck in the arm, and he was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition.
No one is in custody as Area Central detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--Boy, 17, missing from Homan Square found safe

The accusation against Franklin Elementary Fine Arts Center Principal Kurt Jones follows other claims he throws food and chairs and @ @ @ @ @ work environment at the school .

Pvt. Travis King entered the North while on a civilian tour of a Korean border village July 18, becoming the first American detained in the North in nearly five years.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-04--14th employee contracts COVID-19 at Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s office

A 14th employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk ’ s office has tested positive for COVID-19 , The @ @ @ @ @ relations division on the 8th floor of the Daley Center , but primarily worked on @ @ @ @ @ to a statement from Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County @ @ @ @ @ work March 16 .
The person has been hospitalized , and other employees who were @ @ @ @ @ have been notified about potential exposure , the statement said .
The first cases of @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office were reported March 25 .
Illinois health officials on Friday announced 1,209 @ @ @ @ @ raising the state ’ s case total to 8,904 .
The state ’ s death @ @ @ @ @

A 14th employee at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk’s office has tested positive for COVID-19,
The employee worked in the domestic relations division on the 8th floor of the Daley Center, but primarily worked on the 10th floor, according to a statement from Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County. They last reported to work March 16.
The person has been hospitalized, and other employees who were in close contact with them have been notified about potential exposure, the statement said.
The first cases of the coronavirus in the clerk’s office were reported March 25.
Illinois health officials on Friday announced 1,209 new cases of COVID-19, raising the state’s case total to 8,904. The state’s death toll is 210 people.