chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Illinois tallies third straight day of low coronavirus cases as health officials announce 1,392 new

Illinois tallies third straight day of low coronavirus cases as health officials announce 1,392 new positives (LIVE UPDATES)

Illinois ’ new COVID-19 infections number 1,392 , marking third straight day of lower caseloads After Illinois closed out last week with a staggering crush of new coronavirus cases , the state on Tuesday tallied a third straight day of relatively low numbers as health officials announced 1,392 more people have tested positive for COVID-19 .
That happens to be the average caseload reported by the state since Sunday , over the long Labor Day holiday weekend .
But Illinois has averaged more than 2,000 new cases per day over the last two weeks , thanks to record figures of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a two-day data processing backlog — and 2,806 cases on Saturday .
The state averaged around 2,300 new cases per day over the worst two-week stretch of the pandemic in mid-May , but that was before the state bolstered its testing operations .
Illinois is now testing residents at well over double its rate during the initial COVID-19 peak .
The latest cases were confirmed among 31,363 tests , lowering the state ’ s testing positivity rate over the last week to 4 % .
That number , which indicates how quickly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 % in May .
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here .
6:08 p.m. Mars warehouse workers accuse company of firing employees who signed petition to organize Current and former warehouse employees of Mars Wrigley and its partners XPO Logistics and DHL Supply Chain gathered in front of the company ’ s global headquarters in Goose Island Tuesday morning to demand justice for those who work at the Mars warehouse in Joliet .
The protest came after employees of the companies signed a petition in July organized by local workers advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a few employees were allegedly fired “ under suspicious circumstances , ” according to Sandy Moreno of Warehouse Workers for Justice .
“ We ’ re here today to tell the Mars warehouse that we will not tolerate any retaliation , ” Moreno said .
Mars Wrigley , a unit of Mars Inc. , makes candy and confectioneries such as M & M ’ s , Skittles and Snickers .
3:53 p.m. Appeals court upholds most of federal judge ’ s order to curb coronavirus at Cook County Jail A state appeals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order in the spring that mandated wide-ranging coronavirus-prevention policies at the Cook County Jail but tossed out a key requirement to socially distance detainees .
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal ’ s ruling will likely not have have a significant impact on measures undertaken by the authorities to stop the spread of the virus at the jail , Sheriff Tom Dart ’ s spokesman Matthew Walberg said .
While the ruling allows holding two detainees in the same cell or in group housing , social distancing policies previously implemented at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Today ’ s decision affirms what we have been saying all along : We have gone to great lengths to protect our staff and detainees during this unprecedented crisis and we will continue to do so , ” Walberg said .
“ Given the success we have achieved , we will continue to do everything we can to maintain and expand the protections we have put in place to protect our staff and detainees from COVID.
” Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here .
1:58 p.m. Lightfoot warns of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now pegged at $ 1.25B Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned Tuesday in the strongest terms yet that employee layoffs she has long called her “ second to last resort ” will be needed to erase a 2021 budget shortfall she now pegs at $ 1.25 billion .
Lightfoot refused to say how many city employees will be targeted .
She noted negotiations with organized labor to identify specific areas for cuts or concessions have just begun .
But with no replacement revenue on the horizon from Washington , the mayor said she needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groundwork for the massive tax increases that will also be necessary to erase the largest budget shortfall in Chicago history .
“ We can ’ t ask individual taxpayers to give us more if we don ’ t prove to them that we are being good fiduciaries of their tax dollars and that includes making painful sacrifices , ” the mayor said at a news conference to mark the first day of remote learning for Chicago Public Schools students .
“ No one wants to see that happen .
No one wants to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services that are core to what we do as a city government .
But we are looking at a variety of options .
And of course , we have no way of knowing at this point whether or not Congress is gon na see a breakthrough .
I certainly hope so .
COVID-19 has had a bipartisan impact on cities and towns all across our country and we need a bipartisan resolution.
” Read the full story from Fran Spielman here .
12:29 p.m. Students and teachers bring energy to CPS ’ new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiety aside , many Chicago Public Schools students and teachers were excited to get the new school year started Tuesday morning .
There were still questions to be answered , such as how many children are without quality internet , and important topics to address in the coronavirus pandemic and the summer of racial justice protests .
Nonetheless , Nina Hike , a chemistry teacher at Westinghouse College Prep , said she ’ s energized for the start of the year despite her nerves about the internet connection potentially cutting out during a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hike said she ’ s looking forward to the unique dynamic of teaching students in their homes “ and being able to connect the chemistry in their homes that they see on a regular basis and also to talk to their families about chemistry.
” “ In the classroom it ’ s easy to kind of gauge the student energy , ” Hike said during an early-morning virtual meeting hosted by the Chicago Teachers Union .
“ But I feel like my energy is going to come through the computer screen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stuff so that I can do demos and things of that nature to engage students.
” Read the full story from Nader Issa here .
A trip south of the state border to Kentucky will now cost Chicago travelers a two-week period of isolation when they return home .
And visitors from the Bluegrass State will be required to hunker down for a fortnight when they arrive in Chicago , as public health officials on Tuesday added Kentucky to the city ’ s COVID-19 travel quarantine order list .
But the Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Puerto Rico from the mandatory quarantine list , as both places fell below the city ’ s coronavirus “ hot spot ” threshold infection rate of 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents on a weekly rolling average .
The quarantine order still applies to 21 states — more than a third of the nation : Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia , Iowa , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri , Nebraska , North Dakota , Oklahoma , South Carolina , South Dakota and Tennessee .
Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
11:10 a.m .
Questions and anxiety loom large as CPS resumes remote learning Months of debate , anxiety , preparation and anticipation are culminating with the kickoff Tuesday of the most unusual school year in decades , with yellow buses and packed backpacks replaced with computer screens and a hope for a better experience than the spring .
If remote school goes according to plan , more than 300,000 Chicago students will be sitting behind computer screens this week , many of them meeting their teachers virtually for the first time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ many children lack access to quality internet , how working-class families will handle having their kids at home again , and whether hours of screen time each day , essentially a full school day online , will be beneficial for students .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s office and Chicago Public Schools officials have said access to computers is not expected to be the problem it was earlier this year , after 128,000 devices were distributed in the spring with another 17,000 handed out ahead of this school year .
Officials also announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June , pledging to put free , high-speed internet into the homes of 100,000 CPS students who lacked reliable broadband access .
A little over two months later , the families of 24,000 kids have signed up for the program , while the rest could still be without quality internet to start the school year .
Read the full story from Nader Issa here .
Even as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot were giving the go-ahead to reopen stores while adhering with social distancing guidelines , the streetwear boutiques were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of burglary .
Some of them were looted during the protests in the aftermath of the May police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , the Aug. 9 shooting of a 20-year-old in Englewood by Chicago police and the protests over the police shooting of Kenosha , Wisconsin resident Jacob Blake .
Some were burglarized duirng the weeks in between .
Brittany Stewart , owner of Chatham ’ s Sweats X Stew , had been hit a few times before moving from her 75th Street location .
Stewart , 30 — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leaders 1354 — said would-be burglars aren ’ t thinking of the collateral damage looting does to Black business owners .
“ This can be your sister or your brother ’ s store , or your cousin ’ s store , ” said Stewart .
“ It ’ s upsetting because these are my peers .
... After I got hit , I could ’ ve moved downtown or to the North Side .
I wanted to stay in my community.
” The owners of Pillars , a boutique with locations in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both stores had been hit as co-owner Michael Willis went to check on the West Loop location , while his business partner Andre Weaver drove to the South Side store .
“ You almost forgot about COVID [ -19 ] because so much more is going on , ” said Willis , 31 .
“ By the time I got to this store , it was crazy .
It seemed like the movie ‘ The Purge.
’ All this from the front [ of the store ] , all the way to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s very upsetting .
You sit back and you ’ re like : ‘ Why me ?
Why us ?
’ At the end of the day , I understand the reason — not particularly [ the looters ’ ] reasoning — with the looting going on , but you never want something that ’ s yours being damaged or taken away from you , especially when you busted your a- - to get it .
If it happens next time , we ’ re prepared.
” • Tom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who was the heart of the Miracle Mets team , has died at 75 of lewy body dementia and COVID-19 .
• Dwayne “ The Rock ” Johnson , wife and two daughters tested positive for COVID-19 .
4:32 p.m. Are video arcades more dangerous than casinos during a pandemic ?
Casinos and video arcades , both of which feature rows of electronic games that people use in close proximity to each other , pose similar risks of COVID-19 transmission .
Yet in Massachusetts , casinos have been open for two months , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order that Gov .
Charlie Baker originally issued in March .
Like many of the distinctions drawn by the COVID-19 lockdowns that all but a few governors imposed last spring , this one makes no medical sense .
A federal lawsuit filed last week argues that Baker ’ s discrimination against video arcades is unconstitutional because it is scientifically indefensible .
Baker originally included video arcades in Phase III of his reopening plan , which took effect on July 6 , but changed course without explanation on July 2 .
In response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the governor offered nothing but boilerplate about “ the latest science ” and “ input from public health experts.
” You might wonder what sort of science tells us that video games played for fun are inherently more dangerous as disease vectors than video games played for the chance to win money .
So does Gideon Coltof , the owner of Bit Bar , a restaurant-arcade in Salem .
Coltof notes that businesses like his can take the same precautions casinos are taking .
They can erect barriers or maintain physical distance between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down between users .
Yet while Baker is allowing Coltof to operate his restaurant during Phase III , the governor has decreed that Coltof may not turn on his video games .
For a business whose main attraction is the opportunity to play classic arcade games while eating , that restriction could be a death sentence .
9:31 a.m .
This Labor Day , let ’ s honor the workers who are beyond essential Labor Day is one of the most beloved holidays of the year , a time for people of all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who lace up their boots every day and go to work .
However , workers are not celebrating right now .
Workers are doing whatever they can to live their lives during an unimaginable public health and economic catastrophe .
Our city , state and country are in the middle of multiple intersecting crises .
And while we are all learning to live with the new normal , figuring out how to get our kids to school every day and keep ourselves safe , we can not lose sight of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day in our communities .
I think about Maria Lopez .
Maria was a nurse in robotic surgery at the University of Illinois hospital and a proud member of the Illinois Nurses Association .
Maria worked at the hospital for 20 years and was scheduled to retire on April 30 .
She had recently undergone knee surgery when COVID-19 hit , and she could have used vacation days to leave her job early , but she felt it was her duty to stay at the hospital and help — because that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In her last month before retirement , Maria contracted COVID-19 , and she died on May 4 .

Chicago Public Schools students hit the books and went back to school Tuesday. But with the coronavirus pandemic still raging, students met their teachers and peers online instead of in person.
Here’s what else happened in Chicago and around the state as the battle against the pandemic continued.
News
8:55 p.m. Illinois’ new COVID-19 infections number 1,392, marking third straight day of lower caseloads
Illinois reported another 1,381 positive cases of COVID-19 statewide Monday, pushing the state’s total number of positive tests past 250,000 amid a summertime resurgence. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
After Illinois closed out last week with a staggering crush of new coronavirus cases, the state on Tuesday tallied a third straight day of relatively low numbers as health officials announced 1,392 more people have tested positive for COVID-19.
That happens to be the average caseload reported by the state since Sunday, over the long Labor Day holiday weekend.
But Illinois has averaged more than 2,000 new cases per day over the last two weeks, thanks to record figures of 5,368 reported Friday — the inflated result of a two-day data processing backlog — and 2,806 cases on Saturday.
The state averaged around 2,300 new cases per day over the worst two-week stretch of the pandemic in mid-May, but that was before the state bolstered its testing operations. Illinois is now testing residents at well over double its rate during the initial COVID-19 peak.
The latest cases were confirmed among 31,363 tests, lowering the state’s testing positivity rate over the last week to 4%. That number, which indicates how quickly the virus is spreading, hovered around 15% in May.
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here.
6:08 p.m. Mars warehouse workers accuse company of firing employees who signed petition to organize
Current and former warehouse employees of Mars Wrigley and its partners XPO Logistics and DHL Supply Chain gathered in front of the company’s global headquarters in Goose Island Tuesday morning to demand justice for those who work at the Mars warehouse in Joliet.
The protest came after employees of the companies signed a petition in July organized by local workers advocacy group Warehouse Workers for Justice. Afterward, a few employees were allegedly fired “under suspicious circumstances,” according to Sandy Moreno of Warehouse Workers for Justice.
“We’re here today to tell the Mars warehouse that we will not tolerate any retaliation,” Moreno said.
Mars Wrigley, a unit of Mars Inc., makes candy and confectioneries such as M&M’s, Skittles and Snickers.
Reporter Michael Lee has the full story.
3:53 p.m. Appeals court upholds most of federal judge’s order to curb coronavirus at Cook County Jail
A state appeals court Tuesday upheld most of federal judge’s order in the spring that mandated wide-ranging coronavirus-prevention policies at the Cook County Jail but tossed out a key requirement to socially distance detainees.
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal’s ruling will likely not have have a significant impact on measures undertaken by the authorities to stop the spread of the virus at the jail, Sheriff Tom Dart’s spokesman Matthew Walberg said.
While the ruling allows holding two detainees in the same cell or in group housing, social distancing policies previously implemented at the jail will continue, Walberg said,
“Today’s decision affirms what we have been saying all along: We have gone to great lengths to protect our staff and detainees during this unprecedented crisis and we will continue to do so,” Walberg said. “Given the success we have achieved, we will continue to do everything we can to maintain and expand the protections we have put in place to protect our staff and detainees from COVID.”
Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here.
1:58 p.m. Lightfoot warns of employee layoffs to erase 2021 budget shortfall now pegged at $1.25B
Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned Tuesday in the strongest terms yet that employee layoffs she has long called her “second to last resort” will be needed to erase a 2021 budget shortfall she now pegs at $1.25 billion.
Lightfoot refused to say how many city employees will be targeted. She noted negotiations with organized labor to identify specific areas for cuts or concessions have just begun.
But with no replacement revenue on the horizon from Washington, the mayor said she needs to make substantial cuts to lay the political groundwork for the massive tax increases that will also be necessary to erase the largest budget shortfall in Chicago history.
“We can’t ask individual taxpayers to give us more if we don’t prove to them that we are being good fiduciaries of their tax dollars and that includes making painful sacrifices,” the mayor said at a news conference to mark the first day of remote learning for Chicago Public Schools students.
“No one wants to see that happen. No one wants to see a reduction in the kind of services that are core to what we do as a city government. But we are looking at a variety of options. And of course, we have no way of knowing at this point whether or not Congress is gonna see a breakthrough. I certainly hope so. COVID-19 has had a bipartisan impact on cities and towns all across our country and we need a bipartisan resolution.”
Read the full story from Fran Spielman here.
12:29 p.m. Students and teachers bring energy to CPS’ new school year
Technology worries and remote learning anxiety aside, many Chicago Public Schools students and teachers were excited to get the new school year started Tuesday morning.
There were still questions to be answered, such as how many children are without quality internet, and important topics to address in the coronavirus pandemic and the summer of racial justice protests.
Nonetheless, Nina Hike, a chemistry teacher at Westinghouse College Prep, said she’s energized for the start of the year despite her nerves about the internet connection potentially cutting out during a class.
Holding up a laboratory flask, Hike said she’s looking forward to the unique dynamic of teaching students in their homes “and being able to connect the chemistry in their homes that they see on a regular basis and also to talk to their families about chemistry.”
“In the classroom it’s easy to kind of gauge the student energy,” Hike said during an early-morning virtual meeting hosted by the Chicago Teachers Union. “But I feel like my energy is going to come through the computer screen. I even bought little beakers and flasks and stuff so that I can do demos and things of that nature to engage students.”
Read the full story from Nader Issa here.
11:23 a.m. Kentucky added to Chicago’s travel quarantine list
A trip south of the state border to Kentucky will now cost Chicago travelers a two-week period of isolation when they return home.
And visitors from the Bluegrass State will be required to hunker down for a fortnight when they arrive in Chicago, as public health officials on Tuesday added Kentucky to the city’s COVID-19 travel quarantine order list.
But the Chicago Department of Public Health also removed California and Puerto Rico from the mandatory quarantine list, as both places fell below the city’s coronavirus “hot spot” threshold infection rate of 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents on a weekly rolling average.
The quarantine order still applies to 21 states — more than a third of the nation: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee.
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here.
11:10 a.m. Questions and anxiety loom large as CPS resumes remote learning
Months of debate, anxiety, preparation and anticipation are culminating with the kickoff Tuesday of the most unusual school year in decades, with yellow buses and packed backpacks replaced with computer screens and a hope for a better experience than the spring.
If remote school goes according to plan, more than 300,000 Chicago students will be sitting behind computer screens this week, many of them meeting their teachers virtually for the first time.
Questions remain, however, about how many children lack access to quality internet, how working-class families will handle having their kids at home again, and whether hours of screen time each day, essentially a full school day online, will be beneficial for students.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s office and Chicago Public Schools officials have said access to computers is not expected to be the problem it was earlier this year, after 128,000 devices were distributed in the spring with another 17,000 handed out ahead of this school year.
Officials also announced the “Chicago Connected” program in June, pledging to put free, high-speed internet into the homes of 100,000 CPS students who lacked reliable broadband access. A little over two months later, the families of 24,000 kids have signed up for the program, while the rest could still be without quality internet to start the school year.
Read the full story from Nader Issa here.
9:27 a.m. Chicago’s streetwear boutiques weather COVID-19, social unrest
Even as Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot were giving the go-ahead to reopen stores while adhering with social distancing guidelines, the streetwear boutiques were grappling as well with the ever-constant threat of burglary.
Some of them were looted during the protests in the aftermath of the May police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, the Aug. 9 shooting of a 20-year-old in Englewood by Chicago police and the protests over the police shooting of Kenosha, Wisconsin resident Jacob Blake. Some were burglarized duirng the weeks in between.
Brittany Stewart, owner of Chatham’s Sweats X Stew, had been hit a few times before moving from her 75th Street location. Stewart, 30 — the daughter of Diego Ross, co-owner of Leaders 1354 — said would-be burglars aren’t thinking of the collateral damage looting does to Black business owners.
“This can be your sister or your brother’s store, or your cousin’s store,” said Stewart. “It’s upsetting because these are my peers. ... After I got hit, I could’ve moved downtown or to the North Side. I wanted to stay in my community.”
The owners of Pillars, a boutique with locations in the West Loop and Calumet Heights, discovered both stores had been hit as co-owner Michael Willis went to check on the West Loop location, while his business partner Andre Weaver drove to the South Side store.
“You almost forgot about COVID [-19] because so much more is going on,” said Willis, 31. “By the time I got to this store, it was crazy. It seemed like the movie ‘The Purge.’ All this from the front [of the store], all the way to the back door; everything was basically gone.
“It’s very upsetting. You sit back and you’re like: ‘Why me? Why us?’ At the end of the day, I understand the reason — not particularly [the looters’] reasoning — with the looting going on, but you never want something that’s yours being damaged or taken away from you, especially when you busted your a- - to get it. If it happens next time, we’re prepared.”
Read Evan F. Moore’s full story here.
New Cases
Illinois surpasses 250K coronavirus cases
Tom Seaver, the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the Miracle Mets team, has died at 75 of lewy body dementia and COVID-19.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, wife and two daughters tested positive for COVID-19.
Analysis & Commentary
4:32 p.m. Are video arcades more dangerous than casinos during a pandemic?
Casinos and video arcades, both of which feature rows of electronic games that people use in close proximity to each other, pose similar risks of COVID-19 transmission. Yet in Massachusetts, casinos have been open for two months, while video arcades remain closed under an order that Gov. Charlie Baker originally issued in March.
Like many of the distinctions drawn by the COVID-19 lockdowns that all but a few governors imposed last spring, this one makes no medical sense. A federal lawsuit filed last week argues that Baker’s discrimination against video arcades is unconstitutional because it is scientifically indefensible.
Baker originally included video arcades in Phase III of his reopening plan, which took effect on July 6, but changed course without explanation on July 2. In response to a state legislator’s inquiry, the governor offered nothing but boilerplate about “the latest science” and “input from public health experts.”
You might wonder what sort of science tells us that video games played for fun are inherently more dangerous as disease vectors than video games played for the chance to win money. So does Gideon Coltof, the owner of Bit Bar, a restaurant-arcade in Salem.
Coltof notes that businesses like his can take the same precautions casinos are taking. They can erect barriers or maintain physical distance between customers, and they can wipe machines down between users.
Yet while Baker is allowing Coltof to operate his restaurant during Phase III, the governor has decreed that Coltof may not turn on his video games. For a business whose main attraction is the opportunity to play classic arcade games while eating, that restriction could be a death sentence.
Read the full column here.
9:31 a.m. This Labor Day, let’s honor the workers who are beyond essential
Labor Day is one of the most beloved holidays of the year, a time for people of all backgrounds to take a moment to celebrate the people who lace up their boots every day and go to work. However, workers are not celebrating right now. Workers are doing whatever they can to live their lives during an unimaginable public health and economic catastrophe.
Our city, state and country are in the middle of multiple intersecting crises. And while we are all learning to live with the new normal, figuring out how to get our kids to school every day and keep ourselves safe, we cannot lose sight of the lives and livelihoods being lost every single day in our communities.
I think about Maria Lopez. Maria was a nurse in robotic surgery at the University of Illinois hospital and a proud member of the Illinois Nurses Association. Maria worked at the hospital for 20 years and was scheduled to retire on April 30. She had recently undergone knee surgery when COVID-19 hit, and she could have used vacation days to leave her job early, but she felt it was her duty to stay at the hospital and help — because that’s what nurses do. They help.
In her last month before retirement, Maria contracted COVID-19, and she died on May 4.
Read the full column here.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-09--Des Plaines River rebirth: Erik Brztowski gives a young man’s appreciation

Erik Brztowski started sending fishing reports and nominations for Fish of the Week while he was in high school at Lemont .
Now that he has started college , online , he keeps sending reports .
Last week , he sent a longer note from his heart about the changing Des Plaines River .
“ I remember the days when I was little , fishing the dirty [ Des Plaines ] with worms , going for anything that bites , ” he messaged .
“ But the river has been absolutely mind-blowing as of late .
I have been exploring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work [ the Illinois Department of Natural Resources ] has done definitely paid off in a big way .
The river is clear and rocky with all the silt gone , thanks to dam removal , and the fish are thriving .
“ Been putting in lots of miles with the waders around Cook County and have been able to get hundreds of smallmouth bass in the past few outings , with some big largemouth bass mixed in .
Key baits have been Ike ’ s Micro Jigs and small swimbaits , fished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , topwaters have also worked very well .
“ I highly urge anyone to get out and explore what the DPR has to offer .
You may be surprised.
” For those of us who have followed the struggle for dam removal , the years piled up , so it ’ s very heartening to see an 18-year-old write something like that .
It took until 2012 for the Hofmann Dam to finally be removed from the Des Plaines .
That opened the floodgates , so to speak , and virtually all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plaines within the next year or so .
That ’ s how you begin the restoration to a real river , flowing “ clear and rocky.
” The Illinois Smallmouth Alliance holds its Cast & Compare 2020 event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Glenwood Forest Preserve in Batavia ( masks and social distancing ) .
Bring your own new or favorite rods to compare with others .
The Yorktown Center Orvis will bring new gear .
Sage pro staffer and Spey instructor Doug Taylor will be there .
Foraging for fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the rains .
.
.
.
Several readers mentioned it has been a good butterfly year .
I agree , but I wonder if it ’ s related to the pandemic restrictions , which have led people to be home more and noticing more .
WGN-AM continues a mindless drift toward a low head dam ( canning overnight Walk of Famer Nick Digilio for a generic can of corn for truckers ? )
.
May dam backwash entrap WGN ’ s brain trust .

Erik Brztowski started sending fishing reports and nominations for Fish of the Week while he was in high school at Lemont.
Now that he has started college, online, he keeps sending reports.
Last week, he sent a longer note from his heart about the changing Des Plaines River.
“I remember the days when I was little, fishing the dirty [Des Plaines] with worms, going for anything that bites,” he messaged. “But the river has been absolutely mind-blowing as of late. I have been exploring lots of new stretches, and the work [the Illinois Department of Natural Resources] has done definitely paid off in a big way. The river is clear and rocky with all the silt gone, thanks to dam removal, and the fish are thriving.
“Been putting in lots of miles with the waders around Cook County and have been able to get hundreds of smallmouth bass in the past few outings, with some big largemouth bass mixed in. Key baits have been Ike’s Micro Jigs and small swimbaits, fished on light line. In lower-light conditions, topwaters have also worked very well.
“I highly urge anyone to get out and explore what the DPR has to offer. You may be surprised.”
The recovery of the Des Plaines River was kick started by the removal of the Hofmann Dam in 2012; this is the view just days after the completion of the removal. Dale Bowman
For those of us who have followed the struggle for dam removal, the years piled up, so it’s very heartening to see an 18-year-old write something like that.
It took until 2012 for the Hofmann Dam to finally be removed from the Des Plaines. That opened the floodgates, so to speak, and virtually all the dams should be gone from the Des Plaines within the next year or so.
That’s how you begin the restoration to a real river, flowing “clear and rocky.”
Cast & Compare this weekend
The Illinois Smallmouth Alliance holds its Cast & Compare 2020 event from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at Glenwood Forest Preserve in Batavia (masks and social distancing). Bring your own new or favorite rods to compare with others. The Yorktown Center Orvis will bring new gear. Sage pro staffer and Spey instructor Doug Taylor will be there.
Wild things
Foraging for fall mushrooms is underway and should only improve with the rains. . . . Several readers mentioned it has been a good butterfly year. I agree, but I wonder if it’s related to the pandemic restrictions, which have led people to be home more and noticing more.
Stray cast
WGN-AM continues a mindless drift toward a low head dam (canning overnight Walk of Famer Nick Digilio for a generic can of corn for truckers?). May dam backwash entrap WGN’s brain trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-09--Dear Abby: Man doted on his ex for one night, and it angers wife 20 years later

DEAR ABBY : My wife and I were married 30 years when we ran into an old girlfriend ( and ex-fiancee ) of mine at a function .
I spent a good part of the evening dancing with her and ignoring my wife .
My wife says I was “ indecent ” with the girlfriend , and it hurt her badly .
It was 20 years ago , but my wife lets me hear about it every day .
I can ’ t take it any longer .
She refuses to get help or forgive me .
Our marriage has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you recommend I do to make it up to her ?
I ’ ve tried a few things , to no avail .
— PAST ISN ’ T IN THE PAST DEAR PAST : Your performance at that function must have been deeply humiliating to your wife .
Was your regrettable behavior with your ex-fiancee a one-time thing or has it happened since ?
You stated this happened 20 years ago and you have attempted to make amends to no avail .
Unless there ’ s more to this story than you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carrying a grudge and punishing you — which is , in my opinion , worse than what you did .
Please quit allowing her to continue to punish you .
Get counseling if you need to , and offer her the option of counseling again .
Understand that if she refuses , you have important decisions to make about your future .
Discuss with your therapist what emotionally healthy options there may be for you , but don ’ t continue to settle for the status quo .
DEAR ABBY : My husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long illness .
She lived in another state .
He couldn ’ t be there while she was sick or when she died because he was also ill .
He carries a lot of guilt about it .
I saw a cellphone message from her before she died , saying she was dying and asking him to come help her .
I deleted it because hearing it would have put added stress on him and made him sicker .
Now I feel guilty .
Should I keep quiet or confess ?
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DAUGHTER-IN-LAW DEAR GUILTY : You made a rational choice for a solid reason when you decided to delete the message instead of sharing it with your husband .
If you feel you must “ confess , ” disclose it to your spiritual adviser or someone you can trust who is closer to you than I am .
Personally , considering the state of your husband ’ s health , I think the choice you made was the correct one .
DEAR ABBY : I ’ ve been dating my widower boyfriend for four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year he gave me an inexpensive tea kettle .
( I don ’ t drink tea . )
I had been hinting that I would love a piece of fine jewelry because I have never received anything like that from him .
Should I say something ?
A pretty necklace or a bottle of my favorite cologne are things I would have preferred — something thoughtful and meaningful .
I feel sad and unappreciated .
— ANONYMOUS IN MICHIGAN DEAR ANONYMOUS : You appear to be involved with someone who has little imagination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tell your widower boyfriend ( of four years ) how you felt about receiving a kettle for your birthday , because you hoped for something that showed he had given more thought to what you might prefer .
Then , instead of hinting , educate him about the items on your wish list when your next birthday rolls around .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 . )

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I were married 30 years when we ran into an old girlfriend (and ex-fiancee) of mine at a function. I spent a good part of the evening dancing with her and ignoring my wife. My wife says I was “indecent” with the girlfriend, and it hurt her badly.
It was 20 years ago, but my wife lets me hear about it every day. I can’t take it any longer. She refuses to get help or forgive me. Our marriage has gone downhill ever since. What do you recommend I do to make it up to her? I’ve tried a few things, to no avail. — PAST ISN’T IN THE PAST
DEAR PAST: Your performance at that function must have been deeply humiliating to your wife. Was your regrettable behavior with your ex-fiancee a one-time thing or has it happened since?
You stated this happened 20 years ago and you have attempted to make amends to no avail. Unless there’s more to this story than you have written, it appears your wife enjoys carrying a grudge and punishing you — which is, in my opinion, worse than what you did.
Please quit allowing her to continue to punish you. Get counseling if you need to, and offer her the option of counseling again. Understand that if she refuses, you have important decisions to make about your future. Discuss with your therapist what emotionally healthy options there may be for you, but don’t continue to settle for the status quo.
DEAR ABBY: My husband’s mother passed away recently after a long illness. She lived in another state. He couldn’t be there while she was sick or when she died because he was also ill. He carries a lot of guilt about it.
I saw a cellphone message from her before she died, saying she was dying and asking him to come help her. I deleted it because hearing it would have put added stress on him and made him sicker. Now I feel guilty. Should I keep quiet or confess? He still is not well. — GUILTY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW
DEAR GUILTY: You made a rational choice for a solid reason when you decided to delete the message instead of sharing it with your husband. If you feel you must “confess,” disclose it to your spiritual adviser or someone you can trust who is closer to you than I am. Personally, considering the state of your husband’s health, I think the choice you made was the correct one.
DEAR ABBY: I’ve been dating my widower boyfriend for four years, and for my birthday this year he gave me an inexpensive tea kettle. (I don’t drink tea.) I had been hinting that I would love a piece of fine jewelry because I have never received anything like that from him. Should I say something? A pretty necklace or a bottle of my favorite cologne are things I would have preferred — something thoughtful and meaningful. I feel sad and unappreciated. — ANONYMOUS IN MICHIGAN
DEAR ANONYMOUS: You appear to be involved with someone who has little imagination or is frugal to a fault. Tell your widower boyfriend (of four years) how you felt about receiving a kettle for your birthday, because you hoped for something that showed he had given more thought to what you might prefer. Then, instead of hinting, educate him about the items on your wish list when your next birthday rolls around.
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.)


chicagosun-times--2020-09-09--1 killed, 2 wounded Tuesday in Chicago shootings

Three people were shot Tuesday in Chicago , including a man who was killed in Englewood on the South Side .
The 19-year-old was inside a vehicle about 1:23 p.m. in the 6800 block of South Loomis Boulevard when someone approached the vehicle and fired shots , Chicago police said .
He was struck in the head and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
The day ’ s latest reported shooting left a man wounded in Burnside on the South Side .
The man , 37 , was shot in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of South University Avenue , Chicago police said .
He was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition .
On Wednesday afternoon , a 30-year-old man was shot on the Near West Side .
He was in the back of a home about 3:50 p.m. in the 1000 block of West Taylor Street when he heard gunfire and felt pain , Chicago police said .
The man was hit in the abdomen and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
Tuesday ’ s shootings follow a violent Labor Day weekend in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them fatally .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Three people were shot Tuesday in Chicago, including a man who was killed in Englewood on the South Side.
The 19-year-old was inside a vehicle about 1:23 p.m. in the 6800 block of South Loomis Boulevard when someone approached the vehicle and fired shots, Chicago police said. He was struck in the head and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The day’s latest reported shooting left a man wounded in Burnside on the South Side.
The man, 37, was shot in the face about 7:30 p.m. in the 9300 block of South University Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to Trinity Hospital in good condition.
On Wednesday afternoon, a 30-year-old man was shot on the Near West Side.
He was in the back of a home about 3:50 p.m. in the 1000 block of West Taylor Street when he heard gunfire and felt pain, Chicago police said. The man was hit in the abdomen and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
Tuesday’s shootings follow a violent Labor Day weekend in which 56 people were shot, eight of them fatally.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-09--Teen boy shot near Jackson Park

Teen boy shot near Jackson Park

A teenage boy was wounded in a shooting Wednesday near Jackson Park on the South Side .
Just after midnight @ @ @ @ @ in the 6700 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when he heard shots ring out , @ @ @ @ @ arm , Chicago police said .
The boy was taken to the University of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A teenage boy was wounded in a shooting Wednesday near Jackson Park on the South Side.
Just after midnight, the 17-year-old was walking in the 6700 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when he heard shots ring out, and felt one strike his arm, Chicago police said.
The boy was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition, police said.
Area One detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Horoscope for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020

Horoscope for Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions .
The moon is in Gemini .
( Today Mars goes retrograde until mid-November . )
You ’ ll be a dynamo at work because you are eager to help others as well as help yourself .
You are energetic .
You work well with groups .
You ’ re quick to see the big picture .
Plus , your optimism will attract people to you and you will inspire them !
This is the perfect day for an extravagant , long lunch .
And if you can ’ t do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Enjoy sports events , schmoozing , appreciation of the arts , plus , fun activities with kids .
Romance is hot !
Family functions will go well because everyone is happy and upbeat !
Furthermore , family members will be generous to each other .
This is a good day to look for a better place to rent or to check out real estate opportunities or real estate speculation .
You ’ re in a terrific frame of mind , which is why you enjoy talking to everyone !
You feel optimistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ energy onto your immediate environment .
Because enthusiasm is contagious , you will attract people to you in your daily world .
This is a fabulous day for money and earnings !
By all means , look for ways to boost your income or to get a better-paying job .
However , if you are shopping , be careful about going overboard and being too extravagant .
Financial negotiations are favored .
This is your day !
Today the sun is in your sign dancing with lucky Jupiter .
Not only does this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chance to accomplish something good and useful .
Take stock of your life .
See how what you ’ re doing fits with your real needs ?
What about trying something new ?
This is a feel-good day for you !
You are content and happy to be in your skin .
You have a better understanding of the overall patterns of your world , which gives you more foresight and also more consideration for others .
Good old-fashioned wisdom .
You will enjoy the company of friends , and you will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , groups and associations .
In fact , these dealings will be mutually beneficial .
You will be quick to see the big picture of what any group should be doing or where it should be headed .
You make a fabulous impression on bosses , parents , teachers , VIPs and the police today because they see you as successful and affluent .
They also see that you are admired by others , and of course , this influences their opinion of you as well .
( This could bring wealth to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have fabulous opportunities to travel today .
Likewise , you can explore wonderful opportunities in publishing , the media , the law and medicine .
Anything to do with higher education will benefit you .
Do whatever you can to expand your world !
He couldn ’ t pick a better day to have an important discussion about how to divide or share something like an inheritance or a certain amount of money , because things will definitely go your way .
However , you might also see how to do fundraising or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with members of the general public as well as close friends and partners are wonderful today !
All your interactions with others will expand your world in a positive way .
You might inspire others and in turn , they will encourage you .
Bonus !
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor Hugh Grant ( 1960 ) shares your birthday .
Your willpower and strong self-discipline will help you overcome any challenges .
It ’ s encouraging to see that your hard work will start to pay off this year !
Channel your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now and for the future .
Work with purpose .
Physical exercise will be important , which is why you might want to explore something physical that you enjoy doing .

Moon Alert
There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions. The moon is in Gemini. (Today Mars goes retrograde until mid-November.)
Aries (March 21-April 19)
You’ll be a dynamo at work because you are eager to help others as well as help yourself. You are energetic. You work well with groups. You’re quick to see the big picture. Plus, your optimism will attract people to you and you will inspire them!
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is the perfect day for an extravagant, long lunch. And if you can’t do that, then have an extravagant dinner. Enjoy sports events, schmoozing, appreciation of the arts, plus, fun activities with kids. Romance is hot!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Family functions will go well because everyone is happy and upbeat! Furthermore, family members will be generous to each other. This is a good day to look for a better place to rent or to check out real estate opportunities or real estate speculation.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You’re in a terrific frame of mind, which is why you enjoy talking to everyone! You feel optimistic, enthusiastic and ready to project your energy onto your immediate environment. Because enthusiasm is contagious, you will attract people to you in your daily world.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
This is a fabulous day for money and earnings! By all means, look for ways to boost your income or to get a better-paying job. However, if you are shopping, be careful about going overboard and being too extravagant. Financial negotiations are favored. This is your day!
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today the sun is in your sign dancing with lucky Jupiter. Not only does this make you happy, it gives you a chance to accomplish something good and useful. Take stock of your life. See how what you’re doing fits with your real needs? What about trying something new?
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a feel-good day for you! You are content and happy to be in your skin. You have a better understanding of the overall patterns of your world, which gives you more foresight and also more consideration for others. Good old-fashioned wisdom.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
You will enjoy the company of friends, and you will be successful in your dealings with clubs, groups and associations. In fact, these dealings will be mutually beneficial. You will be quick to see the big picture of what any group should be doing or where it should be headed.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You make a fabulous impression on bosses, parents, teachers, VIPs and the police today because they see you as successful and affluent. They also see that you are admired by others, and of course, this influences their opinion of you as well. (This could bring wealth to you in some fashion.)
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
You have fabulous opportunities to travel today. Likewise, you can explore wonderful opportunities in publishing, the media, the law and medicine. Anything to do with higher education will benefit you. Do whatever you can to expand your world!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
He couldn’t pick a better day to have an important discussion about how to divide or share something like an inheritance or a certain amount of money, because things will definitely go your way. However, you might also see how to do fundraising or encourage others to be generous.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Relations with members of the general public as well as close friends and partners are wonderful today! All your interactions with others will expand your world in a positive way. You might inspire others and in turn, they will encourage you. Bonus!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor Hugh Grant (1960) shares your birthday. Your willpower and strong self-discipline will help you overcome any challenges. It’s encouraging to see that your hard work will start to pay off this year! Channel your energy and focus on building solid foundations now and for the future. Work with purpose. Physical exercise will be important, which is why you might want to explore something physical that you enjoy doing.


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Finalist for marijuana dispensary licenses also works for firm that graded applications

An employee of the global accounting firm that was awarded a no-bid contract to grade applications for the state ’ s next round of pot shop licenses is also a partner in one of the 21 groups that secured a spot in the upcoming lottery to determine the winners .
Hamd Kamal works as a risk management consultant for KPMG , which is getting nearly $ 4.2 million through a no-bid contract with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation , the agency that oversees dispensaries .
All told , more than 700 candidates submitted 1,667 total applications seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also listed as a manager of EHR Holdings LLC , an upstart pot firm that also counts former Chicago Police Supt .
Terry Hillard as a backer , according to records kept by the Illinois secretary of state ’ s office .
EHR ’ s principal address is a Near West Side head shop , Smoke Stop , that ’ s also run by Kamal .
Kamal ’ s LinkedIn account stated last week that he ’ s a risk consultant at KPMG , though the reference to the firm has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the other 20 firms in the lottery , EHR earned perfect scores on the applications that represent its five chances in drawings in three of the 17 possible regions across the state .
The news that a KPMG employee is also part of a firm that ’ s secured five spots in the dispensary lottery comes as lawmakers and applicants continue to pepper Gov .
J.B. Pritzker with concerns about the firm ’ s contract , methods and how the application process shook out .
KPMG spokesman James McGann said Kamal “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the engagement team that scored the applications.
” He added : “ The scoring process was objective , following the state ’ s criteria , with a blind scoring methodology .
The team scoring the applications would have no knowledge of the names or affiliations of applicants .
A separate team scored certain aspects of the application , such as social equity.
” EHR spokesman Eric Kowalczyk said the firm was formed last July , seven months before KPMG signed its initial contract with the IDFPR .
“ The EHR team learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time as the rest of the state when it was published in the newspaper , ” Kowalczyk said , pointing to a news report in July .
“ In fact , EHR was made aware KPMG only learned of any association two days ago .
“ As with every submission , by every applicant who applied for a license , EHR ’ s application contained no information that could be used to identify the members of EHR or their employers , ” added Kowalczyk , who claimed the firm followed state rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying KPMG just recently learned of Kamal ’ s ties to EHR , Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh noted that “ KPMG had a plan in place to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest were addressed and did not influence the process .
They are a large international firm with experience ensuring there aren ’ t conflicts of interest.
” Since the final contenders for the highly sought after dispensary were announced last week , losing applicants and lawmakers almost immediately started raising alarms .
The legalization law was passed to benefit so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status by living in areas that have been disproportionately impacted by past drug enforcement , having a minor cannabis conviction or meeting other criteria .
The aim was ultimately to create more diverse ownership in an industry dominated by white men .
But KPMG has been one of the big winners as the state moves to dole out new recreational weed licenses .
In addition to the IDFPR deal , KPMG was awarded another no-bid contract by the Illinois Department of Agriculture valued at $ 2.5 million .
Under that contract , KPMG @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , transport and infuse cannabis products .
Like the dispensary licenses , all those permits have also been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic .
Both Democratic lawmakers and applicants of color who saw their bids rejected slammed KPMG during a news conference Tuesday , framing the grading system as tainted as they urged Pritzker to delay the lottery .
What ’ s more , former state Sen. Rickey Hendon referenced the fact a KPMG employee was an applicant without using Kamal ’ s name .
“ The system is flawed .
The system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Antonio Williams , a Black social equity applicant who said KPMG “ needs to be held accountable .
”

An employee of the global accounting firm that was awarded a no-bid contract to grade applications for the state’s next round of pot shop licenses is also a partner in one of the 21 groups that secured a spot in the upcoming lottery to determine the winners.
Hamd Kamal works as a risk management consultant for KPMG, which is getting nearly $4.2 million through a no-bid contract with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the agency that oversees dispensaries. All told, 937 candidates submitted 4,518 total applications seeking dispensary licenses.
Kamal is also listed as a manager of EHR Holdings LLC, an upstart pot firm that also counts former Chicago Police Supt. Terry Hillard as a backer, according to records kept by the Illinois secretary of state’s office. EHR’s principal address is a Near West Side head shop, Smoke Stop, that’s also run by Kamal.
Smoke Shop, at 1333 W. Taylor St., is run by Hamd Kamal. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Kamal’s LinkedIn account stated last week that he’s a risk consultant at KPMG, though the reference to the firm has since been wiped from the page.
Like the other 20 firms in the lottery, EHR earned perfect scores on the applications that represent its five chances in drawings in three of the 17 possible regions across the state.
The news that a KPMG employee is also part of a firm that’s secured five spots in the dispensary lottery comes as lawmakers and applicants continue to pepper Gov. J.B. Pritzker with concerns about the firm’s contract, methods and how the application process shook out.
KPMG spokesman James McGann said Kamal “is an employee but he was not part of the engagement team that scored the applications.”
He added: “The scoring process was objective, following the state’s criteria, with a blind scoring methodology. The team scoring the applications would have no knowledge of the names or affiliations of applicants. A separate team scored certain aspects of the application, such as social equity.”
EHR spokesman Eric Kowalczyk said the firm was formed last July, seven months before KPMG signed its initial contract with the IDFPR.
“The EHR team learned of KPMG’s selection at the same time as the rest of the state when it was published in the newspaper,” Kowalczyk said, pointing to a news report in July. “In fact, EHR was made aware KPMG only learned of any association two days ago.
“As with every submission, by every applicant who applied for a license, EHR’s application contained no information that could be used to identify the members of EHR or their employers,” added Kowalczyk, who claimed the firm followed state rules “to the letter.”
Despite Kowalczyk saying KPMG just recently learned of Kamal’s ties to EHR, Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh noted that “KPMG had a plan in place to ensure that any potential conflicts of interest were addressed and did not influence the process. They are a large international firm with experience ensuring there aren’t conflicts of interest.”
Since the final contenders for the highly sought after dispensary were announced last week, losing applicants and lawmakers almost immediately started raising alarms.
The legalization law was passed to benefit so-called social equity applicants, who earn that status by living in areas that have been disproportionately impacted by past drug enforcement, having a minor cannabis conviction or meeting other criteria. The aim was ultimately to create more diverse ownership in an industry dominated by white men.
But KPMG has been one of the big winners as the state moves to dole out new recreational weed licenses.
In addition to the IDFPR deal, KPMG was awarded another no-bid contract by the Illinois Department of Agriculture valued at $2.5 million. Under that contract, KPMG is grading applications for licenses to grow, transport and infuse cannabis products. Like the dispensary licenses, all those permits have also been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Both Democratic lawmakers and applicants of color who saw their bids rejected slammed KPMG during a news conference Tuesday, framing the grading system as tainted as they urged Pritzker to delay the lottery. What’s more, former state Sen. Rickey Hendon referenced the fact a KPMG employee was an applicant without using Kamal’s name.
“The system is flawed. The system needs to be corrected,” noted Antonio Williams, a Black social equity applicant who said KPMG “needs to be held accountable.”


chicagosun-times--2020-09-08--Coronavirus live blog, Sept. 8, 2020: Illinois tallies third straight day of low coronavirus cases a

Coronavirus live blog, Sept. 8, 2020: Illinois tallies third straight day of low coronavirus cases as health officials announce 1,392 new positives

Chicago Public Schools students hit the books and went back to school Tuesday .
But with the coronavirus pandemic still raging , students met their teachers and peers online instead of in person .
Here ’ s what else happened in Chicago and around the state as the battle against the pandemic continued .
8:55 p.m. Illinois ’ new COVID-19 infections number 1,392 , marking third straight day of lower caseloads After Illinois closed out last week with a staggering crush of new coronavirus cases , the state on Tuesday tallied a third straight day of relatively low numbers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for COVID-19 .
That happens to be the average caseload reported by the state since Sunday , over the long Labor Day holiday weekend .
But Illinois has averaged more than 2,000 new cases per day over the last two weeks , thanks to record figures of 5,368 reported Friday — the inflated result of a two-day data processing backlog — and 2,806 cases on Saturday .
The state averaged around 2,300 new cases per day over the worst two-week stretch of the pandemic in mid-May , but that was before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Illinois is now testing residents at well over double its rate during the initial COVID-19 peak .
The latest cases were confirmed among 31,363 tests , lowering the state ’ s testing positivity rate over the last week to 4 % .
That number , which indicates how quickly the virus is spreading , hovered around 15 % in May .
Read the full report from Mitchell Armentrout here .
6:08 p.m. Mars warehouse workers accuse company of firing employees who signed petition to organize Current and former warehouse employees of Mars Wrigley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supply Chain gathered in front of the company ’ s global headquarters in Goose Island Tuesday morning to demand justice for those who work at the Mars warehouse in Joliet .
The protest came after employees of the companies signed a petition in July organized by local workers advocacy group Warehouse Workers for Justice .
Afterward , a few employees were allegedly fired “ under suspicious circumstances , ” according to Sandy Moreno of Warehouse Workers for Justice .
“ We ’ re here today to tell the Mars warehouse that we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Mars Wrigley , a unit of Mars Inc. , makes candy and confectioneries such as M & M ’ s , Skittles and Snickers .
3:53 p.m. Appeals court upholds most of federal judge ’ s order to curb coronavirus at Cook County Jail A state appeals court Tuesday upheld most of federal judge ’ s order in the spring that mandated wide-ranging coronavirus-prevention policies at the Cook County Jail but tossed out a key requirement to socially distance detainees .
The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeal ’ s ruling will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on measures undertaken by the authorities to stop the spread of the virus at the jail , Sheriff Tom Dart ’ s spokesman Matthew Walberg said .
While the ruling allows holding two detainees in the same cell or in group housing , social distancing policies previously implemented at the jail will continue , Walberg said , “ Today ’ s decision affirms what we have been saying all along : We have gone to great lengths to protect our staff and detainees during this unprecedented crisis and we will continue to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given the success we have achieved , we will continue to do everything we can to maintain and expand the protections we have put in place to protect our staff and detainees from COVID.
” Read the full report from Matthew Hendrickson here .
1:58 p.m. Lightfoot warns of employee layoffs to erase 2021 budget shortfall now pegged at $ 1.25B Mayor Lori Lightfoot warned Tuesday in the strongest terms yet that employee layoffs she has long called her “ second to last resort ” will be needed to erase a 2021 budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion .
Lightfoot refused to say how many city employees will be targeted .
She noted negotiations with organized labor to identify specific areas for cuts or concessions have just begun .
But with no replacement revenue on the horizon from Washington , the mayor said she needs to make substantial cuts to lay the political groundwork for the massive tax increases that will also be necessary to erase the largest budget shortfall in Chicago history .
“ We can ’ t ask individual taxpayers to give us more if we don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being good fiduciaries of their tax dollars and that includes making painful sacrifices , ” the mayor said at a news conference to mark the first day of remote learning for Chicago Public Schools students .
“ No one wants to see that happen .
No one wants to see a reduction in the kind of services that are core to what we do as a city government .
But we are looking at a variety of options .
And of course , we have no way of knowing at this point whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a breakthrough .
I certainly hope so .
COVID-19 has had a bipartisan impact on cities and towns all across our country and we need a bipartisan resolution.
” Read the full story from Fran Spielman here .
12:29 p.m. Students and teachers bring energy to CPS ’ new school year Technology worries and remote learning anxiety aside , many Chicago Public Schools students and teachers were excited to get the new school year started Tuesday morning .
There were still questions to be answered , such as how many children are without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address in the coronavirus pandemic and the summer of racial justice protests .
Nonetheless , Nina Hike , a chemistry teacher at Westinghouse College Prep , said she ’ s energized for the start of the year despite her nerves about the internet connection potentially cutting out during a class .
Holding up a laboratory flask , Hike said she ’ s looking forward to the unique dynamic of teaching students in their homes “ and being able to connect the chemistry in their homes that they see on a regular basis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemistry.
” “ In the classroom it ’ s easy to kind of gauge the student energy , ” Hike said during an early-morning virtual meeting hosted by the Chicago Teachers Union .
“ But I feel like my energy is going to come through the computer screen .
I even bought little beakers and flasks and stuff so that I can do demos and things of that nature to engage students.
” Read the full story from Nader Issa here .
A trip south of the state border to Kentucky will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isolation when they return home .
And visitors from the Bluegrass State will be required to hunker down for a fortnight when they arrive in Chicago , as public health officials on Tuesday added Kentucky to the city ’ s COVID-19 travel quarantine order list .
But the Chicago Department of Public Health also removed California and Puerto Rico from the mandatory quarantine list , as both places fell below the city ’ s coronavirus “ hot spot ” threshold infection rate of 15 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents on a weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applies to 21 states — more than a third of the nation : Alabama , Arkansas , Florida , Georgia , Iowa , Kansas , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , Missouri , Nebraska , North Dakota , Oklahoma , South Carolina , South Dakota and Tennessee .
Read the full story from Mitchell Armentrout here .
11:10 a.m .
Questions and anxiety loom large as CPS resumes remote learning Months of debate , anxiety , preparation and anticipation are culminating with the kickoff Tuesday of the most unusual school year in decades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced with computer screens and a hope for a better experience than the spring .
If remote school goes according to plan , more than 300,000 Chicago students will be sitting behind computer screens this week , many of them meeting their teachers virtually for the first time .
Questions remain , however , about how many children lack access to quality internet , how working-class families will handle having their kids at home again , and whether hours of screen time each day , essentially a full school day online , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lightfoot ’ s office and Chicago Public Schools officials have said access to computers is not expected to be the problem it was earlier this year , after 128,000 devices were distributed in the spring with another 17,000 handed out ahead of this school year .
Officials also announced the “ Chicago Connected ” program in June , pledging to put free , high-speed internet into the homes of 100,000 CPS students who lacked reliable broadband access .
A little over two months later , the families of 24,000 kids have signed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could still be without quality internet to start the school year .
Read the full story from Nader Issa here .
Even as Gov .
J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot were giving the go-ahead to reopen stores while adhering with social distancing guidelines , the streetwear boutiques were grappling as well with the ever-constant threat of burglary .
Some of them were looted during the protests in the aftermath of the May police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor , the Aug. 9 shooting of a 20-year-old in Englewood by Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting of Kenosha , Wisconsin resident Jacob Blake .
Some were burglarized duirng the weeks in between .
Brittany Stewart , owner of Chatham ’ s Sweats X Stew , had been hit a few times before moving from her 75th Street location .
Stewart , 30 — the daughter of Diego Ross , co-owner of Leaders 1354 — said would-be burglars aren ’ t thinking of the collateral damage looting does to Black business owners .
“ This can be your sister or your brother ’ s store , or your cousin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s upsetting because these are my peers .
... After I got hit , I could ’ ve moved downtown or to the North Side .
I wanted to stay in my community.
” The owners of Pillars , a boutique with locations in the West Loop and Calumet Heights , discovered both stores had been hit as co-owner Michael Willis went to check on the West Loop location , while his business partner Andre Weaver drove to the South Side store .
“ You almost forgot about COVID @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is going on , ” said Willis , 31 .
“ By the time I got to this store , it was crazy .
It seemed like the movie ‘ The Purge.
’ All this from the front [ of the store ] , all the way to the back door ; everything was basically gone .
“ It ’ s very upsetting .
You sit back and you ’ re like : ‘ Why me ?
Why us ?
’ At the end of the day , I understand the reason — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reasoning — with the looting going on , but you never want something that ’ s yours being damaged or taken away from you , especially when you busted your a- - to get it .
If it happens next time , we ’ re prepared.
” • Tom Seaver , the Hall of Fame pitcher who was the heart of the Miracle Mets team , has died at 75 of lewy body dementia and COVID-19 .
• Dwayne “ The Rock ” Johnson , wife and two daughters tested positive for COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous than casinos during a pandemic ?
Casinos and video arcades , both of which feature rows of electronic games that people use in close proximity to each other , pose similar risks of COVID-19 transmission .
Yet in Massachusetts , casinos have been open for two months , while video arcades remain closed under an order that Gov .
Charlie Baker originally issued in March .
Like many of the distinctions drawn by the COVID-19 lockdowns that all but a few governors imposed last spring , this one makes no medical sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argues that Baker ’ s discrimination against video arcades is unconstitutional because it is scientifically indefensible .
Baker originally included video arcades in Phase III of his reopening plan , which took effect on July 6 , but changed course without explanation on July 2 .
In response to a state legislator ’ s inquiry , the governor offered nothing but boilerplate about “ the latest science ” and “ input from public health experts.
” You might wonder what sort of science tells us that video games played for fun are inherently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games played for the chance to win money .
So does Gideon Coltof , the owner of Bit Bar , a restaurant-arcade in Salem .
Coltof notes that businesses like his can take the same precautions casinos are taking .
They can erect barriers or maintain physical distance between customers , and they can wipe machines down between users .
Yet while Baker is allowing Coltof to operate his restaurant during Phase III , the governor has decreed that Coltof may not turn on his video games .
For a business whose main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arcade games while eating , that restriction could be a death sentence .
9:31 a.m .
This Labor Day , let ’ s honor the workers who are beyond essential Labor Day is one of the most beloved holidays of the year , a time for people of all backgrounds to take a moment to celebrate the people who lace up their boots every day and go to work .
However , workers are not celebrating right now .
Workers are doing whatever they can to live their lives during an unimaginable public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state and country are in the middle of multiple intersecting crises .
And while we are all learning to live with the new normal , figuring out how to get our kids to school every day and keep ourselves safe , we can not lose sight of the lives and livelihoods being lost every single day in our communities .
I think about Maria Lopez .
Maria was a nurse in robotic surgery at the University of Illinois hospital and a proud member of the Illinois Nurses Association .
Maria worked at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheduled to retire on April 30 .
She had recently undergone knee surgery when COVID-19 hit , and she could have used vacation days to leave her job early , but she felt it was her duty to stay at the hospital and help — because that ’ s what nurses do .
They help .
In her last month before retirement , Maria contracted COVID-19 , and she died on May 4 .


chicagosun-times--2020-09-09--‘Fargo’ finally finished after long COVID-19 break

After a five-month delay brought on by COVID-19 , the fourth season of “ Fargo ” has completed production in Chicago .
Work on this run of episodes , starring Chris Rock , was almost compete when the FX show shut down in response to the growing pandemic .
More than 500 cast and crew reunited in August for 25 days of shooting under strict medical safety protocols , FX chairman John Landgraf told reporters Wednesday , per Deadline .
Landgraf said the plan involved “ repeated testing , contact tracing and isolation , sometimes quarantining for periods of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crew from each other , so if there is some infection among the crew , it doesn ’ t spread .
This involves putting certainly the actors , and everyone who comes in contact with them , inside as rigorously a controlled bubble as we possibly can .
There ’ s also extensive use of social distancing and medical consultation.
” Rock , who plays a 1950 Kansas City gangster , said he got to “ recharge my battery ” during the break .
“ I saw a couple of episodes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s like the Miami Heat .
They had a break and now they ’ re better than everybody .
The break helped them get better than anyone else .
I don ’ t want the world to have COVID , but I think my last two episodes are my best .
”

After a five-month delay brought on by COVID-19, the fourth season of “Fargo” has completed production in Chicago.
Work on this run of episodes, starring Chris Rock, was almost compete when the FX show shut down in response to the growing pandemic. More than 500 cast and crew reunited in August for 25 days of shooting under strict medical safety protocols, FX chairman John Landgraf told reporters Wednesday, per Deadline.
Landgraf said the plan involved “repeated testing, contact tracing and isolation, sometimes quarantining for periods of time. and isolating as many segments of the crew from each other, so if there is some infection among the crew, it doesn’t spread. This involves putting certainly the actors, and everyone who comes in contact with them, inside as rigorously a controlled bubble as we possibly can. There’s also extensive use of social distancing and medical consultation.”
The new season begins airing Sept 27.
Rock, who plays a 1950 Kansas City gangster, said he got to “recharge my battery” during the break.
“I saw a couple of episodes and worked on my game. … It’s like the Miami Heat. They had a break and now they’re better than everybody. The break helped them get better than anyone else. I don’t want the world to have COVID, but I think my last two episodes are my best.”