chicagosun-times--2020-10-17--This You Gotta See: Bears-Panthers, the World Series and — already? — Big Ten football

We know it .
You know it .
Even your Uncle Earl knows it , and he ’ s the kind of guy who ’ ll say anything just to get a rise out of people .
Ohio State is the team to beat in the Big Ten .
Same as always , right ?
Most of the rest of college football didn ’ t have the manners to wait for the Big Ten to arrive at the 2020 table , so Week 1 for Illinois ( which visits Wisconsin on Friday ) , Northwestern ( which hosts Maryland on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conference is actually Week 8 nationally .
But everything will get sorted out eventually .
Or not .
There are no guarantees in pandemic football , only that the math used in determining an eventual playoff field will be fuzzier than ever .
If the Big Ten can pull off its season as planned , each team will play nine straight weeks of conference games only .
And the overwhelming favorites to be atop the pile at the end are the Buckeyes , who open Saturday at home against Nebraska .
Quarterback Justin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coach Ryan Day seems to be more than simply Urban Meyer Lite .
It probably won ’ t take the Buckeyes more than a couple of victories before they move right into the top three of the national polls .
But let ’ s not get ahead of ourselves .
As a football coach once advised us , it ’ s better to take these things one game at a time .
He was quite the original thinker .
Something to worry about : QB Teddy Bridgewater hasn ’ t been sacked in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time a Panthers offensive line has kept its guy clean in back-to-back weeks since 2011 .
Just spitballing here , but maybe Khalil Mack ought to take it upon himself to end that streak .
No biggie , just a little Aaron Rodgers-vs.-Tom Brady action .
Somehow , this is only the third time they ’ ve faced each other .
Any chance both of them can lose this one ?
The Dodgers have been seasonlong favorites to get to the World Series .
The Braves are trying to avoid blowing a 3-1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You better believe both teams are feeling it .
Patrick Mahomes and the champs are coming off this almost unrecognizably rare thing called a loss .
How many offensive possessions will it take them to put the pedal all the way to the metal ?
We ’ re going with one .
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray returns to his hometown to find Andy Dalton now running the Cowboys ’ offense .
Fortunately for Murray , he also finds the horrendous Cowboys defense .
A new , weekly Bears show airs on Marquee , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ playing host .
Finally , Wright gets to talk about a team that puts some points on the board .
Baseball made it to the Fall Classic after all .
How about that ?
No matter who wins in the end , it definitely won ’ t be the Cubs or the White Sox .
Wait , that ’ s not what we wanted to say .
No matter who wins in the end , the game has done itself proud .
Sure , both teams are terrible , but you know what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least , we think it ’ s football .
Can we get a ruling over here about whether the NFC East counts as football ?
It ’ s still hard to believe the Illini fought back to upset the big-boy Badgers 24-23 last season .
In a related development , word on the street is the big-boy Badgers are out for revenge .
This isn ’ t going to end well for the visitors , is it ?
Scott Frost ’ s Huskers were supposed to take off in his second season at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
It ’ s probably not going to happen here , either .
Look , we don ’ t want to tell coach Brian Kelly his business .
But we ’ re pretty sure his game plan ought to include more than the 12 points his supposedly top-notch Irish scored against Louisville .
The Fire needed a Hail Mary goal last time out just to earn a draw against Sporting Kansas City .
Two more points and far less last-minute drama in this one would be perfect .
Nobody has been itching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pat Fitzgerald , whose Wildcats tumbled into the Big Ten West cellar last season .
If you ’ re waiting for a crack about Northwestern being used to playing at Ryan Field without fans , sorry — not happening .

We know it. You know it. Even your Uncle Earl knows it, and he’s the kind of guy who’ll say anything just to get a rise out of people.
Ohio State is the team to beat in the Big Ten.
Same as always, right?
Most of the rest of college football didn’t have the manners to wait for the Big Ten to arrive at the 2020 table, so Week 1 for Illinois (which visits Wisconsin on Friday), Northwestern (which hosts Maryland on Saturday) and the rest of the conference is actually Week 8 nationally. But everything will get sorted out eventually. Or not. There are no guarantees in pandemic football, only that the math used in determining an eventual playoff field will be fuzzier than ever.
If the Big Ten can pull off its season as planned, each team will play nine straight weeks of conference games only. And the overwhelming favorites to be atop the pile at the end are the Buckeyes, who open Saturday at home against Nebraska. Quarterback Justin Fields is the star of stars. Coach Ryan Day seems to be more than simply Urban Meyer Lite. It probably won’t take the Buckeyes more than a couple of victories before they move right into the top three of the national polls.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. As a football coach once advised us, it’s better to take these things one game at a time. He was quite the original thinker.
Here’s what’s happening:
SUN 18
Bears at Panthers (noon, Fox-32)
Something to worry about: QB Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t been sacked in the last two games, the first time a Panthers offensive line has kept its guy clean in back-to-back weeks since 2011. Just spitballing here, but maybe Khalil Mack ought to take it upon himself to end that streak.
Packers at Buccaneers (3:25 p.m., Fox-32)
No biggie, just a little Aaron Rodgers-vs.-Tom Brady action. Somehow, this is only the third time they’ve faced each other. Any chance both of them can lose this one?
Braves vs. Dodgers, Game 7 (7:15 p.m., Fox-32, FS1)
The Dodgers have been seasonlong favorites to get to the World Series. The Braves are trying to avoid blowing a 3-1 lead in this series. Pressure? You better believe both teams are feeling it.
MON 19
Chiefs at Bills (4 p.m., Fox-32, NFL)
Patrick Mahomes and the champs are coming off this almost unrecognizably rare thing called a loss. How many offensive possessions will it take them to put the pedal all the way to the metal? We’re going with one.
Cardinals at Cowboys (7:15 p.m., ESPN)
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray returns to his hometown to find Andy Dalton now running the Cowboys’ offense. Fortunately for Murray, he also finds the horrendous Cowboys defense.
TUE 20
“Bear Essentials” (7 p.m., Marquee)
A new, weekly Bears show airs on Marquee, with usual Cubs studio dude Cole Wright playing host. Finally, Wright gets to talk about a team that puts some points on the board.
World Series, Game 1 (6:30 p.m., Fox-32)
Baseball made it to the Fall Classic after all. How about that? No matter who wins in the end, it definitely won’t be the Cubs or the White Sox. Wait, that’s not what we wanted to say. No matter who wins in the end, the game has done itself proud.
THU 22
Giants at Eagles (7:20 p.m., Fox-32, NFL)
Sure, both teams are terrible, but you know what? It’s football. At least, we think it’s football. Can we get a ruling over here about whether the NFC East counts as football?
FRI 23
Illinois at Wisconsin (7 p.m., BTN)
It’s still hard to believe the Illini fought back to upset the big-boy Badgers 24-23 last season. In a related development, word on the street is the big-boy Badgers are out for revenge. This isn’t going to end well for the visitors, is it?
SAT 24
Nebraska at Ohio State (11 a.m., Fox-32)
Scott Frost’s Huskers were supposed to take off in his second season at the helm. It didn’t happen. It’s probably not going to happen here, either.
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh (2:30 p.m., Ch. 7)
Look, we don’t want to tell coach Brian Kelly his business. But we’re pretty sure his game plan ought to include more than the 12 points his supposedly top-notch Irish scored against Louisville.
Red Bulls at Fire (6:30 p.m., Ch. 9)
The Fire needed a Hail Mary goal last time out just to earn a draw against Sporting Kansas City. Two more points and far less last-minute drama in this one would be perfect.
Maryland at Northwestern (6:30, BTN)
Nobody has been itching to get back out there more than Pat Fitzgerald, whose Wildcats tumbled into the Big Ten West cellar last season. If you’re waiting for a crack about Northwestern being used to playing at Ryan Field without fans, sorry — not happening.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-17--United Steelworkers shine ‘Biden-Harris’ projection on Trump Tower

Members of the United Steelworkers union brought their traveling “ bat light ” to Chicago overnight Friday to project their endorsement of Joe Biden onto Trump Tower .
The words “ Biden-Harris ” were shown in blazing blue letters over President Donald Trump ’ s name on his hotel and condo building overlooking the Chicago River at 401 N. Wabash Ave .
The endorsement also made appearances on Wrigley Field , the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Theatre .
A representative for the Trump Organization could not be reached for comment Saturday .
“ This election is obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot at stake for workers , ” said Jess Kamm Broomell , spokeswoman for United Steelworkers , which represents about 850,000 members .
“ A lot of issues facing working people are on the ballot this year : Affordable healthcare ... retirement security , workers ’ rights , health and safety on the job , all of these things are at stake.
” The “ bat light , ” as the steelworkers ’ union calls it , travels with a group of four women who go state-to-state shining messages in support of Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ various landmarks , Broomell said .
Launched just over a month ago , the campaign has already moved through Pennsylvania , Michigan , Ohio , Wisconsin and Minnesota , with rank-and-file union members joining the group at each stop .
“ The bat light project was born out of our existing political work , we wanted to be able to spread the message in a way that was COVID-friendly , ” Broomell said .
“ Mostly to let people know how important this election is , how important it is to make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about these really important issues facing workers .
”

Members of the United Steelworkers union brought their traveling “bat light” to Chicago overnight Friday to project their endorsement of Joe Biden onto Trump Tower.
The words “Biden-Harris” were shown in blazing blue letters over President Donald Trump’s name on his hotel and condo building overlooking the Chicago River at 401 N. Wabash Ave. The endorsement also made appearances on Wrigley Field, the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Theatre.
A representative for the Trump Organization could not be reached for comment Saturday.
Sing along:
🎶 Take me out to the ballot box,
Take me out to the polls.
Get me my sticker so I can ‘gram,
I won’t stand for their suppression scams.
For it’s root, root, root for @JoeBiden,
If we don’t win we‘re all doomed.
‘Cause in 1-2...17 more days,
We can save the USA! 🎶 pic.twitter.com/nOnBLtXhoq — USW Bat Light (@USWBat) October 17, 2020
“This election is obviously very important and there’s a lot at stake for workers,” said Jess Kamm Broomell, spokeswoman for United Steelworkers, which represents about 850,000 members. “A lot of issues facing working people are on the ballot this year: Affordable healthcare... retirement security, workers’ rights, health and safety on the job, all of these things are at stake.”
The “bat light,” as the steelworkers’ union calls it, travels with a group of four women who go state-to-state shining messages in support of Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris on various landmarks, Broomell said.
Launched just over a month ago, the campaign has already moved through Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin and Minnesota, with rank-and-file union members joining the group at each stop.
“The bat light project was born out of our existing political work, we wanted to be able to spread the message in a way that was COVID-friendly,” Broomell said. “Mostly to let people know how important this election is, how important it is to make a plan to vote and start some conversations about these really important issues facing workers.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Halas Intrigue Episode 128: Breaking down another Bears win

Patrick Finley , Jason Lieser and Mark Potash dissect the Bears ’ 23-16 win against the Panthers and wonder if @ @ @ @ @ can improve .
Also , Mark hands out his three game balls .
New episodes @ @ @ @ @ will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast ’ s hub page @ @ @ @ @ to “ Halas Intrigue ” wherever you get your podcasts , including Apple Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , and Stitcher .

The conversation continues in our “Halas Intrigue” Facebook group
Join experts including Patrick Finley, Mark Potash, Jason Lieser, Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander after each game to make predictions, share insights and analyze the day’s big stories. This is insight you won’t be able to get anywhere else.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Man hanging off side of Trump Tower demanding to speak to president

A man who is hanging off the side of Trump Tower from a rope Sunday evening is demanding to speak @ @ @ @ @ The man , who is in his 20s , has been dangling from tower ’ @ @ @ @ @ about 5:15 p.m. , asking to speak to the president and trying to get his @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago Police spokesman Tom Ahern .
A negotiator is currently on the deck @ @ @ @ @ down .
Police have blocked off traffic around Trump Tower , which overlooks the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ Ave. A crowd of onlookers gathered across from the tower , some wondering if it @ @ @ @ @ for the upcoming Batman movie , which has been shooting in the city recently .
@ @ @ @ @ .
Check back for updates .

A man was taken into police custody Monday morning after hanging off the side of Trump Tower from a rope since Sunday evening demanding to speak to President Donald Trump.
The man, 31, began dangling from the tower’s 16th-floor balcony about 5:30 p.m., asking to speak to the president and trying to get his message to the media, according to Chicago Police spokesman Tom Ahern, who initially said the man was in his 20s.
Police officers at the scene said they believe the man used a climbing harness.
The man has threatened to kill himself, Chicago police said. Negotiators spent hours on the deck trying to get the man down overnight.
The situation was “resolved peacefully” by negotiators and the man was in police custody with no injuries reported, according to a tweet posted by Ahern shortly before 7 a.m.
Police blocked off traffic on Upper Wacker around Trump Tower, which overlooks the Chicago River at 401 N. Wabash Ave. A crowd of onlookers gathered across from the tower, some wondering if it was part of a stunt for the upcoming Batman movie, which has been shooting in the city recently.
Several CTA bus reroutes caused by street closures in the area Monday morning have since ended, according to the transit agency.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Three Bears takeaways from win vs. Panthers

Three takeaways from the Bears ’ win Sunday against the Panthers : Rookie tight end Cole Kmet , who had one catch on three targets entering Sunday ’ s game , caught his first NFL touchdown in the first quarter .
Kmet wasn ’ t the first option on the nine-yard pass but Nick Foles threw to him , covered , on a post route .
“ It was just an awesome feeling , ” Kmet , a Notre Dame and St. Viator grad , said .
Someone was there to see it — his mom Kandace sat in Section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fans allowed inside .
“ She was waving like a madwoman pregame , ” he said .
“ I found her and gave a little wave .
She was pumped up.
” Backup safety DeAndre Houston-Carson broke up Tom Brady ’ s pass to seal last week ’ s win and intercepted Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday to do the same .
Houston-Carson , who was playing dime coverage only because Deon Bush is hurt , had never before intercepted a pass .
“ He ’ s come up so big in these situations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s all about , ” coach Matt Nagy said .
Kyle Fuller was flagged for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter for hitting Keith Kirkwood and forcing an incompletion , even though replay showed the cornerback hitting the receiver ’ s shoulder with his own .
Fuller has delivered bone-jarring hits all season — he was fined for one in the opener and forced a fumble against the Buccaneers .
“ We love him making big plays like that , ” inside linebacker Roquan Smith said .
‘ Big hits .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we have an edge .
”

Three takeaways from the Bears’ win Sunday against the Panthers:
Cole under pressure
Rookie tight end Cole Kmet, who had one catch on three targets entering Sunday’s game, caught his first NFL touchdown in the first quarter. Kmet wasn’t the first option on the nine-yard pass but Nick Foles threw to him, covered, on a post route.
“It was just an awesome feeling,” Kmet, a Notre Dame and St. Viator grad, said.
Someone was there to see it — his mom Kandace sat in Section 205 as one of the roughly 5,200 fans allowed inside.
“She was waving like a madwoman pregame,” he said. “I found her and gave a little wave. She was pumped up.”
DHC
Backup safety DeAndre Houston-Carson broke up Tom Brady’s pass to seal last week’s win and intercepted Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday to do the same. Houston-Carson, who was playing dime coverage only because Deon Bush is hurt, had never before intercepted a pass.
“He’s come up so big in these situations, and that’s what it’s all about,” coach Matt Nagy said.
Fuller throttle
Kyle Fuller was flagged for unnecessary roughness in the second quarter for hitting Keith Kirkwood and forcing an incompletion, even though replay showed the cornerback hitting the receiver’s shoulder with his own. Fuller has delivered bone-jarring hits all season — he was fined for one in the opener and forced a fumble against the Buccaneers.
“We love him making big plays like that,” inside linebacker Roquan Smith said. ‘Big hits. So that’s pretty awesome. I think we have an edge.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Lightfoot to unveil plan to ‘fix it ourselves,’ erase $1.2 billion shortfall without federal help

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has warned Chicago aldermen to prepare for their toughest budget vote “ probably ever , ” given the $ 1.2 billion shortfall that must be erased and their shared desire to invest in people and communities in spite of it .
On Wednesday , the mayor will explain why her strained relationship with the City Council will be put to the test .
She ’ ll outline the $ 94 million property tax increase she plans to propose , the roughly 350 employees who will lose their jobs and the 1,000 vacant jobs she plans to cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ fix it ourselves.
” Seventeen months into her four-year term , Lightfoot is where no Chicago mayor wants to be : between a rock and a hard place .
At some point , Chicago is almost certain to get another massive infusion of federal stimulus funds to replace at least some of the revenue lost to the stay-at-home shutdown and prolonged economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic .
But it won ’ t come soon enough to spare her from outlining a spending plan more painful than beleaguered Chicago taxpayers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law to propose a balanced budget and round up the 26 City Council votes needed to pass it .
She doesn ’ t have the luxury of leaving a blank space for “ federal stimulus funds.
” If Congress rides to the rescue before the new budget takes effect Jan. 1 , the mayor can dissolve the bitter pill she has asked taxpayers to swallow .
“ The least-favored options are property taxes and layoffs .
But the reality is , we have gotten zero additional support from Washington , D.C. That seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na need to present a budget to the City Council .
So we ’ ve got to prepare for some painful decisions , ” the mayor said last week .
“ We have been asking everyone to contribute .
Everyone .
Some have said ‘ yes ’ and stepped up and offered in lots of different ways .
Others have pushed us away and not been willing to participate .
...
But the reality is : We have to be fair .
We have to be equitable in the way in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what we intend to do.
” Key allies have been told the mayor plans to propose a $ 94 million property tax increase .
That ’ s even though she will have a tough time getting a property tax increase of any size passed .
“ When Rahm proposed the $ 588 million property tax increase [ for police and fire pensions and school construction ] , it was tough for him , and he had a good relationship with the City Council .
The whole North Side went against him , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to remain anonymous .
“ Lori Lightfoot doesn ’ t have any friends in the City Council , so it ’ ll be even tougher.
” Another alderman , also asking to remain anonymous , traced at least some of the discontent to the fact the City Council still meets virtually .
“ There are a lot of strained relationships , even among committee chairs .
That ’ s why you ’ re seeing a lot of free-wheeling , willy-nilly stuff .
Everybody has muscle over Zoom , ” the alderman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the mayor ’ s council floor leader , said he has urged Lightfoot and her top aides to “ over-communicate ” with aldermen before the budget vote .
“ That hasn ’ t been her strong suit .
But she ’ s gon na do better because she has to , ” Villegas said .
Villegas refused to rate the chances for passing a property tax increase .
A year ago , a budget that avoided nearly all of the tough choices — because it was precariously balanced with one-time revenues — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ald .
Jason Ervin ( 28th ) , chairman of the City Council ’ s Black Caucus , keeps pushing the mayor to tap at least some of the $ 900 million in reserves generated by former Mayor Richard M. Daley ’ s decision to privatize the Chicago Skyway , the city ’ s parking meters and downtown parking garages .
Never mind that Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett has warned the rainy day fund is Chicago ’ s only life raft if it starts “ pouring ” and “ COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We could politically use the reserves in some way , shape or form — especially if you ’ re talking about raising taxes , ” Ervin told the Sun-Times .
“ If you decide to raise property taxes and there is a significant reserve balance , ” it will be a tough sell .
Lightfoot has asked organized labor to work with her to find $ 200 million in savings —through layoffs , pay cuts , furlough days or a combination of the three .
A significant number of the 1,000 vacancies the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come from the 847 sworn vacancies and more than 200 civilian openings in the Chicago Police Department .
Getting rid of those would surely please activists who have clamored to “ defund ” CPD since the death of George Floyd .
But any plan to eliminate police vacancies would face stiff resistance , with homicides and shootings up 50 % over last year and Chicago on pace to top 750 homicides in 2020 .
“ We already have police districts across this city that are operating with four [ or ] five officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district because they ’ re sending the rest of the shift downtown to cover Michigan Avenue , ” said Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara .
So , there is literally nothing the FOP is willing to do to help erase the $ 1.2 billion shortfall ?
“ Hell , no .
We have no contract now for over three years .
We ’ re the last union to even be talked to about a contract — and that was by design .
You think we ’ re gon na sit here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” he said .
“ She ’ s a big girl , and she wanted the job .
Figure it out .
That ’ s what you do as a leader .
Whatever she ’ s got ta do , she ’ s got ta do .
That ’ s on her.
” Without the FOP ’ s help , Lightfoot will be forced to achieve her $ 200 million savings benchmark with hundreds of employee layoffs .
That ’ s even if , as expected , she declares a tax-increment-financing surplus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 300 million .
“ We want to help the city achieve savings that do not impact city services ” or the number of city employees , Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter wrote in a text message to the Sun-Times .
“ I would assume that , if we found cost savings , there ’ d be no reason to reduce city services.
” The labor federation has an ownership stake in Sun-Times Media .
Last weekend , the mayor ’ s financial team held virtual briefings with small groups to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again .
Dismayed aldermen learned little about the mayor ’ s plan they hadn ’ t already read in newspaper stories .
Sources said there was talk of raising the city ’ s $ 9.50-a-month garbage collection fee and about separating that higher fee from water bills because water bill collections have declined since Lightfoot removed the threat of shut-offs .
Top mayoral aides also reiterated the mayor ’ s intention to raise — from 7.5 % to 9 % — the personal property lease tax on computer leases and cloud services .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allies were later told about the $ 94 million property tax increase and warned that a gas tax increase was also a possibility .
The Finance Committee already has held two “ subject matter hearings ” on revenue choices available to Lightfoot and aldermen .
During the second hearing , Lincoln Park Ald .
Michele Smith ( 43rd ) thought Bennett was laying the groundwork for another massive property tax increase by saying the doubling of Chicago ’ s property tax levy engineered by Emanuel “ has not really increased the level of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the tax rate.
” Smith countered at the time : “ I do represent a community that pays a lot in property taxes .
And many longtime homeowners who are valuable parts of our community have seen their property taxes go up so much that they may leave.
” Bennett cautioned Smith on that day not to “ read between the lines ” of her comments about the impact of Emanuel ’ s $ 588 million property tax increase or her comments about Chicago property tax bills still being a bargain compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impact of the Emanuel tax increase was “ muted ” by a “ significant increase ” in equalized assessed valuation and “ ultimately by new property that ’ s come on the tax rolls , ” she said .
“ We saw the highest amount of new property in 2019 .
We have new property taxpayers or new value of property largely commercial which helps to absorb that tax burden .
It ’ s not to say there wasn ’ t an increase in the tax burden .
But a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considerations , ” Bennett added .
The scary part of the $ 1.2 billion shortfall : It includes some — but not all — of the money needed for retroactive pay raises for Chicago Police officers whenever the police contract is settled , either at the bargaining table or through arbitration .
Catanzara has pegged the cost of the mayor ’ s 10 % pay raise over four years at $ 410 million and at well over $ 500 million for the union ’ s counter-offer of 17 % for officers who continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the union ’ s proposal , officers could live in the suburbs but would get a raise half that amount if they do .
City Hall sources insisted Catanzara ’ s price tag is $ 100 million too high .
But they refused to say how much money the mayor has set aside to cover officers ’ back pay .
Nor would they say how much bigger the shortfall could get .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot has warned Chicago aldermen to prepare for their toughest budget vote “probably ever,” given the $1.2 billion shortfall that must be erased and their shared desire to invest in people and communities in spite of it.
On Wednesday, the mayor will explain why her strained relationship with the City Council will be put to the test. She’ll outline the $94 million property tax increase she plans to propose, the roughly 350 employees who will lose their jobs and the 1,000 vacant jobs she plans to cut to, as she put it, “fix it ourselves.”
Seventeen months into her four-year term, Lightfoot is where no Chicago mayor wants to be: between a rock and a hard place.
Analysis bug Analysis
At some point, Chicago is almost certain to get another massive infusion of federal stimulus funds to replace at least some of the revenue lost to the stay-at-home shutdown and prolonged economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus pandemic.
But it won’t come soon enough to spare her from outlining a spending plan more painful than beleaguered Chicago taxpayers have ever seen.
Lightfoot is bound by law to propose a balanced budget and round up the 26 City Council votes needed to pass it. She doesn’t have the luxury of leaving a blank space for “federal stimulus funds.”
If Congress rides to the rescue before the new budget takes effect Jan. 1, the mayor can dissolve the bitter pill she has asked taxpayers to swallow.
“The least-favored options are property taxes and layoffs. But the reality is, we have gotten zero additional support from Washington, D.C. That seems increasingly unlikely ... before we’re gonna need to present a budget to the City Council. So we’ve got to prepare for some painful decisions,” the mayor said last week.
“We have been asking everyone to contribute. Everyone. Some have said ‘yes’ and stepped up and offered in lots of different ways. Others have pushed us away and not been willing to participate. ... But the reality is: We have to be fair. We have to be equitable in the way in which we approach this. And that’s what we intend to do.”
Key allies have been told the mayor plans to propose a $94 million property tax increase. That’s even though she will have a tough time getting a property tax increase of any size passed.
“When Rahm proposed the $588 million property tax increase [for police and fire pensions and school construction], it was tough for him, and he had a good relationship with the City Council. The whole North Side went against him,” recalled one alderman, who asked to remain anonymous.
“Lori Lightfoot doesn’t have any friends in the City Council, so it’ll be even tougher.”
Another alderman, also asking to remain anonymous, traced at least some of the discontent to the fact the City Council still meets virtually.
“There are a lot of strained relationships, even among committee chairs. That’s why you’re seeing a lot of free-wheeling, willy-nilly stuff. Everybody has muscle over Zoom,” the alderman said.
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), the mayor’s council floor leader, said he has urged Lightfoot and her top aides to “over-communicate” with aldermen before the budget vote.
“That hasn’t been her strong suit. But she’s gonna do better because she has to,” Villegas said.
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) chats with other aldermen before a Chicago City Council meeting last year. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file
Villegas refused to rate the chances for passing a property tax increase. A year ago, a budget that avoided nearly all of the tough choices — because it was precariously balanced with one-time revenues — still got 11 “no” votes.
Ald. Jason Ervin (28th), chairman of the City Council’s Black Caucus, keeps pushing the mayor to tap at least some of the $900 million in reserves generated by former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s decision to privatize the Chicago Skyway, the city’s parking meters and downtown parking garages.
Never mind that Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett has warned the rainy day fund is Chicago’s only life raft if it starts “pouring” and “COVID lasts for an additional year.”
“We could politically use the reserves in some way, shape or form — especially if you’re talking about raising taxes,” Ervin told the Sun-Times.
“If you decide to raise property taxes and there is a significant reserve balance,” it will be a tough sell.
Lightfoot has asked organized labor to work with her to find $200 million in savings —through layoffs, pay cuts, furlough days or a combination of the three.
A significant number of the 1,000 vacancies the mayor plans to eliminate are certain to come from the 847 sworn vacancies and more than 200 civilian openings in the Chicago Police Department. Getting rid of those would surely please activists who have clamored to “defund” CPD since the death of George Floyd.
But any plan to eliminate police vacancies would face stiff resistance, with homicides and shootings up 50% over last year and Chicago on pace to top 750 homicides in 2020.
“We already have police districts across this city that are operating with four [or] five officers on a given shift for the whole district because they’re sending the rest of the shift downtown to cover Michigan Avenue,” said Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara.
So, there is literally nothing the FOP is willing to do to help erase the $1.2 billion shortfall?
“Hell, no. We have no contract now for over three years. We’re the last union to even be talked to about a contract — and that was by design. You think we’re gonna sit here and take it over the barrel now?” he said.
“She’s a big girl, and she wanted the job. Figure it out. That’s what you do as a leader. Whatever she’s gotta do, she’s gotta do. That’s on her.”
Chicago Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara speaks in July at a “Defend the Police” rally in Grant Park. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Without the FOP’s help, Lightfoot will be forced to achieve her $200 million savings benchmark with hundreds of employee layoffs. That’s even if, as expected, she declares a tax-increment-financing surplus that tops last year’s record $300 million.
“We want to help the city achieve savings that do not impact city services” or the number of city employees, Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter wrote in a text message to the Sun-Times.
“I would assume that, if we found cost savings, there’d be no reason to reduce city services.”
The labor federation has an ownership stake in Sun-Times Media.
Last weekend, the mayor’s financial team held virtual briefings with small groups to avoid violating the Open Meetings Act — again. Dismayed aldermen learned little about the mayor’s plan they hadn’t already read in newspaper stories.
Sources said there was talk of raising the city’s $9.50-a-month garbage collection fee and about separating that higher fee from water bills because water bill collections have declined since Lightfoot removed the threat of shut-offs.
Top mayoral aides also reiterated the mayor’s intention to raise — from 7.5% to 9% — the personal property lease tax on computer leases and cloud services.
But that was about it. Key allies were later told about the $94 million property tax increase and warned that a gas tax increase was also a possibility.
The Finance Committee already has held two “subject matter hearings” on revenue choices available to Lightfoot and aldermen.
During the second hearing, Lincoln Park Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) thought Bennett was laying the groundwork for another massive property tax increase by saying the doubling of Chicago’s property tax levy engineered by Emanuel “has not really increased the level of tax burden on property taxpayers as measured by the tax rate.”
Smith countered at the time: “I do represent a community that pays a lot in property taxes. And many longtime homeowners who are valuable parts of our community have seen their property taxes go up so much that they may leave.”
Bennett cautioned Smith on that day not to “read between the lines” of her comments about the impact of Emanuel’s $588 million property tax increase or her comments about Chicago property tax bills still being a bargain compared to some suburbs.
She simply meant the impact of the Emanuel tax increase was “muted” by a “significant increase” in equalized assessed valuation and “ultimately by new property that’s come on the tax rolls,” she said.
“We saw the highest amount of new property in 2019. We have new property taxpayers or new value of property largely commercial which helps to absorb that tax burden. It’s not to say there wasn’t an increase in the tax burden. But a lot of that has been muted by these other considerations,” Bennett added.
The scary part of the $1.2 billion shortfall: It includes some — but not all — of the money needed for retroactive pay raises for Chicago Police officers whenever the police contract is settled, either at the bargaining table or through arbitration.
Catanzara has pegged the cost of the mayor’s 10% pay raise over four years at $410 million and at well over $500 million for the union’s counter-offer of 17% for officers who continue to live in the city; under the union’s proposal, officers could live in the suburbs but would get a raise half that amount if they do.
City Hall sources insisted Catanzara’s price tag is $100 million too high. But they refused to say how much money the mayor has set aside to cover officers’ back pay. Nor would they say how much bigger the shortfall could get.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--For the sake of the Bears’ offense, the Bears’ defense had better be a forgiving lot

I ’ d like to apologize to the Bears ’ defense for the Bears ’ offense .
I didn ’ t do anything wrong Sunday against the Panthers , didn ’ t throw a bad pass , didn ’ t design a game plan of purported intelligent design .
But I ’ ll feel better if I say sorry .
I want to apologize for Nick Foles ’ miniscule 5.1 yards per pass attempt , for the coaching that helped produce that and for the quarterback ’ s terrible interception in the third quarter .
It was the dreaded ill-advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Mitch Trubisky for Halloween .
I need to apologize for David Montgomery ’ s 3.1 yards per carry , but let ’ s give Matt Nagy a tip of the cap for giving his running back 19 carries .
I didn ’ t think the coach had it in him .
I should also apologize for the Bears ’ second-to-last series when , clinging to a seven-point lead against Carolina , they went three-and-out in a combined 15 seconds .
I mean , you can ’ t reheat a cup of coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apologize for Nagy ’ s decision to throw the ball on third-and-2 on that series , when running the ball would have kept the clock running , whether the Bears picked up the first down or not .
Nagy later said a run play in that situation would not have been “ an aggressive approach.
’ ’ It was a moment that called for clear thinking , not aggression .
An incomplete pass gave the Panthers the ball and the chance to tie or win the game .
That wasn ’ t going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , bad Bears ’ defense on the other side of the line .
The day was saved when defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson intercepted the Panthers ’ Teddy Bridgewater with one minute , 28 seconds left .
After that , all the Bears had to do was kneel three straight times , and kneel they did , with no fumbles and no knee injuries .
I ’ d call that a huge success , but huddled together as they were with the seconds ticking down , a superspreader moment can ’ t be ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears 23 , Panthers 16 .
Usually the final score is closer to the top of a newspaper column , somewhere in the first several paragraphs , but that wasn ’ t story of the game .
Neither was the Bears ’ record improving to 5-1 , though that ’ s what they wanted to discuss afterward .
Not surprising .
You ’ d rather talk about your luxurious hair than the large mole on the tip of your nose .
But the story was this : The Bears ’ defense shouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offense .
It shouldn ’ t have to put up with the offense ’ s substandard talent level , nor a game plan dominated by dainty passes .
I ’ ll say this for Foles : If Trubisky were still the quarterback , the Bears probably would have lost this game .
Not exactly the biggest compliment you can give a quarterback , but it ’ s an important distinction .
Of the Bears ’ pallid offensive effort , Foles went with the bold and seldom-used bad-is-good gambit after the game .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ I think that ’ s exciting .
If we were winning these games and playing perfect and ( the games ) were this tight … what do you do ?
Where do you improve ?
’ ’ The Bears ’ first touchdown came after Tashaun Gipson picked off a Bridgewater pass , giving them the ball at the Panthers ’ 7-yard line .
I ’ d call a touchdown in that situation a near gim me , but the Bears had to call a timeout on third down to avert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ timeout with an honest-to-goodness delay-of-game penalty .
After rookie Cole Kmet ’ s first career touchdown , the Bears would manage just 16 points the rest of the afternoon .
So , taking Foles ’ lead , a citywide holiday is probably in order , what with all the room for improvement .
It ’ s hard to see how the Bears ’ defense can improve .
Bridgewater came into the game completing 73.0 percent of his passes , second-best in the NFL .
On Sunday , he was 16 of 29 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touchdowns .
The Bears intercepted him twice , sacked him four times and hit him six times .
In three hours of work , they reduced a mountain to rubble .
Oh , they also had six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery .
The defense is so , so good right now .
If you ’ re a fan of this team , you don ’ t need to be reminded of that .
You just need it to be a given , like oxygen and the movement of planets .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bears keep winning with such a meh offense ?
Yes , but that doesn ’ t make it right .
It ’ s hard to sit through this .
Of course , that ’ s not how the Bears see it , at least the Bears who work on the offensive side of the ball .
I didn ’ t know a 5-1 start and first place in the NFC North could feel so weird .
“ I refuse to take away the excitement that we have as a team right now in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

I’d like to apologize to the Bears’ defense for the Bears’ offense. I didn’t do anything wrong Sunday against the Panthers, didn’t throw a bad pass, didn’t design a game plan of purported intelligent design. But I’ll feel better if I say sorry.
I want to apologize for Nick Foles’ miniscule 5.1 yards per pass, for the coaching that helped produce that and for the quarterback’s terrible interception in the third quarter. It was the dreaded ill-advised floater. It was Foles dressed up as Mitch Trubisky for Halloween.
I need to apologize for David Montgomery’s 3.1 yards per carry, but let’s give Matt Nagy a tip of the cap for giving his running back 19 carries. I didn’t think the coach had it in him.
I should also apologize for the Bears’ second-to-last series when, clinging to a seven-point lead, they went three-and-out in a combined 15 seconds. I mean, you can’t reheat a cup of coffee in 15 seconds.
I want to apologize for Nagy’s decision to throw the ball on third-and-two on that series, when running the ball would have kept the clock running, whether the Bears picked up the first down or not. Nagy later said a run play in that situation would not have been “an aggressive approach.’’ It was a moment that called for clear thinking, not aggression. An incomplete pass gave the Panthers the ball and the chance to tie or win the game.
That wasn’t going to happen, not with the big, bad Bears’ defense on the other side of the line.
The day was saved when defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson intercepted the Panthers’ Teddy Bridgewater with 1:28 left. After that, all the Bears had to do was kneel three times in a row, and kneel they did, with no fumbles and no knee injuries. I’d call that a huge success, but huddled together as they were with the seconds ticking down, a -superspreader moment can’t be ruled out, not with this group.
Bears 23, Panthers 16. Usually the final score is closer to the top of a newspaper column, somewhere in the first several paragraphs, but that wasn’t story of the game. Neither was the Bears’ record improving to 5-1, though that’s what they wanted to discuss afterward. Not surprising. You’d rather talk about your luxurious hair than the large mole on the tip of your nose.
But the story was this: The Bears’ defense shouldn’t have to put up with this offense. It shouldn’t have to put up with the offense’s substandard talent level, nor a game plan dominated by dainty passes. I’ll say this for Foles: If Trubisky were still the quarterback, the Bears probably would have lost this game. Not exactly the biggest compliment you can give a quarterback, but it’s an important distinction.
Of the Bears’ pallid offensive effort, Foles went with the bold and seldom-used bad-is-good gambit after the game.
“We can improve,’’ he said. “I think that’s exciting. If we were winning these games and playing perfect and [the games] were this tight … what do you do? Where do you improve?’’
The Bears’ first touchdown came after Tashaun Gipson picked off a Bridgewater pass, giving them the ball at the Panthers’ 7-yard line. I’d call a touchdown in that situation a near gimme, but the Bears had to call a timeout on third down to avert a -delay-of-game penalty, then followed the timeout with an honest-to-goodness delay-of-game penalty. After rookie Cole Kmet’s first career touchdown, the Bears would manage just 16 points the rest of the afternoon.
So, taking Foles’ lead, a citywide holiday is probably in order, what with all the room for improvement.
It’s hard to see how the Bears’ defense can improve. Bridgewater came into the game completing 73% of his passes, second-best in the NFL. On Sunday, he was 16-for-29 (55%) for 216 yards and no touchdowns. The Bears intercepted him twice, sacked him four times and hit him six times. In three hours of work, they reduced a mountain to rubble. Oh, they also had six tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
The defense is so, so good right now. If you’re a fan of this team, you don’t need to be reminded of that. You just need it to be a given, like oxygen and the movement of planets. A law of nature.
Can the Bears keep winning with such a meh offense? Yes, but that doesn’t make it right. It’s hard to sit through this. Of course, that’s not how the Bears see it, at least the Bears who work on the offensive side of the ball.
I didn’t know a 5-1 start and first place in the NFC North could feel so weird.
“I refuse to take away the excitement that we have as a team right now in that locker room,” Nagy said.
I will. My apologies.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Bears’ defense wins in workmanlike fashion

Bears safety Tashaun Gipson had one regret Sunday .
When he intercepted Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on the third play from scrimmage , he didn ’ t get into the end zone .
“ Unfortunately , I wasn ’ t able to score .
I ’ m going to have to hear about it , ” said Gipson , who picked off the pass that had been deflected by cornerback Jaylon Johnson at the Panthers 16-yard line and was pushed out of bounds by Mike Davis at the 7 .
“ But I ’ ve got to make the running @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typified a productive day for Chuck Pagano ’ s defense that still left a proud defense a little unfulfilled in a 23-16 victory at Bank of America Stadium .
The Bears had three takeaways and four sacks and held the Panthers to 303 yards and 4.9 yards per play .
But they also had five penalties for 54 yards , including a pass interference infraction on Kyle Fuller that nullified safety Eddie Jackson ’ s 17-yard pick-6 and a 33-yard pass interference call on Johnson that set up the Panthers ’ lone touchdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they were happy to win on points .
The Panthers had two possessions in the final 5:12 with a chance to tie or take the lead and never got closer than the Bears ’ 49-yard line — with reserve safety DeAndre Houston-Carson applying the finishing touch with an interception at the Panthers 35 with 1:28 left — the second consecutive game Houston-Carson made the clinching play .
“ We did play well , but there ’ s always room for improvement , ” said linebacker Roquan Smith , who had a team-high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So we ’ re just taking each week and enjoying it today and we ’ re focused on our little improvement .
It was a solid performance , but we can always get better.
” The Bears defense did the little things well and made the most of missed opportunities .
After nose tackle Bilal Nichols just missed a safety when he sacked Bridgewater on the second play from scrimmage , Gipson followed with his interception that set up the offense for a touchdown drive that , however grindy , gave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hicks of all people was goaded into a neutral-zone infraction on fourth-and-two at the Bears 5-yard line in the second quarter for a first-and-goal at the 3 , the Bears rallied and still held the Panthers to a field goal .
Jackson and John Jenkins stopped Davis for no gain .
Fuller stopped Bridgewater with a textbook one-on-one , open-field tackle at the 2 .
And Smith ’ s blitz forced Bridgewater to throw awkwardly off his back foot for an incompletion in the end zone on third-and goal .
The Bears came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( allowing touchdowns on 36.8 % of opponents ’ red-zone possessions ) and that ’ s what made the difference Sunday .
In fact , the Panthers scored one touchdown in three goal-to-go situations .
“ We were focused on not letting guys in [ the end zone ] , ” Smith said .
“ They ’ re an NFL team just like we are — a lot of good players — and it was just about being a brick wall.
” The Bears had 11 players contribute to an impact play — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hicks ( fumble recovery , TFL ) and Jackson ( forced fumble ) , but defensive end Mario Edwards ( two pressures and a sack on one series ) , Johnson , Gipson , Nichols , outside linebackers Barkevious Mingo ( half-sack ) and James Vaughters ( half-sack ) and the closer , Houston-Carson .
“ I ’ m really proud of him — what a role player for us , ” coach Matt Nagy said of Houston-Carson , a fifth-year player who has contributed mostly on special teams .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does things the right way .
He ’ s come up big in these situations and that ’ s what I like about him .
”

Bears safety Tashaun Gipson had one regret Sunday. When he intercepted Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater on the third play from scrimmage, he didn’t get into the end zone.
“Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to score. I’m going to have to hear about it,” said Gipson, who picked off the pass that had been deflected by cornerback Jaylon Johnson at the Panthers’ 16-yard line and was pushed out of bounds by Mike -Davis at the 7. “But I’ve got to make the running back miss.”
Gipson’s interception typified a productive day for Chuck Pagano’s defense that still left a proud unit a little unfulfilled in a 23-16 victory at Bank of America Stadium.
The Bears had three takeaways and four sacks and held the Panthers to 303 yards and 4.9 yards per play. But they also had eight penalties for 70 yards, including a pass-interference infraction on Kyle Fuller that nullified safety Eddie Jackson’s 17-yard pick-six and a 33-yard pass-interference call on Johnson that set up the Panthers’ lone touchdown.
Unable to deliver a knockout blow, they were happy to win on points. The Panthers had two possessions in the final 5:12 with a chance to tie or take the lead and never got closer than the Bears’ 49-yard line, with reserve safety DeAndre Houston-Carson applying the finishing touch with an interception at the Panthers’ 35 with 1:28 left. It was the second consecutive game Houston-Carson made the clinching play.
“We did play well, but there’s always room for improvement,” said linebacker Roquan Smith, who had a team-high 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss. “So we’re just taking each week and enjoying it today, and we’re focused on our little improvement. It was a solid performance, but we can always get better.”
The defense did the little things well and made the most of missed opportunities. After nose tackle Bilal Nichols just missed a safety when he sacked Bridgewater on the second play from scrimmage, Gipson followed with his interception that set up the offense for a touchdown drive that, however grindy, gave the Bears a 7-0 lead.
When Akiem Hicks of all people was goaded into a neutral-zone infraction on fourth-and-two at the Bears’ 5-yard line in the second quarter for a first-and-goal at the 3, the Bears rallied and still held the Panthers to a field goal.
Jackson and John Jenkins stopped Davis for no gain. Fuller stopped Bridgewater with a textbook one-on-one, open-field tackle at the 2. And Smith’s blitz forced Bridgewater to throw awkwardly off his back foot for an incompletion in the end zone on third-and goal.
The Bears came in leading the NFL in red-zone defense (allowing touchdowns on 36.8% of opponents’ red-zone possessions) and that’s what made the difference Sunday. The Panthers scored one touchdown in three goal-to-goal situations.
“We were focused on not letting guys in [the end zone],” Smith said. “They’re an NFL team just like we are — a lot of good players — and it was just about being a brick wall.”
The Bears had 11 players contribute to an impact play — not just Khalil Mack (sack), Hicks (fumble recovery, TFL) and Jackson (forced fumble), but defensive end -Mario Edwards (two pressures and a sack on one series), Johnson, Gipson, Nichols, outside linebackers Barkevious Mingo (half-sack) and James Vaughters (half-sack) and the closer, Houston-Carson.
“I’m really proud of him — what a role player for us,” coach Matt Nagy said of Houston-Carson, a fifth-year player who has contributed mostly on special teams. “He’s just a quiet leader that does things the right way. He’s come up big in these situations, and that’s what I like about him.”


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Bears’ Nick Foles: ‘Would you rather lose pretty or win ugly?’

He danced to Meek Mill ’ s ‘ ‘ Dreams and Nightmares ’ ’ — the Philadelphia rapper ’ s beats always remind him of his magical 2017 season — in Club Dub after the Bears ’ 23-16 victory Sunday against the Panthers in Charlotte , North Carolina .
When he walked out of the locker room , Foles realized — being the most in-the-moment quarterback his coaches have seen — that the Bears are in a good place : 5-1 despite their offense not looking the part .
Properly hyped , Foles launched into a 558-word rant when asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become : an inconsistent offense that wins ugly .
‘ ‘ I would first say : ‘ Would you rather lose pretty or win ugly ?
’ ’ ’ he said .
‘ ‘ I think that we ’ d rather win ugly .
I think that is the common thing , so I think it tells you a lot about our team .
Is this who we are offensively ?
We want to improve .
We want to get better .
We want to have rhythm .
But ultimately in the NFL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
‘ ‘ It doesn ’ t matter how you do it ; it just matters that you get it done .
If you put up 50 points and you lose a game , those 50 points don ’ t mean anything.
’ ’ The Bears shouldn ’ t have to choose .
In the modern NFL — one in which scoring is up and crowd noise urging on the defense is down — points are king .
Playoff teams need to score , and legitimate Super Bowl contenders must score at will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be either unless they figure out how to do that .
NFL teams were averaging 25.7 points entering Sunday .
The Bears are averaging 21.3 .
On Sunday , both their touchdowns came with a short field — after an interception by Tashaun Gipson in the first quarter and after a missed field goal by Joey Slye in the third .
Foles posted a 70.3 passer rating , his third-worst mark in the last three seasons , and threw a Mitch Trubisky-like interception at the Panthers ’ 9 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third-worst showing since 2016 .
The Bears tried to manufacture a deep shot — ‘ ‘ They ’ re good , we need more of those , ’ ’ coach Matt Nagy said — but a flea-flicker in the third quarter yielded only a pass-interference call .
Foles threw for three gains of more than 13 yards — a product , Nagy claimed , of the Panthers ’ defense being designed to thwart deep shots .
‘ ‘ We can fix what we ’ re doing , ’ ’ Foles said .
‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Offenses don ’ t get fixed overnight , and sometimes they don ’ t get fixed throughout the course of years .
You see that in the NFL .
There have been teams that have been bad offensively for a very long time .
We ’ re not one of those teams.
’ ’ ‘ ‘ We ’ re a team that is young offensively , ’ ’ Foles said .
‘ ‘ We ’ re growing , we ’ re getting to know each other , we ’ re figuring out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing it .
.
.
as we ’ re winning these games .
And I think that is what is important .
‘ ‘ Now , we ’ re not going to get complacent and say : ‘ Hey , man , we ’ re 5-1 .
This is it.
’ No .
We ’ re sitting there in the locker room after the game talking through it : ‘ We got ta be better here .
This is what we got ta do .
Communication here .
Route-running here .
Hey , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ball here.
’ ’ ’ Those conversations added to his caffeinated postgame showing .
‘ ‘ That excites me with these guys , ’ ’ Foles said .
‘ ‘ I ’ m exhausted .
I can ’ t wait to take a nap on the plane .
I am hitting a little bit of adrenaline right now .
But once I hit that bus and that plane , I ’ ll be out.
’ ’ For those looking for Foles to apologize for the Bears ’ 5-1 record , keep dreaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to win a game , ’ ’ he said .
‘ ‘ Bad teams win with prettiness .
’ ’

Quarterback Nick Foles’ adrenaline rush hadn’t worn off yet.
He danced to Meek Mill’s ‘‘Dreams and Nightmares’’ — the Philadelphia rapper’s beats always remind him of his magical 2017 season — in Club Dub after the Bears’ 23-16 victory Sunday against the Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
When he walked out of the locker room, Foles realized — being the most in-the-moment quarterback his coaches have seen — that the Bears are in a good place: 5-1 despite their offense not looking the part.
Properly hyped, Foles launched into a 558-word rant when asked whether this is what the Bears had become: an inconsistent offense that wins ugly.
‘‘I would first say: ‘Would you rather lose pretty or win ugly?’ ’’ he said. ‘‘I think that we’d rather win ugly. I think that is the common thing, so I think it tells you a lot about our team. Is this who we are offensively? We want to improve. We want to get better. We want to have rhythm. But ultimately in the NFL, it’s about winning games.
‘‘It doesn’t matter how you do it; it just matters that you get it done. If you put up 50 points and you lose a game, those 50 points don’t mean anything.’’
The Bears shouldn’t have to choose. In the modern NFL — one in which scoring is up and crowd noise urging on the defense is down — points are king. Playoff teams need to score, and legitimate Super Bowl contenders must score at will.
Despite their record, the Bears won’t be either unless they figure out how to do that. NFL teams were averaging 25.7 points entering Sunday. The Bears are averaging 21.3.
On Sunday, both their touchdowns came with a short field — after an interception by Tashaun Gipson in the first quarter and after a missed field goal by Joey Slye in the third.
Foles posted a 70.3 passer rating, his third-worst mark in the last three seasons, and threw a Mitch Trubisky-like interception at the Panthers’ 9. He averaged 5.07 yards per attempt, his third-worst showing since 2016.
The Bears tried to manufacture a deep shot — ‘‘They’re good, we need more of those,’’ coach Matt Nagy said — but a flea-flicker in the third quarter yielded only a pass-interference call. Foles threw for three gains of more than 13 yards — a product, Nagy claimed, of the Panthers’ defense being designed to thwart deep shots.
‘‘We can fix what we’re doing,’’ Foles said. ‘‘It doesn’t happen overnight. Offenses don’t get fixed overnight, and sometimes they don’t get fixed throughout the course of years. You see that in the NFL. There have been teams that have been bad offensively for a very long time. We’re not one of those teams.’’
They’re not?
‘‘We’re a team that is young offensively,’’ Foles said. ‘‘We’re growing, we’re getting to know each other, we’re figuring out who we are and we’re doing it . . . as we’re winning these games. And I think that is what is important.
‘‘Now, we’re not going to get complacent and say: ‘Hey, man, we’re 5-1. This is it.’ No. We’re sitting there in the locker room after the game talking through it: ‘We gotta be better here. This is what we gotta do. Communication here. Route-running here. Hey, we gotta be able to run the ball here.’ ’’
Those conversations added to his caffeinated postgame showing.
‘‘That excites me with these guys,’’ Foles said. ‘‘I’m exhausted. I can’t wait to take a nap on the plane. I am hitting a little bit of adrenaline right now. But once I hit that bus and that plane, I’ll be out.’’
For those looking for Foles to apologize for the Bears’ 5-1 record, keep dreaming.
‘‘Great teams find a way to win a game,’’ he said. ‘‘Bad teams win with prettiness.’’


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Family of slain SW Side teen continues to press for answers: ‘We need all the Chicago leaders to see

Family of slain SW Side teen continues to press for answers: ‘We need all the Chicago leaders to see that we are in a war zone’

The family of a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed last month while walking a puppy near his Brighton Park home continued to push local officials to prioritize the case during a news conference Sunday at the scene of the attack .
Just after 9:30 p.m. Sept. 3 , Michael “ Mikey ” Colon was found shot multiple times in the 3200 block of West 38th Place , Chicago police reported .
Colon , who was entering his junior year at Thomas Kelly High School , was pronounced dead at the scene .
“ We need all the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war zone , where gun control in this city has been lost and shooters are aware of the small steps they have to take to kill innocents and get away with it , ” said Colon ’ s brother , Anthony .
Flanked by a few dozen supporters holding signs bearing his brother ’ s name , Anthony Colon specifically asked the Chicago Police Department , Mayor Lori Lightfoot , Cook County state ’ s attorney Kim Foxx and local Ald .
George Cardenas ( 12th ) to help bring them justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said no one was in custody in connection with the ongoing homicide investigation .
Colon ’ s sister , Joanna , told reporters that her family started communicating with high-ranking police officials after holding a news conference earlier this month outside CPD headquarters .
Meetings with those officials are planned for next week , she added .
And while Joanna Colon noted that a vehicle that was allegedly connected the shooting has been “ located , ” she said the family hasn ’ t been given any information about potential suspects .
Meanwhile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increased reward of $ 15,000 will encourage a someone to come forward with information that leads to an arrest .
But with homicides surging this year , she believes the National Guard ultimately needs to intervene to tamp down citywide violence .
“ We ’ ve spoken with the police that work in the streets directly .
...
They ’ ve stated their position , and how many hours they ’ re working , and how they ’ re outnumbered by the gang violence in the city of Chicago , ” said Joanna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Anyone with tips regarding Michael Colon ’ s killing should call ( 224 ) 651-6662 to make an anonymous report .

The family of a 16-year-old boy who was shot and killed last month while walking a puppy near his Brighton Park home continued to push local officials to prioritize the case during a news conference Sunday at the scene of the attack.
Just after 9:30 p.m. Sept. 3, Michael “Mikey” Colon was found shot multiple times in the 3200 block of West 38th Place, Chicago police reported. Colon, who was entering his junior year at Thomas Kelly High School, was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We need all the Chicago leaders to see that we are in a war zone, where gun control in this city has been lost and shooters are aware of the small steps they have to take to kill innocents and get away with it,” said Colon’s brother, Anthony.
Flanked by a few dozen supporters holding signs bearing his brother’s name, Anthony Colon specifically asked the Chicago Police Department, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Cook County state’s attorney Kim Foxx and local Ald. George Cardenas (12th) to help bring them justice. On Sunday, a police spokeswoman said no one was in custody in connection with the ongoing homicide investigation.
Colon’s sister, Joanna, told reporters that her family started communicating with high-ranking police officials after holding a news conference earlier this month outside CPD headquarters. Meetings with those officials are planned for next week, she added.
Activist Raul Montes and Joanna Colon speak to the press Sunday about the investigation into the killing of her brother, Michael “Mikey” Colon. Tom Schuba/Sun-Times
And while Joanna Colon noted that a vehicle that was allegedly connected the shooting has been “located,” she said the family hasn’t been given any information about potential suspects. Meanwhile, the family is hoping that an increased reward of $15,000 will encourage a someone to come forward with information that leads to an arrest.
But with homicides surging this year, she believes the National Guard ultimately needs to intervene to tamp down citywide violence.
“We’ve spoken with the police that work in the streets directly. ... They’ve stated their position, and how many hours they’re working, and how they’re outnumbered by the gang violence in the city of Chicago,” said Joanna Colon. “Our city needs help.”
Anyone with tips regarding Michael Colon’s killing should call (224) 651-6662 to make an anonymous report.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-18--Illinois’ COVID-19 positivity rate rises again with 4,245 new cases Sunday (LIVE UPDATES)

4,245 new COVID-19 cases reported in Illinois as positivity rate continues climbing Illinois health officials Sunday reported 4,245 new cases of COVID-19 as the state ’ s positivity rate continued its climb for the 14th consecutive day .
That is only 309 cases fewer than the record-breaking tally of 4,554 cases announced Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health .
The state has now reported a daily caseload of more than 4,000 in three of the last four days .
The latest cases were confirmed among 79,296 tests , raising the positivity rate , which indicates how rapidly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 5.2 % the previous day .
Public health officials Sunday also attributed 22 more deaths to the coronavirus , for a total of 9,214 since the pandemic began .
Health experts have warned Illinois is approaching a new peak that could be severe if people don ’ t adhere to recommended guidelines .
On Sunday , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker accused “ Trump allies in our state ” of contributing to the spike in Illinois COVID-19 infections by encouraging people to flout the rules in an interview on CNN ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ind .
— Purdue football coach Jeff Brohm has tested positive for the coronavirus , the school announced Sunday .
Brohm is awaiting a second test to confirm the initial result and is isolating at his home , Purdue ’ s athletic department said in a statement .
He is expected to speak with reporters during his regularly scheduled Zoom call Monday morning .
The Boilermakers are scheduled to host Iowa in their season opener Saturday when the Big Ten Conference begins its virus-delayed , eight-game , conference-only season .
11:25 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ made it nearly impossible ’ for Illinois , other states to reopen WASHINGTON – A day after President Donald Trump said Illinois “ could use a new governor , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Sunday said with COVID-19 infections rising , Trump has “ made it nearly impossible ” for states to move forward with widespread re-openings .
Pritzker also accused unnamed “ Trump allies in our state ” of contributing to the spike in Illinois COVID-19 infections by “ urging people ” to not pay attention to social distancing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remarks on CNN ’ s “ State of the Union ” in an interview with host Jake Tapper .
Trump stumped in Wisconsin Saturday – in Janesville , not far from the Illinois border – with backers crowded into a rally at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville , with many not wearing masks .
A central Trump strategy is to downplay the struggle to contain the health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 infections while Democrat Joe Biden ’ s campaign is trying to make the election a referendum on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump came to Wisconsin as the the state ’ s Department of Health Services reported a record number of COVID-19 cases .
Illinois also smashed state records last week , with hospitalizations and positive test rate jumping , leading Pritzker to declare the state is “ in a new wave.
” Read the full story from Lynn Sweet here .
10:39 a.m .
Growing supply of COVID-19 tests presents a new challenge : tracking results WASHINGTON — After struggling to ramp up coronavirus testing , the U.S. can now screen several million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supply of rapid tests .
But the boom comes with a new challenge : keeping track of the results .
All U.S. testing sites are legally required to report their results , positive and negative , to public health agencies .
But state health officials say many rapid tests are going unreported , which means some new COVID-19 infections may not be counted .
And the situation could get worse , experts say .
The federal government is shipping more than 100 million of the newest rapid tests to states for use in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other new testing sites .
“ Schools certainly don ’ t have the capacity to report these tests , ” said Dr. Jeffrey Engel of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists .
“ If it ’ s done at all it ’ s likely going to be paper-based , very slow and incomplete.
” 8:15 a.m .
US resorts adapt to new normal of skiing amid coronavirus pandemic Roughly seven months after the coronavirus cut the ski season short at the height of spring break , resorts across the United States and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and figuring out how to safely reopen this winter .
While many of the details are still being worked out , resort leaders are asking guests to curb their expectations and to embrace a new normal while skiing and snowboarding amid a pandemic .
That could mean wearing masks , standing 6 feet ( 1.8 meters ) apart in lift lines ( about the length of a typical ski ) , no dine-in service , riding lifts only with your group and no large gatherings for an apres drink .
7:50 a.m. Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 Gone are the days when President Donald Trump held forth daily at the White House podium flanked by members of his coronavirus task force .
And the days when Vice President Mike Pence and other task force officials would head to Trump ’ s office to brief him immediately after their meetings .
The White House won ’ t say when Trump last met with the task force .
In the week since he emerged from coronavirus isolation , Trump has demonstrated new determination to minimize the threat of the virus that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complicated his chances of winning another four years in the White House .
7:05 a.m. Doctors in rural Midwest struggle as COVID-19 overwhelms communities with limited resources WESSINGTON SPRINGS , S.D .
— Rural Jerauld County in South Dakota didn ’ t see a single case of the coronavirus for more than two months stretching from June to August .
But over the last two weeks , its rate of new cases per person soared to one of the highest in the nation .
“ All of a sudden it hit , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Dr. Tom Dean , one of just three doctors who work in the county .
As the brunt of the virus has blown into the Upper Midwest and northern Plains , the severity of outbreaks in rural communities has come into focus .
Doctors and health officials in small towns worry that infections may overwhelm communities with limited medical resources .
And many say they are still running up against attitudes on wearing masks that have hardened along political lines and a false notion that rural areas are immune to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a column in the local weekly newspaper , the True Dakotan , to offer his guidance .
In recent weeks , he ’ s watched as one in roughly every 37 people in his county has tested positive for the virus .
It ripped through the nursing home in Wessington Springs where both his parents lived , killing his father .
The community ’ s six deaths may appear minimal compared with thousands who have died in cities , but they have propelled the county of about 2,000 people to a death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate .
6 a.m .
Experts : State on brink of a severe flareup that rivals initial coronavirus peak in spring Illinois ’ coronavirus testing positivity rate inched up for a 13th consecutive day Saturday as 3,629 more residents tested positive for COVID-19 .
That ’ s almost a thousand fewer cases than the record-breaking tally of 4,554 announced by public health officials a day earlier , but it ’ s still the state ’ s fourth highest count of the pandemic .
Experts warn Illinois is on the brink of a severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic in May , as cases also soar to record highs in neighboring Midwest states .
Illinois has logged almost 47,000 cases so far in October , more than double its figure for the entire month of June .
While hefty case numbers don ’ t tell the full story , the latest cases were confirmed among 77,489 tests , raising the statewide seven-day average testing positivity rate once again to 5.2 % .
That number indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading , and it ’ s as high as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting up nearly two full percentage points since Oct. 4 .
“ We ’ re in a new wave of COVID-19 : rising cases , rising positivity , all across the nation — not just Illinois , ” Gov .
J.B. Pritzker said Friday .
• Florida coach Dan Mullen tests positive for COVID-19 , will self-isolate with his family .
• Illinois suffered a second straight record-shattering day with 4,554 new coronavirus cases reported Friday • Fred Dean , fearsome pass rusher in 49ers ’ dynasty , dies at 68 after being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lady : Son Barron Trump was positive for COVID-19 , now negative .
7:48 a.m. You don ’ t need a sleeping bag to survive early voting lines , but a campstool — and a scarf — might come in handy It took me two hours and seven minutes to early vote this week at Truman College in Uptown , only five minutes of which involved actually filling out the ballot .
The rest of the time was spent waiting outdoors in a long line that moved at a glacial pace , followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this is why I should have taken the advice to vote by mail , but I wasn ’ t ready to do that , and only my wife gets to say , ‘ I told you so , ’ because she really did tell me so , and the rest of you were just thinking it .
In my defense , I ’ m hardly alone .
At numerous early voting sites across the city on Wednesday , voters experienced similar delays as the first day of expanded early voting in all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall weather .
If you ’ re going to vote in person in 2020 , you ’ re going to need to bring your patience , your mask , some comfortable shoes and probably your mobile phone to keep you entertained .
And , oh yes , appropriate outerwear because you ’ re going to be waiting outdoors .
The pandemic requires election officials to limit the number of people inside a polling place .
In certain extreme circumstances , I could even see a campstool and snacks coming in handy .

The Latest
Getty
Illinois health officials Sunday reported 4,245 new cases of COVID-19 as the state’s positivity rate continued its climb for the 14th consecutive day.
That is only 309 cases fewer than the record-breaking tally of 4,554 cases announced Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The state has now reported a daily caseload of more than 4,000 in three of the last four days. The latest cases were confirmed among 79,296 tests, raising the positivity rate, which indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading, to 5.3% from 5.2% the previous day.
Public health officials Sunday also attributed 22 more deaths to the coronavirus, for a total of 9,214 since the pandemic began.
Health experts have warned Illinois is approaching a new peak that could be severe if people don’t adhere to recommended guidelines.
On Sunday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker accused “Trump allies in our state” of contributing to the spike in Illinois COVID-19 infections by encouraging people to flout the rules in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Read the full story here.
News
3 p.m. Purdue football coach Jeff Brohm tests positive for COVID-19
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue football coach Jeff Brohm has tested positive for the coronavirus, the school announced Sunday.
Brohm is awaiting a second test to confirm the initial result and is isolating at his home, Purdue’s athletic department said in a statement.
He is expected to speak with reporters during his regularly scheduled Zoom call Monday morning.
The Boilermakers are scheduled to host Iowa in their season opener Saturday when the Big Ten Conference begins its virus-delayed, eight-game, conference-only season.
Read the full story here.
11:25 a.m. Gov. J.B. Pritzker: President Trump ‘made it nearly impossible’ for Illinois, other states to reopen
WASHINGTON – A day after President Donald Trump said Illinois “could use a new governor,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Sunday said with COVID-19 infections rising, Trump has “made it nearly impossible” for states to move forward with widespread re-openings.
Pritzker also accused unnamed “Trump allies in our state” of contributing to the spike in Illinois COVID-19 infections by “urging people” to not pay attention to social distancing and other rules.
The governor made his remarks on CNN’s “State of the Union” in an interview with host Jake Tapper.
Trump stumped in Wisconsin Saturday – in Janesville, not far from the Illinois border – with backers crowded into a rally at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville, with many not wearing masks.
A central Trump strategy is to downplay the struggle to contain the health and economic crises triggered by the COVID-19 infections while Democrat Joe Biden’s campaign is trying to make the election a referendum on how the president has managed the pandemic.
Trump came to Wisconsin as the the state’s Department of Health Services reported a record number of COVID-19 cases. Illinois also smashed state records last week, with hospitalizations and positive test rate jumping, leading Pritzker to declare the state is “in a new wave.”
Read the full story from Lynn Sweet here.
10:39 a.m. Growing supply of COVID-19 tests presents a new challenge: tracking results
WASHINGTON — After struggling to ramp up coronavirus testing, the U.S. can now screen several million people daily, thanks to a growing supply of rapid tests. But the boom comes with a new challenge: keeping track of the results.
All U.S. testing sites are legally required to report their results, positive and negative, to public health agencies. But state health officials say many rapid tests are going unreported, which means some new COVID-19 infections may not be counted.
And the situation could get worse, experts say. The federal government is shipping more than 100 million of the newest rapid tests to states for use in public schools, assisted living centers and other new testing sites.
“Schools certainly don’t have the capacity to report these tests,” said Dr. Jeffrey Engel of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. “If it’s done at all it’s likely going to be paper-based, very slow and incomplete.”
8:15 a.m. US resorts adapt to new normal of skiing amid coronavirus pandemic
Helmet, goggles, skis? Check. Hand sanitizer, face covering, reservation? Check.
Roughly seven months after the coronavirus cut the ski season short at the height of spring break, resorts across the United States and Canada are slowly picking up the pieces and figuring out how to safely reopen this winter. While many of the details are still being worked out, resort leaders are asking guests to curb their expectations and to embrace a new normal while skiing and snowboarding amid a pandemic.
That could mean wearing masks, standing 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart in lift lines (about the length of a typical ski), no dine-in service, riding lifts only with your group and no large gatherings for an apres drink.
Read the full story here.
7:50 a.m. Trump demonstrates new determination to minimize threat of COVID-19
Gone are the days when President Donald Trump held forth daily at the White House podium flanked by members of his coronavirus task force. And the days when Vice President Mike Pence and other task force officials would head to Trump’s office to brief him immediately after their meetings.
The White House won’t say when Trump last met with the task force.
In the week since he emerged from coronavirus isolation, Trump has demonstrated new determination to minimize the threat of the virus that has killed more than 215,000 Americans and complicated his chances of winning another four years in the White House.
Read the full story here.
7:05 a.m. Doctors in rural Midwest struggle as COVID-19 overwhelms communities with limited resources
WESSINGTON SPRINGS, S.D. — Rural Jerauld County in South Dakota didn’t see a single case of the coronavirus for more than two months stretching from June to August. But over the last two weeks, its rate of new cases per person soared to one of the highest in the nation.
“All of a sudden it hit, and as it does, it just exploded,” said Dr. Tom Dean, one of just three doctors who work in the county.
As the brunt of the virus has blown into the Upper Midwest and northern Plains, the severity of outbreaks in rural communities has come into focus. Doctors and health officials in small towns worry that infections may overwhelm communities with limited medical resources. And many say they are still running up against attitudes on wearing masks that have hardened along political lines and a false notion that rural areas are immune to widespread infections.
Dean took to writing a column in the local weekly newspaper, the True Dakotan, to offer his guidance. In recent weeks, he’s watched as one in roughly every 37 people in his county has tested positive for the virus.
It ripped through the nursing home in Wessington Springs where both his parents lived, killing his father. The community’s six deaths may appear minimal compared with thousands who have died in cities, but they have propelled the county of about 2,000 people to a death rate roughly four times higher than the nationwide rate.
Read the full story here.
Getty
Illinois’ coronavirus testing positivity rate inched up for a 13th consecutive day Saturday as 3,629 more residents tested positive for COVID-19.
That’s almost a thousand fewer cases than the record-breaking tally of 4,554 announced by public health officials a day earlier, but it’s still the state’s fourth highest count of the pandemic.
Experts warn Illinois is on the brink of a severe coronavirus flareup rivaling its initial peak of the pandemic in May, as cases also soar to record highs in neighboring Midwest states. Illinois has logged almost 47,000 cases so far in October, more than double its figure for the entire month of June.
While hefty case numbers don’t tell the full story, the latest cases were confirmed among 77,489 tests, raising the statewide seven-day average testing positivity rate once again to 5.2%.
That number indicates how rapidly the virus is spreading, and it’s as high as it’s been since early June, shooting up nearly two full percentage points since Oct. 4.
“We’re in a new wave of COVID-19: rising cases, rising positivity, all across the nation — not just Illinois,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday.
Read the full story here.
New cases
Analysis & Commentary
7:48 a.m. You don’t need a sleeping bag to survive early voting lines, but a campstool — and a scarf — might come in handy
It took me two hours and seven minutes to early vote this week at Truman College in Uptown, only five minutes of which involved actually filling out the ballot.
The rest of the time was spent waiting outdoors in a long line that moved at a glacial pace, followed by a shorter wait indoors.
Yes, this is why I should have taken the advice to vote by mail, but I wasn’t ready to do that, and only my wife gets to say, ‘I told you so,’ because she really did tell me so, and the rest of you were just thinking it.
In my defense, I’m hardly alone.
At numerous early voting sites across the city on Wednesday, voters experienced similar delays as the first day of expanded early voting in all 50 wards coincided with warm, sunny fall weather.
If you’re going to vote in person in 2020, you’re going to need to bring your patience, your mask, some comfortable shoes and probably your mobile phone to keep you entertained.
And, oh yes, appropriate outerwear because you’re going to be waiting outdoors. The pandemic requires election officials to limit the number of people inside a polling place.
In certain extreme circumstances, I could even see a campstool and snacks coming in handy.
Read Mark Brown’s full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Man hanging off side of Trump Tower demanding to speak to president

A man who has been hanging off the side of Trump Tower from a rope since Sunday evening is demanding to speak to President Donald Trump .
The man , who is in his 20s , has been dangling from the tower ’ s 16th-floor balcony since about 5:30 p.m. , asking to speak to the president and trying to get his message to the media , according to Chicago Police spokesman Tom Ahern .
Police officers at the scene said they believe the man is using a climbing harness .
The man has threatened to kill himself , Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the deck trying to get the man down , according to Ahern .
At 1:36 a.m. Monday , Ahern tweeted that “ every effort is being made to bring a positive conclusion to this situation ” after hours of negotiations .
Police have blocked off traffic on Upper Wacker around Trump Tower , which overlooks the Chicago River at 401 N. Wabash Ave. A crowd of onlookers gathered across from the tower , some wondering if it was part of a stunt for the upcoming Batman movie , which has been shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation extended into Monday morning , the CTA announced reroutes on the southbound 6 , 134 , 135 , 136 and 146 bus routes through the area because of ongoing police activity at Wacker and Wabash .
This is a developing story .
Check back for updates .


chicagosun-times--2020-10-19--Dear Abby: When woman I’m dating shows photos of her kid, I think of her ex

DEAR ABBY : I ’ m 35 and have been a widower for almost five years .
I began dating about two years ago .
In my adventures of dating I have encountered a lot of divorced moms .
I met someone very special ( I ’ ll call her Rose ) a year and a half ago .
She ’ s great .
We share lots of laughs and goals , but she does something that drives me crazy .
She ’ s constantly showing me Facebook memories/photos of her daughter when she was young .
I never got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring up my past because I feel that ’ s behind me .
Rose ’ s ex is “ toxic , ” according to her , and from what I ’ ve witnessed , he ’ s pretty bad .
I see her daughter two weeks out of the month .
The girl is very spoiled and entitled , and when she ’ s not around , Rose keeps shoving old photos of her in my face and asking , “ Isn ’ t she so cute ?
” I can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for her daughter .
Does that make me a jerk ?
I feel those old photos of her daughter are really her memories with her ex , and it would be just as bad if I showed photos of my late wife and asked , “ Isn ’ t she beautiful ?
” Am I wrong ?
— UNPARENT OUT WEST DEAR UNPARENT : If you plan to continue a relationship with Rose , you are going to have to deal with your feelings about her daughter , some of which may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that you communicate to her the connection you make when you see those photos .
The quickest way to work this through would be couples counseling .
If your description of the girl is accurate , then realize that as long as she ’ s a minor , she will be a presence in your household .
If you and her mother can ’ t figure out a workable arrangement , you shouldn ’ t waste any more of Rose ’ s time or yours .
DEAR ABBY : “ Ron , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Stella , ” is seeing , is a manipulator .
My mother was a pro at manipulating and gaslighting , something I recognized after going to therapy as an adult .
I know it when I see it .
A month ago , I told Stella what I have observed , and it has escalated to the point that I told her I no longer want to be around him .
Ron , who is 40 , throws tantrums and threatens to leave when he doesn ’ t get what he wants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a dinner Stella hosted .
I left early after he threw another tantrum .
Ron texted me an “ apology ” that did not address his behavior that night , but something else that happened a week ago .
He then tried to guilt-trip me by saying my walking out hurt our friends and that he would stop hanging around because he didn ’ t want them to be hurt like that .
I haven ’ t responded to Ron ’ s “ apology ” and haven ’ t seen him since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once since the incident .
Must I accept his apology so everything goes back to how it was , or not see my friend until he is out of her life ?
— NOT A FAN OF HIM DEAR NOT A FAN : You don ’ t “ have ” to accept Ron ’ s apology any more than you have to accept any other unappetizing “ gift ” that is offered .
But don ’ t stop seeing Stella .
From what you have written , she needs a levelheaded friend right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in your presence , leave if he makes you uncomfortable .
And while you ’ re at it , tell Stella the reason and ask — woman to woman — why she tolerates his childish threats .
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 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I’m 35 and have been a widower for almost five years. I began dating about two years ago.
In my adventures of dating I have encountered a lot of divorced moms. I met someone very special (I’ll call her Rose) a year and a half ago. She’s great. We share lots of laughs and goals, but she does something that drives me crazy. She’s constantly showing me Facebook memories/photos of her daughter when she was young.
I never got the chance to have children and rarely bring up my past because I feel that’s behind me. Rose’s ex is “toxic,” according to her, and from what I’ve witnessed, he’s pretty bad.
I see her daughter two weeks out of the month. The girl is very spoiled and entitled, and when she’s not around, Rose keeps shoving old photos of her in my face and asking, “Isn’t she so cute?”
I can’t relate, and I don’t care for her daughter. Does that make me a jerk? I feel those old photos of her daughter are really her memories with her ex, and it would be just as bad if I showed photos of my late wife and asked, “Isn’t she beautiful?” Am I wrong? — UNPARENT OUT WEST
DEAR UNPARENT: If you plan to continue a relationship with Rose, you are going to have to deal with your feelings about her daughter, some of which may be off base. It is important that you communicate to her the connection you make when you see those photos. The quickest way to work this through would be couples counseling.
If your description of the girl is accurate, then realize that as long as she’s a minor, she will be a presence in your household. If you and her mother can’t figure out a workable arrangement, you shouldn’t waste any more of Rose’s time or yours.
DEAR ABBY: “Ron,” the guy my best friend, “Stella,” is seeing, is a manipulator. My mother was a pro at manipulating and gaslighting, something I recognized after going to therapy as an adult. I know it when I see it.
A month ago, I told Stella what I have observed, and it has escalated to the point that I told her I no longer want to be around him. Ron, who is 40, throws tantrums and threatens to leave when he doesn’t get what he wants.
The last time I saw him was at a dinner Stella hosted. I left early after he threw another tantrum. Ron texted me an “apology” that did not address his behavior that night, but something else that happened a week ago. He then tried to guilt-trip me by saying my walking out hurt our friends and that he would stop hanging around because he didn’t want them to be hurt like that.
I haven’t responded to Ron’s “apology” and haven’t seen him since. I have seen Stella for lunch once since the incident. Must I accept his apology so everything goes back to how it was, or not see my friend until he is out of her life? — NOT A FAN OF HIM
DEAR NOT A FAN: You don’t “have” to accept Ron’s apology any more than you have to accept any other unappetizing “gift” that is offered. But don’t stop seeing Stella. From what you have written, she needs a levelheaded friend right now. If Ron acts up again in your presence, leave if he makes you uncomfortable. And while you’re at it, tell Stella the reason and ask — woman to woman — why she tolerates his childish threats.
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.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)