chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Victoria’s Secret sold to private-equity firm

NEW YORK — Victoria ’ s Secret , which once defined sexy with its leggy supermodels in their lacy bras and oversized angel wings , has a new owner .
Now , the big question is whether the once sought after but now struggling brand can be reinvented for a new generation of women demanding more comfortable styles .
The company ’ s owner , L Brands , said Thursday that the private-equity firm Sycamore Partners will buy 55 % of Victoria ’ s Secret for about $ 525 million .
The Columbus , Ohio , company will keep the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale , L Brands will be left with its Bath & Body Works chain and Victoria ’ s Secret will become a private company .
Les Wexner , 82 , who founded the parent company in 1963 , will step down as chairman and CEO after the transaction is completed and become chairman emeritus .
Wexner has been grappling with his own troubles , including questions over his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein , who was indicted on sex-trafficking charges .
The selling price for Victoria ’ s Secret signifies a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of stores that booked about $ 7 billion in revenue last year .
Shares of L Brands slid more than 7 % Thursday though they recovered somewhat by late afternoon .
Shares were down nearly 4 % , or 88 cents , to close at $ 23.42 .
In a statement , Wexner said the deal will provide the best path to restoring Victoria ’ s Secret ’ s businesses to their ’ ’ historical levels of profitability and growth.
’ ’ The deal will also allow the company to reduce debt and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and greater focus to the business , ’ ’ he said .
To successfully turn around Victoria ’ s Secret , Sycamore will need to change up the corporate culture , reinvent the fashions and redesign the stores to make them more contemporary , experts say .
Sycamore manages a $ 10 billion portfolio including such struggling retailers as Belk , Hot Topic and Talbots .
The management team at Victoria ’ s Secret essentially was designing what men want , not what women want , said Neil Saunders , managing director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very embedded in the past , ” said Saunders .
“ It was always about men feeling good .
It should be about making women feel good about themselves.
” Victoria ’ s Secret had a long unparalleled run of success .
The brand was founded by the late Roy Larson Raymond in the late 1970s after he felt embarrassed about purchasing lingerie for his wife .
Wexner , the founder of the then Limited Stores Inc. , purchased Victoria ’ s Secret in 1982 and turned it into a powerful retail force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Secret lit up runways and later filled the internet with its supermodels and an annual television special that mixed fashion , beauty and music .
That glamour has faded and so have sales in the last few years .
The show was canceled last year , and shares of Victoria Secret ’ s parent have gone from triple digits less than five years ago to a quarter of that today .
Victoria ’ s Secret struggled to keep up with competition and failed to respond to changing tastes among women who want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me and ThirdLove , which have sprouted up online and marketed themselves heavily on social media platforms like Instagram , have focused on fit and comfort while offering more options for different body types .
Meanwhile , American Eagle ’ s Aerie lingerie chain , which partners with women activists like Manuela Baron , has also lured customers away from Victoria ’ s Secret .
And in the era of the # MeToo movement , women are looking for brands that focus on positive reinforcement of their bodies .
‘ ’ Victoria ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , not make them spectacles , ’ ’ said Jon Reily , senior vice president and global head of commerce strategy at digital consultancy Isobar .
Stacey Widlitz , president of SW Retail Advisors , a retail consultancy , said that Victoria ’ s Secret designs in the last few years were going in the opposite direction of what women wanted , ever sexier and poorer quality .
And while last year Victoria ’ s Secret started featuring more diverse models , including its first openly transgender model , the moves fell short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 % drop in same-store sales during the most recent holiday season .
L Brands said Thursday that same-store sales declined 10 % at Victoria ’ s Secret during the fourth quarter .
Bath & Body Works , which has been a bright spot , enjoyed a 10 % increase .
The skincare chain represents more than 80 % of L Brands ’ operating profit .
“ The ( Victoria ’ s Secret ) brand has lost its way , while the lingerie market is not large or high growth , and has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an analyst at Jefferies , wrote Thursday .
” Furthermore , with athleisure taking over , the need for regular bras continues to wane.
” The company has also been beset by allegations of a toxic work environment and its founder recently apologized for his ties to Epstein , who was found hanged in his jail cell after his indictment .
L Brands ’ Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek resigned last August after making controversial comments about why transsexuals shouldn ’ t be models at its annual fashion event .
Epstein started managing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1980s and helped straighten out the finances for a real estate development backed by Wexner in a wealthy suburb of Columbus .
Wexner has said he completely severed ties with Epstein nearly 12 years ago and accused him of misappropriating “ vast sums ” of his fortune .
Wexner offered an apology at the opening address of L Brands ’ annual investor day last fall , saying he was “ embarrassed ” by his former ties with Epstein .
Wexner is the longest-serving CEO of an S & P 500 company .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1963 with The Limited retail chain , according to the company ’ s website .
Wexner owns approximately 16.71 % of L Brands , according to FactSet .
Mike Robbins , a San Francisco-based corporate culture expert who has advised such chains as Gap and Sephora , said the team at Victoria ’ s Secret will have to retrain workers and have more people with diverse voices .
“ ‘ They have a lot of work to do — within the company and also outside with the customers , “ Robbins said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to have great culture attract the best employees .
’ ’

NEW YORK — Victoria’s Secret, which once defined sexy with its leggy supermodels in their lacy bras and oversized angel wings, has a new owner.
Now, the big question is whether the once sought after but now struggling brand can be reinvented for a new generation of women demanding more comfortable styles.
The company’s owner, L Brands, said Thursday that the private-equity firm Sycamore Partners will buy 55% of Victoria’s Secret for about $525 million. The Columbus, Ohio, company will keep the remaining 45% stake. After the sale, L Brands will be left with its Bath & Body Works chain and Victoria’s Secret will become a private company.
Les Wexner, 82, who founded the parent company in 1963, will step down as chairman and CEO after the transaction is completed and become chairman emeritus. Wexner has been grappling with his own troubles, including questions over his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who was indicted on sex-trafficking charges.
The selling price for Victoria’s Secret signifies a marked decline for a brand with hundreds of stores that booked about $7 billion in revenue last year. Shares of L Brands slid more than 7% Thursday though they recovered somewhat by late afternoon. Shares were down nearly 4%, or 88 cents, to close at $23.42.
In a statement, Wexner said the deal will provide the best path to restoring Victoria’s Secret’s businesses to their ’’historical levels of profitability and growth.’’ The deal will also allow the company to reduce debt and Sycamore will bring a “fresh perspective and greater focus to the business, ’’ he said.
To successfully turn around Victoria’s Secret, Sycamore will need to change up the corporate culture, reinvent the fashions and redesign the stores to make them more contemporary, experts say. Sycamore manages a $10 billion portfolio including such struggling retailers as Belk, Hot Topic and Talbots.
The management team at Victoria’s Secret essentially was designing what men want, not what women want, said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.
“The brand is very embedded in the past,” said Saunders. “It was always about men feeling good. It should be about making women feel good about themselves.”
Victoria’s Secret had a long unparalleled run of success. The brand was founded by the late Roy Larson Raymond in the late 1970s after he felt embarrassed about purchasing lingerie for his wife. Wexner, the founder of the then Limited Stores Inc., purchased Victoria’s Secret in 1982 and turned it into a powerful retail force. By the mid-1990s, Victoria’s Secret lit up runways and later filled the internet with its supermodels and an annual television special that mixed fashion, beauty and music.
That glamour has faded and so have sales in the last few years. The show was canceled last year, and shares of Victoria Secret’s parent have gone from triple digits less than five years ago to a quarter of that today.
Victoria’s Secret struggled to keep up with competition and failed to respond to changing tastes among women who want more comfortable styles. Rivals like Adore Me and ThirdLove, which have sprouted up online and marketed themselves heavily on social media platforms like Instagram, have focused on fit and comfort while offering more options for different body types. Meanwhile, American Eagle’s Aerie lingerie chain, which partners with women activists like Manuela Baron, has also lured customers away from Victoria’s Secret.
And in the era of the #MeToo movement, women are looking for brands that focus on positive reinforcement of their bodies.
‘’Victoria’s Secret will need to empower women, not make them spectacles,’’ said Jon Reily, senior vice president and global head of commerce strategy at digital consultancy Isobar.
Stacey Widlitz, president of SW Retail Advisors, a retail consultancy, said that Victoria’s Secret designs in the last few years were going in the opposite direction of what women wanted, ever sexier and poorer quality.
And while last year Victoria’s Secret started featuring more diverse models, including its first openly transgender model, the moves fell short.
Victoria’s Secret suffered a 12% drop in same-store sales during the most recent holiday season. L Brands said Thursday that same-store sales declined 10% at Victoria’s Secret during the fourth quarter. Bath & Body Works, which has been a bright spot, enjoyed a 10% increase. The skincare chain represents more than 80% of L Brands’ operating profit.
“The (Victoria’s Secret) brand has lost its way, while the lingerie market is not large or high growth, and has become commoditized,“ Randal Konik, an analyst at Jefferies, wrote Thursday. ”Furthermore, with athleisure taking over, the need for regular bras continues to wane.”
The company has also been beset by allegations of a toxic work environment and its founder recently apologized for his ties to Epstein, who was found hanged in his jail cell after his indictment. L Brands’ Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek resigned last August after making controversial comments about why transsexuals shouldn’t be models at its annual fashion event.
Epstein started managing Wexner’s money in the late 1980s and helped straighten out the finances for a real estate development backed by Wexner in a wealthy suburb of Columbus. Wexner has said he completely severed ties with Epstein nearly 12 years ago and accused him of misappropriating “vast sums” of his fortune.
Wexner offered an apology at the opening address of L Brands’ annual investor day last fall, saying he was “embarrassed” by his former ties with Epstein.
Wexner is the longest-serving CEO of an S&P 500 company. He founded what would eventually become L Brands in 1963 with The Limited retail chain, according to the company’s website. Wexner owns approximately 16.71% of L Brands, according to FactSet.
Mike Robbins, a San Francisco-based corporate culture expert who has advised such chains as Gap and Sephora, said the team at Victoria’s Secret will have to retrain workers and have more people with diverse voices.
“‘They have a lot of work to do — within the company and also outside with the customers, “ Robbins said. ”The companies that are able to have great culture attract the best employees.’’


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Medical pot sales topped $23 million in January as patient count eclipsed 100K

Illinois pot shops sold over $ 23 million worth of medical weed in January as the state ’ s patient count jumped above 100,000 for the first time since the program was launched in 2014 .
The strong showing came as hordes of recreational pot users flocked to dispensaries for their first taste of legal weed .
Despite a pervasive supply shortage that took hold in the wake of recreational legalization , 55 licensed dispensaries made $ 62.6 million in total sales last month , according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation .
That included nearly $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Of the $ 23.4 million in medical pot sales in January , $ 9.8 million was spent on dried cannabis flower , which has remained in short supply across the state .
Those totals were notably lower than the final quarter of 2019 , when average monthly flower sales of $ 12.4 million accounted for nearly half of the $ 26.2 million in average total sales .
And while the patient count jumped to 102,519 , the state ’ s medical cannabis market will eventually shrink as the recreational program becomes more reliable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Brightfield Group , a Loop-based cannabis research firm .
“ When fully legalized , adult-use markets open , we typically see former patients move into typical retail dispensaries for some , if not all , sales as they find the hurdles of the medical program to be too onerous , ” said Seeger .
Seeger noted that while medical card holders can avoid lines and taxes at dispensaries , prospective patients will still have to pay doctors for certification as well as a $ 100 application fee that he described as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medical pot transactions have wound up accounting for only 5 % to 10 % of total sales in other states that have fully legalized the drug , he noted .

Illinois pot shops sold over $23 million worth of medical weed in January as the state’s patient count jumped above 100,000 for the first time since the program was launched in 2014.
The strong showing came as hordes of recreational pot users flocked to dispensaries for their first taste of legal weed. Despite a pervasive supply shortage that took hold in the wake of recreational legalization, 55 licensed dispensaries made $62.6 million in total sales last month, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. That included nearly $40 million in recreational weed sales.
Of the $23.4 million in medical pot sales in January, $9.8 million was spent on dried cannabis flower, which has remained in short supply across the state. Those totals were notably lower than the final quarter of 2019, when average monthly flower sales of $12.4 million accounted for nearly half of the $26.2 million in average total sales.
And while the patient count jumped to 102,519, the state’s medical cannabis market will eventually shrink as the recreational program becomes more reliable, said Andy Seeger, an analyst at the Brightfield Group, a Loop-based cannabis research firm.
“When fully legalized, adult-use markets open, we typically see former patients move into typical retail dispensaries for some, if not all, sales as they find the hurdles of the medical program to be too onerous,” said Seeger.
Seeger noted that while medical card holders can avoid lines and taxes at dispensaries, prospective patients will still have to pay doctors for certification as well as a $100 application fee that he described as way to discourage “tax dodging.”
Medical pot transactions have wound up accounting for only 5% to 10% of total sales in other states that have fully legalized the drug, he noted.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Blackhawks say they must ‘prepare’ better, but it’s unclear how

Jeremy Colliton said the word “ prepare ” four times in his five-minute press conference after Wednesday ’ s loss .
“ It starts tomorrow with how we practice , making sure that whatever we do , let ’ s do it with intention and like it ’ s a game , ” he said at one point .
“ When you prepare in that way , then when it becomes game time and the intensity goes up to 100 , it ’ s not that big a shock.
” There turned out to be one problem with that plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackhawks didn ’ t actually practice Thursday .
Instead , they cancelled the on-ice portion at the last minute — leaving the few expectant fans at Fifth-Third Arena , a hardy bunch as is for wanting to see this free-falling team do drills for an hour , disappointed .
The team instead held a meeting and private film session .
“ We felt the video and the meeting and discussion was more important , ” Colliton said .
“ If we ’ re [ physically ] tired , we ’ re mentally tired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to prepare ourselves mentally to play every situation with urgency that ’ s required to win .
So that ’ s the focus of today.
” In the video session , the team reviewed what snowballed in the wrong direction in the 6-3 loss to the Rangers .
On Wednesday , Colliton identified poor gap control , allowing opposing forwards to slip goal-side and being slow to recognize counter-attacks as key breakdowns .
On Thursday , he tacked on all three forwards “ caught below the puck flat-footed.
” “ You watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and some things we definitely need to work on and correct , ” Ryan Carpenter said .
“ Those are things you can think about the next 24 hours.
” Certainly , fixing strategic problems is an important task .
But 60 games into the season , there ’ s clearly something more broadly wrong with this Hawks team , and preparation could plausibly be that big issue .
Yet none of the players made available to reporters after the non-practice Thursday — Carpenter , Alex DeBrincat , Duncan Keith and trade-rumor-plagued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to what specifically the Hawks could do to prepare better .
“ I don ’ t know maybe specifically , but coming out in the first period , we ’ ve got to be ready , ” DeBrincat said .
“ We gave up a lot of chances in the first period , and that kind of trickles down to the rest of the game too .
I think , whether it ’ s talking in the locker room before the game starts and really get everyone ready to go or whatever it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out better.
” “ We know what the game plan is and what we need to do , what we have to do , ” Keith added .
“ So it ’ s up to every individual .
They ’ re in the NHL .
They know how to prepare themselves .
It ’ s up to us .
I know for myself we have a routine and stick to that kind of routine .
It ’ s not always the same , but you ’ re just ready to go mentally .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the importance of playing the right way and those types of things are going to help you prepare knowing we need to win.
” If preparedness is defined by game-day routine , there inevitably are some differences between home and road games — Patrick Kane noted before Wednesday ’ s game the 11:30 ( vs. 10:30 ) morning skate , the hotel accommodations and the team bus transportation to the arena — and the road routine seems to be working slightly better for the Hawks this year .
Neither is working well enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are actually going to change , one way or another , how they prepare because of Colliton ’ s call-outs Wednesday , they aren ’ t disclosing it .

Jeremy Colliton said the word “prepare” four times in his five-minute news conference after the loss Wednesday.
It felt like 20 times.
“It starts tomorrow with how we practice, making sure that whatever we do, let’s do it with intention and like it’s a game,” he said at one point. “When you prepare in that way, then when it becomes game time and the intensity goes up to 100, it’s not that big a shock.”
There turned out to be one problem with that plan, albeit an intentional one: the Blackhawks didn’t actually practice Thursday.
Instead, they cancelled the on-ice portion at the last minute — leaving the few expectant fans at Fifth-Third Arena disappointed. The team instead held a meeting and private film session.
“We felt the video and the meeting and discussion was more important,” Colliton said. “If we’re [physically] tired, we’re mentally tired. And we have to find a way to prepare ourselves mentally to play every situation with urgency that’s required to win. So that’s the focus of today.”
In the video session, the team reviewed what snowballed in the wrong direction in the 6-3 loss to the Rangers.
On Wednesday, Colliton identified poor gap control, allowing opposing forwards to slip goal-side and being slow to recognize counterattacks as key breakdowns. On Thursday, he tacked on all three forwards “caught below the puck flat-footed.”
“You watch clips, some good, some bad, and some things we definitely need to work on and correct,” forward Ryan Carpenter said. “Those are things you can think about the next 24 hours.”
Certainly, fixing strategic problems is an important task. But 60 games into the season, there’s clearly something wrong with this team, and preparation could be the big issue.
Yet, none of the players made available to reporters after the non-practice Thursday — Carpenter, Alex DeBrincat, Duncan Keith and trade-rumor darling Erik Gustafsson — had good answers as to what specifically the Hawks could do to prepare better.
“I don’t know maybe specifically, but coming out in the first period, we’ve got to be ready,” DeBrincat said. “We gave up a lot of chances in the first period, and that kind of trickles down to the rest of the game, too. I think, whether it’s talking in the locker room before the game starts and really get everyone ready to go or whatever it is, we just need to come out better.”
“We know what the game plan is and what we need to do, what we have to do,” Keith said. “So it’s up to every individual. They’re in the NHL. They know how to prepare themselves. It’s up to us. I know for myself we have a routine and stick to that kind of routine. It’s not always the same, but you’re just ready to go mentally. I think understanding the situation, understanding the importance of playing the right way and those types of things are going to help you prepare knowing we need to win.”
If preparedness is defined by game-day routine, there inevitably are some differences between home and road games — Patrick Kane noted before Wednesday’s game the 11:30 (vs. 10:30) morning skate, the hotel accommodations and the team bus transportation to the arena — and the road routine seems to be working slightly better for the Hawks this year.
Neither is working well enough, though.
And if the Hawks actually are going to change, one way or another, how they prepare because of Colliton’s call-outs Wednesday, they aren’t disclosing it.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Wheaton College students allowed to preach in Millennium Park, judge says

A federal judge has ordered the city to allow Wheaton College students to continue preaching in and around Millennium Park .
In a 32-page order issued Thursday , U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey granted an injunction to the college students — all members of Wheaton College ’ s Chicago Evangelism Team — that will prohibit the city from restricting their preaching in the sprawling downtown park .
The students sued the city last year , claiming security at Millennium Park prohibited them from preaching in the park and on its adjacent sidewalks — restrictions that the students said “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within a public forum.
” Another group joined as intervening defendants , alleging they were prohibited from circulating petitions in the park .
Blakey also granted an injunction in their favor that will allow them to continue passing out literature .
“ The record contains no evidence that Movants ’ protected activities unreasonably interfered with the Park ’ s art or unduly disrupted others ’ enjoyment of art or other programming , ” Blakey wrote .
“ To the contrary , ( Scott ) Stewart ( the executive director of the Millennium Park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one lodged complaints about their inability to enjoy the art ’ in the Park , even before the current Park restrictions became effective.
” “ Without any specific evidence of an actual problem in need of solving , the City fails to show a compelling state interest to justify its significant restrictions , ” the judge added .
A representative for the city ’ s Law Department did not respond to a request for comment .
A status hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for March 4 .

A federal judge has ordered the city to allow Wheaton College students to continue preaching in and around Millennium Park.
In a 32-page order issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey granted an injunction to the college students — all members of Wheaton College’s Chicago Evangelism Team — that will prohibit the city from restricting their preaching in the sprawling downtown park.
The students sued the city last year, claiming security at Millennium Park prohibited them from preaching in the park and on its adjacent sidewalks — restrictions that the students said “severely hinder First Amendment rights for all within a public forum.”
Another group joined as intervening defendants, alleging they were prohibited from circulating petitions in the park. Blakey also granted an injunction in their favor that will allow them to continue passing out literature.
“The record contains no evidence that Movants’ protected activities unreasonably interfered with the Park’s art or unduly disrupted others’ enjoyment of art or other programming,” Blakey wrote. “To the contrary, (Scott) Stewart (the executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation) conceded that ‘almost no one lodged complaints about their inability to enjoy the art’ in the Park, even before the current Park restrictions became effective.”
“Without any specific evidence of an actual problem in need of solving, the City fails to show a compelling state interest to justify its significant restrictions,” the judge added.
A representative for the city’s Law Department declined to comment.
A status hearing in the lawsuit is scheduled for March 4.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Chicago school’s ‘African animals’ assignment for Black History Month reflects a ‘failure’ of traini

Chicago school’s ‘African animals’ assignment for Black History Month reflects a ‘failure’ of training, expert says

The idea for the “ African animals ” Black History Month project that caused uproar at Sutherland Elementary School this week appears to have stemmed from a Chicago Public Schools curriculum that was never intended for use as a stand-alone assignment to teach black history .
Parents at the Beverly school were outraged their children were sent home with a letter from three white kindergarten teachers explaining the assignment that , in many cases , came attached with a picture of a monkey for them to color .
Several parents called the project racially insensitive and tone deaf , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents , for the most part , didn ’ t believe there was any ill-intent .
As it turns out , a CPS curriculum about African and African American studies lists a unit in its science section about animals from the continent , along with African weather and clothing .
But that curriculum was written for interdisciplinary use — meaning teachers are ideally supposed to use it to incorporate lessons about African and black culture into everyday lessons , not as a lone assignment .
And especially not as a Black History Month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president for programs at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History .
“ I see this as part of the failure in the training of some teachers in how to teach in urban schools , ” said Kimble , an associate professor of history at Chicago State University .
“ Folks who are not black see Black History Month as this one-off , so we have to talk about black people or black issues or Africa during February , ” Kimble said .
“ If people were thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diverse curriculum throughout the year , I think we could have completely avoided this.
” Though the animals project was the Sutherland kindergartners ’ first take-home Black History Month assignment , they had been learning in class about black inventors , black literature and black dance , according to the school ’ s principal , Margaret Burns .
Students in other grades have also worked on much more appropriate assignments , parents have said .
“ Throughout this month , the children have been engaged in thoughtful , reflective and meaningful activities that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and great works of our African American heroes .
This was not one of them , ” Burns acknowledged in a letter sent home to parents this week .
For parents , it was the choice to study African animals at all that was upsetting , because the topic has nothing to do with black American history , they said .
“ We can use this for anatomy .
We can use this to count .
But to ever think it ’ s OK to display a monkey next to very prolific African @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Valeisha Manning , whose daughter received the assignment , said Thursday .
“ That has nothing to do with the suffrage of black people , and it has nothing to do with systematic oppression.
” Kimble , the history professor , said there are plenty of age-appropriate assignments that would work for kindergartners , like studying black scientists “ to get kids thinking about black accomplishments and not just animals.
” “ We know much more about the diverse environments and economies of the people of Africa , ” he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the continent doesn ’ t do much to advance our cultural understanding of people outside the United States .
“ This is a teachable moment , ” Kimble said .
“ This is an opportunity , instead of making excuses , for the principal to make amends and have a real , real conversation and actually do something for her school .
”

The idea for the “African animals” Black History Month project that caused uproar at Sutherland Elementary School this week appears to have stemmed from a Chicago Public Schools curriculum that was never intended for use as a stand-alone assignment to teach black history.
Parents at the Beverly school were outraged their children were sent home with a letter from three white kindergarten teachers explaining the assignment that, in many cases, came attached with a picture of a monkey for them to color.
Several parents called the project racially insensitive and tone deaf, and criticized the lack of forethought. But parents, for the most part, didn’t believe there was any ill-intent.
As it turns out, a CPS curriculum about African and African American studies lists a unit in its science section about animals from the continent, along with African weather and clothing. But that curriculum was written for interdisciplinary use — meaning teachers are ideally supposed to use it to incorporate lessons about African and black culture into everyday lessons, not as a lone assignment.
And especially not as a Black History Month assignment, said Lionel Kimble, the vice president for programs at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
“I see this as part of the failure in the training of some teachers in how to teach in urban schools,” said Kimble, an associate professor of history at Chicago State University.
“Folks who are not black see Black History Month as this one-off, so we have to talk about black people or black issues or Africa during February,” Kimble said. “If people were thinking about how we could talk about this diverse curriculum throughout the year, I think we could have completely avoided this.”
Though the animals project was the Sutherland kindergartners’ first take-home Black History Month assignment, they had been learning in class about black inventors, black literature and black dance, according to the school’s principal, Margaret Burns. Students in other grades have also worked on much more appropriate assignments, parents have said.
“Throughout this month, the children have been engaged in thoughtful, reflective and meaningful activities that support their understanding of the tremendous sacrifice and great works of our African American heroes. This was not one of them,” Burns acknowledged in a letter sent home to parents this week.
For parents, it was the choice to study African animals at all that was upsetting, because the topic has nothing to do with black American history, they said.
“We can use this for anatomy. We can use this to count. But to ever think it’s OK to display a monkey next to very prolific African Americans who suffered, is offensive,” Valeisha Manning, whose daughter received the assignment, said Thursday. “That has nothing to do with the suffrage of black people, and it has nothing to do with systematic oppression.”
Kimble, the history professor, said there are plenty of age-appropriate assignments that would work for kindergartners, like studying black scientists “to get kids thinking about black accomplishments and not just animals.”
“We know much more about the diverse environments and economies of the people of Africa,” he said. “I think focusing on the wildlife of the continent doesn’t do much to advance our cultural understanding of people outside the United States.
“This is a teachable moment,” Kimble said. “This is an opportunity, instead of making excuses, for the principal to make amends and have a real, real conversation and actually do something for her school.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Another billionaire weighs in on state’s attorney’s race:  George Soros gives $2M to group backing F

Another billionaire weighs in on state’s attorney’s race:  George Soros gives $2M to group backing Foxx

A political action committee founded by liberal billionaire philanthropist — and Donald Trump nemesis — George Soros kicked $ 2 million to a committee supporting Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx in her re-election bid against three Democratic primary challengers .
A mega donor to Democrats and liberal causes , the hedge fund operator ’ s Democracy PAC transferred $ 2 million into the Illinois Justice and Public Safety PAC on Wednesday .
The justice and public safety PAC has so far spent $ 571,359.30 on mail , media and website production costs opposing Bill Conway , one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soros , worth an estimated $ 8.3 billion according to Forbes , is not the first billionaire to lay down money in the race .
Conway ’ s campaign coffers have been bolstered by donations from his dad , William E. Conway Jr. , one of the founders of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group .
More than 88 % of the challenger ’ s total warchest came from his dad , the Sun-Times found last month .
The senior Conway has a net worth of $ 3.5 billion , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the campaign is “ not coordinating with anyone related to Soros ” or with the justice and public safety committee .
That committee , which also says its goal is to oppose Conway , was created by Whitney Tymas , who also created a 2016 committee called Illinois Safety and Justice , according to a Crain ’ s report on the committee .
Soros , 89 , is the founder of Soros Fund Management LLC .
He ’ s donated more than $ 32 billion to his Open Society Foundations , which funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 100 nations , according to his web site .
Soros was a big Hillary Clinton backer and has called Trump “ a conman and the ultimate narcissist ” and said his “ politics are a malignant disease.
” He ’ s also a favorite target of Republicans and the far right .
Trump supporters frequently try to tie Soros to a variety of conspiracies .
Besides Foxx and Bill Conway , Democrats running for state ’ s attorney include former Ald .
Bob Fioretti and former prosecutor Donna More .
Two Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brien , a former Cook County circuit judge , and Christopher Pfannkuche , who ran against Foxx in 2016 .

A political action committee founded by liberal billionaire philanthropist — and Donald Trump nemesis — George Soros kicked $2 million to a committee supporting Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx in her re-election bid against three Democratic primary challengers.
A mega donor to Democrats and liberal causes, the hedge fund operator’s Democracy PAC transferred $2 million into the Illinois Justice and Public Safety PAC on Wednesday.
The justice and public safety PAC has so far spent $571,359.30 on mail, media and website production costs opposing Bill Conway, one of Foxx’s primary challengers.
Soros, worth an estimated $8.3 billion according to Forbes, is not the first billionaire to lay down money in the race.
Conway’s campaign coffers have been bolstered by donations from his dad, William E. Conway Jr., one of the founders of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group. More than 88% of the challenger’s total warchest came from his dad, the Sun-Times found last month.
The senior Conway has a net worth of $3.5 billion, according to Forbes.
A spokeswoman for Foxx said the campaign is “not coordinating with anyone related to Soros” or with the justice and public safety committee.
That committee, which also says its goal is to oppose Conway, was created by Whitney Tymas, who also created a 2016 committee called Illinois Safety and Justice, according to a Crain’s report on the committee.
Soros, 89, is the founder of Soros Fund Management LLC. He’s donated more than $32 billion to his Open Society Foundations, which funds democracy and human rights projects in more than 100 nations, according to his web site.
Soros was a big Hillary Clinton backer and has called Trump “a conman and the ultimate narcissist” and said his “politics are a malignant disease.”
Top row, left-right: Democrats Kim Foxx; Bill Conway and Donna More. Bottom row, left-right: Republicans Pat O’Brien and Christopher Pfannkuche and Democrat Bob Fioretti. File Photos. Ashlee Rezin Garcia and Rich Hein/Chicago Sun-Times files
He’s also a favorite target of Republicans and the far right. Trump supporters frequently try to tie Soros to a variety of conspiracies.
Besides Foxx and Bill Conway, Democrats running for state’s attorney include former Ald. Bob Fioretti and former prosecutor Donna More. Two Republicans are also running: Pat O’Brien, a former Cook County circuit judge, and Christopher Pfannkuche, who ran against Foxx in 2016.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--High school basketball scores

High school basketball scores

Custer Fair to leave Evanston after nearly half a century after feud with city Organizers said they decided to move @ @ @ @ @ , Indiana after poor turnout last year and new fees imposed by Evanston , which @ @ @ @ @ subsidize a private event .

Chicagoans are brutal critics when our city is on the screen. One wrong intersection or misplaced neighborhood, and we turn up our noses. ‘The Fugitive,’ now celebrating its 30th anniversary, gets it right.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-20--Lightfoot says universal basic income can’t help end poverty as city unveils anti-poverty plan

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is committed to ending poverty within a generation but she isn ’ t convinced universal basic income will do that .
“ I am about teaching people how to fish , so they can feed themselves for a lifetime , ” Lightfoot said Thursday at the Solution Toward Ending Poverty Summit at the University of Illinois at Chicago .
“ I want people to be able to stand on their own forever.
” Lightfoot said universal basic income — a theoretical financial stipend given to citizens regardless of income — will no doubt help people living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ During the day-long event , hosted by Lightfoot , the mayor ’ s office unveiled an ambitious plan to raise Chicagoans out of poverty .
City officials said starting in the spring , they will learn how poverty impacts people ’ s lives by working with residents , researchers and organizers .
This will lead to a roadmap to address the barriers that prevent residents from achieving upward economic mobility , officials said .
“ There are a lot of low hanging fruit … that we can easily get done and make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We will put out a set of specific milestones that we can reach and where people can judge us by.
” Nearly 20 % of Chicagoans , or about 520,000 people , were living below the poverty line in 2018 , according to most recent census data .
Thursday ’ s event at UIC featured panel discussions on the historical and systemic causes of poverty in Chicago , national examples for pulling people out of it and how public-private partnerships could help eradicate poverty .
Jocelyn Fontaine , a criminal justice researcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between poverty and the criminal justice system .
The reintegration of those who were imprisoned back into society puts an unruly burden on families , she said during one panel discussion .
Fontaine said the city needs to rethink the role policies play with dictating how police officers interact with communities .
“ When I think about solutions to poverty it very quickly gets into the criminal justice system and getting it out of people ’ s lives , ” Fontaine said .
Fontaine said it ’ s fundamental for policymakers to work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of poverty to learn what can be done to solve it .
It ’ s important to “ lift their voices ” up , ” Fontaine said , making it clear that investing dollars directly into communities is an anti-violence strategy .
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America , a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago ’ s South and West sides .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is committed to ending poverty within a generation but she isn’t convinced universal basic income will do that.
“I am about teaching people how to fish, so they can feed themselves for a lifetime,” Lightfoot said Thursday at the Solution Toward Ending Poverty Summit at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
“I want people to be able to stand on their own forever.”
Lightfoot said universal basic income — a theoretical financial stipend given to citizens regardless of income — will no doubt help people living in poverty but isn’t sustainable.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot hosted the Solution Toward Ending Poverty Summit where experts spoke in length about ending poverty in Chicago on Thursday. Manny Ramos/Sun-Times
During the day-long event, hosted by Lightfoot, the mayor’s office unveiled an ambitious plan to raise Chicagoans out of poverty. City officials said starting in the spring, they will learn how poverty impacts people’s lives by working with residents, researchers and organizers. This will lead to a roadmap to address the barriers that prevent residents from achieving upward economic mobility, officials said.
“There are a lot of low hanging fruit … that we can easily get done and make a huge difference,” Lightfoot said. “We will put out a set of specific milestones that we can reach and where people can judge us by.”
Nearly 20% of Chicagoans, or about 520,000 people, were living below the poverty line in 2018, according to most recent census data.
Thursday’s event at UIC featured panel discussions on the historical and systemic causes of poverty in Chicago, national examples for pulling people out of it and how public-private partnerships could help eradicate poverty.
Jocelyn Fontaine, a criminal justice researcher at the Urban Institute, drew links between poverty and the criminal justice system. The reintegration of those who were imprisoned back into society puts an unruly burden on families, she said during one panel discussion.
Fontaine said the city needs to rethink the role policies play with dictating how police officers interact with communities.
“When I think about solutions to poverty it very quickly gets into the criminal justice system and getting it out of people’s lives,” Fontaine said.
Fontaine said it’s fundamental for policymakers to work in tandem with people living in conditions of poverty to learn what can be done to solve it. It’s important to “lift their voices” up,” Fontaine said, making it clear that investing dollars directly into communities is an anti-violence strategy.
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Irish wild-game cooking: Braised Rabbit with Irish Curry and Potatoes in “Braising the Wild”

Jack Hennessy begins a series of Irish-related dishes in “ Braising the Wild ” with Braised Rabbit with Irish Curry and Potatoes .
If you had asked me to guess what he would make first , I would have never guessed this .
Here is the recipe : St. Patrick ’ s Day is less than a month away and leading up to this big Irish feast I ’ ll be sharing some of my favorite Irish wild game recipes .
Irish curry and potatoes is a favorite in Irish pubs , though the recipe is adopted from British curry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am using the word “ adopted ” loosely here .
Nevertheless , while there are a lot of spices in this sauce , it ’ s worth it , and this is one of my all-time favorites .
You are certainly welcome to substitute any white-meat game for the rabbit , though it may affect Crock Pot cooking time .
To prepare sauce , heat a thin layer of canola oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit on medium in a large skillet .
Add diced apple , onion , ginger and garlic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper .
Cook until onions and apple are soft then deglaze with malt vinegar .
Add spices and chicken stock .
Simmer for 10 minutes .
Add flour and stir thoroughly .
Put skillet contents into food processor and blend thoroughly .
Once completely blended , place back in skillet and keep on low , stirring often and careful not to burn .
Salt to taste .
To grill rabbit , heat barbecue grill until coals are red and flaming or propane is set to medium heat .
With a field-dressed rabbit , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pepper all sides .
Place pieces on grill and sear all sides .
Remove and place rabbit pieces in a Crock Pot , add 1 cup chicken stock and 1 diced honeycrisp apple .
Cover and set heat to low and timer to 4 hours .
Check after 2 hours , use two forks to separate and shred meat from bones .
After the total 4 hours , meat should easily flake from bones , even ribs .
Be CAREFUL not to serve small bones with shredded rabbit .
To prepare potatoes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into cubes .
Place diced potatoes into a large pot and cover with water .
Heat pot on high until water starts to steam .
Before water starts to boil , drain water .
Lightly salt and pepper potatoes while they dry in large pot .
Heat an inch of canola oil in a deep sauté pan on medium heat to 350 degrees .
Add potatoes and turn to heat to medium-high .
Turn potatoes often to achieve a golden texture on all sides .
Once potatoes are golden brown , remove from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To serve , add 4 ounces of potatoes to plate and cover with 5 to 6 ounces of shredded rabbit and a helping of curry sauce .
Optional : garnish with freshly minced parsley .

BRAISED RABBIT WITH IRISH CURRY AND POTATOES St. Patrick’s Day is less than a month away and leading up to this big Irish feast I’ll be sharing some of my favorite Irish wild game recipes. Irish curry and potatoes is a favorite in Irish pubs, though the recipe is adopted from British curry, which was adopted from Indian curry. I am using the word adopted loosely here. Nevertheless, while there are a lot of spices in this sauce, it’s worth it, and this is one of my all-time favorites. You are certainly welcome to substitute any white-meat game for the rabbit, though it may affect Crock Pot cooking time. Ingredients (four servings): 1 rabbit; skinned, dressed and quarter (approximately 2-1/2 pounds) Light dusting of salt and pepper 1 cup chicken stock 1 honeycrisp apple, diced 1 pound potatoes; washed, diced and fried Irish curry sauce 1 medium onion, diced 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled, seeded and diced 1 ounce freshly minced ginger 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic 1 tablespoon malt vinegar 2 cups chicken stock 2 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon brown sugar 2 tablespoons curry powder 1 tablespoons paprika 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon all-spice 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper To prepare sauce, heat a thin layer of canola oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit on medium in a large skillet. Add diced apple, onion, ginger and garlic to skillet and dust with salt and pepper. Cook until onions and apple are soft then deglaze with malt vinegar. Add spices and chicken stock. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add flour and stir thoroughly. Put skillet contents into food processor and blend thoroughly. Once completely blended, place back in skillet and keep on low, stirring often and careful not to burn. Salt to taste. To grill rabbit, heat barbecue grill until coals are red and flaming or propane is set to medium heat. With a field-dressed rabbit, quarter the rabbit and lightly salt and pepper all sides. Place pieces on grill and sear all sides. Remove and place rabbit pieces in a Crock Pot, add 1 cup chicken stock and 1 diced honeycrisp apple. Cover and set heat to low and timer to 4 hours. Check after 2 hours, use two forks to separate and shred meat from bones. After the total 4 hours, meat should easily flake from bones, even ribs. Be CAREFUL not to serve small bones with shredded rabbit. To prepare potatoes, wash 1 pound of potatoes and dice into cubes. Place diced potatoes into a large pot and cover with water. Heat pot on high until water starts to steam. Before water starts to boil, drain water. Lightly salt and pepper potatoes while they dry in large pot. Heat an inch of canola oil in a deep sauté pan on medium heat to 350 degrees. Add potatoes and turn to heat to medium-high. Turn potatoes often to achieve a golden texture on all sides. Once potatoes are golden brown, remove from oil and set on a napkin-covered plate. To serve, add 4 ounces of potatoes to plate and cover with 5 to 6 ounces of shredded rabbit and a helping of curry sauce. Optional: garnish with freshly minced parsley.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Dear Abby: Daughter responds with anger to mom’s wedding question

DEAR ABBY : My daughter , “ Heidi , ” is 39 .
She is successful , owns her own business and lives with her boyfriend of five years .
I ’ ll call him Rick .
They have two beautiful boys , 3 and 18 months .
She has decided to tie the knot with Rick with a nice , somewhat big wedding .
As Heidi has gotten older , she has been changing into a different person .
She has become self-centered and controlling , and she puts Rick down cruelly at times .
I think he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just not for her .
I really don ’ t know because I stay out of their lives .
What ’ s making me uncomfortable is , my daughter has told only me that she ’ s doing all this wedding stuff without getting an actual marriage license .
I don ’ t even know if Rick is aware .
I looked this up and saw that some people are now having what ’ s called “ commitment ceremonies.
” When I tried to talk to her about it , she became defensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent me a long , nasty email .
So now I just step back .
When I think of the guests ( 100 to 150 ) , I feel she should be honest and call it what it is .
We are presently not communicating because I won ’ t respond to that kind of email .
I won ’ t argue with her .
But I don ’ t know where to go at this point .
I ’ m worried about her state of mind .
She is supposedly seeing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I suggested she and Rick get marriage counseling .
I would love to hear your thoughts .
— TRADITIONAL MOM IN THE EAST DEAR TRADITIONAL MOM : Your daughter is an adult , and if you refuse to have anything to do with this charade , I would understand .
When guests are invited to a “ wedding , ” gifts are expected .
If it ’ s a production that ’ s only for show , the couple is committing fraud and taking advantage of the generosity of their guests .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out a marriage license , which BOTH must sign .
No license , no marriage .
Unless your daughter ’ s boyfriend is completely clueless , she won ’ t be able to slip this by him .
Although people do have commitment ceremonies these days , guests should be told that is what they will be witnessing , and both partners should agree on it .
DEAR ABBY : I have been married to a wonderful man for 20 years .
It has been a pretty good marriage .
I have tolerated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rudeness to me , although I have no problem speaking up when I need to , and my husband always defends me as well .
My father-in-law recently passed , and I adored him .
For his wake , my two sisters-in-law made a slide show of his life with hundreds of family photos .
There was not one single photo of my father-in-law and me .
I feel it was the final straw .
I have no more room in my heart and life for them .
Am I being too sensitive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to them since the funeral .
I really need your advice on this .
— PICTURING IT OVER IN TEXAS DEAR PICTURING IT : I ’ m glad you asked .
Please accept my sympathy for the loss of someone so close to your heart .
But as close as you felt to him , your sisters-in-law had just lost their father .
I ’ m sure they were ( and are ) grieving and didn ’ t use his death as an opportunity to slight you .
I sincerely hope you and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight to cause a permanent rift in the family .
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 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: My daughter, “Heidi,” is 39. She is successful, owns her own business and lives with her boyfriend of five years. I’ll call him Rick. They have two beautiful boys, 3 and 18 months. She has decided to tie the knot with Rick with a nice, somewhat big wedding.
As Heidi has gotten older, she has been changing into a different person. She has become self-centered and controlling, and she puts Rick down cruelly at times. I think he’s a good guy, but maybe just not for her. I really don’t know because I stay out of their lives.
What’s making me uncomfortable is, my daughter has told only me that she’s doing all this wedding stuff without getting an actual marriage license. I don’t even know if Rick is aware. I looked this up and saw that some people are now having what’s called “commitment ceremonies.” When I tried to talk to her about it, she became defensive, cut me off, and then sent me a long, nasty email. So now I just step back.
When I think of the guests (100 to 150), I feel she should be honest and call it what it is. We are presently not communicating because I won’t respond to that kind of email. I won’t argue with her. But I don’t know where to go at this point. I’m worried about her state of mind. She is supposedly seeing a therapist, and a few weeks back I suggested she and Rick get marriage counseling. I would love to hear your thoughts. — TRADITIONAL MOM IN THE EAST
DEAR TRADITIONAL MOM: Your daughter is an adult, and if you refuse to have anything to do with this charade, I would understand. When guests are invited to a “wedding,” gifts are expected. If it’s a production that’s only for show, the couple is committing fraud and taking advantage of the generosity of their guests.
When couples marry, they must first take out a marriage license, which BOTH must sign. No license, no marriage. Unless your daughter’s boyfriend is completely clueless, she won’t be able to slip this by him. Although people do have commitment ceremonies these days, guests should be told that is what they will be witnessing, and both partners should agree on it.
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to a wonderful man for 20 years. It has been a pretty good marriage. I have tolerated a few of his family members’ rudeness to me, although I have no problem speaking up when I need to, and my husband always defends me as well.
My father-in-law recently passed, and I adored him. For his wake, my two sisters-in-law made a slide show of his life with hundreds of family photos. There was not one single photo of my father-in-law and me. I feel it was the final straw. I have no more room in my heart and life for them. Am I being too sensitive? My husband hasn’t spoken to them since the funeral. I really need your advice on this. — PICTURING IT OVER IN TEXAS
DEAR PICTURING IT: I’m glad you asked. Please accept my sympathy for the loss of someone so close to your heart. But as close as you felt to him, your sisters-in-law had just lost their father. I’m sure they were (and are) grieving and didn’t use his death as an opportunity to slight you. I sincerely hope you and your husband won’t allow their oversight to cause a permanent rift in the family.
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.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--ESPN’s Dwyane Wade film a candid look at NBA star on and off the court

For those of us in the Chicago area who have known Dwyane Wade ’ s name since he was standout at Richards High School in Oak Lawn , it ’ s almost startling to realize he ’ s just 38 years old .
From leading Marquette to a Final Four appearance in 2003 to an Olympic gold medal to three NBA championships with the Miami Heat to a late-career stop with the Bulls to a high-profile custody battle to his romance with the actress Gabrielle Union , Wade has lived under the brightest of spotlights for nearly two decades .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wade forever , but , of course , we ’ ve just known ABOUT him for a long time .
Now , with ESPN ’ s intimate and candid ( albeit borderline hagiography ) documentary “ D .
Wade : Life Unexpected , ” we ’ re given unprecedented access to Wade ’ s journey on and off the court , from his hardscrabble upbringing to his early stardom to his growth as a person and as a father to the curtain call on his NBA career .
“ D .
Wade : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Wade in bed , rubbing the sleep and tears from his eyes .
It ’ s the morning after Wade ’ s final home game in Miami , and the cameras are right there — just as they ’ ve been a nearly constant presence in Wade ’ s adult life .
The documentary has the expected bounty of archival highlight clips as well as standard , talking-head interviews conducted for this film — but the most interesting material is the home-video style footage of Wade waking up to his post-basketball life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his children , including 12-year-old Zaya , who has come out as a transgender girl .
After the initial glimpse of Dwyane Wade the fully formed superstar , we go back to the beginning , when Wade was growing up in unimaginably tough circumstances in the Washington Park neighborhood on the South Side .
His mother Jolinda was a heroin addict who was in and out of prison .
His father Dwayne Wade Sr. , an Army veteran , had a drinking problem .
They were often virtual strangers in their son @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought she did a great job of hiding [ things ] from me , ” says Wade .
“ And I was , like , ‘ Mom , I watched you shoot up.
’ In her addiction , she didn ’ t compute that I was sitting right there.
” Both of Wade ’ s parents are now in his life .
To their credit , each sat for interviews in which they offer unblinking recollections and admissions about their past issues .
“ Life Unexpected ” follows Wade through his college days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dormant program , was adored by the fan base and achieved All-American status — but nearly quit school when he and his childhood sweetheart were expecting a child .
Marquette ’ s then-head coach Tom Crean was instrumental in mentoring Wade and keeping him focused on basketball as a way to make a name for himself and support his family .
Cut to the NBA and Wade being picked fifth in the 2003 draft , going to the Miami Heat , where he would win one championship with Shaquille O ’ Neal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Life Unexpected ” doesn ’ t shy from chronicling the long and bitter custody battle for Wade ’ s two oldest children , which played out in Chicago courtrooms and in the news media before Wade won sole custody ; his acrimonious split from the Heat and Pat Riley ; and the moment Wade had to tell Gabrielle Union he had fathered a child with another woman while he and Union were on a break .
The “ unexpected ” theme continues with Zaya coming out to her dad , who acknowledges this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t prepared .
“ When I was a kid , I never knew if I was around someone who was gay or transgender , ” he says .
“ So when Zaya came out to us , I had to get educated … and I ’ m still being educated .
“ So , when my child comes home to say , ‘ Hey Dad , I feel that I am a she , ’ my job is to help you become who you are , but I ’ m not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you how you see you .
I stand for you.
” .
Wade and the filmmakers received Zaya ’ s blessing to include a private conversation he had with Zaya in which she says , “ What ’ s the point of being on this Earth if you ’ re going to try to be someone you ’ re not ?
It ’ s like you ’ re not living as yourself .
I feel like it ’ s VERY worth it when you reach that point of [ being ] yourself.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it with the world , just might be the most impressive legacy yet for Wade in this life unexpected .

For those of us in the Chicago area who have known Dwyane Wade’s name since he was standout at Richards High School in Oak Lawn, it’s almost startling to realize he’s just 38 years old.
From leading Marquette to a Final Four appearance in 2003 to an Olympic gold medal to three NBA championships with the Miami Heat to a late-career stop with the Bulls to a high-profile custody battle to his romance with the actress Gabrielle Union, Wade has lived under the brightest of spotlights for nearly two decades.
‘D. Wade: Life Unexpected’
Untitled ESPN Films presents a documentary directed by Bob Metelus. Premieres at 8 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.
It feels like we’ve known Wade forever, but, of course, we’ve just known ABOUT him for a long time. Now, with ESPN’s intimate and candid (albeit borderline hagiography) documentary “D. Wade: Life Unexpected,” we’re given unprecedented access to Wade’s journey on and off the court, from his hardscrabble upbringing to his early stardom to his growth as a person and as a father to the curtain call on his NBA career.
“D. Wade: Life Unexpected” begins with a close-up of Wade in bed, rubbing the sleep and tears from his eyes. It’s the morning after Wade’s final home game in Miami, and the cameras are right there — just as they’ve been a nearly constant presence in Wade’s adult life.
The documentary has the expected bounty of archival highlight clips as well as standard, talking-head interviews conducted for this film — but the most interesting material is the home-video style footage of Wade waking up to his post-basketball life, hosting family get-togethers and spending time with his children, including 12-year-old Zaya, who has come out as a transgender girl.
After the initial glimpse of Dwyane Wade the fully formed superstar, we go back to the beginning, when Wade was growing up in unimaginably tough circumstances in the Washington Park neighborhood on the South Side.
His mother Jolinda was a heroin addict who was in and out of prison. His father Dwayne Wade Sr., an Army veteran, had a drinking problem. They were often virtual strangers in their son’s upbringing.
“My mother thought she did a great job of hiding [things] from me,” says Wade. “And I was, like, ‘Mom, I watched you shoot up.’ In her addiction, she didn’t compute that I was sitting right there.”
Both of Wade’s parents are now in his life. To their credit, each sat for interviews in which they offer unblinking recollections and admissions about their past issues.
“Life Unexpected” follows Wade through his college days at Marquette, where he revitalized a dormant program, was adored by the fan base and achieved All-American status — but nearly quit school when he and his childhood sweetheart were expecting a child. Marquette’s then-head coach Tom Crean was instrumental in mentoring Wade and keeping him focused on basketball as a way to make a name for himself and support his family.
Marquette coach Tom Crean looks on Dwyane Wade announces his availability for the NBA draft in 2003. AP
Cut to the NBA and Wade being picked fifth in the 2003 draft, going to the Miami Heat, where he would win one championship with Shaquille O’Neal and two more with LeBron James.
(Conventional wisdom says that, in the summer of 2010, Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron secretly agreed to sign with the Heat and form an instant powerhouse, and indeed Wade thought they were all onboard — but, as we see in the doc, LeBron had ghosted D. Wade in the days leading up to “The Decision,” and Dwyane actually held a viewing party at his house. Like everyone else, he found out James was coming to Miami when James announced it on ESPN.)
“Life Unexpected” doesn’t shy from chronicling the long and bitter custody battle for Wade’s two oldest children, which played out in Chicago courtrooms and in the news media before Wade won sole custody; his acrimonious split from the Heat and Pat Riley; and the moment Wade had to tell Gabrielle Union he had fathered a child with another woman while he and Union were on a break.
The “unexpected” theme continues with Zaya coming out to her dad, who acknowledges this is something for which he wasn’t prepared.
“When I was a kid, I never knew if I was around someone who was gay or transgender,” he says. “So when Zaya came out to us, I had to get educated … and I’m still being educated.
“So, when my child comes home to say, ‘Hey Dad, I feel that I am a she,’ my job is to help you become who you are, but I’m not going to change who you are. I see you how you see you. I stand for you.”.
Wade and the filmmakers received Zaya’s blessing to include a private conversation he had with Zaya in which she says, “What’s the point of being on this Earth if you’re going to try to be someone you’re not? It’s like you’re not living as yourself. I feel like it’s VERY worth it when you reach that point of [being] yourself.”
“Feeling free, feeling like you,” says Wade.
That support for Zaya, and sharing it with the world, just might be the most impressive legacy yet for Wade in this life unexpected.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Maxwell Street blues singer Little Al Thomas, dead at 89, had his first record at 69

After 32 years of working in a steel mill , at a time of life when most people are kicking back and taking it easy , “ Little Al ” Thomas was diving headfirst into a new career — singing the blues .
In his 60s , he and the Crazy House Band performed on the East Coast from Maine to Key West ’ s Margaritaville resort .
He was 69 when Cannonball Records released his first album , “ South Side Story.
” He and the Crazy House Band wound up getting booked to play the Lucerne Blues Festival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CD , “ In the House ” on CrossCut Records .
At 86 , he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame .
Mr. Thomas , 89 , died Tuesday at his home in the Prairie Shores Apartments on the South Side of complications of old age , according to his wife Edwina .
They met about 26 years ago when he was singing at Lee ’ s Unleaded Blues , 7401 S. South Chicago Ave. “ I thought he was the greatest blues singer that I ’ d ever heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s from New Orleans .
“ I thought he was a fellow Southerner .
I was impressed that someone born in Chicago and raised in Chicago had that sound .
Oh , my God , he was little , and he had this giant voice.
” He was a showman , according to Justin O ’ Brien , who wrote about him in 2011 for Living Blues Magazine .
When Mr. Thomas sang “ Somebody Done Changed that Lock on My Door , ” he would take out his keys and jangle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ‘ Feel So Good , ’ which opens , ‘ I got a letter , came to me by mail , ’ he flourishes an envelope from inside his jacket , ” O ’ Brien wrote for the magazine .
He was born Albert Thomas in Cook County Hospital to parents from Lutcher , Louisiana .
“ My mother and grandmother had records they had brought from the South in 1926 .
And I used to climb up on a box and wind the old Victrola and listen to the records , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They had Mama Rainey and another woman called Black Patti , and they had some old spirituals .
I don ’ t know who was playin , ’ but it had a groove , you know .
And my grandmother , she would bang on the piano.
” His wife said he ’ d sing while walking to Medill grade school .
He ’ d listen to the blues being played on Maxwell Street .
A few blocks away , he was immersed in gospel at the family church , Zion Hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes performed , according to Living Blues .
“ Al had just this sort of combination of real grit and elegance when he sang , ” said John Edelmann , his guitarist with the Crazy House Band , which also featured Tom “ Mot ” Dutko and Ed Galchick .
Mr. Thomas told O ’ Brien that , in the 1940s , he liked seeing Tampa Red and Big Maceo Merriweather play Club Zanzibar at 13th and Ashland and hearing Otis Rush at the 708 club at 708 E. 47th St .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steel , he began singing in the 1960s on Maxwell Street and at clubs around Chicago .
His wife said he opened for Bobby “ Blue ” Bland and performed on the same bills with Lefty Dizz .
He often played the Spitz Diner & Lounge at 7149 S. South Chicago Ave. and the Leather Lounge at 69th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive .
In 2010 , “ Not My Warden ” was released on the Blues Boulevard label , featuring Little Al Thomas and the Deep Down Fools , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Rob Waters .
He and the band played the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival that year .
He also performed at the Chicago Blues Festival and Buddy Guy ’ s Legends .
Mr. Thomas loved old Westerns , especially the ones with celluloid cowboy Randolph Scott , a reliably rugged star of the genre from the 1930s to the 1960s .
He watched them so much that he could even spot Scott ’ s favorite mount , Stardust .
He and his wife enjoyed going to the French Quarter Festival each year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he liked to make red beans and rice , gumbo and jambalaya .
In addition to his wife , he is survived by nieces Linda Thomas , Phyllis Leshoure and Beverly Egonmwan , nephew Gregory and many great-nieces and great-nephews .
Services are pending .

After 32 years of working in a steel mill, at a time of life when most people are kicking back and taking it easy, “Little Al” Thomas was diving headfirst into a new career — singing the blues.
In his 60s, he and the Crazy House Band performed on the East Coast from Maine to Key West’s Margaritaville resort.
He was 69 when Cannonball Records released his first album, “South Side Story.”
He and the Crazy House Band wound up getting booked to play the Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland, which led to another CD, “In the House” on CrossCut Records.
Little Al Thomas singing at a blues festival in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, in 2001. Gene Tomko
At 86, he was inducted into the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame.
Mr. Thomas, 89, died Wednesday at his home in the Prairie Shores Apartments on the South Side of complications of old age, according to his wife Edwina.
They met about 26 years ago when he was singing at Lee’s Unleaded Blues, 7401 S. South Chicago Ave.
Blues singer Little Al Thomas. Provided photo
“I thought he was the greatest blues singer that I’d ever heard,” said his wife, who’s from New Orleans. “I thought he was a fellow Southerner. I was impressed that someone born in Chicago and raised in Chicago had that sound. Oh, my God, he was little, and he had this giant voice.”
He was a showman, according to Justin O’Brien, who wrote about him in 2011 for Living Blues Magazine. When Mr. Thomas sang “Somebody Done Changed that Lock on My Door,” he would take out his keys and jangle them.
“And on Chuck Willis’ ‘Feel So Good,’ which opens, ‘I got a letter, came to me by mail,’ he flourishes an envelope from inside his jacket,” O’Brien wrote for the magazine.
He was born Albert Thomas in Cook County Hospital to parents from Lutcher, Louisiana.
“My mother and grandmother had records they had brought from the South in 1926. And I used to climb up on a box and wind the old Victrola and listen to the records,” he told O’Brien. “They had Mama Rainey and another woman called Black Patti, and they had some old spirituals. I don’t know who was playin,’ but it had a groove, you know. And my grandmother, she would bang on the piano.”
His wife said he’d sing while walking to Medill grade school.
He’d listen to the blues being played on Maxwell Street. A few blocks away, he was immersed in gospel at the family church, Zion Hill Baptist, where the legendary Mahalia Jackson sometimes performed, according to Living Blues.
“Al had just this sort of combination of real grit and elegance when he sang,” said John Edelmann, his guitarist with the Crazy House Band, which also featured Tom “Mot” Dutko and Ed Galchick.
Mr. Thomas told O’Brien that, in the 1940s, he liked seeing Tampa Red and Big Maceo Merriweather play Club Zanzibar at 13th and Ashland and hearing Otis Rush at the 708 club at 708 E. 47th St.
When he wasn’t working at U.S. Steel, he began singing in the 1960s on Maxwell Street and at clubs around Chicago. His wife said he opened for Bobby “Blue” Bland and performed on the same bills with Lefty Dizz.
He often played the Spitz Diner & Lounge at 7149 S. South Chicago Ave. and the Leather Lounge at 69th Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
In 2010, “Not My Warden” was released on the Blues Boulevard label, featuring Little Al Thomas and the Deep Down Fools, including Edelmann, Galchick, Marty Binder and Rob Waters.
He and the band played the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival that year.
He also performed at the Chicago Blues Festival and Buddy Guy’s Legends.
Mr. Thomas loved old Westerns, especially the ones with celluloid cowboy Randolph Scott, a reliably rugged star of the genre from the 1930s to the 1960s. He watched them so much that he could even spot Scott’s favorite mount, Stardust.
He and his wife enjoyed going to the French Quarter Festival each year. Inspired by her New Orleans roots, he liked to make red beans and rice, gumbo and jambalaya.
Little Al Thomas sings at the Chicago Blues Festival in 2000. Gene Tomko
In addition to his wife, he is survived by nieces Linda Thomas, Phyllis Leshoure and Beverly Egonmwan, nephew Gregory and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Feb. 29 followed by a 10 a.m. service at Gatling’s Chapel, 10133 S. Halsted St., with burial at Lincoln Cemetery at 123rd Street and Kedzie Avenue.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Chicago Public Schools sue parking biz owned by Joe Berrios’ son-in-law for $366K

A son-in-law of former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios is being sued by the Chicago Public Schools , which says he failed to pay “ no less than ” $ 366,000 under deals that allowed his company to park cars at 10 elementary schools , mostly for baseball fans going to Cubs games last year .
According to the lawsuit filed in Cook County circuit court , James T. Weiss and his parking business stopped paying CPS last April for the right to park cars at three schools closest to Wrigley Field — but kept charging customers to park there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former state Rep. Maria “ Toni ” Berrios , has co-owned several parking companies , including Blk & Wht Valet LLC , which has contracted with individual CPS schools near sporting facilities for about eight years to use their parking lots .
On Nov. 19 , Weiss told CPS his company would no longer be parking cars on school property .
That was in a phone call shortly after the Chicago Tribune reported his offices were raided as part of the federal investigation of now-former state Rep Luis Arroyo .
Arroyo has since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involving unregulated video gambling machines .
Weiss — who also owns Collage LLC , which operates unregulated video terminals known as sweepstakes machines — has been lobbying state and city officials to legalize the machines .
Weiss , 41 , of River Grove , hasn ’ t been charged with any crime .
He couldn ’ t be reached for comment .
His partner , restaurateur Iman Bambooyani , 38 , of Chicago , said he would call back but didn ’ t .
Born and raised in Bridgeport , Weiss comes from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edward J. Murray , his grandfather , was deputy to former city Treasurer Miriam Santos and was part-owner of two restaurants at Navy Pier .
Weiss ’ s mother Mary Murray runs Benton House , a Bridgeport charity that has long been supported by the Daley family .
On Nov. 13 — after Weiss ’ office was raided — his mother replaced him as chairman and treasurer of the Alliance of Illinois Taxpayers , a political action committee supported by personal injury lawyers with ties to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan , D-Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , CPS says he told them he was ending his company ’ s agreements to park cars on school property “ effective immediately.
” But , according to the lawsuit , Weiss continued to park cars at Blaine Elementary School until Dec.12 for patrons of the nearby Mercury Theater and the Music Box Theater .
CPS says Weiss , Bambooyani and their companies breached their agreements with the schools , failing to pay “ no less than $ 366,067.33 to date plus 5 % interest ” even as they kept parking cars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to receive income from customers for the parking services while not fulfilling its payments , ” according to the lawsuit .
Most of the money — at least $ 318,000 — is owed to Inter-American Magnet School , which is four blocks east of Wrigley Field .
Weiss was supposed to pay the school $ 31,800 a month , but he tried repeatedly to get CPS to cut the monthly payment , saying taxes and ride-sharing companies were cutting into his profits .
CPS also rejected Weiss ’ efforts to cancel the deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Wht began skipping payments last April to three schools that had been getting that extra income thanks to their proximity to Wrigley Field : Inter-American , Blaine and Brennemann .
In November , the company began skipping payments to seven other schools , according to CPS : Alcott , New Field , Goudy , McCutcheon , Suder Montessori Magnet , Franklin and Walt Disney Magnet .
Altogether , the CPS lawsuit says the schools are owed $ 366,000 — but the individual losses listed for each school add up to about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun-Times investigation found that Weiss ’ company employed a convicted child sex offender to park cars at the Inter-American lot adjacent to its playground while children were playing there , a violation of state law .
The parking company ’ s contracts with CPS required it to do fingerprint-based crimninal-background checks with the FBI and the Illinois State Police on employees “ who may have contact with CPS students.
” CPS decided the company ’ s employees “ do not interact with CPS students , ” so Blk & Wht wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the school system later amended its deals with the parking company , eliminating the provision about background checks at the same time it stepped up checks for its own employees and volunteers

A son-in-law of former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios is being sued by the Chicago Public Schools, which says he failed to pay “no less than” $366,000 under deals that allowed his company to park cars at 10 elementary schools, mostly for baseball fans going to Cubs games last year.
According to the lawsuit filed in Cook County circuit court, James T. Weiss and his parking business stopped paying CPS last April for the right to park cars at three schools closest to Wrigley Field — but kept charging customers to park there anyway.
Weiss, the husband of former state Rep. Maria “Toni” Berrios, has co-owned several parking companies, including Blk & Wht Valet LLC, which has contracted with individual CPS schools near sporting facilities for about eight years to use their parking lots.
On Nov. 19, Weiss told CPS his company would no longer be parking cars on school property. That was in a phone call shortly after the Chicago Tribune reported his offices were raided as part of the federal investigation of now-former state Rep Luis Arroyo. Arroyo has since been charged in a federal bribery case involving unregulated video gambling machines.
Weiss — who also owns Collage LLC, which operates unregulated video terminals known as sweepstakes machines — has been lobbying state and city officials to legalize the machines.
Weiss, 41, of River Grove, hasn’t been charged with any crime. He couldn’t be reached for comment.
His partner, restaurateur Iman Bambooyani, 38, of Chicago, said he would call back but didn’t.
Their lawyer Raymond Sanguinetti wouldn’t comment.
Born and raised in Bridgeport, Weiss comes from a family with deep political connections.
Edward J. Murray, his grandfather, was deputy to former city Treasurer Miriam Santos and was part owner of two restaurants at Navy Pier.
Weiss’s mother Mary Murray runs Benton House, a Bridgeport charity that has long been supported by the Daley family.
On Nov. 13 — after Weiss’ office was raided — his mother replaced him as chairwoman and treasurer of the Alliance of Illinois Taxpayers, a political action committee supported by personal injury lawyers with ties to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago.
Six days later, on Nov. 19, CPS says he told them he was ending his company’s agreements to park cars on school property “effective immediately.”
But, according to the lawsuit, Weiss continued to park cars at Blaine Elementary School until Dec. 12 for patrons of the nearby Mercury Theater and the Music Box Theater.
CPS says Weiss, Bambooyani and their companies breached their agreements with the schools, failing to pay “no less than $366,067.33 to date plus 5% interest” even as they kept parking cars on school lots.
“Defendants continued to receive income from customers for the parking services while not fulfilling its payments,” according to the lawsuit.
Most of the money — at least $318,000 — is owed to Inter-American Magnet School, which is four blocks east of Wrigley Field. Weiss was supposed to pay the school $31,800 a month, but he tried repeatedly to get CPS to cut the monthly payment, saying taxes and ride-sharing companies were cutting into his profits. CPS also rejected Weiss’ efforts to cancel the deals.
Inter-American’s principal and Local School Council co-chairs didn’t return messages seeking comment.
According to the lawsuit, Blk & Wht began skipping payments last April to three schools that had been getting that extra income thanks to their proximity to Wrigley Field: Inter-American, Blaine and Brennemann.
In November, the company began skipping payments to seven other schools, according to CPS: Alcott, New Field, Goudy, McCutcheon, Suder Montessori Magnet, Franklin and Walt Disney Magnet.
Altogether, the CPS lawsuit says the schools are owed $366,000 — but the individual losses listed for each school add up to about $450,000.
A CPS spokeswoman wouldn’t explain that discrepancy.
In 2018, a Chicago Sun-Times investigation found that Weiss’ company employed a convicted child sex offender to park cars at the Inter-American lot adjacent to its playground while children were playing there, a violation of state law. The parking company’s contracts with CPS required it to do fingerprint-based criminal-background checks with the FBI and the Illinois State Police on employees “who may have contact with CPS students.”
CPS decided the company’s employees “do not interact with CPS students,” so Blk & Wht wasn’t required to check its workers’ backgrounds. But the school system later amended its deals with the parking company, eliminating the provision about background checks at the same time it stepped up checks for its own employees and volunteers.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--ENDORSEMENT: Cristina Castro for Illinois Senate in 22nd District Democratic primary

State Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin has played a major role in the passage of some of the more meaningful new laws to come out of Springfield in the last two years .
Castro was chief sponsor of a bill last fall to consolidate some 650 pension funds for suburban and downstate police officers and firefighters , a reform sure to save taxpayers millions of dollars .
She also sponsored an amendment to the Equal Pay Act to prohibit employers from asking about a job applicant ’ s current salary , which employers will sometimes do so that they can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job .
Castro sponsored an expansion of the Illinois Human Rights Act , making it possible for workers at even the smallest companies to seek relief for work-related discrimination and retaliation .
She also sponsored a bill that prohibits landlords from threatening to evict or report tenants to federal authorities over their immigration status .
And Castro was instrumental in the passage of a bill to allow drivers to choose a gender-neutral option on their driver ’ s licenses , a change in the law supported by Equality Illinois , which advocates for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a productive state senator .
We endorse her .
Also running is Rae Yawer , a member of the Streamwood Park District board .
For more information about this race and others , including candidate questionnaires , go to our Illinois primary voting guide .
Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and , in some cases , politically active investors ; for details , see our owner information page .

State Sen. Cristina Castro of Elgin has played a major role in the passage of some of the more meaningful new laws to come out of Springfield in the last two years.
Castro was chief sponsor of a bill last fall to consolidate some 650 pension funds for suburban and downstate police officers and firefighters, a reform sure to save taxpayers millions of dollars. She also sponsored an amendment to the Equal Pay Act to prohibit employers from asking about a job applicant’s current salary, which employers will sometimes do so that they can lowball their salary offer for the new job.
Castro sponsored an expansion of the Illinois Human Rights Act, making it possible for workers at even the smallest companies to seek relief for work-related discrimination and retaliation. She also sponsored a bill that prohibits landlords from threatening to evict or report tenants to federal authorities over their immigration status.
And Castro was instrumental in the passage of a bill to allow drivers to choose a gender-neutral option on their driver’s licenses, a change in the law supported by Equality Illinois, which advocates for the rights of LGBTQ people.
Castro is a productive state senator. We endorse her.
Also running is Rae Yawer, a member of the Streamwood Park District board.
Illinois Senate 22nd District map. Illustration by Caroline Hurley
For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois primary voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--FBI files on Ali, Hemingway, Hef, Wright, Bradbury, Disney and 4 other celebs with Illinois ties

Share All sharing options for : FBI files on Ali , Hemingway , Hef , Wright , Bradbury , Disney and 4 other celebs with Illinois ties The FBI has kept tabs on plenty of people over the years , including a host of celebrities with ties to Chicago or the state of Illinois .
These writers , actors and athletes , all now dead , were named in FBI records for a multitude of reasons , even if they weren ’ t the subject of an investigation , according to records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times that are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The FBI Files ” database .
Ernest Hemingway — raised in Oak Park and known for books including “ The Sun Also Rises ” and “ A Farewell to Arms ” — attracted the FBI ’ s attention while living in Cuba in the 1940s .
Hemingway passed along information to the American embassy in Havana , Cuba , which forwarded it to the FBI , records show .
But his tips weren ’ t always trusted .
“ His judgment is not of the best , ” FBI director J. Edgar Hoover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wright , the author of “ Native Son ” and “ Black Boy , ” joined the Communist Party during the 1930s before breaking with the party later in the decade .
He was the subject of a “ security type investigation ” in the 1940s , FBI records say .
Wright , who lived in Chicago for a time , published an article called “ I Tried to Be a Communist , ” which criticized the party for its handling of racial situations .
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is mentioned in nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to by his birth name Cassius Clay , Ali was mentioned concerning the political and religious stances of the Nation of Islam , of which he was a member , documents show .
Ali , who died in 2016 , lived in Kenwood on the South Side for years .
He “ preferred dying outright or going to jail than going into the Army , ” according to the files , which also touch on his opposition to the draft .
Ray Bradbury , the author of “ Fahrenheit 451 ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents that show the FBI suspected him of having Communist ties .
The heavily redacted files show the Waukegan native was critical of the U.S. government , especially over foreign policy concerning Vietnam and Cuba during the 1960s .
The FBI records show the agency had its eyes on Hugh Hefner , the Chicago-born publisher of Playboy magazine who had been charged with obscenity in the 1960s .
Hefner said he had no involvement with “ obscene matters ” and that his magazine was comparable to Esquire .
Langston Hughes , the poet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White Folks , ” was suspected of having Communist ties in the 1940s .
While Hughes , who lived in Chicago for a time , wasn ’ t formally investigated by the FBI , its records show it had leads relating to him in Chicago , Baltimore , Los Angeles , Washington , D.C. , and New York .
Also included in the files : letters to the FBI from parents and educators from schools where Hughes was to speak who said they were afraid of exposing their children to communism .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Winnetka native who became a Hollywood icon known for his roles in “ Giant , ” “ Pillow Talk ” and “ McMillan and Wife , ” because of what it called his “ homosexual tendencies.
” Hudson , who died of AIDS in 1985 , was gay , according to people who knew him , but never spoke publicly about that , according to a New York Times obituary .
At one point , it was thought that Hudson , who was born Roy Harold Scherer , was planning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but agents later confirmed he was instead going to play a New York police officer , according to the records .
Walt Disney , who grew up in Chicago , told federal agents he believed that workers who went on strike from his company in the late 1930s had ties to Communists , and he provided information about people he suspected might be Communists , according to heavily redacted FBI records show .
The FBI suspected Orson Welles — the actor and director raised in McHenry County and perhaps best known for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Worlds ” — had ties to Communist organizations , records show .
They show Welles was being watched because of suspicions he was involved in “ subversive activities ” and accused of being un-American .
Letters to the FBI say Welles was suspected of “ cooking up some scheme ” relating to Brazil and praising Communist movements in Mexico .
Carl Sandburg , a Galesburg native and onetime Chicago Daily News labor reporter who went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author , wasn ’ t formally investigated by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency was interested in the writer who described Chicago as , among other things , “ hog butcher to the world , ” after being told he belonged to a Communist group and might have written an introduction to a book that criticized the U.S. government and sought to “ discredit informer-witnesses , ” records show .

The FBI has kept tabs on plenty of people over the years, including a host of celebrities with ties to Chicago or the state of Illinois.
These writers, actors and athletes, all now dead, were named in FBI records for a multitude of reasons, even if they weren’t the subject of an investigation, according to records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times that are now part of the newspaper’s “The FBI Files” database.
Ernest Hemingway gave information to American officials while living in Cuba, but his tips were often met with skepticism, FBI records show. AP
Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway — raised in Oak Park and known for books including “The Sun Also Rises” and “A Farewell to Arms” — attracted the FBI’s attention while living in Cuba in the 1940s.
Hemingway passed along information to the American embassy in Havana, Cuba, which forwarded it to the FBI, records show. But his tips weren’t always trusted.
“His judgment is not of the best,” FBI director J. Edgar Hoover wrote in a 1942 letter.
Author Richard Wright was the subject of a “security type investigation” in the 1940s, FBI records show. Sun-Times files
Richard Wright
Richard Wright, the author of “Native Son” and “Black Boy,” joined the Communist Party during the 1930s before breaking with the party later in the decade. He was the subject of a “security type investigation” in the 1940s, FBI records say. Wright, who lived in Chicago for a time, published an article called “I Tried to Be a Communist,” which criticized the party for its handling of racial situations.
Muhammad Ali, seen here in 1965 after dropping Sonny Liston, is mentioned in FBI files concerning his connection to the Nation of Islam and his opposition to the military draft. AP
Muhammad Ali
Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is mentioned in nearly 1,000 pages of FBI documents. Often referred to by his birth name Cassius Clay, Ali was mentioned concerning the political and religious stances of the Nation of Islam, of which he was a member, documents show.
Ali, who died in 2016, lived in Kenwood on the South Side for years. He “preferred dying outright or going to jail than going into the Army,” according to the files, which also touch on his opposition to the draft.
Ray Bradbury, author of “Fahrenheit 451” and other classics, was suspected of having Communist ties, FBI documents say. AP
Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury, the author of “Fahrenheit 451” and other classics, was repeatedly named in documents that show the FBI suspected him of having Communist ties. The heavily redacted files show the Waukegan native was critical of the U.S. government, especially over foreign policy concerning Vietnam and Cuba during the 1960s.
Playboy magazine publisher Hugh Hefner said he wasn’t involved with “obscene matters,” though obscenity charges were brought against him in the 1960s. AP
Hugh Hefner
The FBI records show the agency had its eyes on Hugh Hefner, the Chicago-born publisher of Playboy magazine who had been charged with obscenity in the 1960s. Hefner said he had no involvement with “obscene matters” and that his magazine was comparable to Esquire.
Langston Hughes, poet and author of “The Ways of White Folks, wasn’t investigated by the FBI, but there were leads concerning him in five cities, records show. Sun-Times files
Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes, the poet and author of “The Ways of White Folks,” was suspected of having Communist ties in the 1940s. While Hughes, who lived in Chicago for a time, wasn’t formally investigated by the FBI, its records show it had leads relating to him in Chicago, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York.
Also included in the files: letters to the FBI from parents and educators from schools where Hughes was to speak who said they were afraid of exposing their children to communism.
Rock Hudson, the actor (seen here in “Bengal Brigade”) originally from Winnetka, was the subject of FBI files that referred to what they called his “homosexual tendencies.” Universal-International
Rock Hudson
The FBI kept an eye on Rock Hudson, the Winnetka native who became a Hollywood icon known for his roles in “Giant,” “Pillow Talk” and “McMillan and Wife,” because of what it called his “homosexual tendencies.”
Hudson, who died of AIDS in 1985, was gay, according to people who knew him but never spoke publicly about that, according to a New York Times obituary.
At one point, it was thought that Hudson, who was born Roy Harold Scherer, was planning to play an FBI agent in a movie, but agents later confirmed he was instead going to play a New York police officer, according to the records.
Walt Disney told federal agents he believed that workers who went on strike from his company in the late 1930s had ties to Communists. Sun-Times files
Walt Disney
Walt Disney, who grew up in Chicago, told federal agents he believed that workers who went on strike from his company in the late 1930s had ties to Communists, and he provided information about people he suspected might be Communists, according to heavily redacted FBI records.
The FBI suspected Orson Welles was tied to organizations with Communist agendas, records show. AP
Orson Welles
The FBI suspected Orson Welles — the actor and director raised in McHenry County and perhaps best known for “Citizen Kane” and “War of the Worlds” — had ties to Communist organizations, records show.
They show Welles was being watched because of suspicions he was involved in “subversive activities” and accused of being un-American.
Letters to the FBI say Welles was suspected of “cooking up some scheme” relating to Brazil and praising Communist movements in Mexico.
Illinois native and poet Carl Sandburg was suspected of belonging to a Communist front organization, documents show. AP
Carl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg, a Galesburg native and onetime Chicago Daily News labor reporter who went on to become a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author, wasn’t formally investigated by the FBI, records show.
But the agency was interested in the writer who described Chicago as, among other things, “hog butcher to the world,” after being told he belonged to a Communist group and might have written an introduction to a book that criticized the U.S. government and sought to “discredit informer-witnesses,” records show.