chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Clarence Burke Sr., ex-Chicago detective who managed his kids, The Five Stairsteps, dead at 90

On a raucous night at the old Regal Theater in the mid-1960s , Detective Clarence Burke Sr. watched and waited .
Besides being a Chicago cop , he was the father and manager of the members of the singing group The Five Stairsteps — the name their mother Betty bestowed on the couple ’ s five kids for the descending order of their heights .
They ’ d sung and played their hearts out in the talent competition at the theater at 47th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive , and the winner was about to be named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adrenaline and anticipation .
“ It was jumping , ” said Keni Burke , one of the group ’ s members .
“ It was 30 or 40 acts over a three-day period.
” But it was no contest .
The crowd roared loudest for the Burke kids , so they were the winners .
Keni Burke said another group of singing siblings , from Gary , went home empty-handed that night : “ We beat the Jackson Five.
” Mr. Burke once told a newspaper interviewer he and his wife “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them even if they lost , as long as they were ready to lose .
Well , they won , and some of the top people in the Chicago music world began to take an interest in them.
” Mr. Burke , who died last month at 90 , turned to a neighbor , Fred Cash of The Impressions , telling him , “ You got ta hear my children.
” “ We sang about eight bars , ” Keni Burke said , “ and [ Cash ] asked for the phone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] Curtis Mayfield and said , ‘ I think it ’ s something you want to hear.
’ ” So the Burkes — Clarence Jr. , Keni , James , Dennis and sister Alohe , who later changed her name to Rami — went to meet Mayfield , a soul music legend .
“ We were 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , ” Keni Burke said .
“ Can you imagine being ushered in on to see Curtis Mayfield , and you ’ re in Marina Tower , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance ?
” Within a month , Mayfield had them booked at Chicago ’ s Universal recording studio , known for its early use of echo and multitracking .
The children wondered who it was for .
In his unmistakable falsetto , Mayfield told them : “ That ’ s for you , babies.
” The Five Stairsteps went on to music immortality with the 1970 Stan Vincent song “ O-o-h Child , ” three transcendent minutes of soul and hope that ’ s now inspired listeners for half a century .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Joe and Jill Biden hugged after her speech at the Democratic National Convention : We ’ ll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun When the world is much brighter .
.
.
The song has been featured in movies including “ Boyz n the Hood , ” “ Crooklyn , ” “ Guardians of the Galaxy ” and “ Shark Tale.
” It ’ s been used on multiple TV shows and a “ Grand Theft Auto ” video game .
It ’ s the chorus on Tupac ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rolling Stone put it at No .
402 on its list of 500 greatest songs .
As The Five Stairsteps moved up the charts , the band kept slogging away at record hops , clubs and small shows .
The group — later joined for a time by baby brother Cubie — appeared on bills with The Impressions , the Four Tops , Smokey Robinson and the Miracles , Otis Redding , Sly and the Family Stone , the Temptations and Jackie Wilson .
Through all of that , the proud band dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department in the mid–1960s to manage The Five Stairsteps , chauffeured his kids around the country in first a red Chevrolet Impala station wagon and later an eight-door Checker Aerobus .
He also played some bass .
And always he looked out for them .
Once , after a show in Pittsburgh , “ My brothers and sister come off the stage , and they all had some kind of substance on their jackets , ” said Keni Burke , who didn ’ t play that night because he was sick .
Clarence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there was this guy in the audience , and he was spitting on us.
’ “ My dad said , ‘ Point him out.
’ The next thing you know , the guy was flying across the room with a backhard left .
Then , he got him again with a righthand slap .
Before he could get a third one , the guy took off running.
” Keni Burke wondered why his 265-pound dad — who once hit a would-be assailant so hard that he fell into a mailbox , knocking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slap instead of a punch .
His father told him , “ Because , son , I wanted him to feel it .
I didn ’ t want to knock him out.
” “ He was always thinking , ” his son said .
In 1967 , Mr. Burke appeared on the TV show “ To Tell the Truth , ” and he and two imposters fooled some of the panelists , who couldn ’ t figure out which one of the trio was the father of the singing family .
Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by writer Dave Hoekstra , came at a Marietta , Georgia , hospital after surgery , his son said .
The patriarch and much of the Burke family had moved to the Atlanta area in the 1970s .
Mr. Burke , who ’ d been one of Chicago ’ s few Black police detectives , often made 1950s news headlines with partner Luceke “ Zeke ” Mays for solving murders and other cases , including the case of the Chatham cat burglar , who was said to have hit 30 homes by removing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuables .
Mr. Burke also once found a stolen $ 4,500 that had been wrapped in foil in the freezer of a man suspected in the holdup of an armored-car guard .
Another time , in 1960 , Keni Burke said , “ He got shot in a shootout .
He took a bullet to the back .
I can remember , on the news , my dad being put on the ambulance , on a stretcher.
” It wasn ’ t his only shootout , his son said .
Once , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a holdup going on in the taxi in front of him .
My dad told my mom to hit the ground .
“ He was the real , sho ’ nuff police , ” the son said .
After Mr. Burke and his partner investigated the 1959 bludgeoning death of undertaker Thelma Campbell , sister of 20th Ward Ald .
Kenneth Campbell , their work led the chief of detectives to promote both to permanent jobs in the detective bureau .
Despite the mayhem he saw , “ It never came home with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He was the kindest , sweetest guy .
We ’ d all climb up on the bed with him , all of us , just jumping on him and playing.
” He also worked security for Frank Sinatra and President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson .
“ Lady Bird had a corsage , ” Keni said , “ and she gave it to my father to give my mother.
” Mr. Burke ’ s parents were Florence and James Marcellus Burke Sr. , who worked as a Pullman porter , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palmer House .
Young Clarence went to Betsy Ross grade school and Tilden Technical High School .
He worked as a CTA motorman and saw firefighters and police officers responding to an emergency nearby .
“ That ’ s when he decided what he wanted to do , ” his son said .
He married Betty , a grade school classmate , and they raised their kids in the Dearborn Homes on 29th Street and later a house in the 700 block of East 91st Place .
“ In our home , music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ we listened to all the jazz greats : Sarah Vaughan , Ray Charles , but even [ opera singer ] Mario Lanza .
My uncle married a woman from Puerto Rico , so we listened to Tito Rodriguez , Tito Puente.
” Mr. Burke once told an interviewer : “ Mom and I stayed close to the kids , and , when they were growing up , we dug the kind of music they dug .
We didn ’ t do any pushing , but they naturally gravitated toward music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , our apartment in Chicago sounded like a rehearsal hall.
” Mr. Burke is survived by his first wife Betty and their children Keni , Rami , James and Dennis , his second wife Alberteen , from whom he was separated , their son Martin , 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren .
His children Clarence Jr. , Cubie , Martin , Terrill and Leonard died before him .
Keni Burke , a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumental musician , has worked with George Harrison , Billy Preston and Bill Withers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cool J , Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent .
And he performed last year with 50 Cent and Snoop Dog at Madison Square Garden .
But he said the voice he likes to hear most is his father ’ s .
“ Every recording or message that went to my voicemail , I never deleted any , ” he said .
“ I hear , ‘ Son , I ’ m sorry I missed you .
When am I going to see you ?
’ ”

On a raucous night at the old Regal Theater in the mid-1960s, Detective Clarence Burke Sr. watched and waited.
Besides being a Chicago cop, he was the father and manager of the members of the singing group The Five Stairsteps — the name their mother Betty bestowed on the couple’s five kids for the descending order of their heights.
They’d sung and played their hearts out in the talent competition at the theater at 47th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, and the winner was about to be named. The place was throbbing with music, adrenaline and anticipation.
“It was jumping,” said Keni Burke, one of the group’s members. “It was 30 or 40 acts over a three-day period.”
But it was no contest. The crowd roared loudest for the Burke kids, so they were the winners.
Keni Burke said another group of singing siblings, from Gary, went home empty-handed that night: “We beat the Jackson Five.”
Mr. Burke once told a newspaper interviewer he and his wife “decided the experience would be good for them even if they lost, as long as they were ready to lose. Well, they won, and some of the top people in the Chicago music world began to take an interest in them.”
Mr. Burke, who died last month at 90, turned to a neighbor, Fred Cash of The Impressions, telling him, “You gotta hear my children.”
“We sang about eight bars,” Keni Burke said, “and [Cash] asked for the phone, and he called [Impressions band member] Curtis Mayfield and said, ‘I think it’s something you want to hear.’ ”
So the Burkes — Clarence Jr., Keni, James, Dennis and sister Alohe, who later changed her name to Rami — went to meet Mayfield, a soul music legend.
“We were 12, 13, 14, 15, 16,” Keni Burke said. “Can you imagine being ushered in on to see Curtis Mayfield, and you’re in Marina Tower, which you’ve only seen from a distance?”
Within a month, Mayfield had them booked at Chicago’s Universal recording studio, known for its early use of echo and multitracking.
“There was a full orchestra,” Keni Burke said.
The children wondered who it was for.
In his unmistakable falsetto, Mayfield told them: “That’s for you, babies.”
The Five Stairsteps went on to music immortality with the 1970 Stan Vincent song “O-o-h Child,” three transcendent minutes of soul and hope that’s now inspired listeners for half a century. On Aug. 18, its words were heard as Joe and Jill Biden hugged after her speech at the Democratic National Convention:
Ooh child
Things are gonna get easier
Ooh child
Things’ll get brighter. . .
Some day, yeah
We’ll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun
Some day
When the world is much brighter . . .
The song has been featured in movies including “Boyz n the Hood,” “Crooklyn,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Shark Tale.” It’s been used on multiple TV shows and a “Grand Theft Auto” video game. It’s the chorus on Tupac Shakur’s “Keep Ya Head Up.” And Rolling Stone put it at No. 402 on its list of 500 greatest songs.
As The Five Stairsteps moved up the charts, the band kept slogging away at record hops, clubs and small shows. The group — later joined for a time by baby brother Cubie — appeared on bills with The Impressions, the Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Otis Redding, Sly and the Family Stone, the Temptations and Jackie Wilson.
Through all of that, the proud band dad, who retired from the Chicago Police Department in the mid–1960s to manage The Five Stairsteps, chauffeured his kids around the country in first a red Chevrolet Impala station wagon and later an eight-door Checker Aerobus. He also played some bass.
And always he looked out for them.
Once, after a show in Pittsburgh, “My brothers and sister come off the stage, and they all had some kind of substance on their jackets,” said Keni Burke, who didn’t play that night because he was sick. Clarence Burke Jr. “said, ‘Dad, there was this guy in the audience, and he was spitting on us.’
“My dad said, ‘Point him out.’ The next thing you know, the guy was flying across the room with a backhand left. Then, he got him again with a righthand slap. Before he could get a third one, the guy took off running.”
Keni Burke wondered why his 265-pound dad — who once hit a would-be assailant so hard that he fell into a mailbox, knocking it out of the ground — used a slap instead of a punch.
His father told him, “Because, son, I wanted him to feel it. I didn’t want to knock him out.”
“He was always thinking,” his son said.
In 1967, Mr. Burke appeared on the TV show “To Tell the Truth,” and he and two imposters fooled some of the panelists, who couldn’t figure out which one of the trio was the father of the singing family.
Mr. Burke’s death, first reported by writer Dave Hoekstra, came at a Marietta, Georgia, hospital after surgery, his son said. The patriarch and much of the Burke family had moved to the Atlanta area in the 1970s.
Detective Clarence Burke Jr. (right) and his partner Luceke “Zeke” Mays were credited with solving many crimes when they worked at the Chicago Police Department. “That’s how they always looked — sharp and ready,” said Mr. Burke’s son Keni. Provided
Mr. Burke, who’d been one of Chicago’s few Black police detectives, often made 1950s news headlines with partner Luceke “Zeke” Mays for solving murders and other cases, including the case of the Chatham cat burglar, who was said to have hit 30 homes by removing his shoes so he could soundlessly take valuables. Mr. Burke also once found a stolen $4,500 that had been wrapped in foil in the freezer of a man suspected in the holdup of an armored-car guard.
Another time, in 1960, Keni Burke said, “He got shot in a shootout. He took a bullet to the back. I can remember, on the news, my dad being put on the ambulance, on a stretcher.”
It wasn’t his only shootout, his son said. Once, while out driving, “My dad noticed a holdup going on in the taxi in front of him. My dad told my mom to hit the ground.
“He was the real, sho’nuff police,” the son said.
After Mr. Burke and his partner investigated the 1959 bludgeoning death of undertaker Thelma Campbell, sister of 20th Ward Ald. Kenneth Campbell, their work led the chief of detectives to promote both to permanent jobs in the detective bureau.
Despite the mayhem he saw, “It never came home with him,” his son said. “He was the kindest, sweetest guy. We’d all climb up on the bed with him, all of us, just jumping on him and playing.”
He also worked security for Frank Sinatra and President Lyndon Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson.
“Lady Bird had a corsage,” Keni said, “and she gave it to my father to give my mother.”
Mr. Burke’s parents were Florence and James Marcellus Burke Sr., who worked as a Pullman porter, and later as maitre d’ at the Palmer House.
Young Clarence went to Betsy Ross grade school and Tilden Technical High School. He worked as a CTA motorman and saw firefighters and police officers responding to an emergency nearby.
“That’s when he decided what he wanted to do,” his son said.
He married Betty, a grade school classmate, and they raised their kids in the Dearborn Homes on 29th Street and later a house in the 700 block of East 91st Place.
“In our home, music was so rich,” Keni Burke said, “we listened to all the jazz greats: Sarah Vaughan, Ray Charles, but even [opera singer] Mario Lanza. My uncle married a woman from Puerto Rico, so we listened to Tito Rodriguez, Tito Puente.”
Mr. Burke once told an interviewer: “Mom and I stayed close to the kids, and, when they were growing up, we dug the kind of music they dug. We didn’t do any pushing, but they naturally gravitated toward music, so we encouraged them. Most times, our apartment in Chicago sounded like a rehearsal hall.”
Mr. Burke is survived by his first wife Betty and their children Keni, Rami, James and Dennis, his second wife Alberteen, from whom he was separated, their son Martin, 13 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. His children Clarence Jr., Cubie, Terrill and Leonard died before him.
Keni Burke, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumental musician, has worked with George Harrison, Billy Preston and Bill Withers. His music has been sampled by LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent. And he performed last year with 50 Cent and Snoop Dog at Madison Square Garden.
But he said the voice he likes to hear most is his father’s.
“Every recording or message that went to my voicemail, I never deleted any,” he said. “I hear, ‘Son, I’m sorry I missed you. When am I going to see you?’ ”


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’: A meet-the-parents road trip turns trippy

Place the superb actors Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons in a car , hand them just about any decent screenplay that justifies the setting and you ’ re halfway home right there — and given the script they ’ re bringing to life in “ I ’ m Thinking of Ending Things ” is an adaptation by Charlie Kaufman , it ’ s hardly a surprise this turns out to be one of the most intriguing and creative works of the year .
I mean , how many movies are going to feature conversations about suicide bombers , the musical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got too much credit for the trains running on time , movies ranging from “ Forget Paris ” to “ A Woman Under the Influence , ” the poems of William Wordsworth and a painting by Andrew Wyeth ?
And that ’ s just for starters .
It ’ s been some 20 years since Charlie Kaufman exploded on the scene as the screenwriter of films such as “ Being John Malkovich , ” “ Adaptation ” and “ Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
” Kaufman ’ s work became ever more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directed “ Synedoche , New York ” ( 2008 ) and the stop-motion animated “ Anomalisa ” ( 2015 ) .
With “ I ’ m Thinking of Ending Things , ” Kaufman is directing and adapting the acclaimed 2016 novel of the same name by Iain Reid , and he does a brilliant job of remaining faithful to the book while adding his own unique spin ( s ) .
For a long and riveting opening stretch , we ’ re in the car with Buckley ’ s Lucy and Plemons ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit Jake ’ s parents on the farm where he grew up .
There ’ s an almost Woody Allen-esque vibe at first , with Lucy saying in voice-over , “ I ’ m thinking of ending things , ” while the oblivious Jake prattles on in a monotone about his love for musicals , rattling title after title off .
Is she thinking of ending the relationship , or ending , you know , things ?
We shall see .
Once Jake and Lucy arrive at his boyhood home , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brooding horror film .
Jake gives Lucy a tour of the farm and barely notices the dead lambs frozen in the barn .
When Lucy asks what happened to them , Jake says : I don ’ t know what you ’ re asking … They ’ re already dead , what does it matter !
It gets weirder .
Much .
Weirder .
The house itself is dark and foreboding , with ominous scratches on the door to the shuttered basement , and creepy figures in porcelain and wood on the shelves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mildew .
“ What are those scratches on the door ?
” asks Lucy .
Enter Jake ’ s mother ( Toni Collette ) , a manic-depressive whirlwind who has whipped up a dinner straight out of a 1950s cookbook , and his father ( David Thewlis ) , a daft Brit with an unexplained Band-Aid on his head .
From room to room and from moment to moment , Mom and/or Dad seem to age and then de-age at least 30 years .
( Maybe they ’ re big fans of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the aforementioned dog , Jimmy , who is always soaking wet and shaking off the cold .
( When Lucy visits Jake ’ s childhood bedroom , she spots an urn with picture of a dog that looks like Jimmy and a little plaque saying , “ JIMMY.
” One is left hoping that ’ s Jimmy II downstairs . )
All very creepy stuff — but “ I ’ m Thinking of Ending Things ” isn ’ t a ghost story per se , nor is it the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lurking in the basement .
It ’ s more ... unsettling .
We ’ re startled to learn Lucy and Jake have been together only six weeks , given they act like a couple who can ’ t remember when they weren ’ t together .
From time to time we cut away to an elderly janitor ( Guy Boyd ) who always seems to be mopping the high school floors at all hours , except for the moment when he takes a break and watches a romantic comedy on TV that ends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( The movie within the movie looks like nothing Robert Zemeckis would ever direct . )
It ’ s possible the high school janitor is actually Jake —but we ’ ve learned Jake is a renowned physicist , so how does that add up ?
Then there ’ s Lucy , who is being bombarded by phone calls and grows jumpier as the night wears on .
By the time Jake and Lucy stop for ice cream in the middle of a blizzard , we are firmly planted in the Twilight Zone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ together .
Their early conversations , bizarre as the topics might be , have the comfortable if slightly tense rhythms of a couple who are beginning to know each other perhaps too well .
When the storyline takes some drastic hairpin turns and the entire vibe of the film changes , they ’ re right there setting the tone .
Kaufman frames certain shots like someone who loved “ The Shining , ” and stages a wildly creative dance number out of nowhere .
The sets and lighting and crisp editing help create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m Thinking of Ending Things ” is crazy good .

Place the superb actors Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons in a car, hand them just about any decent screenplay that justifies the setting and you’re halfway home right there — and given the script they’re bringing to life in “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is an adaptation by Charlie Kaufman, it’s hardly a surprise this turns out to be one of the most intriguing and creative works of the year.
I mean, how many movies are going to feature conversations about suicide bombers, the musical “Oklahoma!,” whether Mussolini got too much credit for the trains running on time, movies ranging from “Forget Paris” to “A Woman Under the Influence,” the poems of William Wordsworth and a painting by Andrew Wyeth?
‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’
Untitled Netflix presents a film written and directed by Charlie Kaufman, based on the novel by Iain Reid. Rated R (for language including some sexual references). Running time: 134 minutes. Opens Friday at Landmark Century Centre and Sept. 4 on Netflix.
And that’s just for starters.
It’s been some 20 years since Charlie Kaufman exploded on the scene as the screenwriter of films such as “Being John Malkovich,” “Adaptation” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” Kaufman’s work became ever more surreal and existential as he wrote and directed “Synedoche, New York” (2008) and the stop-motion animated “Anomalisa” (2015). With “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” Kaufman is directing and adapting the acclaimed 2016 novel of the same name by Iain Reid, and he does a brilliant job of remaining faithful to the book while adding his own unique spin(s).
For a long and riveting opening stretch, we’re in the car with Buckley’s Lucy and Plemons’ Jake as they drive in wintry weather to visit Jake’s parents on the farm where he grew up. There’s an almost Woody Allen-esque vibe at first, with Lucy saying in voice-over, “I’m thinking of ending things,” while the oblivious Jake prattles on in a monotone about his love for musicals, rattling title after title off. Is she thinking of ending the relationship, or ending, you know, things? We shall see.
Once Jake and Lucy arrive at his boyhood home, the tone switches to something akin to a brooding horror film. Jake gives Lucy a tour of the farm and barely notices the dead lambs frozen in the barn. When Lucy asks what happened to them, Jake says: I don’t know what you’re asking … They’re already dead, what does it matter!
It gets weirder. Much. Weirder. The house itself is dark and foreboding, with ominous scratches on the door to the shuttered basement, and creepy figures in porcelain and wood on the shelves. You can almost smell the must and mildew.
“What are those scratches on the door?” asks Lucy.
“Dog,” replies Jake. “It’s from the dog. Mostly.”
Enter Jake’s mother (Toni Collette), a manic-depressive whirlwind who has whipped up a dinner straight out of a 1950s cookbook, and his father (David Thewlis), a daft Brit with an unexplained Band-Aid on his head. From room to room and from moment to moment, Mom and/or Dad seem to age and then de-age at least 30 years. (Maybe they’re big fans of “The Irishman.”) Then there’s the aforementioned dog, Jimmy, who is always soaking wet and shaking off the cold. (When Lucy visits Jake’s childhood bedroom, she spots an urn with picture of a dog that looks like Jimmy and a little plaque saying, “JIMMY.” One is left hoping that’s Jimmy II downstairs.)
The ages of Jake’s parents (David Thewlis and Toni Collette) seem to age from moment to moment. Netflix
All very creepy stuff — but “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” isn’t a ghost story per se, nor is it the kind of film where we expect to find monsters lurking in the basement. It’s more ... unsettling. We’re startled to learn Lucy and Jake have been together only six weeks, given they act like a couple who can’t remember when they weren’t together. From time to time we cut away to an elderly janitor (Guy Boyd) who always seems to be mopping the high school floors at all hours, except for the moment when he takes a break and watches a romantic comedy on TV that ends with “DIRECTED BY ROBERT ZEMECKIS.” (The movie within the movie looks like nothing Robert Zemeckis would ever direct.)
It’s possible the high school janitor is actually Jake —but we’ve learned Jake is a renowned physicist, so how does that add up? Then there’s Lucy, who is being bombarded by phone calls and grows jumpier as the night wears on. By the time Jake and Lucy stop for ice cream in the middle of a blizzard, we are firmly planted in the Twilight Zone.
Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons are brilliant together. Their early conversations, bizarre as the topics might be, have the comfortable if slightly tense rhythms of a couple who are beginning to know each other perhaps too well. When the storyline takes some drastic hairpin turns and the entire vibe of the film changes, they’re right there setting the tone. Kaufman frames certain shots like someone who loved “The Shining,” and stages a wildly creative dance number out of nowhere. The sets and lighting and crisp editing help create that distinctive Charlie Kaufman flavor. “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” is crazy good.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Being a convicted ‘sexual predator’ didn’t keep him from getting $700K in suburban VA hospital deals

Ezekiel Lopez is a registered child sexual predator in Illinois who spent more than three years in prison for sexually abusing two teenage girls under his care in Rolling Meadows .
But the conviction didn ’ t keep Lopez , 49 , from getting more than $ 700,000 in federal contracts to provide cleaning and janitorial services to help fight COVID-19 at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital south of Maywood .
Government contractors are supposed to indicate on their applications whether they ’ ve had any felony convictions in the past two years .
But Lopez was convicted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban vendors convicted of fraud or other procurement violations from future contracts , usually for up to three years .
But that doesn ’ t include sex crimes .
So neither Lopez nor his America ’ s Best at Work appeared on any list of parties excluded from federal Department of Veterans Affairs contracting .
VA spokeswoman Christina Noel said the company met the criteria to be a vendor under federal law , which include being deemed “ responsible ” through its registration with what ’ s called the System for Award Management @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing according to the U.S. government ’ s database for “ performance and integrity.
” But days after USA Today asked the federal agency about Lopez ’ s background , the VA ended ended its relationship with the business as of July 23 .
Candace Oliva , a health systems specialist for the west suburban hospital ’ s director , said “ nothing questionable ” turned up in a background check of the company going back two years .
But “ after discovering this particular issue , Hines VA Hospital terminated its relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He received preferences on all of his contracts because his business is considered small and is owned by a veteran and Native American .
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits federal contractors from requesting criminal histories from candidates until a conditional job offer has been extended , and civil rights laws ban discrimination against applicants for having a criminal record .
Illinois state regulations bar sex offenders from working in more than 100 professions that require a license or are off-limits to felons , including health care providers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the [ excluded ] list for a sex crime , ” said Charles Tiefer , a University of Baltimore professor who specializes in federal procurement .
“ People can just turn right around and do this .
The federal government says , ‘ We ’ re open for business — come on in.
’ ” Lopez is registered as a child sexual predator with Illinois State Police , required to identify his current address online anytime he moves so neighbors and anyone else can know of his past .
Rolling Meadows police records @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2006 with accusations that Lopez sexually abused her .
The girl told investigators that one night around midnight the previous August , Lopez entered her room , said he was doing laundry and made her remove her clothes .
The girl fell asleep and awoke 30 minutes later to Lopez having intercourse with her , according to a police report .
Lopez went on to molest the girl at least two more times , she told authorities .
Another teenager sleeping in the home ’ s basement came forward with similar accusations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lopez admitted having sexual intercourse on several occasions with both girls , telling a prosecutor that it felt “ natural ” but that he “ knew it was wrong.
” He eventually said he was sorry .
Lopez was convicted of criminal sexual abuse , sexual assault and sexual assault on a victim between 13 and 17 years old , according to the sex offender registry .
He served time in state prison from April 2007 through August 2010 and another two years on parole .
The residence listed for Lopez on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by America ’ s Best at Work Corp. in federal contract documents .
The state corporations database lists Lopez as the company ’ s president .
Records show Lopez and his business were given more than $ 700,000 in COVID-19 work from the federal government this year , no-bid deals without any competition from other companies .
The first COVID-19 contract was signed April 8 .
Through “ change orders ” and exercised options , the work was to continue through Sept. 30 .
After the VA canceled its contract in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 443,000 , according to the federal data .
The company was responsible for managing general janitorial services at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital .
As owner , Lopez managed the crews , and his employees performed the work , according to the VA ’ s Oliva .
The federal government has spent more than $ 20 billion in response to COVID-19 in a race to secure supplies and prepare its facilities .
USA Today previously has reported that vendors that had been accused of fraud against the government were handed new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlements .
Other vendors without any experience or qualifications surfaced overnight to profit from the pandemic , many ultimately failing to deliver on their promises .
The pandemic wasn ’ t the first time Lopez ’ s company landed federal contracts .
America ’ s Best at Work Corp. was awarded $ 139,500 in work during the 2014/15 budget year – about three years after Lopez ’ s release from parole .
It went on to get $ 108,500 worth of federal contracts the following year , about $ 13,000 in 2016/17 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 700,000 in originally awarded coronavirus contracts brought the biggest windfall , federal records show .
Since the company became a federal contractor , it ’ s been given eight deals in Illinois by the VA , ranging from sourcing dental instruments to providing janitorial services .
Federal agencies like the VA are encouraged to do business with small , disadvantaged companies as well as those owned by veterans as part of an effort to undo past disparities .
Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he ’ ll further improve contracting opportunities for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Army from 1989 to 1997 , according to records from his criminal case .
His business also has applied as a certified Indian Preference Firm of the Tohono O ’ odham Nation in Sells , Arizona , the company ’ s website says His military service and the company ’ s status as Native American-owned gave Lopez a leg up when he put in bids for federal government work under rules designed to help these traditionally disadvantaged groups .
The government focuses its backgrounding efforts on a company ’ s history , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , looking at each potential vendor ’ s financial strength , past performance and perceived ability to meet the specifications of a contract .
That ’ s especially true for routine services like janitorial work , said Benjamin Brunjes , an assistant professor at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington .
Brunjes said that even if the principal of a company was under sanction , executives convicted of crimes are still allowed to start new businesses and get new contracts .
“ The federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solvency of its vendors , ” Brunjes said , “ not the backgrounds of their owners.
” Industry trade groups for janitorial contractors cite best practices that call for their members to background screen employees .
Additional oversight was put in place after the 2015 publication of “ Rape on the Night Shift , ” an investigation by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and its news media partners that found the late nights and weekend hours involved in the commercial janitorial industry created a setting that left workers susceptible to assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides facility cleaning , among other services , also requires conditional hires to undergo post-offer , pre-employment screening as part of its hiring process to “ ensure customer safety , ” a spokesman said .
Other large competitors have similar rules .
In Illinois , sex offenders aren ’ t allowed within 500 feet of any school buildings , they are not allowed in public parks , and those convicted after 2010 were banned from using social media until the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the rule last year .
They are barred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some other professions .
That means that doctors , nurses and other medical professionals with sex-crime convictions can ’ t practice in VA hospitals and clinics in Illinois without a special waiver .
Some say those same protections should apply to janitors and other contractors who work in these buildings and could have access to VA employees and patients .
Industry groups have worked to help train certain inmates .
And the “ ban the box ” movement has pushed to give ex-offenders a second chance at meaningful work to help lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Burton , a Washington , D.C. , attorney who was a career procurement official in the White House , said the janitorial contract was an example of a federal acquisition system in need of reform .
“ It ’ s disturbing , ” Burton said .
“ Especially if it ’ s a small business , you want to look at the business owner and whether they are responsible .
”

Ezekiel Lopez is a registered child sexual predator in Illinois who spent more than three years in prison for sexually abusing two teenage girls under his care in Rolling Meadows.
But the conviction didn’t keep Lopez, 49, from getting more than $700,000 in federal contracts to provide cleaning and janitorial services to help fight COVID-19 at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital south of Maywood.
Government contractors are supposed to indicate on their applications whether they’ve had any felony convictions in the past two years. But Lopez was convicted in 2007.
And the federal government can ban vendors convicted of fraud or other procurement violations from future contracts, usually for up to three years. But that doesn’t include sex crimes.
So neither Lopez nor his America’s Best at Work appeared on any list of parties excluded from federal Department of Veterans Affairs contracting.
VA spokeswoman Christina Noel said the company met the criteria to be a vendor under federal law, which include being deemed “responsible” through its registration with what’s called the System for Award Management. The business also was in good standing according to the U.S. government’s database for “performance and integrity.”
But days after USA Today asked the federal agency about Lopez’s background, the VA ended ended its relationship with the business as of July 23.
Candace Oliva, a health systems specialist for the west suburban hospital’s director, said “nothing questionable” turned up in a background check of the company going back two years.
But “after discovering this particular issue, Hines VA Hospital terminated its relationship with the contractor,” Oliva said.
Lopez didn’t respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
Ezekiel Lopez as he appears on the Illinois Sex Offender website, which labels him a sexual predator. Illinois State Police
He received preferences on all of his contracts because his business is considered small and is owned by a veteran and Native American.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits federal contractors from requesting criminal histories from candidates until a conditional job offer has been extended, and civil rights laws ban discrimination against applicants for having a criminal record.
Illinois state regulations bar sex offenders from working in more than 100 professions that require a license or are off-limits to felons, including health care providers.
“You don’t land on the [excluded] list for a sex crime,” said Charles Tiefer, a University of Baltimore professor who specializes in federal procurement. “People can just turn right around and do this. The federal government says, ‘We’re open for business — come on in.’ ”
Lopez is registered as a child sexual predator with Illinois State Police, required to identify his current address online anytime he moves so neighbors and anyone else can know of his past.
Rolling Meadows police records show a teenage girl came to authorities in 2006 with accusations that Lopez sexually abused her. The girl told investigators that one night around midnight the previous August, Lopez entered her room, said he was doing laundry and made her remove her clothes. The girl fell asleep and awoke 30 minutes later to Lopez having intercourse with her, according to a police report.
Lopez went on to molest the girl at least two more times, she told authorities.
Another teenager sleeping in the home’s basement came forward with similar accusations.
That year, prosecutors say, Lopez admitted having sexual intercourse on several occasions with both girls, telling a prosecutor that it felt “natural” but that he “knew it was wrong.” He eventually said he was sorry.
Lopez was convicted of criminal sexual abuse, sexual assault and sexual assault on a victim between 13 and 17 years old, according to the sex offender registry. He served time in state prison from April 2007 through August 2010 and another two years on parole.
The residence listed for Lopez on the sex offender registry matches the business address used by America’s Best at Work Corp. in federal contract documents. The state corporations database lists Lopez as the company’s president.
Records show Lopez and his business were given more than $700,000 in COVID-19 work from the federal government this year, no-bid deals without any competition from other companies.
The first COVID-19 contract was signed April 8. Through “change orders” and exercised options, the work was to continue through Sept. 30.
After the VA canceled its contract in July, the total obligation dropped to about $443,000, according to the federal data.
The company was responsible for managing general janitorial services at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. As owner, Lopez managed the crews, and his employees performed the work, according to the VA’s Oliva.
The federal government has spent more than $20 billion in response to COVID-19 in a race to secure supplies and prepare its facilities.
Hines VA Hospital near Maywood. Getty Images
USA Today previously has reported that vendors that had been accused of fraud against the government were handed new COVID-19 orders despite having to pay costly settlements. Other vendors without any experience or qualifications surfaced overnight to profit from the pandemic, many ultimately failing to deliver on their promises.
The pandemic wasn’t the first time Lopez’s company landed federal contracts. America’s Best at Work Corp. was awarded $139,500 in work during the 2014/15 budget year – about three years after Lopez’s release from parole. It went on to get $108,500 worth of federal contracts the following year, about $13,000 in 2016/17 and $57,500 in 2017/18.
The $700,000 in originally awarded coronavirus contracts brought the biggest windfall, federal records show.
Since the company became a federal contractor, it’s been given eight deals in Illinois by the VA, ranging from sourcing dental instruments to providing janitorial services.
Federal agencies like the VA are encouraged to do business with small, disadvantaged companies as well as those owned by veterans as part of an effort to undo past disparities. Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has said he’ll further improve contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
Lopez was enlisted in the Army from 1989 to 1997, according to records from his criminal case. His business also has applied as a certified Indian Preference Firm of the Tohono O’odham Nation in Sells, Arizona, the company’s website says
His military service and the company’s status as Native American-owned gave Lopez a leg up when he put in bids for federal government work under rules designed to help these traditionally disadvantaged groups.
The government focuses its backgrounding efforts on a company’s history, not that of its principals and shareholder, looking at each potential vendor’s financial strength, past performance and perceived ability to meet the specifications of a contract.
That’s especially true for routine services like janitorial work, said Benjamin Brunjes, an assistant professor at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Brunjes said that even if the principal of a company was under sanction, executives convicted of crimes are still allowed to start new businesses and get new contracts.
“The federal government is worried about performance and financial solvency of its vendors,” Brunjes said, “not the backgrounds of their owners.”
Industry trade groups for janitorial contractors cite best practices that call for their members to background screen employees.
Additional oversight was put in place after the 2015 publication of “Rape on the Night Shift,” an investigation by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and its news media partners that found the late nights and weekend hours involved in the commercial janitorial industry created a setting that left workers susceptible to assault.
Aramark, a Philadelphia company that provides facility cleaning, among other services, also requires conditional hires to undergo post-offer, pre-employment screening as part of its hiring process to “ensure customer safety,” a spokesman said. Other large competitors have similar rules.
In Illinois, sex offenders aren’t allowed within 500 feet of any school buildings, they are not allowed in public parks, and those convicted after 2010 were banned from using social media until the Illinois Supreme Court struck down the rule last year.
They are barred from obtaining licenses for health care jobs and some other professions. That means that doctors, nurses and other medical professionals with sex-crime convictions can’t practice in VA hospitals and clinics in Illinois without a special waiver.
Some say those same protections should apply to janitors and other contractors who work in these buildings and could have access to VA employees and patients.
Industry groups have worked to help train certain inmates. And the “ban the box” movement has pushed to give ex-offenders a second chance at meaningful work to help lower crime and prevent recidivism.
But Robert Burton, a Washington, D.C., attorney who was a career procurement official in the White House, said the janitorial contract was an example of a federal acquisition system in need of reform.
“It’s disturbing,” Burton said. “Especially if it’s a small business, you want to look at the business owner and whether they are responsible.”
Read more at USA Today.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--4 dead, 8 hurt in Chicago shootings Thursday

Twelve people were shot , four of them fatally , across Chicago on Thursday .
The most recent killing happened just before midnight in Fernwood on the South Side .
A man , believed to be in his 40s , was found with a gunshot wound to his head in the 500 block of West 105th Street , Chicago police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Area Two detectives are questioning a person of interest .
Earlier that night , a 26-year-old man was fatally shot in West Garfield Park on the West Side .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ShotSpotter alert in the 100 block of North Keeler Avenue found the man outside unresponsive with multiple gunshot wound to his face and body , police said .
The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hosptial , where he was pronounced dead .
About an hour before that , another man was killed in Gresham on the South Side .
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert about 8:17 p.m. in the 8100 block of South Bishop Street found the 26-year-old in the driver ’ s seat of a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was pronounced dead .
Witnesses told investigators a dark sedan drove up and someone inside fired shots into the man ’ s vehicle before fleeing .
Thursday afternoon , another man was shot to death in Woodlawn on the South Side .
The 39-year-old was in the 6100 block of South Evans Avenue at 12:20 p.m. when shots rang out , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he died .
The latest nonfatal shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the West Side .
Someone shot the 40-year-old man about 9:50 p.m. as he walked in the 1300 block of North Rockwell Street , police said .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition with multiple gunshot wounds to the body .
About an hour and a half earlier , a woman was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
The 32-year-old was shot in the shoulder about 8:35 p.m. while walking in the 11900 block of South Michigan Avenue , police said .
She was taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The woman told officers she didn ’ t see the shooter or know where the shots came from .
Half an hour before that , another man was shot in Wrightwood on the South Side .
Just after 8 p.m. , the 18-year-old was standing outside in the 8000 block of South Richmond Street when someone in a beige-colored vehicle fired shots , police said .
The man was struck in the leg and groin , and taken to Christ Medical Center in fair condition .
Earlier Thursday morning , a 30-year-old man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago .
He was standing on a sidewalk about 9:55 a.m. in the 8800 block of South Burley Avenue when someone fired shots from a passing vehicle , according to police .
The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition with a gunshot wound to his lower leg .
Hours before that , another man was shot in East Chatham on the South Side .
He was riding in a vehicle about 4 a.m. in the 800 block of East 82nd Street when he heard gunshots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was struck in the back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition .
The man told officers he did not see where the shots came from or who fired shots .
Another man was injured by gunfire hours earlier in South Chicago .
The 35-year-old was walking about 2:20 a.m. in the 8900 block of South Muskegon Avenue when someone fired shots from a passing white SUV , according to police .
He was hit in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , a man was shot while driving in Heart of Chicago on the Lower West Side .
He was driving about 1:20 a.m. in the 2200 block of West 21st Street , when someone in a group of males standing on the street fired shots , striking him in the arm , police said .
He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
The day ’ s first shooting left a man injured in Brainerd on the South Side .
The 21-year-old was sitting in a vehicle about 12:40 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue when someone in a passing gray Nissan Rogue fired shots at him , according to police .
He was struck in the shoulder , leg and lower backside and taken to Christ Medical Center in good condition .
On Wednesday , 15 people were shot throughout the city , one of them fatally .
The fatal shooting also injured a 12-year-old girl .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Twelve people were shot, four of them fatally, across Chicago on Thursday.
The most recent killing happened just before midnight in Fernwood on the South Side.
A man, believed to be in his 40s, was found with a gunshot wound to his head in the 500 block of West 105th Street, Chicago police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Area Two detectives are questioning a person of interest.
Earlier that night, a 26-year-old man was fatally shot in West Garfield Park on the West Side.
About 9:22 p.m., officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert in the 100 block of North Keeler Avenue found the man outside unresponsive with multiple gunshot wound to his face and body, police said. The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hosptial, where he was pronounced dead.
About an hour before that, another man was killed in Gresham on the South Side.
Officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert about 8:17 p.m. in the 8100 block of South Bishop Street found the 26-year-old in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds, according to police. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses told investigators a dark sedan drove up and someone inside fired shots into the man’s vehicle before fleeing.
Thursday afternoon, another man was shot to death in Woodlawn on the South Side.
The 39-year-old was in the 6100 block of South Evans Avenue at 12:20 p.m. when shots rang out, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he died.
The latest nonfatal shooting happened Thursday night in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
Someone shot the 40-year-old man about 9:50 p.m. as he walked in the 1300 block of North Rockwell Street, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition with multiple gunshot wounds to the body.
About an hour and a half earlier, a woman was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
The 32-year-old was shot in the shoulder about 8:35 p.m. while walking in the 11900 block of South Michigan Avenue, police said. She was taken to Christ Medical Center in fair condition. The woman told officers she didn’t see the shooter or know where the shots came from.
Half an hour before that, another man was shot in Wrightwood on the South Side.
Just after 8 p.m., the 18-year-old was standing outside in the 8000 block of South Richmond Street when someone in a beige-colored vehicle fired shots, police said. The man was struck in the leg and groin, and taken to Christ Medical Center in fair condition.
Earlier Thursday morning, a 30-year-old man was injured in a drive-by in South Chicago.
He was standing on a sidewalk about 9:55 a.m. in the 8800 block of South Burley Avenue when someone fired shots from a passing vehicle, according to police. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition with a gunshot wound to his lower leg.
Hours before that, another man was shot in East Chatham on the South Side.
He was riding in a vehicle about 4 a.m. in the 800 block of East 82nd Street when he heard gunshots and felt pain, police said. He was struck in the back and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. The man told officers he did not see where the shots came from or who fired shots.
Another man was injured by gunfire hours earlier in South Chicago.
The 35-year-old was walking about 2:20 a.m. in the 8900 block of South Muskegon Avenue when someone fired shots from a passing white SUV, according to police. He was hit in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
About an hour before that, a man was shot while driving in Heart of Chicago on the Lower West Side.
He was driving about 1:20 a.m. in the 2200 block of West 21st Street, when someone in a group of males standing on the street fired shots, striking him in the arm, police said. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
The day’s first shooting left a man injured in Brainerd on the South Side.
The 21-year-old was sitting in a vehicle about 12:40 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Justine Avenue when someone in a passing gray Nissan Rogue fired shots at him, according to police. He was struck in the shoulder, leg and lower backside and taken to Christ Medical Center in good condition.
On Wednesday, 15 people were shot throughout the city, one of them fatally. The fatal shooting also injured a 12-year-old girl.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Japan’s Abe reportedly intends to resign for health reasons

TOKYO — Japan ’ s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his intention to step down due to his declining health , according to reports Friday by NHK and other Japanese media .
The Prime Minister ’ s Office said the report could not be immediately confirmed , but that Abe was believed to be meeting top ruling officials at the party headquarters .
The Liberal Democratic Party spokesman did not answer the phone .
Concerns about Abe ’ s chronic health issues , simmering since earlier this summer , intensified this month when he visited a Tokyo hospital two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ checkups .
Abe , whose term ends in September 2021 , is expected to stay on until a new party leader is elected and formally approved by the parliament .
He had abruptly resigned from his first stint in office in 2007 due to his health , which was fueling concerns about his recent condition .
Abe on Monday became Japan ’ s longest serving prime minister by consecutive days in office , eclipsing the record of Eisaku Sato , his great-uncle , who served 2,798 days from 1964 to 1972 .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his record and has accelerated speculation and political maneuvering toward a post-Abe regime .
Abe has acknowledged having ulcerative colitis since he was a teenager and has said the condition was controlled with treatment .
He has not made clear if it is related to his recent health issues or hospital visits .
After his recent hospital visits were reported , top officials from Abe ’ s Cabinet and the ruling party said Abe was overworked and badly needed rest .
His health concerns added to speculation that Abe ’ s days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support ratings are already at their lowest levels due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its severe impact on the economy , on top of a slew of political scandals .
Shigeru Ishiba , a 63-year-old hawkish former defense minister and Abe ’ s archrival , is a favorite next leader in media surveys , though he is less popular within the ruling party .
A low-key former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida , Defense Minister Taro Kono , Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga , and economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are widely speculated in Japanese media as his potential successors .
The end of his scandal-laden first stint as prime minister was the beginning of six years of annual leadership change , remembered as an era of “ revolving door ” politics that lacked stability and long-term policies .
When he returned to office in 2012 , Abe vowed to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his “ Abenomics ” formula , which combines fiscal stimulus , monetary easing and structural reforms .

TOKYO — Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his intention to step down due to his declining health, according to reports Friday by NHK and other Japanese media.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the report could not be immediately confirmed, but that Abe was believed to be meeting top ruling officials at the party headquarters. The Liberal Democratic Party spokesman did not answer the phone.
Concerns about Abe’s chronic health issues, simmering since earlier this summer, intensified this month when he visited a Tokyo hospital two weeks in a row for unspecified health checkups.
Abe, whose term ends in September 2021, is expected to stay on until a new party leader is elected and formally approved by the parliament.
He had abruptly resigned from his first stint in office in 2007 due to his health, which was fueling concerns about his recent condition.
Abe on Monday became Japan’s longest serving prime minister by consecutive days in office, eclipsing the record of Eisaku Sato, his great-uncle, who served 2,798 days from 1964 to 1972.
But his second hospital visit Monday eclipsed festivity for his record and has accelerated speculation and political maneuvering toward a post-Abe regime.
Abe has acknowledged having ulcerative colitis since he was a teenager and has said the condition was controlled with treatment. He has not made clear if it is related to his recent health issues or hospital visits.
After his recent hospital visits were reported, top officials from Abe’s Cabinet and the ruling party said Abe was overworked and badly needed rest.
His health concerns added to speculation that Abe’s days in office are numbered, when his support ratings are already at their lowest levels due to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its severe impact on the economy, on top of a slew of political scandals.
Shigeru Ishiba, a 63-year-old hawkish former defense minister and Abe’s archrival, is a favorite next leader in media surveys, though he is less popular within the ruling party. A low-key former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Defense Minister Taro Kono, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, and economic revitalization minister Yasutoshi Nishimura, who is in charge of coronavirus measures, are widely speculated in Japanese media as his potential successors.
The end of his scandal-laden first stint as prime minister was the beginning of six years of annual leadership change, remembered as an era of “revolving door” politics that lacked stability and long-term policies.
When he returned to office in 2012, Abe vowed to revitalize the nation and get its economy out of its deflationary doldrums with his “Abenomics” formula, which combines fiscal stimulus, monetary easing and structural reforms.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Man killed in crash on Lake Shore Drive in Kenwood

A man was killed in a crash Thursday on Lake Shore Drive near Kenwood on the South Side .
The @ @ @ @ @ 10:24 p.m. in the 4500 block of South Lake Shore Drive when he lost control @ @ @ @ @ tree , according to Chicago police .
He suffered injuries to his head and was @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Medical Center , where he died a short time later , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ ’ s office has not released details about the fatality .
The crash remains under @ @ @ @ @

A man was killed in a crash Thursday on Lake Shore Drive near Kenwood on the South Side.
The 31-year-old was driving north at 10:24 p.m. in the 4500 block of South Lake Shore Drive when he lost control and crashed head-on into a tree, according to Chicago police.
He suffered injuries to his head and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died a short time later, police said.
He was identified as Jeremy J. Williams of Rosemoor, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. An autopsy found he died of multiple blunt force injuries from the crash and ruled his death an accident.
The crash remains under investigation, police said.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Man fatally struck by vehicle in Englewood; driver in custody

A driver is in custody after allegedly fatally striking a man Thursday in Englewood on the South Side and trying @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver was making a turn about 3:50 p.m. in the 6900 block of @ @ @ @ @ struck a 67-year-old man who was in the crosswalk , Chicago police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ he died of multiple injuries from the crash and ruled his death an accident , @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office .
His identity has not been released .
The driver @ @ @ @ @ collision but was later pulled over by officers and was taken into custody , police @ @

A driver is in custody after allegedly fatally striking a man Thursday in Englewood on the South Side and trying to flee from the crash.
The driver was making a turn about 3:50 p.m. in the 6900 block of South Damen Avenue when he struck a 67-year-old man who was in the crosswalk, Chicago police said.
The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Autopsy results released Friday confirmed he died of multiple injuries from the crash and ruled his death an accident, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was identified as Raymond Glenn.
The driver did not stop after the collision but was later pulled over by officers and was taken into custody, police said.
CPD’s Major Accidents Unit is investigating.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Cook County Health budget Rx: Total of 130,00 layoffs, moving clinic services to Provident Hospital

Cook County Health officials outlined plans Friday to fill a $ 187 million budget gap for 2021 by shuttering two clinics and moving their operations to Provident Hospital and laying off about 130 employees throughout the health care system .
Under the proposed budget , services offered at the Woodlawn and Near South Health Centers will be moved from their current locations , at 6337 S. Woodlawn Ave. and 3525 S. Michigan Ave. , to Provident at 500 E 51st St. , beginning Dec. 1 .
No jobs are being cut because of the merger of the two clinics ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been laid off in other areas , with roughly another 84 facing layoffs .
Debra Carey , the system ’ s interim CEO , said it wasn ’ t “ an easy task ” to put together the proposed budget .
“ I will also tell you that more drastic actions or options may be the only course for future budgets , ” Carey said , noting that some would “ suggest that we look elsewhere for expense reductions.
” “ We are making decisions that need to be made to ensure our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new resources , we find ourselves in a zero-sum situation , ” Carey said .
Carey said she and other officials in the health system “ are all ears ” for ideas , but the days of only cutting “ what we can live without ” are over .
The system also faces “ new challenges , ” such as financial pressures from the pandemic , as well as the usual structural issues , such as providing 50 % of the county ’ s charity care .
Until a solution is found for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ every budget moving forward will be a challenge , ” Carey said .
Though the system will have to trim its budget , officials also found money for new dialysis and life centers that will be located at the Provident Hospital campus .
Andrea Gibson , the system ’ s interim chief business officer , said “ an improvement and an increase ” in outpatient services was the reason behind the decision .
In June , Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said “ everything is on the table ” as county @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 crisis stretched to nearly $ 281 million for the rest of 2020 and as much as $ 409 million for next year .
“ This is the largest budget gap we ’ ve seen in almost a decade , so we ’ re going to be looking at holdbacks , we ’ re going to be looking at delaying purchases , renegotiating contracts with our vendors , a variety of strategies to meet the challenge that we face , ” Preckwinkle said at the time .
On Friday , Carey issued a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t figure out its structural deficits .
“ The fiscal year 2021 budget was by far the most difficult budget that I have participated in in my seven years at Cook County Health , ” Carey said .
“ But I sit here this morning to tell you that until a solution is found to address the structural deficit County Health faces , every budget moving forward will be a challenge.
” The health system will host public hearings on the budget Sept. 1 and Sept. 9 .
Following approval of the system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be around Sept. 11 the proposed budget will be submitted to the Cook County Board of Commissioners as part of Preckwinkle ’ s 2021 budget recommendation .

Cook County Health officials outlined plans Friday to fill a $187 million budget gap for 2021 by shuttering two clinics and moving their operations to Provident Hospital and laying off about 130 employees throughout the health care system.
Under the proposed budget, services offered at the Woodlawn and Near South Health Centers will be moved from their current locations, at 6337 S. Woodlawn Ave. and 3525 S. Michigan Ave., to Provident at 500 E 51st St., beginning Dec. 1.
No jobs are being cut because of the merger of the two clinics’ services. But 46 workers have already been laid off in other areas, with roughly another 84 facing layoffs.
Debra Carey, the system’s interim CEO, said it wasn’t “an easy task” to put together the proposed budget.
“I will also tell you that more drastic actions or options may be the only course for future budgets,” Carey said, noting that some would “suggest that we look elsewhere for expense reductions.”
“We are making decisions that need to be made to ensure our long-term viability, and without new revenues new resources, we find ourselves in a zero-sum situation,” Carey said.
Carey said she and other officials in the health system “are all ears” for ideas, but the days of only cutting “what we can live without” are over.
The system also faces “new challenges,” such as financial pressures from the pandemic, as well as the usual structural issues, such as providing 50% of the county’s charity care.
Until a solution is found for the structural deficit the county faces, “every budget moving forward will be a challenge,” Carey said.
Though the system will have to trim its budget, officials also found money for new dialysis and life centers that will be located at the Provident Hospital campus. Andrea Gibson, the system’s interim chief business officer, said “an improvement and an increase” in outpatient services was the reason behind the decision.
In June, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said “everything is on the table” as county officials braced for a budget gap the COVID-19 crisis stretched to nearly $281 million for the rest of 2020 and as much as $409 million for next year.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle greets doctors at Cook County Health’s Professional Building in July. Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
“This is the largest budget gap we’ve seen in almost a decade, so we’re going to be looking at holdbacks, we’re going to be looking at delaying purchases, renegotiating contracts with our vendors, a variety of strategies to meet the challenge that we face,” Preckwinkle said at the time.
On Friday, Carey issued a grim warning if the county can’t figure out its structural deficits.
“The fiscal year 2021 budget was by far the most difficult budget that I have participated in in my seven years at Cook County Health,” Carey said. “But I sit here this morning to tell you that until a solution is found to address the structural deficit County Health faces, every budget moving forward will be a challenge.”
The health system will host public hearings on the budget Sept. 1 and Sept. 9. Following approval of the system’s budget, which will likely be around Sept. 11 the proposed budget will be submitted to the Cook County Board of Commissioners as part of Preckwinkle’s 2021 budget recommendation.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--City explores moving controversial McKinley Park asphalt plant

Chicago planning officials are exploring whether a McKinley Park asphalt plant owned by a politically connected businessman can be moved to another location following two years of numerous complaints from neighbors .
In a letter to developers of a proposed affordable housing project near MAT Asphalt on Pershing Road , Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara said that the city ’ s Department of Planning and Development “ is investigating alternative locations ” for the business “ that are more appropriately located ” and away from schools , homes and the community ’ s namesake park .
The letter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request to fund the housing project that would create 120 affordable apartments in one of the historic buildings constructed over a century ago for the Central Manufacturing District on Pershing Road .
Novara cited the planned apartments ’ proximity to the asphalt plant as a reason to reject funding needed for the redevelopment .
In her letter , sent via email Friday , she said the asphalt plant is close to two schools and the park , which is across Pershing Road from MAT .
“ We are hopeful that should an alternative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funding decision for what would undoubtedly be a major benefit to 120 low-income households and the entire McKinley Park community , ” Novara said in her letter .
Michael Tadin Jr. , MAT Asphalt ’ s owner , said he hasn ’ t had discussions with the city about moving and questioned where his business would go .
“ Where are you going to find 13 acres ?
” Tadin asked , referring to the size of his current operations .
Tadin , a city contractor , also owns a construction company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Tadin Sr. , a longtime supporter of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and a beneficiary of Chicago ’ s Hired Truck program .
Ald .
George Cardenas , whose 12th Ward includes McKinley Park , said he would support the city relocating the plant .
“ If the city has the funds to relocate the plant , I ’ m in , ” Cardenas said .
“ It ’ s a no brainer.
” The alderman said he strongly favors the housing development and is exploring other ways to provide city funding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In her letter to the affordable housing developers Tom Brantley and Hipolito “ Paul ” Roldan , Novara noted odors from the plant and said there have been more than 50 inspections by city officials related to the smells from MAT .
Three violation notices were issued , she said .
Truck traffic from the asphalt operation added diesel emissions , she added .
Novara , who was unavailable for comment , also referenced a 2018 environmental report “ that illustrated the disproportionate impact of air pollution and health hazards in Chicago neighborhoods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latinx community.
” The letter also pointed to a community group ’ s criticism of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that said the agency should have done a more thorough review before the plant opened to analyze the impact it would have on an “ environmental justice ” community already burdened with pollution issues .
“ Environmentally , locating affordable housing next to an asphalt plant would be a terrible decision , ” said Mary Lu Seidel , director of community engagement for Preservation Chicago and a proponent of the restoration of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were surprised in recent weeks when city officials began expressing concern about new housing next to an asphalt plant .
Talks about the project have been ongoing for two years , they said , and the area is in need of new affordable housing .
“ While I ’ m sure any attempt to relocate the asphalt plant would be much appreciated by those concerned , it does nothing to solve the unacceptable lack of affordable housing in McKinley Park and in other predominantly Hispanic communities , ” Brantley said .
One community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the asphalt plant is part of a bigger problem of concentrating polluting industries in Latino and Black neighborhoods .
“ MAT Asphalt should never have been built here , ” said Anthony Moser , a member of Neighbors for Environmental Justice .
Brett Chase ’ s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust .

Chicago planning officials are exploring whether a McKinley Park asphalt plant owned by a politically connected businessman can be moved to another location following two years of numerous complaints from neighbors.
In a letter to developers of a proposed affordable housing project near MAT Asphalt on Pershing Road, Chicago Department of Housing Commissioner Marisa Novara said that the city’s Department of Planning and Development “is investigating alternative locations” for the business “that are more appropriately located” and away from schools, homes and the community’s namesake park.
The letter was sent after Novara recently rejected a request to fund the housing project that would create 120 affordable apartments in one of the historic buildings constructed over a century ago for the Central Manufacturing District on Pershing Road. Novara cited the planned apartments’ proximity to the asphalt plant as a reason to reject funding needed for the redevelopment.
In her letter, sent via email Friday, she said the asphalt plant is close to two schools and the park, which is across Pershing Road from MAT.
“We are hopeful that should an alternative location be arranged, we can revisit the funding decision for what would undoubtedly be a major benefit to 120 low-income households and the entire McKinley Park community,” Novara said in her letter.
Michael Tadin Jr., MAT Asphalt’s owner, said he hasn’t had discussions with the city about moving and questioned where his business would go.
“Where are you going to find 13 acres?” Tadin asked, referring to the size of his current operations.
Tadin, a city contractor, also owns a construction company. He’s the son of Michael Tadin Sr., a longtime supporter of former Mayor Richard M. Daley and a beneficiary of Chicago’s Hired Truck program.
Ald. George Cardenas, whose 12th Ward includes McKinley Park, said he would support the city relocating the plant.
“If the city has the funds to relocate the plant, I’m in,” Cardenas said. “It’s a no brainer.”
The alderman said he strongly favors the housing development and is exploring other ways to provide city funding, potentially through tax increment financing.
In her letter to the affordable housing developers Tom Brantley and Hipolito “Paul” Roldan, Novara noted odors from the plant and said there have been more than 50 inspections by city officials related to the smells from MAT. Three violation notices were issued, she said. Truck traffic from the asphalt operation added diesel emissions, she added.
Novara, who was unavailable for comment, also referenced a 2018 environmental report “that illustrated the disproportionate impact of air pollution and health hazards in Chicago neighborhoods like McKinley Park, a largely working-class Latinx community.”
The letter also pointed to a community group’s criticism of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that said the agency should have done a more thorough review before the plant opened to analyze the impact it would have on an “environmental justice” community already burdened with pollution issues.
“Environmentally, locating affordable housing next to an asphalt plant would be a terrible decision,” said Mary Lu Seidel, director of community engagement for Preservation Chicago and a proponent of the restoration of the historic buildings.
The developers say they were surprised in recent weeks when city officials began expressing concern about new housing next to an asphalt plant. Talks about the project have been ongoing for two years, they said, and the area is in need of new affordable housing.
“While I’m sure any attempt to relocate the asphalt plant would be much appreciated by those concerned, it does nothing to solve the unacceptable lack of affordable housing in McKinley Park and in other predominantly Hispanic communities,” Brantley said.
One community group said the city’s approval of the asphalt plant is part of a bigger problem of concentrating polluting industries in Latino and Black neighborhoods.
“MAT Asphalt should never have been built here,” said Anthony Moser, a member of Neighbors for Environmental Justice.
Brett Chase’s reporting on the environment and public health is made possible by a grant from The Chicago Community Trust.


chicagosun-times--2020-08-28--Suburban Cook County ‘at a crossroads,’ hitting COVID-19 ‘warning level’ — as 2,149 more test positi

Suburban Cook County ‘at a crossroads,’ hitting COVID-19 ‘warning level’ — as 2,149 more test positive statewide  (LIVE UPDATES)

Nearly a third of all Illinois counties , including Will and suburban Cook , are now at a COVID-19 “ warning level ” amid the state ’ s summertime coronavirus resurgence , public health officials announced Friday .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said officials aren ’ t scaling back business operations any further for now , “ but we are at a crossroads .
“ We need everyone to wear a mask , watch their distance , and wash their hands consistently to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we don ’ t lose the gains we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here .
6 p.m. UIC to conduct 2nd COVID-19 vaccine study seeks more volunteers of color University of Illinois at Chicago researchers are planning to conduct another study of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine as the race for an effective treatment accelerates .
Researchers plan to recruit as many as 1,500 volunteers for a late-stage study of Johnson & Johnson ’ s coronavirus vaccine possibly in September , said study leader Dr. Richard Novak .
Having shown effectiveness in early studies , the J & @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sites across the country .
Read the full story by Brett Chase here .
4:50 p.m .
Suburban restaurant owner allegedly took $ 170K in PPP loans after laying off staff A suburban restaurant owner allegedly took a $ 176,000 government coronavirus stimulus loan a month after laying off staff and being evicted from her Elgin restaurant ’ s location .
Melissa Turasky , owner of Gifford ’ s Kitchen and Social , used some of the stolen money from the Paycheck Protection Program to make payments on her credit card , federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Turasky , 43 , was evicted March 2 from her restaurant ’ s location , 2300 Bushwood Dr. , and had laid off all her employees by the end of the month , the indictment states .
3:45 p.m .
Trying to buy a desk or a chair for your child ’ s virtual schooling ?
There ’ s a pandemic-fueled shortage It ’ s not just pepperoni , coins and Clorox wipes that are hard to find lately .
As many parents are finding out , there are also shortages on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nation with more students starting the school year virtually .
Select office furniture is in short supply or backordered depending on price , region and item .
It ’ s the latest in a long list of COVID-19 fueled shortages that started with toilet paper , hand sanitizer and face masks .
“ Supply and demand have been at tremendous odds this year , and back-to-school is no different , ” said Sarah Hofstetter , president of analytics company Profitero .
“ The biggest difference is that it ’ s easier to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find the less obvious yet most necessary items for home schooling or hybrid learning , like desks for students.
” RALEIGH , N.C. — As more and more schools and businesses around the country get the OK to reopen , some college towns are moving in the opposite direction because of too much partying and too many COVID-19 infections among students .
Iowa ’ s governor ordered all bars closed this week in the counties that are home to the University of Iowa and Iowa State , while the mayor of Tuscaloosa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town where the state ’ s flagship university is situated .
The outbreaks since students began returning to campus in the past few weeks have heightened town-gown tensions and led to recriminations between local politicians and university officials .
The latest 1,707 COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths attributed to the virus statewide by public health officials Thursday are unfortunately typical for Illinois ’ summertime coronavirus resurgence — but the number of patients being hospitalized with serious symptoms is even more troubling .
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 390 coronavirus patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state as of Wednesday night , the highest number of people receiving critical care due to the virus since June 29 .
Of those , 151 patients were on ventilators , the most since July 28 .
Those numbers are still well within Illinois ’ overall hospital capacity , accounting for about 10 % of the state ’ s ICU beds and 3 % of its ventilators .
At the height of the pandemic in mid-May , the state ’ s ICUs were treating close to 1,300 coronavirus patients per day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
11:12 a.m. We asked : Post-pandemic , which activities are you less likely to go back to ?
We asked Chicagoans : Which activities are you less likely to go back to post-pandemic ?
Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity .
Read the full story by Alice Bazerghi here .
8:02 a.m. Pelosi , Meadows talk $ 2.2T virus aid , but no deal in sight House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows resumed talks Thursday over a stalled COVID-19 aid package , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared bleak as President Donald Trump ’ s team and congressional Democrats have been unable to agree on a compromise .
Pelosi said she told Meadows the Democrats would be willing to meet halfway — at $ 2.2 trillion — a slight reduction from her last proposal before talks collapsed earlier this month .
The White House , which has stuck with its initial $ 1 trillion offer , had no immediate response .
“ We have said again and again that we ’ re willing to meet them in the middle — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re willing to do that , we ’ ll be willing to discuss the particulars , ” Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol .
• Another 481 COVID-19 cases found at University of Alabama .
• Illinois public health officials announced 1,707 COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday and 24 deaths attributed to the virus statewide .
• The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 390 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in intensive care units across the state as of Wednesday night , the highest number of people receiving critical care due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those , 151 patients were on ventilators , the most since July 28 .
• Those numbers are still well within Illinois ’ overall hospital capacity , accounting for about 10 % of the state ’ s ICU beds and 3 % of its ventilators .
• More than half of the deaths reported so far this year in Cook County were related to COVID-19 — 5,030 as of Wednesday , according to the medical examiner ’ s office .
6:45 p.m. Pritzker did not handle Metro East pandemic mitigation well When Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ mitigation ” plan for the Metro East on Aug. 16 , he said it was done in conjunction “ with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis.
” Last week , though , the governor admitted the cross-border arrangement to try to contain the virus ’ spread was a “ mistake.
” Man , was it ever .
Instead of sticking to the state ’ s original mitigation plan , which would ’ ve included things like reducing indoor restaurant capacity and shutting down all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bars and restaurants to close at 11 p.m. , which was in line with what St. Louis was planning at the time .
Read the full column by Rich Miller here .
7:56 a.m. What coronavirus ?
At GOP ’ s convention , pandemic is largely ignored WASHINGTON — It was a scene from a bygone era : Vice President Mike Pence shaking hands with and fist-bumping audience members who had rushed forward , standing shoulder to shoulder , to greet him and the president after Pence ’ s speech at the Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about social distancing .
Few wore masks .
Some told reporters they had not been tested for the coronavirus before Wednesday night ’ s gathering at Fort McHenry in Baltimore A more striking scene could unfold Thursday night , when more than 1,000 people were expected to assemble on the South Lawn of the White House for President Donald Trump ’ s renomination acceptance speech .
That ’ s an eye-popping crowd in a global pandemic that has forced the cancellation of large gatherings , from sports events and concerts to weddings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push past a virus that has tanked the economy and threatened his reelection , GOP organizers have worked to stage a convention that puts the pandemic in the rear view mirror and highlights the nation ’ s progress , even as it continues to kill .
More than 42,000 new cases were reported on Wednesday alone and 2,700 more have died since the week began .

On Friday, the Illinois Department of Public Health slapped the “warning level” label on 30 of the state’s 102 counties — up from 20 last week — as officials announced an additional 2,149 new cases of the virus were confirmed statewide. That’s the eighth time this month that 2,000 or more new cases have been logged in a single day, which hadn’t happened previously since mid-May when the state was suffering through its initial pandemic peak.
Here’s what happened today in the fight against the coronavirus in Chicago, the state and the nation.
News
9 p.m. Suburban Cook County ‘at a crossroads,’ hitting COVID-19 ‘warning level’ — as 2,149 more test positive statewide
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times file
Nearly a third of all Illinois counties, including Will and suburban Cook, are now at a COVID-19 “warning level” amid the state’s summertime coronavirus resurgence, public health officials announced Friday.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said officials aren’t scaling back business operations any further for now, “but we are at a crossroads.
“We need everyone to wear a mask, watch their distance, and wash their hands consistently to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we don’t lose the gains we have made,” Preckwinkle said in a statement.
Read the full story by Mitchell Armentrout here.
8:15 p.m. Health agencies’ credibility at risk after week of blunders
The credibility of two of the nation’s leading public health agencies was under fire this week after controversial decisions that outside experts said smacked of political pressure from President Donald Trump as he attempts to move past the devastating toll of the coronavirus ahead of the November election.
The head of the Food and Drug Administration grossly misstated, then corrected, claims about the lifesaving power of a plasma therapy for COVID-19 authorized by his agency. Then the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention quietly updated its guidelines to suggest fewer Americans need to get tested for coronavirus, sparking outrage from scientists.
Trump’s own factual misstatements about COVID-19 are well documented, but the back-to-back messaging blunders by public health officials could create new damage, eroding public trust in front-line agencies. That’s already raising concerns about whether the administration will be forthcoming with critical details about upcoming vaccines needed to defeat the pandemic.
Read the full story here.
6 p.m. UIC to conduct 2nd COVID-19 vaccine study seeks more volunteers of color
University of Illinois at Chicago researchers are planning to conduct another study of an experimental COVID-19 vaccine as the race for an effective treatment accelerates.
Researchers plan to recruit as many as 1,500 volunteers for a late-stage study of Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine possibly in September, said study leader Dr. Richard Novak.
Having shown effectiveness in early studies, the J&J vaccine will be studied in multiple sites across the country.
Read the full story by Brett Chase here.
4:50 p.m. Suburban restaurant owner allegedly took $170K in PPP loans after laying off staff
A suburban restaurant owner allegedly took a $176,000 government coronavirus stimulus loan a month after laying off staff and being evicted from her Elgin restaurant’s location.
Melissa Turasky, owner of Gifford’s Kitchen and Social, used some of the stolen money from the Paycheck Protection Program to make payments on her credit card, federal prosecutors said in an indictment unsealed Friday.
Turasky, 43, was evicted March 2 from her restaurant’s location, 2300 Bushwood Dr., and had laid off all her employees by the end of the month, the indictment states.
Read the complete story by David Streutt.
3:45 p.m. Trying to buy a desk or a chair for your child’s virtual schooling? There’s a pandemic-fueled shortage
It’s not just pepperoni, coins and Clorox wipes that are hard to find lately.
As many parents are finding out, there are also shortages on desks and chairs in some parts of the nation with more students starting the school year virtually. Select office furniture is in short supply or backordered depending on price, region and item.
It’s the latest in a long list of COVID-19 fueled shortages that started with toilet paper, hand sanitizer and face masks.
“Supply and demand have been at tremendous odds this year, and back-to-school is no different,” said Sarah Hofstetter, president of analytics company Profitero. “The biggest difference is that it’s easier to find crayons and whiteboards than it is to find the less obvious yet most necessary items for home schooling or hybrid learning, like desks for students.”
Read the full story here.
2:15 p.m. College towns growing alarmed over coronavirus outbreaks among students
RALEIGH, N.C. — As more and more schools and businesses around the country get the OK to reopen, some college towns are moving in the opposite direction because of too much partying and too many COVID-19 infections among students.
Iowa’s governor ordered all bars closed this week in the counties that are home to the University of Iowa and Iowa State, while the mayor of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, did the same in the town where the state’s flagship university is situated.
The outbreaks since students began returning to campus in the past few weeks have heightened town-gown tensions and led to recriminations between local politicians and university officials.
Read the full story here.
1 p.m. Coronavirus patients are occupying 10% of Illinois’ ICU beds
The latest 1,707 COVID-19 cases and 24 deaths attributed to the virus statewide by public health officials Thursday are unfortunately typical for Illinois’ summertime coronavirus resurgence — but the number of patients being hospitalized with serious symptoms is even more troubling.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 390 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in intensive care units across the state as of Wednesday night, the highest number of people receiving critical care due to the virus since June 29.
Of those, 151 patients were on ventilators, the most since July 28.
Those numbers are still well within Illinois’ overall hospital capacity, accounting for about 10% of the state’s ICU beds and 3% of its ventilators.
At the height of the pandemic in mid-May, the state’s ICUs were treating close to 1,300 coronavirus patients per day, with almost half of those on ventilators.
Read the full story here.
11:12 a.m. We asked: Post-pandemic, which activities are you less likely to go back to?
We asked Chicagoans: Which activities are you less likely to go back to post-pandemic? Some answers have been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.
As an old guy who still takes college courses, I don’t think I’ll go back to the classroom. Online school and remote learning is the way to go from here on in. In fact, I may not go back to the office for work, either. Working from home is too convenient; I’m saving time and money working from home. — Joseph A. Simonson Everything: going out to eat, going to arcades, just being in public. I don’t feel safe. — Olivia Castellano Riding public transportation. — Amber Benson I won’t be trying any of the samples at grocery stores or eating from salad bars. — Stacy Tsihlopoulos
Read the full story by Alice Bazerghi here.
8:02 a.m. Pelosi, Meadows talk $2.2T virus aid, but no deal in sight
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and White House chief of staff Mark Meadows resumed talks Thursday over a stalled COVID-19 aid package, but the outlook for any swift resolution appeared bleak as President Donald Trump’s team and congressional Democrats have been unable to agree on a compromise.
Pelosi said she told Meadows the Democrats would be willing to meet halfway — at $2.2 trillion — a slight reduction from her last proposal before talks collapsed earlier this month. The White House, which has stuck with its initial $1 trillion offer, had no immediate response.
“We have said again and again that we’re willing to meet them in the middle — $2.2 trillion. When they’re willing to do that, we’ll be willing to discuss the particulars,” Pelosi told reporters at the Capitol.
Read the full story here.
New Cases
Another 481 COVID-19 cases found at University of Alabama.
Illinois public health officials announced 1,707 COVID-19 cases in the state Thursday and 24 deaths attributed to the virus statewide.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 390 coronavirus patients were hospitalized in intensive care units across the state as of Wednesday night, the highest number of people receiving critical care due to the virus since June 29.
Of those, 151 patients were on ventilators, the most since July 28.
Those numbers are still well within Illinois’ overall hospital capacity, accounting for about 10% of the state’s ICU beds and 3% of its ventilators.
More than half of the deaths reported so far this year in Cook County were related to COVID-19 — 5,030 as of Wednesday, according to the medical examiner’s office.
Analysis & Commentary
6:45 p.m. Pritzker did not handle Metro East pandemic mitigation well
When Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the state COVID-19 “mitigation” plan for the Metro East on Aug. 16, he said it was done in conjunction “with local officials in the Metro East region and across the border in St. Louis.”
Last week, though, the governor admitted the cross-border arrangement to try to contain the virus’ spread was a “mistake.”
Man, was it ever.
Instead of sticking to the state’s original mitigation plan, which would’ve included things like reducing indoor restaurant capacity and shutting down all indoor bar service, Pritzker only ordered bars and restaurants to close at 11 p.m., which was in line with what St. Louis was planning at the time.
Read the full column by Rich Miller here.
7:56 a.m. What coronavirus? At GOP’s convention, pandemic is largely ignored
WASHINGTON — It was a scene from a bygone era: Vice President Mike Pence shaking hands with and fist-bumping audience members who had rushed forward, standing shoulder to shoulder, to greet him and the president after Pence’s speech at the Republican National Convention.
No one appeared concerned about social distancing. Few wore masks. Some told reporters they had not been tested for the coronavirus before Wednesday night’s gathering at Fort McHenry in Baltimore
A more striking scene could unfold Thursday night, when more than 1,000 people were expected to assemble on the South Lawn of the White House for President Donald Trump’s renomination acceptance speech. That’s an eye-popping crowd in a global pandemic that has forced the cancellation of large gatherings, from sports events and concerts to weddings and funerals.
As Trump has tried to push past a virus that has tanked the economy and threatened his reelection, GOP organizers have worked to stage a convention that puts the pandemic in the rear view mirror and highlights the nation’s progress, even as it continues to kill. More than 42,000 new cases were reported on Wednesday alone and 2,700 more have died since the week began.
Read the full story here.