chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--Suit accuses Redfin of systematic racial discrimination in Chicago, elsewhere

Fair housing organizations have accused Redfin of systematic racial discrimination in Chicago and other cities , saying the online real estate broker offers fewer services to homebuyers and sellers in minority communities .
They say in a federal lawsuit filed in Seattle that that ’ s a type of digital redlining that has depressed home values and worsened the historic injustice in the housing market .
The organizations said in the lawsuit that , during a two-year investigation , they documented the effect of Redfin ’ s “ minimum price policy , ” which requires homes to be listed for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Redfin ’ s services .
The company was vastly less likely to offer realtor services , professional photos , virtual tours , online promotion or commission rebates for homes listed in overwhelmingly minority neighborhoods than it was in overwhelmingly white ones , they said their investigation found .
That meant homes in minority neighborhoods were likely to stay on the market longer and sell for lower prices than they otherwise might have , the lawsuit said .
“ Redfin ’ s policies and practices operate as a discriminatory stranglehold on communities of color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been battered by a century of residential segregation , systemic racism , and disinvestment , ” the lawsuit said .
Mortgage lenders and brokers long discriminated by drawing lines on maps — known as redlining — and refusing to provide services for homes outside of white areas .
Though outlawed decades ago , the practice has had lasting consequences , perpetuating poverty and restricting access to good schools , health care and other amenities .
Redfin , based in Seattle , was launched in 2006 and has grown to offer residential real estate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services in more than 90 markets in the United States and Canada .
Glenn Kelman , the company ’ s chief executive officer , responded to the suit by saying the company has not violated the federal Fair Housing Act , “ which clearly supports a business ’ s decisions to set the customers and areas it serves based on legitimate business reasons such as price.
” He also said : “ Our long-term commitment is to serve every person seeking a home , in every community , profitably .
The challenge is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to sell the lowest-priced homes while paying our agents and other staff a living wage , with health insurance and other benefits .
This is why Redfin agents aren ’ t always in low-priced neighborhoods.
” Redfin previously has said it is devoted to eradicating systematic discrimination in the industry and that enabling people of color to find listings online — rather than relying on an agent to show them what homes are available — could help end segregation .
Two years ago , Kelman hosted a symposium on racial prejudice in real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarding realtors ’ commissions based on customer satisfaction , rather than sale price , to promote the sale of less expensive homes but said it found it difficult to recruit agents .
But Redfin ’ s minimum-price and other policies have had the opposite effect , according to the National Fair Housing Alliance , a Washington , D.C.-based not-for-profit dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination , and nine of its member organizations .
With financial support from U.S. Housing and Urban Development , they studied the policy ’ s effect in Chicago , Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Baltimore , Philadelphia , Long Island , New York , Louisville , Kentucky and Newark , New Jersey .
Under the minimum-price policy , Redfin doesn ’ t offer its full services unless homes are listed for certain prices , which vary by market .
When potential buyers click on homes that fall below those minimums , they receive a message saying , “ Redfin is currently unable to show this property.
” For instance , in Chicago last June , the company didn ’ t offer services unless homes were listed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit said .
In adjacent , predominantly white DuPage County , though , the minimum price was $ 275,000 .
Because Redfin charges a minimum commission regardless of sale price , the practice can ’ t be justified by business motives , the lawsuit said .
It also said Redfin sometimes failed to provide services even when a home ’ s price topped the minimum .
That was much more common in predominantly minority neighborhoods , including Chicago ’ s South Side , the organizations said .
Using Census Bureau data to compare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % white with those that are at least 70 % minority , the organizations compared listings for which Redfin offered its “ best available service ” with those for which it offered no service on multiple dates over two years .
On June 12 , 218 homes were posted on Redfin in non-white neighborhoods in the Kansas City area .
Sixteen had Redfin ’ s best service , and 127 were offered no service .
There were 4,550 homes in predominantly white Kansas City neighborhoods .
More than half received the best available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no service , the lawsuit said .
Similar disparities were found in other cities , it said .

Fair housing organizations have accused Redfin of systematic racial discrimination in Chicago and other cities, saying the online real estate broker offers fewer services to homebuyers and sellers in minority communities.
They say in a federal lawsuit filed in Seattle that that’s a type of digital redlining that has depressed home values and worsened the historic injustice in the housing market.
The organizations said in the lawsuit that, during a two-year investigation, they documented the effect of Redfin’s “minimum price policy,” which requires homes to be listed for certain prices to reap the benefits of Redfin’s services. The company was vastly less likely to offer realtor services, professional photos, virtual tours, online promotion or commission rebates for homes listed in overwhelmingly minority neighborhoods than it was in overwhelmingly white ones, they said their investigation found.
That meant homes in minority neighborhoods were likely to stay on the market longer and sell for lower prices than they otherwise might have, the lawsuit said.
“Redfin’s policies and practices operate as a discriminatory stranglehold on communities of color, often the very communities that have been battered by a century of residential segregation, systemic racism, and disinvestment,” the lawsuit said.
Mortgage lenders and brokers long discriminated by drawing lines on maps — known as redlining — and refusing to provide services for homes outside of white areas. Though outlawed decades ago, the practice has had lasting consequences, perpetuating poverty and restricting access to good schools, health care and other amenities.
Redfin, based in Seattle, was launched in 2006 and has grown to offer residential real estate brokering, mortgage, title and other services in more than 90 markets in the United States and Canada.
Glenn Kelman, the company’s chief executive officer, responded to the suit by saying the company has not violated the federal Fair Housing Act, “which clearly supports a business’s decisions to set the customers and areas it serves based on legitimate business reasons such as price.”
He also said: “Our long-term commitment is to serve every person seeking a home, in every community, profitably. The challenge is that we don’t know how to sell the lowest-priced homes while paying our agents and other staff a living wage, with health insurance and other benefits. This is why Redfin agents aren’t always in low-priced neighborhoods.”
Redfin previously has said it is devoted to eradicating systematic discrimination in the industry and that enabling people of color to find listings online — rather than relying on an agent to show them what homes are available — could help end segregation. Two years ago, Kelman hosted a symposium on racial prejudice in real estate.
The company once experimented with awarding realtors’ commissions based on customer satisfaction, rather than sale price, to promote the sale of less expensive homes but said it found it difficult to recruit agents.
But Redfin’s minimum-price and other policies have had the opposite effect, according to the National Fair Housing Alliance, a Washington, D.C.-based not-for-profit dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, and nine of its member organizations. With financial support from U.S. Housing and Urban Development, they studied the policy’s effect in Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Kansas City, Memphis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Long Island, New York, Louisville, Kentucky and Newark, New Jersey.
Under the minimum-price policy, Redfin doesn’t offer its full services unless homes are listed for certain prices, which vary by market. When potential buyers click on homes that fall below those minimums, they receive a message saying, “Redfin is currently unable to show this property.”
For instance, in Chicago last June, the company didn’t offer services unless homes were listed for at least $400,000, the lawsuit said. In adjacent, predominantly white DuPage County, though, the minimum price was $275,000.
Because Redfin charges a minimum commission regardless of sale price, the practice can’t be justified by business motives, the lawsuit said.
It also said Redfin sometimes failed to provide services even when a home’s price topped the minimum. That was much more common in predominantly minority neighborhoods, including Chicago’s South Side, the organizations said.
Lisa Rice, president and CEO of the National Fair Housing Alliance, which studied Redfin and is suing the company: “We have had decades and decades and decades of discriminatory practices in the real estate field.” Patrick Semansky / AP
Using Census Bureau data to compare ZIP codes that are at least 70% white with those that are at least 70% minority, the organizations compared listings for which Redfin offered its “best available service” with those for which it offered no service on multiple dates over two years.
On June 12, 218 homes were posted on Redfin in non-white neighborhoods in the Kansas City area. Sixteen had Redfin’s best service, and 127 were offered no service.
There were 4,550 homes in predominantly white Kansas City neighborhoods. More than half received the best available service, and only 14% had no service, the lawsuit said.
Similar disparities were found in other cities, it said.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--For Chicago’s naturalized citizens, a chance to vote for president for the first time

A year after Miguel Perez Jr. fought his deportation and was able to become a U.S. citizen , he ’ s among the newly naturalized citizens in Chicago who are casting their votes for president for the first time this year .
“ I know most generations say the same thing about their election , ‘ Oh , back in the day , that was the election of the century , ’ ” Perez says .
“ This one is very crucial to the times we are living in not only the pandemic but everything .
We really need change.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the primary in March , but this will be his first time voting in a general election for president .
He is one of more than 23 million U.S. immigrants nationwide eligible to vote in the 2020 presidential election , according to the Pew Research Center .
Voter participation among immigrant voters is lower than U.S.-born voters , but naturalized citizens in the Latino community have a higher rate of voter participation than Latinos born in the United States , according to Pew .
Advocates had worried about the backlog in citizenship cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be processed in time for Election Day .
Across the country , more than 700,000 people had pending naturalization cases as of March 31 , according to the most recent data available from U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services .
In Chicago , those delays meant 21,977 people had pending naturalization applications .
Perez , who as part of the U.S. Army served in Afghanistan , was deported to Mexico in 2018 after he was convicted of a drug offense .
But Gov .
J.B. Pritkzer pardoned him last year , opening the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States to reopen his citizenship case .
As a result of that spotlight , he was invited by U.S. Rep. Jesús “ Chuy ” García , D-Illinois , to attend President Donald Trump ’ s State of the Union address earlier this year , and he has visited Washington to speak with lawmakers about deported U.S. veterans .
“ I also feel the frustration , ” Perez says of his experience in Washington .
“ I see how [ Democrats ] battle with the administration.
” He says he was passionate about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since he ’ s been back in the United States , Perez says he has continued to advocate for deported veterans by writing letters and calling lawmakers .
Rissi Pacheco is also among those in Chicago who are voting for president for the first time .
Months after becoming a naturalized citizen , she recently deposited her early ballot at a secure dropoff location .
Pacheco , 30 , who was born in Belize , worried about having to wait in a line if she voted in person and also didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off from work to vote .
So she filled out her ballot at home , after researching the names she wasn ’ t familiar .
“ It felt amazing to be able to impact what our government is going to look like and how that is going to affect my community and the communities around me , ” Pacheco says .
“ I ’ m very proud.
” Since she became eligible to vote , Pacheco says she shared information on social media and encouraged friends and relatives to vote , too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Election Day and hopes the country can focus more on helping to ensure equality and justice for all .
Now that she is a citizen , Pacheco says it ’ s as if her soul is at rest .
“ I definitely feel more confident in speaking to people , ” she says .
“ I feel at peace , finally .
”

A year after Miguel Perez Jr. fought his deportation and was able to become a U.S. citizen, he’s among the newly naturalized citizens in Chicago who are casting their votes for president for the first time this year.
“I know most generations say the same thing about their election, ‘Oh, back in the day, that was the election of the century,’ ” Perez says. “This one is very crucial to the times we are living — in not only the pandemic, but everything. We really need change.”
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Perez, 42, voted in the primary in March, but this will be his first time voting in a general election for president.
He is one of more than 23 million U.S. immigrants nationwide eligible to vote in the 2020 presidential election, according to the Pew Research Center. Voter participation among immigrant voters is lower than U.S.-born voters, but naturalized citizens in the Latino community have a higher rate of voter participation than Latinos born in the United States, according to Pew.
Miguel Perez, 42, is voting for president for the first time this year — one of more than 23 million U.S. immigrants eligible to do so this year.. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
Advocates had worried about the backlog in citizenship cases that likely mean some cases would not be processed in time for Election Day. Across the country, more than 700,000 people had pending naturalization cases as of March 31, according to the most recent data available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In Chicago, those delays meant 21,977 people had pending naturalization applications.
Perez joined the U.S. Army and served in Afghanistan before he was deported to Mexico in 2018 after being convicted of a drug offense. Gov. J.B. Pritzker pardoned him last year, opening the door for him to return to the United States to reopen his citizenship case.
As a result of that spotlight, he was invited by U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, D-Ill., to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address earlier this year, and he has visited Washington to speak with lawmakers about deported U.S. veterans.
U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Sun-Times file
“I also feel the frustration,” Perez says of his experience in Washington. “I see how [Democrats] battle with the administration.”
He says he was passionate about helping vote Trump out of office. Since he’s been back in the United States, Perez says he has continued to advocate for deported veterans by writing letters and calling lawmakers.
Rissi Pacheco is also among those in Chicago who are voting for president for the first time. Months after becoming a naturalized citizen, she recently deposited her early ballot at a secure dropoff location. Pacheco, 30, who was born in Belize, worried about having to wait in a line if she voted in person and also didn’t want to have to take a day off from work to vote.
So she filled out her ballot at home, after researching the names she wasn’t familiar.
“It felt amazing to be able to impact what our government is going to look like and how that is going to affect my community and the communities around me,” Pacheco says. “I’m very proud.”
Since she became eligible to vote, Pacheco says she shared information on social media and encouraged friends and relatives to vote, too. She’s nervous about the outcome on Election Day and hopes the country can focus more on helping to ensure equality and justice for all.
Now that she is a citizen, Pacheco says it’s as if her soul is at rest.
“I definitely feel more confident in speaking to people,” she says. “I feel at peace, finally.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--A faithful caretaker of the ‘faithful departed,’ Plainfield woman’s acts show she will never forget

A faithful caretaker of the ‘faithful departed,’ Plainfield woman’s acts show she will never forget them

A faithful caretaker of the ‘ faithful departed , ’ Plainfield woman ’ s acts show she will never forget them Share All sharing options for : A faithful caretaker of the ‘ faithful departed , ’ Plainfield woman ’ s acts show she will never forget them Eternal rest grant unto them , O Lord , and let perpetual light shine upon them .
May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed , through the mercy of God , rest in peace .
Amen .
— Traditional Catholic prayer Jimmy Carter was president when Sandra Bartusiak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her lost loved ones in 1977 .
For each ad , the 79-year-old Plainfield resident composes a short , poetic tribute , often ending with a simple “ Love , Sandy.
” The poems convey loss , longing and a devout belief she will one day be reunited with those the Catholic church calls “ the faithful departed.
” If there were a faithful–still–present group , Bartusiak would very much be a member .
She doesn ’ t use a computer , so she types her tributes and calls them in to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send them to the Chicago Daily News until it folded in 1978 , then she placed them in the Chicago Sun-Times .
No cheek to kiss , no hand to touch .
It is 37 yrs now , Mama .
I miss and love you so much .
Love , Sandy For 43 years now , Bartusiak has been placing these “ in memoriam ” ads .
She also remembers and pays tribute by tending the graves of multiple relatives she loved — still loves — very much .
In good weather , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other week .
“ Just because they ’ re not here , they ’ re still in my heart , ” she says .
“ This is my old-fashioned way of being close to them.
” Always my Daddy & now my angel too .
For 35 yrs .
I ’ ve been without you .
Love , Sandy Some people visit the cemetery on holidays or a birthday or a death anniversary .
Some go to mark All Souls Day each Nov. 2 or for Día de los Muertos , the remembrance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ’ s All Saints Day .
Others avoid cemeteries as much as they can , finding them places of unbearable sadness .
“ They don ’ t feel well when they come here , ” Bartusiak says .
“ Me , I ’ m very much at peace.
” She has been taking care of her husband ’ s and her father ’ s graves since 1976 , her mom ’ s since 1979 and her boyfriend ’ s since 2010 .
A native of Back of the Yards on the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ High School .
She met Ray Bartusiak at a church social at St. Sabina ’ s Church , 1210 W. 78th Pl .
“ He was very fun-loving , very outgoing , ” she says .
“ He got along with everybody .
They called him ‘ Smiley.
’ He was always laughing.
” They got married in 1962 and raised their kids , Darlene and Ken , in Gage Park .
Ray was a volunteer basketball coach at St. Mary ’ s Byzantine Church near 49th and Seeley and worked for National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was at Sunday Mass when he had a fatal heart attack in 1976 .
He was just 36 .
“ He had a very , very long wake and funeral , ” Bartusiak says .
“ You would have thought a dignitary died.
” A year after he died , she bought a small newspaper ad to honor his memory .
Dear Ray , it ’ s hard to say goodbye , even though one year has passed by .
I still love and miss you , too , not really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reunited with you .
Your loving wife , Sandy and Children , Darlene and Kenny Darlene was 13 .
Ken was 8 .
Sandy raised her children with the help of her parents , Anne and John Budka , and in-laws Bernice and Stanley Bartusiak .
And she kept writing tributes for Ray .
Four years ago , today , you went to church to pray , but God must have wanted you to stay , for he took you home with him a lot sooner than anyone expected .
Leaving your family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a time and there will be a day when the Three of us will say , Hello Daddy , Hello Ray .
After his death , she had to change shifts at her job at Heinemann ’ s Bakery to make sure she could be with her kids when her mom wasn ’ t watching them .
“ I was the only woman [ working ] with the men , and some of the guys didn ’ t like it , ” she says .
“ But I had to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was all over the bakery.
” The decades rolled by .
And she kept composing her tribute memorial ads for her husband : • 35 years we ’ ve been apart ; that ’ s how many , but I always see you in Darlene and Kenny .
Love–Sandy • 36 yrs is a short span of life , but 39 yrs later I still thank God for having been your wife .
Love , Sandy • 44 yrs ago , you left me being wife & mom of 2 .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
I love you even more .
Sandy After Ray died , she met Norb Mikolajczyk .
She was shopping for a TV , and he noticed the salesman pressuring her .
He made a joke .
She turned to him and asked a Chicago kind of question : “ I says , ‘ Do you go polka dancing ?
’ And he says , ‘ No , but my mom does.
’ ’ ’ A week later , they ran into each other at Dominick ’ s , and he asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was talking about her late husband when he stopped the car : “ He pulled the car over and he said , ‘ Lefty.
’ ’ ’ It was her husband ’ s nickname .
“ I used to work with him , ” he said .
It turned out both men had once been employed by National Tea .
“ It was like meant to be , ” Bartusiak says .
They traveled together — and polka danced — for 24 years until his death in 2010 .
Oh , what a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; to be continued when I get there .
Love Always , Forever and A Day Twenty-three years ago , her liver began to fail for unknown reasons .
“ I went into a coma on Thursday .
I got my [ new ] liver on Friday , ” she says .
“ It was a miracle.
” She wishes she could have thanked the family of the donor , a man in his 20s who died in a car accident .
She wrote three or four letters to a transplant intermediary but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wished it , ” she says .
“ But they say everybody heals at a different pace .
“ I keep in touch with the doctor who did it .
I send him a thank-you card every year.
” Sandy Bartusiak remains a busy woman who ’ d rather go for a walk than while away her days on the phone .
“ I was not a stay-at-home person , ” she says .
Before the pandemic , she volunteered at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet .
She still likes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to the cemetery .
At St. Mary ’ s Cemetery in Evergreen Park one day a couple of weeks ago , she carefully edged the area around the headstones of her parents , her husband , his parents and his sister Sally Ann .
Hi Daddy , it is now 43 yrs .
since you went away .
Love doesn ’ t stop , it just grows stronger every day .
Sandy Mama , you were mine for 38 yrs .
God has you now for 41 .
I ’ ll see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Love , Sandy Her headstone is next to Ray ’ s .
“ I even take care of my own grave , ” she says .
“ I ’ ve got the edger .
I ’ ve got the battery-operated grass clippers , and then I sweep , ” she says .
Sometimes , she brings a hose , connects it to a spigot and drags it over to the graves to rinse off the headstones .
She puts wooden crosses on the graves and , when the weather turns cold , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m back with the crosses , ” she says .
She visits Resurrection Cemetery in Justice to tend the grave of Mikolajczyk .
“ My boyfriend , he loved his Miller Lite beer , ” she says .
“ I leave a can on his grave.
” Over the years , she has placed ads for him , too : • It ’ s now 5 yrs since our last dance .
Changes come and I make do , waiting for my next dance with you .
Love , Sandy • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ ve been on vacation and dancing and not to forget all of the romancing .
• 9 yrs .
have come and gone .
Just wait for me and you will see us polka dancing thru eternity .
“ He was divorced , ” she says .
“ And when his [ former ] wife passed away , I also take care of her grave , too.
” She looks forward to one day again seeing Ray and Norb , the two loves of her life .
In heaven , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowd .
“ They knew one another once .
We ’ ll all be dancing together .
We ’ ll be taking turns .
”

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. — Traditional Catholic prayer
J
immy Carter was president when Sandra Bartusiak started placing newspaper ads in memory of her lost loved ones in 1977.
For each ad, the 79-year-old Plainfield resident composes a short, poetic tribute, often ending with a simple “Love, Sandy.” The poems convey loss, longing and a devout belief she will one day be reunited with those the Catholic church calls “the faithful departed.”
If there were a faithful–still–present group, Bartusiak would very much be a member.
She doesn’t use a computer, so she types her tributes and calls them in to the classified advertising department. She used to send them to the Chicago Daily News until it folded in 1978, then she placed them in the Chicago Sun-Times.
No cheek to kiss, no hand to touch. It is 37 yrs now, Mama. I miss and love you so much. Love, Sandy
For 43 years now, Bartusiak has been placing these “in memoriam” ads.
She also remembers and pays tribute by tending the graves of multiple relatives she loved — still loves — very much. In good weather, she’s at the cemetery every other week.
“Just because they’re not here, they’re still in my heart,” she says. “This is my old-fashioned way of being close to them.”
Always my Daddy & now my angel too. For 35 yrs. I’ve been without you. Love, Sandy
Some people visit the cemetery on holidays or a birthday or a death anniversary. Some go to mark All Souls Day each Nov. 2 or for Día de los Muertos, the remembrance that encompasses All Souls Day and Nov. 1’s All Saints Day.
Others avoid cemeteries as much as they can, finding them places of unbearable sadness.
“They don’t feel well when they come here,” Bartusiak says. “Me, I’m very much at peace.”
She has been taking care of her husband’s and her father’s graves since 1976, her mom’s since 1979 and her boyfriend’s since 2010.
Sandra Bartusiak walks to her parents’ graves at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park. The Plainfield woman faithfully tends their graves and those of her husband and in-laws. Pat Nabong / Sun-Times
A native of Back of the Yards on the South Side, she went to Gage Park High School. She met Ray Bartusiak at a church social at St. Sabina’s Church, 1210 W. 78th Pl.
“He was very fun-loving, very outgoing,” she says. “He got along with everybody. They called him ‘Smiley.’ He was always laughing.”
They got married in 1962 and raised their kids, Darlene and Ken, in Gage Park. Ray was a volunteer basketball coach at St. Mary’s Byzantine Church near 49th and Seeley and worked for National Tea Company and a marble slab business. He was at Sunday Mass when he had a fatal heart attack in 1976. He was just 36.
“He had a very, very long wake and funeral,” Bartusiak says. “You would have thought a dignitary died.”
A year after he died, she bought a small newspaper ad to honor his memory.
Dear Ray, it’s hard to say goodbye, even though one year has passed by. I still love and miss you, too, not really knowing what to do until I am reunited with you. Your loving wife, Sandy and Children, Darlene and Kenny
Darlene was 13. Ken was 8. Sandy raised her children with the help of her parents, Anne and John Budka, and in-laws Bernice and Stanley Bartusiak.
And she kept writing tributes for Ray.
Four years ago, today, you went to church to pray, but God must have wanted you to stay, for he took you home with him a lot sooner than anyone expected. Leaving your family alone and dejected, but there will be a time and there will be a day when the Three of us will say, Hello Daddy, Hello Ray.
After his death, she had to change shifts at her job at Heinemann’s Bakery to make sure she could be with her kids when her mom wasn’t watching them.
“I was the only woman [working] with the men, and some of the guys didn’t like it,” she says. “But I had to do it. I made pies and cookies. I was all over the bakery.”
The decades rolled by. And she kept composing her memorial ads for her husband:
35 years we’ve been apart; that’s how many, but I always see you in Darlene and Kenny. Love–Sandy
36 yrs is a short span of life, but 39 yrs later I still thank God for having been your wife. Love, Sandy
44 yrs ago, you left me being wife & mom of 2. Now a grandma of 4 and great-grandma of 4. I love you even more. Sandy
After Ray died, she met Norb Mikolajczyk. She was shopping for a TV, and he noticed the salesman pressuring her. He made a joke. She turned to him and asked a Chicago kind of question: “I says, ‘Do you go polka dancing?’ And he says, ‘No, but my mom does.’ ’’
A week later, they ran into each other at Dominick’s, and he asked her out.
One day, she was talking about her late husband when he stopped the car: “He pulled the car over and he said, ‘Lefty.’ ’’
It was her husband’s nickname. “I used to work with him,” he said.
It turned out both men had once been employed by National Tea.
“It was like meant to be,” Bartusiak says.
They traveled together — and polka danced — for 24 years until his death in 2010.
Oh, what a life for 24 yrs we did share; to be continued when I get there. Love Always, Forever and A Day
Twenty-three years ago, her liver began to fail for unknown reasons. “I went into a coma on Thursday. I got my [new] liver on Friday,” she says. “It was a miracle.”
She wishes she could have thanked the family of the donor, a man in his 20s who died in a car accident. She wrote three or four letters to a transplant intermediary but never got a response.
“How I wished it,” she says. “But they say everybody heals at a different pace.
A memorial ad Sandy Bartusiak ran July 5, 1982, for her mother, Anne Budka.
“I keep in touch with the doctor who did it. I send him a thank-you card every year.”
Sandy Bartusiak remains a busy woman who’d rather go for a walk than while away her days on the phone. “I was not a stay-at-home person,” she says.
Before the pandemic, she volunteered at St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet. She still likes to polka and go bowling.
And she goes to the cemetery.
At St. Mary’s Cemetery in Evergreen Park one day a couple of weeks ago, she carefully edged the area around the headstones of her parents, her husband, his parents and his sister Sally Ann.
Sandra Bartusiak uses an edger on the grass around the graves of her late husband and in-laws at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park. Pat Nabong / Sun-Times
Hi Daddy, it is now 43 yrs. since you went away. Love doesn’t stop, it just grows stronger every day. Sandy
Mama, you were mine for 38 yrs. God has you now for 41. I’ll see you again when my life is done. Love, Sandy
Her headstone is next to Ray’s. “I even take care of my own grave,” she says.
Sandra Bartusiak already has her headstone in place for the day when it’s needed, right next to her late husband Ray’s. It was engraved “WIFE-MOM,” and then, because she’s a grandmother, “I had NANA put on it,” she says. There wasn’t room to add it, but she’s now also a great-grandmother. Pat Nabong / Sun-Times
“I’ve got the edger. I’ve got the battery-operated grass clippers, and then I sweep,” she says.
Sometimes, she brings a hose, connects it to a spigot and drags it over to the graves to rinse off the headstones.
She puts wooden crosses on the graves and, when the weather turns cold, removes them.
“Come spring, I’m back with the crosses,” she says.
Sandra Bartusiak holds the wooden crosses she removes in the fall from the family graves she tends at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park. Pat Nabong / Sun-Times
She visits Resurrection Cemetery in Justice to tend the grave of Mikolajczyk.
“My boyfriend, he loved his Miller Lite beer,” she says. “I leave a can on his grave.”
Over the years, she has placed ads for him, too:
It’s now 5 yrs since our last dance. Changes come and I make do, waiting for my next dance with you. Love, Sandy
It is now 8 yrs. since we’ve been on vacation and dancing and not to forget all of the romancing.
9 yrs. have come and gone. Just wait for me and you will see us polka dancing thru eternity.
“He was divorced,” she says. “And when his [former] wife passed away, I also take care of her grave, too.”
Sandra Bartusiak sweeps the graves of her late husband and in-laws at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park. Pat Nabong / Sun-Times
She looks forward to one day again seeing Ray and Norb, the two loves of her life. In heaven, she says, three isn’t a crowd.
“They knew one another once. We’ll all be dancing together. We’ll be taking turns.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--Smith & Wesson handgun from one of Chicago’s biggest mass shootings linked to suburban gun shop

This is the story of how a handgun that police recovered after a foot chase was linked to one of the biggest mass shootings in modern Chicago history .
It starts late last year , when people gathered at a house in Englewood to celebrate the life of a slain young man .
Someone started an argument over a woman , and that set off a shootout in the house that spilled outside , police said .
Thirteen people were wounded at the house in the 5700 block of South May Street .
After the Dec. 22 shooting , Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ six of the shootings victims were treated .
She called it a “ terrible tragedy and frankly an incredible act of cowardice ” and said , “ We can ’ t normalize this kind of behavior and tragedy in our city.
” On Dec. 30 , Chicago police officers spotted a man walking on a sidewalk in Englewood with a black pistol grip sticking out of his coat pocket .
The man ran , but the cops caught him after a short foot chase and said they recovered a loaded 9mm Smith & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to probation and 50 hours of community service .
He wasn ’ t charged in connection with the Dec. 22 shooting but was at the scene , according to police records .
He was wounded during the mass shooting .
Even though Irvin wasn ’ t accused of being one of the shooters , the police still wanted to know where he got the gun .
So they worked with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol , Tobacco , Firearms and Explosives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Wesson , as they do with thousands of weapons they recover every year .
They used a federal database called the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to compare markings on bullets test-fired from the Smith & Wesson against millions of images of ballistic evidence from crime scenes across the country .
And that linked the gun to 13 expended bullet cartridges found at the scene of the Englewood mass shooting , authorities say .
According to ATF , the ballistics database has gotten more than 126,000 such “ hits ” across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serial number on the gun was obliterated .
But investigators still were able to recover it .
Criminals often use a grinder to erase the serial number from a gun .
To recover it so the gun can be traced , lab technicians polish the surface and apply a corrosive solution , sometimes containing hydrochloric acid .
That corrodes the area , now highlighting the previously vanished serial numbers because of the way they ’ d been punched into the metal .
Using that unique identifier , ATF officials searched firearms purchase records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackman had bought the gun at Eagle Sports Range in Oak Forest .
Authorities say Blackman went to Eagle Sports Range last July and returned 10 days later to pick up the gun and a box of 9mm bullets .
He doesn ’ t have a criminal background and was authorized to buy the guns as a holder of an Illinois firearm owner ’ s identification card .
Federal agents tracked down Blackman , who lived in Englewood .
They interviewed him last Jan. 28 , and he acknowledged he bought the gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the FOID card needed to purchase one legally , according to an ATF affidavit .
Blackman said he ’ d worked with Irvin at a business in downtown Chicago for about a year and that they became friends , according to the affidavit .
Blackman had worked for Garrett Popcorn , according to a bankruptcy petition he filed last year .
ATF agents got a search warrant for Blackman ’ s phone and found incriminating texts between him and Irvin , according to the affidavit .
Blackman texted Irvin that he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400 , Irvin asked whether the guns were “ good ones , ” and Blackman responded , “ Guns is guns , ” according to the affidavit .
In August , Blackman , 28 , was charged with lying on a federal form when he affirmed that he was the legitimate buyer of the gun .
Now free on bail , he is awaiting trial in U.S. District Court .
Blackman also hasn ’ t been charged in the mass shooting .
The federal court documents in Blackman ’ s case don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wesson at the May Street house or say how many guns were fired .
The shooting happened during a memorial for 22-year-old Lonell Irvin , who the police said was killed when while trying to carjack someone in the Loop in April 2019 .
The driver of a BMW , who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon , shot Irvin in the head , according to the police .
People at the memorial were celebrating Lonell Irvin ’ s birthday , which was the day before the mass shooting .
Keilon Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people at that memorial , according to the police , who said Jones and others at the party were patted down by the organizers of the memorial .
He didn ’ t have a weapon during the pat-down but later got a gun and shot at two people standing near the front door of the apartment , according to the police .
Both people fired back , and Jones ran out the back door and kept shooting , striking someone in the leg , police said .
A police surveillance camera showed Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girlfriend ’ s Mazda , aiming his gun at one of the shooting victims , who fired nine shots at Jones , police said .
“ The whole house is going to be a crime scene , ” one officer said on the police radio .
“ There ’ s blood everywhere.
” The 13 people who were shot ranged in age from 19 to 48 .
Jones , who was treated for a bullet wound , was arrested two weeks later on a charge of attempted murder in connection with the shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the words “ Fear None , ” is awaiting trial in Cook County criminal court .
Court records don ’ t say what kind of gun Jones is accused of using that night .
Marciano White , 37 , was arrested the night of the shooting after he was found outside the Englewood house with a .357-caliber handgun , police said .
He was charged with illegal possession of a handgun but wasn ’ t charged in the shooting .
He ’ s now on home detention on electronic monitoring as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White told officers he found that gun on the stairs in the house and grabbed it “ out of fear of the situation , ” Cook County prosecutors said .
Eagle Sports Range isn ’ t accused of any wrongdoing for selling the Smith & Wesson used in the mass shooting .
But Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin says he ’ s concerned about the store ’ s connection to the straw-purchasing case and that a boy was accidentally shot inside the store last December .
Earlier this month , Suffredin objected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the store , a measure that passed by a vote of 11-5 .
“ Tax incentives are not rights , ” Suffredin says .
“ We should give them to businesses that enhance the community .
I don ’ t see a gun range helping the community.
” In 2012 , a University of Chicago Crime Lab study found that nearly half of the guns recovered by the Chicago police were bought in Cook County .
The study looked at guns recovered within a year of their purchase — those most likely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Few gun stores have been punished for selling to straw purchasers .
Undercover stings largely have been unsuccessful in proving stores intentionally sell to customers who plan to turn over legally purchased guns to criminals .

This is the story of how a handgun that police recovered after a foot chase was linked to one of the biggest mass shootings in modern Chicago history.
It starts late last year, when people gathered at a house in Englewood to celebrate the life of a slain young man. Someone started an argument over a woman, and that set off a shootout in the house that spilled outside, police said.
Thirteen people were wounded at the house in the 5700 block of South May Street.
After the Dec. 22 shooting, Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke at a hospital where six of the shootings victims were treated. She called it a “terrible tragedy and frankly an incredible act of cowardice” and said, “We can’t normalize this kind of behavior and tragedy in our city.”
On Dec. 30, Chicago police officers spotted a man walking on a sidewalk in Englewood with a black pistol grip sticking out of his coat pocket. The man ran, but the cops caught him after a short foot chase and said they recovered a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun.
Kameron Irvin, 21, pleaded guilty to illegal possession of a weapon and was sentenced to probation and 50 hours of community service.
He wasn’t charged in connection with the Dec. 22 shooting but was at the scene, according to police records. He was wounded during the mass shooting.
Kameron Irvin. Chicago police arrest photo
Even though Irvin wasn’t accused of being one of the shooters, the police still wanted to know where he got the gun. So they worked with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to trace the ownership of the Smith & Wesson, as they do with thousands of weapons they recover every year.
They used a federal database called the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network to compare markings on bullets test-fired from the Smith & Wesson against millions of images of ballistic evidence from crime scenes across the country.
And that linked the gun to 13 expended bullet cartridges found at the scene of the Englewood mass shooting, authorities say.
According to ATF, the ballistics database has gotten more than 126,000 such “hits” across the country during its 23-year history.
A Smith & Wesson 9mm SD9VE handgun like the one used in the Dec. 22 shooting. This weapon was recovered by police in Connecticut in 2015. Hartford, Connecticut, police department
The serial number on the gun was obliterated. But investigators still were able to recover it.
Criminals often use a grinder to erase the serial number from a gun. To recover it so the gun can be traced, lab technicians polish the surface and apply a corrosive solution, sometimes containing hydrochloric acid. That corrodes the area, now highlighting the previously vanished serial numbers because of the way they’d been punched into the metal.
Using that unique identifier, ATF officials searched firearms purchase records and found that a man named Eric Blackman had bought the gun at Eagle Sports Range in Oak Forest.
Authorities say Blackman went to Eagle Sports Range last July and returned 10 days later to pick up the gun and a box of 9mm bullets. He doesn’t have a criminal background and was authorized to buy the guns as a holder of an Illinois firearm owner’s identification card.
Federal agents tracked down Blackman, who lived in Englewood. They interviewed him last Jan. 28, and he acknowledged he bought the gun for Irvin because Irvin didn’t have the FOID card needed to purchase one legally, according to an ATF affidavit.
Blackman said he’d worked with Irvin at a business in downtown Chicago for about a year and that they became friends, according to the affidavit. Blackman had worked for Garrett Popcorn, according to a bankruptcy petition he filed last year.
Thirteen people were shot at this home in the 5700 block of South May Street in Englewood on Dec. 22, 2019. Sun-Times file
ATF agents got a search warrant for Blackman’s phone and found incriminating texts between him and Irvin, according to the affidavit. Blackman texted Irvin that he’d sell him the gun for $400, Irvin asked whether the guns were “good ones,” and Blackman responded, “Guns is guns,” according to the affidavit.
In August, Blackman, 28, was charged with lying on a federal form when he affirmed that he was the legitimate buyer of the gun. Now free on bail, he is awaiting trial in U.S. District Court.
Blackman also hasn’t been charged in the mass shooting.
The federal court documents in Blackman’s case don’t identify who fired the Smith & Wesson at the May Street house or say how many guns were fired.
Lonell Irvin. Facebook
The shooting happened during a memorial for 22-year-old Lonell Irvin, who the police said was killed when while trying to carjack someone in the Loop in April 2019. The driver of a BMW, who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon, shot Irvin in the head, according to the police.
People at the memorial were celebrating Lonell Irvin’s birthday, which had been the day before the mass shooting.
Keilon Jones, 26, was one of the people at that memorial, according to the police, who said Jones and others at the party were patted down by the organizers of the memorial. He didn’t have a weapon during the pat-down but later got a gun and shot at two people standing near the front door of the apartment, according to the police. Both people fired back, and Jones ran out the back door and kept shooting, striking someone in the leg, police said.
A police surveillance camera showed Jones circle back to the block in his girlfriend’s Mazda, aiming his gun at one of the shooting victims, who fired nine shots at Jones, police said.
“The whole house is going to be a crime scene,” one officer said on the police radio. “There’s blood everywhere.”
The 13 people who were shot ranged in age from 19 to 48.
Jones, who was treated for a bullet wound, was arrested two weeks later on a charge of attempted murder in connection with the shooting. Jones, whose neck is tattooed with the words “Fear None,” is awaiting trial in Cook County criminal court.
Court records don’t say what kind of gun Jones is accused of using that night.
Marciano White, 37, was arrested the night of the shooting after he was found outside the Englewood house with a .357-caliber handgun, police said. He was charged with illegal possession of a handgun but wasn’t charged in the shooting. He’s now on home detention on electronic monitoring as he awaits trial, court records show.
White told officers he found that gun on the stairs in the house and grabbed it “out of fear of the situation,” Cook County prosecutors said.
Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin. Rich Hein / Sun-Times file
Eagle Sports Range isn’t accused of any wrongdoing for selling the Smith & Wesson used in the mass shooting.
But Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin says he’s concerned about the store’s connection to the straw-purchasing case and that a boy was accidentally shot inside the store last December. Earlier this month, Suffredin objected to the county giving a property tax break to the store, a measure that passed by a vote of 11-5.
“Tax incentives are not rights,” Suffredin says. “We should give them to businesses that enhance the community. I don’t see a gun range helping the community.”
Eagle Sports Range didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Eagle Sports Range in Oak Forest. Google Street View
In 2012, a University of Chicago Crime Lab study found that nearly half of the guns recovered by the Chicago police were bought in Cook County. The study looked at guns recovered within a year of their purchase — those most likely to be bought by straw purchasers.
Few gun stores have been punished for selling to straw purchasers. Undercover stings largely have been unsuccessful in proving stores intentionally sell to customers who plan to turn over legally purchased guns to criminals.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--Kim Foxx needs a wave of anti-Donald Trump voters; Pat O’Brien needs Dem alderman’s help

And Pat O ’ Brien is going to need Brendan Reilly .
For the next few days anyway .
That ’ s because Foxx ’ s best shot at re-election as Cook County state ’ s attorney rests on a blue tidal wave of Democrats eager to dump Trump .
And Republican challenger O ’ Brien ’ s best chance to deny Foxx a second term requires him to channel some of that wave in his direction , winning over Democrats — possibly with help from his new ally , Ald .
Reilly ( 42nd ) .
“ All politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker “ Tip ” O ’ Neill famously said .
But history suggests that Cook County voters generally prefer having the same party in the White House and at 26th and California .
Signaling potential trouble for Foxx , though , history also clearly demonstrates Cook County voters have no problem dumping incumbent prosecutors of either party .
Eight of the 12 Cook County state ’ s attorneys who have held office in the last 70 years eventually were beaten in re-election bids — five of them in November elections held in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayors .
During that same period , only four of the city ’ s 10 mayors were rejected by voters .
Working in Foxx ’ s favor — and against O ’ Brien ’ s — every one of those five state ’ s attorneys who lost in November in presidential years belonged to the opposite party of the White House contender who carried Cook County .
In 1972 , Democratic State ’ s Attorney Edward V. Hanrahan lost his re-election bid largely because African American voters were outraged by the 1969 raid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Black Panther Party ’ s West Side headquarters that killed Fred Hampton and Mark Clark .
Cook County went for Republican President Richard M. Nixon over Democrat George McGovern that year , along with 100 of the state ’ s other 101 counties and much of the nation .
Eight years later , Carey lost his bid for a third term , even though fellow Republican Ronald Reagan won the White House .
But Cook County was consistent , voting for Democrats in both races — Richard M. Daley for state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president — one of only three Illinois counties Carter carried .
This year , the shadow of the presidential race is obvious .
While Foxx touts her record on public safety and criminal justice reform , she clearly is pinning her hopes on anti-Trump voters .
Notice how the Democratic prosecutor spends more time trash-talking the guy in the White House than pitching former Vice President Joe Biden .
The challenge for O ’ Brien is to convince enough of those anti-Trump Democrats and independents to channel some of their anger toward Foxx @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strictly following the president ’ s law-and-order strategy .
That could sway some Cook County voters after a summer plagued by televised scenes of looting and a rise in the number of killings .
That ’ s where Reilly comes in .
A Biden delegate and self-described “ proud member of the Democratic Party , ” the 42nd Ward alderman endorsed O ’ Brien this past week , asserting that , under Foxx , the city will see “ lawlessness , more violence , more homicides and more victims.
” O ’ Brien @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voting in 1997 .
Before then , voters could choose all of a party ’ s candidates with a single vote .
Foxx benefits from the county ’ s increasing tilt to the left over the years .
No matter who wins the White House this year , Cook County is expected to come out heavily for Biden .
Four years ago , Democrat Hillary Clinton carried the county , getting 1,158,659 more votes than Trump .
Foxx ’ s winning plurality over Republican Christopher Pfannkuche that year was 265,243 votes fewer than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Brien will need to persuade a lot more voters to split their tickets than Pfannkuche did .
Not many polls have been taken .
One conducted for the Cook County Republican Party on Oct. 18 showed Foxx leading O ’ Brien , 47.1 % to 40.6 % with 9.8 % still undecided .
That ’ s tighter than two previous party polls .
But polls are far from foolproof — in any election .
Or former Republican Cook County State ’ s Attorney Jack O ’ Malley , who enjoyed an overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wound up conceding to Democratic challenger Dick Devine with one of the most memorable opening lines of a concession speech .
O ’ Malley was the last Republican state ’ s attorney , until his defeat nearly a quarter of a century ago , largely because of the Democrats ’ successful “ Punch 10 ” campaign , which led GOP legislators to ban straight-party voting .
The challenge for O ’ Brien is to make history , becoming the first challenger in at least 70 years to beat an incumbent state ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential contender expected to carry the county .
Foxx ’ s challenge is to not become history .

Kim Foxx needs Donald Trump.
And Pat O’Brien is going to need Brendan Reilly.
For the next few days anyway.
That’s because Foxx’s best shot at re-election as Cook County state’s attorney rests on a blue tidal wave of Democrats eager to dump Trump.
And Republican challenger O’Brien’s best chance to deny Foxx a second term requires him to channel some of that wave in his direction, winning over Democrats — possibly with help from his new ally, Ald. Reilly (42nd).
Analysis bug Analysis
“All politics is local,” as the late House Speaker “Tip” O’Neill famously said. But history suggests that Cook County voters generally prefer having the same party in the White House and at 26th and California.
Signaling potential trouble for Foxx, though, history also clearly demonstrates Cook County voters have no problem dumping incumbent prosecutors of either party.
Eight of the 12 Cook County state’s attorneys who have held office in the last 70 years eventually were beaten in re-election bids — five of them in November elections held in presidential years.
Compare that to Chicago mayors. During that same period, only four of the city’s 10 mayors were rejected by voters.
Working in Foxx’s favor — and against O’Brien’s — every one of those five state’s attorneys who lost in November in presidential years belonged to the opposite party of the White House contender who carried Cook County.
In 1972, Democratic State’s Attorney Edward V. Hanrahan lost his re-election bid largely because African American voters were outraged by the 1969 raid state’s attorney police conducted on the Black Panther Party’s West Side headquarters that killed Fred Hampton and Mark Clark.
Cook County went for Republican President Richard M. Nixon over Democrat George McGovern that year, along with 100 of the state’s other 101 counties and much of the nation.
Eight years later, Republican Bernard Carey lost his bid for a third term, even though fellow Republican Ronald Reagan won the White House. But Cook County was consistent, voting for Democrats in both races — Richard M. Daley for state’s attorney and incumbent Jimmy Carter for president — one of only three Illinois counties Carter carried.
Cook County state’s attorneys defeated in the past 70 years. All lost in November during presidential election years unless otherwise noted. Clockwise from top left: Democrat John S. Boyle, 1948-1952 (lost in primary); Democrat John Gutknecht, 1952-1956; Republican Benjamin Adamowski. 1956-1960; Republican Bernard Carey, 1972-1980; Democrat Anita Alvarez, 2008-2016 (lost in primary); Republican Jack O’Malley, 1990-1996; Democrat Cecil A. Partee, 1989-1990 (lost in special election in non-presidential year); Democrat Edward V. Hanrahan, 1968-1972.
This year, the shadow of the presidential race is obvious.
While Foxx touts her record on public safety and criminal justice reform, she clearly is pinning her hopes on anti-Trump voters. Notice how the Democratic prosecutor spends more time trash-talking the guy in the White House than pitching former Vice President Joe Biden.
The challenge for O’Brien is to convince enough of those anti-Trump Democrats and independents to channel some of their anger toward Foxx. The former circuit judge is pretty strictly following the president’s law-and-order strategy. That could sway some Cook County voters after a summer plagued by televised scenes of looting and a rise in the number of killings.
That’s where Reilly comes in. A Biden delegate and self-described “proud member of the Democratic Party,” the 42nd Ward alderman endorsed O’Brien this past week, asserting that, under Foxx, the city will see “lawlessness, more violence, more homicides and more victims.”
O’Brien benefits from the elimination of one-punch straight-party voting in 1997. Before then, voters could choose all of a party’s candidates with a single vote. Foxx benefits from the county’s increasing tilt to the left over the years.
Republican state’s attorney candidate Pat O’Brien (from left), Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx and Libertarian candidate Brian Dennehy. Pat Nabong /Sun-Times file, Facebook.
No matter who wins the White House this year, Cook County is expected to come out heavily for Biden.
Four years ago, Democrat Hillary Clinton carried the county, getting 1,158,659 more votes than Trump. Foxx’s winning plurality over Republican Christopher Pfannkuche that year was 265,243 votes fewer than Clinton’s over Trump.
O’Brien will need to persuade a lot more voters to split their tickets than Pfannkuche did.
Not many polls have been taken. One conducted for the Cook County Republican Party on Oct. 18 showed Foxx leading O’Brien, 47.1% to 40.6% with 9.8% still undecided. That’s tighter than two previous party polls.
But polls are far from foolproof — in any election.
Just ask Hillary Clinton.
Or former Republican Cook County State’s Attorney Jack O’Malley, who enjoyed an overwhelming lead in pre-election polls in 1996 but wound up conceding to Democratic challenger Dick Devine with one of the most memorable opening lines of a concession speech.
“Don’t believe those polls,” O’Malley told stunned supporters.
O’Malley was the last Republican state’s attorney, until his defeat nearly a quarter of a century ago, largely because of the Democrats’ successful “Punch 10” campaign, which led GOP legislators to ban straight-party voting.
The challenge for O’Brien is to make history, becoming the first challenger in at least 70 years to beat an incumbent state’s attorney of the same party as the presidential contender expected to carry the county.
Foxx’s challenge is to not become history.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--A broken heart inspires Paris Jackson’s first solo album

NEW YORK — It started in her bedroom with just a guitar , but Paris Jackson has turned coping with the heartache after a recent breakup into her debut solo album .
Jackson , 22 , has been a devoted music fan all her life and dabbled in making her own , but has been hesitant to call herself a singer-songwriter until now .
“ It ’ s one of the greatest feelings I ’ ve ever experienced , ” Jackson told the Associated Press this week .
She describes her ethereal acoustic sound as alternative folk — a far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Michael Jackson .
Being the daughter of the King of Pop adds an extra layer of scrutiny to the vulnerability required to put personal songs out into the world .
“ I ’ m excited , I ’ m nervous , but I feel confident that the people that are supposed to hear this record are going to hear it .
It ’ s going to reach them .
And with regards to critics and stuff , I don ’ t really think they ’ re going to know how to critique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , Jackson was one half of an acoustic duo , the Soundflowers with boyfriend Gabriel Glenn , until the two split .
She describes nursing a broken heart as a literal “ aching in your chest , ” but Jackson turned her pain into art .
“ You were my all/And now I fall to the ground , ” she sings on her new single “ Let Down , ” which dropped Friday .
The time in her bedroom resulted in 11 songs on the concept album , “ Wilted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out on Nov. 13 .
All the stages of grief are represented in her lyrics : anger , denial , bargaining and acceptance , but the last song , the upbeat “ Another Spring , ” reveals a stronger woman who lets her “ wounds shine through.
” Jackson cites many musical influences including singer-songwriters Damien Rice , Ray LaMontagne and Conor Oberst .
Her eyes light up when she talks about being a “ massive fan ” of the indie rock band Manchester Orchestra .
When she heard that guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record , she was elated .
She flew to Atlanta to work with him and says the band was supportive of her sound .
“ Everyone was just so welcoming and so kind and they held this project to be , like , very sacred .
They understood my emotional connection to it and understood that this is my baby .
They didn ’ t want to do anything that wasn ’ t authentic to who I am and they just took it to the next level , ” Jackson says .
Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ young children from the spotlight .
After Jackson ’ s death in 2009 of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol , Paris and her two brothers — who go by Prince , 23 , and Bigi , 18 — went to live with their grandmother , Katherine Jackson .
Paris moved out at 18 and has been modeling and acting , but always played music .
In June , she and Glenn had a docuseries on Facebook Watch called “ Unfiltered , ” which provided a glimpse into her private life and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson revealed self-harm and suicide attempts in her testimonials , and said music was a way to channel her pain .
There ’ s an upcoming music video to go with the new single “ Let Down , ” a nod to the younger Jackson ’ s love of horror and gore .
The character she plays has her heart literally ripped out of her chest by her lover .
One of the recurring scenes is set in dark woods , reminiscent of elements in her father ’ s famous “ Thriller ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think of her music , Jackson demurs .
“ I don ’ t know .
I ’ m not him , so I can ’ t speak for him .
But I hope he would be happy , and I think he would be stoked because I ’ m happy , ” she said .
The pandemic has sidelined most musical acts and Jackson says she misses hearing her favorite bands live and aspires to play a few shows soon , if anti-COVID-19 measures allow .
She said she hopes the music will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lonely.
” “ I found so much healing through creating this .
And there are moments where I ’ ll listen back to certain songs and I ’ m like , ‘ Wow I was so naïve , ’ ” she said .
“ But for the most part , it ’ s just like so much gratitude and joy that I get from listening to these songs and just seeing the development and the evolution .
”

NEW YORK — It started in her bedroom with just a guitar, but Paris Jackson has turned coping with the heartache after a recent breakup into her debut solo album.
Jackson, 22, has been a devoted music fan all her life and dabbled in making her own, but has been hesitant to call herself a singer-songwriter until now.
“It’s one of the greatest feelings I’ve ever experienced,” Jackson told the Associated Press this week.
She describes her ethereal acoustic sound as alternative folk — a far cry from the genre of her father, Michael Jackson. Being the daughter of the King of Pop adds an extra layer of scrutiny to the vulnerability required to put personal songs out into the world.
“I’m excited, I’m nervous, but I feel confident that the people that are supposed to hear this record are going to hear it. It’s going to reach them. And with regards to critics and stuff, I don’t really think they’re going to know how to critique it,” Jackson says.
Earlier this year, Jackson was one half of an acoustic duo, the Soundflowers with boyfriend Gabriel Glenn, until the two split. She describes nursing a broken heart as a literal “aching in your chest,” but Jackson turned her pain into art. “You were my all/And now I fall to the ground,” she sings on her new single “Let Down,” which dropped Friday.
The time in her bedroom resulted in 11 songs on the concept album, “Wilted,” released by Republic Records, and out on Nov. 13. All the stages of grief are represented in her lyrics: anger, denial, bargaining and acceptance, but the last song, the upbeat “Another Spring,” reveals a stronger woman who lets her “wounds shine through.”
Jackson cites many musical influences including singer-songwriters Damien Rice, Ray LaMontagne and Conor Oberst. Her eyes light up when she talks about being a “massive fan” of the indie rock band Manchester Orchestra. When she heard that guitarist-singer-songwriter Andy Hull from the band would produce her first record, she was elated. She flew to Atlanta to work with him and says the band was supportive of her sound.
“Everyone was just so welcoming and so kind and they held this project to be, like, very sacred. They understood my emotional connection to it and understood that this is my baby. They didn’t want to do anything that wasn’t authentic to who I am and they just took it to the next level,” Jackson says.
Michael Jackson famously attempted to shield his three young children from the spotlight. After Jackson’s death in 2009 of an overdose of the anesthetic propofol, Paris and her two brothers — who go by Prince, 23, and Bigi, 18 — went to live with their grandmother, Katherine Jackson. Paris moved out at 18 and has been modeling and acting, but always played music.
In June, she and Glenn had a docuseries on Facebook Watch called “Unfiltered,” which provided a glimpse into her private life and the duo’s small acoustic tour. Jackson revealed self-harm and suicide attempts in her testimonials, and said music was a way to channel her pain.
There’s an upcoming music video to go with the new single “Let Down,” a nod to the younger Jackson’s love of horror and gore. The character she plays has her heart literally ripped out of her chest by her lover. One of the recurring scenes is set in dark woods, reminiscent of elements in her father’s famous “Thriller” video. When asked what he might think of her music, Jackson demurs.
“I don’t know. I’m not him, so I can’t speak for him. But I hope he would be happy, and I think he would be stoked because I’m happy,” she said.
The pandemic has sidelined most musical acts and Jackson says she misses hearing her favorite bands live and aspires to play a few shows soon, if anti-COVID-19 measures allow. She said she hopes the music will help people feel “a little less lonely.”
“I found so much healing through creating this. And there are moments where I’ll listen back to certain songs and I’m like, ‘Wow I was so naïve,’ ” she said. “But for the most part, it’s just like so much gratitude and joy that I get from listening to these songs and just seeing the development and the evolution.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--10 shot, 3 fatally, Thursday in Chicago

10 shot, 3 fatally, Thursday in Chicago

Three people were killed and seven others were hurt by gunfire across Chicago on Thursday .
The latest fatal attack happened Thursday night in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
A 39-year-old man was driving about 7 p.m. when someone fired shots at him in the 3600 block of West Grand Avenue , Chicago police said .
He was struck in the head and neck and crashed into three parked vehicles while trying to drive away .
The man was pronounced dead at the scene .
Earlier that afternoon , another man was shot to death in Buena Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ p.m. , the man , believed to be in his 20s , was walking in the 900 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue when two people approached him and opened fire , police said .
He was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
The day ’ s first fatal shooting left a man dead that morning in South Shore .
Antoine Jackson , 23 , was found about 8:30 a.m. lying in the mouth of an alley in the 7300 block of South Phillips Avenue with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his head , according to police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office .
Jackson , who lived in South Shore , was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
A 16-year-old boy shot in Morgan Park on the Far South Side was among the seven others wounded in shootings throughout Chicago Thursday .
He was shot in the back of the head about 4:35 p.m. on the sidewalk in the 1100 block of West 111th Place , police said .
He was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in critical condition .
Thursday afternoon , a woman was pistol-whipped and shot in the face in the presence of a baby in Pullman on the Far South Side .
The domestic-related shooting happened about 2:40 p.m. as she sat in a vehicle in the 1000 block of East 111th Street , police said .
She was being pistol-whipped in her face by a man she knew as the gun discharged , grazing her in the face .
Paramedics arrived to find the woman and a baby , according to Chicago Fire Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center , authorities said .
The infant was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital as a precaution .
The day ’ s latest nonfatal shooting happened during a robbery in Beverly on the South Side .
About 9:20 p.m. , a 35-year-old man was in an alley in the 2200 block of West 95th Street when someone approached him , pulled out a gun and demanded his property , police said .
The suspect shot the man in the leg , but did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in good condition .
About an hour and a half before that , another man was shot on the Near West Side .
The man , 37 , was shot in the arm about 7:50 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Van Buren Street , according to police .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
Earlier that evening , a man was wounded in Gresham on the South Side .
The man , 32 , was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stood on the sidewalk in the 7600 block of South Stewart Avenue , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
Hours before that , a man was shot and seriously wounded outside a business in West Town .
The 22-year-old was outside shortly before noon in the 2800 block of West Division Street when shots rang out , according to police .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder .
The day ’ s first shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A 28-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk about 7:35 a.m. in the 2400 block of East 78th Street when a vehicle drove by and someone inside began firing shots at him , police said .
He suffered at least three gunshot wounds to the lower torso and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition .
Another 10 people were shot across the city on Wednesday , two of them fatally .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Three people were killed and seven others were hurt by gunfire across Chicago on Thursday.
The latest fatal attack happened Thursday night in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
Anthony Sipp, 39, was driving about 7 p.m. when someone fired shots at him in the 3600 block of West Grand Avenue, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. He was struck in the head and neck and crashed into three parked vehicles while trying to drive away. Sipp, who lived in Lawndale, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Earlier that afternoon, another man was shot to death in Buena Park on the North Side.
About 2:10 p.m., 20-year-old Jhonny Guaman was walking in the 900 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue when two people approached him and opened fire, authorities said. He was rushed to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The day’s first fatal shooting left a man dead that morning in South Shore.
Antoine Jackson, 23, was found about 8:30 a.m. lying in the mouth of an alley in the 7300 block of South Phillips Avenue with a gunshot wound to the back of his head, according to officials. Jackson, who lived in South Shore, was taken to University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
A 16-year-old boy shot in Morgan Park on the Far South Side was among the seven others wounded in shootings throughout Chicago Thursday.
He was shot in the back of the head about 4:35 p.m. on the sidewalk in the 1100 block of West 111th Place, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition.
Thursday afternoon, a woman was pistol-whipped and shot in the face in the presence of a baby in Pullman on the Far South Side.
The domestic-related shooting happened about 2:40 p.m. as she sat in a vehicle in the 1000 block of East 111th Street, police said. She was being pistol-whipped in her face by a man she knew as the gun discharged, grazing her in the face.
Paramedics arrived to find the woman and a baby, according to Chicago Fire Department officials. The woman was taken in good condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center, authorities said. The infant was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital as a precaution.
The day’s latest nonfatal shooting happened during a robbery in Beverly on the South Side.
About 9:20 p.m., a 35-year-old man was in an alley in the 2200 block of West 95th Street when someone approached him, pulled out a gun and demanded his property, police said. The suspect shot the man in the leg, but did not make off with any of his property. The man was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital in good condition.
About an hour and a half before that, another man was shot on the Near West Side.
The man, 37, was shot in the arm about 7:50 p.m. in the 1600 block of West Van Buren Street, according to police. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Earlier that evening, a man was wounded in Gresham on the South Side.
The man, 32, was shot in the leg about 6:20 p.m. as he stood on the sidewalk in the 7600 block of South Stewart Avenue, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
Hours before that, a man was shot and seriously wounded outside a business in West Town.
The 22-year-old was outside shortly before noon in the 2800 block of West Division Street when shots rang out, according to police. He was taken to Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound to his shoulder.
The day’s first shooting happened Thursday morning in South Shore.
A 28-year-old man was walking on the sidewalk about 7:35 a.m. in the 2400 block of East 78th Street when a vehicle drove by and someone inside began firing shots at him, police said. He suffered at least three gunshot wounds to the lower torso and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition.
Another 10 people were shot across the city on Wednesday, two of them fatally.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Blackhawks forward Kirby Dach added to Canadian junior team

The Blackhawks announced that Kirby Dach will be loaned to Team Canada for the 2021 World Junior Championships , scheduled @ @ @ @ @ to Jan. 5 in Alberta .
The move allows the Hawks ’ top young center @ @ @ @ @ if the team hasn ’ t started training camp by then .
The loan is @ @ @ @ @ the 2020-21 NHL season , currently estimated for around Jan. 1 .
Dach would be @ @ @ @ @ any Hawks games conflict with the team ’ s schedule .
The Hawks elected not @ @ @ @ @ 2020 championships because it would ’ ve taken him away from the NHL for several @ @ @ @ @ his rookie season .
Other top young NHL players and prospects on the Canadian team @ @ @ @ @ Bowen Byram , 2020 second overall pick Quinton Byfield and projected 2021 top-three pick Owen @ @

The Blackhawks announced that Kirby Dach will be loaned to Team Canada for the 2021 World Junior Championships, scheduled to take place Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Alberta.
The move allows the Hawks’ top young center to play some high-stakes hockey if the team hasn’t started training camp by then.
The loan is contingent on the start of the 2020-21 NHL season, currently estimated for around Jan. 1. Dach would be recalled or held back if any Hawks games conflict with the team’s schedule.
The Hawks elected not to loan Dach for the 2020 championships because it would’ve taken him away from the NHL for several weeks in the middle of his rookie season.
Other top young NHL players and prospects on the Canadian team include 2019 fourth overall pick Bowen Byram, 2020 second overall pick Quinton Byfield and projected 2021 top-three pick Owen Power.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-29--Horoscope for Friday, Oct. 30, 2020

Horoscope for Friday, Oct. 30, 2020

Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chicago time .
After that , the moon moves from Aries into Taurus .
You are fast-thinking and clever .
Use these abilities to be smooth and diplomatic so that you can ease tension dealing with partners , close friends , parents and bosses .
Perhaps some angst left over from yesterday requires kid gloves today ?
People feel a bit delicate , which is why it ’ s a poor day to introduce sensitive subjects and , certainly , not controversial ones .
Steer clear of anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sign , it behooves you to be accommodating .
( Don ’ t stir the pot . )
Be gracious and patient .
The misunderstandings with romantic partners , children and friends , especially about the cost of something , might arise .
Don ’ t even go there .
It ’ s Friday and you deserve to have a pleasant end to your week .
More champagne ?
Because of the heated arguments of yesterday , things might still be frosty today , especially with parents , bosses , family members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s almost everyone . )
Offer someone a tasty treat .
Decide to make this a pleasant Friday .
Although heated arguments might have taken place yesterday , be wise and let bygones be bygones because it ’ s the end of the week , and who needs more angst ?
Not you !
Minimize strained relations with others , especially at work .
Be warm and friendly .
Steer clear of disputes about possessions , money and differing values because it ’ s the end of the week , so why harp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s bury the hatchet somewhere where no one can find it again .
Negative energy is so draining — and pointless .
Be accommodating and patient with others today because the moon is still opposite your sign .
Admittedly , it opposes Mercury retrograde in your sign , which is why old problems might still niggle you .
Be big .
Be large !
Let these problems go .
Forward and onward !
Even though this is a strong time for you because the sun is in your sign , the negative energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be drifting around .
You can feel it .
Note : Do not fuel it .
In fact , turn your back and decide to get along with everyone .
Much easier !
Although there might be some residual tension left over from difficulties that took place yesterday dealing with friends or members of groups , try not to focus on this today .
You might also feel a financial squeeze , especially making social plans .
Cope as best you can .
Difficulties that occurred yesterday between parents , bosses and family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevertheless , look for ways to go forward with a positive attitude for your own benefit so that you can enjoy this day .
After all , life is short — and fat .
Arguments and disagreements with others about a myriad of subjects have been taking place lately .
( You need this like a fish needs a bicycle . )
Therefore , sit up and be a person .
It ’ s time to let these irritations go , for your own good .
It ’ s Friday .
You want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enjoy your day !
Simple as that .
Regardless of the recent tensions and squabbles about money and possessions , let this go .
It ’ s the end of the week , and you want to sail into this weekend with a positive attitude and a warm feeling in your tummy , right ?
Tomorrow is the full moon — a day with lots of surprises !
Enjoy yourself .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actress Janel Parrish ( 1988 ) shares your birthday .
Although you appear calm , cool and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passionate fire .
Wonderful news !
This is your time of harvest , when you will start to reap the benefits of the seeds that you planted in the last decade .
You deserve this time of success !
As a result , you might enjoy increased influence and leadership in all your relationships .

Moon Alert
Avoid shopping or making important decisions from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Chicago time. After that, the moon moves from Aries into Taurus.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
You are fast-thinking and clever. Use these abilities to be smooth and diplomatic so that you can ease tension dealing with partners, close friends, parents and bosses. Perhaps some angst left over from yesterday requires kid gloves today?
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
People feel a bit delicate, which is why it’s a poor day to introduce sensitive subjects and, certainly, not controversial ones. Steer clear of anything touchy. With the sun opposite your sign, it behooves you to be accommodating. (Don’t stir the pot.)
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Be gracious and patient. The misunderstandings with romantic partners, children and friends, especially about the cost of something, might arise. Don’t even go there. It’s Friday and you deserve to have a pleasant end to your week. More champagne?
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Because of the heated arguments of yesterday, things might still be frosty today, especially with parents, bosses, family members and partners. (Yikes, that’s almost everyone.) Offer someone a tasty treat. Decide to make this a pleasant Friday.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Although heated arguments might have taken place yesterday, be wise and let bygones be bygones because it’s the end of the week, and who needs more angst? Not you! Minimize strained relations with others, especially at work. Be warm and friendly.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Steer clear of disputes about possessions, money and differing values because it’s the end of the week, so why harp on differences with others? Let’s bury the hatchet somewhere where no one can find it again. Negative energy is so draining — and pointless.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Be accommodating and patient with others today because the moon is still opposite your sign. Admittedly, it opposes Mercury retrograde in your sign, which is why old problems might still niggle you. Be big. Be large! Let these problems go. Forward and onward!
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Even though this is a strong time for you because the sun is in your sign, the negative energy from yesterday’s arguments might still be drifting around. You can feel it. Note: Do not fuel it. In fact, turn your back and decide to get along with everyone. Much easier!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Although there might be some residual tension left over from difficulties that took place yesterday dealing with friends or members of groups, try not to focus on this today. You might also feel a financial squeeze, especially making social plans. Cope as best you can.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Difficulties that occurred yesterday between parents, bosses and family members might still be simmering today. Nevertheless, look for ways to go forward with a positive attitude for your own benefit so that you can enjoy this day. After all, life is short — and fat.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Arguments and disagreements with others about a myriad of subjects have been taking place lately. (You need this like a fish needs a bicycle.) Therefore, sit up and be a person. It’s time to let these irritations go, for your own good. It’s Friday. You want to be happy. You want to enjoy your day! Simple as that.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Regardless of the recent tensions and squabbles about money and possessions, let this go. It’s the end of the week, and you want to sail into this weekend with a positive attitude and a warm feeling in your tummy, right? Tomorrow is the full moon — a day with lots of surprises! Enjoy yourself.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actress Janel Parrish (1988) shares your birthday. Although you appear calm, cool and collected, inwardly, you burn with passionate fire. Wonderful news! This is your time of harvest, when you will start to reap the benefits of the seeds that you planted in the last decade. You deserve this time of success! As a result, you might enjoy increased influence and leadership in all your relationships.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-30--Cubs decline club option on Jon Lester, will pick up Anthony Rizzo’s option for 2021

The Cubs have declined the left-hander Jon Lester ’ s 2021 club option , officially making the veteran southpaw a free agent .
The move comes as no surprise as Lester had a pricey $ 25 million club option for next season .
Lester , 36 , was 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts this season .
While the Cubs ’ declined Lester ’ s option , there is still room for a return to the North Side .
Declining next year ’ s option is the first step toward that return .
“ We ’ ve had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of this organization , ” Lester said on MLB Network Radio .
“ We haven ’ t had any contract talks , but the feeling is mutual on both sides that we want to get something done .
“ I think the weird part or weird scenario that we ’ re in right now is the unknown of going forward .
Of what this deal , this state of the world that we ’ re in is gon na do for baseball.
” Lester becomes the third Cubs starting pitcher to hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jose Quintana became free agents on Wednesday .
According to a source , the Cubs will be picking up Anthony Rizzo ’ s club option for 2021 and declining second baseman Daniel Descalso ’ s club option .
Rizzo is entering the final year of the seven-year , $ 41 million extension he signed back in 2013 .
Kris Bryant , Javy Baez , Kyle Schwarber and Rizzo are all set to become free agents after next season .
The Cubs also made two roster moves on Friday , claiming infielder Max Schrock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitcher Rex Brothers has been assigned outright to Triple-A Iowa .

The Cubs declined their option on 36-year-old left-hander Jon Lester’s contract for 2021, officially making him a free agent.
The move came as no surprise because the option called for Lester, who was 3-3 with a 5.16 ERA in 12 starts this season, to make $25 million next season.
But while the Cubs declined Lester’s option, there is still a chance he will return to the North Side.
‘‘We’ve had conversations about coming back and being a part of this organization,’’ Lester said on the MLB Network Radio. ‘‘We haven’t had any contract talks, but the feeling is mutual on both sides that we want to get something done.
‘‘I think the weird part or weird scenario that we’re in right now is the unknown of going forward — of what this deal, this state of the world that we’re in is gonna do for baseball.’’
Lester became the third Cubs starting pitcher to hit the free-agent market this week. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood and left-hander Jose Quintana became free agents Wednesday.
According to a source, the Cubs will pick up their option on first baseman Anthony Rizzo’s contract for 2021 but will decline it on second baseman Daniel Descalso’s deal.
Rizzo will be entering the final year of the seven-year, $41 million extension he signed in 2013. Third baseman Kris Bryant, shortstop Javy Baez, left fielder Kyle Schwarber and Rizzo are set to become free agents after next season.
The Cubs also made two roster moves, claiming infielder Max Schrock off waivers from the Cardinals and assigning left-hander Rex Brothers outright to Class AAA Iowa.