chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--Kim Foxx ends necktie-cutting tradition among prosecutors, claims it might be associated with lynchi

Kim Foxx ends necktie-cutting tradition among prosecutors, claims it might be associated with lynching

Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx has ended a tradition among prosecutors in her office she believes might be based on racism and lynching .
For decades , to celebrate a prosecutor ’ s first guilty verdict from a jury , their necktie would be cut off and placed on an office wall along with a manila folder inked with the names of the prosecutor and defendant .
Female attorneys would often cut off a piece of their pantyhose , as was the case with Foxx in 2009 .
“ I had my pantyhose cut when I did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I never thought about where the tradition came from ; had not really thought about it at all other than , ‘ This is a rite of passage in the office , ” she told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday .
It wasn ’ t until after she was sworn in as state ’ s attorney in 2016 that she learned it might be based on a tradition in the South when lynchings of black men were common .
“ To gather people together they would say , ‘ We ’ re having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ What would happen after someone is hung ?
People would take the neckties that people were wearing around their neck , turn the tie up and cut it , as though you ’ re cutting someone loose.
” It was a symbolic and celebratory gesture done by those who attended the hanging , she said .
Current and former assistant state ’ s attorneys of color brought to Foxx ’ s attention the tradition ’ s possible roots .
“ It just never settled well with me that that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , noting she took another look at the practice in recent weeks .
Foxx said her top deputy , Joe Magats , long assumed the tradition had roots in the military and was in place because various wings of the county ’ s main courthouse were run by attorney ’ s known as “ wing commanders.
” “ The fact that there was a tradition that could have been rooted in this , in such an ugly , ugly history in our country , .
.
.
I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of reflection , shrug it off , or say ‘ I can ’ t prove that ’ or say ‘ I don ’ t have enough , ’ ” Foxx said .
Foxx made the call to end the tradition and remove signs of it , some dating back to the 1970s .
Foxx said while many responses have been positive , some attorneys thought she was off base in scratching a tradition they believe has no roots in racism and contributes to what makes their office unique .
“ And I respect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , in the conversations that we ’ re having as a nation , conversations that we ’ re having about heritage related to the Confederate flag , to monuments and the like , I appreciate the dialogue , but ultimately the question we have to answer for ourselves is , ‘ Is this a tradition that we can stand behind knowing that this is the possible origin of its start ?
’ And we can not .
I can not .
” “ I can not talk about systemic racism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work that we need to do to make sure that we ’ re fair and equitable and not also look at the impact that some of our traditions may have , ” she said .
One former prosecutor with the state ’ s attorney ’ s office who wanted to remain anonymous rejected the idea that the tradition has racist undertones .
“ Any implication that the tradition of clipping a young prosecutor ’ s tie or article of clothing had any racial connotation , let alone associated with lynching , is absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former ASAs , ” the former prosecutor said .
“ Instead , it was a rite of passage meant to congratulate these ASAs and celebrate their first jury victory , which any real trial attorney will tell you is a significant accomplishment .
This tradition was often followed by the senior attorney in the courtroom inviting the young ASA out for dinner to mark this noteworthy benchmark in the attorney ’ s career , ” the former prosecutor said .
Foxx made the announcement Friday , and it was accompanied by an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already removed the ties and other clothing items .
“ We will be allowing people , if they had something on a wall , to retrieve them for themselves , and they can take it home and do whatever .
But , no , we didn ’ t toss them , they will be available for retrieval , ” she said .
The blank spaces on walls will be filled with pictures of employees doing service work in the community , she said .
Asked what she planned to do with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foxx said : “ I haven ’ t thought about it , I actually haven ’ t thought about it.
” Foxx said the tradition amounted to an inappropriate use of trophies and celebration of an event that often carries with it great amounts of pain for both victims and defendants .
Foxx has solicited ideas from staff on better ways to honor employees for the work they do .
One idea , she said , is to give commemorative pins to attorneys , even if their first trials don ’ t result @ @ @ @ @

Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has ended a tradition among prosecutors in her office she believes might be based on racism and lynching.
For decades, to celebrate a prosecutor’s first guilty verdict from a jury, their necktie would be cut off and placed on an office wall along with a manila folder inked with the names of the prosecutor and defendant. Female attorneys would often cut off a piece of their pantyhose, as was the case with Foxx in 2009.
“I had my pantyhose cut when I did my first jury trial years ago. I never thought about where the tradition came from; had not really thought about it at all other than, ‘This is a rite of passage in the office,” she told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday.
It wasn’t until after she was sworn in as state’s attorney in 2016 that she learned it might be based on a tradition in the South when lynchings of black men were common.
“To gather people together they would say, ‘We’re having a necktie party,’” Foxx said. “What would happen after someone is hung? People would take the neckties that people were wearing around their neck, turn the tie up and cut it, as though you’re cutting someone loose.”
It was a symbolic and celebratory gesture done by those who attended the hanging, she said.
Current and former assistant state’s attorneys of color brought to Foxx’s attention the tradition’s possible roots.
“It just never settled well with me that that was a possible origin story,” Foxx said, noting she took another look at the practice in recent weeks.
Foxx said her top deputy, Joe Magats, long assumed the tradition had roots in the military and was in place because various wings of the county’s main courthouse were run by attorneys known as “wing commanders.”
“The fact that there was a tradition that could have been rooted in this, in such an ugly, ugly history in our country, . . . I don’t know how I could, in this moment of reflection, shrug it off, or say ‘I can’t prove that’ or say ‘I don’t have enough,’” Foxx said.
Foxx made the call to end the tradition and remove signs of it, some dating back to the 1970s.
Foxx said while many responses have been positive, some attorneys thought she was off base in scratching a tradition they believe has no roots in racism and contributes to what makes their office unique.
“And I respect all of those opinions, but especially right now, in the conversations that we’re having as a nation, conversations that we’re having about heritage related to the Confederate flag, to monuments and the like, I appreciate the dialogue, but ultimately the question we have to answer for ourselves is, ‘Is this a tradition that we can stand behind knowing that this is the possible origin of its start?’ And we cannot. I cannot.”
“I cannot talk about systemic racism in the criminal justice system and all the work that we need to do to make sure that we’re fair and equitable and not also look at the impact that some of our traditions may have,” she said.
One former prosecutor with the state’s attorney’s office who wanted to remain anonymous rejected the idea that the tradition has racist undertones.
“Any implication that the tradition of clipping a young prosecutor’s tie or article of clothing had any racial connotation, let alone associated with lynching, is absolutely absurd and deeply offensive to current and former ASAs,” the former prosecutor said.
“Instead, it was a rite of passage meant to congratulate these ASAs and celebrate their first jury victory, which any real trial attorney will tell you is a significant accomplishment. This tradition was often followed by the senior attorney in the courtroom inviting the young ASA out for dinner to mark this noteworthy benchmark in the attorney’s career,” the former prosecutor said.
Foxx made the announcement Friday, and it was accompanied by an email sent to employees by Magats. Supervisors had already removed the ties and other clothing items.
“We will be allowing people, if they had something on a wall, to retrieve them for themselves, and they can take it home and do whatever. But, no, we didn’t toss them, they will be available for retrieval,” she said.
The blank spaces on walls will be filled with pictures of employees doing service work in the community, she said.
Asked what she planned to do with the memento of her first trial victory, Foxx said: “I haven’t thought about it, I actually haven’t thought about it.”
Foxx said the tradition amounted to an inappropriate use of trophies and celebration of an event that often carries with it great amounts of pain for both victims and defendants.
Foxx has solicited ideas from staff on better ways to honor employees for the work they do.
One idea, she said, is to give commemorative pins to attorneys, even if their first trials don’t result in a guilty verdict.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--Louisville cop Brett Hankison fired for his role in Breonna Taylor fatal shooting

Officer Brett Hankison has been terminated , effective Tuesday , for his role in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor , Louisville Metro Police announced .
Taylor , 26 , was shot by officers at her apartment on March 13 as they entered to serve a no-knock warrant .
Her boyfriend thought officers were intruders and fired a shot as they entered .
Taylor was shot eight times in the ensuing gunfire from officers .
Hankison is accused by the department ’ s interim chief , Robert Schroeder , of “ blindly ” firing 10 rounds into Taylor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death and serious injury .
In a letter , interim Chief Robert Schroeder wrote that after the pretermination hearing held Tuesday , Schroeder decided to proceed and fire Hankison .
Schroeder notes that Hankison may appeal the decision to the Police Merit Board in writing within 10 days .
A request for comment from David Leightty , an attorney for Hankison , was not immediately returned Tuesday evening .
“ It ’ s another good , small step , ” said Sam Aguiar , an attorney for Taylor ’ s family .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rightful charges are brought against him , until charges are brought against everyone responsible for Breonna ’ s death.
” A spokeswoman for LMPD declined to comment further , citing state law .
‘ Schroeder ’ s Tuesday letter to Hankison reiterated the charges made against him in his pre-termination letter on Friday : that Hankison showed “ extreme indifference to the value of human life ” and that his use of deadly force was improper because he failed to verify it was directed against someone who posed an immediate threat .
Schroeder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten rounds into Taylor ’ s apartment and the one next door .
“ I find your conduct a shock to the conscience , ” Schroeder repeated .
“ I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion.
” Quoting from the Police Merit Board ’ s rules , Schroeder notes that any appeal from Hankison is due in writing within 10 days and “ must include a statement of the grounds for appeal.
” The board will then schedule a public hearing to review the chief ’ s move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ unjustified or unsupported by proper evidence.
” It will only consider evidence presented in the public hearing .
If it determines the action was unjustified , it can set aside the chief ’ s order and create a new penalty or opt to reinstate Hankison ’ s employment .
Mark Dobbins , an attorney for the merit board , said Friday that in many past cases , officers who have criminal matters pending will ask for the merit board proceeding to be held “ in abeyance , ” meaning delayed until @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Officer Brett Hankison has been terminated, effective Tuesday, for his role in the shooting death of Breonna Taylor, Louisville Metro Police announced.
Taylor, 26, was shot by officers at her apartment on March 13 as they entered to serve a no-knock warrant. Her boyfriend thought officers were intruders and fired a shot as they entered. Taylor was shot eight times in the ensuing gunfire from officers.
Hankison is accused by the department’s interim chief, Robert Schroeder, of “blindly” firing 10 rounds into Taylor’s apartment, creating a substantial danger of death and serious injury.
In a letter, interim Chief Robert Schroeder wrote that after the pretermination hearing held Tuesday, Schroeder decided to proceed and fire Hankison.
Schroeder notes that Hankison may appeal the decision to the Police Merit Board in writing within 10 days.
A request for comment from David Leightty, an attorney for Hankison, was not immediately returned Tuesday evening.
“It’s another good, small step,” said Sam Aguiar, an attorney for Taylor’s family. “We won’t be satisfied until rightful charges are brought against him, until charges are brought against everyone responsible for Breonna’s death.”
A spokeswoman for LMPD declined to comment further, citing state law. ‘
Schroeder’s Tuesday letter to Hankison reiterated the charges made against him in his pre-termination letter on Friday: that Hankison showed “extreme indifference to the value of human life” and that his use of deadly force was improper because he failed to verify it was directed against someone who posed an immediate threat.
Schroeder accuses Hankison of “blindly” firing ten rounds into Taylor’s apartment and the one next door.
“I find your conduct a shock to the conscience,” Schroeder repeated. “I am alarmed and stunned you used deadly force in this fashion.”
Quoting from the Police Merit Board’s rules, Schroeder notes that any appeal from Hankison is due in writing within 10 days and “must include a statement of the grounds for appeal.”
The board will then schedule a public hearing to review the chief’s move to terminate Hankison, considering whether it was “unjustified or unsupported by proper evidence.” It will only consider evidence presented in the public hearing.
If it determines the action was unjustified, it can set aside the chief’s order and create a new penalty or opt to reinstate Hankison’s employment.
Mark Dobbins, an attorney for the merit board, said Friday that in many past cases, officers who have criminal matters pending will ask for the merit board proceeding to be held “in abeyance,” meaning delayed until the resolution of the criminal case.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--In Chicago, fireworks — and complaints — are exploding

You ’ re not just hearing things .
A lot more fireworks are being set off in Chicago neighborhoods this year — and the Fourth of July is still more than a week away .
Complaints about those loud blasts are up more than 736 % compared to 2019 , according to city officials .
Through Sunday , the Office of Emergency Management and Communication had fielded 7,042 complaints this year about fireworks .
Last year , in the same period , OEMC fielded just 842 calls .
Only four states in the country have banned the use and sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ novelty items like smoke bombs and sparklers .
Illinois allows such novelty items , though Chicago has taken it a step further by banning sparklers and bottle rockets too .
Still legal in Chicago are glowworms , smoke bombs and party poppers .
Sparklers were outlawed “ because they operate at such a high heat level that they can cause very serious burns and can ignite clothing , ” said OEMC spokeswoman Mary May .
“ OEMC encourages residents to be mindful of this along with the safety and welfare of their neighbors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law puts people at risk of a $ 500 fine and incarceration for up to 30 days .
For some people the thrill of igniting a firework outweighs the potential legal woes .
Every spring , many journey to neighboring Wisconsin and Indiana to buy pounds of explosives .
But for Denise Badillo , over the last couple months , those thrills have been a nightmare for her 4-year-old daughter , Grace Hernandez , who is living with autism and is sensitive to loud noises .
The sudden booms on her street can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meltdown ” that can take hours late into the night to soothe .
“ There is a lot of crying , she becomes irritable , she does a lot of running back and forth in our apartment , and if you try to stop her she can start self-harming , ” Badillo said .
“ We sometimes have to wrap her in a blanket , pick her up and swing her back and forth until she calms down.
” Lately , with all the fireworks going off , this has become more and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when Grace has one of these meltdowns it means crying herself to sleep .
“ My daughter lives in this world that is not understanding or made for her , but my home is the one place that is made for her , ” Badillo , a board member of Latinas United in Love for Autism , said .
“ You are robbing my daughter of her comfort , her safe space , just for a few seconds of fun — it isn ’ t right .
Sharon Stokes-Parry , president of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chapter No .
2 , said this time of year is also tough on veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other battle-triggered illnesses .
“ A lot of fireworks adversely affect our combat vets , and it has been really bad this year , ” Stokes-Parry said .
“ All the sudden booms can trigger that PTSD they are living with , and they protect themselves by insulating themselves.
” This often means sitting indoors and keeping windows closed .
They avoid going outside to minimize side effects , Stokes-Parry said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ why people are setting off fireworks , especially now .
After months of self-quarantine during a statewide shut-down order , people are trying to entertain themselves .
She just hopes people think of veterans who may live in their neighborhood .
Dimitri Panos , owner of Dynamite Fireworks in nearby Hammond , Indiana , said the majority of his customers have always been Illinois residents , but he is now seeing more of them , and a lot earlier than usual .
“ Absolutely our sales are up and it ’ s certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canceled ” by the pandemic , Panos said .
“ People still want to have a good time and everyone is deciding to put on their own show.
” Panos wouldn ’ t say how much more he ’ s made this year compared to last year , but says he has no qualms selling to folks who live outside Indiana , as long as they ’ re at least 18 years old .
The rise in fireworks exploding this year isn ’ t unique to Chicago .
In Boston , Mayor Marty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May compared to May 2019 .
In California , Pasadena has seen a 400 % increase in calls related to fireworks disturbances , and New York City has logged 4,862 complaints in the last two months alone .

You’re not just hearing things. A lot more fireworks are being set off in Chicago neighborhoods this year — and the Fourth of July is still more than a week away.
Complaints about those loud blasts are up more than 736% compared to 2019, according to city officials.
Through Sunday, the Office of Emergency Management and Communication had fielded 7,042 complaints this year about fireworks. Last year, in the same period, OEMC fielded just 842 calls.
Only four states in the country have banned the use and sale of all consumer-grade fireworks or only allow novelty items like smoke bombs and sparklers. Illinois allows such novelty items, though Chicago has taken it a step further by banning sparklers and bottle rockets too.
Still legal in Chicago are glowworms, smoke bombs and party poppers. Sparklers were outlawed “because they operate at such a high heat level that they can cause very serious burns and can ignite clothing,” said OEMC spokeswoman Mary May. “OEMC encourages residents to be mindful of this along with the safety and welfare of their neighbors and the larger community.”
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Violating city law puts people at risk of a $500 fine and incarceration for up to 30 days.
For some people the thrill of igniting a firework outweighs the potential legal woes. Every spring, many journey to neighboring Wisconsin and Indiana to buy pounds of explosives.
But for Denise Badillo, over the last couple months, those thrills have been a nightmare for her 4-year-old daughter, Grace Hernandez, who is living with autism and is sensitive to loud noises. The sudden booms on her street can trigger what is called an “autistic meltdown” that can take hours late into the night to soothe.
“There is a lot of crying, she becomes irritable, she does a lot of running back and forth in our apartment, and if you try to stop her she can start self-harming,” Badillo said. “We sometimes have to wrap her in a blanket, pick her up and swing her back and forth until she calms down.”
Lately, with all the fireworks going off, this has become more and more difficult. More times than not, when Grace has one of these meltdowns it means crying herself to sleep.
“My daughter lives in this world that is not understanding or made for her, but my home is the one place that is made for her,” Badillo, a board member of Latinas United in Love for Autism, said. “You are robbing my daughter of her comfort, her safe space, just for a few seconds of fun — it isn’t right.
Denise Badillo and her daughter, Grace Hernandez, have struggled dealing with noisy fireworks this year, which has triggered several “autistic meltdowns.” Provided.
Sharon Stokes-Parry, president of Montford Point Marines Association, Inc. Chicago Chapter No. 2, said this time of year is also tough on veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other battle-triggered illnesses.
“A lot of fireworks adversely affect our combat vets, and it has been really bad this year,” Stokes-Parry said. “All the sudden booms can trigger that PTSD they are living with, and they protect themselves by insulating themselves.”
This often means sitting indoors and keeping windows closed. They avoid going outside to minimize side effects, Stokes-Parry said.
Still, she said, she understands why people are setting off fireworks, especially now.
After months of self-quarantine during a statewide shut-down order, people are trying to entertain themselves. She just hopes people think of veterans who may live in their neighborhood.
Dimitri Panos, owner of Dynamite Fireworks in nearby Hammond, Indiana, said the majority of his customers have always been Illinois residents, but he is now seeing more of them, and a lot earlier than usual.
“Absolutely our sales are up and it’s certainly due to all the firework shows being canceled” by the pandemic, Panos said. “People still want to have a good time and everyone is deciding to put on their own show.”
Panos wouldn’t say how much more he’s made this year compared to last year, but says he has no qualms selling to folks who live outside Indiana, as long as they’re at least 18 years old.
The rise in fireworks exploding this year isn’t unique to Chicago.
In Boston, Mayor Marty Walsh said firework complaints increased 2,300% in May compared to May 2019. In California, Pasadena has seen a 400% increase in calls related to fireworks disturbances, and New York City has logged 4,862 complaints in the last two months alone.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--Families of Aunt Jemima brand models oppose Quaker Oats’ planned changes

Two families of women who portrayed Aunt Jemima say they oppose Quaker Oats ’ plans to rename the brand of syrup and pancake mixes and change the iconic figure .
Quaker Oats announced last week it would retire Aunt Jemima because it ’ s ” based on a racial stereotype , ” saying its prior work to update the character was “ not enough.
” The move , considered long overdue by experts , historians and some consumers , was the first in a series of rebranding announcements that grew to include Uncle Ben ’ s , Mrs. Butterworth ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pie .
The first Aunt Jemima image was based on Kentucky native Nancy Green , a Civil War-era slave from Mount Sterling , according to the Louisville Courier-Journal , part of the USA TODAY Network .
Originally , Aunt Jemima was shown with a wide smile and wearing a bandanna in her hair , an image that faced criticism for years as it was accused of encouraging racist stereotypes .
In 1989 , the image was revamped , with the new model wearing pearl earrings with straightened curls .
Anna Short Harrington is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I wish we would take a breath and not just get rid of everything , because good or bad , it is our history.
” Vera Harris , family historian for the Lillian Richard family Larnell Evans Sr. , Harrington ’ s great-grandson , told Patch that he was hurt and offended by the brand ’ s decision .
“ This is an injustice for me and my family .
This is part of my history , ” Evans told Patch .
“ The racism they talk about , using images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other side – white people .
This company profits off images of our slavery .
And their answer is to erase my great-grandmother ’ s history.
” The family of Lillian Richard , a native of Hawkins , Texas , also spoke out against the rebranding decision .
Richard was the face of Aunt Jemima from 1925 to 1940 , a Texas CBS station reported , noting signs into the town say “ Home of Lillian Richard ‘ Aunt Jemima.
’ ” In 1995 , the Texas Legislature passed a resolution declaring Hawkins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ I wish we would take a breath and not just get rid of everything , because good or bad , it is our history , ” Vera Harris , family historian for the Richard family , told KLTV .
“ Removing that wipes away a part of me .
A part of each of us .
We are proud of our cousin.
” Ethel Ernestine Harper , the last woman whose face appeared on the brand , later became a celebrated teacher of Black history through schools , the Girl Scouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her adopted hometown of Morristown , New Jersey , reported the Morristown Daily Record , part of the USA TODAY Network .
Harper was born in 1903 in Alabama , where she grew up and earned a college degree at age 17 , worked as a teacher and was president of the Birmingham City Federation of Colored Women ’ s Clubs before moving to New York to pursue a career in music .

Two families of women who portrayed Aunt Jemima say they oppose Quaker Oats’ plans to rename the brand of syrup and pancake mixes and change the iconic figure.
Quaker Oats announced last week it would retire Aunt Jemima because it’s ”based on a racial stereotype,” saying its prior work to update the character was “not enough.”
The move, considered long overdue by experts, historians and some consumers, was the first in a series of rebranding announcements that grew to include Uncle Ben’s, Mrs. Butterworth’s, Cream of Wheat and Eskimo Pie.
The first Aunt Jemima image was based on Kentucky native Nancy Green, a Civil War-era slave from Mount Sterling, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Originally, Aunt Jemima was shown with a wide smile and wearing a bandanna in her hair, an image that faced criticism for years as it was accused of encouraging racist stereotypes. In 1989, the image was revamped, with the new model wearing pearl earrings with straightened curls.
Anna Short Harrington is believed to be the model after Green.
“I wish we would take a breath and not just get rid of everything, because good or bad, it is our history.” Vera Harris, family historian for the Lillian Richard family
Larnell Evans Sr., Harrington’s great-grandson, told Patch that he was hurt and offended by the brand’s decision.
“This is an injustice for me and my family. This is part of my history,” Evans told Patch. “The racism they talk about, using images from slavery, that comes from the other side – white people. This company profits off images of our slavery. And their answer is to erase my great-grandmother’s history.”
The family of Lillian Richard, a native of Hawkins, Texas, also spoke out against the rebranding decision.
Richard was the face of Aunt Jemima from 1925 to 1940, a Texas CBS station reported, noting signs into the town say “Home of Lillian Richard ‘Aunt Jemima.’” In 1995, the Texas Legislature passed a resolution declaring Hawkins as the “Pancake Capital of Texas.”
“I wish we would take a breath and not just get rid of everything, because good or bad, it is our history,” Vera Harris, family historian for the Richard family, told KLTV. “Removing that wipes away a part of me. A part of each of us. We are proud of our cousin.”
Ethel Ernestine Harper, the last woman whose face appeared on the brand, later became a celebrated teacher of Black history through schools, the Girl Scouts and as a topical radio host in her adopted hometown of Morristown, New Jersey, reported the Morristown Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Harper was born in 1903 in Alabama, where she grew up and earned a college degree at age 17, worked as a teacher and was president of the Birmingham City Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs before moving to New York to pursue a career in music.
Contributing: William Westhoven, Morristown Daily Record; Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal
Read more at usatoday.com


chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--Orchestras, classical music programs working toward more diversity in the concert hall, leadership r

Orchestras, classical music programs working toward more diversity in the concert hall, leadership roles

Despite attempts to boost the numbers in recent decades , the share of African American and Latinx musicians in American orchestras remained at just 2.5 percent in 2014 , according to the most recent statistics available in a 2016 report released by the League of American Orchestras .
The Catalyst Fund , a three-year , $ 2.1 million program launched in 2019 by the national support organization , is designed to help its members identify , confront and ultimately correct what Jesse Rosen , the League ’ s president and chief executive officer , called built-in “ systems of inequity.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced a second round of Catalyst grants ranging from $ 12,000 to $ 25,000 each to 28 orchestras , including the Chicago Sinfonietta , which was founded in 1987 with diversity at the forefront of its mission .
Although these allocations were largely finalized on May 25 when George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis , Rosen said , the resulting protests around the world have brought into sharper relief the field ’ s “ stance around racism.
” “ I think we are coming to grips with the reality , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time have really been complicit and we have not been honest about the role we have played in the past and we haven ’ t really tended to explore and figure out how to change and how to be a constructive participant in the equitable , anti-racist way of doing business.
” Riccardo Muti , music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra , has been watching the Black Lives Matter protests from his home in Italy and he recently voiced similar sentiments to the Associated Press .
“ My dream would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in orchestras , choruses and in audiences , ” he said .
“ But this was also our own fault , by giving the sensation that our musical culture is a culture of an elite , a culture of superior people , of very refined people .
It is not true .
We must open our arms , as we have done and will continue to do in Chicago.
” Adrienne Thompson , who leads the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative , which is working toward more diversity in orchestras , praised Muti for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has already done to promote inclusion such as his work with the Chicago Symphony ’ s African American network .
But she said more is needed .
“ There can be ideas in your head , ” Thompson said , “ but when you speak about them and they go on public record , then that means , really , you are starting to move to an action phase .
It also means that people can start holding you accountable to your words.
” The New York-based Andrew W. Mellon Foundation ( with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Family Foundation ) underwrote the Catalyst Fund .
In addition , it has given about $ 18 million since 2015 to support a series of programs across the country to help 6th to 12th-grade music students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds .
Among them is the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative , which was established in 2018 with a three-year , $ 3.5 million grant .
It involves a consortium of area organizations , including the Merit School of Music , Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and Chicago High School for the Arts .
“ Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished their conservatory training , ” said Thompson , “ [ the Mellon Foundation leaders ] are pivoting toward providing opportunities for students pre-conservatory , to help them get into the schools.
” Money is provided for such things as private instruction , summer intensives and the purchase of a suitable instrument — virtually everything a serious student would need on the pathway to a musical career .
“ This is not a talent issue .
This is an access issue , ” said Susan Feder , a Mellon Foundation program officer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ grade were chosen for the 2019-20 class , with a diversity that reflects Chicago — 44 percent African American , 40 percent Latinx , 10 percent Southeast Asian and 6 percent South Asian .
All seven of this year ’ s graduating seniors earned spots in music schools , including such prestigious institutions as the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia .
( Applications are being accepted through July 3 for 2020-21 . )
It could take 10 years or more to know the full impact of the Pathways program , but Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ critical mass ” of well-trained students who get into first-rate conservatories and become prime candidates for orchestral positions .
“ All of them are not going to be able be denied , ” she said .
American orchestras have tried such approaches as fellowship programs to boost the ranks of musicians of color , but a League study following a 2015 convocation on equity , inclusion and diversity showed that participants didn ’ t always feel comfortable or supported , and they often saw no career path forward .
It became clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so the Catalyst Fund is meant to take the focus inward and help musicians , staff and board members understand and address potential discriminatory beliefs and structures within their organizations .
The League is not making any commitment to achieving some precise percentage of African American and Latinx musicians in future orchestral ranks .
Instead , success will be defined by achieving what Rosen called “ authentic engagement ” with these issues .
“ We ’ re more concerned right now with behavior than numerical targets , ” he said .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first Catalyst Fund recipients .
As part of “ hard conversations ” it has had , the orchestra has revamped its hiring , which had included job listings without posted salaries , a practice which has been known to work against people of color .
Unlike most other members of the League of American Orchestras , at least one third of the musicians , staff and board of the Chicago Sinfonietta are people of color , said Blake-Anthony Johnson , who took over as chief executive officer of the Chicago orchestra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite unique , ” he said .
Equity , diversity and inclusion are “ very much in the DNA ” of the organization , he said , and this second Catalyst grant will help solidify those beliefs and assure they are a “ common language ” among volunteers and everyone with any connection to the organization .
“ Any time you get recognition from the League of American Orchestras , ” said Chicago Sinfonietta music director Mei-Ann Chen , whose contract was extended in May through the 2023-24 season , “ it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we ’ re doing and it ’ s always welcome .
Our work has been pioneering in terms of national efforts of diversity in our country for symphony orchestras .
”

Despite attempts to boost the numbers in recent decades, the share of African American and Latinx musicians in American orchestras remained at just 2.5 percent in 2014, according to the most recent statistics available in a 2016 report released by the League of American Orchestras.
The Catalyst Fund, a three-year, $2.1 million program launched in 2019 by the national support organization, is designed to help its members identify, confront and ultimately correct what Jesse Rosen, the League’s president and chief executive officer, called built-in “systems of inequity.”
In early June, the League announced a second round of Catalyst grants ranging from $12,000 to $25,000 each to 28 orchestras, including the Chicago Sinfonietta, which was founded in 1987 with diversity at the forefront of its mission.
Although these allocations were largely finalized on May 25 when George Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis, Rosen said, the resulting protests around the world have brought into sharper relief the field’s “stance around racism.”
“I think we are coming to grips with the reality,” he said, “that orchestras for a long time have really been complicit and we have not been honest about the role we have played in the past and we haven’t really tended to explore and figure out how to change and how to be a constructive participant in the equitable, anti-racist way of doing business.”
Riccardo Muti, music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, has been watching the Black Lives Matter protests from his home in Italy and he recently voiced similar sentiments to the Associated Press. “My dream would be to have many more African Americans in orchestras, choruses and in audiences,” he said. “But this was also our own fault, by giving the sensation that our musical culture is a culture of an elite, a culture of superior people, of very refined people. It is not true. We must open our arms, as we have done and will continue to do in Chicago.”
Adrienne Thompson, who leads the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, which is working toward more diversity in orchestras, praised Muti for speaking out and for the things he has already done to promote inclusion such as his work with the Chicago Symphony’s African American network. But she said more is needed.
“There can be ideas in your head,” Thompson said, “but when you speak about them and they go on public record, then that means, really, you are starting to move to an action phase. It also means that people can start holding you accountable to your words.”
The New York-based Andrew W. Mellon Foundation (with additional support from the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation) underwrote the Catalyst Fund. In addition, it has given about $18 million since 2015 to support a series of programs across the country to help 6th to 12th-grade music students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Adrienne Thompson is the director of the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, an organization working to achieve increased diversity in orchestras, starting with access to music programs for elementary and high school students. Copyright Todd Rosenberg Photography
Among them is the Chicago Musical Pathways Initiative, which was established in 2018 with a three-year, $3.5 million grant. It involves a consortium of area organizations, including the Merit School of Music, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and Chicago High School for the Arts.
“Instead of working with musicians once they have finished their conservatory training,” said Thompson, “[the Mellon Foundation leaders] are pivoting toward providing opportunities for students pre-conservatory, to help them get into the schools.”
Money is provided for such things as private instruction, summer intensives and the purchase of a suitable instrument — virtually everything a serious student would need on the pathway to a musical career.
“This is not a talent issue. This is an access issue,” said Susan Feder, a Mellon Foundation program officer.
Fifty area students from 6th through 12th grade were chosen for the 2019-20 class, with a diversity that reflects Chicago — 44 percent African American, 40 percent Latinx, 10 percent Southeast Asian and 6 percent South Asian. All seven of this year’s graduating seniors earned spots in music schools, including such prestigious institutions as the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. (Applications are being accepted through July 3 for 2020-21.)
It could take 10 years or more to know the full impact of the Pathways program, but Thompson said the idea is to create a “critical mass” of well-trained students who get into first-rate conservatories and become prime candidates for orchestral positions. “All of them are not going to be able be denied,” she said.
Blake-Anthony Johnson, the new CEO of the Chicago Sinfonietta, is photographed in his Loop office earlier this month. Equity, diversity and inclusion are “very much in the DNA” of the organization, he said. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
American orchestras have tried such approaches as fellowship programs to boost the ranks of musicians of color, but a League study following a 2015 convocation on equity, inclusion and diversity showed that participants didn’t always feel comfortable or supported, and they often saw no career path forward.
It became clear that broader changes were needed within orchestras, so the Catalyst Fund is meant to take the focus inward and help musicians, staff and board members understand and address potential discriminatory beliefs and structures within their organizations.
The League is not making any commitment to achieving some precise percentage of African American and Latinx musicians in future orchestral ranks. Instead, success will be defined by achieving what Rosen called “authentic engagement” with these issues. “We’re more concerned right now with behavior than numerical targets,” he said.
He cited the San Francisco Symphony, one of the first Catalyst Fund recipients. As part of “hard conversations” it has had, the orchestra has revamped its hiring, which had included job listings without posted salaries, a practice which has been known to work against people of color.
Chicago Sinfonietta music director Mei-Ann Chen. Sun-Times File
Unlike most other members of the League of American Orchestras, at least one third of the musicians, staff and board of the Chicago Sinfonietta are people of color, said Blake-Anthony Johnson, who took over as chief executive officer of the Chicago orchestra in May. “It makes us quite unique,” he said.
Equity, diversity and inclusion are “very much in the DNA” of the organization, he said, and this second Catalyst grant will help solidify those beliefs and assure they are a “common language” among volunteers and everyone with any connection to the organization.
“Any time you get recognition from the League of American Orchestras,” said Chicago Sinfonietta music director Mei-Ann Chen, whose contract was extended in May through the 2023-24 season, “it’s a national validation of the work that we’re doing and it’s always welcome. Our work has been pioneering in terms of national efforts of diversity in our country for symphony orchestras.”
Kyle MacMillan is a local freelance writer.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--4 wounded in Burnside shooting

4 wounded in Burnside shooting

Four people were shot Tuesday in Burnside on the South Side .
The shooting happened about 5 p.m. in the @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , according to Chicago police and fire officials .
They were outside a home @ @ @ @ @ vehicle unleashed gunfire , police said .
A 27-year-old man was shot in the shoulder @ @ @ @ @ police said .
A 33-year-old woman was shot in the shoulder , back and leg @ @ @ @ @ , 60 , was struck in the back .
The trio was taken to the @ @ @ @ @ , where the man and the older woman were listed in good condition and the @ @ @ @ @ condition , officials said .
A 60-year-old man was taken to Trinity Hospital in good @ @ @ @ @ to the hand , police said .
No arrests have been reported .
Area Two @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Four people were shot Tuesday in Burnside on the South Side.
The shooting happened about 5 p.m. in the 9100 block of South Ellis Avenue, according to Chicago police and fire officials.
They were outside a home when someone in a silver-colored vehicle unleashed gunfire, police said.
Chicago police investigate the scene where multiple people were shot in the 9100 block of South Ellis Avenue in the Burnside neighborhood, June 23, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
A 27-year-old man was shot in the shoulder, leg and foot, police said. A 33-year-old woman was shot in the shoulder, back and leg, while a second woman, 60, was struck in the back.
The trio was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where the man and the older woman were listed in good condition and the younger woman was in serious condition, officials said.
A 60-year-old man was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition with a gunshot wound to the hand, police said.
No arrests have been reported. Area Two detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-23--Adult film star Ron Jeremy charged with sexual assault of 4 women

LOS ANGELES — Adult film star Ron Jeremy was charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth , Los Angeles County prosecutors said Tuesday .
The counts make the 67-year-old Jeremy the third man to be charged , along with Harvey Weinstein and producer David Guillod , by a task force formed by District Attorney Jackie Lacey in 2017 to investigate sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry .
Jeremy , nicknamed “ The Hedgehog , ” is among the best known and most prolific actors in the history of the adult film industry , with thousands of credits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real name is Ron Jeremy Hyatt , is scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday .
He was charged with three counts each of forcible rape and forcible penetration by a foreign object and one count each of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery .
If convicted of all the counts he could face 90 years in prison .
Prosecutors say they will ask for bail of $ 6.6 million .
Emails seeking comment from Jeremy sent to several of his representatives were not immediately returned .
Prosecutors allege Jeremy raped a 25-year-old woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 , sexually assaulted a 33-year-old woman and a 46-year-old woman in separate incidents at a West Hollywood bar in 2017 , and raped a 30-year-old woman at the same bar in July of last year .
He was investigated by the Hollywood task force after it was formed in the wake of a wave of sexual misconduct allegations that began in late 2017 with media reports about Weinstein that launched the # MeToo era .
The task force has investigated more than 20 men , but Jeremy is just the third to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring Weinstein to California to face charges of rape and sexual assault .
He is being held in a New York prison after being convicted of similar charges earlier this year .
He has denied engaging in any non-consensual sex .
On Monday , Guillod , a producer on the 2017 film “ Atomic Blonde ” and the 2020 Netflix movie “ Extraction , ” was arrested in Santa Barbara County , California , and charged with 11 felonies , most of them rape counts , and were investigated by Lacey ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorney Philip K. Cohen said in a statement that “ for the past eight years , Mr. Guillod has denied these allegations ” and an “ overwhelming amount of evidence has been collected over the course of this investigation disputing these charges.
” Los Angeles prosecutors charged “ That ‘ 70s Show ” actor Danny Masterson last week with the rapes of three women , though that investigation preceded the formation of the Hollywood task force .
Masterson denied the charges and his attorney said he will be vindicated .
Another allegation against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the task force because of insufficient evidence .
In recent years , Jeremy has appeared in more mainstream entertainment , including music videos and reality television shows like “ The Surreal Life .
”

LOS ANGELES — Adult film star Ron Jeremy was charged with raping three women and sexually assaulting a fourth, Los Angeles County prosecutors said Tuesday.
The counts make the 67-year-old Jeremy the third man to be charged, along with Harvey Weinstein and producer David Guillod, by a task force formed by District Attorney Jackie Lacey in 2017 to investigate sexual misconduct in the entertainment industry.
Jeremy, nicknamed “The Hedgehog,” is among the best known and most prolific actors in the history of the adult film industry, with thousands of credits to his name.
Jeremy, whose real name is Ron Jeremy Hyatt, is scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday. He was charged with three counts each of forcible rape and forcible penetration by a foreign object and one count each of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery. If convicted of all the counts he could face 90 years in prison.
Prosecutors say they will ask for bail of $6.6 million. Emails seeking comment from Jeremy sent to several of his representatives were not immediately returned.
Prosecutors allege Jeremy raped a 25-year-old woman at a West Hollywood home in May 2014, sexually assaulted a 33-year-old woman and a 46-year-old woman in separate incidents at a West Hollywood bar in 2017, and raped a 30-year-old woman at the same bar in July of last year.
He was investigated by the Hollywood task force after it was formed in the wake of a wave of sexual misconduct allegations that began in late 2017 with media reports about Weinstein that launched the #MeToo era.
The task force has investigated more than 20 men, but Jeremy is just the third to be charged.
Prosecutors have begun efforts to bring Weinstein to California to face charges of rape and sexual assault. He is being held in a New York prison after being convicted of similar charges earlier this year. He has denied engaging in any non-consensual sex.
On Monday, Guillod, a producer on the 2017 film “Atomic Blonde” and the 2020 Netflix movie “Extraction,” was arrested in Santa Barbara County, California, and charged with 11 felonies, most of them rape counts, and were investigated by Lacey’s task force.
Guillod’s attorney Philip K. Cohen said in a statement that “for the past eight years, Mr. Guillod has denied these allegations” and an “overwhelming amount of evidence has been collected over the course of this investigation disputing these charges.”
Los Angeles prosecutors charged “That ‘70s Show” actor Danny Masterson last week with the rapes of three women, though that investigation preceded the formation of the Hollywood task force. Masterson denied the charges and his attorney said he will be vindicated.
Another allegation against Jeremy from 2016, was declined by the task force because of insufficient evidence.
In recent years, Jeremy has appeared in more mainstream entertainment, including music videos and reality television shows like “The Surreal Life.”


chicagosun-times--2020-06-24--Police release photo of vehicle wanted in connection with shooting in Humboldt Park

Chicago police are seeking to identify the occupants of a vehicle wanted in connection with a shooting that wounded three @ @ @ @ @ Park .
About 11:30 p.m. May 25 , two men and a woman were hanging @ @ @ @ @ the 1000 block of North Hamlin Avenue , when they saw a male chasing another @ @ @ @ @ gunshots , according to Chicago police .
The woman , 36 , was struck in @ @ @ @ @ back , police said .
A 33-year-old man was struck in the right shoulder and @ @ @ @ @ in twice in abdomen and once in the left leg , police said .
A @ @ @ @ @ Ford SUV , possibly a Ford Explorer , leaving the scene after the shooting , @ @ @ @ @ information is asked to contact Area Four detectives at 312-746-8251 .

Chicago police are seeking to identify the occupants of a vehicle wanted in connection with a shooting that wounded three people in May in Humboldt Park.
About 11:30 p.m. May 25, two men and a woman were hanging out on the sidewalk in the 1000 block of North Hamlin Avenue, when they saw a male chasing another male and then heard multiple gunshots, according to Chicago police.
The woman, 36, was struck in the right arm and lower back, police said. A 33-year-old man was struck in the right shoulder and a 44-year-old man was struck in twice in abdomen and once in the left leg, police said.
A surveillance video captured a red Ford SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer, leaving the scene after the shooting, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Four detectives at 312-746-8251.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-24--Mayor Byrne was happy to let Bluesmobile ram Daley Center — part of $3.5M climatic scene in ‘The Blu

Mayor Byrne was happy to let Bluesmobile ram Daley Center — part of $3.5M climatic scene in ‘The Blues Brothers’

Editor ’ s note : The story was originally published on June 24 , 2005 , as part of a weeklong series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “ The Blues Brothers.
” The Sun-Times is republishing the stores to mark the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2020 .
If you came upon Daley Plaza on Labor Day weekend 1979 , you might have turned and run for cover .
Two hundred National Guardsmen , rifles in hand , raced from Army jeeps and tanks toward the Cook County Building .
They were backed up by three Sherman tanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Not to mention 100 state and city police officers in 50 squad cars and on 15 horses .
There was even a SWAT team crawling across the roof and rappelling down the Corinthian columns of the building .
Of course , this wasn ’ t a real invasion .
It was filming for “ The Blues Brothers ” dramatic climax , in which seemingly every law enforcement body in the state is trying to catch Jake and Elwood Blues as they try to pay the property tax bill on their childhood orphanage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accounts at the time , cost $ 3.5 million to shoot .
It was the largest scene shot for a movie in any big city until that time .
At attack on the Machine But even though it was just a movie , in some ways , it was an attack .
Mayor Jane Byrne had been in office only since April that year when actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd went to her in the summer , requesting permission to film in the plaza .
Not only did they want to shut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ planned to crash the Bluesmobile through the glass walls of the Daley Center lobby .
They offered to donate $ 50,000 to charity .
The comedic duo , Byrne recalls , appeared nervous .
She gave them a stone face , pretending to be skeptical , and then smiled .
“ I said , ‘ Be my guest , ’ ” she says now .
“ I was fighting the Machine .
I felt like , ‘ Knock it all down.
’ ” As mayor , Byrne could OK the Daley Plaza and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Building Commission .
To get permission to film at the County Building , however , wasn ’ t as easy , filmmakers recall .
Although there is no record of the Cook County Board ever debating the filming , director John Landis said they were initially rebuffed .
But Landis said he received permission after meeting with the late Sidney Korshak , a power-broker attorney here and in Hollywood .
The California Organized Crime Commission alleged in 1978 that Korshak had ties to powerful mob figures , but he denied that in hearings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ [ Korshak ] said , ‘ What do you need ?
’ We told him .
And he said , ‘ Let me see what I can do.
’ And suddenly all the doors were open.
” Byrne ’ s chief administrative officer at the time , Paul McGrath , said that county government , like the first Mayor Daley , was not too interested in opening its arms to Hollywood filmmakers .
“ Doing things like that was absolutely unheard of , ” he said .
But Landis ’ version could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ very powerful with all kinds of unions and politicians , and so was his brother .
It makes perfect sense , ” McGrath said .
Cook County Sheriff Richard Elrod was also skeptical .
In an August memo to the film ’ s location manager , he said he didn ’ t “ fully approve of the contents ... due to the fact that it does not put law enforcement bodies of Chicago in the best light.
” Still , he said he would follow instructions from his superiors .
Elrod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want to go on record as the chief law enforcement officer of Cook County as approving ” such a portrayal .
County Board President George Dunne says he wasn ’ t consulted directly on the filming , but he supported it because his son Murphy was the Blues Brothers ’ keyboardist .
Whatever the case , by Labor Day weekend , the crew had free rein — to a degree city officials said would not be possible today because of increased activity in the Loop as well as liability and security concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass walls at the Daley Center , glaziers replaced two 9-foot by 9-foot panels with breakaway glass .
After the stunt , Glaziers replaced the windows at 4 a.m. the following Tuesday because they refused to work on Labor Day .
But the Bluesmobile was driven so fast that the heat from the tires damaged the finish of 35 granite pavers and a bronze air grille .
Repairs cost $ 7,650 .
Movie crews also removed the three revolving glass doors from the eastern entrance of the County Building .
They plugged up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakaway doors in the middle .
In the movie , hundreds of police and Army troops use axes to break down those doors after the Blues Brothers have gone inside .
Aykroyd remembers a “ day of intense concentration ” while working with so many extras — more than 500 , including 200 real soldiers .
Belushi hurt his back pushing a cigarette machine and a bench in front of the fake doors , recalled his widow , Judy Belushi Pisano .
Crews filmed in the lobby of the building , as Jake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by scores of police .
The rest of the interior — including the stairwell going up , the elevator and the Cook County assessor ’ s office on the 11th floor — was re-created on a set .
The re-creation was so exact that even stair railings from different periods were faithfully copied .
Early 1900s ornamental iron shows up in the set ’ s first-floor staircase .
But when police arrive on the upper floors , the railings change to resemble those installed in the building around 1970 .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this degree of detail , ” said Tim Samuelson , the city ’ s cultural historian .

Editor’s note: The story was originally published on June 24, 2005, as part of a weeklong series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “The Blues Brothers.” The Sun-Times is republishing the stories to mark the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2020.
If you came upon Daley Plaza on Labor Day weekend 1979, you might have turned and run for cover. Two hundred National Guardsmen, rifles in hand, raced from Army jeeps and tanks toward the Cook County Building. They were backed up by three Sherman tanks, three helicopters and three fire trucks. Not to mention 100 state and city police officers in 50 squad cars and on 15 horses.
There was even a SWAT team crawling across the roof and rappelling down the Corinthian columns of the building.
Of course, this wasn’t a real invasion. It was filming for “The Blues Brothers” dramatic climax, in which seemingly every law enforcement body in the state is trying to catch Jake and Elwood Blues as they try to pay the property tax bill on their childhood orphanage.
The scene, according to news accounts at the time, cost $3.5 million to shoot. It was the largest scene shot for a movie in any big city until that time.
The movie’s climatic scene at Daley Plaza. Blues Brothers/Sun-Times files
At attack on the Machine
But even though it was just a movie, in some ways, it was an attack.
Mayor Jane Byrne had been in office only since April that year when actors John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd went to her in the summer, requesting permission to film in the plaza. Not only did they want to shut it down for three days, they planned to crash the Bluesmobile through the glass walls of the Daley Center lobby. They offered to donate $50,000 to charity.
The comedic duo, Byrne recalls, appeared nervous. She gave them a stone face, pretending to be skeptical, and then smiled.
“I said, ‘Be my guest,’” she says now. “I was fighting the Machine. I felt like, ‘Knock it all down.’”
As mayor, Byrne could OK the Daley Plaza and Center scenes because she controlled the Public Building Commission. To get permission to film at the County Building, however, wasn’t as easy, filmmakers recall.
Although there is no record of the Cook County Board ever debating the filming, director John Landis said they were initially rebuffed. But Landis said he received permission after meeting with the late Sidney Korshak, a power-broker attorney here and in Hollywood. The California Organized Crime Commission alleged in 1978 that Korshak had ties to powerful mob figures, but he denied that in hearings before Congress.
As Landis recalled, “[Korshak] said, ‘What do you need?’ We told him. And he said, ‘Let me see what I can do.’ And suddenly all the doors were open.”
1st Mayor Daley no fan of Hollywood
Byrne’s chief administrative officer at the time, Paul McGrath, said that county government, like the first Mayor Daley, was not too interested in opening its arms to Hollywood filmmakers.
“Doing things like that was absolutely unheard of,” he said.
But Landis’ version could ring true, he said. Korshak was “very powerful with all kinds of unions and politicians, and so was his brother. It makes perfect sense,” McGrath said.
Cook County Sheriff Richard Elrod was also skeptical. In an August memo to the film’s location manager, he said he didn’t “fully approve of the contents ... due to the fact that it does not put law enforcement bodies of Chicago in the best light.” Still, he said he would follow instructions from his superiors. Elrod says now that “he didn’t want to go on record as the chief law enforcement officer of Cook County as approving” such a portrayal.
County Board President George Dunne says he wasn’t consulted directly on the filming, but he supported it because his son Murphy was the Blues Brothers’ keyboardist.
Whatever the case, by Labor Day weekend, the crew had free rein — to a degree city officials said would not be possible today because of increased activity in the Loop as well as liability and security concerns after 9/11.
To knock down the glass walls at the Daley Center, glaziers replaced two 9-foot by 9-foot panels with breakaway glass. After the stunt, Glaziers replaced the windows at 4 a.m. the following Tuesday because they refused to work on Labor Day.
But the Bluesmobile was driven so fast that the heat from the tires damaged the finish of 35 granite pavers and a bronze air grille. Repairs cost $7,650.
Movie crews also removed the three revolving glass doors from the eastern entrance of the County Building. They plugged up two with fake stone and installed brass breakaway doors in the middle. In the movie, hundreds of police and Army troops use axes to break down those doors after the Blues Brothers have gone inside.
Belushi gets hurt
Aykroyd remembers a “day of intense concentration” while working with so many extras — more than 500, including 200 real soldiers. Belushi hurt his back pushing a cigarette machine and a bench in front of the fake doors, recalled his widow, Judy Belushi Pisano.
Crews filmed in the lobby of the building, as Jake and Elwood race inside and are pursued by scores of police. The rest of the interior — including the stairwell going up, the elevator and the Cook County assessor’s office on the 11th floor — was re-created on a set. The re-creation was so exact that even stair railings from different periods were faithfully copied. Early 1900s ornamental iron shows up in the set’s first-floor staircase. But when police arrive on the upper floors, the railings change to resemble those installed in the building around 1970.
“It’s amazing that they’d go to this degree of detail,” said Tim Samuelson, the city’s cultural historian.
Contributing: Abdon Pallasch


chicagosun-times--2020-06-24--Posh Chez Paul restaurant served up memorable scene in ‘The Blues Brothers’

Chez Paul was once considered one of the most romantic restaurants in the city .
In “ The Blues Brothers , ” Jake Blues — played by John Belushi — shattered that image when he faked a French accent and asked the gentleman at the next table to sell him his wife and daughters .
Today , its dining room serves as a conference room for the great minds who determine what will be in the Encyclopaedia Britannica .
Britannica is now owned by Bocar Investment Management , a Chicago trading firm that bought the building in 1994 .
Chez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there isn ’ t even a sign on the building at Rush and Erie .
There is a dry-erase board on one wall in the main dining room and a large wooden conference table in the middle .
Bocar CEO Don Yannias said the building needed lots of repair after years as a high-traffic eatery .
“ It was a candle-lit , white-tablecloth restaurant , ” he said .
“ When you turned up the lights and took out the white tableclothes , things started looking not so nice.
” The 130-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Hall McCormick while he served as U.S. ambassador to Italy .
Chez Paul moved to the building in 1964 after 20 years on Delaware .
But the original owner ’ s son , Bill Contos , died in 1993 , and it never recovered .
“ I don ’ t think I want to throw away a hundred bucks in a restaurant that appears to be fine dining in name only , ” Sun-Times food critic Pat Bruno wrote in a 1994 review in which he labeled the food “ dull.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bluesmobile doing a U-turn , then a fishtail into a parking space in front .
The dining room — where actor Paul Reubens of Pee-wee Herman fame waited on the Blues Brothers — and its French doors and marble pillars were re-created on a set .

Editor’s note: The story was originally published on June 24, 2005, as part of a weeklong series to commemorate the 25th anniversary of “The Blues Brothers.” The Sun-Times is republishing the stories to mark the 40th anniversary of the movie in 2020.
Chez Paul was once considered one of the most romantic restaurants in the city.
In “The Blues Brothers,” Jake Blues — played by John Belushi — shattered that image when he faked a French accent and asked the gentleman at the next table to sell him his wife and daughters.
Today, its dining room serves as a conference room for the great minds who determine what will be in the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Britannica is now owned by Bocar Investment Management, a Chicago trading firm that bought the building in 1994. Chez Paul was forced to close.
Now, there isn’t even a sign on the building at Rush and Erie. There is a dry-erase board on one wall in the main dining room and a large wooden conference table in the middle. Bocar CEO Don Yannias said the building needed lots of repair after years as a high-traffic eatery.
“It was a candle-lit, white-tablecloth restaurant,” he said. “When you turned up the lights and took out the white tableclothes, things started looking not so nice.”
Food called ‘dull’
The 130-year-old mansion was originally the private residence of Robert Hall McCormick while he served as U.S. ambassador to Italy. Chez Paul moved to the building in 1964 after 20 years on Delaware. But the original owner’s son, Bill Contos, died in 1993, and it never recovered.
“I don’t think I want to throw away a hundred bucks in a restaurant that appears to be fine dining in name only,” Sun-Times food critic Pat Bruno wrote in a 1994 review in which he labeled the food “dull.”
Moviemakers filmed outside the restaurant, showing the Bluesmobile doing a U-turn, then a fishtail into a parking space in front. The dining room — where actor Paul Reubens of Pee-wee Herman fame waited on the Blues Brothers — and its French doors and marble pillars were re-created on a set.


chicagosun-times--2020-06-24--Dear Abby: Friend doesn’t want me getting involved with her former fling

DEAR ABBY : My friend “ Lauren ” and her husband separated for a few months last summer .
During the separation , she had a short fling with my friend “ Zack , ” whom she met at my house .
Lauren decided to continue her marriage and , obviously , chose to stop seeing Zack .
A few months ago , Zack came to a party I threw .
Lauren wasn ’ t able to make it .
Everyone had a few margaritas , and as the night ended , I found myself having sex with Zack for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 or so years ago .
It was so great , and we decided to do it again .
I wasn ’ t sure I should tell Lauren , even though she ’ s a married woman , because I was afraid it might upset her .
A week ago , Zack confessed that he may be in love with me , and I feel the same way toward him .
I decided to go ahead and tell Lauren , since my relationship with Zack is getting serious .
She reacted terribly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ betraying ” her and trying to “ one-up ” her .
She said I should have known how she felt about him and that I ’ m a terrible friend for having sex with him , let alone falling in love .
Abby , are her feelings justified ?
Am I in the wrong ?
Or are we all still adults ?
— ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE DEAR ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE : Lauren ’ s feelings justified ?
Heck , no !
If you and Lauren are still speaking , “ remind ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her husband , she relinquished all claims on the man she slept with in the interim .
He ’ s entitled to a life and so are you .
If I were you , I ’ d distance myself from this woman .
She shouldn ’ t begrudge you for enjoying someone she can ’ t enjoy herself .
Shame on her .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ m a student at an art school , and I ’ m struggling with anxiety and depression .
I have been on lockdown in my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolated from my friends and unable to socialize with others .
Sometimes when I watch the news I become very anxious , and I wonder if there ’ s a light at the end of these dark times .
What should I do ?
— ANXIETY-RIDDEN IN ATLANTA DEAR ANXIETY-RIDDEN : Welcome to the club !
If you think you have been alone in experiencing these emotions , you couldn ’ t be more wrong .
Many people feel just the way you do — anxious , isolated and depressed .
You can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the house and exercising — alone or with friends or neighbors — while staying a social distance apart , and keeping in touch with friends and classmates using your computer and cellphone .
There ’ s no reason you couldn ’ t collaborate with some of them on an art project and create something spectacular using those devices .
Remind yourself that this quarantine is temporary .
It isn ’ t going to last forever .
Unless you have an underlying health condition or someone in your household does , you can mingle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping your distance .
From what I have been observing , some relationships have been strengthened as people reach out to comfort and help each other .
A surefire way to overcome the blues is to start thinking about what you can do for someone else , even if it ’ s just a phone call to say , “ I ’ m thinking about you .
How are you doing ?
” Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My friend “Lauren” and her husband separated for a few months last summer. During the separation, she had a short fling with my friend “Zack,” whom she met at my house. Lauren decided to continue her marriage and, obviously, chose to stop seeing Zack.
A few months ago, Zack came to a party I threw. Lauren wasn’t able to make it. Everyone had a few margaritas, and as the night ended, I found myself having sex with Zack for the first time since our friendship began 10 or so years ago. It was so great, and we decided to do it again. I wasn’t sure I should tell Lauren, even though she’s a married woman, because I was afraid it might upset her.
A week ago, Zack confessed that he may be in love with me, and I feel the same way toward him. I decided to go ahead and tell Lauren, since my relationship with Zack is getting serious. She reacted terribly. She was furious and accused me of “betraying” her and trying to “one-up” her. She said I should have known how she felt about him and that I’m a terrible friend for having sex with him, let alone falling in love.
Abby, are her feelings justified? Am I in the wrong? Or are we all still adults? — ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE
DEAR ACCIDENTALLY IN LOVE: Lauren’s feelings justified? Heck, no! If you and Lauren are still speaking, “remind” her that when she went back to her husband, she relinquished all claims on the man she slept with in the interim. He’s entitled to a life and so are you. If I were you, I’d distance myself from this woman. She shouldn’t begrudge you for enjoying someone she can’t enjoy herself. Shame on her.
DEAR ABBY: I’m a student at an art school, and I’m struggling with anxiety and depression. I have been on lockdown in my hometown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, isolated from my friends and unable to socialize with others. Sometimes when I watch the news I become very anxious, and I wonder if there’s a light at the end of these dark times. What should I do? — ANXIETY-RIDDEN IN ATLANTA
DEAR ANXIETY-RIDDEN: Welcome to the club! If you think you have been alone in experiencing these emotions, you couldn’t be more wrong. Many people feel just the way you do — anxious, isolated and depressed.
You can manage negative emotions by getting out of the house and exercising — alone or with friends or neighbors — while staying a social distance apart, and keeping in touch with friends and classmates using your computer and cellphone. There’s no reason you couldn’t collaborate with some of them on an art project and create something spectacular using those devices.
Remind yourself that this quarantine is temporary. It isn’t going to last forever. Unless you have an underlying health condition or someone in your household does, you can mingle with others wearing a face covering and keeping your distance. From what I have been observing, some relationships have been strengthened as people reach out to comfort and help each other. A surefire way to overcome the blues is to start thinking about what you can do for someone else, even if it’s just a phone call to say, “I’m thinking about you. How are you doing?”
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-06-24--Former Kennedy King College student, 22, missing from Brainerd

A 22-year-old former Kennedy King College student has been reported missing from Brainerd on the South Side .
Mariah Morgan @ @ @ @ @ 9200 block of South Aberdeen Street , according to a missing persons alert from Chicago @ @ @ @ @ , 130 pounds , with brown eyes , black hair and a medium-brown complexion , @ @ @ @ @ information is asked to contact Area Two detectives at 312-747-8274 .

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.