chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--18-day ‘Chicago in Tune’ celebration among highlights of Year of Chicago Music

Get ready , Chicago — there ’ s a whole lotta music headed your way this year .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on Monday will announce highlights for the Year of Chicago Music ( YOCM ) , a citywide celebration of Chicago ’ s rich musical heritage .
The core of YOCM will be “ Chicago in Tune , ” an 18-day , multi-venue celebration May 21 through June 7 , anchored by the Chicago House Music Festival ( May 21-23 ) , the Chicago Gospel Music Festival ( May 26-30 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June 5-7 , featuring Shemekia Copeland , Jimmy Johnson , Billy Branch , John Primer , Candi Stanton , Li ’ l Ed and the Blues Imperials and more ) .
In between the festivals are a series of free and ticketed music events/concerts across the city with participation by the Chicago Sinfonietta , the Grant Park Music Festival , the Old Town School of Folk Music , Subterranean , Beat Kitchen , The Hideout and The Promontory , among many other artists , events and venues .
“ Chicago in Tune ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21 with a free “ Chicago Children ’ s Choir ’ s Paint the Town Red ” concert on the Pritzker Pavilion stage .
At the fifth annual Chicago House Music Conference & Festival ( May 21-23 ) , industry leaders will gather and live performances will include a concert at the Pritzker Pavilion on May 23 .
The complete conference/festival schedule will be announced this spring .
In addition to “ Chicago in Tune , ” YOCM will also include the 40th annual Taste of Chicago ( July 8-12 ) , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TBA ) , the Millennium Park Film Series ( June through August ) , the Chicago Jazz Festival ( Aug. 28-Sept. 6 ) and the World Music Festival Chicago ( Sept. 11-27 ) .
Co-chairing the yearlong event with Mark Kelly , DCASE commissioner , are Grammy/Academy Award-winning rapper Che “ Rhymefest ” Smith , jazz vocalist Margaret Murphy-Webb ( founder and executive director of the South Side Jazz Coalition ) , Grammy-nominated musician Juan Díes ( Sones de Mexico Ensemble ) and Juan Teague ( CEO of Juan and Only Events ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music back in October , Kelly said : “ During the Year of Chicago Music , DCASE and our partners are committed to showcasing the incredible musicians that call Chicago home .
With this initiative we hope to build a citywide culture that sustains our artists and inspires our youth .
Building on the city ’ s rich music legacy , our artists hone their craft and push genre boundaries to create a cultural destination for music lovers around the world.
” For more information on the Year of Chicago Music and all @ @ @ @ @

Get ready, Chicago — there’s a whole lotta music headed your way this year.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events on Monday will announce highlights for the Year of Chicago Music (YOCM), a citywide celebration of Chicago’s rich musical heritage.
The core of YOCM will be “Chicago in Tune,” an 18-day, multi-venue celebration May 21 through June 7, anchored by the Chicago House Music Festival (May 21-23), the Chicago Gospel Music Festival (May 26-30), and the Chicago Blues Festival (June 5-7, featuring Shemekia Copeland, Jimmy Johnson, Billy Branch, John Primer, Candi Stanton, Li’l Ed and the Blues Imperials and more).
In between the festivals are a series of free and ticketed music events/concerts across the city with participation by the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Music Festival, the Old Town School of Folk Music, Subterranean, Beat Kitchen, The Hideout and The Promontory, among many other artists, events and venues. “Chicago in Tune” will kick off at 11 a.m. May 21 with a free “Chicago Children’s Choir’s Paint the Town Red” concert on the Pritzker Pavilion stage.
At the fifth annual Chicago House Music Conference & Festival (May 21-23), industry leaders will gather and live performances will include a concert at the Pritzker Pavilion on May 23. The complete conference/festival schedule will be announced this spring.
In addition to “Chicago in Tune,” YOCM will also include the 40th annual Taste of Chicago (July 8-12), the Millennium Park Summer Music Series (dates TBA), the Millennium Park Film Series (June through August), the Chicago Jazz Festival (Aug. 28-Sept. 6) and the World Music Festival Chicago (Sept. 11-27).
Co-chairing the yearlong event with Mark Kelly, DCASE commissioner, are Grammy/Academy Award-winning rapper Che “Rhymefest” Smith, jazz vocalist Margaret Murphy-Webb (founder and executive director of the South Side Jazz Coalition), Grammy-nominated musician Juan Díes (Sones de Mexico Ensemble) and Juan Teague (CEO of Juan and Only Events).
In announcing the Year of Chicago music back in October, Kelly said: “During the Year of Chicago Music, DCASE and our partners are committed to showcasing the incredible musicians that call Chicago home. With this initiative we hope to build a citywide culture that sustains our artists and inspires our youth. Building on the city’s rich music legacy, our artists hone their craft and push genre boundaries to create a cultural destination for music lovers around the world.”
For more information on the Year of Chicago Music and all the festivals/programming, visit yearofchicagomusic.org


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Dear Abby: Can we set rules for our live-in grandson, 24?

DEAR ABBY : Our 24-year-old grandson “ Raffy , ” a college grad from a respected technical institution , couldn ’ t find a job for a year after graduation .
He has been living with us for more than six months without paying rent because we wanted to help him get on his feet .
Currently , his only responsibility is helping somewhat after dinner .
He now has a good job .
I should mention that Raffy tends to be narcissistic .
He frequently wears his baseball hat to meals , even though I have asked him not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with , attacking me when there ’ s a difference of opinion or if he ’ s angry about something .
We live in a three-bedroom condo .
What rules are legitimate for me to require ?
Can I ask him to keep his room straight and take his hat off at meals or when going out for dinner ?
How much room and board should we ask for ?
We have frequent guests — family , our friends , his friends — because we live close to the beach in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big issue , and he refuses to allow visiting cousins to sleep in his room , even though there are two double beds .
I welcome your input , Abby .
— OUT OF CONTROL IN FLORIDA DEAR OUT OF CONTROL : You seem to have forgotten that the condo Raffy lives in belongs to you .
Because it is your home , and he has been living rent-free , you should be making the rules .
It ’ s time to sit him down and tell him together that if he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 1 .
Keep his room neat at all times .
2 .
Remove his hat during the meals he shares with you .
3 .
Allow the visiting cousins to use the extra bed in “ his ” room — which is really your guest room .
4 .
I hesitate to suggest you ask him for money because if you turn the arrangement into a business deal , you may lose leverage .
But I do think you should set a deadline for your gainfully employed ( but difficult ) grandson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been socking away on rent , he should be able to accumulate enough to afford a place of his own .
DEAR ABBY : As kids , we were taught not to kiss on the mouth ( unless a spouse or romantic partner ) .
We never kissed our children on the mouth and felt disgusted when we witnessed it .
We see it happen all the time now , especially on TV .
It never happened in the ‘ 50s and ‘ 60s .
Is my family wrong ?
— HOLDING @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BACK : It ’ s a matter of personal preference and upbringing .
Giving a family member a peck on the lips is neither right nor wrong , and I have certainly never considered a parent or sibling showing affection in this way to be shocking or disgusting .
Readers , what do you think ?
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: Our 24-year-old grandson “Raffy,” a college grad from a respected technical institution, couldn’t find a job for a year after graduation. He has been living with us for more than six months without paying rent because we wanted to help him get on his feet. Currently, his only responsibility is helping somewhat after dinner. He now has a good job.
I should mention that Raffy tends to be narcissistic. He frequently wears his baseball hat to meals, even though I have asked him not to. He can also be difficult to deal with, attacking me when there’s a difference of opinion or if he’s angry about something.
We live in a three-bedroom condo. What rules are legitimate for me to require? Can I ask him to keep his room straight and take his hat off at meals or when going out for dinner? How much room and board should we ask for?
We have frequent guests — family, our friends, his friends — because we live close to the beach in Florida. Space gets to be a big issue, and he refuses to allow visiting cousins to sleep in his room, even though there are two double beds. I welcome your input, Abby. — OUT OF CONTROL IN FLORIDA
DEAR OUT OF CONTROL: You seem to have forgotten that the condo Raffy lives in belongs to you. Because it is your home, and he has been living rent-free, you should be making the rules. It’s time to sit him down and tell him together that if he wants to continue living there, he will:
1. Keep his room neat at all times.
2. Remove his hat during the meals he shares with you.
3. Allow the visiting cousins to use the extra bed in “his” room — which is really your guest room.
4. I hesitate to suggest you ask him for money because if you turn the arrangement into a business deal, you may lose leverage. But I do think you should set a deadline for your gainfully employed (but difficult) grandson to leave. With the money he has been socking away on rent, he should be able to accumulate enough to afford a place of his own.
DEAR ABBY: As kids, we were taught not to kiss on the mouth (unless a spouse or romantic partner). We never kissed our children on the mouth and felt disgusted when we witnessed it.
We see it happen all the time now, especially on TV. It never happened in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Is my family wrong? — HOLDING BACK IN HAMILTON, OHIO
DEAR HOLDING BACK: It’s a matter of personal preference and upbringing. Giving a family member a peck on the lips is neither right nor wrong, and I have certainly never considered a parent or sibling showing affection in this way to be shocking or disgusting. Readers, what do you think?
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--‘A bad time to be a bird’ — Proposed Trump administration rule would be devastating

Millions of birds migrate through the Chicago area each year along Lake Michigan ’ s shoreline , but fewer of them would make it through safely under a new Trump administration proposal .
Last week , the United States Fish and Wildlife Service , which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior , proposed eliminating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act ’ s prohibition on killing migratory birds through unnecessary industrial activities .
It ’ s a terrible move by the Trump administration , and it comes just months after news that North America has lost a quarter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ century , or about 3 billion birds .
Under the administration ’ s proposal , industries wouldn ’ t be penalized for even the foreseeable and entirely avoidable deaths of huge numbers of birds .
Essentially , the penalties would be triggered only when birds are killed on purpose .
That ’ s bad news for the roughly 300 species of migratory bird that fly through Illinois , including the songbirds , hawks , falcons , gulls , owls , terns shorebirds and waterfowl that have been migrating through Illinois and along Lake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or , as Nat Miller , acting executive director of Audubon Great Lakes , said : “ This is a bad time to be a bird.
” The Migratory Bird Treaty Act , which has been in existence since 1918 and long enjoyed bipartisan support , protects birds by imposing fines on industries for unnecessary deaths .
That has encouraged factories , high-rise towers and utility companies to do such things as put red lights on communication towers .
If the law is watered down , conservationists warn that there will be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how companies go about construction and choosing sites for energy-related installations .
Until now , the Migratory Bird Treaty Act has put the federal government in a strong position to negotiate commonsense measures to protect birds , such as making sure power lines are visible to birds and wind turbines are not placed directly in the paths of migrating birds .
Without the law , a contractor in a hurry would be free to cut down a tree even if it holds a colony of nesting herons and their chicks .
As the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut the tree down — the purpose of the law is not to thwart development — but has to wait until the chicks mature and fly away .
“ This is outrageous , ” said Gerald W. Adelmann , president and CEO of the nature protection organization Openlands .
“ Chicago , in the middle of the country , is such a critical flyway.
” A steady stream of scientific reports tells us that our nation and world need to do more , not less , to protect plants and animals .
Last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a million plant and animal species are close to extinction because of human activity .
A report last October by the National Audubon Society warned that two-thirds of North America ’ s birds are threatened by climate change .
Last year , it took a sustained effort by conservationists and volunteers just to protect a pair of endangered piping plovers that had laid eggs on Montrose Beach .
Some folks thought a weekend music fest on the beach mattered more .
But similar threats to birds play out every day as new development @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states , including Illinois , and several conservation organizations have gone to federal court to challenge the Trump administration ’ s stand on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act .
But even so , the administration pushes on .
Many companies , no doubt , voluntarily will do whatever they can to protect birds .
But if federal oversight is eased , other companies are sure to put money and time before all else , and many birds will die as a result .
The proposed changes threaten not only birds that migrate through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rutter , director of public relations for the American Bird Conservancy , but even the “ backyard birds that everyone loves.
” Anybody who is troubled by the massive loss of bird life in the United States over the last half century should make their voices heard during a 45-day comment period that has recently begun .
And they should make it clear to the Trump administration that gutting the protections in a century-old law is simply unacceptable .

Millions of birds migrate through the Chicago area each year along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, but fewer of them would make it through safely under a new Trump administration proposal.
Editorials bug Editorials
Last week, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, proposed eliminating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act’s prohibition on killing migratory birds through unnecessary industrial activities. It’s a terrible move by the Trump administration, and it comes just months after news that North America has lost a quarter of its bird population in the last half century, or about 3 billion birds.
Under the administration’s proposal, industries wouldn’t be penalized for even the foreseeable and entirely avoidable deaths of huge numbers of birds. Essentially, the penalties would be triggered only when birds are killed on purpose.
Birds that migrate through Chicago Examples of birds that migrate through the Chicago area Eastern Phoebe, White-throated sparrow, White-crowned sparrow, Fox sparrow, Hermit thrush, Brown thrasher, Gray catbird, Golden-crowned kinglet, Ruby-crowned kinglet, Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Eastern wood-pewee, Great crested flycatcher, Scarlet tanager, Indigo Bunting, Baltimore oriole, Rose-breasted grosbeak, Yellow-rumped warbler, Palm warbler, Black-throated green warbler, American redstart, Blackburnian warbler, Chestnut-sided warbler, Yellow warbler, Magnolia warbler. SOURCE: Chicago Botanic Garden
That’s bad news for the roughly 300 species of migratory bird that fly through Illinois, including the songbirds, hawks, falcons, gulls, owls, terns shorebirds and waterfowl that have been migrating through Illinois and along Lake Michigan’s shoreline for eons.
Or, as Nat Miller, acting executive director of Audubon Great Lakes, said: “This is a bad time to be a bird.”
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which has been in existence since 1918 and long enjoyed bipartisan support, protects birds by imposing fines on industries for unnecessary deaths. That has encouraged factories, high-rise towers and utility companies to do such things as put red lights on communication towers.
If the law is watered down, conservationists warn that there will be an immediate impact, in particular, on how companies go about construction and choosing sites for energy-related installations. Until now, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act has put the federal government in a strong position to negotiate commonsense measures to protect birds, such as making sure power lines are visible to birds and wind turbines are not placed directly in the paths of migrating birds.
Without the law, a contractor in a hurry would be free to cut down a tree even if it holds a colony of nesting herons and their chicks. As the law stands now, the contractor can cut the tree down — the purpose of the law is not to thwart development — but has to wait until the chicks mature and fly away.
“This is outrageous,” said Gerald W. Adelmann, president and CEO of the nature protection organization Openlands. “Chicago, in the middle of the country, is such a critical flyway.”
A steady stream of scientific reports tells us that our nation and world need to do more, not less, to protect plants and animals. Last year, the United Nations reported that a million plant and animal species are close to extinction because of human activity. A report last October by the National Audubon Society warned that two-thirds of North America’s birds are threatened by climate change.
Last year, it took a sustained effort by conservationists and volunteers just to protect a pair of endangered piping plovers that had laid eggs on Montrose Beach. Some folks thought a weekend music fest on the beach mattered more. But similar threats to birds play out every day as new development destroys and displaces natural habitat.
Eight states, including Illinois, and several conservation organizations have gone to federal court to challenge the Trump administration’s stand on the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. But even so, the administration pushes on.
Many companies, no doubt, voluntarily will do whatever they can to protect birds. But if federal oversight is eased, other companies are sure to put money and time before all else, and many birds will die as a result.
The proposed changes threaten not only birds that migrate through the Chicago area, said Jordan E. Rutter, director of public relations for the American Bird Conservancy, but even the “backyard birds that everyone loves.”
Anybody who is troubled by the massive loss of bird life in the United States over the last half century should make their voices heard during a 45-day comment period that has recently begun. And they should make it clear to the Trump administration that gutting the protections in a century-old law is simply unacceptable.
The Post Tribune 1 of 3 STNG 2 of 3 3 of 3
Even as the populations of some bird species in the Chicago region have risen in recent years, others have declined. SOURCE: Bird Conservation Network
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Chicago man, 74, killed in Bedford Park crash

A Chicago man was killed in a crash Sunday in southwest suburban Bedford Park .
James L. Koffend , 74 @ @ @ @ @ collision about 8:40 p.m. at West 71st Street and South Sayre Avenue , according to @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office .
He was pronounced dead at 9:20 p.m. , the medical examiner @ @ @ @ @ He lived in Clearing .
Autopsy results released Monday found Koffend died from multiple injuries @ @ @ @ @ the medical examiner ’ s office said .
His death was ruled an accident .

A Chicago man was killed in a crash Sunday in southwest suburban Bedford Park.
James L. Koffend, 74, was involved in a collision about 8:40 p.m. at West 71st Street and South Sayre Avenue, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office.
He was pronounced dead at 9:20 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said. He lived in Clearing.
Autopsy results released Monday found Koffend died from multiple injuries sustained in the crash, the medical examiner’s office said. His death was ruled an accident.
Bedford Park police didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--‘Incorrect info’ interpreted ‘incorrectly’ blamed for latest voter registration screw-up — affecting

‘Incorrect info’ interpreted ‘incorrectly’ blamed for latest voter registration screw-up — affecting former prison inmates

Hundreds of former Illinois prison inmates had their voter registrations mistakenly canceled .
The Illinois State Board of Elections on Monday notified 59 state election authorities that 774 people who were formerly incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections might be subject to erroneous cancellations due to a data error .
The largest number of the cancellations — 245 — came from Cook County .
The snafu stems from a data-matching error between the state ’ s election board and the Illinois Department of Corrections .
Individuals were incorrectly categorized as currently incarcerated when in fact they had completed their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Under Illinois law , voting rights are suspended while a person is in prison , but the rights are restored upon release — but the individual must re-register to vote .
This also includes those who have been released on parole , mandatory supervised release and on condition of electronic monitoring .
Board spokesman Matt Dietrich said the state found out about the cancellations in November when officials were reviewing the data the Department of Corrections sent .
Dietrich said the problem stemmed from the department giving the elections board “ incorrect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re taking info and interpreting it incorrectly.
” The state electoral board incorrectly identified the 774 people as being actively incarcerated at the time .
After learning of the mistake , the board sent word out to local election authorities to reverse the registration cancellation .
Dietrich said it will be up the local electoral boards to determine if any of the 774 people were removed from the voter rolls for other legitimate reasons , such as failing to report a change of address .
The Board of Elections has “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the affected individuals so that their registrations can be reviewed for reinstatement by the start of early voting on Feb. 6 , ” a news release said .
It ’ s just the latest voter registration-related headache for the state .
Late last month , Republicans and some Democrats called for an investigation into how 545 self-identified non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote as part of the Illinois ’ automatic voter registration program .
And last week , the Illinois secretary of state was told to stop allowing 16-year-olds to start the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of gaffes , voters shouldn ’ t be concerned about the integrity of the state ’ s voter registration system , Dietrich said .
” The earlier issue with [ automatic voter registration ] has been fixed — we know that we ’ ve tested it we ’ re continuing to monitor it , ” Dietrich said .
“ This is something that ’ s different , this had nothing to do with the voter registration process , it had to do with our mistake that may have led to these jurisdictions cancelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ registrations cancelled .
”

Hundreds of former Illinois prison inmates had their voter registrations mistakenly canceled.
The Illinois State Board of Elections on Monday notified 59 state election authorities that 774 people who were formerly incarcerated in the Illinois Department of Corrections might be subject to erroneous cancellations due to a data error.
The largest number of the cancellations — 245 — came from Cook County.
The snafu stems from a data-matching error between the state’s election board and the Illinois Department of Corrections. Individuals were incorrectly categorized as currently incarcerated when in fact they had completed their sentences and been discharged, officials said.
Under Illinois law, voting rights are suspended while a person is in prison, but the rights are restored upon release — but the individual must re-register to vote. This also includes those who have been released on parole, mandatory supervised release and on condition of electronic monitoring.
Board spokesman Matt Dietrich said the state found out about the cancellations in November when officials were reviewing the data the Department of Corrections sent. Dietrich said the problem stemmed from the department giving the elections board “incorrect info, but at the same time we’re taking info and interpreting it incorrectly.”
The state electoral board incorrectly identified the 774 people as being actively incarcerated at the time. After learning of the mistake, the board sent word out to local election authorities to reverse the registration cancellation.
Dietrich said it will be up the local electoral boards to determine if any of the 774 people were removed from the voter rolls for other legitimate reasons, such as failing to report a change of address.
The Board of Elections has “provided each election authority with voter information on the affected individuals so that their registrations can be reviewed for reinstatement by the start of early voting on Feb. 6,” a news release said.
It’s just the latest voter registration-related headache for the state.
Late last month, Republicans and some Democrats called for an investigation into how 545 self-identified non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote as part of the Illinois’ automatic voter registration program. And last week, the Illinois secretary of state was told to stop allowing 16-year-olds to start the voter registration process.
Despite the series of gaffes, voters shouldn’t be concerned about the integrity of the state’s voter registration system, Dietrich said.
”The earlier issue with [automatic voter registration] has been fixed — we know that we’ve tested it we’re continuing to monitor it,” Dietrich said. “This is something that’s different, this had nothing to do with the voter registration process, it had to do with our mistake that may have led to these jurisdictions cancelling registrations who should not have had their registrations cancelled.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Multiple allegations of sex misconduct, other wrongdoing led to suspensions at Lincoln Park H.S., ba

Multiple allegations of sex misconduct, other wrongdoing led to suspensions at Lincoln Park H.S., basketball season cancelation, CPS says

The allegations that led to the ouster of top administrators at Lincoln Park High School and the cancelation of the boys basketball season last week included multiple instances of sexual misconduct , retaliation against witnesses , lying to families and financial mismanagement of the athletics program , according to a presentation Chicago Public Schools officials are expected to show parents at a meeting Monday evening .
The presentation , obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times ahead of the meeting , lays out in broad terms the allegations that have prompted four distinct investigations by the CPS Office of Student Protections and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPS Office of Inspector General .
While broad in scope , the presentation released by CPS does not provide extensive details of the incidents or allege who was specifically involved .
The allegations include : • Repeated and ongoing retaliation against witnesses and complainants • Interference with an official investigation by school leadership and staff • Financial misconduct with respect to athletics ’ program accounts The series of events started Jan. 2 when the OSP received a report of misconduct involving the Lincoln Park boys ’ basketball team on a trip to Detroit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later , the district found allegations of “ additional serious policy violations , ” according to the presentation .
That ’ s when Lions basketball coach Pat Gordon was suspended by CPS .
The district at that time was investigating claims about students having sex in Detroit , social media being involved and that Gordon knew about it , the Sun-Times previously reported .
Gordon , who denied knowledge of the alleged incident in Detroit , has not been accused of improper contact with a student .
As the investigation continued , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy violations by adults , ” though the presentation doesn ’ t clarify what those included .
Investigators on Jan. 14 learned of a new , separate complaint of alleged sexual misconduct , the presentation says .
A CPS source said that involved a female and male student inside a classroom and was unrelated to the basketball team .
Two days later CPS found a case of “ student-on-student retaliation previously reported to school leadership that was not properly reported to ensure student safety , ” the presentation says .
Those findings prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Jan. 17 , the Inspector General ’ s office received another report of alleged sexual misconduct involving the girls ’ basketball team and launched a fourth investigation .
The IG ’ s office on Jan. 24 requested the removal of an unidentified adult related to the girls ’ basketball team investigation .
Later that week , the district “ was made aware of additional systemic school-wide issues regarding misconduct and sports , ” according to the presentation .
That ’ s when CPS decided to remove Interim Principal John Thuet and Assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and interim basketball coach Donovan Robinson .
The reminder of the boys basketball season was suspended “ due to the severity of the allegations and the adverse culture that was created , ” the presentation states .
Gordon on Monday denied the team culture was a problem and said the complaints are from disgruntled people .
“ Our culture is better than any other program in the city , ” he said .
” Does this mean anyone can say anything and [ CPS ] is going to suspend the coach ?
... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing is about bullying and favoritism .
Every coach has favoritism .
We favor the kids that work hard and are committed to the program.
” Robinson said the response by CPS has been too severe , especially because the team had been slated to appear in the Public League playoffs on Tuesday .
“ The players should be able to play in the city playoffs and not be punished for something they continue to say isn ’ t true , ” he said .
” This shows us that the district hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They reacted with harsh discipline without factual evidence.
” Neither Thuet nor Brumfield could be reached for comment .
Before some of the allegations were outlined later Monday , about 300 Lincoln Park High School students walked out of class in the morning , demanding the reinstatement of Theutt and Brumfield — as well as the resumption of the basketball season .
“ This is all we know , ” said Romelle Howard , co-captain of the basketball team .
“ We worked too hard to come this far just for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty messed up.
” Several members of the basketball team said Monday that some of the claimed misconduct was nothing more than a made-up rumor .
Ismail Habib , who is also a basketball team co-captain , said he ’ s worried about the impact of the suspended season on some of his teammates .
“ CPS says they care , they care about our health .
But this is injuring us , ” Habib said .
“ We might stop going to school because of this , because basketball is the thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking part in the walkout said the issue was much broader than the fate of the basketball season .
Those students demanded the return to school of Thuet and Brumfield .
“ We ’ ve always had a reputation of our school being , like , druggie — all these bad connotations about our school — but they made it so much better in the last semester that they ’ ve been here , ” said Grace Kibbey , 16 , a cheerleader .
‘ No one knows what happened ’ The walkout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circling the school , chanting and holding aloft signs in support of the team and the missing school administrators .
Christy Bauhs , a parent with two kids at Lincoln Park , said she gets “ choked up ” thinking Thuet and Brumfield are no longer at the school .
“ In the short time they ’ ve been here , they ’ ve completely changed the atmosphere of the school .
Thuet is amazing , ” Bauhs said .
She said she ’ s upset at the lack of transparency from CPS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — that ’ s why everyone is freaking out , ” Bauhs said .
“ The [ lack of ] communication is making it worse .
If they would just tell us exactly what happened , then maybe we ’ d be like , ‘ Oh , OK .
’ ”

The allegations that led to the ouster of top administrators at Lincoln Park High School and the suspension of the remainder of the boys basketball season last week included multiple instances of sexual misconduct, retaliation against witnesses, lying to families and financial mismanagement of the athletics program, Chicago Public Schools officials said at a meeting at the school Monday night.
CPS Chief Schools Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova told a packed school auditorium that students had been harmed “physically” and “emotionally.”
The decision to remove the school leadership is “irreversible,” said Chkoumbova.
“There are allegations of both adult-on-student sexual misconduct as well as student on student,” Deb Spraggins, director of investigations for the Office of Student Protections, said.
But Marybeth Jones, a member of the local school council, said members of the school’s governing body were “shocked” and blindsided” by the removals.
“It would be unconscionable for CPS to decapitate the most student focused, faculty focused, safety focused and community dedicated administration it has had in anyone’s memory,” she said.
In a presentation shown at the meeting, CPS laid out in broad terms the allegations that have prompted four distinct investigations by the CPS Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) and the CPS Office of Inspector General.
The presentation did not provide extensive details of the incidents or allege who was specifically involved. Chkoumbova said additional details would not be immediately forthcoming as the investigations continued.
The allegations also include:
Failure to follow mandatory sexual misconduct reporting procedures
Repeated and ongoing retaliation against witnesses and complainants
Improper student discipline
Interference with an official investigation by school leadership and staff
Withholding evidence from investigative bodies
Improper evidence gathering and retraumatizing interviews of students
Dishonesty to families
Allowing suspended employees to continue to work
Athletic recruiting violations
Financial misconduct with respect to athletics’ program accounts
Probes began in early January
The series of events started Jan. 2 when the OSP received a report of misconduct involving the Lincoln Park boys’ basketball team on a trip to Detroit near the end of December. Five days later, the district found allegations of “additional serious policy violations,” according to the presentation. That’s when Lions basketball coach Pat Gordon was suspended by CPS.
The district at that time was investigating claims about students having sex in Detroit, social media being involved and that Gordon knew about it, the Sun-Times previously reported. Gordon, who denied knowledge of the alleged incident in Detroit, has not been accused of improper contact with a student.
As the investigation continued, CPS days later found “greater systemic policy violations by adults,” though the presentation doesn’t clarify what those included.
Alleged assault in the school
Investigators on Jan. 14 learned of a new, separate complaint of alleged sexual misconduct, the presentation says. A CPS source said that involved a female and male student inside a classroom and was unrelated to the basketball team.
Two days later CPS found a case of “student-on-student retaliation previously reported to school leadership that was not properly reported to ensure student safety,” the presentation says. Those findings prompted the opening of two new investigations.
On Jan. 17, the Inspector General’s office received another report of alleged sexual misconduct involving the girls’ basketball team and launched a fourth investigation. The IG’s office on Jan. 24 requested the removal of an unidentified adult related to the girls’ basketball team investigation.
Later that week, the district “was made aware of additional systemic school-wide issues regarding misconduct and sports,” according to the presentation. That’s when CPS decided to remove Interim Principal John Thuet and Assistant Principal Michelle Brumfield while reassigning a dean and interim basketball coach Donovan Robinson.
The reminder of the boys basketball season was suspended “due to the severity of the allegations and the adverse culture that was created,” the presentation states.
Team culture defended
Gordon on Monday denied the team culture was a problem and said the complaints are from disgruntled people.
“Our culture is better than any other program in the city,” he said.
“Does this mean anyone can say anything and [CPS] is going to suspend the coach? ... Some of the stuff I’m hearing is about bullying and favoritism. Every coach has favoritism. We favor the kids that work hard and are committed to the program.”
Robinson said the response by CPS has been too severe, especially because the team had been slated to appear in the Public League playoffs on Tuesday.
“The players should be able to play in the city playoffs and not be punished for something they continue to say isn’t true,” he said. ”This shows us that the district hasn’t moved fully with restorative justice. They reacted with harsh discipline without factual evidence.”
Neither Thuet nor Brumfield could be reached for comment.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
LSC surprised
Parents teachers and students expressed frustration during the public meeting Monday night at the school’s auditorium that at times became raucous.
Jones, who is also a parent, said, “LSC members are appalled of the characterization of these three individuals taking place in the local media as a result of this action and CPS’ opaque explanation of the move,” she said, referring to the removal of the principal, assistant principal and dean.
Chkoumbova, responding to the concerns raised at the meeting, said: “I really hear how passionately many of you spoke of your experience working with the administration here at this school, I also want to let you know that these ... are not decisions that are taken lightly. If there is no evidence or the investigations are not concluding that this is the next right move, CPS would not have done this.”
Added CPS Security Chief Jadine Chou: “Believe me, I wish we could give you more info but unfortunately we can’t.”
Student walkout
Before some of the allegations were outlined later Monday, about 300 Lincoln Park High School students walked out of class in the morning, demanding the reinstatement of Theutt and Brumfield — as well as the resumption of the basketball season.
“This is all we know,” said Romelle Howard, co-captain of the basketball team. “We worked too hard to come this far just for our season to end. It’s pretty messed up.”
Several members of the basketball team said Monday that some of the claimed misconduct was nothing more than a made-up rumor.
Ismail Habib, who is also a basketball team co-captain, said he’s worried about the impact of the suspended season on some of his teammates.
“CPS says they care, they care about our health. But this is injuring us,” Habib said. “We might stop going to school because of this, because basketball is the thing that makes us go.”
Several students taking part in the walkout said the issue was much broader than the fate of the basketball season. Those students demanded the return to school of Thuet and Brumfield.
“We’ve always had a reputation of our school being, like, druggie — all these bad connotations about our school — but they made it so much better in the last semester that they’ve been here,” said Grace Kibbey, 16, a cheerleader.
‘No one knows what happened’
The walkout lasted about an hour and involved students circling the school, chanting and holding aloft signs in support of the team and the missing school administrators.
Christy Bauhs, a parent with two kids at Lincoln Park, said she gets “choked up” thinking Thuet and Brumfield are no longer at the school.
“In the short time they’ve been here, they’ve completely changed the atmosphere of the school. Thuet is amazing,” Bauhs said.
She said she’s upset at the lack of transparency from CPS.
“No one knows what happened — that’s why everyone is freaking out,” Bauhs said. “The [lack of] communication is making it worse. If they would just tell us exactly what happened, then maybe we’d be like, ‘Oh, OK.’”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--When kids are dying, how could Gov. Pritzker fail to mention DCFS in his big speech?

In his State of the State address last week , it was disappointing that Gov .
J.B. Pritzker never once mentioned what is arguably the state ’ s most important , and most troubled , agency .
I ’ m referring to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services ( DCFS ) , which is charged with caring for 17,000 children who have been removed from their families due to abuse or neglect .
It ’ s nice to hear that the governor is opposed to the corruption that is rampant in our state .
It ’ s also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his first year in office .
But to not even mention as important and dysfunctional an agency as DCFS ?
I was hoping to hear a resolve to take on the problems that plague the agency , similar to his pledge to fight corruption .
Consider the following : · According to DCFS ’ s inspector general , 123 children died between July 2018 and June 2019 even though DCFS had involvement with those children during the prior year .
These include the well-publicized deaths of AJ Freund , killed by his parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gibbons , beaten to death by her mother ’ s boyfriend when she was two .
Sadly , this intolerable situation should not be surprising considering that DCFS remains out of compliance with caseload standards for its investigators under a decades-old federal consent decree .
· Also according to the DCFS inspector general , another 56 children died between July and December 2019 despite DCFS involvement during the prior year .
Most significantly , this period covers the second six months of Pritzker ’ s first year in office .
· Over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ twice , the transfer of all of its children to a Managed Care Organization for their medical care due to chaos , confusion , a woefully inadequate provider network , lack of an appeals process that complies with state law and many other problems .
The transfer is now scheduled to happen on April 1 , but none of these problems have been resolved .
Many of the impacted children have complex medical needs , and disruption of their medical care could be devastating .
· Last summer my office learned that children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floors in DCFS offices instead of in a warm , comfortable bed in an appropriate placement .
My office had to sue DCFS in July to get information about the extent of the problem .
Pursuant to documents obtained through the lawsuit , we learned that this has happened to dozens of children throughout the state .
· Last fall my office learned that DCFS was shackling dozens of children by their hands and legs , with no possible safety or clinical justification , when transporting them to new placements .
In my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have never before heard of such a thing .
These children are in DCFS care because they were born to abusive or neglectful parents , not because they are criminals .
Most remarkably , in DCFS ’ s contract with the private bus company involved , DCFS delegated authority to the bus drivers to decide when to shackle kids .
· DCFS continues to allow its children to languish for weeks and months in locked psychiatric hospitals after they are ready for discharge because DCFS has nowhere to place them .
This happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Children also languish for months in shelters , again due to DCFS ’ s severe shortage of placements .
· Two reports came out last year about the failures of DCFS ’ s child abuse hotline .
Nearly half of callers have to leave messages and wait days for a callback .
The hotline is supposed to be the first line of defense to protect children who are being abused .
All this , and not a single mention in the State of the State address ?
Is DCFS not on this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care about these children ?
How many more children must die before DCFS gets the attention , resources and commitment it deserves ?
Charles Golbert is the Cook County Public Guardian .
His office represents approximately 6,000 children in abuse and neglect cases in the Cook County Juvenile Court .

In his State of the State address last week, it was disappointing that Gov. J.B. Pritzker never once mentioned what is arguably the state’s most important, and most troubled, agency.
I’m referring to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), which is charged with caring for 17,000 children who have been removed from their families due to abuse or neglect.
It’s nice to hear that the governor is opposed to the corruption that is rampant in our state. It’s also fine that he touted his accomplishments during his first year in office.
But to not even mention as important and dysfunctional an agency as DCFS?
Opinion bug Opinion
I was hoping to hear a resolve to take on the problems that plague the agency, similar to his pledge to fight corruption. Consider the following:
· According to DCFS’s inspector general, 123 children died between July 2018 and June 2019 even though DCFS had involvement with those children during the prior year. These include the well-publicized deaths of AJ Freund, killed by his parents when he was five, and Jahir Gibbons, beaten to death by her mother’s boyfriend when she was two. Sadly, this intolerable situation should not be surprising considering that DCFS remains out of compliance with caseload standards for its investigators under a decades-old federal consent decree.
· Also according to the DCFS inspector general, another 56 children died between July and December 2019 despite DCFS involvement during the prior year. Most significantly, this period covers the second six months of Pritzker’s first year in office.
· Over the past year DCFS had to delay, twice, the transfer of all of its children to a Managed Care Organization for their medical care due to chaos, confusion, a woefully inadequate provider network, lack of an appeals process that complies with state law and many other problems. The transfer is now scheduled to happen on April 1, but none of these problems have been resolved. Many of the impacted children have complex medical needs, and disruption of their medical care could be devastating.
· Last summer my office learned that children in DCFS care were sleeping on the floors in DCFS offices instead of in a warm, comfortable bed in an appropriate placement. My office had to sue DCFS in July to get information about the extent of the problem. Pursuant to documents obtained through the lawsuit, we learned that this has happened to dozens of children throughout the state.
· Last fall my office learned that DCFS was shackling dozens of children by their hands and legs, with no possible safety or clinical justification, when transporting them to new placements. In my three decades of doing this work I have never before heard of such a thing. These children are in DCFS care because they were born to abusive or neglectful parents, not because they are criminals. Most remarkably, in DCFS’s contract with the private bus company involved, DCFS delegated authority to the bus drivers to decide when to shackle kids.
· DCFS continues to allow its children to languish for weeks and months in locked psychiatric hospitals after they are ready for discharge because DCFS has nowhere to place them. This happens to more than 300 children every year. Children also languish for months in shelters, again due to DCFS’s severe shortage of placements.
· Two reports came out last year about the failures of DCFS’s child abuse hotline. Nearly half of callers have to leave messages and wait days for a callback. The hotline is supposed to be the first line of defense to protect children who are being abused.
All this, and not a single mention in the State of the State address?
Is DCFS not on this administration’s radar? Does anyone care about these children? How many more children must die before DCFS gets the attention, resources and commitment it deserves?
Our children deserve better.
Charles Golbert is the Cook County Public Guardian. His office represents approximately 6,000 children in abuse and neglect cases in the Cook County Juvenile Court.
Send letters to: letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Outbound I-55 lanes open at 1st Avenue after crash, fuel spill

Traffic on I-55 is moving after outbound lanes were closed Monday morning for more than an hour after a crash @ @ @ @ @ road near 1st Avenue in the southwest suburbs .
State troopers responded to the five-vehicle @ @ @ @ @ blocked all lanes of outbound traffic , but allowed cars to pass on the right @ @ @ @ @ said .
A box truck lost control and jack-knifed across several lanes , causing a @ @ @ @ @ leak , state police said .
Three semis and one green Honda passenger car were @ @ @ @ @ .
The driver of the Honda was hospitalized with minor , non-life threatening injuries , @ @ @ @ @ other drivers refused medical attention on the scene .
Lanes re-opened at 11:15 a.m. , @ @ @ @

Traffic on I-55 is moving after outbound lanes were closed Monday morning for more than an hour after a crash left fuel spilled on the road near 1st Avenue in the southwest suburbs.
State troopers responded to the five-vehicle crash about 10 a.m. and blocked all lanes of outbound traffic, but allowed cars to pass on the right shoulder, Illinois State Police said.
A box truck lost control and jack-knifed across several lanes, causing a chain reaction crash and diesel leak, state police said. Three semis and one green Honda passenger car were also involved in the crash.
The driver of the Honda was hospitalized with minor, non-life threatening injuries, state police said. All other drivers refused medical attention on the scene.
Lanes re-opened at 11:15 a.m., state police said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--CPS cafeterias serving food by renowned chefs? That’s the plan with the new Chef Council

It ’ s not everyday that Chicago Public Schools students find an entree made by a renowned chef in their cafeterias .
But on Tuesday , Chef Josephine “ Mother ” Wade , of Chatham ’ s iconic Josephine ’ s Southern Cooking restaurant , will be serving her famous chicken stew at Deneen Elementary in Greater Grand Crossing with CPS CEO Janice Jackson at her side .
Tuesday ’ s event marks the launch of CPS ’ brand new Chicago Chef Council — a panel of celebrated chefs who will contribute their culinary passion and creativity toward developing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served by CPS ’ Nutrition Support Services while promoting the CPS Farm to School program and engaging students and staff through demonstration events , in-café sampling , and take-home recipe cards .
In addition to Wade , the 12-member council includes stars like Beverly Kim , a 2019 James Beard Award winner and co-owner of Avondale ’ s Michelin-starred Parachute restaurant ; and Bill Kim , the James Beard-nominated cookbook author of the West Loop ’ s former BellyQ .
“ It ’ s awesome that the chef community in this great food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how CPS can improve the quality and wholesomeness and add more exciting flavor profiles to the school menu , drawing on our diversity and experiences with being creative on a budget , ” said Beverly Kim , who with husband Johnny Clark won the James Beard Award for Best Chef : Great Lakes .
“ My recipe is so simple , because I understand children , ” Beverly Kim said of her CPS contribution , a pulogi beef dish with brown rice , fresh kimchi and miso soup .
“ Their palettes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drew on my experience of what my own kids like .
The whole idea is giving them something you would find in a school cafeteria in Seoul , Korea .
Food is a language .
And it ’ s good to give kids that exposure at an early age , expanding their knowledge beyond pizza and hamburgers.
” Wade , 77 , and Jackson , will also be honoring Black History Month in announcing the new initiative .
Wade ’ s restaurant — opened as Captain ’ s Hard Times in 1986 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s black community for more than three decades , the walls of her East 79th Street eatery are filled with photos of heads of state , politicians and celebrities for whom the soul food restaurant has been a must-visit .
The late Aretha Franklin never missed coming by for the gumbo .
“ I ’ m excited about the council , because our kids are going to school with improper diets , what with working single parents and eating on the run , ” said Wade , who was honored by the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vernon in 2017 .
“ Now when I was a girl , my mother and grandmother made sure we got a wholesome balanced breakfast , then light food for lunch in our lunch boxes .
When kids don ’ t get proper nutrition , it changes their behavior and they can ’ t stay focused , ” said Wade , who last June opened her eatery ’ s first satellite for McCormick Place convention-goers .
“ We need someone to step up to save our African American food culture , because if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly homegrown food from the garden , lots of vegetables , and our generation lived longer , ” Wade continued .
“ I hear all the time , ‘ Josephine , I ’ m on a diet.
’ That doesn ’ t mean you can ’ t still eat at my restaurant .
I know how to cook .
I don ’ t cook with grease in my meat to clog your arteries .
My macaroni doesn ’ t have a lot of dairy in it .
We use 2 % milk and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have a lot of cholesterol .
I think the kids are going to love my chicken stew.
” Others on the council include Chef Clifford Rome , of Rome ’ s Joy Companies in Bronzeville ; Chef Mario Santiago , of May St. Café in Pilsen ; Chef Ken Polk of Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park ; Chef Matthew Jost of PureCircle Food & Beverages ; Chef Monica Hayes Jones of Tasteful Manners in Edgewater ; and Chef Danielle Murray of Da Real Foodie .
Also on the council are several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Art Smith , whose nonprofit , Common Threads , promotes cooking and nutrition education ; Chef Melissa Graham , whose nonprofit Purple Asparagus , promotes access to healthy eating ; and Green City Market , the city ’ s largest year-round sustainable farmers market .
“ Bringing the flavors of Chicago into our schools gives students the opportunity to celebrate local culture while learning about the importance of nutrition and the culinary arts , ” Jackson said .
“ I want to thank the Chef Council ... for this bold , new undertaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nutrition while in school .
”

It’s not every day that Chicago Public Schools students find an entree made by a renowned chef in their cafeterias.
But on Tuesday, Chef Josephine “Mother” Wade, of Chatham’s iconic Josephine’s Southern Cooking restaurant, will be serving her famous chicken stew at Deneen Elementary in Greater Grand Crossing with CPS CEO Janice Jackson at her side.
Tuesday’s event marks the launch of CPS’ brand new Chicago Chef Council — a panel of celebrated chefs who will contribute their culinary passion and creativity toward developing the daily breakfasts, lunches and after-school meals served by CPS’ Nutrition Support Services. They will also promote the CPS Farm to School program and engaging students and staff through demonstrations, in-café sampling and take-home recipes.
Josephine “Mother” Wade, owner of Josephine’s Southern Cooking in the Chatham neighborhood, Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, in Chicago. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
In addition to Wade, the 12-member council includes stars like Beverly Kim, a 2019 James Beard Award winner and co-owner of Avondale’s Michelin-starred Parachute restaurant; and Bill Kim, the James Beard-nominated cookbook author of BellyQ, formerly in the West Loop.
“It’s awesome that the chef community in this great food city is coming together to give ideas on how CPS can improve the quality and wholesomeness and add more exciting flavor profiles to the school menu, drawing on our diversity and experiences with being creative on a budget,” said Beverly Kim, who with husband Johnny Clark won the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes.
“My recipe is so simple, because I understand children,” Beverly Kim said of her CPS contribution, a pulogi beef dish with brown rice, fresh kimchi and miso soup.
Beverly Kim, winner of the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes, is among 12 celebrated chefs named to the Chicago Public Schools’ brand new Chicago Chef Council — a panel that will develop recipes and help create menus to feed CPS students. Provided photo
“Their palettes are still developing, so I just drew on my experience of what my own kids like. The whole idea is giving them something you would find in a school cafeteria in Seoul, Korea. Food is a language. And it’s good to give kids that exposure at an early age, expanding their knowledge beyond pizza and hamburgers.”
Wade, 77, and Jackson, will also be honoring Black History Month in announcing the new initiative.
Wade’s restaurant — opened as Captain’s Hard Times in 1986 — has been a fixture in Chicago’s black community for more than three decades, the walls of her East 79th Street eatery filled with photos of heads of state, politicians and celebrities for whom the soul food restaurant is a must-visit. The late Aretha Franklin never missed coming by for the gumbo.
“I’m excited about the council, because our kids are going to school with improper diets, what with working single parents and eating on the run,” said Wade, who was honored by the city with a street sign at 79th & Vernon in 2017.
“Now when I was a girl, my mother and grandmother made sure we got a wholesome balanced breakfast, then light food for lunch in our lunch boxes. When kids don’t get proper nutrition, it changes their behavior and they can’t stay focused,” said Wade, who last June opened her eatery’s first satellite for McCormick Place convention-goers.
“We need someone to step up to save our African American food culture, because if you go back in history, we ate mostly homegrown food from the garden, lots of vegetables, and our generation lived longer,” Wade continued.
“I hear all the time, ‘Josephine, I’m on a diet.’ That doesn’t mean you can’t still eat at my restaurant. I know how to cook. I don’t cook with grease in my meat to clog your arteries. My macaroni doesn’t have a lot of dairy in it. We use 2% milk and chicken broth, so it doesn’t have a lot of cholesterol. I think the kids are going to love my chicken stew.”
Chef Clifford Rome (L), of Rome’s Joy Companies in Bronzeville, and Chef Mario Santiago, of May St. Café in Pilsen, are among 12 celebrated chefs on the Chicago Public Schools’ new Chicago Chef Council that will develop recipes and create menus to feed CPS students. Provided photo
Others on the council include Chef Clifford Rome, of Rome’s Joy Companies in Bronzeville; Chef Mario Santiago, of May St. Café in Pilsen; Chef Ken Polk of Batter & Berries in Lincoln Park; Chef Matthew Jost of PureCircle Food & Beverages; Chef Monica Hayes Jones of Tasteful Manners in Edgewater; and Chef Danielle Murray of Da Real Foodie.
Also on the council are several chefs from food advocacy organizations: Chef Art Smith, whose nonprofit, Common Threads, promotes cooking and nutrition education; Chef Melissa Graham, whose nonprofit Purple Asparagus, promotes access to healthy eating; and Green City Market, the city’s largest year-round sustainable farmers market.
“Bringing the flavors of Chicago into our schools gives students the opportunity to celebrate local culture while learning about the importance of nutrition and the culinary arts,” Jackson said. “I want to thank the Chef Council ... for this bold, new undertaking that will shape how students experience food and nutrition while in school.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--A Reddit thread tipped off ‘McMillions’ directors to contest scandal at McDonald’s

An unexpected circumstance can make any honest person do something unspeakable — like steal millions of dollars from one of the biggest fast-food companies in the world .
The crime becomes increasingly more complicated when colorful characters from Florida , the mob and a marketing agency all know a seemingly foolproof way to win $ 1 million from the ’ 90s McDonald ’ s Monopoly game .
Directors Brian Lazarte and Chicago-born James Lee Hernandez examine how an ex-police officer stole millions of dollars from the game over the course of 12 years in the six-part documentary “ McMillions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series , from a team of producers including Mark Wahlberg , explains how an FBI investigation unfolded over the course of a year only to be overshadowed by the events of Sept. 11 , 2001 .
“ If your close friend or a family member came to you and said , ‘ I have an ironclad way of winning a million dollars and nobody gets hurt , ’ a lot of people would at least consider it , ” said Lazarte .
Hernandez found out about the game fraud on a Reddit thread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ His first job was at McDonald ’ s , ” Lazarte said , referring to Hernandez .
It “ sort of kicked off as a passion project.
” The filmmakers put in a Freedom of Information request with the U.S. government , and it took a little over three years before it was approved , said Lazarte .
The project was meant to be a 90-minute movie , but “ the more people that we spoke to about it , we realized , OK , this actually has the legs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because there is no way that we could fit all these characters into a single documentary.
” The six-part documentary introduces a variety of people involved in the scam and the FBI team that participated in the investigation .
The fast-food fraud case had been lying around for a while by the time FBI special agent Doug Mathews picked it up .
His attention led to a meeting with execs from McDonald ’ s , then based in west suburban Oak Brook .
Mathews created a fact video production crew to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their story and enlisted Amy Murray , senior director of global marketing at McDonald ’ s .
They were looking for a Monopoly mastermind who went by the name “ Uncle Jerry.
” “ Pulling back on a whole decade of lies , of course we wanted to know more about this , ” Hernandez said .
“ Who didn ’ t want to win $ 1 million ?
” The documentary will be accompanied by a “ McMillions ” podcast after each episode on HBO , Spotify and YouTube , where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get to fit into the series .

An unexpected circumstance can make any honest person do something unspeakable — like steal millions of dollars from one of the biggest fast-food companies in the world.
The crime becomes increasingly more complicated when colorful characters from Florida, the mob and a marketing agency all know a seemingly foolproof way to win $1 million from the ’90s McDonald’s Monopoly game.
Directors Brian Lazarte and Chicago-born James Lee Hernandez examine how an ex-police officer stole millions of dollars from the game over the course of 12 years in the six-part documentary “McMillions,” premiering Monday on HBO. The series, from a team of producers including Mark Wahlberg, explains how an FBI investigation unfolded over the course of a year only to be overshadowed by the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
“If your close friend or a family member came to you and said, ‘I have an ironclad way of winning a million dollars and nobody gets hurt,’ a lot of people would at least consider it,” said Lazarte.
Hernandez found out about the game fraud on a Reddit thread and shared it with Lazarte in 2012. “His first job was at McDonald’s,” Lazarte said, referring to Hernandez. It “sort of kicked off as a passion project.”
The filmmakers put in a Freedom of Information request with the U.S. government, and it took a little over three years before it was approved, said Lazarte. The project was meant to be a 90-minute movie, but “the more people that we spoke to about it, we realized, OK, this actually has the legs to get serious,” Hernandez said. “Because there is no way that we could fit all these characters into a single documentary.”
The six-part documentary introduces a variety of people involved in the scam and the FBI team that participated in the investigation. The fast-food fraud case had been lying around for a while by the time FBI special agent Doug Mathews picked it up. His attention led to a meeting with execs from McDonald’s, then based in west suburban Oak Brook.
Mathews created a fake video production crew to encourage the bogus “winners” to tell their story and enlisted Amy Murray, senior director of global marketing at McDonald’s. They were looking for a Monopoly mastermind who went by the name “Uncle Jerry.”
“Pulling back on a whole decade of lies, of course we wanted to know more about this,” Hernandez said. “Who didn’t want to win $1 million?”
The documentary will be accompanied by a “McMillions” podcast after each episode on HBO, Spotify and YouTube, where the directors talk about information they did not get to fit into the series.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--CPD took steps — but nowhere near enough — to rein in runaway overtime, IG says

The Chicago Police Department has taken some steps but nowhere near enough to rein in runway overtime , identify “ patterns of fraud and abuse ” and prevent officer fatigue , Inspector General Joe Ferguson concluded Monday .
In a follow-up audit , Ferguson acknowledged CPD has “ fully or substantially implemented four corrective actions ” he suggested in October 2017 and partially implemented seven others .
They include making the long-awaited switch from paper-based to electronic timekeeping ; requiring police officers to swipe in at the beginning and end of their regular and overtime shifts ; and making overtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Ferguson noted two of his directives were ignored .
Neither CPD nor the Chicago Fire Department has implemented a time-keeping component that requires employees to place their hand on a biometric reader to prevent them from swiping in and out for each other .
And the Chicago Police Department has ignored Ferguson ’ s demand for a policy that would “ limit the number of hours officers may work in a given period , including secondary employment , as is already the practice in other jurisdictions.
” “ The goal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who work in a high-stress environment are well rested and ready to effectively serve the public , ” Ferguson wrote .
The Chicago Police Department said it has no intention of “ placing controls over overtime hours or total hours worked by CPD members , ” the audit says .
“ CPD stated that ... the primary responsibility for being fit for duty in every respect must be placed where it belongs — with each officer — unless specific circumstances dictate or necessitate otherwise.
” Any changes impacting wages , overtime and secondary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bargaining table , a police spokesman said .
In the meantime , the massive restructuring unveiled last week will bolster accountability by “ giving each commander more personnel and resources to go along with the overtime budget they are required to manage , ” CPD spokesman Howard Ludwig said .
The mayor ’ s office , meanwhile , blamed the decision to opt out of the biometric component on “ technical limitations ” of the city ’ s aging time and attendance system , which “ rejected an unacceptable number of swipes during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The mayor ’ s office stated that the city has begun a multi-year process to purchase a new time and attendance system that will allow all city employees to use the biometric component , at which point CPD and CFD members will be required to use it as well , ” he added .
During a wide-ranging interview with the Chicago Sun-Times last week , interim Police Supt .
Charlie Beck blamed a historic “ lack of accountability ” for runaway overtime that saw the department spend $ 131.2 million through Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year before .
Ferguson agreed the “ road to getting a handle on costly overtime ” at CPD “ remains a long one ” and that , while CPD has “ begun implementing much-needed corrective actions , ” internal accountability mechanisms needed to assure full compliance “ remain lagging.
” For example , CPD still doesn ’ t use swipe in and swipe out data to process payroll .
Instead , its timekeepers continue to “ manually record hours worked , calculate overtime and compensatory time and enter hours worked in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ substantial risk of error , ” he said .
“ Unnecessary and unaccounted for overtime practices drain critical resources needed for officer training and support and other key foundational components needed for the long-term reform efforts now underway , ” Ferguson wrote .
In October 2017 , Ferguson concluded Chicago was wasting millions on police overtime because of “ inefficient management ” that failed to control costs , eliminate fraud or prevent officer fatigue .
Ferguson ’ s allegations about a “ culture of abuse ” were underscored by schemes he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ names for them : “ trolling , ” “ paper jumping , ” “ lingering ” and “ DUI guys.
” The inspector general ’ s poster child for a “ DUI guy ” was an officer who made 56 DUI arrests , presumably so he could appear in court and get the overtime .
In the follow-up audit released Monday , CPD still “ did not acknowledge the existence of ” those “ four specific potentially abusive practices , ” Ferguson wrote .
Now-fired Police Supt .
Eddie Johnson considered the initial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s credibility , he rushed back to work to respond to the findings , even though he was still recovering from a kidney transplant .
Johnson argued then the strategy of using overtime to mask a manpower shortage had “ run its course.
” He promised to hold supervisors accountable for overtime and conduct random audits to make certain they do .
He also vowed to revise department directives governing overtime that had not been updated since 1994 .

The Chicago Police Department has taken some steps but nowhere near enough to rein in runaway overtime, identify “patterns of fraud and abuse” and prevent officer fatigue, Inspector General Joe Ferguson concluded Monday.
In a follow-up audit, Ferguson acknowledged CPD has “fully or substantially implemented four corrective actions” he suggested in October 2017 and partially implemented seven others.
They include making the long-awaited switch from paper-based to electronic timekeeping; requiring police officers to swipe in at the beginning and end of their regular and overtime shifts; and making overtime reports a regular feature at Compstat meetings.
But Ferguson noted two of his directives were ignored.
Neither CPD nor the Chicago Fire Department has implemented a time-keeping component that requires employees to place their hand on a biometric reader to prevent them from swiping in and out for each other.
And the Chicago Police Department has ignored Ferguson’s demand for a policy that would “limit the number of hours officers may work in a given period, including secondary employment, as is already the practice in other jurisdictions.”
“The goal of such policies is to ensure that officers who work in a high-stress environment are well rested and ready to effectively serve the public,” Ferguson wrote.
The Chicago Police Department said it has no intention of “placing controls over overtime hours or total hours worked by CPD members,” the audit says.
“CPD stated that ... the primary responsibility for being fit for duty in every respect must be placed where it belongs — with each officer — unless specific circumstances dictate or necessitate otherwise.”
Any changes impacting wages, overtime and secondary employment need to be addressed at the bargaining table, a police spokesman said.
In the meantime, the massive restructuring unveiled last week will bolster accountability by “giving each commander more personnel and resources to go along with the overtime budget they are required to manage,” CPD spokesman Howard Ludwig said.
The mayor’s office, meanwhile, blamed the decision to opt out of the biometric component on “technical limitations” of the city’s aging time and attendance system, which “rejected an unacceptable number of swipes during pilot testing,” Ferguson wrote.
“The mayor’s office stated that the city has begun a multi-year process to purchase a new time and attendance system that will allow all city employees to use the biometric component, at which point CPD and CFD members will be required to use it as well,” he added.
During a wide-ranging interview with the Chicago Sun-Times last week, interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck blamed a historic “lack of accountability” for runaway overtime that saw the department spend $131.2 million through Nov. 30, matching the 12-month total for the year before.
Ferguson agreed the “road to getting a handle on costly overtime” at CPD “remains a long one” and that, while CPD has “begun implementing much-needed corrective actions,” internal accountability mechanisms needed to assure full compliance “remain lagging.”
For example, CPD still doesn’t use swipe in and swipe out data to process payroll. Instead, its timekeepers continue to “manually record hours worked, calculate overtime and compensatory time and enter hours worked in the payroll system.” Manual data entry carries a “substantial risk of error,” he said.
“Unnecessary and unaccounted for overtime practices drain critical resources needed for officer training and support and other key foundational components needed for the long-term reform efforts now underway,” Ferguson wrote.
In October 2017, Ferguson concluded Chicago was wasting millions on police overtime because of “inefficient management” that failed to control costs, eliminate fraud or prevent officer fatigue.
Ferguson’s allegations about a “culture of abuse” were underscored by schemes he claimed were so prevalent, there are names for them: “trolling,” “paper jumping,” “lingering” and “DUI guys.”
The inspector general’s poster child for a “DUI guy” was an officer who made 56 DUI arrests, presumably so he could appear in court and get the overtime.
In the follow-up audit released Monday, CPD still “did not acknowledge the existence of” those “four specific potentially abusive practices,” Ferguson wrote.
Now-fired Police Supt. Eddie Johnson considered the initial audit so damaging to the department’s credibility, he rushed back to work to respond to the findings, even though he was still recovering from a kidney transplant.
Johnson argued then the strategy of using overtime to mask a manpower shortage had “run its course.”
He promised to hold supervisors accountable for overtime and conduct random audits to make certain they do. He also vowed to revise department directives governing overtime that had not been updated since 1994.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--12 Illinois restaurants among Open Table’s 100 most romantic eateries in America

Romance abounds in Illinois when it comes to dining out , according to OpenTable .
The online restaurant reservation giant has released its list of the “ 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America ” for 2020 , and Illinois tops the list with 12 establishments .
Each year , the list is curated from over 80 million diner reviews of more than 30,000 restaurants across the country .
Illinois boasts the most restaurants on this year ’ s list , followed by California and Pennsylvania , with eight apiece .
Some tips from OpenTable for making Valentine ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for dinner reservations is 7 p.m .
Grabbing a 6 or 9 p.m. spot allows for ample time to enjoy your meal and get into the hot spot you have your eye on .
• Forget the 20-Course Tasting Menu : Upscale restaurants experience a huge spike in reservations for Valentine ’ s Day .
Opting for your favorite go-to spot is a great workaround , saving the tasting menu for another Friday night .
• Go on a double date .
In 2019 , 83 percent of Valentine ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people .
Grab your best friends for a double date and lock in that more available four-top !

Romance abounds in Illinois when it comes to dining out, according to OpenTable.
The online restaurant reservation giant has released its list of the “100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America” for 2020, and Illinois tops the list with 12 establishments.
Each year, the list is curated from over 80 million diner reviews of more than 30,000 restaurants across the country. Illinois boasts the most restaurants on this year’s list, followed by California and Pennsylvania, with eight apiece.
The Illinois dozen includes:
Boka will be serving up Valentine’s Day dinner in grand style. OpenTable
Aba, 302 N. Green; Mediterranean cuisine from Israel, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece
Boka, 1729 N. Halsted; seasonal American cuisine
Cafe Ba-Ba-Re-Bam 2024 N. Halsted; tapas, authentic Spanish cuisine
Gibsons Italia, 233 N. Canal; high-end Italian steak and pasta
Girl & The Goat, 809 W. Randolph; small plates
Enjoy Valentine’s Day dinner at Girl & the Goat.
Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, 60 E. Grand; classic steak, seafood and signature stone crab claws
Le Colonial, 57 E. Oak; upscale French-Vietnamese fare
Maple & Ash, 8 W. Maple; steakhouse and seafood
RL Restaurant, 115 E. Chicago; American classics
RPM Italian, 52 W. Illinois; pasta, steaks, seafood
Valentine’s Day dinner awaits at RPM Steak. OpenTable
RPM Steak, 66 W. Kinzie; chophouse, raw bar
Steak 48, 615 N. Wabash; prime meats, American fare
Some tips from OpenTable for making Valentine’s Day restaurant reservations:


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Dear Abby: Nosy neighbor keeps asking how much I paid for my things

DEAR ABBY : I need help dealing with a neighbor problem .
“ Diane ” and I have been neighbors for five years .
We both have daughters in elementary school who ride the bus .
At the bus stop , Diane always manages to point out something about my daughter or me that makes me uncomfortable .
She ’ ll ask things like , “ Are those new shoes ?
” “ I like that jacket .
Was it expensive ?
” “ You have a new hairdo ; did it cost much ?
” Or “ Wow , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for your daughter ?
” “ Are those new jeans ?
How much were they ?
” I find her prying annoying and quite rude .
Most of the other parents avoid her , probably because of this behavior .
I work to afford the things I have , and I don ’ t feel I need to discuss what I spend for my child or myself with anyone .
Other than this , she ’ s a nice neighbor .
What ’ s the best way to get her to stop asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , but this has been going on for years , and I ’ m at a loss .
— ANNOYED IN NORTH CAROLINA DEAR ANNOYED : The surest way to get your neighbor to stop asking these kinds of questions would be the direct approach .
Tell her questions of that nature make you uncomfortable and to please stop asking .
If she persists , repeat it until she finally gets the message .
DEAR ABBY : I am trying hard to let go of my paralyzing fear of driving , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am not sure why I get so nervous and afraid when I get behind the wheel .
I really need a car to get my family and myself around .
I just wish I knew what was causing this .
Could you please help me figure it out ?
— FEAR OF DRIVING DEAR F.O.D .
: Gladly .
The quickest way to get to the bottom of what ’ s causing your fear of driving would be to discuss it with a licensed mental health professional — if possible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phobias .
Your physician or your health insurance company should be able to refer you to someone who is qualified .
DEAR ABBY : A few months ago , my wife and I invited another couple over for dinner .
The husband was on his phone the entire time , showing us YouTube videos he apparently thought were interesting .
After dinner , he lamented that he had run out of data and wanted us to provide our Wi-Fi password so he could continue watching his videos .
I begrudgingly gave him access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Isn ’ t it rude for a dinner guest to ask to use your Wi-Fi ?
— NOT SO INTERESTED DEAR NOT SO INTERESTED : It was not rude to ask for your Wi-Fi password .
In some circles , it ’ s normal .
What WAS rude was for one guest to monopolize the conversation the way that dinner guest did .
I ’ ll bet it will be a long time before you invite that couple again .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price @ @

DEAR ABBY: I need help dealing with a neighbor problem. “Diane” and I have been neighbors for five years. We both have daughters in elementary school who ride the bus.
At the bus stop, Diane always manages to point out something about my daughter or me that makes me uncomfortable. She’ll ask things like, “Are those new shoes?” “I like that jacket. Was it expensive?” “You have a new hairdo; did it cost much?” Or “Wow, how can you afford such nice clothes for your daughter?” “Are those new jeans? How much were they?”
I find her prying annoying and quite rude. Most of the other parents avoid her, probably because of this behavior. I work to afford the things I have, and I don’t feel I need to discuss what I spend for my child or myself with anyone. Other than this, she’s a nice neighbor. What’s the best way to get her to stop asking these questions? I try to ignore them, but this has been going on for years, and I’m at a loss. — ANNOYED IN NORTH CAROLINA
DEAR ANNOYED: The surest way to get your neighbor to stop asking these kinds of questions would be the direct approach. Tell her questions of that nature make you uncomfortable and to please stop asking. If she persists, repeat it until she finally gets the message.
DEAR ABBY: I am trying hard to let go of my paralyzing fear of driving, which has prevented me from getting a license. I am not sure why I get so nervous and afraid when I get behind the wheel. I really need a car to get my family and myself around. I just wish I knew what was causing this. Could you please help me figure it out? — FEAR OF DRIVING
DEAR F.O.D.: Gladly. The quickest way to get to the bottom of what’s causing your fear of driving would be to discuss it with a licensed mental health professional — if possible, one who specializes in treating patients with phobias. Your physician or your health insurance company should be able to refer you to someone who is qualified.
DEAR ABBY: A few months ago, my wife and I invited another couple over for dinner. The husband was on his phone the entire time, showing us YouTube videos he apparently thought were interesting. After dinner, he lamented that he had run out of data and wanted us to provide our Wi-Fi password so he could continue watching his videos. I begrudgingly gave him access, but was really irked by it. Isn’t it rude for a dinner guest to ask to use your Wi-Fi? — NOT SO INTERESTED
DEAR NOT SO INTERESTED: It was not rude to ask for your Wi-Fi password. In some circles, it’s normal. What WAS rude was for one guest to monopolize the conversation the way that dinner guest did. I’ll bet it will be a long time before you invite that couple again.
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.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Residential burglaries reported in Sauganash: police

Chicago police are warning residents of three residential burglaries reported in January in Sauganash on the Northwest Side .
In @ @ @ @ @ their way in the front door of residences and then took property from therein , @ @ @ @ @ community alert .
In the third burglary , the person broke in through the back @ @ @ @ @ take any property .
• Between about 7:50 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Jan. 23 , @ @ @ @ @ North Lowell Avenue ; • Between about 8 a.m. and 6:05 p.m. Jan. 23 , @ @ @ @ @ North Keeler Avenue ; and • About 6:30 a.m. Jan. 24 , in the 4200 @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263 .
Read @ @ @ @ @ track the city ’ s homicides .

Chicago police are warning residents of three residential burglaries reported in January in Sauganash on the Northwest Side.
In each incident, someone forced their way in the front door of residences and then took property from therein, Chicago police said in a community alert. In the third burglary, the person broke in through the back door, but did not take any property.
The burglaries happened:
Between about 7:50 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Jan. 23, in the 6100 block of North Lowell Avenue;
Between about 8 a.m. and 6:05 p.m. Jan. 23, in the 6100 block of North Keeler Avenue; and
About 6:30 a.m. Jan. 24, in the 4200 block of West Granville Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--5 shot Monday in Chicago

5 shot Monday in Chicago

Five people were shot Monday in Chicago , including a 31-year-old man who was wounded in a shooting in Chicago Lawn on the South Side .
He was walking about 7:35 p.m. in the 3200 block of West 61st Street when four males pulled up in a dark-colored vehicle and got out , Chicago police said .
They pulled out firearms and shot at the man .
The man was hit in the buttocks and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition .
A 23-year-old man was wounded in Hermosa on the Northwest Side .
He was walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of West Wabansia Avenue when two males approached him , pulled out firearms and shot at him , police said .
The man was struck in the shoulder , and he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
A man was shot while driving through Austin Monday on the West Side .
He was traveling about 11:50 a.m. in the 1700 block of North Luna Avenue when someone fired shots at him from the sidewalk , police said .
Bullets pierced the vehicle ’ s door , and struck the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He drove himself to a medical facility in Portage Park , and was later transferred to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition .
A passenger in the vehicle was not injured , police said .
Area North detectives are investigating .
Two teenagers were wounded in a shooting in South Chicago .
About 1:13 a.m. , the boys , 16 and 17 , were in a gangway in the 7900 block of South Paxton Avenue , when an older black SUV drove up , police said .
Someone got out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before driving off .
The 17-year-old was shot in the hand and the 16-year-old was hit in the arm , police said .
Both were taken to South Shore Hospital in good condition .
No one is in custody as Area South detectives investigate .
Four people were killed and others 19 wounded this past weekend in citywide shootings .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were shot Monday in Chicago, including a 31-year-old man who was wounded in a shooting in Chicago Lawn on the South Side.
He was walking about 7:35 p.m. in the 3200 block of West 61st Street when four males pulled up in a dark-colored vehicle and got out, Chicago police said. They pulled out firearms and shot at the man.
The man was hit in the buttocks and was taken to Holy Cross Hospital in good condition.
Area Central detectives are investigating.
A 23-year-old man was wounded in Hermosa on the Northwest Side.
He was walking about 3:34 p.m. in the 4200 block of West Wabansia Avenue when two males approached him, pulled out firearms and shot at him, police said.
The man was struck in the shoulder, and he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
Area North detectives are investigating.
A man was shot while driving through Austin Monday on the West Side.
He was traveling about 11:50 a.m. in the 1700 block of North Luna Avenue when someone fired shots at him from the sidewalk, police said.
Bullets pierced the vehicle’s door, and struck the 27-year-old in the leg, police said. He drove himself to a medical facility in Portage Park, and was later transferred to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in good condition.
A passenger in the vehicle was not injured, police said. Area North detectives are investigating.
Two teenagers were wounded in a shooting in South Chicago.
About 1:13 a.m., the boys, 16 and 17, were in a gangway in the 7900 block of South Paxton Avenue, when an older black SUV drove up, police said. Someone got out of the SUV and shot at the teens before driving off.
The 17-year-old was shot in the hand and the 16-year-old was hit in the arm, police said. Both were taken to South Shore Hospital in good condition.
No one is in custody as Area South detectives investigate.
Four people were killed and others 19 wounded this past weekend in citywide shootings.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Police seeking man wanted for public indecency in Lake View

Chicago police are seeking to identify a man wanted allegedly exposing himself to a woman Monday in Lake View on @ @ @ @ @ 12:40 p.m. , an 18-year-old woman was leaving school and walking in the 3400 block @ @ @ @ @ when a man , driving a gold , four door Honda sedan began a conversation @ @ @ @ @ said .
During the conversation , he allegedly exposed his genitals and “ touched himself @ @ @ @ @ .
The woman yelled for help , causing the man to speed off east on @ @ @ @ @ .
He is described as being a white man , between 20 and 30-years-old , @ @ @ @ @ wearing a black hat .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Chicago police are seeking to identify a man wanted for allegedly exposing himself to a woman Monday in Lake View on the North Side.
About 12:40 p.m., an 18-year-old woman was leaving school and walking in the 3400 block of North Western Avenue, when a man, driving a gold, four door Honda sedan began a conversation with her, Chicago police said.
During the conversation, he allegedly exposed his genitals and “touched himself inappropriately,” police said.
The woman yelled for help, causing the man to speed off east on Roscoe Avenue, police said. He is described as being a white man, between 20 and 30-years-old, with red hair and was wearing a black hat.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area North detectives at 312-744-8200.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.