chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--ENDORSEMENT: Ken Thomas for Illinois Senate in 13th District Democratic primary

Lawyer Ken Thomas of Chicago is the better of two able candidates in this lakefront Democratic primary , and we endorse him .
For the most part , Thomas offers buttoned-down , sensible answers to issues facing the district .
He has worked to defend the rights of tenants who are evicted , working pro bono for the Lawyers ’ Committee for Better Housing .
As a legislator , he says , he would continue to work to protect tenant rights .
Thomas would , for example , push a bill requiring that all court proceedings in evictions be documented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so as to better safeguard a litigant ’ s right to appeal any mistakes at the trial level .
Thomas ’ other priorities include working on the problem of unemployment among young people and closing legal loopholes to make it harder for criminals to get guns .
He supports a graduated income tax , like most Democrats , and wants new revenue from that tax to be put toward paying down the state ’ s backlog of bills and better funding the state ’ s pension systems .
For more information about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .

Lawyer Ken Thomas of Chicago is the better of two able candidates in this lakefront Democratic primary, and we endorse him.
For the most part, Thomas offers buttoned-down, sensible answers to issues facing the district. He has worked to defend the rights of tenants who are evicted, working pro bono for the Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing. As a legislator, he says, he would continue to work to protect tenant rights.
Thomas would, for example, push a bill requiring that all court proceedings in evictions be documented by a stenographer or electronic recording device, so as to better safeguard a litigant’s right to appeal any mistakes at the trial level.
Thomas’ other priorities include working on the problem of unemployment among young people and closing legal loopholes to make it harder for criminals to get guns. He supports a graduated income tax, like most Democrats, and wants new revenue from that tax to be put toward paying down the state’s backlog of bills and better funding the state’s pension systems.
Appointed incumbent Sen. Robert Peters also is running.
Illinois Senate 13th 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--Video gambling ‘push tax’ sparks industry pushback — but is proposed ban a favor to operators?

Leaders of a southwest suburb want to increase their cut of the action in the lucrative video gambling market with a first-of-its kind local tax , but a new bill filed by a powerful state lawmaker could block them from upping the ante .
The so-called “ push tax ” approved last fall by Oak Lawn village trustees would charge gamblers a penny every time they push a button to place a bet at one of the 200 slot machines sprinkled across 40 bars , restaurants and lounges in town .
That prompted an outcry from executives at Illinois ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with how the sin tax would hit their bottom line .
Last week , state Rep. Bob Rita filed a bill in Springfield that would give the state “ exclusive ” taxing power over video gaming .
The Blue Island Democrat who has shepherded gambling bills in the statehouse for years — including the massive gaming expansion signed into law last summer by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker — says his legislation prevents a “ patchwork ” of local fees and taxes from hurting small businesses .
But Oak Lawn Trustee Tom Phelan says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry interests he says are swimming in cash while towns like his are drowning in pension debt .
” It ’ s like they ’ re deigning to give us scraps and we should be happy with what we ’ ve got , ” Phelan said Friday .
The new gaming law slightly raised taxes on gross video gaming revenue to 33 % this fiscal year and 34 % starting this summer , still well below several other states that tax video gaming profits at rates of 50 % or more .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goes to the state and the remainder to the local government where machines are located .
Terminal operators and the establishments that house their slots split the bulk of the profits .
Gamblers lost nearly $ 15 million at the machines in Oak Lawn last year , according to Illinois Gaming Board records .
That sent almost $ 4 million to the state and about $ 747,000 to the village , while establishments and terminal operators took home the rest of the $ 10 million-plus windfall .
“ We ’ ve been collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming returns for years , ” Phelan said .
So the board of trustees passed the penny-per-play tax in November , which Phelan says “ taxes the gambler , not businesses or terminal operators , ” and would stave off another property tax increase for the cash-strapped village .
Though other towns have enacted various local video gaming license fees , Oak Lawn ’ s concept is thought to be the first “ push tax ” imposed in the state .
The Gaming Board doesn ’ t track municipal gaming ordinances , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t aware of anything similar .
Oak Lawn ’ s tax went into effect in January , but the village has not yet collected any of the revenue .
The idea sparked interest from a handful of other towns that requested information from Oak Lawn in search of revenue boosts of their own , Phelan said .
But that ’ s not how they saw it at Accel Entertainment , the state ’ s largest terminal operator .
Last month executives threatened to pull their machines from the town , according to Phelan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with individual establishments , he said , and something of an empty threat to the town that generated the 10th most video gaming revenue last year of all municipalities that allow it .
“ There are plenty of terminal operators who would be happy to come scoop up their business , ” Phelan said .
Rita filed his bill last week and says it ’ s aimed at statewide economic development , not “ one community.
” “ We need to have a full debate in Springfield over our tax and fee structure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video gaming machines , not a patchwork of local fees and taxes around the state that drives businesses and economic activity away , ” Rita said .
“ We should have a consistent policy that supports our small businesses and communities and gives everyone the best chance to succeed .
I would encourage anyone with concerns on these issues to join us for the debate at the Capitol during this spring legislative session.
” Phelan says Oak Lawn leaders intend to do just that and are already drumming up opposition to Rita ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House Rules Committee on Tuesday .
State Rep. Kelly Burke , an Evergreen Park Democrat whose district encompasses most of Oak Lawn , said Friday she hadn ’ t yet reviewed the legislation and hasn ’ t decided if she ’ ll support it .
State Sen. Bill Cunningham , D-Chicago , is the new point person for gaming legislation in the state Senate , and his district includes Oak Lawn .
He didn ’ t return messages seeking comment .

Leaders of a southwest suburb want to increase their cut of the action in the lucrative video gambling market with a first-of-its kind local tax, but a new bill filed by a powerful state lawmaker could block them from upping the ante.
The so-called “push tax” approved last fall by Oak Lawn village trustees would charge gamblers a penny every time they push a button to place a bet at one of the 200 slot machines sprinkled across 40 bars, restaurants and lounges in town.
That prompted an outcry from executives at Illinois’ largest video gaming terminal operating company concerned with how the sin tax would hit their bottom line. Last week, state Rep. Bob Rita filed a bill in Springfield that would give the state “exclusive” taxing power over video gaming.
State Rep Bob Rita, D-Blue Island, pictured at a 2014 press conference. Sun-Times files
The Blue Island Democrat who has shepherded gambling bills in the statehouse for years — including the massive gaming expansion signed into law last summer by Gov. J.B. Pritzker — says his legislation prevents a “patchwork” of local fees and taxes from hurting small businesses.
But Oak Lawn Trustee Tom Phelan says Rita is carrying water for video gaming industry interests he says are swimming in cash while towns like his are drowning in pension debt.
“It’s like they’re deigning to give us scraps and we should be happy with what we’ve got,” Phelan said Friday.
The new gaming law slightly raised taxes on gross video gaming revenue to 33% this fiscal year and 34% starting this summer, still well below several other states that tax video gaming profits at rates of 50% or more.
In Illinois, five-sixths of the tax revenue goes to the state and the remainder to the local government where machines are located. Terminal operators and the establishments that house their slots split the bulk of the profits.
Gamblers lost nearly $15 million at the machines in Oak Lawn last year, according to Illinois Gaming Board records. That sent almost $4 million to the state and about $747,000 to the village, while establishments and terminal operators took home the rest of the $10 million-plus windfall.
“We’ve been collectively frustrated with the village’s video gaming returns for years,” Phelan said.
Oak Lawn Trustee Tom Phelan. Village of Oak Lawn
So the board of trustees passed the penny-per-play tax in November, which Phelan says “taxes the gambler, not businesses or terminal operators,” and would stave off another property tax increase for the cash-strapped village.
Though other towns have enacted various local video gaming license fees, Oak Lawn’s concept is thought to be the first “push tax” imposed in the state. The Gaming Board doesn’t track municipal gaming ordinances, but an agency spokesman said he wasn’t aware of anything similar.
Oak Lawn’s tax went into effect in January, but the village has not yet collected any of the revenue.
The idea sparked interest from a handful of other towns that requested information from Oak Lawn in search of revenue boosts of their own, Phelan said.
But that’s not how they saw it at Accel Entertainment, the state’s largest terminal operator. Last month executives threatened to pull their machines from the town, according to Phelan — a dubious claim considering their contracts with individual establishments, he said, and something of an empty threat to the town that generated the 10th most video gaming revenue last year of all municipalities that allow it.
“There are plenty of terminal operators who would be happy to come scoop up their business,” Phelan said.
Accel representatives didn’t return messages seeking comment.
Rita filed his bill last week and says it’s aimed at statewide economic development, not “one community.”
“We need to have a full debate in Springfield over our tax and fee structure at the state and local level on video gaming machines, not a patchwork of local fees and taxes around the state that drives businesses and economic activity away,” Rita said. “We should have a consistent policy that supports our small businesses and communities and gives everyone the best chance to succeed. I would encourage anyone with concerns on these issues to join us for the debate at the Capitol during this spring legislative session.”
Phelan says Oak Lawn leaders intend to do just that and are already drumming up opposition to Rita’s bill, which was referred to the House Rules Committee on Tuesday.
State Rep. Kelly Burke, an Evergreen Park Democrat whose district encompasses most of Oak Lawn, said Friday she hadn’t yet reviewed the legislation and hasn’t decided if she’ll support it.
State Sen. Bill Cunningham, D-Chicago, is the new point person for gaming legislation in the state Senate, and his district includes Oak Lawn. He didn’t return messages seeking comment.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--‘Say their names. Say all 51 of their names’

This is the second in an occasional series titled “ Unforgotten : The Untold Stories of Murdered Women.
” It is about 51 mostly unsolved strangulation and asphyxiation cases in Chicago since 2001 , as identified by the Murder Accountability Project .
Say her name .
Say all of their names .
Dispel this cloud of enduring shame .
And remember their lives , despite the pain .
Let us lift them beyond the realm of invisibility .
To speak even from their graves to the dearth of human civility here in this city where they were slain with no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unpunished , unnamed , unfound or free .
And there remains no sanctity .
For the lives of women poor black and brown .
No collective pubic outcry by this shimmering city where glitz , glam and fortune abound .
No justice for the 51 who now lie forever frozen in time , six feet underground .
Or as ashes after cremation .
So for each of the 51 , let us invoke this recitation : Say her name .
Say all of their names : “ The media ’ s blatant disregard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consequences on a number of levels , ” writes Cheryl L. Neely , author of “ You ’ re Dead So What ?
Media , Police and the Invisibility of Black Women As Victims of Homicide.
” “ First , it is clear that when society cares about victims of crime , and can empathize with their experience , the result is public outrage that has a catalytic effect on police response… ” So say their names .
Say all of their names .
Let us remove the stigma .
Purge this enigma @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details of how they died .
Beyond how their bodies were discarded on the city ’ s South and West Sides .
Make the world to see their humanity .
Stop this insanity .
This incomprehensible profanity of mainstream media light cast on the mundane while mostly relegating to the shadows this matter so sacred , so consequential .
So inhumane .
Say their names .
Say all of their names… Say their names… Say all of their names .
For if this many dogs had been slain , the city would arise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would not we all still hear their cries ?
Would we not answer with the sound of fury and righteous indignation ?
Be more in tune to the reverberations of this tally ?
Let us now rally .
Say her name .
Say all of their names… Some of Reo ’ s loved ones called her “ Chocolate.
” Some called her “ Auntie.
” Riccardo Holyfield , 31 called her his sister , although she was actually his first cousin .
She liked to sing .
She made the best peanut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She was a fighter .
A protector .
Effervescent in soul .
She was murdered .
Discarded as trash .
Her family never got to hold a funeral , to touch her casket , to have a proper farewell — because her body was so badly decomposed she had to be cremated , Riccardo lamented .
“ Right now , to this day , even though she ’ s passed away and not here , I still talk to her like she ’ s right here , ” he told me .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Her name was Reo Renee Holyfield .
She was 34 .
She was loved .
She is missed .
Say her name… Say all of their names .

This is the second in an occasional series titled “Unforgotten: The Untold Stories of Murdered Women.” It is about 51 mostly unsolved strangulation and asphyxiation cases in Chicago since 2001, as identified by the Murder Accountability Project.
Say her name. Say all of their names. Dispel this cloud of enduring shame. And remember their lives, despite the pain.
Let us lift them beyond the realm of invisibility. To speak even from their graves to the dearth of human civility here in this city where they were slain with no indemnity.
Where their killers mostly remain unpunished, unnamed, unfound or free. And there remains no sanctity. For the lives of women poor black and brown. No collective pubic outcry by this shimmering city where glitz, glam and fortune abound.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
No justice for the 51 who now lie forever frozen in time, six feet underground. Or as ashes after cremation.
So for each of the 51, let us invoke this recitation: Say her name. Say all of their names:
Angela Marieanna Ford. Charlotte W. Day. Winifred Shines. Brenda Cowart. Elaine Boneta. Saudia Banks. Bessie Scott. Gwendolyn Williams. Jody Grissom.
Loraine Harris. Dellie Jones. Celeste Jackson. Nancy Walker. Tarika Jones. Linda Green. Rosenda Barocio. LaTonya Keeler.
Say their names …
“The media’s blatant disregard for minority victims of violence has reverberating consequences on a number of levels,” writes Cheryl L. Neely, author of “You’re Dead So What? Media, Police and the Invisibility of Black Women As Victims of Homicide.”
“First, it is clear that when society cares about victims of crime, and can empathize with their experience, the result is public outrage that has a catalytic effect on police response …”
So say their names. Say all of their names.
Let us remove the stigma. Purge this enigma. Tell their stories beyond the gory details of how they died. Beyond how their bodies were discarded on the city’s South and West sides.
Make the world to see their humanity. Stop this insanity. This incomprehensible profanity of mainstream media light cast on the mundane while mostly relegating to the shadows this matter so sacred, so consequential. So inhumane.
Say their names. Say all of their names …
Latricia Hall. Lucyset (aka Mary) Thomas. Ethel Amerson. Michelle Davenport. Tamala Edwards. Makalavah Williams.
Precious Smith. Denise V. Torres. Wanda Hall. Yvette Mason. Shaniqua Williams. Margaret E. Gomez. Antoinette P. Simmons. Kelly Sarff. Veronica Frazier. Mary Ann Szatkowski. Theresa Bunn.
Say their names … Say all of their names. For if this many dogs had been slain, the city would arise. If their zip codes were different, would not we all still hear their cries? Would we not answer with the sound of fury and righteous indignation? Be more in tune to the reverberations of this tally? Let us now rally. Say her name. Say all of their names …
Hazel Marion Lewis. Genevieve Mellas. Charlene Miller. LaToya Banks. Shannon Williams. Vanessa Rajokovich. Lafonda Sue Wilson.
Quanda L. Crider. Angela Profit. Pamela Wilson. Velma Howard. Diamond Turner. Catherine Saterfield-Buchanan. Valerie Marie Jackson. Lora Dawn Harbin. Nicole Lynell Ridge.
Reo Renee Holyfield.
Some of Reo’s loved ones called her “Chocolate.” Some called her “Auntie.” Riccardo Holyfield, 31, called her his sister, although she was actually his first cousin.
She liked to sing. She made the best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and spaghetti. She was a fighter. A protector. Effervescent in soul.
She was murdered. Discarded as trash. Her family never got to hold a funeral, to touch her casket, to have a proper farewell — because her body was so badly decomposed she had to be cremated, Riccardo lamented.
“Right now, to this day, even though she’s passed away and not here, I still talk to her like she’s right here,” he told me. “That’s my sister.”
Her name was Reo Renee Holyfield. She was 34. She was loved. She is missed.
Say her name … Say all of their names.
Email: Author@johnwfountain.com
Send letters to: letters@suntimes.com


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Suburban strip mall has everything you need for the weekend

Every storefront is filled at the Justice Towne Square on Roberts Road , which in and of itself is enough to set it apart these days from other strip malls in the Chicago area .
But it ’ s how they are filled that caught my attention on a recent visit to this southwest suburb .
At the south end of the shopping center is a video gambling parlor , which is located next to a second video gambling parlor , which is located next to a third video gambling parlor , which is located next to a pawn shop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new marijuana store , which is located next to a liquor store , which is located next to a mom-and-pop grocery .
And that ’ s when it struck me .
I was looking at a microcosm of the new Illinois economy , the commercial sector , at least .
Gambling , pot , booze and a place to pawn your wife ’ s jewelry or your kid ’ s bike if you run out of cash for the aforementioned .
All government-sanctioned and promoted as economic development .
Yes , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t want to be that wet blanket guy .
I ’ m not threatening to leave Illinois .
This is my home .
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana on grounds of personal freedom and ending its role in the criminal justice merry-go-round .
I ’ ve also given up being the holdout on gambling expansion .
The people have spoken , or more accurately , quietly nodded their assent .
But doesn ’ t it strike you as things being a little out of whack when only the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of place at a local shopping center ?
It ’ s certainly not what most people would want for their own neighborhood .
The only thing missing from the array of services at the Justice Towne Square is a massage parlor , another business that seems to be making an Illinois comeback .
Maybe Danny Solis was ahead of the curve .
“ Wait for them to legalize prostitution , ” said Justice Mayor Kris Wasowicz , sarcastically one-upping my own wisecrack but not meaning to be taken literally , I think .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ referring to the Democrats who run the state and the “ liberals ” at the Sun-Times , myself included , who have backed them up .
Wasowicz , the rare Republican elected official in Cook County , may not brim with enthusiasm about the business lineup at the Justice Towne Square , but he blames the state for limiting the alternatives .
“ I did not legalize the gambling .
I did not legalize the marijuana .
I ’ m just taking advantage .
This state made that all legal .
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advantage , ” Wasowicz said .
“ What am I gon na do ?
They ’ re cutting my portion of the sales taxes .
They ’ re forcing me to raise real estate taxes , ” he continued .
For a suburban mayor like Wasowicz , a fully-leased strip mall means a property owner that can pay the taxes that support government services .
It means economic activity .
Let somebody else argue about whether that ’ s true economic development .
“ I ’ m a pragmatist .
Who am I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say no ?
” Wasowicz said .
As a result , his town of 13,000 people has 23 licensed gaming establishments within its borders , by my count .
The Citgo station across the street where I pumped my gas has video slots .
So does Granny ’ s Country Kitchen , Randi ’ s Deli and Café , and Jimmy ’ s Drive-In , all within a golf tee-shot of the Justice Towne Square .
Surprisingly , the three gambling parlors in the mall are competitors : Elsie ’ s Place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming cafes where the food is an afterthought ; Duett Bar , which opened before video gambling was legalized ; and the soon to open Blue Star Taqueria and Margarita Bar , which judging from its signage can ’ t decide whether it ’ s a gambling parlor with tacos or a taco joint with gambling .
The strip mall manager declined to speak with me .
On Friday morning , business was slow for the mall ’ s gambling purveyors , while a long line of customers waited outside in the cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Windy City Cannabis .
The guy who pulled into the parking lot next to me rolled down the window and knocked the ashes off his blunt before joining the line .
Ashley , the last person in line , said she expects to start working for the store next week .
“ Having this line is great , ” she said , meaning that the demand for legal pot means she will have a job .
I don ’ t discount the importance of that .
Wasowicz , a Polish immigrant who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , said the storefronts in the Justice Towne Square used to be perpetually empty .
“ Now at least we have commerce , ” he said .
In the new Illinois economy , we ’ re not supposed to judge .

Every storefront is filled at the Justice Towne Square on Roberts Road, which in and of itself is enough to set it apart these days from other strip malls in the Chicago area.
But it’s how they are filled that caught my attention on a recent visit to this southwest suburb.
At the south end of the shopping center is a video gambling parlor, which is located next to a second video gambling parlor, which is located next to a third video gambling parlor, which is located next to a pawn shop, which is located next to a new marijuana store, which is located next to a liquor store, which is located next to a mom-and-pop grocery.
And that’s when it struck me.
I was looking at a microcosm of the new Illinois economy, the commercial sector, at least.
Gambling, pot, booze and a place to pawn your wife’s jewelry or your kid’s bike if you run out of cash for the aforementioned. All government-sanctioned and promoted as economic development.
Yes, that’s terribly judgmental of me. And I don’t want to be that wet blanket guy. I’m not threatening to leave Illinois. This is my home.
I support the legalization of recreational marijuana on grounds of personal freedom and ending its role in the criminal justice merry-go-round.
I’ve also given up being the holdout on gambling expansion. The people have spoken, or more accurately, quietly nodded their assent.
But doesn’t it strike you as things being a little out of whack when only the grocery store sticks out as being out of place at a local shopping center? It’s certainly not what most people would want for their own neighborhood.
The only thing missing from the array of services at the Justice Towne Square is a massage parlor, another business that seems to be making an Illinois comeback. Maybe Danny Solis was ahead of the curve.
“Wait for them to legalize prostitution,” said Justice Mayor Kris Wasowicz, sarcastically one-upping my own wisecrack but not meaning to be taken literally, I think.
By “them,” Wasowicz was referring to the Democrats who run the state and the “liberals” at the Sun-Times, myself included, who have backed them up.
Wasowicz, the rare Republican elected official in Cook County, may not brim with enthusiasm about the business lineup at the Justice Towne Square, but he blames the state for limiting the alternatives.
“I did not legalize the gambling. I did not legalize the marijuana. I’m just taking advantage. This state made that all legal. It would be irresponsible of me not to take advantage,” Wasowicz said.
“What am I gonna do? They’re cutting my portion of the sales taxes. They’re forcing me to raise real estate taxes,” he continued.
For a suburban mayor like Wasowicz, a fully-leased strip mall means a property owner that can pay the taxes that support government services. It means economic activity. Let somebody else argue about whether that’s true economic development.
“I’m a pragmatist. Who am I to judge? Who am I to say no?” Wasowicz said.
As a result, his town of 13,000 people has 23 licensed gaming establishments within its borders, by my count.
The Citgo station across the street where I pumped my gas has video slots. So does Granny’s Country Kitchen, Randi’s Deli and Café, and Jimmy’s Drive-In, all within a golf tee-shot of the Justice Towne Square.
Surprisingly, the three gambling parlors in the mall are competitors: Elsie’s Place, part of a Minnesota-based chain of so-called gaming cafes where the food is an afterthought; Duett Bar, which opened before video gambling was legalized; and the soon to open Blue Star Taqueria and Margarita Bar, which judging from its signage can’t decide whether it’s a gambling parlor with tacos or a taco joint with gambling.
The strip mall manager declined to speak with me.
On Friday morning, business was slow for the mall’s gambling purveyors, while a long line of customers waited outside in the cold for their turn inside the pot dispensary, Windy City Cannabis.
The guy who pulled into the parking lot next to me rolled down the window and knocked the ashes off his blunt before joining the line.
Ashley, the last person in line, said she expects to start working for the store next week.
“Having this line is great,” she said, meaning that the demand for legal pot means she will have a job. I don’t discount the importance of that.
Wasowicz, a Polish immigrant who has been mayor of Justice for 14 years, said the storefronts in the Justice Towne Square used to be perpetually empty.
“Now at least we have commerce,” he said.
In the new Illinois economy, we’re not supposed to judge.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--George Ryan has good wishes for Blago, but would like him to put a lid on it

It has not been the best of times .
Former Inmate No .
40892-424 ( former Gov .
Rod Blagojevich ) has not stopped talking since being released from prison Tuesday on political corruption charges .
Former Inmate No .
16627-424 ( former Gov .
George Ryan ) who preceded him in office and in prison on political corruption charges , has something to say about that .
“ Rod kicked the hell out of me the day he was sworn in , ” said Ryan .
“ Talked about corruption and how he was going to clean up the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t talked to Rod since his release and have no plans to do so , ” added Ryan , who thinks President Donald Trump was right to commute his sentence .
“ It took guts ; Trump could have done it after the election.
” “ Although I ’ m glad for Rod ; I ’ m actually happier for his daughters because they need their father .
“ I don ’ t know what another five years in prison would have done for him , ” said Ryan , who lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynn , to cancer , and his brother , Tom , to pneumonia , while serving 5 years in a federal prison .
“ I ’ m just surprised Rod spent so much time talking on and on to the press when he got home — on and on about his innocence ... and not using that time initially with his family because he ’ s been gone a long time , ” said Ryan , who now has 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren .
“ Nothing more important than family and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ryan , who turns 86 on Monday .
The ashes of Ryan ’ s wife are now in an urn on his mantel in his Kankakee home , where he just completed writing a book on his battle to end the death penalty titled : “ Until I Could Be Sure.
” The book is scheduled to be released June 10 — honoring the day of his wedding anniversary .
It contains a forward written by mega author Scott “ Presumed Innocent ” Turow .
“ The day I left office , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my desk , ” said Ryan .
“ One note he was to open when things got tough .
It contained my best personal advice , which is : ‘ When things get tough , blame me.
’ ” The second envelope contained my final advice : ‘ When things really get tough , get two envelopes.
’ ” Ryan also claims he left Blago a can of spinach at the Governor ’ s Mansion “ just in case he needs a little bit of Popeye ’ s strength .
“ I wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a helluva job getting him released .
I hope he settles down enough to realize that.
” I spy : Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spotted at Q eatery Tuesday evening .
.
.
.
Brrrh !
Uber weatherman Al Roker and his NBC ’ s 3rd Hour of Today buddy have pledged to take the Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach on Sunday , March 1 , to benefit Special Olympics Chicago .
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.
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Stargazing : It wasn ’ t just a slew of celebs and athletes who passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rappers Quavo and G-Eazy , DJ Khaled and Guy “ Diners , Drive-Ins and Dives ” Fieri all showed up at TAO .
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Saturday birthdays : Drew Barrymore , 45 ; Rajon Rondo , 34 ; Julie Walters , 70. .
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Sunday birthdays : Emily Blunt , 37 ; Aziz Ansari , 37 , and Daymond John , 51 .

It has not been the best of times.
Former Inmate No. 40892-424 (former Gov. Rod Blagojevich) has not stopped talking since being released from prison Tuesday on political corruption charges.
Former Inmate No. 16627-424 (former Gov. George Ryan) who preceded him in office and in prison on political corruption charges, has something to say about that.
“Rod kicked the hell out of me the day he was sworn in,” said Ryan. “Talked about corruption and how he was going to clean up the government!
“Well, I haven’t talked to Rod since his release and have no plans to do so,” added Ryan, who thinks President Donald Trump was right to commute his sentence. “It took guts; Trump could have done it after the election.”
“Although I’m glad for Rod; I’m actually happier for his daughters because they need their father.
“I don’t know what another five years in prison would have done for him,” said Ryan, who lost his wife of 55 years, Lura Lynn, to cancer, and his brother, Tom, to pneumonia, while serving 5 years in a federal prison.
“I’m just surprised Rod spent so much time talking on and on to the press when he got home — on and on about his innocence ... and not using that time initially with his family because he’s been gone a long time,” said Ryan, who now has 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
“Nothing more important than family and transition time is important,” said Ryan, who turns 86 on Monday.
The ashes of Ryan’s wife are now in an urn on his mantel in his Kankakee home, where he just completed writing a book on his battle to end the death penalty titled: “Until I Could Be Sure.”
The book is scheduled to be released June 10 — honoring the day of his wedding anniversary. It contains a foreword written by mega author Scott “Presumed Innocent” Turow.
Then Ryan chuckled.
“The day I left office, I left behind two notes for Rod on my desk,” said Ryan.
“One note he was to open when things got tough. It contained my best personal advice, which is: ‘When things get tough, blame me.’
”The second envelope contained my final advice: ‘When things really get tough, get two envelopes.’”
Ryan also claims he left Blago a can of spinach at the Governor’s Mansion “just in case he needs a little bit of Popeye’s strength.
“I wish him well ... and his wife did a helluva job getting him released. I hope he settles down enough to realize that.”
Sneedlings . . .
I spy: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spotted at Q eatery Tuesday evening. . . . Brrrh! Uber weatherman Al Roker and his NBC’s 3rd Hour of Today buddy have pledged to take the Chicago Polar Plunge at North Avenue Beach on Sunday, March 1, to benefit Special Olympics Chicago. . . . Stargazing: It wasn’t just a slew of celebs and athletes who passed through Chicago during NBA All-Star weekend. Rappers Quavo and G-Eazy, DJ Khaled and Guy “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” Fieri all showed up at TAO. . . Saturday birthdays: Drew Barrymore, 45; Rajon Rondo, 34; Julie Walters, 70. . . . Sunday birthdays: Emily Blunt, 37; Aziz Ansari, 37, and Daymond John, 51.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Fight club: Cubs to come out swinging Saturday with three heavyweight bouts on spring card

MESA , Arizona – The thunderstorms forecast for Saturday in Phoenix already had backed up the Cubs ’ spring opener five hours by Friday afternoon .
But it ’ s done nothing to dampen David Ross ’ enthusiasm for starting his first schedule of games as a manager – or to cool the heat on the hottest , biggest fights for jobs in camp .
Heading into Saturday ’ s 7:10 p.m. ( central time ) Cactus League opener against the Athletics , these are three of the biggest fights playing out in camp – along with how they started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fight started : The farm system ’ s failure to develop even one back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher in eight years has meant no pipeline to backfill for aged-out veterans or free agents .
And the high cost of buying pitching has helped create a payroll budget crunch entering its third season that prevented buying more when Cole Hamels left as a free agent .
Who finishes it : Chatwood , a $ 38-million free agent acquisition who was demoted to the bullpen halfway through the first year of a three-year deal , rebounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And he says he ’ s in the best shape of his life as he enters camp with the job considered his to lose .
He takes his first turn of the spring Sunday against the Dodgers .
Intriguing storyline : Mills , who has looked good when healthy since coming to the Cubs from Kansas City in a minor-league trade three years ago , is out of options this spring .
So he makes the club or he ’ s exposed to waivers .
In three stints in the majors last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five relief appearances ranging from one inning to six – producing a 2.75 ERA .
He allowed six earned runs in 20 innings as a starter ( 2.70 ) .
A command guy whose fastball sits around 90 mph and relies on changing speeds and deception , Mills said last year ’ s success – including a scoreless start against the Cardinals before the Cubs slid out of contention – boosts his confidence into this spring .
He also knows he can succeed in any role .
“ I ’ ve done it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve pitched one inning , multiple innings out of the pen .
And I know I can start .
Whatever they ask me to do I ’ ll be ready.
” As for his contract status : “ When you start running out of options , it ’ s time to have a little bit of pressure on you , where you ’ ve got to perform , ” Ross said .
“ And I look forward to seeing that , how they handle that .
It ’ s a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance to ] rise to those occasions .
And guys that do that usually turn out to have a nice long career.
” How the fight started : When Ben Zobrist left as a free agent and Addison Russell was non-tendered in December , it left a vacancy the Cubs had few resources to fill with an impact acquisition because of a payroll budget crunch entering its third season .
Who finishes it : Kipnis , a two-time All-Star who signed a minor-league deal after struggling in recent years , looks promising very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chops and clubhouse presence the Cubs seek to toughen the team culture .
He also has a left-handed bat with extra-base pop when healthy – at least until the last three years ( .236 with a .708 OPS and 119-game average ) .
Intriguing storyline : Hoerner , the right-handed hitting rookie who got a shocking debut in September because of injuries , handled himself with enough poise and success to be a realistic candidate to earn a big-league job out of camp .
In Hoerner ’ s favor : He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( also Perez ) who Ross considers a viable backup for Javy Baez at shortstop – where Hoerner spent the final month of last season .
Working against him : The Cubs ’ first-round draft pick in 2018 skipped Class AAA on his way off his couch to the big-leagues last fall , and if he can ’ t win enough big-league at-bats to be more than a bench player , he ’ ll have to go to AAA to play regularly .
“ I don ’ t know if that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it will be a big decision , ” said Ross , who promised a serious look at Hoerner after last year ’ s impressive debut .
How the fight started : The Cubs cut broadcast-rights ties with regional cable networks to launch their own Marquee network , which debuts Saturday .
But despite reaching agreement with more than 30 carriers in their regional territory , the Cubs haven ’ t been able to reach agreement with the biggest one , which for now means roughly half the cable subscribers in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to Cubs games .
Who finishes it : Cubs business president Crane Kenney suggested again this spring that Comcast customers lobby the carrier to make the deal ( which all but assures higher cable bills ) .
For now it doesn ’ t look promising that what chairman Tom Ricketts called “ fairly complicated ” negotiations get resolved in time for access via Comcast during the 29-game slate of spring broadcasts .
“ I think that in the end everyone will do what ’ s right for the actual customers , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s where I ’ m confident we ’ ll get this all behind us by Opening Day , or pretty soon , anyway .
”

MESA, Ariz. — The thunderstorms forecast for Saturday already had backed up the Cubs’ spring-training opener by five hours Friday afternoon.
But it has done nothing to dampen David Ross’ enthusiasm for his managerial debut — or to cool the heat on the hottest, biggest fights for jobs in camp.
Heading into the Cactus League opener against the Athletics, these are three of the biggest fights playing out in camp, along with how they started and how they might finish:
Fifth Starter
Favorite: Right-hander Tyler Chatwood.
Other contenders: Right-hander Alec Mills, right-hander Adbert Alzolay, right-hander Colin Rea.
How the fight started: The farm system’s failure to develop a back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher in eight years has meant no pipeline to backfill for aged-out veterans or free agents. And the high cost of buying pitching has helped create a payroll budget crunch entering its third season that prevented buying more when Cole Hamels left as a free agent.
Who finishes it: Chatwood, a $38 million free-agent acquisition who was demoted to the bullpen halfway through the first year of a three-year deal, rebounded as a key performer in the pen last year. And he says he’s in the best shape of his life as he enters camp with the job considered his to lose. He takes his first turn of the spring Sunday against the Dodgers.
Intriguing storyline: Mills, who has looked good when healthy since coming to the Cubs from the Royals in a minor-league trade three years ago, is out of options this spring. So he either makes the club or is exposed to waivers.
In three stints in the majors last year, Mills made four starts and five relief appearances ranging from one inning to six while producing a 2.75 ERA. He allowed six earned runs in 20 innings as a starter (2.70).
A command guy whose fastball sits around 90 mph and who relies on changing speeds and deception, Mills said last year’s success — including a scoreless start against the Cardinals before the Cubs slid out of contention — boosted his confidence.
He also knows he can succeed in any role.
“I’ve done it,” he said. “I’ve pitched one inning, multiple innings out of the pen. And I know I can start. Whatever they ask me to do, I’ll be ready.”
As for his contract status: “When you start running out of options, it’s time to have a little bit of pressure on you where you’ve got to perform,” Ross said. “And I look forward to seeing that, how they handle that. It’s a little bit of adversity to overcome and [a chance to] rise to those occasions. And guys that do that usually turn out to have a nice long career.”
Second base
Favorite: Jason Kipnis.
Other contenders: Nico Hoerner, Daniel Descalso, Hernan Perez, David Bote.
How the fight started: When Ben Zobrist left as a free agent and Addison Russell was non-tendered in December, it left a vacancy the Cubs had little resources to fill with an impact acquisition because of a payroll budget crunch entering its third season.
Who finishes it: Kipnis, a two-time All-Star who signed a minor-league deal after struggling in recent years, looks promising early in camp and has the postseason chops and clubhouse presence the Cubs seek to toughen the team culture. He also has a left-handed bat with extra-base pop when healthy — at least until the last three years (.236 with a .708 OPS and 119-game average).
Intriguing storyline: Hoerner, the right-handed-hitting rookie who debuted in September last season because of injuries, handled himself with enough poise and success to be a realistic candidate to earn a big-league job out of camp.
In Hoerner’s favor: He’s one of only two players in camp (also Perez) whom Ross considers a viable backup for Javy Baez at shortstop, where Hoerner spent the final month of last season.
Working against him: The Cubs’ first-round draft pick in 2018 skipped Class AAA on his way to the big leagues last fall, and if he can’t win enough big-league at-bats to be more than a bench player, he’ll have to go to Class AAA to play regularly.
“I don’t know if that’s the toughest decision [in camp], but it will be a big decision,” said Ross, who promised a serious look at Hoerner after last year’s impressive debut.
Marquee Sports Network vs. Comcast/Xfinity
Favorite: Pick ’em.
How the fight started: The Cubs cut broadcast ties with regional cable networks to launch their own Marquee network, which debuts Saturday. But despite agreeing with more than 30 carriers in their regional territory, the Cubs haven’t been able to reach an agreement with the biggest one, which for now means roughly half of the cable subscribers in the Chicago area don’t have access to Cubs games.
Who finishes it: Cubs president of business operations Crane Kenney suggested again this spring that Comcast customers should lobby the carrier to make the deal (which all but assures higher cable bills). As of now, it doesn’t look promising until chairman Tom Ricketts gets “fairly complicated” negotiations resolved during the 29-game slate of spring broadcasts.
“I think that in the end everyone will do what’s right for the actual customers,” Ricketts said. “And that’s where I’m confident we’ll get this all behind us by Opening Day, or pretty soon, anyway.”
Stay tuned. If possible.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--3 injured after being hit by car on Near West Side; driver also hurt

Three people were injured after being hit by a car Friday on the Near West Side .
A black Hyundai @ @ @ @ @ 4:30 p.m. in the 100 block of North Halsted Street and attempted to make a @ @ @ @ @ said .
The driver lost control , swerved into oncoming traffic and hit three people @ @ @ @ @ into a parked car , police said .
Two were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital @ @ @ @ @ critical condition and another in serious condition , Chicago Fire Department officials said .
Another @ @ @ @ @ less serious ” condition to Stroger Hospital , officials said .
The driver was taken @ @ @ @ @ an unknown condition .

Three people were injured after being hit by a car Friday on the Near West Side.
A black Hyundai Santa Fe was southbound about 4:30 p.m. in the 100 block of North Halsted Street and attempted to make a green light, Chicago police said.
The driver lost control, swerved into oncoming traffic and hit three people at the intersection before crashing into a parked car, police said.
A 45-year-old man suffered head injuries and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, while another man, 36, was taken to the same hospital with “minor” injuries, police said.
A third man, 45, also suffered “minor” injuries and was taken to Stroger Hospital, police said. The driver, a 47-year-old man, was also taken to Stroger. Both were in good condition.
Police said it does not seem like the driver was impaired and citations were pending.
The cars came to a stop just outside of Haymarket Pub & Brewery, with the Santa Fe partially atop a sidewalk.
Jim Dore was in the restaurant when the crash happened, and said everyone inside came out to help those involved.
“It was good to see,” he said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Dozens line up for new Jesse Jackson book at Starbucks’ Black History Month event

With his latest book , civil rights leader Jesse Jackson returned to his Baptist preacher roots .
And some 250 fans who queued to meet the reverend at a Black History Month event Thursday at the world ’ s largest Starbucks came as much for the man as for the message .
Starbucks Reserve Roastery , 646 Michigan Ave. , hosted a book signing of “ Keeping Hope Alive : Sermons and Speeches of Rev .
Jesse L. Jackson Sr. , ” purchasing more than 250 books that Jackson gave away to customers .
The 199-page $ 25 tome gathers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from rallies , political conventions , churches and universities that were delivered in such diverse locations as Chicago , Washington , D.C. , India and South Africa .
Some speeches like the ones given at the 1984 and 1988 Democratic Party Conventions — after two historic presidential campaigns — have been published before .
Others mark more recent occasions like 2013 ’ s 50th anniversary of the March on Washington .
Jackson , who suffers from Parkinson ’ s disease , was in good spirits as he and book editor , the Rev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took photos for two hours .
Michigan native Nick Gonring waited patiently for 40 minutes to be first in line .
“ I am humbled to meet Rev .
Jackson , ” he said , echoing much of the multicultural , intergenerational crowd .
Kim , associate professor of theology at the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond , Ind.
, said it took 10 years to edit the 2019 collection .
“ He ’ s so eloquent .
It ’ s hard to put an oral speech in writing and get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was able to bring it alive , ” she said .
“ And while many of the speeches span decades , his conclusion is a very moving reflection of how he looks back on his work and his life .
That alone makes the book worthwhile.
” In the epilogue , Jackson writes : “ After all these years , what remains for me , is God is a source of mystery and wonder .
Scripture holds up .
The righteous are not forsaken .
We ’ ve come a long way since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished yet .
Running for freedom is a long-distance race .
”

With his latest book, civil rights leader Jesse Jackson returned to his Baptist preacher roots. And some 250 fans who queued to meet the reverend at a Black History Month event Thursday at the world’s largest Starbucks came as much for the man as for the message.
Starbucks Reserve Roastery, 646 N. Michigan Ave., hosted a book signing of “Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.,” purchasing more than 250 books that Jackson gave away to customers.
The 199-page $25 tome gathers some of Jackson’s best oratory from rallies, political conventions, churches and universities that were delivered in such diverse locations as Chicago, Washington, D.C., India and South Africa.
Some speeches like the ones given at the 1984 and 1988 Democratic Party Conventions — after two historic presidential campaigns — have been published before. Others mark more recent occasions like 2013’s 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.
While slowed by Parkinson’s disease, the Rev. Jesse Jackson recently published his fifth book, “Keeping Hope Alive: Sermons and Speeches of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.,” and continues his civil rights work, most recently hosting an All-Star Weekend fundraiser for Rainbow PUSH Coalition programs at Soldier Field. Here with wife Jackie Jackson, Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Maudlyne Ihejirika/Sun-Times
Jackson, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was in good spirits as he and book editor, the Rev. Grace Ji-Sun Kim, chatted and took photos for two hours.
Michigan native Nick Gonring waited patiently for 40 minutes to be first in line. “I am humbled to meet Rev. Jackson,” he said, echoing much of the multicultural, intergenerational crowd.
Kim, associate professor of theology at the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Ind., said it took 10 years to edit the 2019 collection. “He’s so eloquent. It’s hard to put an oral speech in writing and get the same effect, but I think I was able to bring it alive,” she said. “And while many of the speeches span decades, his conclusion is a very moving reflection of how he looks back on his work and his life. That alone makes the book worthwhile.”
In the epilogue, Jackson writes: “After all these years, what remains for me, is God is a source of mystery and wonder. Scripture holds up. The righteous are not forsaken. We’ve come a long way since slavery. But we’re not finished yet. Running for freedom is a long-distance race.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--No bail for man charged in ‘execution style’ shooting CTA tunnel that left 1 dead

A 23-year-old Park Manor man was denied bail Friday in connection with the “ execution style ” shooting on the CTA earlier this week that left a man dead and two others wounded , according to court records .
Torrez Cathery is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm in the shooting death of 24-year-old Edward Charleston , according to a bond proffer prepared by Cook County prosecutors .
Cathery allegedly fired 13 shots , fatally striking Charleston and seriously wounding a man and woman early about 2 a.m. Monday in a pedestrian tunnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jackson , 218 S. State St. , prosecutors said .
The shooting , captured on CTA surveillance cameras , was in the presence of two babies and other commuters , prosecutors said .
Cathery and Charleston were riding the same Red Line train and both stepped off at Jackson , where and Charleston followed Cathery into the pedway to get him to talk about a prior incident , prosecutors said .
In October , Cathery allegedly pushed Charleston ’ s twin 4-month-olds and threatened him with a knife , and Charleston wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tunnel , Cathery allegedly turned around and fired on Cathery and two others , prosecutors said .
Cathery ran to the other end of the tunnel , turned around again to fire more shots , prosecutors said .
He went up the stairs , but returned to the tunnel about a full minute later , prosecutors said .
Standing over the other wounded man , Cathery allegedly fired two shots at his head , prosecutors said .
That man had seven gunshot wounds and remains on life support .
Charleston was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the tunnel before Cathery returned , but he later died , prosecutors said .
Cathery escaped , but was arrested in west suburban Oak Park Thursday , two days after a warrant was issued for his arrest , Chicago police said .
A 19-year-old woman was shot in the back and listed in good condition .
Police said she didn ’ t appear to be involved in the argument between the men .
U.S .
Marshals and Chicago Police officers stunned Cathery and recovered a 9mm handgun , which tested as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police and prosecutors said .
He has been arrested 22 times on gun , trespassing , battery and drug charges , among others , according to police .
On Wednesday , interim CPD Supt .
Charlie Beck provided details of the attack , and said the video evidence is “ quite shocking , ” showing Cathery shooting one of the victims “ execution style.
” Two babies — 6-month-old twins — were in the vicinity of the shooting , Beck said .
The children were in the group that included the three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shot isn ’ t their mother , he said .
The shooting comes amid a spike in crime on CTA property .
On Friday , Beck announced that SWAT officers would begin riding CTA trains .
He said he was unveil a larger plan next week that calls for “ a vastly increased presence ” that includes “ some technology ” and “ some participation by the CTA .
”

A 23-year-old Park Manor man was denied bail Friday in connection with the “execution style” shooting on the CTA earlier this week that left a man dead and two others wounded, according to court records.
Torrez Cathery is charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm in the shooting death of 24-year-old Edward Charleston, according to a bond proffer prepared by Cook County prosecutors.
Cathery allegedly fired 13 shots, fatally striking Charleston and seriously wounding a man and woman early about 2 a.m. Monday in a pedestrian tunnel connecting the Red and Blue lines at Jackson, 218 S. State St., prosecutors said.
Torrez Cathery Chicago police
The shooting, captured on CTA surveillance cameras, was in the presence of two babies and other commuters, prosecutors said.
Cathery and Charleston were riding the same Red Line train and both stepped off at Jackson, where and Charleston followed Cathery into the pedway to get him to talk about a prior incident, prosecutors said.
In October, Cathery allegedly pushed Charleston’s twin 4-month-olds and threatened him with a knife, and Charleston wanted to discuss it, prosecutors said.
In the tunnel, Cathery allegedly turned around and fired on Cathery and two others, prosecutors said.
Cathery ran to the other end of the tunnel, turned around again to fire more shots, prosecutors said. He went up the stairs, but returned to the tunnel about a full minute later, prosecutors said.
Standing over the other wounded man, Cathery allegedly fired two shots at his head, prosecutors said. That man had seven gunshot wounds and remains on life support.
Charleston was shot nine times and was able to run from the tunnel before Cathery returned, but he later died, prosecutors said.
Cathery escaped, but was arrested in west suburban Oak Park Thursday, two days after a warrant was issued for his arrest, Chicago police said.
A 19-year-old woman was shot in the back and listed in good condition. Police said she didn’t appear to be involved in the argument between the men.
U.S. Marshals and Chicago Police officers stunned Cathery and recovered a 9mm handgun, which tested as the same gun used in the tunnel shooting, police and prosecutors said.
He has been arrested 22 times on gun, trespassing, battery and drug charges, among others, according to police.
On Wednesday, interim CPD Supt. Charlie Beck provided details of the attack, and said the video evidence is “quite shocking,” showing Cathery shooting one of the victims “execution style.”
Two babies — 6-month-old twins — were in the vicinity of the shooting, Beck said. The children were in the group that included the three victims, but the woman who was shot isn’t their mother, he said.
The shooting comes amid a spike in crime on CTA property.
On Friday, Beck announced that SWAT officers would begin riding CTA trains. He said he will unveil a larger plan next week that calls for “a vastly increased presence” that includes “some technology” and “some participation by the CTA.”
Cathery is due back in court March 12.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-21--Trump pushes back against new reports of Russia helping reelect him

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday minimized new warnings from U.S. intelligence experts that Russia is interfering in this year ’ s election campaign , and revived old grievances in claiming that Democrats are determined to undermine the legitimacy of his presidency .
As Trump pushed back against the reports that Russia is working to help reelect him , more departures from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence were announced .
Trump started the day on Twitter by claiming that Democrats were pushing a “ misinformation campaign ” in hopes of politically damaging him .
Then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a campaign rally in Las Vegas , he suggested that Russia might actually prefer Sen. Bernie Sanders , one of the top Democratic presidential contenders , in the White House .
Sanders and his wife , Jane , in 1988 spent their honeymoon in the then Soviet Union , Trump noted .
” Would you rather have , let ’ s say , Bernie ?
” Trump said .
“ Wouldn ’ t you rather that Bernie , who honeymooned in Moscow ?
” Intelligence officials told lawmakers in a classified briefing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hope of getting Trump reelected , according to officials familiar with the briefing The fresh intelligence warnings about Russian interference came in what has been a tumultuous stretch for the intelligence community .
A day after the Feb. 13 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee , Trump berated the acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire in a meeting at the White House .
Then this week , Trump abruptly announced that Maguire would be replaced by Richard Grenell , a Trump loyalist who also will hold the job in an acting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two other senior officials will soon leave the agency .
Andrew Hallman , one of Maguire ’ s top deputies , announced Friday he would leaving .
He is expected to return to the CIA , where he has spent more than 30 years , according to an official familiar with the move , who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the personnel move .
In addition , Jason Klitenic , the general counsel for the national intelligence director ’ s office , is returning to private practice .
Klitenic ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Trump , according to the official .
Former CIA Director John Brennan told MSNBC ’ s “ Morning Joe ” on Friday that Trump ’ s ouster of Maguire and Hallman was a “ virtual decapitation of the intelligence community.
” Trump tweeted Friday that he was considering four candidates to serve as permanent intel director and expected to make a decision within the next few weeks .
He told reporters Thursday evening that Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia was among those he ’ s considering .
But Collins , who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate seats , said Friday he ’ s not interested in the job overseeing the nation ’ s 17 spy agencies .
The installation of Grenell , even in a temporary role , has raised questions among critics about whether Trump is more interested in having a loyalist instead of someone steeped in the complicated inner workings of international intelligence .
Grenell has a background that is primarily in politics and media affairs .
Most recently , he ’ s been serving as Trump ’ s chief envoy to Germany .
The Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bennie Thompson of Mississippi , dismissed Grenell as someone who , “ by all accounts , rose to prominence in the Trump administration because of his personal devotion to Donald Trump and penchant for trolling the President ’ s perceived enemies on Twitter.
” From the start of his presidency three years ago , Trump has been dogged by insecurity over his loss of the popular vote in the general election and a persistent frustration that the legitimacy of his presidency is being challenged by Democrats and the media , aides and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressively played down U.S. findings that Russia interfered in the 2016 election .
In addition to those findings by the major intelligence agencies , a nearly two-year investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller concluded there was a sophisticated , Kremlin-led operation to sow division in the U.S. and upend the 2016 election by using cyberattacks and social media as weapons .
Moscow has denied any meddling .
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the newest allegations are “ paranoid reports that , unfortunately , there will be more and more of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( in the U.S. ) .
Of course , they have nothing to do with the truth.
” But in the U.S. , House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted that , “ American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin.
” She added that all members of Congress “ should condemn the President ’ s reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community.
” Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , tweeted : “ We count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of any threat of foreign interference in our elections .
If reports are true and the President is interfering with that , he is again jeopardizing our efforts to stop foreign meddling .
Exactly as we warned he would do.
” Hillary Clinton , the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee , said of Trump and the new warnings : “ Putin ’ s Puppet is at it again , taking Russian help for himself.
” ” He knows he can ’ t win without it .
And we can ’ t let it happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the 2016 election through social media campaigns and by stealing and distributing emails from Democratic accounts .
They say Russia was trying to boost Trump ’ s campaign and add chaos to the American political process .
Mueller concluded separately that Russian interference was “ sweeping and systematic , ” but he did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign .
Republican lawmakers who were in last week ’ s briefing by the director of national intelligence ’ s chief election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by saying Trump has been tough on Russia , according to one of the officials describing the meeting .
While Trump has imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia , he also has spoken warmly of Putin and withdrawn troops from areas including Syria , where Moscow could fill the vacuum .
He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine , a Russian adversary — a decision that was at the core of his impeachment proceedings .
White House officials said Trump has made clear that any efforts by Russia , or any other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be met with sharp consequences .
The tumult caused by the sudden ouster of Maguire adds a new chapter to Trump ’ s fraught relationship with the intelligence community .
He has derided intelligence officials as part of a “ deep state ” of entrenched bureaucrats who seek to undermine his agenda .
In addition to feuding over the Russian interference , he ’ s claimed that members of the intelligence community unfairly accused him of unlawfully pressuring Ukraine ’ s president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden , another central @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , Trump has mocked the intelligence community , which he sees as obsessed with Russia .
During a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of an international summit in Japan last year , Trump jokingly turned to Putin and playfully told him , “ Don ’ t meddle in the election , President.
” Pierson told NPR in an interview that aired last month that the Russians “ are already engaging in influence operations relative to candidates going into 2020.
” Pierson said it ’ s not just a Russia problem .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ about China , Iran , non-state actors , hacktivists and frankly — certainly for DHS and FBI - even Americans that might be looking to undermine confidence in the elections.
” At an open hearing this month , FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia was engaged in “ information warfare ” heading into the November election , but that law enforcement had not seen efforts to target America ’ s infrastructure .
He said Russia is relying on a covert social media campaign to divide the American public @

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Friday minimized new warnings from U.S. intelligence experts that Russia is interfering in this year’s election campaign, and revived old grievances in claiming that Democrats are determined to undermine the legitimacy of his presidency.
As Trump pushed back against the reports that Russia is working to help reelect him, more departures from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence were announced.
Trump started the day on Twitter by claiming that Democrats were pushing a “misinformation campaign” in hopes of politically damaging him.
Then, making light of the intelligence findings at a campaign rally in Las Vegas, he suggested that Russia might actually prefer Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of the top Democratic presidential contenders, in the White House. Sanders and his wife, Jane, in 1988 spent their honeymoon in the then Soviet Union, Trump noted.
”Would you rather have, let’s say, Bernie?” Trump said. “Wouldn’t you rather that Bernie, who honeymooned in Moscow?”
Intelligence officials told lawmakers in a classified briefing last week that Russia is meddling with the hope of getting Trump reelected, according to officials familiar with the briefing
The fresh intelligence warnings about Russian interference came in what has been a tumultuous stretch for the intelligence community.
A day after the Feb. 13 briefing to the House Intelligence Committee, Trump berated the acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire in a meeting at the White House. Then this week, Trump abruptly announced that Maguire would be replaced by Richard Grenell, a Trump loyalist who also will hold the job in an acting capacity.
In addition to Maguire, two other senior officials will soon leave the agency.
Andrew Hallman, one of Maguire’s top deputies, announced Friday he would leaving. He is expected to return to the CIA, where he has spent more than 30 years, according to an official familiar with the move, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the personnel move.
Thumbnail biographies of Directors of National Intelligence AP
In addition, Jason Klitenic, the general counsel for the national intelligence director’s office, is returning to private practice. Klitenic’s departure is unrelated to the sudden shakeup by Trump, according to the official.
Former CIA Director John Brennan told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Friday that Trump’s ouster of Maguire and Hallman was a “virtual decapitation of the intelligence community.”
Trump tweeted Friday that he was considering four candidates to serve as permanent intel director and expected to make a decision within the next few weeks. He told reporters Thursday evening that Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia was among those he’s considering.
But Collins, who is vying for one of Georgia’s Senate seats, said Friday he’s not interested in the job overseeing the nation’s 17 spy agencies.
The installation of Grenell, even in a temporary role, has raised questions among critics about whether Trump is more interested in having a loyalist instead of someone steeped in the complicated inner workings of international intelligence.
Grenell has a background that is primarily in politics and media affairs. Most recently, he’s been serving as Trump’s chief envoy to Germany.
The Democratic chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, dismissed Grenell as someone who, “by all accounts, rose to prominence in the Trump administration because of his personal devotion to Donald Trump and penchant for trolling the President’s perceived enemies on Twitter.”
From the start of his presidency three years ago, Trump has been dogged by insecurity over his loss of the popular vote in the general election and a persistent frustration that the legitimacy of his presidency is being challenged by Democrats and the media, aides and associates say. He’s also aggressively played down U.S. findings that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.
In addition to those findings by the major intelligence agencies, a nearly two-year investigation led by special counsel Robert Mueller concluded there was a sophisticated, Kremlin-led operation to sow division in the U.S. and upend the 2016 election by using cyberattacks and social media as weapons.
Moscow has denied any meddling. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that the newest allegations are “paranoid reports that, unfortunately, there will be more and more of as we get closer to the elections (in the U.S.). Of course, they have nothing to do with the truth.”
But in the U.S., House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tweeted that, “American voters should decide American elections — not Vladimir Putin.” She added that all members of Congress “should condemn the President’s reported efforts to dismiss threats to the integrity of our democracy & to politicize our intel community.”
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, tweeted: “We count on the intelligence community to inform Congress of any threat of foreign interference in our elections. If reports are true and the President is interfering with that, he is again jeopardizing our efforts to stop foreign meddling. Exactly as we warned he would do.”
Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, said of Trump and the new warnings: “Putin’s Puppet is at it again, taking Russian help for himself.”
”He knows he can’t win without it. And we can’t let it happen,” she said on Twitter.
The U.S. intelligence agencies say Russia interfered in the 2016 election through social media campaigns and by stealing and distributing emails from Democratic accounts. They say Russia was trying to boost Trump’s campaign and add chaos to the American political process.
Mueller concluded separately that Russian interference was “sweeping and systematic,” but he did not find a criminal conspiracy between Russia and the Trump campaign.
Republican lawmakers who were in last week’s briefing by the director of national intelligence’s chief election official, Shelby Pierson, pushed back by saying Trump has been tough on Russia, according to one of the officials describing the meeting.
While Trump has imposed severe economic sanctions on Russia, he also has spoken warmly of Putin and withdrawn troops from areas including Syria, where Moscow could fill the vacuum. He delayed military aid last year to Ukraine, a Russian adversary — a decision that was at the core of his impeachment proceedings.
White House officials said Trump has made clear that any efforts by Russia, or any other nation, to interfere in American elections will be met with sharp consequences.
The tumult caused by the sudden ouster of Maguire adds a new chapter to Trump’s fraught relationship with the intelligence community. He has derided intelligence officials as part of a “deep state” of entrenched bureaucrats who seek to undermine his agenda.
In addition to feuding over the Russian interference, he’s claimed that members of the intelligence community unfairly accused him of unlawfully pressuring Ukraine’s president to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, another central element of the impeachment drama.
At times, Trump has mocked the intelligence community, which he sees as obsessed with Russia. During a meeting with Putin on the sidelines of an international summit in Japan last year, Trump jokingly turned to Putin and playfully told him, “Don’t meddle in the election, President.”
Pierson told NPR in an interview that aired last month that the Russians “are already engaging in influence operations relative to candidates going into 2020.”
Pierson said it’s not just a Russia problem.
”We’re still also concerned about China, Iran, non-state actors, hacktivists and frankly — certainly for DHS and FBI - even Americans that might be looking to undermine confidence in the elections.”
At an open hearing this month, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the House Judiciary Committee that Russia was engaged in “information warfare” heading into the November election, but that law enforcement had not seen efforts to target America’s infrastructure. He said Russia is relying on a covert social media campaign to divide the American public.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-22--Dear Abby: Thinking she’s my friend, woman keeps calling and requesting favors, and I want out

DEAR ABBY : Years ago , I was friendly with a man from work who was very close to his mom .
She came along with us once for lunch and ended up really liking me .
From that point on , whenever he and I would get together for lunch , she would tag along .
At one point , without my permission , he gave her my phone number , and she began calling me .
A little has turned into a lot .
She contacts me every day via text or phone , almost always to complain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always wants to get together for lunch and is constantly asking me for favors , including rides to work ( we do not have the same job or the same hours ) or taking care of her dogs and cats while she ’ s away on her various work trips .
I no longer speak to the man , but I speak to his mother every single day .
She considers me a dear friend and is a very sensitive person with obvious abandonment issues .
My problem is , I have zero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend .
We are very different in pretty much every way imaginable .
I get together with her , respond to her messages , answer her calls and do favors for her out of guilt , not wanting to be yet another person who kicks her to the curb .
How do I handle this ?
Should I continue to allow her to use me for favors and as a sounding board for all her various complaints , or is there a way to gracefully bow out without breaking this woman ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ IN ILLINOIS DEAR WALKING : A way to bow out would be to start weaning her .
Do not make yourself available to the extent that you have .
Screen your calls and resist the impulse to be so helpful .
It ’ s all right to have other plans you need to attend to instead of being at her beck and call every day .
This is how people distance themselves gently .
The alternative would be to stop responding at all , which would be cruel .
While you are no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , tell him what has been going on and ask if he can help with this .
DEAR ABBY : In the past three weeks or so , a man has placed a flower blossom in a small cup on the edge of my patio .
This has happened 18 times .
The flowers are , seemingly , from surrounding yards .
I live in a golfing community , and many golfers pass by daily .
Once , he left a golf ball as well .
As I was looking out one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a red shirt , tan cap and shorts .
His cap was pulled low , so I couldn ’ t see his face .
He looked to be middle-aged , and he walked away quickly .
He has never tried to make contact with me .
My partner is not happy about this , and I ’ m afraid if he catches the man in action , he may cause a scene .
I don ’ t know if I should be flattered or afraid .
Also , the man might be shocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Well , yes , I am kind of flattered . )
What to do , Abby ?
— SECRETLY ADMIRED IN FLORIDA DEAR ADMIRED : Here ’ s what I ’ d do .
I would accept the compliment , but I would also leave a note on the edge of the patio addressed to “ Secret Admirer.
” In it I would say that I ’ m 85 years old and , while flattered , I ’ m not available — so please stop leaving “ gifts ” on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets : “ Abby ’ s Favorite Recipes ” and “ More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 16 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Cookbooklet Set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: Years ago, I was friendly with a man from work who was very close to his mom. She came along with us once for lunch and ended up really liking me. From that point on, whenever he and I would get together for lunch, she would tag along.
At one point, without my permission, he gave her my phone number, and she began calling me. A little has turned into a lot. She contacts me every day via text or phone, almost always to complain about something in her life. She always wants to get together for lunch and is constantly asking me for favors, including rides to work (we do not have the same job or the same hours) or taking care of her dogs and cats while she’s away on her various work trips.
I no longer speak to the man, but I speak to his mother every single day. She considers me a dear friend and is a very sensitive person with obvious abandonment issues. My problem is, I have zero desire to be this woman’s friend. We are very different in pretty much every way imaginable. I get together with her, respond to her messages, answer her calls and do favors for her out of guilt, not wanting to be yet another person who kicks her to the curb.
How do I handle this? Should I continue to allow her to use me for favors and as a sounding board for all her various complaints, or is there a way to gracefully bow out without breaking this woman’s heart? — WALKING A FINE LINE IN ILLINOIS
DEAR WALKING: A way to bow out would be to start weaning her. Do not make yourself available to the extent that you have. Screen your calls and resist the impulse to be so helpful. It’s all right to have other plans you need to attend to instead of being at her beck and call every day. This is how people distance themselves gently.
The alternative would be to stop responding at all, which would be cruel. While you are no longer close to her son, contact him, tell him what has been going on and ask if he can help with this.
DEAR ABBY: In the past three weeks or so, a man has placed a flower blossom in a small cup on the edge of my patio. This has happened 18 times. The flowers are, seemingly, from surrounding yards. I live in a golfing community, and many golfers pass by daily. Once, he left a golf ball as well.
As I was looking out one day, I saw a man wearing a red shirt, tan cap and shorts. His cap was pulled low, so I couldn’t see his face. He looked to be middle-aged, and he walked away quickly. He has never tried to make contact with me.
My partner is not happy about this, and I’m afraid if he catches the man in action, he may cause a scene. I don’t know if I should be flattered or afraid. Also, the man might be shocked to learn that I’m 85. (Well, yes, I am kind of flattered.) What to do, Abby? — SECRETLY ADMIRED IN FLORIDA
DEAR ADMIRED: Here’s what I’d do. I would accept the compliment, but I would also leave a note on the edge of the patio addressed to “Secret Admirer.” In it I would say that I’m 85 years old and, while flattered, I’m not available — so please stop leaving “gifts” on my patio.
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.
Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-22--Woman shot during argument in Chatham

Woman shot during argument in Chatham

A woman was injured in a shooting Saturday in Chatham on the South Side .
The 34-year-old was arguing with @ @ @ @ @ when he shot her in the leg inside an apartment in the 7800 block of @ @ @ @ @ to Chicago police .
He then ran away on foot .
The woman was taken @ @ @ @ @ Medical Center in fair condition , police said .
No one is in custody as @ @ @ @ @ Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A woman was injured in a shooting Saturday in Chatham on the South Side.
The 34-year-old was arguing with her boyfriend, 48, when he shot her in the leg about 4:25 a.m. inside an apartment in the 7800 block of South Eberhart Avenue, according to Chicago police. He then ran.
The woman was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area South detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-22--Man tried luring girl to van near Senn High School: police

Police are looking for a man who tried to lure a girl to a vehicle Thursday near a high school @ @ @ @ @ Side .
The girl left school about 4:45 p.m. and was walking in the 1400 @ @ @ @ @ when a man driving a silver-colored minivan approached her , Chicago police said .
He @ @ @ @ @ said to the girl , “ Get in the car.
” Nicholas Senn High School @ @ @ @ @ away at 5900 N. Glenwood Avenue .
The man is described as 40 to 50 @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
The minivan was last seen heading westbound on Thorndale .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8266 .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Police are looking for a man who tried to lure a girl to a vehicle Thursday near a high school in Edgewater on the North Side.
The girl left school about 4:45 p.m. and was walking in the 1400 block of West Thorndale Avenue when a man driving a silver-colored minivan approached her, Chicago police said. He rolled down his window and said to the girl, “Get in the car.”
Nicholas Senn High School is less than a block away at 5900 N. Glenwood Avenue.
The man is described as 40 to 50 years old with gray hair, police said. The minivan was last seen heading westbound on Thorndale.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8266.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.