chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Know-who over know-how? Clout alive and kicking in Cook County Board of Review hiring, watchdog find

Know-who over know-how? Clout alive and kicking in Cook County Board of Review hiring, watchdog finds

Nearly three-quarters of a century later , some pols apparently still “ don ’ t want nobody nobody sent.
” At least that ’ s what a Cook County watchdog is suggesting about the Cook County Board of Review , which cleans up the quintessential question of clout on its application forms a tad , asking job seekers , “ Who recommended you to us ?
” That hiring process helped pull in politically connected workers , including the child of one commissioner ’ s law partner .
And it entails inviting employees to get involved in the political campaigns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard ’ s review of the obscure office found .
Who recommends a potential employee to the Board of Review could be a greater factor in hiring decisions than experience or other factors , Blanchard ’ s office concluded .
The inspector general ’ s office was initially tipped off that the board “ maintains a custom and practice of reliance on political factors in making hiring decisions ” in non-managerial roles .
In the report , the inspector general found the board , which handles appeals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , hired people “ despite incomplete application materials and lack of formal process , ” and uses an application form that contains the question “ ‘ who recommended you to us ?
’ ” Michael Shakman , whose half-century-old legal battle to keep politics out of hiring and the internal affairs of county and city government resulted in court decrees bearing his name , said that ’ s not a common question to ask job applicants .
And “ not only is it not common — it ’ s inappropriate , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to take people on the merits of their credentials and interviews on a competitive basis , ” Shakman said .
“ This [ report ] tells you they ’ re not doing that.
” The Chicago question of who-you-know was immortalized by the late liberal lion Abner Mikva , who famously recounted how his efforts to volunteer for political work in 1948 were rejected by a cigar-chewing Chicago ward boss , who told him , “ We don ’ t want nobody nobody sent.
” Smoking in public was long ago outlawed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ harder to stamp out .
At the Board of Review , many employees are also connected in some way to the three commissioners who oversee property assessment appeals .
Job openings aren ’ t typically posted online because the office operates under a “ referral basis , ” the inspector general ’ s report reads in part .
One analyst in the office is the child of a commissioner ’ s law partner .
She works as a residential analyst despite having no prior experience in the area , and is also described @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she told the inspector general ’ s office she ’ d “ never performed any IT related work.
” The three elected commissioners running the board are Republican Dan Patlak and Democrats Larry Rogers Jr. and Michael Cabonargi , who lost his bid for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court earlier this year .
Jobs aren ’ t posted online , there are no formal job descriptions and employees were invited to work on the commissioners ’ political campaigns on their personal time , the report concludes .
The details in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of yore .
“ What [ this report ] describes is a full blown , classic , old-style patronage operation of the sort that I thought had been abolished by our efforts in the Shakman case over a number of years , ” Shakman said .
The Board of Review was never named as part of the suit Shakman filed seeking to curtail political interference in hiring practices in government agencies , but Blanchard said government agencies are “ required to adhere to the principles upon which Shakman was filed , whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a joint statement , the commissioners of the board of review said the agency is “ operating at an unprecedented level of transparency , giving homeowners access to the appeals system and ensuring they fully understand the process to pay their fair share and not a penny more.
” “ We ’ re proud of the work we ’ ve put into making the Board of Review more transparent and accountable , while staffing and retaining a qualified workforce that ’ s processing a record-breaking number of appeals , and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress and our commitment to transparency continues at all levels of the Board , ” the statement continued .
Cabonargi said in a statement the board is already implementing some of Blanchard ’ s recommendations , which include posting job openings on the website and writing job descriptions .

Nearly three-quarters of a century later, some pols apparently still “don’t want nobody nobody sent.”
At least that’s what a Cook County watchdog is suggesting about the Cook County Board of Review, which cleans up the quintessential question of clout on its application forms a tad, asking job seekers, “Who recommended you to us?”
That hiring process helped pull in politically connected workers, including the child of one commissioner’s law partner. And it entails inviting employees to get involved in the political campaigns of commissioners.
That’s what Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard’s review of the obscure office found.
Who recommends a potential employee to the Board of Review could be a greater factor in hiring decisions than experience or other factors, Blanchard’s office concluded.
The inspector general’s office was initially tipped off that the board “maintains a custom and practice of reliance on political factors in making hiring decisions” in non-managerial roles.
Cook County Inspector General Patrick Blanchard Tom Cruze/Chicago Sun-Times file
In the report, the inspector general found the board, which handles appeals of property assessments, has no formal hiring process, hired people “despite incomplete application materials and lack of formal process,” and uses an application form that contains the question “‘who recommended you to us?’”
Michael Shakman, whose half-century-old legal battle to keep politics out of hiring and the internal affairs of county and city government resulted in court decrees bearing his name, said that’s not a common question to ask job applicants.
And “not only is it not common — it’s inappropriate,” he said.
“Government agencies are supposed to take people on the merits of their credentials and interviews on a competitive basis,” Shakman said. “This [report] tells you they’re not doing that.”
Michael Shakman in 1970, left, and in 2014, right. Pete Peters and Chandler West.
The Chicago question of who-you-know was immortalized by the late liberal lion Abner Mikva, who famously recounted how his efforts to volunteer for political work in 1948 were rejected by a cigar-chewing Chicago ward boss, who told him, “We don’t want nobody nobody sent.”
Smoking in public was long ago outlawed in Chicago, but clout has been harder to stamp out.
At the Board of Review, many employees are also connected in some way to the three commissioners who oversee property assessment appeals. Job openings aren’t typically posted online because the office operates under a “referral basis,” the inspector general’s report reads in part.
One analyst in the office is the child of a commissioner’s law partner. She works as a residential analyst despite having no prior experience in the area, and is also described as a computer operator, even though she told the inspector general’s office she’d “never performed any IT related work.”
The three elected commissioners running the board are Republican Dan Patlak and Democrats Larry Rogers Jr. and Michael Cabonargi, who lost his bid for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court earlier this year.
Michael Cabonargi, Cook County Circuit Court Clerk Democratic candidate, earlier this year. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
Jobs aren’t posted online, there are no formal job descriptions and employees were invited to work on the commissioners’ political campaigns on their personal time, the report concludes.
The details in the report reminded Shakman of the clout-heavy days of yore.
“What [this report] describes is a full blown, classic, old-style patronage operation of the sort that I thought had been abolished by our efforts in the Shakman case over a number of years,” Shakman said.
The Board of Review was never named as part of the suit Shakman filed seeking to curtail political interference in hiring practices in government agencies, but Blanchard said government agencies are “required to adhere to the principles upon which Shakman was filed, whether you’re a defendant or not.”
In a joint statement, the commissioners of the board of review said the agency is “operating at an unprecedented level of transparency, giving homeowners access to the appeals system and ensuring they fully understand the process to pay their fair share and not a penny more.”
“We’re proud of the work we’ve put into making the Board of Review more transparent and accountable, while staffing and retaining a qualified workforce that’s processing a record-breaking number of appeals, and we’re fully committed to making sure that progress and our commitment to transparency continues at all levels of the Board,” the statement continued.
Cabonargi said in a statement the board is already implementing some of Blanchard’s recommendations, which include posting job openings on the website and writing job descriptions.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Former No. 2 official at Midway Airport accused of violating ‘crucial federal safety protocols’

A high-ranking official at Midway Airport was accused Thursday of ordering a change in reported airfield conditions from wet to dry — without personally observing those conditions — at the request of a “ private airline ” sources identified as Southwest Airlines .
The explosive allegation is outlined in Inspector General Joe Ferguson ’ s quarterly report .
As always , the accused city employee — in this case a now-former deputy aviation commissioner at Midway — was not identified .
Neither was the airline .
But City Hall sources identified the airline making the request as Southwest and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Costas Simos , the No .
2 official at Midway .
Simos retired a few months ago before Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee could act on Ferguson ’ s recommendation that Simos be fired .
Simos could not be reached for comment ; a telephone listing in his name has been disconnected .
“ The safety of our employees and customers is the uncompromising priority at Southwest Airlines and we would never put that safety at risk , ” the statement said .
“ ... Southwest refutes any allegations it attempted to influence or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were recorded at Midway Airport .
Any implication that we would place anything above safety is unfounded.
” Aviation Department spokesman Matt McGrath also said the “ safety and security of our airports ” is the department ’ s “ highest priority .
“ We can confidently say it was not compromised during this specific incident .
In order to ensure safety , there are redundancies and multiple inputs built into the system — including airport , air traffic control , and airline personnel — and one person alone can not dictate that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conditions , ” McGrath wrote in a statement .
“ However , CDA still took this issue seriously , and immediately referred it to the OIG ’ s office when made aware of the allegations .
In the meantime , all Midway airfield personnel have been retrained , airfield management responsibilities have been overhauled , and the individual involved has since left the department.
” In the February 2018 incident , the now-former deputy commissioner was accused of disregarding “ crucial federal safety protocols ” as well as city personnel rules .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport operations supervisor under the deputy commissioner ’ s supervision to change the reported airfield conditions at [ Midway ] from ‘ wet ’ to ‘ dry , ’ despite the fact that assessing and reporting airfield conditions are the [ airfield supervisor ’ s ] duties and those reports may only be overridden on the basis of personal observation , ” Ferguson wrote .
“ In this instance , the deputy commissioner was at home , off-duty and failed to verify the actual airfield conditions personally or otherwise .
The investigation established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisor ] to change the conditions , the deputy commissioner received a call at home from an employee of a private airline requesting that the airfield conditions be changed.
” When interviewed by investigators , the deputy “ acknowledged the airline official had a financial motivation for requesting the change in status because the airline could not include as many passengers on planes landing on a wet airfield … as are permitted for dry conditions and the airline would , therefore , lose money if the airfield conditions were not altered.
” But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inspector general ’ s office by falsely claiming to have verified airfield conditions by contacting a different airfield supervisor .
Phone records and recorded phone calls at the Department of Aviation revealed no such conversations .
The Federal Aviation Administration conducted a “ parallel federal safety investigation arising from the same incident.
” “ The FAA is aware of the issue and we are investigating , ” FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro wrote in a email to the Sun-Times .
Simos retired after the Department of Aviation received the inspector general ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he was placed on the do-no-rehire list .
The Midway episode was the second-most-serious in a quarterly report dominated by a detailed narrative of the alleged police cover-up of the drinking-and-driving incident that got Chicago Police Supt .
Eddie Johnson fired .
• A compliance investigator for the city ’ s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection was accused of calling an employee at a Chicago business to give advance warning about an impending investigation , then ignoring the conflict of interest by participating in the inspection .
The investigator “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food donations from the business he inspected ” and told a colleague to “ go easy ” on the business because of the donations , the report states .
The accused investigator also “ gave preferential treatment to another business because he had eaten at their restaurant on multiple occasions.
” At Ferguson ’ s behest , the inspector was slapped with a 29-day suspension and ordered to undergo one-on-one ethics training .
• A deputy aviation commissioner was accused of violating the city ’ s ethics ordinance by filing a “ fraudulent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disclose ownership of a consulting company .
The deputy deposited $ 48,000 in a company checking account in 2017 and over $ 72,000 in 2018 , “ reflecting payments from approximately five different client firms.
” The case was referred to the Board of Ethics , which issued a “ probable cause finding ” that awaits response from the deputy .
• Continuing an ongoing pattern of abuse , a now-fired police communications operator at the city ’ s 911 emergency center was accused of using a day-and-a-half of paid sick leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Puerto Rico and fraudulently using the Family Medical Leave Act while on another vacation to California .

A high-ranking official at Midway Airport was accused Thursday of ordering a change in reported airfield conditions from wet to dry — without observing those conditions — at the request of a “private airline” sources identified as Southwest Airlines.
The explosive allegation is outlined in Inspector General Joe Ferguson’s quarterly report.
As always, the accused city employee — in this case a now-former deputy aviation commissioner at Midway — was not identified. Neither was the airline.
But City Hall sources identified the airline making the request as Southwest and the now-former, $112,332-a-year deputy commissioner as Costas Simos, the No. 2 official at Midway. Simos retired a few months ago before Aviation Commissioner Jamie Rhee could act on Ferguson’s recommendation that Simos be fired.
Simos could not be reached for comment.
Southwest, Midway’s flagship carrier, denied the allegations.
“The safety of our employees and customers is the uncompromising priority at Southwest Airlines and we would never put that safety at risk,” the airline said in a written statement. “Southwest refutes any allegations it attempted to influence or exert any pressure on how airfield conditions were recorded at Midway Airport. Any implication that we would place anything above safety is unfounded.”
Aviation Department spokesman Matt McGrath also said the “safety and security of our airports” is the department’s “highest priority.
“We can confidently say it was not compromised during this specific incident. In order to ensure safety, there are redundancies and multiple inputs built into the system — including airport, air traffic control, and airline personnel — and one person alone cannot dictate that planes land or take off in unsafe conditions,” McGrath wrote in a statement.
“However, CDA still took this issue seriously, and immediately referred it to the OIG’s office when made aware of the allegations. In the meantime, all Midway airfield personnel have been retrained, airfield management responsibilities have been overhauled, and the individual involved has since left the department.”
In the February 2018 incident, the now-former deputy commissioner was accused of disregarding “crucial federal safety protocols” as well as city personnel rules.
“The deputy commissioner ordered [an] airport operations supervisor under the deputy commissioner’s supervision to change the reported airfield conditions at [Midway] from ‘wet’ to ‘dry,’ despite the fact that assessing and reporting airfield conditions are the [airfield supervisor’s] duties and those reports may only be overridden on the basis of personal observation,” Ferguson wrote.
“In this instance, the deputy commissioner was at home, off-duty and failed to verify the actual airfield conditions personally or otherwise. The investigation established that, prior to ordering the [supervisor] to change the conditions, the deputy commissioner received a call at home from an employee of a private airline requesting that the airfield conditions be changed.”
When interviewed by investigators, the deputy “acknowledged the airline official had a financial motivation for requesting the change in status because the airline could not include as many passengers on planes landing on a wet airfield … as are permitted for dry conditions and the airline would, therefore, lose money if the airfield conditions were not altered.”
But Simos was also accused of lying to the inspector general’s office by falsely claiming to have verified airfield conditions by contacting a different airfield supervisor. Phone records and recorded phone calls at the Department of Aviation revealed no such conversations.
The Federal Aviation Administration conducted a “parallel federal safety investigation arising from the same incident.”
“The FAA is aware of the issue and we are investigating,” FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro wrote in a email to the Sun-Times.
Simos retired after the Department of Aviation received the inspector general’s report. At Ferguson’s request, he was placed on the do-no-rehire list.
The Midway episode was the second-most-serious in a quarterly report dominated by a detailed narrative of the alleged police cover-up of the drinking-and-driving incident that got Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson fired.
Other interesting tidbits:
A compliance investigator for the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection was accused of calling an employee at a Chicago business to give advance warning about an impending investigation, then ignoring the conflict of interest by participating in the inspection.
The investigator “runs a nonprofit organization that received annual food donations from the business he inspected” and told a colleague to “go easy” on the business because of the donations, the report states. The accused investigator also “gave preferential treatment to another business because he had eaten at their restaurant on multiple occasions.”
At Ferguson’s behest, the inspector was slapped with a 29-day suspension and ordered to undergo one-on-one ethics training.
A deputy aviation commissioner was accused of violating the city’s ethics ordinance by filing a “fraudulent” statement of financial interest that failed to disclose ownership of a consulting company. The deputy deposited $48,000 in a company checking account in 2017 and over $72,000 in 2018, “reflecting payments from approximately five different client firms.” The case was referred to the Board of Ethics, which issued a “probable cause finding” that awaits response from the deputy.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Waubonsie Valley’s Ben Schwieger commits to Loyola

Like so many prospects going through the recruiting process , Waubonsie Valley ’ s Ben Schwieger had a checklist .
Loyola couldn ’ t have possibly checked off any more boxes than it did in the recruitment of the versatile 6-6 forward .
Schwieger , who burst on the scene this past winter , committed to the Ramblers and coach Porter Moser on Thursday .
Since the recruiting process began , Schwieger said Loyola was the school to beat .
He admits everyone else was playing catch-up .
“ I have always had a gut feeling about Loyola being the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They were at the top of my list throughout the process .
But I did want to make sure I was 100 percent , so I took a little time .
But Loyola checked off every single box for me.
” Schwieger says he found it all with Loyola , starting with the relationship he built with the coaching staff .
He added that the current success of the program , a “ great culture ” , location and even some old family ties with Loyola helped seal it for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with the coaching staff , ” Schwieger said .
“ They showed me constant love and it was completely genuine .
They showed how excited they were to have a chance to coach me .
“ Plus , the culture they have built there really fits me perfectly.
” Schwieger added that his grandfather was particularly pumped about his commitment .
His grandfather , Jim Cronnin , is a 1962 Loyola graduate .
A year later the Ramblers won the 1963 national championship .
“ He was very proud and really excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so having those family ties with Loyola is pretty cool , ” Schwieger added .
Although Schwieger was able to make a couple of trips to the Loyola campus and check out a game this past winter , the recruiting process has been anything but normal since .
The lack of official visits and face-to-face time , however , didn ’ t slow the process down .
Schwieger pointed out how impressed he and his family were with the very first zoom call they had with Loyola and the coaching staff .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the effort they put in , ” Schwieger said of the first of several zoom conference calls .
“ It was impressive and really hit home .
I think this process provided an even better opportunity to build a relationship with the coaches.
” The 45-mile trek from home to the Loyola campus was also appealing .
“ Being close to home and having the opportunity for my family to see me play is an added bonus , ” Schwieger said .
Although Schwieger had a ton of interest and plenty of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern Illinois , William & Mary , Tennessee-Chattanooga , UIC and Wisconsin-Milwaukee , he was still a bit of an under-the-radar prospect .
He wasn ’ t highly regarded early in his career and he ’ s just started to blossom as a player .
Schwieger went from averaging 3.2 points as a sophomore to 16.4 points , 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a junior .
With outstanding athleticism , added production and a huge upside , Schwieger climbed into the City/Suburban Hoops Report ’ s top 10 prospect list over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , he ’ s a quality human with great character , ” Waubonsie Valley coach Jason Mead said .
“ He ’ s earned this and deserves this .
He cares more than just about how many points he scores .
He cares about so many more things that matter , that help a team.
” The ceiling is enormous for a player who is just beginning to grow into his body and add to an already versatile game .
A fluid athlete , Schwieger is an above-the-rim finisher who slashes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step out and make a three-pointer with a smooth release .
Part of the delay in both his development and in being seen was that he played high school volleyball during the spring club basketball season .
Then after making a name for himself this past season , the spring and summer evaluation periods were shut down .
“ I have been doing volleyball since my freshman year , ” Schwieger said .
“ Even though I wasn ’ t seen all that much , playing Division I basketball has been my dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by that and am constantly working towards that.
” That dream has become a whole lot closer to reality .
“ I ’ m really excited , ” said Schwieger of the commitment and his basketball future .
“ I ’ m excited to get on campus , to be with the players and to get to know the coaches even better and work with them .
”

Like so many prospects going through the recruiting process, Waubonsie Valley’s Ben Schwieger had a checklist.
Loyola couldn’t have possibly checked off any more boxes than it did in the recruitment of the versatile 6-6 forward. Schwieger, who burst on the scene this past winter, committed to the Ramblers and coach Porter Moser on Thursday.
Since the recruiting process began, Schwieger said Loyola was the school to beat. He admits everyone else was playing catch-up.
“I have always had a gut feeling about Loyola being the best fit for me,” Schwieger said. “They were at the top of my list throughout the process. But I did want to make sure I was 100 percent, so I took a little time. But Loyola checked off every single box for me.”
Schwieger says he found it all with Loyola, starting with the relationship he built with the coaching staff. He added that the current success of the program, a “great culture”, location and even some old family ties with Loyola helped seal it for him.
“I have a great relationship with the coaching staff,” Schwieger said. “They showed me constant love and it was completely genuine. They showed how excited they were to have a chance to coach me.
“Plus, the culture they have built there really fits me perfectly.”
Schwieger added that his grandfather was particularly pumped about his commitment. His grandfather, Jim Cronnin, is a 1962 Loyola graduate. A year later the Ramblers won the 1963 national championship.
“He was very proud and really excited about it when I told him, so having those family ties with Loyola is pretty cool,” Schwieger added.
Although Schwieger was able to make a couple of trips to the Loyola campus and check out a game this past winter, the recruiting process has been anything but normal since. The lack of official visits and face-to-face time, however, didn’t slow the process down.
Schwieger pointed out how impressed he and his family were with the very first zoom call they had with Loyola and the coaching staff.
“You could see how organized they were and the effort they put in,” Schwieger said of the first of several zoom conference calls. “It was impressive and really hit home. I think this process provided an even better opportunity to build a relationship with the coaches.”
The 45-mile trek from home to the Loyola campus was also appealing.
“Being close to home and having the opportunity for my family to see me play is an added bonus,” Schwieger said.
Although Schwieger had a ton of interest and plenty of offers, including Belmont, Elon, Southern Illinois, William & Mary, Tennessee-Chattanooga, UIC and Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was still a bit of an under-the-radar prospect. He wasn’t highly regarded early in his career and he’s just started to blossom as a player.
Schwieger went from averaging 3.2 points as a sophomore to 16.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists as a junior. With outstanding athleticism, added production and a huge upside, Schwieger climbed into the City/Suburban Hoops Report’s top 10 prospect list over the course of his junior season.
“First, he’s a quality human with great character,” Waubonsie Valley coach Jason Mead said. “He’s earned this and deserves this. He cares more than just about how many points he scores. He cares about so many more things that matter, that help a team.”
The ceiling is enormous for a player who is just beginning to grow into his body and add to an already versatile game. A fluid athlete, Schwieger is an above-the-rim finisher who slashes to the rim off the drive and can step out and make a three-pointer with a smooth release.
Part of the delay in both his development and in being seen was that he played high school volleyball during the spring club basketball season. Then after making a name for himself this past season, the spring and summer evaluation periods were shut down.
“I have been doing volleyball since my freshman year,” Schwieger said. “Even though I wasn’t seen all that much, playing Division I basketball has been my dream. I’ve always been driven by that and am constantly working towards that.”
That dream has become a whole lot closer to reality.
“I’m really excited,” said Schwieger of the commitment and his basketball future. “I’m excited to get on campus, to be with the players and to get to know the coaches even better and work with them.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--CPS’ fall plan might include part-time return to classrooms, CTU says

Chicago Public Schools officials have discussed with the Chicago Teachers Union a hybrid plan that would include both in-person and remote learning , union leaders told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday , a day before the district is expected to reveal its proposal for the fall .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said the plan will kick off a month-long discussion with parents , teachers and students about what would be needed to keep families safe in the fall , with a final decision on in-person instruction coming near the end of August .
Though Lightfoot and CPS are saving the specifics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students in classrooms some days and at home others would mark a continued adjustment for hundreds of thousands of children months after schools closed because of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount , and our planning for the fall will be guided by the best available data and guidance from state and local health officials , ” the mayor ’ s office said in a statement , calling Friday ’ s highly anticipated announcement a “ preliminary framework.
” “ We are speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to develop the strongest possible plans for the fall , and we will continue to engage a variety of stakeholders to ensure our plans best meet their needs , ” the mayor ’ s office said .
Both the city and the union acknowledge full remote learning isn ’ t a reliable alternative to normal schooling no matter the planning that goes into it .
Still , districts around the country , including the nation ’ s second-largest in Los Angeles , have announced they will provide remote education to start the school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the first and third largest districts — have not committed to doing so , however .
NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week a hybrid model that could be similar to plans CPS discussed with the union .
But having educators and students in school together without appropriate safety precautions is a non-starter for the CTU .
The union this week called for a fully remote start to the fall because of those health and safety concerns , setting up another potential showdown with Lightfoot months after a historic 11-day strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t a first choice for the union , but he questioned whether the district has fully planned for a safe return .
“ Our frustration and our anxiety at this point is we don ’ t have a plan to negotiate , a plan to react to , a plan to make better , ” Sharkey said Thursday .
“ We have ideas , and the ideas we ’ ve heard thus far include a blended experience , a hybrid experience .
But it ’ s very short on details at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a good way to make social distancing easier in the city ’ s often crowded school buildings , but only if that ’ s accompanied with nurses taking daily temperature checks at every school , consistent disinfecting of buildings , universal masks and proper social distancing .
“ There ’ s a logic to a hybrid model , ” he said .
“ It ’ s not a crazy idea , which is that this is a virus that ’ s passed along when people are in close physical proximity , talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a lot of what we do at school .
So you ’ ve got to figure out a way to have fewer people in the building .
“ A lot of the idea behind hybrid is you ’ ve got students alternating between in-person and remote learning , which means at any given time you can have fewer people in the classroom .
...
It ’ s not that there isn ’ t a logic to what CPS is saying or what New York is saying — there is .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we don ’ t yet have a clear enough criteria , and the way it looks in the country right now , we don ’ t think the conditions are right to start back in person.
” Sharkey likened an unsafe return to classrooms to running into a burning building , and raised the possibility that teachers could refuse to return to work if they don ’ t feel safe .
The idea of refusing a return to work was broached at a virtual union town hall earlier this week attended by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the full rank-and-file membership .
Asked whether teachers are willing to go back out on strike if their demands for the fall aren ’ t met , Sharkey said , “ I think this is going to depend a lot on what things look like and whether we can get clear answers and whether there ’ s responsiveness.
” “ If the answer to all those questions is no , then I think it ’ s not reasonable to expect for parents of students and for staff ... [ not to ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re being asked to go into a burning building , ” he said .
“ Because if we are , then that ’ s where I think you get in a situation where people could refuse to go .
We ’ re a ways from that yet .
”

Chicago Public Schools officials have discussed with the Chicago Teachers Union a hybrid plan that would include both in-person and remote learning, union leaders told the Chicago Sun-Times Thursday, a day before the district is expected to reveal its proposal for the fall.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has said the plan will kick off a month-long discussion with parents, teachers and students about what would be needed to keep families safe in the fall, with a final decision on in-person instruction coming near the end of August.
Though Lightfoot and CPS are saving the specifics of that plan for Friday, putting students in classrooms some days and at home others would mark a continued adjustment for hundreds of thousands of children months after schools closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
“The health and safety of our students and staff is paramount, and our planning for the fall will be guided by the best available data and guidance from state and local health officials,” the mayor’s office said in a statement, calling Friday’s highly anticipated announcement a “preliminary framework.”
“We are speaking regularly with union leadership as we work to develop the strongest possible plans for the fall, and we will continue to engage a variety of stakeholders to ensure our plans best meet their needs,” the mayor’s office said.
Both the city and the union acknowledge full remote learning isn’t a reliable alternative to normal schooling no matter the planning that goes into it. Still, districts around the country, including the nation’s second-largest in Los Angeles, have announced they will provide remote education to start the school year. New York City and Chicago — the first and third largest districts — have not committed to doing so, however. NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week a hybrid model that could be similar to plans CPS discussed with the union.
But having educators and students in school together without appropriate safety precautions is a non-starter for the CTU. The union this week called for a fully remote start to the fall because of those health and safety concerns, setting up another potential showdown with Lightfoot months after a historic 11-day strike last year.
Sharkey said another walkout isn’t a first choice for the union, but he questioned whether the district has fully planned for a safe return.
“Our frustration and our anxiety at this point is we don’t have a plan to negotiate, a plan to react to, a plan to make better,” Sharkey said Thursday. “We have ideas, and the ideas we’ve heard thus far include a blended experience, a hybrid experience. But it’s very short on details at this point.”
Sharkey said staggered schedules are a good way to make social distancing easier in the city’s often crowded school buildings, but only if that’s accompanied with nurses taking daily temperature checks at every school, consistent disinfecting of buildings, universal masks and proper social distancing.
“There’s a logic to a hybrid model,” he said. “It’s not a crazy idea, which is that this is a virus that’s passed along when people are in close physical proximity, talking and discussing things. And that’s a lot of what we do at school. So you’ve got to figure out a way to have fewer people in the building.
“A lot of the idea behind hybrid is you’ve got students alternating between in-person and remote learning, which means at any given time you can have fewer people in the classroom. ... It’s not that there isn’t a logic to what CPS is saying or what New York is saying — there is. It’s just that the time right now, we don’t yet have a clear enough criteria, and the way it looks in the country right now, we don’t think the conditions are right to start back in person.”
Sharkey likened an unsafe return to classrooms to running into a burning building, and raised the possibility that teachers could refuse to return to work if they don’t feel safe. The idea of refusing a return to work was broached at a virtual union town hall earlier this week attended by a few thousand members — a fraction of the full rank-and-file membership.
Asked whether teachers are willing to go back out on strike if their demands for the fall aren’t met, Sharkey said, “I think this is going to depend a lot on what things look like and whether we can get clear answers and whether there’s responsiveness.”
“If the answer to all those questions is no, then I think it’s not reasonable to expect for parents of students and for staff ... [not to] worry about whether or not we’re being asked to go into a burning building,” he said. “Because if we are, then that’s where I think you get in a situation where people could refuse to go. We’re a ways from that yet.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Eddie Johnson got police escort home after found slumped over the wheel, city inspector general says

After then-police Supt .
Eddie Johnson was found slumped over the wheel of his car last fall on the South Side , a police supervisor followed his intoxicated boss home as Johnson rolled through a stop sign and turned into the wrong lane , according to a new city inspector general ’ s report .
Inspector General Joseph Ferguson ’ s report offers the most detail yet of the scandal that led to Johnson ’ s firing on Dec. 2 .
He was demoted to lieutenant and retired .
Johnson lied to the mayor when he said he had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over at 34th and Aberdeen because he felt ill , the report said .
Johnson had received a kidney transplant in 2017 .
Ferguson ’ s report , released Thursday , said Johnson and his female driver drank large quantities of rum at a downtown restaurant on the evening of Oct. 16 .
He drove to police headquarters and dropped her off , and she drove away .
He was in his car when someone called 911 to report a man asleep in his running vehicle .
Officers arrived at 12:33 a.m. on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported , a cop walked to his window and asked “ Sir , you alright ?
” and “ You good , you have your ID ?
” and Johnson showed his ID through the window .
“ You just sitting here or you wan na go home ?
” the cop asked and Johnson said , “ I ’ m good.
” “ You good , alright sir , you have a good night , ” the cop responded .
The exchange was captured on the officer ’ s body camera , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city last month .
The inspector general ’ s report says a Chicago firefighter was on the other side of the car and asked “ Hey , what ’ s going on ?
” and then walked away .
No field sobriety test was done on Johnson and the officer who spoke to him deactivated his body camera .
At 12:38 a.m. , two more police cars arrived on the scene .
One called a dispatcher for a supervisor , who arrived at 12:43 a.m. in an unmarked car .
The supervisor walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other officers got in their cars and left .
At 12:46 a.m. , Johnson drove away , initially traveling in the opposite direction from his South Side home .
During the ride , Johnson rolled through a stop sign and made a slow , wide turn into a wrong lane , the inspector general ’ s report said .
Meanwhile , two police cars showed up at Johnson ’ s home .
According to the report , Johnson not only lied that he wasn ’ t intoxicated , but also lied when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPD ’ s internal affairs investigators , which never happened .
Ferguson considered Johnson ’ s behavior so egregious , he not only recommended that he be fired and placed on the city ’ s do-not-hire list , he also recommended Johnson be “ found not in good standing and not issued Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry credentials.
” On the day Johnson was fired , sources told the Chicago Sun-Times that multiple police employees were under investigation for engaging in a widespread cover-up to protect him .
Ferguson ’ s new report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – including a call to a dispatcher a minute after the superintendent left the scene saying no police action was needed .
Ferguson ’ s report said the city has until July 28 to respond to his findings .
He ’ ll release another report about whether the police department takes action against any other officers because of the Johnson incident .
The city ’ s Law Department has refused to release Ferguson ’ s full report to the media .
The information released Thursday was a summary contained in a quarterly report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson and his lawyer Tom Needham declined to comment on Thursday ’ s report .
Ald .
Chris Taliaferro ( 29th ) , the former CPD officer now chairing the City Council ’ s Committee on Public Safety , responded Thursday to the cover-up narrative described in the inspector general ’ s report .
“ If the allegations are found to be true — and as of right now , they have not been found to be true — it would be very egregious and certainly worthy of discipline , ” Taliaferro said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s final report on the responding officers before passing final judgment .
“ If a window was rolled up and [ Johnson ] presented his ID , the officers may not have smelled alcohol because the windows were rolled up .
So it ’ s important that we opine on the report that ’ s going to be released after the investigation has been completed , rather than to assume that all of the allegations are true at this point .
They ’ re not .
They ’ re simply allegations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supervisor who followed Johnson home faces discipline , the police department issued a statement that it is “ reviewing the Office of Inspector General ’ s investigation report into personnel that responded to the October 2019 incident involving Mr. Eddie Johnson .
The Department will take any necessary disciplinary measures upon their complete review of that report .
”

After then-police Supt. Eddie Johnson was found slumped over the wheel of his car last fall on the South Side, a police supervisor followed his intoxicated boss home as Johnson rolled through a stop sign and turned into the wrong lane, according to a new city inspector general’s report.
Inspector General Joseph Ferguson’s report offers the most detail yet of the scandal that led to Johnson’s firing on Dec. 2. He was demoted to lieutenant and retired.
Johnson lied to the mayor when he said he had a “couple of drinks” but pulled over at 34th and Aberdeen because he felt ill, the report said. Johnson had received a kidney transplant in 2017.
Ferguson’s report, released Thursday, said Johnson and his female driver drank large quantities of rum at a downtown restaurant on the evening of Oct. 16. He drove to police headquarters and dropped her off, and she drove away.
He was in his car when someone called 911 to report a man asleep in his running vehicle. Officers arrived at 12:33 a.m. on Oct. 17. As has been previously reported, a cop walked to his window and asked “Sir, you alright?” and “You good, you have your ID?” and Johnson showed his ID through the window. “You just sitting here or you wanna go home?” the cop asked and Johnson said, “I’m good.” “You good, alright sir, you have a good night,” the cop responded.
The exchange was captured on the officer’s body camera, and the video was released by the city last month.
The inspector general’s report says a Chicago firefighter was on the other side of the car and asked “Hey, what’s going on?” and then walked away.
No field sobriety test was done on Johnson and the officer who spoke to him deactivated his body camera. At 12:38 a.m., two more police cars arrived on the scene. One called a dispatcher for a supervisor, who arrived at 12:43 a.m. in an unmarked car.
The supervisor walked to Johnson’s car and the other officers got in their cars and left. At 12:46 a.m., Johnson drove away, initially traveling in the opposite direction from his South Side home. During the ride, Johnson rolled through a stop sign and made a slow, wide turn into a wrong lane, the inspector general’s report said.
Meanwhile, two police cars showed up at Johnson’s home.
According to the report, Johnson not only lied that he wasn’t intoxicated, but also lied when he said he referred the incident to the CPD’s internal affairs investigators, which never happened.
Ferguson considered Johnson’s behavior so egregious, he not only recommended that he be fired and placed on the city’s do-not-hire list, he also recommended Johnson be “found not in good standing and not issued Illinois Retired Officer Concealed Carry credentials.”
On the day Johnson was fired, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times that multiple police employees were under investigation for engaging in a widespread cover-up to protect him. Ferguson’s new report appears to provide more evidence of that – including a call to a dispatcher a minute after the superintendent left the scene saying no police action was needed.
Ferguson’s report said the city has until July 28 to respond to his findings. He’ll release another report about whether the police department takes action against any other officers because of the Johnson incident.
The city’s Law Department has refused to release Ferguson’s full report to the media. The information released Thursday was a summary contained in a quarterly report that described other investigations, too.
Johnson and his lawyer Tom Needham declined to comment on Thursday’s report.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29th), the former CPD officer now chairing the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety, responded Thursday to the cover-up narrative described in the inspector general’s report.
“If the allegations are found to be true — and as of right now, they have not been found to be true — it would be very egregious and certainly worthy of discipline,” Taliaferro said.
Taliaferro said he would await Ferguson’s final report on the responding officers before passing final judgment.
“If a window was rolled up and [Johnson] presented his ID, the officers may not have smelled alcohol because the windows were rolled up. So it’s important that we opine on the report that’s going to be released after the investigation has been completed, rather than to assume that all of the allegations are true at this point. They’re not. They’re simply allegations,” he said.
Asked if the supervisor who followed Johnson home faces discipline, the police department issued a statement that it is “reviewing the Office of Inspector General’s investigation report into personnel that responded to the October 2019 incident involving Mr. Eddie Johnson. The Department will take any necessary disciplinary measures upon their complete review of that report.”


chicagosun-times--2020-07-16--Eddie Johnson’s special night of police dispensation

Now we know , in fuller detail , what happened on the night last fall when former Chicago Police Supt .
Eddie Johnson was found slumped behind the wheel of his car .
And the details are damning for both Johnson and the police force he once led .
It is impossible to read City Inspector Joe Ferguson ’ s summary of his findings , as reported by Fran Spielman of the Sun-Times on Thursday , without feeling a certain regret .
Johnson was a good cop over a long career , rising to the occasion as superintendent and presiding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It would be unfair to define his legacy solely on the basis of one bad night .
But to read Ferguson ’ s findings is to be convinced that Mayor Lori Lightfoot was justified in forcing Johnson into retirement on Dec. 2 .
And if the former superintendent ’ s legacy is forever tarnished — well , that ’ s on him .
Ferguson ’ s findings refute every significant claim of appropriate behavior by the police on that night , Oct. 16 .
• Johnson lied to Lightfoot about having only a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drunk a lot .
• An officer who responded to a call of a man asleep in a car turned off his body camera after seeing who that man was : Johnson .
• A police supervisor , called to the scene , allowed his unsteady boss to get back on the road .
• Johnson rolled through a stop sign and made a slow , wide turn into a wrong lane .
It was the kind of drunk turn that gets people hurt .
• Minutes after Johnson left the scene , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no police action was needed .
• Johnson later told Lightfoot that he had referred the incident to police internal affairs investigators , but he had not .
We constantly are assured by City Hall that the Chicago Police Department is reforming its ways .
We are told that CPD serves and protects every Chicagoan equally and without favor .
We are told there is no tolerance for the “ blue code of silence ” that covers up police misconduct .
And yet when Johnson finally arrived at his South Side home that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were waiting .
Not to arrest him , but to tuck him in .
Ferguson released only a summary of his findings .
The city ’ s Law Department has blocked release of his full report .
Nuts to that — release the full report now .
Ferguson is expected to release a second report on whether CPD should take action against any of the officers involved in Johnson ’ s night of special police dispensation .
Take action against some lowly beat cop who might have been afraid to take on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-ranking officer who supervised a cover-up ?

Now we know, in fuller detail, what happened on the night last fall when former Chicago Police Supt. Eddie Johnson was found slumped behind the wheel of his car.
And the details are damning for both Johnson and the police force he once led.
It is impossible to read City Inspector Joe Ferguson’s summary of his findings, as reported by Fran Spielman of the Sun-Times on Thursday, without feeling a certain regret. Johnson was a good cop over a long career, rising to the occasion as superintendent and presiding over declines in violent crime citywide. It would be unfair to define his legacy solely on the basis of one bad night.
Editorials bug Editorials
But to read Ferguson’s findings is to be convinced that Mayor Lori Lightfoot was justified in forcing Johnson into retirement on Dec. 2. And if the former superintendent’s legacy is forever tarnished — well, that’s on him.
Ferguson’s findings refute every significant claim of appropriate behavior by the police on that night, Oct. 16.
Johnson lied to Lightfoot about having only a “couple of drinks.” He had drunk a lot.
An officer who responded to a call of a man asleep in a car turned off his body camera after seeing who that man was: Johnson.
Nobody did a field sobriety test.
A police supervisor, called to the scene, allowed his unsteady boss to get back on the road.
Johnson rolled through a stop sign and made a slow, wide turn into a wrong lane. It was the kind of drunk turn that gets people hurt.
Minutes after Johnson left the scene, somebody called a police dispatcher and said no police action was needed.
Johnson later told Lightfoot that he had referred the incident to police internal affairs investigators, but he had not.
We constantly are assured by City Hall that the Chicago Police Department is reforming its ways. We are told that CPD serves and protects every Chicagoan equally and without favor. We are told there is no tolerance for the “blue code of silence” that covers up police misconduct.
And yet when Johnson finally arrived at his South Side home that night, officers in two police cars were waiting.
Not to arrest him, but to tuck him in.
Ferguson released only a summary of his findings. The city’s Law Department has blocked release of his full report.
Nuts to that — release the full report now.
Ferguson is expected to release a second report on whether CPD should take action against any of the officers involved in Johnson’s night of special police dispensation.
Take action against some lowly beat cop who might have been afraid to take on the big boss?
Hard to say.
Take action against any high-ranking officer who supervised a cover-up?
You bet.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--Chicago lakefront: First day back on water shows enduring pull of its beauty and recent changes

Bronzed Greek God Guy elevated , larger than life as his eFoil lifted from the water , then circled the south end of Burnham Harbor like the Green Goblin on a hoverboard .
Years ago , lakefront fishing advocate Ken Schneider , Tom Palmisano of Henry ’ s Sports and Bait , and I began making annual trips on Chicago waters .
Our only holes are a small one on the upper Illinois River and the northern Lake Michigan lakefront .
Monday , we met with hopes of finding rumored yellow perch around Jackson Park .
Reality was it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Palmisano decided the chop was low enough that we should launch from 31st Street Harbor , best launch on the Chicago lakefront .
One reason for going was to check the lakefront .
Because of the pandemic and lockdown , the last time I was on the lakefront ( other than meeting Stacey Greene-Fenlon at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor ) was fishing for coho on March 25 , the day before Mayor Lori Lightfoot shut down the lakefront .
Several readers messaged , texted and emailed about a launch change at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There used to be a dozen vehicle and trailer parking slots , now there are four .
Also , the launch is only open Monday to Friday ( 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. ) and closed Saturday and Sunday .
We were the only boat at the launch .
A lone shore angler had not seen or caught fish .
As we left the harbor , the lack of boats struck me .
Fewer boats were in all the harbors we checked : 31st , 59th , Jackson Inner and Outer , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ descended for months as 2020 wore on , I found it stunningly beautiful to be out .
I never grow tired of the Chicago skyline .
I felt more maudlin than usual to see it from the water for the first time this year so late in the summer .
“ First time on the lake this year , ” Schneider said .
He kept a face mask on most of the day , so I generally did , too .
That made me glad .
Early in the pandemic , I yelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Sometimes he breezes through life with a sense of invincibility .
But he takes the coronavirus seriously , in part to protect his wife .
He really limited his contact , so getting out the first time was special .
Palmisano had been diving a couple times since the harbor shutdown lifted , but not boat fishing since looking for perch in the Chicago River during the winter .
2020 has been that kind of year .
We fished a couple spots around Promontory Point with only round gobie bites .
2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than usual .
It was uplifting to see Promontory Point , even more striking to see the Museum of Science and Industry , just north of 59th Street Harbor .
That was the only harbor we actually caught fish in : a mix of bluegill , rock bass and gobies .
We didn ’ t see another boat until a few personal watercraft and a pleasure boat were going out as we entered Jackson Park .
Later in the afternoon , we saw a few sailboats off downtown .
Because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Jackson Park bridge , which is loaded with current and bottom cover .
At first , the current flowed in so fast that Schneider and I couldn ’ t even reach bottom .
Then it shifted dramatically the other way , sort of a mini harbor seiche .
Stunningly , we didn ’ t catch any fish .
Jackson Park is one of the better fishing spots on the lakefront .
With wind building cross-hatch waves , Palmisano switched from going to Calumet Harbor to running to Burnham , where perch often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
First , we had to go around a big yacht , Caltara .
Soon we saw why .
Bronzed Greek God Guy was going around on his remote-controlled eFoil .
When he came by us the second time , he said he was shooting a video .
Such is life on the Chicago lakefront .
But there ’ s more , we saw a guy on the back of Caltara with a hockey stick firing ice hockey pucks at Bronzed Greek God Guy , who attempted to catch them with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money shot and they motored off .
( Look up the meaning of Caltara on your own . )
After they left , Schneider broke off a big fish in the weeds on 4-pound line .
( We had only planned to fish perch . )
We checked the flooded walk-outs at the Burnham launch and the flooded walk around the south end of Northerly Island .
Back at 31st , we were still the only trailer in the lot .

Bronzed Greek God Guy elevated, larger than life as his eFoil lifted from the water, then circled the south end of Burnham Harbor like the Green Goblin on a hoverboard.
That wasn’t the strange part.
Years ago, lakefront fishing advocate Ken Schneider, Tom Palmisano of Henry’s Sports and Bait, and I began making annual trips on Chicago waters. Our only holes are a small one on the upper Illinois River and the northern Lake Michigan lakefront.
Monday, we met with hopes of finding rumored yellow perch around Jackson Park. Reality was it was just a gorgeous day to be out.
Palmisano decided the chop was low enough that we should launch from 31st Street Harbor, best launch on the Chicago lakefront.
One reason for going was to check the lakefront. Because of the pandemic and lockdown, the last time I was on the lakefront (other than meeting Stacey Greene-Fenlon at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor) was fishing for coho on March 25, the day before Mayor Lori Lightfoot shut down the lakefront.
Several readers messaged, texted and emailed about a launch change at 31st when the harbors began reopening.
There used to be a dozen vehicle and trailer parking slots, now there are four. Also, the launch is only open Monday to Friday (5 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and closed Saturday and Sunday.
Only four vehicle and trailer parking spots remain at 31st Street Harbor. Dale Bowman
We were the only boat at the launch. A lone shore angler had not seen or caught fish.
As we left the harbor, the lack of boats struck me. Fewer boats were in all the harbors we checked: 31st, 59th, Jackson Inner and Outer, and Burnham.
No matter the crap that descended for months as 2020 wore on, I found it stunningly beautiful to be out. I never grow tired of the Chicago skyline. I felt more maudlin than usual to see it from the water for the first time this year so late in the summer.
I wasn’t alone.
“First time on the lake this year,” Schneider said.
He kept a face mask on most of the day, so I generally did, too. That made me glad. Early in the pandemic, I yelled at Schneider to take the coronavirus seriously. Sometimes he breezes through life with a sense of invincibility. But he takes the coronavirus seriously, in part to protect his wife. He really limited his contact, so getting out the first time was special.
Palmisano had been diving a couple times since the harbor shutdown lifted, but not boat fishing since looking for perch in the Chicago River during the winter.
2020 has been that kind of year.
We fished a couple spots around Promontory Point with only round gobie bites. 2020 has made me savor moments and people more than usual. It was uplifting to see Promontory Point, even more striking to see the Museum of Science and Industry, just north of 59th Street Harbor.
That was the only harbor we actually caught fish in: a mix of bluegill, rock bass and gobies.
The Museum of Science and Industry as seen from Lake Michigan. Dale Bowman
We didn’t see another boat until a few personal watercraft and a pleasure boat were going out as we entered Jackson Park. Later in the afternoon, we saw a few sailboats off downtown.
Because of the lack of boats, we fished under the Jackson Park bridge, which is loaded with current and bottom cover. At first, the current flowed in so fast that Schneider and I couldn’t even reach bottom. Then it shifted dramatically the other way, sort of a mini harbor seiche. Stunningly, we didn’t catch any fish. Jackson Park is one of the better fishing spots on the lakefront.
With wind building cross-hatch waves, Palmisano switched from going to Calumet Harbor to running to Burnham, where perch often stack in the weeds on the south end.
First, we had to go around a big yacht, Caltara. Soon we saw why. Bronzed Greek God Guy was going around on his remote-controlled eFoil. When he came by us the second time, he said he was shooting a video.
Such is life on the Chicago lakefront.
But there’s more, we saw a guy on the back of Caltara with a hockey stick firing ice hockey pucks at Bronzed Greek God Guy, who attempted to catch them with a goalie glove.
He eventually got the money shot and they motored off. (Look up the meaning of Caltara on your own.)
After they left, Schneider broke off a big fish in the weeds on 4-pound line. (We had only planned to fish perch.)
It was time.
We checked the flooded walk-outs at the Burnham launch and the flooded walk around the south end of Northerly Island.
Back at 31st, we were still the only trailer in the lot.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--Dear Abby: My son-in-law has seizures, endangers my family by driving

DEAR ABBY : My son-in-law was diagnosed with epilepsy 25 years ago .
He typically has two or three seizures a year .
He has seen a neurologist on and off over the years , but he has not been to the doctor for his medications in several years .
He works in the medical field and gets his meds from the doctors he works with .
He recently had a seizure after dropping one of his children off at an appointment .
Fortunately , the child wasn ’ t in the car when he wrecked it .
My question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Should I confront him ?
Unfortunately , my grandchild reached out to her dad ’ s mother .
Her answer was she would pay for spine alignments for him .
Did I mention he refuses to stop driving ?
I ’ m extremely concerned about the well-being of my daughter and four grandchildren and the lives of others on the roads who could be injured or killed as a result of his actions .
Do I have a right to be involved ?
My friends and other family members tell me there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FRIGHTENED IN THE SOUTH DEAR FRIGHTENED : Your son-in-law should not be taking medications for his epilepsy from doctors who are not intimately involved with his care .
If the accident didn ’ t serve as a wakeup call to talk to his doctor , it should have .
Consider contacting your auto insurance company and asking what can be done about an epileptic motorist who is prone to seizures several times a year while still driving .
If you can ’ t find guidance there , the state police where your son-in-law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to say .
Your daughter and her family have been lucky so far not to have been seriously injured , but they may not always be .
The only thing you should NOT do is stay silent .
DEAR ABBY : Over the last several years I have learned the value of counseling , which helped me deal with years of undiagnosed depression .
I overcame my preconceived notions about therapy , and I ’ m happier now than I have ever been because I was able to let go of tons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It has been a wonderful and life-changing experience .
One of my relatives has mentioned several times that she has a very strained relationship with her mom .
I can ’ t think of a nicer family , so I have never understood what could have caused this rift .
On Mother ’ s Day , I saw several social media posts from people celebrating their mothers , expressing how much they love them and how much they appreciate all their mothers have done for them .
My relative posted something along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in life is to be a better mother than mine was ” and some other things that demonstrated her disdain for her mother .
When I saw the post , my heart ached for her mom , but my heart ached for my relative even more .
It seems she carries so much hurt in her heart , and I wonder if she could benefit from therapy as I have , but I don ’ t know how to suggest it .
I am afraid of hurting her feelings or getting her upset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this ?
— HELPING OUT IN IDAHO DEAR HELPING : Approach it by telling your relative you saw her post and were struck by the pain she must be feeling to have put something like that online for all the world to see .
Explain about the baggage that therapy helped you to overcome in your own life and what a difference it has made for you .
Then offer her your therapist ’ s phone number .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included @ @ @ @ @

DEAR ABBY: My son-in-law was diagnosed with epilepsy 25 years ago. He typically has two or three seizures a year. He has seen a neurologist on and off over the years, but he has not been to the doctor for his medications in several years. He works in the medical field and gets his meds from the doctors he works with.
He recently had a seizure after dropping one of his children off at an appointment. Fortunately, the child wasn’t in the car when he wrecked it. My question is, how involved should I be? Should I confront him? Unfortunately, my grandchild reached out to her dad’s mother. Her answer was she would pay for spine alignments for him. Did I mention he refuses to stop driving?
I’m extremely concerned about the well-being of my daughter and four grandchildren and the lives of others on the roads who could be injured or killed as a result of his actions. Do I have a right to be involved? My friends and other family members tell me there is nothing I can do. — FRIGHTENED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR FRIGHTENED: Your son-in-law should not be taking medications for his epilepsy from doctors who are not intimately involved with his care. If the accident didn’t serve as a wakeup call to talk to his doctor, it should have.
Consider contacting your auto insurance company and asking what can be done about an epileptic motorist who is prone to seizures several times a year while still driving. If you can’t find guidance there, the state police where your son-in-law lives might be interested in what you have to say.
Your daughter and her family have been lucky so far not to have been seriously injured, but they may not always be. The only thing you should NOT do is stay silent.
DEAR ABBY: Over the last several years I have learned the value of counseling, which helped me deal with years of undiagnosed depression. I overcame my preconceived notions about therapy, and I’m happier now than I have ever been because I was able to let go of tons of burdens I carried from my past. It has been a wonderful and life-changing experience.
One of my relatives has mentioned several times that she has a very strained relationship with her mom. I can’t think of a nicer family, so I have never understood what could have caused this rift.
On Mother’s Day, I saw several social media posts from people celebrating their mothers, expressing how much they love them and how much they appreciate all their mothers have done for them. My relative posted something along the lines of, “My goal in life is to be a better mother than mine was” and some other things that demonstrated her disdain for her mother.
When I saw the post, my heart ached for her mom, but my heart ached for my relative even more. It seems she carries so much hurt in her heart, and I wonder if she could benefit from therapy as I have, but I don’t know how to suggest it. I am afraid of hurting her feelings or getting her upset with me. How should I approach this? — HELPING OUT IN IDAHO
DEAR HELPING: Approach it by telling your relative you saw her post and were struck by the pain she must be feeling to have put something like that online for all the world to see. Explain about the baggage that therapy helped you to overcome in your own life and what a difference it has made for you. Then offer her your therapist’s phone number.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--Google this: Corneisha Fowler is an exemplary employee

Corneisha Fowler works in guest relations at Rush University Medical Center , and her boss knows he ’ s lucky to have her .
Fowler is a natural at dealing with patients and family members as they confront the stress that comes with walking through the front door of any hospital , even a world-class institution like Rush .
“ Corneisha has this innate knack for customer service , ” said Ricardo Kirgan , Rush ’ s guest relations manager .
“ She puts people at ease .
She knows how to talk to people.
” Fowler , 23 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someday becoming a child-protective specialist for the state Department of Children and Family Services .
As her education progresses , Kirgan isn ’ t sure how long he ’ ll be able to keep her .
There ’ s just one thing that might hold her back .
Two years ago , I wrote a column about SisterHouse , a West Side recovery home for women .
Fowler was living there at the time and volunteered to share her story of recovering from alcoholism .
She kept it real , providing details that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was brave of her and , as she came to appreciate later , possibly a mistake .
A year after the column appeared , Fowler sent an email asking me to remove the story from online or edit out her name because it had become an obstacle to her getting a job .
As is now common practice , prospective employers would Google her name , and the first thing they ’ d find was my story about her past troubles .
Instead of taking a chance , they took a pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face during an interview .
Though I was sympathetic , I checked with my boss to confirm what I already knew : There was no erasing the story .
The point of writing the column was to help SisterHouse weather a difficult financial stretch and continue its good works .
In the same way the story was a potential roadblock to Fowler , it remained a potential benefit to SisterHouse .
I told Fowler I hoped an employer could see the strength she had shown in overcoming her difficult circumstances and regard her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was easy for me to say .
Lucky for both of us , Kirgan was such an employer .
He didn ’ t know much about Fowler ’ s past difficulties when he hired her , only that she came through Cara , probably Chicago ’ s preeminent program for helping individuals with challenging backgrounds find employment and get their lives on track .
Rush recruiters had spotted Fowler as someone who deserved an opportunity .
Kirgan agreed .
That was more than a year ago .
Much later , when Fowler mentioned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that threatened to follow her into perpetuity , Kirgan proposed a solution .
Would I be willing , he asked , to write another column , updating her accomplishments ?
“ As her manager at Rush , I can tell you that Corneisha has not been a good employee .
She ’ s been an exemplary one , ” Kirgan wrote .
Stick that in your search results .
Please .
At the hospital , Fowler told me she moved out of the recovery home last year to her own apartment , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met .
She has learned to drive and got her own car .
She ’ s taking classes at nearby Malcolm X College , hoping to pursue a degree in psychology .
And she has been sober for two years .
“ The way I ’ ve got to this point is staying true to myself and sticking to the plan that I want , ” Fowler said .
“ I want a better quality of life for myself.
” As a “ floater ” at Rush , Fowler ’ s job can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s information desks to the waiting areas of its intensive-care units .
“ I get to help people daily , ” she said .
Kirgan shared a portion of a letter he received from the wife of an extended-stay patient offering praise for Fowler .
“ She ’ s smart , kind , represents the best of Rush , ” he read aloud .
“ I don ’ t get letters like this every day , ” Kirgan said .
“ She makes an impression .
She ’ s a special kid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the rest of her co-workers love her , too.
” The next time someone Googles Corneisha Fowler , I ’ m counting on this story popping up first .

Corneisha Fowler works in guest relations at Rush University Medical Center, and her boss knows he’s lucky to have her.
Fowler is a natural at dealing with patients and family members as they confront the stress that comes with walking through the front door of any hospital, even a world-class institution like Rush.
“Corneisha has this innate knack for customer service,” said Ricardo Kirgan, Rush’s guest relations manager. “She puts people at ease. She knows how to talk to people.”
Fowler, 23, is taking college courses in hopes of someday becoming a child-protective specialist for the state Department of Children and Family Services. As her education progresses, Kirgan isn’t sure how long he’ll be able to keep her.
There’s just one thing that might hold her back.
Uh, about that.
It’s kind of my fault.
Two years ago, I wrote a column about SisterHouse, a West Side recovery home for women.
Fowler was living there at the time and volunteered to share her story of recovering from alcoholism. She kept it real, providing details that made for a more compelling story.
It was brave of her and, as she came to appreciate later, possibly a mistake.
A year after the column appeared, Fowler sent an email asking me to remove the story from online or edit out her name because it had become an obstacle to her getting a job.
As is now common practice, prospective employers would Google her name, and the first thing they’d find was my story about her past troubles. Instead of taking a chance, they took a pass. One guy threw it in her face during an interview.
Though I was sympathetic, I checked with my boss to confirm what I already knew: There was no erasing the story.
The point of writing the column was to help SisterHouse weather a difficult financial stretch and continue its good works. In the same way the story was a potential roadblock to Fowler, it remained a potential benefit to SisterHouse.
I told Fowler I hoped an employer could see the strength she had shown in overcoming her difficult circumstances and regard her past as a positive — but that was easy for me to say.
Lucky for both of us, Kirgan was such an employer. He didn’t know much about Fowler’s past difficulties when he hired her, only that she came through Cara, probably Chicago’s preeminent program for helping individuals with challenging backgrounds find employment and get their lives on track.
Rush recruiters had spotted Fowler as someone who deserved an opportunity. Kirgan agreed. That was more than a year ago.
Much later, when Fowler mentioned to him her frustration with the column that threatened to follow her into perpetuity, Kirgan proposed a solution.
Would I be willing, he asked, to write another column, updating her accomplishments?
“As her manager at Rush, I can tell you that Corneisha has not been a good employee. She’s been an exemplary one,” Kirgan wrote.
Stick that in your search results. Please.
At the hospital, Fowler told me she moved out of the recovery home last year to her own apartment, which was her main goal when we first met. She has learned to drive and got her own car. She’s taking classes at nearby Malcolm X College, hoping to pursue a degree in psychology. And she has been sober for two years.
“The way I’ve got to this point is staying true to myself and sticking to the plan that I want,” Fowler said. “I want a better quality of life for myself.”
Corneisha Fowler’s duties can take her from the hospital’s information desks to its intensive-care waiting rooms. Mark Brown / Sun-Times
As a “floater” at Rush, Fowler’s job can take her from any of the hospital’s information desks to the waiting areas of its intensive-care units.
“I get to help people daily,” she said.
Kirgan shared a portion of a letter he received from the wife of an extended-stay patient offering praise for Fowler. “She’s smart, kind, represents the best of Rush,” he read aloud.
“I don’t get letters like this every day,” Kirgan said. “She makes an impression. She’s a special kid. I couldn’t be happier, and the rest of her co-workers love her, too.”
The next time someone Googles Corneisha Fowler, I’m counting on this story popping up first.


chicagosun-times--2020-07-17--Naturalization backlog could keep many immigrants from voting in November

Rissi Pacheco didn ’ t think her voice mattered despite attending protests .
Pacheco , 30 , lived in fear because of her immigration status .
But that all changed because of a ceremony that took less than 10 minutes .
“ I ’ ve been wanting to fight full force , but I haven ’ t been able to because I can ’ t get arrested , ” said Pacheco , who was sworn in this past week as a U.S. citizen .
“ I ’ m unleashed.
” But many others hoping to become citizens are stuck in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November ’ s presidential election — because of coronavirus shutdown-related delays that have helped fuel a big backlog for naturalization .
Nationwide , more than 700,000 people had pending naturalization applications as of March 31 , according to the most recent data available from U.S .
Citizenship and Immigration Services .
In Chicago , there were 21,977 pending applications .
The Chicago figure was down from the same time period in 2018 , when 27,238 applications were pending .
The number of naturalization applicants denied rose from 479 in the first three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three months of 2020 , according to USCIS .
It will be almost impossible for those who applied in January to have their applications processed in time for the election , said Eréndira Rendón of the Resurrection Project , a community organization that focuses on immigration .
Typically , election years see an uptick in these applications .
“ People may have filed their citizenship applications late last year and earlier this year fully expecting to be processed and be sworn in time to vote in November , ” said Fred Tsao , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights , an advocacy group .
“ Having the agency shut down essentially for four months throws a huge wrench into those plans.
” In recent weeks , USCIS has begun conducting smaller and shorter ceremonies , like the one where Pacheco was sworn in , to adhere to social distancing guidelines .
The backlog has prompted Democratic and Republican politicians to urge the Trump administration to take steps to end the delays to citizenship , some suggesting remote ceremonies , The New York Times has reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ could see as many as 13,000 workers furloughed .
Some delays — such as fingerprinting applicants — are directly tied to pandemic restrictions , Tsao said .
But immigration organizations in Chicago say that , over the past few years , the federal agency increasingly has demanded more paperwork to prove work or school history in what some think is an effort to slow down the citizenship process .
Tsao said some applicants have been asked more than once for the same documents .
The Migration Policy Institute said in a recent report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues with interview notices , longer interviews and government workers asking questions not directly related to citizenship eligibility .
Rosalind Gold , the chief public policy officer for the NALEO Educational Fund , said the processing time for applications has increased from six months in 2016 to more than 13 months currently .
In Chicago , some applications could take four years to process , USCIS tells applicants .
In Latino communities , research has shown that naturalized citizens have higher rates of voter participation than Latinos born in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to vote being one of the main reasons that legal permanent residents apply , ” she said , “ the less newly naturalized citizens there are , the [ smaller ] the pool of eligible voters there would be for upcoming elections.
” Karina Ayala-Bermejo , president and chief executive officer of the Instituto del Progreso Latino , said the pandemic stopped the Chicago organization from continuing to hold forums , at which they used to process hundreds of applications .
Since the pandemic began , the organization has submitted only 28 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group works with also are concerned for relatives because of the uncertainty of how changes to immigration policy might affect non-citizens .
“ It ’ s a race to get the family in the most stable immigration position because of all the recent changes and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring , ” she said .
This past Monday in the South Loop , Paul Phillips , the branch chief of customer service for USCIS , wore a mask and gloves as he wiped down plastic chairs and prepared for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to swear in more than 100 citizens at once .
Now , the events are limited to 10 to 35 people because of social distancing .
The federal courts in Chicago , which also can conduct naturalization ceremonies , hasn ’ t scheduled any since the onset of the pandemic .
Presiding over the ceremony , Phillips told the group that typically the events are loud and filled with relatives and friends .
But they no longer can .
And they now skip over videos about American history .
This ceremony was done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the group in repeating the oath of allegiance to the United States , Phillips told the gathering , “ Congratulations , you are now United States citizens.
” Claudia Quintero , 46 , of Cary , was among the new citizens .
She ’ d applied in September , hoping to make it easier to apply for graduate school .
“ There ’ s nothing better than to be a citizen of the country where you are living , ” said Quintero , who was met after the ceremony by her husband and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become a citizen .
It had taken most of her life to get to that point , in part because she had difficulty paying the required fees .
In February , she was told her application was approved .
Months passed until she got a letter from the agency — which came in late June , on her 30th birthday — informing her about the ceremony .
“ I really have been up in the air as to when that would happen , so getting the letter on my birthday really was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doan , 32 , drove alone from Champaign to Chicago to take part in the citizenship ceremony .
He had applied in March 2019 , and his application was approved about a year later , but COVID-19 caused the agency to close .
“ I was thinking maybe I wasn ’ t going to see citizenship until November or maybe 2021 , ” Doan said .
As the months passed , he got nervous because his green card would soon expire , and he needed it to hold onto his job in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a citizen , Doan has his sights set on moving to California and seeking new job opportunities .
Edgar Diaz , 43 , of Pilsen , is among those still waiting to become a citizen .
He submitted his application in February and is waiting for an appointment for an interview and to undergo fingerprinting .
He ’ s hopeful becoming a citizen will open up opportunities to work for the government .
He said he knows the importance of voting .
But he ’ s unsure whether he will be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would hope so , but the process does look delayed , ” Diaz said in Spanish .
Elvia Malagón ’ s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust .

Rissi Pacheco didn’t think her voice mattered despite attending protests. Pacheco, 30, lived in fear because of her immigration status. But that all changed because of a ceremony that took less than 10 minutes.
“I’ve been wanting to fight full force, but I haven’t been able to because I can’t get arrested,” said Pacheco, who was sworn in this past week as a U.S. citizen. “I’m unleashed.”
But many others hoping to become citizens are stuck in limbo — for some possibly until after November’s presidential election — because of coronavirus shutdown-related delays that have helped fuel a big backlog for naturalization.
La Voz Sidebar 2023 Lea este artículo en español en La Voz Chicago.
Nationwide, more than 700,000 people had pending naturalization applications as of March 31, according to the most recent data available from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. In Chicago, there were 21,977 pending applications.
The Chicago figure was down from the same time period in 2018, when 27,238 applications were pending. The number of naturalization applicants denied rose from 479 in the first three months of 2018 to 1,008 in the first three months of 2020, according to USCIS.
It will be almost impossible for those who applied in January to have their applications processed in time for the election, said Eréndira Rendón of the Resurrection Project, a community organization that focuses on immigration. Typically, election years see an uptick in these applications.
“People may have filed their citizenship applications late last year and earlier this year fully expecting to be processed and be sworn in time to vote in November,” said Fred Tsao, the senior policy counsel for the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, an advocacy group. “Having the agency shut down essentially for four months throws a huge wrench into those plans.”
In recent weeks, USCIS has begun conducting smaller and shorter ceremonies, like the one where Pacheco was sworn in, to adhere to social distancing guidelines.
The backlog has prompted Democratic and Republican politicians to urge the Trump administration to take steps to end the delays to citizenship, some suggesting remote ceremonies, The New York Times has reported.
USCIS also faces a budget crisis that could see as many as 13,000 workers furloughed.
Some delays — such as fingerprinting applicants — are directly tied to pandemic restrictions, Tsao said.
But immigration organizations in Chicago say that, over the past few years, the federal agency increasingly has demanded more paperwork to prove work or school history in what some think is an effort to slow down the citizenship process. Tsao said some applicants have been asked more than once for the same documents.
The Migration Policy Institute said in a recent report that delays also have been caused by issues with interview notices, longer interviews and government workers asking questions not directly related to citizenship eligibility.
Rosalind Gold, the chief public policy officer for the NALEO Educational Fund, said the processing time for applications has increased from six months in 2016 to more than 13 months currently.
In Chicago, some applications could take four years to process, USCIS tells applicants.
In Latino communities, research has shown that naturalized citizens have higher rates of voter participation than Latinos born in the United States, according to Gold.
“With the right to vote being one of the main reasons that legal permanent residents apply,” she said, “the less newly naturalized citizens there are, the [smaller] the pool of eligible voters there would be for upcoming elections.”
Karina Ayala-Bermejo, president and chief executive officer of the Instituto del Progreso Latino, said the pandemic stopped the Chicago organization from continuing to hold forums, at which they used to process hundreds of applications. Since the pandemic began, the organization has submitted only 28 citizenship applications.
Ayala-Bermejo said many immigrants the group works with also are concerned for relatives because of the uncertainty of how changes to immigration policy might affect non-citizens.
“It’s a race to get the family in the most stable immigration position because of all the recent changes and the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring,” she said.
This past Monday in the South Loop, Paul Phillips, the branch chief of customer service for USCIS, wore a mask and gloves as he wiped down plastic chairs and prepared for a citizenship oath ceremony. The agency used to swear in more than 100 citizens at once. Now, the events are limited to 10 to 35 people because of social distancing.
The federal courts in Chicago, which also can conduct naturalization ceremonies, hasn’t scheduled any since the onset of the pandemic.
Paul Phillips, branch chief of customer service for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, disinfects seats before a naturalization ceremony in the South Loop. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
Presiding over the ceremony, Phillips told the group that typically the events are loud and filled with relatives and friends. But they no longer can. And they now skip over videos about American history.
This ceremony was done in just seven minutes.
After leading the group in repeating the oath of allegiance to the United States, Phillips told the gathering, “Congratulations, you are now United States citizens.”
And everyone started clapping.
Claudia Quintero, 46, of Cary, was among the new citizens. She’d applied in September, hoping to make it easier to apply for graduate school.
“There’s nothing better than to be a citizen of the country where you are living,” said Quintero, who was met after the ceremony by her husband and son.
Claudia Quintero raises her hand for the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony Monday at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ South Loop office. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
Pacheco waited eight months to become a citizen. It had taken most of her life to get to that point, in part because she had difficulty paying the required fees. In February, she was told her application was approved. Months passed until she got a letter from the agency — which came in late June, on her 30th birthday — informing her about the ceremony.
“I really have been up in the air as to when that would happen, so getting the letter on my birthday really was a surprise,” Pacheco said.
Rissi Pacheco, who’s from Belize, leaves a naturalization ceremony at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Chicago. Anthony Vazquez / Sun-Times
Kha Doan, 32, drove alone from Champaign to Chicago to take part in the citizenship ceremony. He had applied in March 2019, and his application was approved about a year later, but COVID-19 caused the agency to close.
“I was thinking maybe I wasn’t going to see citizenship until November or maybe 2021,” Doan said.
As the months passed, he got nervous because his green card would soon expire, and he needed it to hold onto his job in the automotive industry.
Now that he’s a citizen, Doan has his sights set on moving to California and seeking new job opportunities.
Edgar Diaz, 43, of Pilsen, is among those still waiting to become a citizen. He submitted his application in February and is waiting for an appointment for an interview and to undergo fingerprinting.
He’s hopeful becoming a citizen will open up opportunities to work for the government.
He said he knows the importance of voting. But he’s unsure whether he will be able to vote this year.
“I would hope so, but the process does look delayed,” Diaz said in Spanish.
Elvia Malagón’s reporting on social justice and income inequality is made possible by a grant from the Chicago Community Trust.