chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Lightfoot and ‘corrupt’ permit system that ‘perpetuates environmental racism’ blamed in Little Villa

Lightfoot and ‘corrupt’ permit system that ‘perpetuates environmental racism’ blamed in Little Village demolition debacle

Community leaders from Pilsen and North Lawndale on Thursday blamed Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a “ corrupt ” permitting system that “ perpetuates environmental racism ” for the disastrous demolition of a 95-year-old smoke stack at the site of the shuttered Crawford coal-fired power plant .
Led by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization , the groups demanded that City Hall force Hilco Redevelopment Partners to vacate Little Village and rescind the $ 19.7 million city subsidy of a massive warehouse on the site .
Lightfoot has blamed Hilco for the demolition , which created a giant plume of dust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making it difficult to breathe during a coronavirus pandemic that does the same .
The dust left homes , vehicles , streets and sidewalks filthy and potentially exacerbated a public health crisis .
Kim Wasserman , executive director of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization , doesn ’ t buy the mayor ’ s finger-pointing .
She demanded a top-to-bottom overhaul of a permitting system she said allows Hilco and others to “ harm black and brown communities.
” “ This disaster is a result of a corrupt system that perpetuates environmental racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan or a permit problem .
The Crawford implosion exposes that Chicago ’ s urban development system serves corporate interests at the expense of Chicago ’ s black and brown communities , ” Wasserman said .
“ This is about a system where corporations , city departments like the Chicago Department of Public Health and elected officials like Alderman Mike Rodriguez never stop to think that , in the middle of an unprecedented respiratory disease pandemic , it was not right to schedule a dangerous implosion in a community with the second-worst air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rodriguez said he ’ s lifelong Little Village resident and looks forward to working with community to “ hold Hilco accountable.
” The alderman said he was “ opposed to the subsidy during his campaign and is opposed to it now.
” Lightfoot did not respond directly to the community leaders ’ demands .
Instead , her statement reiterated the mayor ’ s claim that the “ significant dust emission ” was “ unacceptable ” and that she “ responded swiftly ” by distributing masks , conducting environmental testing , cleaning the streets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work at the Crawford Power Generating Station .
“ I also issued an immediate halt to all non-emergency demolitions city-wide for a week .
Further , yesterday I sent a letter to Hilco demanding they provide the City with a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances leading up to , during and after the implosion of the stack , with particular emphasis on the steps they took to contain dust to their site and why those efforts failed , ” the mayor was quoted as saying “ In addition to these efforts , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident and will work to ensure incidents like these , never happen again.
” Hilco Redevelopment Partners has apologized to Little Village residents for the “ anxiety and fear ” caused by the demolition that already has triggered two lawsuits .
The company has fired its primary demolition contractor and outlined a plan to mitigate the damage .
“ This isn ’ t a ‘ bad apple ’ problem .
Community harm is stemming from one broken , corrupt racist system .
This system can not be redeemed , ” she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city code for demolitions unless Buildings Commissioner Judy Frydland expressly overrides ” that ban .
She demanded to know why “ this exception was made.
” Buildings Department spokesperson Mimi Simon countered : “ The city never issued a moratorium on explosives .
The use of explosives in construction is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
” Simon said lab results from dust samples taken from the Little Village site “ will inform next steps.
” As it waits for those results , City Hall is “ working with subject matter experts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be tightened or changed regarding demolitions ” to ensure nothing like this ever happens again , she wrote .
To show the Little Village demolition was not an isolated incident , Thursday ’ s news conference included a tearful appeal from Olga Bautista of the Southeast Environmental Task Force .
She represents a Far Southeast Side community that has been Chicago ’ s primary dumping ground for decades .
Wasserman demanded a “ first right of refusal ” for communities impacted by environmental racism and a “ community environmental justice advisory council @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council ” to retain the power to veto permits based on public health impact .
“ Reforms must empower communities in environmental injustice areas to screen industrial companies , change their plans and reject new or expanded developments that would harm the community , ” she said .
“ Permitting decisions by any Chicago department and zoning , planning or tax incentive approvals by City Council must factor in a company ’ s track record and that of their main sub-contractors .
Labor violations , environmental violations all should be part of whether @ @ @ @ @ @

Community leaders from Pilsen and North Lawndale on Thursday blamed Mayor Lori Lightfoot and a “corrupt” permitting system that “perpetuates environmental racism” for the disastrous demolition of a 95-year-old smoke stack at the site of the shuttered Crawford coal-fired power plant.
Led by the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, the groups demanded that City Hall force Hilco Redevelopment Partners to vacate Little Village and rescind the $19.7 million city subsidy of a massive warehouse on the site.
Lightfoot has blamed Hilco for the demolition, which created a giant plume of dust that rained down on the community, making it difficult to breathe during a coronavirus pandemic that does the same. The dust left homes, vehicles, streets and sidewalks filthy and potentially exacerbated a public health crisis.
Kim Wasserman, executive director of the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, doesn’t buy the mayor’s finger-pointing. She demanded a top-to-bottom overhaul of a permitting system she said allows Hilco and others to “harm black and brown communities.”
“This disaster is a result of a corrupt system that perpetuates environmental racism. This is not about a botched plan or a permit problem. The Crawford implosion exposes that Chicago’s urban development system serves corporate interests at the expense of Chicago’s black and brown communities,” Wasserman said.
“This is about a system where corporations, city departments like the Chicago Department of Public Health and elected officials like Alderman Mike Rodriguez never stop to think that, in the middle of an unprecedented respiratory disease pandemic, it was not right to schedule a dangerous implosion in a community with the second-worst air quality in the state of Illinois.”
Rodriguez said he’s a lifelong Little Village resident and looks forward to working with community to “hold Hilco accountable.” The alderman said he was “opposed to the subsidy during his campaign and is opposed to it now.”
Lightfoot did not respond directly to the community leaders’ demands.
Instead, her statement reiterated the mayor’s claim that the “significant dust emission” was “unacceptable” and that she “responded swiftly” by distributing masks, conducting environmental testing, cleaning the streets and issuing an order immediately stopping all work at the Crawford Power Generating Station.
A cloud of dust spreads across the Little Village neighborhood after the Crawford power plant smokestack was imploded on Saturday. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
“I also issued an immediate halt to all non-emergency demolitions city-wide for a week. Further, yesterday I sent a letter to Hilco demanding they provide the City with a comprehensive report detailing the circumstances leading up to, during and after the implosion of the stack, with particular emphasis on the steps they took to contain dust to their site and why those efforts failed,” the mayor was quoted as saying
“In addition to these efforts, I have ordered a thorough review of this incident and will work to ensure incidents like these, never happen again.”
Hilco Redevelopment Partners has apologized to Little Village residents for the “anxiety and fear” caused by the demolition that already has triggered two lawsuits. The company has fired its primary demolition contractor and outlined a plan to mitigate the damage.
Wasserman was not impressed.
“This isn’t a ‘bad apple’ problem. Community harm is stemming from one broken, corrupt racist system. This system cannot be redeemed,” she said.
Wasserman argued implosions are “banned in the city code for demolitions unless Buildings Commissioner Judy Frydland expressly overrides” that ban. She demanded to know why “this exception was made.”
Buildings Department spokesperson Mimi Simon countered: “The city never issued a moratorium on explosives. The use of explosives in construction is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.”
Simon said lab results from dust samples taken from the Little Village site “will inform next steps.” As it waits for those results, City Hall is “working with subject matter experts in all departments to determine if processes need to be tightened or changed regarding demolitions” to ensure nothing like this ever happens again, she wrote.
To show the Little Village demolition was not an isolated incident, Thursday’s news conference included a tearful appeal from Olga Bautista of the Southeast Environmental Task Force. She represents a Far Southeast Side community that has been Chicago’s primary dumping ground for decades.
Wasserman demanded a “first right of refusal” for communities impacted by environmental racism and a “community environmental justice advisory council that works in conjunction with the City Council” to retain the power to veto permits based on public health impact.
“Reforms must empower communities in environmental injustice areas to screen industrial companies, change their plans and reject new or expanded developments that would harm the community,” she said.
“Permitting decisions by any Chicago department and zoning, planning or tax incentive approvals by City Council must factor in a company’s track record and that of their main sub-contractors. Labor violations, environmental violations all should be part of whether new permits move forward.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Abbott Labs’ touted rapid COVID-19 test not widely available around Chicago, Sun-Times finds

Abbott Laboratories ’ ID NOW test for COVID-19 , which can display a positive result in as little as five minutes and a negative result in 13 minutes , has been lauded by President Donald Trump as “ a whole new ballgame ” in expanding testing for the disease .
But it ’ s still not widely available in Chicago and the suburbs , a Chicago Sun-Times survey found .
Though the Lake County company won ’ t say where the recently approved tests have been distributed , the University of Chicago hospitals , Rush University Medical Center , University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Physicians Immediate Care said they have Abbott ’ s rapid tests at some of their locations .
And Walgreens has said it has the Abbott rapid test at its drive-through testing sites in Austin and Bolingbrook .
The Advocate Health chain of hospitals said it does not have the Abbott rapid test .
A Northwestern Memorial Hospital spokesman would not say whether Northwestern has the rapid test .
Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and NorthShore University HealthSystem didn ’ t respond to requests for information .
Asked where it has shipped the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only that , as of this past Saturday , a total of 566,000 ID NOW tests have been distributed to all 50 states , Washington , D.C. , Puerto Rico and the Pacific Islands .
The company would not provide figures for the Chicago area .
Even where the fast tests are available , many hospitals and clinics are combining them with their own in-house tests or outside lab tests .
That means getting results can still take a couple of days or longer .
That ’ s the case at Rush and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gov .
J.B. Pritzker has been adamant that testing , tracing and treatment must be part of plans to reopen the state ’ s economy .
More testing is considered key to fight the deadly disease , with as many as one-quarter of those infected believed to be asymptomatic , according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
But for now testing centers are focusing on symptomatic patients they ’ ve carefully screened , along with health care workers and first-responders .
The federal Food and Drug Administration fast-tracked approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , waiving the stringent requirements normally imposed to prove the safety and efficacy of medical tests .
Abbott , which says its data show the new test is highly accurate , says it is manufacturing 50,000 ID NOW tests a day .
It plans to increase manufacturing capacity to 2 million tests by June and is “ working to expand beyond that.
” The rapid test involves using a nasal swab to probe deep inside a person ’ s nose , then placing the sample in a portable , toaster-sized machine that searches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ genome .

Abbott Laboratories’ ID NOW test for COVID-19, which can display a positive result in as little as five minutes and a negative result in 13 minutes, has been lauded by President Donald Trump as “a whole new ballgame” in expanding testing for the disease.
But it’s still not widely available in Chicago and the suburbs, a Chicago Sun-Times survey found.
Though the Lake County company won’t say where the recently approved tests have been distributed, the University of Chicago hospitals, Rush University Medical Center, University of Illinois Health, AMITA Health and Physicians Immediate Care said they have Abbott’s rapid tests at some of their locations.
And Walgreens has said it has the Abbott rapid test at its drive-through testing sites in Austin and Bolingbrook.
The Advocate Health chain of hospitals said it does not have the Abbott rapid test.
A Northwestern Memorial Hospital spokesman would not say whether Northwestern has the rapid test. Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood and NorthShore University HealthSystem didn’t respond to requests for information.
Asked where it has shipped the new rapid tests, Abbott would say only that, as of this past Saturday, a total of 566,000 ID NOW tests have been distributed to all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Pacific Islands. The company would not provide figures for the Chicago area.
Even where the fast tests are available, many hospitals and clinics are combining them with their own in-house tests or outside lab tests. That means getting results can still take a couple of days or longer.
That’s the case at Rush and at the University of Chicago hospitals.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker has been adamant that testing, tracing and treatment must be part of plans to reopen the state’s economy.
More testing is considered key to fight the deadly disease, with as many as one-quarter of those infected believed to be asymptomatic, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
But for now testing centers are focusing on symptomatic patients they’ve carefully screened, along with health care workers and first-responders.
The federal Food and Drug Administration fast-tracked approval for tests like the Abbott rapid test, waiving the stringent requirements normally imposed to prove the safety and efficacy of medical tests.
Abbott, which says its data show the new test is highly accurate, says it is manufacturing 50,000 ID NOW tests a day. It plans to increase manufacturing capacity to 2 million tests by June and is “working to expand beyond that.”
The rapid test involves using a nasal swab to probe deep inside a person’s nose, then placing the sample in a portable, toaster-sized machine that searches for a small section of the virus’ genome.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Father Chester Smith dies at 60; he and his brother said to be first African American twin priests i

Father Chester Smith dies at 60; he and his brother said to be first African American twin priests in U.S.

Father Chester Smith and his brother made history when they were ordained in 1988 .
They were believed to be the first African American twins to become Catholic priests in the United States .
Father Smith , a Chicago native who most recently was based in Indianapolis , died of a heart attack April 8 at the age of 60 , according to the Divine Word Missionaries , the holy order of him and his identical twin , Father Charles Smith .
The Smiths grew up in the Altgeld Gardens public housing complex and attended Our Lady of the Gardens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The twins once told Ebony magazine that they learned about black liberation leaders like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey from their parents , Mae Ruth and Charles Smith .
“ My mother taught me that I must be a man of character and a man of God — well-educated and well-rounded , ” Father Chester Smith said in the interview .
“ If not , she was quick to remind us that she brought us into this world and could take us out of it.
” From 2006 to 2010 , Father Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clergy Caucus , according to the Divine Word Missionaries .
And for 20 years , he helped organize the national Black Catholic Men ’ s Conference .
In Chicago , he served at St. Anselm ’ s at 6045 S. Michigan and St. Elizabeth ’ s parish , 50 E. 41st St .
He also had assignments in Atlanta , Indianapolis and St. Louis .
As a youth , he was influenced by the work of Father Edward Delaney , a member of the Divine Word Missionaries .
He said he used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white man be in the ghetto of Chicago working with gangs ?
But every day he was very inspiring , ” Father Charles Smith said his brother often spoke of being motivated by Father Delaney telling him : “ Your people need you.
” Father Chester Smith ’ s masses were lively and welcoming , punctuated by his urgings of “ C ’ mon , y ’ all.
” He wore African-inspired vestments , laughed often and walked down the center aisle to better connect with the congregation .
“ Jesus dwells within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worshippers .
“ He ’ s sitting here .
He ’ s not on no church wall.
” The twins attended Divine Word Seminary High School in East Troy , Wis. Young Chester said he felt called to the priesthood at 18 as a seminarian working in the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles .
He earned a sociology degree at Divine Word College in Epsworth , Iowa .
The Smiths were ordained in 1988 at the Divine Word chapel at Techny , now part of Northbrook .
At the time , Father Chester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ am committed to bringing God ’ s liberating word to our people.
” “ Father Chester ’ s ministry of liberation led him to travel throughout the United States , Europe , Canada and the Caribbean , ” his brother said .
“ ... His missions , revivals , workshops , retreats and motivational speaking filled that need.
” At his final post in Indianapolis , Father Smith worked with the Bowman Francis Ministry , which does outreach with African American youth .
“ He was devoted to uplifting the economically powerless and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people — regardless of ethnicity , race or religion — to help them realize their full potential as human beings , ” said Father Mark Weber , a past superior .
In addition to his brother , Father Smith is survived by his sister , Marcheta , and brother Kermit .
He was buried Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park .
A future memorial service is being discussed .

Father Chester Smith and his brother made history when they were ordained in 1988.
They were believed to be the first African American twins to become Catholic priests in the United States.
Father Smith, a Chicago native who most recently was based in Indianapolis, died of a heart attack April 8 at the age of 60, according to the Divine Word Missionaries, the holy order of him and his identical twin, Father Charles Smith.
Father Chester Smith (holding chalice) and his twin brother, Father Charles Smith, celebrate their 25th anniversary as priests in a 2013 mass at St. Anselm’s church, 6045 S. Michigan. Brother Dan Holman SVD/Society of the Divine Word.
The Smiths grew up in the Altgeld Gardens public housing complex and attended Our Lady of the Gardens grade school at 133rd and Langley.
The twins once told Ebony magazine that they learned about black liberation leaders like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey from their parents, Mae Ruth and Charles Smith.
“My mother taught me that I must be a man of character and a man of God — well-educated and well-rounded,” Father Chester Smith said in the interview. “If not, she was quick to remind us that she brought us into this world and could take us out of it.”
Revs. Charles and Chester Smith made history in 1988 when they became the first African American twins ordained by the Roman Catholic church in the United States. CST
From 2006 to 2010, Father Smith was president of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, according to the Divine Word Missionaries. And for 20 years, he helped organize the national Black Catholic Men’s Conference.
In Chicago, he served at St. Anselm’s at 6045 S. Michigan and St. Elizabeth’s parish, 50 E. 41st St. He also had assignments in Atlanta, Indianapolis and St. Louis.
As a youth, he was influenced by the work of Father Edward Delaney, a member of the Divine Word Missionaries. He said he used to ask himself, “Why would a white man be in the ghetto of Chicago working with gangs? But every day he was very inspiring,”
Father Charles Smith said his brother often spoke of being motivated by Father Delaney telling him: “Your people need you.”
Father Chester Smith preaching. Father Chester Smith
Father Chester Smith’s masses were lively and welcoming, punctuated by his urgings of “C’mon, y’all.” He wore African-inspired vestments, laughed often and walked down the center aisle to better connect with the congregation.
“Jesus dwells within me,” he’d tell worshippers. “He’s sitting here. He’s not on no church wall.”
The twins attended Divine Word Seminary High School in East Troy, Wis. Young Chester said he felt called to the priesthood at 18 as a seminarian working in the Watts neighborhood in Los Angeles. He earned a sociology degree at Divine Word College in Epsworth, Iowa.
Twin priests, Father Chester (left) and Father Charles Smith, at a 2016 mass in Saginaw, Mich. Father Charles Smith
The Smiths were ordained in 1988 at the Divine Word chapel at Techny, now part of Northbrook. At the time, Father Chester Smith told Jet magazine: “I am committed to bringing God’s liberating word to our people.”
“Father Chester’s ministry of liberation led him to travel throughout the United States, Europe, Canada and the Caribbean,” his brother said. “... His missions, revivals, workshops, retreats and motivational speaking filled that need.”
Father Chester Smith at a workshop in 2018. Father Chester Smith
At his final post in Indianapolis, Father Smith worked with the Bowman Francis Ministry, which does outreach with African American youth.
“He was devoted to uplifting the economically powerless and transforming the system in order to help people — regardless of ethnicity, race or religion — to help them realize their full potential as human beings,” said Father Mark Weber, a past superior.
In addition to his brother, Father Smith is survived by his sister, Marcheta, and brother Kermit. He was buried Thursday at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Evergreen Park. A future memorial service is being discussed.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Medical examiner confirms 74 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing Cook County toll to 784

The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office confirmed 74 more coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday , raising the county ’ s @ @ @ @ @ adults ’ ages ranged from 39 to 97 , the medical examiner ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ up about 73 percent of the 1,072 deaths across Illinois .
Earlier Thursday , Gov @ @ @ @ @ more deaths and 1,140 new positive cases , raising the statewide total to 25,733 cases @ @ @ @ @ said the virus spread to another county , with 90 of 102 counties in the @ @ @ @ @

The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed 74 more coronavirus-related deaths Thursday, raising the county’s total to 784.
The adults’ ages ranged from 39 to 97, the medical examiner’s office said. Cook County makes up about 73 percent of the 1,072 deaths across Illinois.
Earlier Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced 125 more deaths and 1,140 new positive cases, raising the statewide total to 25,733 cases.
Additionally, health officials said the virus spread to another county, with 90 of 102 counties in the state now reporting cases.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--When will it be safe for fans to return to Wrigley Field, United Center?

With most of the country under a shelter-in-place order and professional sports leagues having come to a halt , many have wondered when it will be safe for those leagues to restart and fans to return .
Oddsmakers and statisticians from Sports Betting Dime have run projections of the likelihood that a fan would be infected by an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 while attending a sporting event .
The projections are broken down by city , and factor in each city ’ s projected COVID-19 peak date — for Illinois that is April 17 — along with various presumptive league @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cities , including Chicago , that have MLB , NBA and NHL franchises and how the probability of infection would change based on different league dates of June 1 , June 15 or July 1 .
The study assumes continued social distancing measures throughout the summer and further assumes standard game behavior by fans and uses the average crowd size from the previous season for each venue .
The numbers were similar among the three leagues , but they don ’ t look encouraging for sports fans looking to get back into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baseball opens on June 1 at Wrigley Field ( assuming an average attendance of 38,208 ) , 818 people — or 2.16 % — would be infected with the coronavirus .
With a June 15 start date , that number drops to 204 infections ( 0.54 % ) , but if MLB were to begin on July 1 , there would be 92 people infections ( 0.24 % ) .
If the NBA or NHL restarted at the United Center with an average attendance of 18,804 , there would be 395 people infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 restart date .
If they begin on June 15 , 99 people would be infected ( 0.53 % ) and July 1 would yield 44 infections ( 0.24 % ) .
Nationwide the numbers vary according to the projected peak date of the virus .
The projections put Chicago on the lower end of infection rates , with an 88 % drop from 2.16 % to 0.24 % probability of infection if the start date is pushed back from June 1 to July 1 .
Boston and New York have a projected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on April 16 .
Their infection rate starts at roughly 0.54 % for June 1 and drops to 0.05 % on July 1 .
Miami doesn ’ t peak until May 2 and therefore their infection rate at an NBA or NHL game is 29.17 % for a June 1 start , dropping to 13.82 % with start on July 1 .
Even with the later July 1 start date and a relatively low infection rate projected for Chicago , the exponentially increasing nature of the virus still means that each newly infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the curve .
Until we have more effective measures in place to combat the coronavirus , fans are a long way away from being able to safely watch sports in a stadium or an arena .

With most of the country under a shelter-in-place order and professional sports leagues having come to a halt, many have wondered when it will be safe for those leagues to restart and fans to return.
Oddsmakers and statisticians from Sports Betting Dime have run projections of the likelihood that a fan would be infected by an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 while attending a sporting event. The projections are broken down by city, and factor in each city’s projected COVID-19 peak date — for Illinois that is April 17 — along with various presumptive league start dates.
They looked at nine cities, including Chicago, that have MLB, NBA and NHL franchises and how the probability of infection would change based on different league dates of June 1, June 15 or July 1.
The study assumes continued social distancing measures throughout the summer and further assumes standard game behavior by fans and uses the average crowd size from the previous season for each venue.
The numbers were similar among the three leagues, but they don’t look encouraging for sports fans looking to get back into a stadium anytime soon.
If Major League Baseball opens on June 1 at Wrigley Field (assuming an average attendance of 38,208), 818 people — or 2.16% — would be infected with the coronavirus. With a June 15 start date, that number drops to 204 infections (0.54%), but if MLB were to begin on July 1, there would be 92 people infections (0.24%).
If the NBA or NHL restarted at the United Center with an average attendance of 18,804, there would be 395 people infected (2.12%) with a June 1 restart date. If they begin on June 15, 99 people would be infected (0.53%) and July 1 would yield 44 infections (0.24%).
Nationwide the numbers vary according to the projected peak date of the virus. The projections put Chicago on the lower end of infection rates, with an 88% drop from 2.16% to 0.24% probability of infection if the start date is pushed back from June 1 to July 1. Boston and New York have a projected peak date one day sooner than Chicago on April 16. Their infection rate starts at roughly 0.54% for June 1 and drops to 0.05% on July 1. Miami doesn’t peak until May 2 and therefore their infection rate at an NBA or NHL game is 29.17% for a June 1 start, dropping to 13.82% with start on July 1.
Even with the later July 1 start date and a relatively low infection rate projected for Chicago, the exponentially increasing nature of the virus still means that each newly infected person will contribute to a swift inflation of the curve. Until we have more effective measures in place to combat the coronavirus, fans are a long way away from being able to safely watch sports in a stadium or an arena.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Don’t let Trump starve the postal service to improve his reelection odds — or beat up on Jeff Bezos

Established almost 250 years ago , the U.S .
Postal Service has survived wars , economic depressions and civil unrest — only to possibly be undone by a vengeful and shortsighted president .
Donald Trump continues to signal he will do nothing to rescue the soon-to-be bankrupt postal service , which has been a key player in keeping stay-at-home Americans supplied and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic .
He blocked the agency from receiving $ 13 billion as part of last month ’ s coronavirus stimulus package , and he has since made clear that he will sign off on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ packages .
Nor will he ease financial regulations that unnecessarily burden the agency .
And why would that be ?
Because Trump is out to punish Amazon , the behemoth online retailer that — like the historic Chicago-based mail order houses Sears and Montgomery Ward — uses the mails to move its goods .
Amazon is owned by Jeff Bezos , who also owns the Washington Post , which Trump despises .
And why else would that be ?
Because Trump is opposed to proposals to allow all Americans to vote by mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid risky in-person voting during a pandemic .
That , the president says , “ doesn ’ t work out for Republicans.
” A weakened or non-existent post office could favor his re-election chances .
And so Trump would starve out this venerable , $ 71 billion institution , though it remains a vital public service .
The postal service has been wracked by expenses and falling revenue due to COVID-19 .
It also has struggled for years under onerous pension funding requirements that are imposed on no other federal agency .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will lose more than $ 22 billion over the next 18 months and as much as $ 54 billion “ over the longer term.
” Without a bailout , the postal service , he says , “ will run out of cash this fiscal year.
” The postal service has asked for $ 25 billion to offset COVID-19-related losses .
The agency also seeks a $ 25 billion grant for “ shovel-ready ” modernization projects and $ 25 billion in unrestricted borrowing authority from Treasury .
We strongly urge Congress to include the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulus funding .
The GOP-controlled Senate should grow a backbone , stand up to Trump and deliver for an agency that has been delivering for Americans , rich or poor , since before the Revolution .

Established almost 250 years ago, the U.S. Postal Service has survived wars, economic depressions and civil unrest — only to possibly be undone by a vengeful and shortsighted president.
Editorials bug Editorials
Donald Trump continues to signal he will do nothing to rescue the soon-to-be bankrupt postal service, which has been a key player in keeping stay-at-home Americans supplied and connected during the COVID-19 pandemic. He blocked the agency from receiving $13 billion as part of last month’s coronavirus stimulus package, and he has since made clear that he will sign off on nothing for the agency in future stimulus packages. Nor will he ease financial regulations that unnecessarily burden the agency.
And why would that be?
Because Trump is out to punish Amazon, the behemoth online retailer that — like the historic Chicago-based mail order houses Sears and Montgomery Ward — uses the mails to move its goods. Amazon is owned by Jeff Bezos, who also owns the Washington Post, which Trump despises.
And why else would that be?
Because Trump is opposed to proposals to allow all Americans to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 elections so as to avoid risky in-person voting during a pandemic. That, the president says, “doesn’t work out for Republicans.” A weakened or non-existent post office could favor his re-election chances.
And so Trump would starve out this venerable, $71 billion institution, though it remains a vital public service.
The postal service has been wracked by expenses and falling revenue due to COVID-19. It also has struggled for years under onerous pension funding requirements that are imposed on no other federal agency.
Postmaster General Megan Brennan says the agency will lose more than $22 billion over the next 18 months and as much as $54 billion “over the longer term.” Without a bailout, the postal service, he says, “will run out of cash this fiscal year.”
Congress and Senate: Stand up
The postal service has asked for $25 billion to offset COVID-19-related losses. The agency also seeks a $25 billion grant for “shovel-ready” modernization projects and $25 billion in unrestricted borrowing authority from Treasury.
We strongly urge Congress to include the postal service in the next round of stimulus funding. The GOP-controlled Senate should grow a backbone, stand up to Trump and deliver for an agency that has been delivering for Americans, rich or poor, since before the Revolution.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-16--Mystery shrouds closed-door vote on Tobolski successor: ‘I don’t really know anything about this per

Mystery shrouds closed-door vote on Tobolski successor: ‘I don’t really know anything about this person’

Hours after they walked past protesters begging them to pick anyone but former Republican state Rep. Frank Aguilar , half a dozen Cook County Democrats convened in a closed-door meeting in Berwyn and chose Aguilar to fill an open County Board seat .
“ He had the votes , ” said Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough , who participated in her role as Proviso Township Democratic committeeperson .
“ He had the votes .
That ’ s what this all comes down to.
” That explains the ‘ how ’ Aguilar was chosen at the Wednesday night meeting .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the ‘ why.
’ The Democratic committeepersons involved have largely been quiet or unwilling to say very much about what happened in the room at the Italian American Civic Organization in Berwyn .
Their decision came hours after County Democratic Chair Toni Preckwinkle lectured Democrats on party unity during a separate online meeting .
At an unrelated news conference Thursday , Preckwinkle declined to comment on the committee picking someone with Republican ties to the seat , because she ’ s “ a Democrat.
” “ I don ’ t really know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can ’ t really comment on him , or his capability for the job or people who were protesting his potential appointment , ” Preckwinkle said .
“ I ’ m not a member of the committee that made this choice , I wasn ’ t present , I don ’ t know anything about the proceedings.
” Barrett Pedersen , Leyden Township Democratic committeeperson , said the panel heard from seven wannabe commissioners hoping to succeed Jeff Tobolski , who stepped down after the feds raided his office in suburban McCook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pedersen arrived late after listening over the phone as Aguilar made his case for the position .
Questions were raised about Aguilar ’ s views on abortion , Pederson said , and Aguilar said he had “ religious beliefs ” on the issue but wouldn ’ t let those interfere with representing his constituents .
If Aguilar specifically said he is now a Democrat , Pederson didn ’ t hear it .
Eight Democrats were entitled to participate in the selection process , because they represent parts of Tobolski ’ s old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One voted by proxy and another was on a conference line .
The first round of voting failed to provide a winner .
Because the votes were weighted based on past election results , it only really took three committeepersons to throw their support behind Aguilar for him to win .
But Pedersen wouldn ’ t provide their names .
The committeepersons for Berwyn , Cicero and Lyons Townships , who hold the lion ’ s share of the weighted vote — didn ’ t respond to requests for comment .
And Berwyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western suburb refused to allow reporters into the closed-door meeting Wednesday night .
The vote was not by acclimation or by unanimous agreement , Pedersen said .
As for whether or not Aguilar made a good case for himself , Pedersen said he couldn ’ t comment on that as Aguilar is “ going to be my county commissioner.
” State Rep. Aaron Ortiz , the 14th Ward committeeperson , said he didn ’ t vote for Aguilar .
“ I am disappointed in the fact that the majority of committeemen voted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Republican values at one point , and also is kind of toeing the line on a lot of policies that are a lot more conservative than that the Democratic Party represents at the moment , ” Ortiz said .
The protesters who stood outside Wednesday were unhappy with Aguilar ’ s tenure on the board of trustees at Morton College .
Aguilar said he was told around midnight that he secured the votes .
He said he ’ s already gotten to work putting together a task force against the coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I will , ” he said .
“ I think my experience speaks for itself , and I ’ ll work as hard as I can to move forward and … have a transparent administration.
” Though he was a Republican state representative , he ’ s since moved away from the party after feeling disappointed by it , he has said .
Aguilar says he ’ s been in community service “ practically my whole life — both as a volunteer and as my profession.
” He points to his experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses as things he thinks will help him be effective .
As for the protesters who came out , Aguilar said he has “ an open ear.
” “ I think they have a right to view this position and have concerns , that ’ s understandable , ” Aguilar said .
“ First and foremost my job is to listen to constituents and community leaders and hear what they expect from me and I have an obligation to hear them out .
”

Hours after they walked past protesters begging them to pick anyone but former Republican state Rep. Frank Aguilar, half a dozen Cook County Democrats convened in a closed-door meeting in Berwyn and chose the longtime Cicero town official to fill an open County Board seat.
“He had the votes,” said Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough, who participated in her role as Proviso Township Democratic committeeperson. “He had the votes. That’s what this all comes down to.”
That explains the ‘how’ Aguilar was chosen at the Wednesday night meeting. But on Thursday, no one was talking about the ‘why.’
The Democratic committeepersons involved have largely been quiet or unwilling to say very much about what happened in the room at the Italian American Civic Organization in Berwyn that culminated in the selection of Aguilar, who got his start in the political organization of convicted former Cicero Town President Betty Loren-Maltese.
Their decision came hours after County Democratic Chair Toni Preckwinkle lectured Democrats on party unity during a separate online meeting.
At an unrelated news conference Thursday, Preckwinkle declined to comment on the committee picking someone with Republican ties to the seat, because she’s “a Democrat.”
“I don’t really know anything about this person, and so I can’t really comment on him, or his capability for the job or people who were protesting his potential appointment,” Preckwinkle said. “I’m not a member of the committee that made this choice, I wasn’t present, I don’t know anything about the proceedings.”
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle addresses the Cook County Democratic Party in her role as party chair on Wednesday. Screen image
Barrett Pedersen, Leyden Township Democratic committeeperson, said the panel heard from seven wannabe commissioners hoping to succeed Jeff Tobolski, who stepped down after the feds raided his office in suburban McCook, where he also served as mayor.
Pedersen arrived late after listening over the phone as Aguilar made his case for the position.
Questions were raised about Aguilar’s views on abortion, Pedersen said, and Aguilar said he had “religious beliefs” on the issue but wouldn’t let those interfere with representing his constituents.
If Aguilar specifically said he is now a Democrat, Pedersen didn’t hear it.
Eight Democrats were entitled to participate in the selection process, because they represent parts of Tobolski’s old commissioner district. Six were present. One voted by proxy and another was on a conference line.
The first round of voting failed to provide a winner.
Because the votes were weighted based on past election results, it only really took three committeepersons to throw their support behind Aguilar for him to win.
But Pedersen wouldn’t provide their names. The committeepersons for Berwyn, Cicero and Lyons Townships, who hold the lion’s share of the weighted vote — didn’t respond to requests for comment.
And Berwyn police officers and an alderman from the western suburb refused to allow reporters into the closed-door meeting Wednesday night.
The vote was not by acclamation or by unanimous agreement, Pedersen said.
As for whether or not Aguilar made a good case for himself, Pedersen said he couldn’t comment on that as Aguilar is “going to be my county commissioner.”
State Rep. Aaron Ortiz, the 14th Ward committeeperson, said he didn’t vote for Aguilar.
Michelle Ramirez and Anna De La Torre protest outside of the Italian American Civic Organization in Berwyn Wednesday Rachel Hinton/Sun-Times
“I am disappointed in the fact that the majority of committeemen voted to support a candidate who has aligned himself with Republican values at one point, and also is kind of toeing the line on a lot of policies that are a lot more conservative than that the Democratic Party represents at the moment,” Ortiz said.
The protesters who stood outside Wednesday were unhappy with Aguilar’s tenure on the board of trustees at Morton College.
Aguilar said he was told around midnight that he secured the votes.
Then state Rep. Frank Aguilar, R-Cicero in 2003. From www.ilga.gov
He said he’s already gotten to work putting together a task force against the coronavirus.
“I have to prove myself — and I will,” he said. “I think my experience speaks for itself, and I’ll work as hard as I can to move forward and … have a transparent administration.”
Aguilar, who came out of Loren-Maltese’s GOP organization, served one term in the Legislature, and was an ally of Town President Ramiro Gonzalez, the Loren-Maltese protégé who succeeded her when she went to prison. Aguilar also served as a top aide to Town President Larry Dominick, who ousted Gonzalez.
Though Aguilar was a Republican, he’s since moved away from the party after feeling disappointed by it, he has said.
Aguilar says he’s been in community service “practically my whole life — both as a volunteer and as my profession.” He points to his experience with labor relations and local, small businesses as things he thinks will help him be effective.
As for the protesters who came out, Aguilar said he has “an open ear.”
“I think they have a right to view this position and have concerns, that’s understandable,” Aguilar said. “First and foremost my job is to listen to constituents and community leaders and hear what they expect from me and I have an obligation to hear them out.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-17--Wild game: Quick Duck Confit in “Braising the Wild”

I received Jack Hennessy ’ s Quick Duck Confit recipe this week for “ Braising the Wild ” and sent back an email , “ Isn ’ t quick confit an oxymoron ?
” His reply to my attempt at wit was to email back , “ Literal translation would be ` quick preservation.
’ The curing and preservation are what take so long with confit.
” As he notes , even with his “ quick ” recipe , it takes hours .
With that , here is this week ’ s recipe : Quick may seem counterintuitive , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on our hands , but while traditional duck confit can take days—with the whole curing process—I ’ d put this recipe up against those any day of the week .
Though I ’ ll admit : I ’ m not a duck confit connoisseur .
The last time I had it was in Las Vegas for SHOT Show 2020 at Bouchon ( in the Venetian ) .
I was underwhelmed , mainly because I could taste the refrigeration in the duck .
Duck confit is meant to be refrigerated after cooking ( after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to age the meat .
But if not completely submerged in fat , the meat will absorb the air within your fridge .
After working with walk-in-cooler food for years , I became sensitive to that flavor .
Needless to say , I am not a fan .
This recipe eliminates that risk completely .
As well , this recipe doesn ’ t require you to have jars of duck fat sitting on your shelf .
You could even substitute pork back fat here .
The premise is simple : A very low @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thin layer of fat , rotating hourly , then finally crisping up at end , prior to serving .
You can of course “ French ” the legs , which is the technique in which you use your knife to remove skin , cartilage and tendon from the leg bone .
It makes for a “ pretty ” presentation .
This recipe also works for Canada goose but would require more time in the oven .
With geese , you can include the wings in backing tray .
If you had a LARGE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including those wings .
Please note : While this is far quicker than traditional duck confit , it ’ ll still require 14 hours between brining and cooking .
Mix brine ingredients thoroughly until salt and sugar dissolve .
Add duck to brine and let soak for 8-10 hours .
Upon removal , thoroughly rinse off brine and pat dry , let sit in fridge for 2 hours prior to cooking to completely dry .
Lightly prick skin of duck with sharp needle .
Do not completely puncture through skin , but make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help fat secrete .
Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees .
In a 10-inch-by-10-inch baking tray ( or a comparable size ) , add approximately 1 cup duck fat to bottom and spread , enough so duck is sitting in 1/8-inch of fat .
If you don ’ t have duck fat , you can substitute pork fat .
Make sure to surround the duck in fat chunks , if doing so .
Turn duck every hour so all sides spend adequate time submerged in fat .
After approximately 3 hours , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is facing up and turn oven to 400 degrees .
Once skin is golden brown , after approximately 15 minutes , remove and allow to cool 10 minutes before serving .

QUICK DUCK CONFIT Quick may seem counterintuitive, as so many of us have extra time on our hands, but while traditional duck confit can take days—with the whole curing process—I’d put this recipe up against those any day of the week. Though I’ll admit: I’m not a duck confit connoisseur. The last time I had it was in Las Vegas for SHOT Show 2020 at Bouchon (in the Venetian). I was underwhelmed, mainly because I could taste the refrigeration in the duck. Duck confit is meant to be refrigerated after cooking (after curing prior to that) in order to age the meat. But if not completely submerged in fat, the meat will absorb the air within your fridge. After working with walk-in-cooler food for years, I became sensitive to that flavor. Needless to say, I am not a fan. This recipe eliminates that risk completely. As well, this recipe doesn’t require you to have jars of duck fat sitting on your shelf. You could even substitute pork back fat here. The premise is simple: A very low and slow duck leg roast in a thin layer of fat, rotating hourly, then finally crisping up at end, prior to serving. You can of course French the legs, which is the technique in which you use your knife to remove skin, cartilage and tendon from the leg bone. It makes for a pretty presentation. This recipe also works for Canada goose but would require more time in the oven. With geese, you can include the wings in backing tray. If you had a LARGE mallard, it might also be worth including those wings. Please note: While this is far quicker than traditional duck confit, it’ll still require 14 hours between brining and cooking. Ingredients (two servings): Two duck legs, preferably from large mallard Duck wings, if from a large mallard 1 cup duck fat Brine: 1 gallon cold water 1/2 non-iodized salt 1/2 cup whole black pepper corns 1/2 cup white sugar 1/2 bulb fresh garlic, smashed 6 ounces fresh ginger, smashed Mix brine ingredients thoroughly until salt and sugar dissolve. Add duck to brine and let soak for 8-10 hours. Upon removal, thoroughly rinse off brine and pat dry, let sit in fridge for 2 hours prior to cooking to completely dry. Lightly prick skin of duck with sharp needle. Do not completely puncture through skin, but make small dents all over skin, which will help fat secrete. Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. In a 10-inch-by-10-inch baking tray (or a comparable size), add approximately 1 cup duck fat to bottom and spread, enough so duck is sitting in 1/8-inch of fat. If you don’t have duck fat, you can substitute pork fat. Make sure to surround the duck in fat chunks, if doing so. Turn duck every hour so all sides spend adequate time submerged in fat. After approximately 3 hours, when meat is tender, make sure skin is facing up and turn oven to 400 degrees. Once skin is golden brown, after approximately 15 minutes, remove and allow to cool 10 minutes before serving.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-17--Dear Abby: I divorced his dad, and now son resents the man I’m seeing

DEAR ABBY : I was married for more than 20 years and am recently divorced .
I should have done it years ago , but my son , “ Nicky , ” begged me not to .
He ’ s 22 .
I am now dating a gentleman , “ Clyde , ” and am very happy to be in this relationship .
Clyde treats me like a queen .
I have known him longer than I ’ ve known my ex-husband .
He and his family ( including his ex-wife ) are close friends .
Before we started dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him we were going to start seeing each other and that he wanted my ex to hear it from him , not through the rumor mill .
My ex said he was fine with it and thanked him for letting him know .
We then informed Clyde ’ s kids and my son .
Everyone was fine with it except Nicky .
He ’ s upset that we started dating three months after my divorce .
Mind you , my marriage to Nicky ’ s father was over years ago .
Clyde had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my son has an “ attitude ” with Clyde .
He hardly speaks to him and never spends time with us .
I have always been there for Nicky .
His actions hurt .
He can ’ t seem to accept that I ’ m happy and that Clyde and I are more than friends now .
Before we started dating , Nicky and Clyde had a good relationship .
How do I get my son to come around ?
— SECOND CHANCE IN MICHIGAN DEAR SECOND CHANCE : Nicky may be hoping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day reconcile and regard Clyde as an interloper .
Explain to him that the divorce may seem recent to him , but for you and his dad , it was the final step in disengaging from a marriage that had been over for years .
Tell him you love him and are sorry he is upset , but it ’ s no excuse for treating Clyde badly , and you expect him to treat Clyde with respect , if not affection .
Then go on and enjoy your life because you deserve it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a school where they are in three different buildings .
One is in high school , one in middle school and the youngest is in elementary .
Recently , the married elementary school principal had an affair with a married teacher ’ s assistant .
A few years before , the married middle school principal had an affair with a married teacher .
My concern is that the administration knows this but does nothing about it .
I have addressed them with my concerns .
I believe there was an abuse of power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this under the rug , what else have they swept ?
Should I mind my own business or pursue the issue further ?
— MOM ON PATROL IN NEW YORK DEAR MOM : Because of the litigious environment we live in , many businesses and educational institutions have policies that discourage fraternization .
What you consider an abuse of power may be a relationship between consenting adults .
You say you have brought this to the attention of school administration .
I think you have done enough .
From now on , stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proof there is coercion involved .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For everything you need to know about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely Wedding.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I was married for more than 20 years and am recently divorced. I should have done it years ago, but my son, “Nicky,” begged me not to. He’s 22.
I am now dating a gentleman, “Clyde,” and am very happy to be in this relationship. Clyde treats me like a queen. I have known him longer than I’ve known my ex-husband. He and his family (including his ex-wife) are close friends.
Before we started dating, Clyde called my ex, told him we were going to start seeing each other and that he wanted my ex to hear it from him, not through the rumor mill. My ex said he was fine with it and thanked him for letting him know.
We then informed Clyde’s kids and my son. Everyone was fine with it except Nicky. He’s upset that we started dating three months after my divorce. Mind you, my marriage to Nicky’s father was over years ago. Clyde had nothing to do with it. Now my son has an “attitude” with Clyde. He hardly speaks to him and never spends time with us.
I have always been there for Nicky. His actions hurt. He can’t seem to accept that I’m happy and that Clyde and I are more than friends now. Before we started dating, Nicky and Clyde had a good relationship. How do I get my son to come around? — SECOND CHANCE IN MICHIGAN
DEAR SECOND CHANCE: Nicky may be hoping that you and his father might one day reconcile and regard Clyde as an interloper. Explain to him that the divorce may seem recent to him, but for you and his dad, it was the final step in disengaging from a marriage that had been over for years. Tell him you love him and are sorry he is upset, but it’s no excuse for treating Clyde badly, and you expect him to treat Clyde with respect, if not affection. Then go on and enjoy your life because you deserve it.
DEAR ABBY: My children attend a school where they are in three different buildings. One is in high school, one in middle school and the youngest is in elementary. Recently, the married elementary school principal had an affair with a married teacher’s assistant. A few years before, the married middle school principal had an affair with a married teacher.
My concern is that the administration knows this but does nothing about it. I have addressed them with my concerns. I believe there was an abuse of power. If they are willing to sweep this under the rug, what else have they swept? Should I mind my own business or pursue the issue further? — MOM ON PATROL IN NEW YORK
DEAR MOM: Because of the litigious environment we live in, many businesses and educational institutions have policies that discourage fraternization. What you consider an abuse of power may be a relationship between consenting adults. You say you have brought this to the attention of school administration. I think you have done enough. From now on, stay out of this unless you have absolute proof there is coercion involved.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-04-17--23 for 23: The Sun-Times’ greatest Michael Jordan stories

Michael Jordan , in only the fifth game of his comeback , used the NBA ’ s biggest stage to @ @ @ @ @ he still is the game ’ s best

On Sunday, “The Last Dance,” a 10-part documentary series focused on the final year of the 90’s Bulls dynasty that won six NBA titles in eight years, premieres, with Michael Jordan as its star.
Jordan’s former teammates and opponents, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Steve Kerr, Horace Grant, Toni Kukoc, Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Gary Payton and Isiah Thomas are all interviewed in the series. So are Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and former Bulls coach Phil Jackson, and a host of journalists who covered the 1990s Bulls. A former state senator by the name of Barack Obama, who says he was a huge fan of the team but couldn’t even afford nosebleed seats at the time, also makes an appearance.
The documentary was originally scheduled to be released in June during the NBA Finals, but ESPN made the decision to accelerate its release due to the lack of live sports programming because of the coronavirus pandemic. The series has been billed to include never-before-seen footage from that season, during which the team chased its sixth championship.
To celebrate the release of “The Last Dance,” we pulled open our archives to look back at stories covering Jordan’s greatest challenges and triumphs.


chicagosun-times--2020-04-17--These Chicagoans know what it’s like to face coronavirus and survive

These Chicagoans know what it ’ s like to face coronavirus and survive Share All sharing options for : These Chicagoans know what it ’ s like to face coronavirus and survive They were among the unwilling pioneers of a disease that has sickened thousands in Illinois alone .
Stricken in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic ’ s spread through the United States , they knew they might experience little more than a sore throat and fever — or end up in a hospital on a ventilator or die .
Now , they know what it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are survivors .
These are some of their stories .
As a Chicago firefighter , Paul Richard once climbed to the top of a 100-foot-tall crane to safely talk down a young man who was threatening to jump .
Another time , Richard was trapped in a high-rise filling with black smoke .
He passed out .
He awoke in a hospital bed with a priest leaning over him .
“ I ’ ve been blown up , broken up , banged up , ” says Richard , now 69 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Richard , who lives in Beverly , survived a different kind of ordeal — coming home after two weeks at Advocate Trinity Hospital on the South Side battling COVID-19 .
The virus attacked his kidneys , liver and immune system .
“ Oh , brother , you better believe I was scared , ” says Richard , who is now recovering at home in Beverly .
“ I didn ’ t know what was going on .
It was like I was in a daze.
” His half-brother drove him to the hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That was after he ’ d been feeling so weak he barely could tie his shoes .
It felt like a “ little elephant ” was sitting on his chest .
His memory of the time he spent in the hospital is foggy .
At one point , he says he thought angels had appeared to him on the walls of his hospital room .
“ I believe in God , ” Richard says .
“ He ’ s saved me .
And he ’ s still working with me.
” On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
“ That he made a complete recovery is a victory by any definition , ” says Dr. Michael Anderson , who heads Trinity ’ s emergency department .
Richard ’ s older brother got sick and died while he was in the hospital .
A retired U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam , RIchard says he ’ ll grieve in his own way .
“ I ’ m not one of those big boo-hoo guys , ” he says .
Friends and family are leaving food for him on his porch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a few more days .
“ My son threw some canned soup over there , ” he says .
“ It was horrible , but I ate it.
” After a life of so many escapes , he ’ s looking forward to a full recovery .
“ It ’ s hard to keep a good man down , ” he says .
Shannon Failla was in her South Loop apartment in mid-March , cooking a cheese-and-spinach omelet , when she noticed something odd .
There was a scented candle near her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
The floral-scented wax had no more of an odor for her than a glass of water would .
She couldn ’ t smell her food , either — an increasingly common complaint among those with the coronavirus .
It wasn ’ t until she had to labor to breathe that Failla , 31 , and otherwise healthy , was convinced she needed to drive straight to Northwestern Memorial Hospital ’ s emergency department .
“ There was just so much pressure , and I was so short of breath even just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the bathroom , ” says Failla , a property management consultant .
She had no fever , a decent oxygen level and normal blood work , though .
So doctors in the emergency room thought at first she probably could go home .
But they wanted to check one more thing first : her vital signs when she was on her feet and moving .
“ When I did that , my oxygen level got really low , and my heart rate skyrocketed , ” Failla says .
She later tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Northwestern ’ s COVID-19 unit .
She never got so sick that she needed oxygen .
But a host of terrible possibilities swirled in her head .
It didn ’ t help that when she looked through her social media accounts they were filled with grim stories about the coronavirus .
“ If you fill your brain with all of the death stories and the negative , how can you not think that way ?
” she says .
Now , she ’ s back home in her one-bedroom apartment and feeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gone out to the grocery store , she ’ s worn a mask and taken disinfecting wipes with her .
“ You can ’ t really relax with this , ” she says .
“ Technically , they say you can ’ t get it again and that you ’ re immune .
But I don ’ t know that .
Nobody knows that.
” Failla doesn ’ t know how she contracted the virus and feels guilty that she went to a South Loop bar on St. Patrick ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was bronchitis .
“ I do feel guilty .
I do feel awful .
But I also wasn ’ t educated enough .
If you would have told me I couldn ’ t go to a bar or a restaurant on St. Patrick ’ s Day weekend , I wouldn ’ t have gone .
I ’ m a rule-follower.
” Victoria was getting dressed last Sunday morning when suddenly she slumped to the floor .
She came to a few seconds later .
Her 15-year-old daughter , in tears , was hovering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispatcher .
But Victoria , who spoke on the condition her last name not be used , wasn ’ t thinking it was coronavirus because she didn ’ t think she had the right symptoms .
The 61-year-old psycho-educational consultant , who lives downtown , is diabetic and has high blood pressure .
So she hadn ’ t needed to hear all of the warnings about washing your hands frequently and avoiding big gatherings .
“ I knew I was at risk .
So I was that person way back in March wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me .
I was sheltering in place before they ever said to.
” An ambulance rushed her to Northwestern , where she told the doctors she ’ d had a sinus headache and a runny nose but no fever .
She was quickly diagnosed with the coronavirus .
They told her they weren ’ t surprised because they were seeing a wide range of symptoms .
“ I cried because I ’ m thinking , ‘ Oh , my God , this is a death sentence , ” she says .
Her daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too , when her mom called with the news .
But she says Northwestern staff told her she was in a safe place and that most of those with the disease recovered and went home .
Still in the hospital , she says her temperature soared to 103 at one point but that she needed oxygen only the first day and has been told she ’ s recovering .
“ When I got to my room , it was very quiet , ” she says , coughing at times .
“ I never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so unavailable because they are running from room to room.
” Weeks ago , as fear began about the pandemic grew , Victoria remembers thinking : I ’ m so frustrated with this .
There ’ s a part of me that wants to have it , survive it and be done with it .
Still , she wants only her first name published because she fears she might face a stigma over contracting the virus .
“ I feel like it ’ s important for people to understand : I took a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got it .
And I ’ m beating it at this point.
” Becky Rubin just wanted her boys to come home .
Her son Michael , 19 , is a sophomore at Columbia University in New York , which , in mid-March , was still emerging as a hot spot for the virus .
And Danny was at the University of Michigan .
Both have asthma — an underlying condition that can make COVID-19 worse .
So Michael canceled a skip trip to Utah .
And Danny , 20 , who worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his studies , reluctantly returned to the family ’ s Victorian home in Kenwood .
Then , Michael was diagnosed with the coronavirus .
He ’ d had chills , a pounding headache and a high fever .
“ Honestly , I was just mostly shocked that I had it because , at the time , I was one of the first 100 cases in Chicago to test positive , ” he says .
“ So it was still very new in the U.S. ” His mother worried that the virus might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up last Thanksgiving .
She also worried about Danny , and the boys ’ father , who also has asthma .
“ I was very , very , very nervous the first few days , ” Becky Rubin says .
She ’ s thankful for having a big house , which allowed Michael to be isolated on the third floor , with Danny and the parents on the floor below .
Mom would go up to the third floor three or more times a day , knocking on Michael ’ s door to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She felt guilty , wondering whether Danny might have been better off back at college .
Becky Rubin devveloped a “ terrible ” headache and sore throat , but they ’ re all feeling better now .
Life hasn ’ t quite returned to normal , though for the normally “ hugging family , ” she says .
“ We have hugged , ” she says , “ but very briefly .
”

They were among the unwilling pioneers of a disease that has sickened thousands in Illinois alone.
Stricken in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic’s spread through the United States, they knew they might experience little more than a sore throat and fever — or end up in a hospital on a ventilator or die.
Now, they know what it’s like to have faced COVID-19 and emerged. They are survivors. These are some of their stories.
Paul Richard, 69, a retired Chicago firefighter and U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, outside his home in Beverly. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Paul Richard, Beverly
As a Chicago firefighter, Paul Richard once climbed to the top of a 100-foot-tall crane to safely talk down a young man who was threatening to jump.
Another time, Richard was trapped in a high-rise filling with black smoke. He passed out. He awoke in a hospital bed with a priest leaning over him.
“I’ve been blown up, broken up, banged up,” says Richard, now 69 and retired.
In the past week, Richard survived a different kind of ordeal — coming home after two weeks at Advocate Trinity Hospital on the South Side battling COVID-19. The virus attacked his kidneys, liver and immune system.
“Oh, brother, you better believe I was scared,” says Richard, who is now recovering at home in Beverly. “I didn’t know what was going on. It was like I was in a daze.”
His half-brother drove him to the hospital about two and a half weeks ago. That was after he’d been feeling so weak he barely could tie his shoes. It felt like a “little elephant” was sitting on his chest.
His memory of the time he spent in the hospital is foggy. At one point, he says he thought angels had appeared to him on the walls of his hospital room.
“I believe in God,” Richard says. “He’s saved me. And he’s still working with me.”
On Tuesday, he got out of the hospital.
Dr. Michael Anderson, who heads Trinity Hospital’s emergency department. LinkedIn
“That he made a complete recovery is a victory by any definition,” says Dr. Michael Anderson, who heads Trinity’s emergency department.
Richard’s older brother got sick and died while he was in the hospital. A retired U.S. Marine who served in Vietnam, Richard says he’ll grieve in his own way.
“I’m not one of those big boo-hoo guys,” he says.
Friends and family are leaving food for him on his porch because he’s still in self-quarantine for a few more days.
“My son threw some canned soup over there,” he says. “It was horrible, but I ate it.”
After a life of so many escapes, he’s looking forward to a full recovery.
“It’s hard to keep a good man down,” he says.
Shannon Failla, 31, with her labradoodle Kingston near her South Loop apartment building. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Shannon Failla, South Loop
Shannon Failla was in her South Loop apartment in mid-March, cooking a cheese-and-spinach omelet, when she noticed something odd. There was a scented candle near her — and she couldn’t smell it.
The floral-scented wax had no more of an odor for her than a glass of water would. She couldn’t smell her food, either — an increasingly common complaint among those with the coronavirus.
It wasn’t until she had to labor to breathe that Failla, 31, and otherwise healthy, was convinced she needed to drive straight to Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s emergency department.
“There was just so much pressure, and I was so short of breath even just getting up off the couch to go to the bathroom,” says Failla, a property management consultant.
She had no fever, a decent oxygen level and normal blood work, though. So doctors in the emergency room thought at first she probably could go home. But they wanted to check one more thing first: her vital signs when she was on her feet and moving.
“When I did that, my oxygen level got really low, and my heart rate skyrocketed,” Failla says.
She later tested positive for the disease and spent four days in Northwestern’s COVID-19 unit.
She never got so sick that she needed oxygen. But a host of terrible possibilities swirled in her head.
It didn’t help that when she looked through her social media accounts they were filled with grim stories about the coronavirus.
“If you fill your brain with all of the death stories and the negative, how can you not think that way?” she says.
Now, she’s back home in her one-bedroom apartment and feeling better. The few times that she has gone out to the grocery store, she’s worn a mask and taken disinfecting wipes with her.
“You can’t really relax with this,” she says. “Technically, they say you can’t get it again and that you’re immune. But I don’t know that. Nobody knows that.”
Failla doesn’t know how she contracted the virus and feels guilty that she went to a South Loop bar on St. Patrick’s Day, assuming then that her congestion probably was bronchitis.
“I do feel guilty. I do feel awful. But I also wasn’t educated enough. If you would have told me I couldn’t go to a bar or a restaurant on St. Patrick’s Day weekend, I wouldn’t have gone. I’m a rule-follower.”
Victoria, downtown Chicago
Victoria was getting dressed last Sunday morning when suddenly she slumped to the floor.
She came to a few seconds later. Her 15-year-old daughter, in tears, was hovering and on the phone with a 911 dispatcher.
But Victoria, who spoke on the condition her last name not be used, wasn’t thinking it was coronavirus because she didn’t think she had the right symptoms.
The 61-year-old psycho-educational consultant, who lives downtown, is diabetic and has high blood pressure. So she hadn’t needed to hear all of the warnings about washing your hands frequently and avoiding big gatherings.
“I knew I was at risk. So I was that person way back in March wearing gloves and masks and carrying wipes with me. I was sheltering in place before they ever said to.”
An ambulance rushed her to Northwestern, where she told the doctors she’d had a sinus headache and a runny nose but no fever. She was quickly diagnosed with the coronavirus. They told her they weren’t surprised because they were seeing a wide range of symptoms.
“I cried because I’m thinking, ‘Oh, my God, this is a death sentence,” she says.
Her daughter, still at home, sobbed, too, when her mom called with the news.
But she says Northwestern staff told her she was in a safe place and that most of those with the disease recovered and went home.
Still in the hospital, she says her temperature soared to 103 at one point but that she needed oxygen only the first day and has been told she’s recovering.
“When I got to my room, it was very quiet,” she says, coughing at times. “I never feel like the nurses or doctors are so unavailable because they are running from room to room.”
Weeks ago, as fear about the pandemic grew, Victoria remembers thinking: I’m so frustrated with this. There’s a part of me that wants to have it, survive it and be done with it.
Still, she fears she might face a stigma over contracting the virus.
“I feel like it’s important for people to understand: I took a lot of precautions, but I still got it. And I’m beating it at this point.”
Michael Rubin, 19, at his family’s home in Kenwood. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
Michael Rubin, Kenwood
Becky Rubin just wanted her boys to come home. Her son Michael, 19, is a sophomore at Columbia University in New York, which, in mid-March, was still emerging as a hot spot for the virus. And Danny was at the University of Michigan. Both have asthma — an underlying condition that can make COVID-19 worse.
So Michael canceled a ski trip to Utah. And Danny, 20, who worried that being in Chicago would distract him from his studies, reluctantly returned to the family’s Victorian home in Kenwood.
Then, Michael was diagnosed with the coronavirus. He’d had chills, a pounding headache and a high fever.
“Honestly, I was just mostly shocked that I had it because, at the time, I was one of the first 100 cases in Chicago to test positive,” he says. “So it was still very new in the U.S.”
His mother worried that the virus might trigger his asthma, which had flared up last Thanksgiving. She also worried about Danny, and the boys’ father, who also has asthma.
“I was very, very, very nervous the first few days,” Becky Rubin says.
She’s thankful for having a big house, which allowed Michael to be isolated on the third floor, with Danny and the parents on the floor below.
Mom would go up to the third floor three or more times a day, knocking on Michael’s door to let him know his food was there.
She felt guilty, wondering whether Danny might have been better off back at college.
Then, Michael’s symptoms eased.
Becky Rubin developed a “terrible” headache and sore throat, but they’re all feeling better now.
Life hasn’t quite returned to normal, though for the normally “hugging family,” she says.
“We have hugged,” she says, “but very briefly.”


chicagosun-times--2020-04-17--Night classes, scavenger hunts and virtual coaching: Highlights from CPS’ 1st week of remote learnin

Night classes, scavenger hunts and virtual coaching: Highlights from CPS’ 1st week of remote learning

Rosa Jimenez-Hernandez didn ’ t know what to expect when she opened her laptop this week to remotely teach her fifth grade language arts class for the first time .
To her surprise , a dozen of her Sadlowski Elementary students were already logged on , waiting for their scheduled online video conference with their teacher .
The next day , it was up to 15 kids .
But Jimenez-Hernandez wasn ’ t giving them a lecture or a typical lesson — it was scavenger hunt time .
Her students ran around their homes for five minutes looking for items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not academic at all .
It ’ s communication , it ’ s are you alive and well , and let ’ s have some fun together , ” Jimenez-Hernandez said .
“ If they know that there ’ s going to be something fun going on , they ’ ll have more of a reason to join us.
” Like Jimenez-Hernandez , teachers all across the city are trying to come up with creative ways to keep kids engaged and overcome the challenges of teaching from home — including a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schools ’ remote learning plan rolls out .
“ We ’ re all going to be behind , ” Jimenez-Hernandez said , noting that she ’ s still trying to reach half her students .
“ And we ’ re just going to have to figure it out together.
” Educators at Hubbard High School in West Lawn have older students — juniors and seniors — who have picked up work to help support their families .
So with those teenagers working fast food and grocery store jobs during the day , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” My teachers , they really know their students , ” said Hubbard Principal Angelica Altamirano .
“ They know what works.
” The principal estimated about 90 % of Hubbard students either were able to pick up laptops from the school last week or early this week or already had a device at home .
In all , more than 500 devices have been given to Hubbard students by mid-week .
That other 10 % is now the focus , Altamirano said .
The school has created a master list of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checklist of which teacher or staffer has talked to them , how they reached the student and notes on their progress .
If teachers aren ’ t able to get in touch with a student , they might ask a colleague who leads a club that student is in , or the coach of a team they ’ re on , Altamirano said .
“ It ’ s not about an individual teacher , ” Altamirano said .
“ It ’ s about the whole school coming together to help our students.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school is using the same type of tracking system , and has also already passed out laptops to almost half of the 319 students at Chopin in the past week .
Williams is mostly worried about finding ways to engage Chopin ’ s students in special education , who make up about a third of the school population , but that ’ s a work in progress , he said .
He ’ s also focused on keeping kids mentally healthy and praised parents for taking on a major task at home , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building and the laughter and the joy and the questions and everything else that goes into a day , you realize how much you miss that , ” Williams said .
“ It ’ s really good to see the parents stepping up.
” Paula Novak , an English teacher at Phoenix Military Academy on the Near West Side , said some kids who didn ’ t participate as much before are now more engaged and even more likely to answer questions online than they were at school .
“ I just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of taking ownership and that they have ideas and they ’ re asking if that ’ s OK , ” Novak said .
“ Our kids really want to do right .
They don ’ t want to mess up , they don ’ t want to fail in any way.
” Novak also coaches the school ’ s flag team , where two girls are trying to follow in her footsteps by taking part in a virtual tryout for the University of Illinois marching band ’ s flag team next week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ videos of their practice routines so she can offer tips .
“ The weather hasn ’ t been great , and some of the cold days they ’ re outside trying to get in 15 minutes of practice , ” Novak said .
“ To see that these two young women are looking forward , whatever happens with the end of high school , they ’ re thinking positively toward the next thing and trying hard , they ’ re not just giving up — I ’ m proud of them .
”

Rosa Jimenez-Hernandez didn’t know what to expect when she opened her laptop last week to remotely teach her fifth grade language arts class for the first time.
To her surprise, a dozen of her Sadlowski Elementary students were already logged on, waiting for their scheduled online video conference with their teacher. The next day, it was up to 15 kids.
But Jimenez-Hernandez wasn’t giving them a lecture or a typical lesson — it was scavenger hunt time. Her students ran around their homes for five minutes looking for items their teacher had listed.
“It’s not academic at all. It’s communication, it’s are you alive and well, and let’s have some fun together,” Jimenez-Hernandez said. “If they know that there’s going to be something fun going on, they’ll have more of a reason to join us.”
Like Jimenez-Hernandez, teachers all across the city are trying to come up with creative ways to keep kids engaged and overcome the challenges of teaching from home — including a massive technology deficit — as Chicago Public Schools’ remote learning plan rolls out.
“We’re all going to be behind,” Jimenez-Hernandez said, noting that she’s still trying to reach half her students. “And we’re just going to have to figure it out together.”
Accommodating working students
Educators at Hubbard High School in West Lawn have older students — juniors and seniors — who have picked up work to help support their families. So with those teenagers working fast food and grocery store jobs during the day, some classes have moved to the evenings.
”My teachers, they really know their students,” said Hubbard Principal Angelica Altamirano. “They know what works.”
Sharon Quattrin Campagna records her first virtual lesson for her choir students at Hubbard High School. Provided
The principal estimated about 90% of Hubbard students either were able to pick up laptops from the school or already had a device at home. In all, more than 500 devices have been given to Hubbard students.
That other 10% is now the focus, Altamirano said. The school has created a master list of all 1,605 students with their schedules and a checklist of which teacher or staffer has talked to them, how they reached the student and notes on their progress.
If teachers aren’t able to get in touch with a student, they might ask a colleague who leads a club that student is in or the coach of a team they’re on, Altamirano said.
“It’s not about an individual teacher,” Altamirano said. “It’s about the whole school coming together to help our students.”
Students log on for their Google Meet video conference with Hubbard High School math teacher Jack Ng. Provided
Chopin Elementary Principal Frederick Williams said his school is using the same type of tracking system and has also already passed out laptops to almost half of the 319 students at Chopin in the past week.
Williams is mostly worried about finding ways to engage Chopin’s students in special education, who make up about one-third of the school’s population, but that’s a work in progress, he said. He’s also focused on keeping kids mentally healthy and praised parents for taking on a major task at home, too.
“Not hearing kids in the building and the laughter and the joy and the questions and everything else that goes into a day, you realize how much you miss that,” Williams said. “It’s really good to see the parents stepping up.”
Some more engaged
Paula Novak, an English teacher at Phoenix Military Academy on the Near West Side, said some kids who didn’t participate as much before are now more engaged and even more likely to answer questions online than they were at school.
“I just love that they’re just kind of taking ownership and that they have ideas and they’re asking if that’s OK,” Novak said. “Our kids really want to do right. They don’t want to mess up, they don’t want to fail in any way.”
Novak also coaches the school’s flag team, where two girls are trying to follow in her footsteps by taking part in a virtual tryout for the University of Illinois marching band’s flag team. Novak said the girls are sending her videos of their practice routines so she can offer tips.
“The weather hasn’t been great, and some of the cold days they’re outside trying to get in 15 minutes of practice,” Novak said. “To see that these two young women are looking forward, whatever happens with the end of high school, they’re thinking positively toward the next thing and trying hard, they’re not just giving up — I’m proud of them.”