chicagosuntimes--2020-01-10--Cook County bond rating slips a notch

Cook County bond rating slips a notch

Cook County ’ s “ large and underfunded ” pension obligation prompted the S & P Global Ratings to lower the county ’ s general obligation bond rating one notch on Friday , from AA- to A+ .
Because of that downgrade , the rating agency also lowered the county ’ s sales tax revenue bond rating from AA to AA- , while noting a stable outlook .
The ratings help determine the interest rates at which the county borrows money .
The better the credit ratings , the lower the interest rate .
Outlook was also deemed stable for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which apply to a debt of roughly $ 2.8 billion in outstanding principal .
S & P Global Ratings credit analyst Blake Yocom said in a statement posted on the rating service ’ s website that “ although the county has made steps to address its pension funding levels — specifically with a new sales tax revenue stream beginning in fiscal 2016 that significantly increased its annual contributions — its ability to meets its planned additional payments over the long term will remain an ongoing challenge , in our view.
” Yocom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the additional payments the county has made to its pension liabilities , the contributions “ fall well short of both static funding and minimum funding progress , in part because of poor assumptions and methodologies.
” The size of the pension liability , “ lack of significant funding progress since the adoption of the new revenue stream , and rising fixed costs make the rating no longer commensurate with the ‘ AA ’ category , ” according to an explanation of the rating .
‘ The stable outlook over the two-year horizon reflects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very strong reserves as a result of its budgetary performance , ” Yocom wrote .
The downgrade in the sales tax applies to roughly $ 414 million in existing sales tax revenue bonds , including the series 2012 , 2013 , 2017 , and 2018 bonds .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle was not immediately available for comment .

Cook County’s “large and underfunded” pension obligation prompted the S&P Global Ratings to lower the county’s general obligation bond rating one notch on Friday, from AA- to A+.
Because of that downgrade, the rating agency also lowered the county’s sales tax revenue bond rating from AA to AA-, while noting a stable outlook.
The ratings help determine the interest rates at which the county borrows money. The better the credit ratings, the lower the interest rate.
Outlook was also deemed stable for the county’s general obligation bonds, which apply to a debt of roughly $2.8 billion in outstanding principal.
S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Blake Yocom said in a statement posted on the rating service’s website that “although the county has made steps to address its pension funding levels — specifically with a new sales tax revenue stream beginning in fiscal 2016 that significantly increased its annual contributions — its ability to meets its planned additional payments over the long term will remain an ongoing challenge, in our view.”
A spokesman for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said “while we are disappointed with the decision to downgrade the Cook County’s Sales Tax and General Obligation Bonds, we are pleased to see S&P praise our strong management and financial practices as well as our actions to address legacy debt.”
“We remain committed to building on the progress we have made over the years of passing balanced budgets, addressing our legacy debt, tackling pension obligations and working to secure the County’s financial future,” Preckwinkle’s spokesman said.
Yocom went on to say that even with the additional payments the county has made to its pension liabilities, the contributions “fall well short of both static funding and minimum funding progress, in part because of poor assumptions and methodologies.”
The size of the pension liability, “lack of significant funding progress since the adoption of the new revenue stream, and rising fixed costs make the rating no longer commensurate with the ‘AA’ category,” according to an explanation of the rating.
‘The stable outlook over the two-year horizon reflects our expectation that Cook County will maintain very strong reserves as a result of its budgetary performance,” Yocom wrote.
The downgrade in the sales tax applies to roughly $414 million in existing sales tax revenue bonds, including the series 2012, 2013, 2017, and 2018 bonds.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Woman shot in Logan Square

Woman shot in Logan Square

A woman was wounded Saturday when she was shot in Logan Square on the North Side .
The 35-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ vehicle with her friends about 4:18 a.m. in the 3000 block of North Hamlin Avenue @ @ @ @ @ felt pain , Chicago police said .
She didn ’ t see who fired shots @ @ @ @ @ from .
The woman was driven to Community First Medical Center with gunshot wounds to @ @ @ @ @ .
Her condition was stabilized .
No one is in custody as Area North detectives @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A woman was wounded Saturday when she was shot in Logan Square on the North Side.
The 35-year-old was about to get into a vehicle with her friends about 4:18 a.m. in the 3000 block of North Hamlin Avenue when she heard gunfire and felt pain, Chicago police said. She didn’t see who fired shots or where the shots came from.
The woman was driven to Community First Medical Center with gunshot wounds to both legs, police said. Her condition was stabilized.
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Dear Abby: I’m hurt I wasn’t invited to weddings of my longtime friend’s sons

DEAR ABBY : I have had a friend , “ Kimberly , ” for 52 years , ever since first grade .
We went all through school together .
Teachers described her as a “ social butterfly.
” My dad described her as a “ phony.
” She ’ s an extrovert with a nice personality and many friends .
I am more of an introvert , but I do have a few good friends .
We are both happily married with children and grandchildren .
I moved from our hometown 28 years ago , but we have stayed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my birthday , etc .
We talk on the phone every few months and meet for lunch when I go back to visit .
She refers to me as her “ oldest and dearest friend.
” I invited Kim to all four of my children ’ s weddings .
She didn ’ t attend , but sent gifts .
( Kim has anxiety and doesn ’ t like to travel . )
When her older son got married two years ago , I wasn ’ t invited , but I sent a generous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is being married , and again , I ’ m not invited .
I ’ d like to share in Kim ’ s joy .
There are people attending I ’ d like to see .
I feel like a fool .
Do you think my dad was right about Kim ?
Am I on her “ C ” list when I thought I was “ A ” -rated ?
I feel like a 12-year-old who was excluded from a slumber party .
Should I tell her how hurt I am or continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phony ” relationship ?
— SUCKER-PUNCHED IN KANSAS DEAR SUCKER-PUNCHED : Do NOT quietly nurture a grudge that may end your long friendship with Kim .
Have a talk with your old friend about your feelings .
Depending upon who has footed the bill for these shindigs , you may be blaming the wrong person .
Traditionally , the bride ’ s parents pay for their daughter ’ s wedding ; more recently , the happy couples pay for it themselves .
For financial reasons , they may have needed to curtail the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t invited .
Also , the young couple may have preferred to include more of their own friends , which limited the number of invitations the groom ’ s parents could issue .
DEAR ABBY : I am a senior citizen who lives alone .
I was married many years ago , but it ended in divorce .
I was unable to conceive a child .
My brothers and sisters all have spouses and children .
I am an aunt to many .
My problem ?
The children don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When they were little , it gave me such warm feelings to be called Aunt or Auntie .
It made me feel loved and respected .
Now that they are grown with kids of their own , they call me by my first name .
Am I silly to be bothered by this ?
These same nieces and nephews still call their parents “ Mom ” and “ Dad.
” I called my own aunts by the title well into my 50s until they died .
Abby , am I old-fashioned to want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where respect seems to be a thing of the past ?
— FOREVER AUNTIE IN MINNESOTA DEAR AUNTIE : I don ’ t think you are silly , and whether you are old-fashioned ( or not ) is beside the point .
Tell your nieces and nephews how much you appreciated being called “ Aunt , ” and ask them to resume using the title .
If you had a close relationship with them while they were growing up , I am sure they will respect your wish — especially when you tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To order “ How to Write Letters for All Occasions , ” send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Letter Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are @ @ @ @ @

DEAR ABBY: I have had a friend, “Kimberly,” for 52 years, ever since first grade. We went all through school together. Teachers described her as a “social butterfly.” My dad described her as a “phony.” She’s an extrovert with a nice personality and many friends. I am more of an introvert, but I do have a few good friends. We are both happily married with children and grandchildren.
I moved from our hometown 28 years ago, but we have stayed in contact. Kim will call me on my birthday, etc. We talk on the phone every few months and meet for lunch when I go back to visit. She refers to me as her “oldest and dearest friend.”
I invited Kim to all four of my children’s weddings. She didn’t attend, but sent gifts. (Kim has anxiety and doesn’t like to travel.) When her older son got married two years ago, I wasn’t invited, but I sent a generous gift. Now, her younger son is being married, and again, I’m not invited.
I’d like to share in Kim’s joy. There are people attending I’d like to see. I feel like a fool. Do you think my dad was right about Kim? Am I on her “C” list when I thought I was “A”-rated? I feel like a 12-year-old who was excluded from a slumber party. Should I tell her how hurt I am or continue the next 20 years in this “phony” relationship? — SUCKER-PUNCHED IN KANSAS
DEAR SUCKER-PUNCHED: Do NOT quietly nurture a grudge that may end your long friendship with Kim. Have a talk with your old friend about your feelings. Depending upon who has footed the bill for these shindigs, you may be blaming the wrong person.
Traditionally, the bride’s parents pay for their daughter’s wedding; more recently, the happy couples pay for it themselves. For financial reasons, they may have needed to curtail the guest list, which is why you weren’t invited. Also, the young couple may have preferred to include more of their own friends, which limited the number of invitations the groom’s parents could issue.
DEAR ABBY: I am a senior citizen who lives alone. I was married many years ago, but it ended in divorce. I was unable to conceive a child.
My brothers and sisters all have spouses and children. I am an aunt to many. My problem? The children don’t call me “Aunt” anymore. When they were little, it gave me such warm feelings to be called Aunt or Auntie. It made me feel loved and respected. Now that they are grown with kids of their own, they call me by my first name.
Am I silly to be bothered by this? These same nieces and nephews still call their parents “Mom” and “Dad.” I called my own aunts by the title well into my 50s until they died. Abby, am I old-fashioned to want to keep my title in a world where respect seems to be a thing of the past? — FOREVER AUNTIE IN MINNESOTA
DEAR AUNTIE: I don’t think you are silly, and whether you are old-fashioned (or not) is beside the point. Tell your nieces and nephews how much you appreciated being called “Aunt,” and ask them to resume using the title. If you had a close relationship with them while they were growing up, I am sure they will respect your wish — especially when you tell them why.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To order “How to Write Letters for All Occasions,” send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Can the Packers or Vikings end the NFC North’s Super Bowl drought?

It has been 3,275 days since the most meaningful win of the NFL ’ s greatest rivalry : a 21-14 Packers victory at Soldier Field that left Jay Cutler sidelined and showered with boos because of an injured knee .
When Sam Shields picked off third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie ’ s fourth-down pass to win the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 23 , 2011 , it felt like a dynasty ’ s first step .
The Packers confirmed as much two weeks later , when they beat the Steelers to win the Super Bowl .
With quarterback Aaron Rodgers in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Packers seemed destined for multiple trips to the Super Bowl .
The Bears haven ’ t come close to greatness since .
The Packers had six consecutive playoff berths , ending with the 2016 season , but never made it back to the Super Bowl .
Neither did anyone else from the NFC North .
At this time last year , there were no NFC North teams still alive — thanks to the Bears ’ first-round double-doink loss to the Eagles .
This weekend , the Packers and Vikings will try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first North team to win the NFC since the end of the 2010 season .
Surprise first-round winners against the Saints , the Vikings will aim for their second upset in six days Saturday at the top-seeded 49ers .
The division champion Packers , the No .
2 seed , host the Seahawks on Sunday .
If they both win , the winner of the George Halas Trophy will be decided Jan. 19 at Lambeau Field .
That would mark a decided shift from the rest of the decade .
Since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North teams have even made it to the conference title game .
The Packers lost twice — at the end of the 2014 and ’ 16 seasons — by a combined 29 points .
Two years ago , the Eagles drubbed the Vikings by 31 , ending their hopes of playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium .
While the North has been shut out since the Packers ’ last Super Bowl trip , berths have been sprinkled throughout the other NFC divisions .
In the last eight seasons , three NFC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the 49ers , Rams and Seahawks ( twice ) .
The South saw the Panthers and Falcons lose in dramatic fashion , while the East ’ s Giants and Eagles won their Super Bowl berths .
For the Bears , that must be the most frustrating part about their latest decade of ineptitude .
Since losing to the Packers in the NFC title game , they ’ ve made the postseason once and failed to win a game .
But it wasn ’ t because they were rendered helpless in the wake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record in the last 10 seasons , the Bears spent the decade as the third-best team — with the fourth-best quarterback situation — in the NFC ’ s least threatening division .
Neither the Packers , who had 102 wins in the decade , nor the Vikings , who had 81 , look ready to concede their spots .
Coach Matt LaFleur provided the culture change the Packers needed this season , though their free-agent splurge on defensive players — and their even rarer running-game focus — was more of a driver for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about league average — 15th in points and 18th in yards — but Rodgers still scares anyone with a pulse .
His 16 postseason starts are the most of any offensive player still alive in the playoffs .
He has the benefit of handing off to Aaron Jones , too .
No running back had more regular-season rushing touchdowns than his 16 .
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins quieted the biggest criticism of him — that he can ’ t win important games — by throwing a touchdown pass in overtime to beat the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cousins ensured that coach Mike Zimmer would return .
There were rumors of the Cowboys being interested in him as head coach had the Vikings lost .
A defensive guru , Zimmer devised a plan to hold the Saints to 20 points , eight below their season average .
The Bears ?
As in most years , they can take comfort in the fact they ’ re not the Lions , whose coach , Matt Patricia , got to stay despite winning nine games in his first two seasons — then set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ While the Bears haven ’ t won a playoff game in nine years , the Lions ’ winless streak goes back to 1992 .
It ’ s up to the NFC North ’ s other two teams to change the division ’ s reputation .

It has been 3,275 days since the most meaningful win of the NFL’s greatest rivalry: a 21-14 Packers victory at Soldier Field that left Jay Cutler sidelined and showered with boos because of an injured knee. When Sam Shields picked off third-string quarterback Caleb Hanie’s fourth-down pass to win the NFC Championship Game on Jan. 23, 2011, it felt like a dynasty’s first step. The Packers confirmed as much two weeks later, when they beat the Steelers to win the Super Bowl.
With quarterback Aaron Rodgers in only his third year as the starter, the Packers seemed destined for multiple trips to the Super Bowl.
The Bears haven’t come close to greatness since. The Packers had six consecutive playoff berths, ending with the 2016 season, but never made it back to the Super Bowl.
Neither did anyone else from the NFC North.
At this time last year, there were no NFC North teams still alive — thanks to the Bears’ first-round double-doink loss to the Eagles. This weekend, the Packers and Vikings will try to move one step closer to becoming the first North team to win the NFC since the end of the 2010 season.
Surprise first-round winners against the Saints, the Vikings will aim for their second upset in six days Saturday at the top-seeded 49ers. The division champion Packers, the No. 2 seed, host the Seahawks on Sunday.
If they both win, the winner of the George Halas Trophy will be decided Jan. 19 at Lambeau Field.
That would mark a decided shift from the rest of the decade.
Since the Packers-Bears NFC Championship Game, only three North teams have even made it to the conference title game. The Packers lost twice — at the end of the 2014 and ’16 seasons — by a combined 29 points. Two years ago, the Eagles drubbed the Vikings by 31, ending their hopes of playing the Super Bowl in their home stadium.
While the North has been shut out since the Packers’ last Super Bowl trip, berths have been sprinkled throughout the other NFC divisions. In the last eight seasons, three NFC West teams have reached the Super Bowl — the 49ers, Rams and Seahawks (twice). The South saw the Panthers and Falcons lose in dramatic fashion, while the East’s Giants and Eagles won their Super Bowl berths.
For the Bears, that must be the most frustrating part about their latest decade of ineptitude. Since losing to the Packers in the NFC title game, they’ve made the postseason once and failed to win a game. But it wasn’t because they were rendered helpless in the wake of some juggernaut.
With a 76-84 record in the last 10 seasons, the Bears spent the decade as the third-best team — with the fourth-best quarterback situation — in the NFC’s least threatening division. Neither the Packers, who had 102 wins in the decade, nor the Vikings, who had 81, look ready to concede their spots.
Coach Matt LaFleur provided the culture change the Packers needed this season, though their free-agent splurge on defensive players — and their even rarer running-game focus — was more of a driver for their 13-3 season.
The offense was about league average — 15th in points and 18th in yards — but Rodgers still scares anyone with a pulse. His 16 postseason starts are the most of any offensive player still alive in the playoffs. He has the benefit of handing off to Aaron Jones, too. No running back had more regular-season rushing touchdowns than his 16.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins quieted the biggest criticism of him — that he can’t win important games — by throwing a touchdown pass in overtime to beat the Saints.
By keeping his team alive, Cousins ensured that coach Mike Zimmer would return. There were rumors of the Cowboys being interested in him as head coach had the Vikings lost. A defensive guru, Zimmer devised a plan to hold the Saints to 20 points, eight below their season average.
The Bears? As in most years, they can take comfort in the fact they’re not the Lions, whose coach, Matt Patricia, got to stay despite winning nine games in his first two seasons — then set about replacing eight assistants this month.
While the Bears haven’t won a playoff game in nine years, the Lions’ winless streak goes back to 1992.
It’s up to the NFC North’s other two teams to change the division’s reputation.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--The Ryan Pace Bowl: Deshaun Watson, Patrick Mahomes clash in playoffs

The rest of the football world has waited years for this .
In Chicago , it ’ s another gut punch in a string of them since the 2017 draft .
Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson will collide in the playoffs for the first time , and even though it ’ ll be 500 miles away at Arrowhead Stadium , it ’ ll be flashing in your face on the flat screen in your living room .
It ’ ll be excruciating to watch the Chiefs and Texans play for a spot in the AFC title game , putting one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Super Bowl .
It ’ ll spark anew the anger that flared when Mahomes dusted the Bears in his Soldier Field debut last month and openly mocked them for bypassing him .
Get used to it .
Mahomes and Watson will battle at the top of the NFL for the next decade-plus , and Chicago has little choice but to grin and bear it .
If they meet often enough , maybe we ’ ll start calling it the Ryan Pace Bowl .
They ’ re exceptional , and the league belongs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mahomes already has an MVP , and Watson looks like he ’ ll get one soon .
Their teams will always have a chance .
They ’ re everything Mitch Trubisky isn ’ t .
And even if the Bears eventually dump Pace and bail on Trubisky , games like this will always be frustrating .
Watson and Mahomes , the two quarterbacks Pace didn ’ t want , are off to the best statistical starts in NFL history .
They ’ re the only quarterbacks to post a triple-digit passer rating over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 10 to throw for more than 70 touchdowns in that span .
Mahomes is No .
1 in yards per attempt through three seasons at 9.2 , and Watson is third at 8.2 .
And at 24 , a full year younger than Trubisky , they ’ re going to be here for a long time .
Muttering about the 2017 draft during their playoff showdowns will become a Chicago tradition .
Those two are not just stat stackers , but unquestioned winners .
They ’ ve gone a combined 48-20 as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory .
Watson led the Texans to an overtime win last week with enviable plays at the end , and Mahomes makes the Chiefs arguably the most fearsome team in the field .
You whether Trubisky , who will never catch them , can stomach tuning in for a few minutes Sunday .
As Mahomes and Watson spar at the top of the league , Trubisky sits at the bottom of it — literally , depending on the stat category .
His drastic regression sucked the air out of any overinflated confidence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when he was serviceable enough to ride an elite defense to the playoffs and get a Pro Bowl invitation as an alternate in a year when all three NFC quarterbacks withdrew .
Trubisky closed his third season 28th in passer rating , 27th in touchdowns , 27th in yards per game and 32nd ( last among qualifying quarterbacks ) in yards per attempt .
Mahomes and Watson were top-11 in every category .
It sets up an offseason in which Mahomes and Watson will sign record-breaking contract extensions while Chicago dreads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s option for 2021 .
Pace said drafting Trubisky was about having “ no regrets.
” He ’ s left with nothing but them .
He just doesn ’ t realize that yet .
He said last week it ’ s too early to conclude that he got it wrong .
It ’ s a career-defining mistake , and he needs so badly for Trubisky to be viable that it sounds like he ’ s in an alternate reality when he compares the trio .
“ I think it ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pace said .
“ It ’ s just case-by-case .
There ’ s all different backgrounds and scenarios and situations they ’ re in .
I think you ’ ve just got to recognize that.
” That part about them all being different is profoundly accurate .
Trubisky has seven 300-yard games — most were inefficient or against bad teams — in 41 career starts .
For Mahomes , it ’ s his career average .
He toppled the Bears with a ho-hum 251 yards , two touchdown passes , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s the kind of game that would earn Trubisky a verbal parade from Matt Nagy .
Chiefs coach Andy Reid called it merely , “ a good , solid performance.
” As much as it kills Chicago to see Mahomes soar , imagine how it sits with Nagy .
He was a key figure on the Chiefs ’ staff when they fell in love with Mahomes as a prospect at Texas Tech , then he took the job with the Bears and saw that Trubisky remained a major project just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at North Carolina .
When asked recently about Mahomes , especially the 50-touchdown season in 2018 , Nagy replied , “ It doesn ’ t surprise me.
” When asked recently about Trubisky , the subject was his inability to read coverages .
Nagy talked extensively about the work ahead , then circled back to the company line a few questions later by saying , “ He ’ s not far.
” There ’ s an argument that Mahomes ’ success could not have been predicted .
Bears president Ted Phillips called him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No one envisioned Mahomes winning the MVP his first season as a starter , but this wasn ’ t like the Patriots hitting jackpot on Tom Brady in the sixth round .
The Chiefs saw enough potential to trade up from 27th to 10th and take him ahead of Watson even though they were already a playoff team and had a competent quarterback in Alex Smith .
Likewise , the Texans gave up a future first-round pick to jump from No .
25 to No .
12 to secure Watson , a national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Clemson .
His coach said passing on him would be like “ passing on Michael Jordan , ” and while that ’ s a bit overblown , Pace certainly ended up with Sam Bowie .
The Bears , by the way , like to use Smith as a parable for Trubisky because he didn ’ t turn a corner until Year 7 .
In the modern NFL , that ’ s like waiting for a savings bond to mature .
Mahomes , Watson and MVP-to-be Lamar Jackson were virtually instant hits .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Smith track , Chicago is almost halfway through the wait .
As Pace pleads for patience , his discards are closing in on the Super Bowl — the one the Bears set as their destination when they rolled into Bourbonnais last summer .
That ’ s where this is going to get even worse .
Watson and Mahomes are great enough to end their teams ’ droughts , and watching a quarterback deliver that when the Bears know they could ’ ve had him will be the harshest reminder of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The rest of the football world has waited years for this.
In Chicago, it’s another gut punch in a string of them since the 2017 draft.
Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson will collide in the playoffs for the first time, and even though it’ll be 500 miles away at Arrowhead Stadium, it’ll be flashing in your face on the flat screen in your living room.
It’ll be excruciating to watch the Chiefs and Texans play for a spot in the AFC title game, putting one of those quarterbacks a win away from the Super Bowl. It’ll spark anew the anger that flared when Mahomes dusted the Bears in his Soldier Field debut last month and openly mocked them for bypassing him.
Get used to it.
Mahomes and Watson will battle at the top of the NFL for the next decade-plus, and Chicago has little choice but to grin and bear it. If they meet often enough, maybe we’ll start calling it the Ryan Pace Bowl.
Watson’s heroics got the Texans past the Bills in overtime last week. AP Photos
They’re exceptional, and the league belongs to them for the foreseeable future. Mahomes already has an MVP, and Watson looks like he’ll get one soon. Their teams will always have a chance.
They’re everything Mitch Trubisky isn’t. And even if the Bears eventually dump Pace and bail on Trubisky, games like this will always be frustrating.
Watson and Mahomes, the two quarterbacks Pace didn’t want, are off to the best statistical starts in NFL history. They’re the only quarterbacks to post a triple-digit passer rating over their first three seasons and are two of 10 to throw for more than 70 touchdowns in that span. Mahomes is No. 1 in yards per attempt through three seasons at 9.2, and Watson is third at 8.2.
And at 24, a full year younger than Trubisky, they’re going to be here for a long time. Muttering about the 2017 draft during their playoff showdowns will become a Chicago tradition.
Those two are not just stat stackers, but unquestioned winners. They’ve gone a combined 48-20 as starters, and each has a playoff victory. Watson led the Texans to an overtime win last week with enviable plays at the end, and Mahomes makes the Chiefs arguably the most fearsome team in the field.
You whether Trubisky, who will never catch them, can stomach tuning in for a few minutes Sunday.
Chicago shares his queasiness.
As Mahomes and Watson spar at the top of the league, Trubisky sits at the bottom of it — literally, depending on the stat category.
His drastic regression sucked the air out of any overinflated confidence the Bears had in him coming off 2018, when he was serviceable enough to ride an elite defense to the playoffs and get a Pro Bowl invitation as an alternate in a year when all three NFC quarterbacks withdrew.
Trubisky closed his third season 28th in passer rating, 27th in touchdowns, 27th in yards per game and 32nd (last among qualifying quarterbacks) in yards per attempt. Mahomes and Watson were top-11 in every category.
It sets up an offseason in which Mahomes and Watson will sign record-breaking contract extensions while Chicago dreads the possibility of the Bears picking up Trubisky’s option for 2021.
Chicago’s quarterback lament is rooted in an ill-fated draft by Pace. Chicago Sun-Times
Pace said drafting Trubisky was about having “no regrets.” He’s left with nothing but them. He just doesn’t realize that yet. He said last week it’s too early to conclude that he got it wrong. It’s a career-defining mistake, and he needs so badly for Trubisky to be viable that it sounds like he’s in an alternate reality when he compares the trio.
“I think it’s just understanding that they’re all different,” Pace said. “It’s just case-by-case. There’s all different backgrounds and scenarios and situations they’re in. I think you’ve just got to recognize that.”
That part about them all being different is profoundly accurate.
Trubisky has seven 300-yard games — most were inefficient or against bad teams — in 41 career starts. For Mahomes, it’s his career average.
He toppled the Bears with a ho-hum 251 yards, two touchdown passes, a rushing touchdown and a 112.5 passer rating. It’s the kind of game that would earn Trubisky a verbal parade from Matt Nagy. Chiefs coach Andy Reid called it merely, “a good, solid performance.”
As much as it kills Chicago to see Mahomes soar, imagine how it sits with Nagy. He was a key figure on the Chiefs’ staff when they fell in love with Mahomes as a prospect at Texas Tech, then he took the job with the Bears and saw that Trubisky remained a major project just as he was as a one-year starter at North Carolina.
It’s not his fault he went second overall, but Trubisky has been nowhere near Mahomes and Watson. AP Photos
When asked recently about Mahomes, especially the 50-touchdown season in 2018, Nagy replied, “It doesn’t surprise me.” When asked recently about Trubisky, the subject was his inability to read coverages. Nagy talked extensively about the work ahead, then circled back to the company line a few questions later by saying, “He’s not far.”
There’s an argument that Mahomes’ success could not have been predicted. Bears president Ted Phillips called him “an anomaly” last week. No one envisioned Mahomes winning the MVP his first season as a starter, but this wasn’t like the Patriots hitting jackpot on Tom Brady in the sixth round.
The Chiefs saw enough potential to trade up from 27th to 10th and take him ahead of Watson even though they were already a playoff team and had a competent quarterback in Alex Smith.
Likewise, the Texans gave up a future first-round pick to jump from No. 25 to No. 12 to secure Watson, a national champion and two-time Heisman Trophy finalist at Clemson. His coach said passing on him would be like “passing on Michael Jordan,” and while that’s a bit overblown, Pace certainly ended up with Sam Bowie.
The Bears, by the way, like to use Smith as a parable for Trubisky because he didn’t turn a corner until Year 7. In the modern NFL, that’s like waiting for a savings bond to mature. Mahomes, Watson and MVP-to-be Lamar Jackson were virtually instant hits. The upside is that if Trubisky is indeed on the Smith track, Chicago is almost halfway through the wait.
As Pace pleads for patience, his discards are closing in on the Super Bowl — the one the Bears set as their destination when they rolled into Bourbonnais last summer. That’s where this is going to get even worse. Watson and Mahomes are great enough to end their teams’ droughts, and watching a quarterback deliver that when the Bears know they could’ve had him will be the harshest reminder of how long it’s been since 1985.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Man charged with Crystal Lake stabbing, home invasion

A Crystal Lake man has been charged with trying to stab another man to death during a home invasion Thursday in an unincorporated area near the northwest suburb .
Michael Vrba , 35 , is charged with attempted first degree murder , home invasion , residential burglary , aggravated domestic battery and two counts of aggravated battery , according to a statement from the McHenry County sheriff ’ s office .
Authorities were called at 6:22 p.m. for reports of the 29-year-old man stabbed at a home in the 6000 block of Acorn Court , the sheriff ’ s office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwestern Hospital in McHenry and then airlifted to Condell Hospital in Libertyville , where he remains in serious but stable condition .
Investigators identified Vrba , whom they called “ a former household member of the victim , ” as a suspect and took him into custody Friday , the sheriff ’ s office said .
He remains in custody at the McHenry County Jail on $ 1 million bail and is due back in court on Saturday .
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 815-334-4750 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A Crystal Lake man has been charged with trying to stab another man to death during a home invasion Thursday in an unincorporated area near the northwest suburb.
Michael Vrba, 35, is charged with attempted first degree murder, home invasion, residential burglary, aggravated domestic battery and two counts of aggravated battery, according to a statement from the McHenry County sheriff’s office.
Michael Vrba McHenry County sheriff’s office
Authorities were called at 6:22 p.m. for reports of the 29-year-old man stabbed at a home in the 6000 block of Acorn Court, the sheriff’s office said. The victim was taken to Northwestern Hospital in McHenry and then airlifted to Condell Hospital in Libertyville, where he remains in serious but stable condition.
Investigators identified Vrba, whom they called “a former household member of the victim,” as a suspect and took him into custody Friday, the sheriff’s office said. He remains in custody at the McHenry County Jail on $1 million bail and is due back in court on Saturday.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigation Division at 815-334-4750.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Hinsdale man charged with sexually abusing boy he met on dating app

A Hinsdale man is accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy he met online in the west suburb .
Mark @ @ @ @ @ one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse , according to the DuPage County state ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
He contacted the boy through a dating app and met him Nov. 1 , @ @ @ @ @ s attorney ’ s office said .
Sadlowski was taken into custody Thursday .
“ @ @ @ @ @ defendant arranged to meet his victim via an online dating application and once they were @ @ @ @ @ , ” DuPage County State ’ s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement .
@ @ @ @ @ disturbing and will be met with the full force of the law.
” Sadlowski is @ @ @ @ @ bail , the state ’ s attorney ’ s office said .
His next court @ @ @ @ @ 27 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A Hinsdale man is accused of sexually abusing a 13-year-old boy he met online in the west suburb.
Mark Sadlowski, 26, faces one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.
Mark Sadlowski DuPage County sheriff’s office
He contacted the boy through a dating app and met him Nov. 1, 2019, the state’s attorney’s office said. Sadlowski was taken into custody Thursday.
“It is alleged that this defendant arranged to meet his victim via an online dating application and once they were alone, sexually abused him,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. “These allegations are extremely disturbing and will be met with the full force of the law.”
Sadlowski is being held on $150,000 bail, the state’s attorney’s office said. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 27.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Wheeling middle school teacher arrested on child pornography charges

A northwest suburban middle school teacher and former wrestling coach has been accused of possessing and distributing child pornography .
Scott E. Pollack , 45 , is charged with nine counts of dissemination of child pornography , one count of possession of child pornography and one count of unauthorized video recording , all felonies , according to Lake in the Hills police and the Illinois attorney general ’ s office .
Pollack is a teacher and former wrestling coach at Holmes Middle School in Wheeling , authorities said .
Lake in the Hills and Wheeling police officers joined investigators from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crimes Against Children Task Force Friday in a search of Pollack ’ s Lake in the Hills home , authorities said .
He was arrested after investigators found “ evidence of alleged child pornography , ” according to prosecutors .
Community Consolidated School District 21 wrote in a statement that the charges against Pollack “ are not a result of any activity or involvement with CCSD21 students ” but that he was “ suspended from duty indefinitely ” after his arrest Friday morning .
“ The safety and well being of our students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to work with law enforcement and our community partners to ensure a safe learning environment for all , ” district officials wrote .
Counselors and student support teams will be available to any students who need them , officials said .
“ Child pornography exploits the victims each time one of these reprehensible images is viewed or shared , ” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement .
“ My office is committed to stopping the creation and spread of these horrendous images and will continue to partner with local law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pollack remains in custody at the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing Saturday morning , according to the McHenry County sheriff ’ s office .
If convicted , he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 54 years in prison , the attorney general ’ s office said .
Anyone with additional information to report about the case is asked to call Wheeling police at 847-459-2632 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A northwest suburban middle school teacher and former wrestling coach has been accused of possessing and distributing child pornography.
Scott E. Pollack, 45, is charged with nine counts of dissemination of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of unauthorized video recording, all felonies, according to Lake in the Hills police and the Illinois attorney general’s office.
Pollack is a teacher and former wrestling coach at Holmes Middle School in Wheeling, authorities said.
Lake in the Hills and Wheeling police officers joined investigators from the attorney general’s Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Friday in a search of Pollack’s Lake in the Hills home, authorities said.
He was arrested after investigators found “evidence of alleged child pornography,” according to prosecutors.
Scott E. Pollack McHenry County sheriff’s office
Community Consolidated School District 21 wrote in a statement that the charges against Pollack “are not a result of any activity or involvement with CCSD21 students” but that he was “suspended from duty indefinitely” after his arrest Friday morning.
“The safety and well being of our students is our top priority and we will continue to work with law enforcement and our community partners to ensure a safe learning environment for all,” district officials wrote.
Counselors and student support teams will be available to any students who need them, officials said.
“Child pornography exploits the victims each time one of these reprehensible images is viewed or shared,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement. “My office is committed to stopping the creation and spread of these horrendous images and will continue to partner with local law enforcement to help protect our children.”
Pollack remains in custody at the McHenry County Jail and is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing Saturday morning, according to the McHenry County sheriff’s office.
If convicted, he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 54 years in prison, the attorney general’s office said.
Anyone with additional information to report about the case is asked to call Wheeling police at 847-459-2632.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Man in custody after shots fired at Chicago police in Park Manor

A man was arrested after allegedly shooting at Chicago police officers Saturday in Park Manor on the South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ stop about 12:27 a.m. in the 100 block of East 71st Street when the man @ @ @ @ @ nearby sidewalk , police said .
No one was hurt , and the officers didn @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The man was taken into custody after a short chase , and @ @ @ @ @ the scene , police said .
Charges are pending .
Read more on crime , @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

A man was arrested after allegedly shooting at Chicago police officers Saturday in Park Manor on the South Side.
Officers were conducting a traffic stop about 12:27 a.m. in the 100 block of East 71st Street when the man fired at them from a nearby sidewalk, police said.
No one was hurt, and the officers didn’t return fire, police said.
The man was taken into custody after a short chase, and a weapon was recovered at the scene, police said. Charges are pending.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Bolingbrook man accused of luring teen girl for sex: sheriff’s office

A 25-year-old Bolingbrook man is accused of looking for sex with teenagers online in the west suburb .
Anthony Monico @ @ @ @ @ of indecent solicitation of a child and grooming , according to the DuPage County sheriff @ @ @ @ @ a monthlong investigation , authorities learned Monico was having sexually explicit conversations with someone he @ @ @ @ @ , the sheriff ’ s office said .
He attempted to meet the girl at @ @ @ @ @ was taken into custody Thursday .
“ I hope this is a lesson learned to @ @ @ @ @ prey on our children through social media or any electronic means , ” DuPage County @ @ @ @ @ a statement .
“ You ’ re likely not talking to who you think you @ @ @ @ @ custody on $ 10,000 bail and could face up to three years in jail if @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 14 .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

A 25-year-old Bolingbrook man is accused of looking for sex with teenagers online in the west suburb.
Anthony Monico is charged with felony counts of indecent solicitation of a child and grooming, according to the DuPage County sheriff’s office.
Anthony Monico DuPage County Sheriff’s Office
During a monthlong investigation, authorities learned Monico was having sexually explicit conversations with someone he believed was a 14-year-old girl, the sheriff’s office said. He attempted to meet the girl at a hotel for sex and was taken into custody Thursday.
“I hope this is a lesson learned to anyone who would attempt to prey on our children through social media or any electronic means,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said in a statement. “You’re likely not talking to who you think you are.”
Monico remains in custody on $10,000 bail and could face up to three years in jail if he’s convicted, authorities said. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 14.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Girl, 16, reported missing from Humboldt Park has been located

Loyola ’ s defense steps up in overtime to stifle St. Viator Loyola prides itself on its ability to guard @ @ @ @ @ one-point lead in overtime with six seconds left and St. Viator inbounding the ball under @ @ @ @ @ ideal late game situation .

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


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Loyola’s defense steps up in overtime to stifle St. Viator

Loyola prides itself on its ability to play defense .
So having a one-point lead with six seconds left in overtime and St. Viator inbounding the ball under its own basket is , theoretically , an ideal late-game situation for the Ramblers .
Loyola wasn ’ t able to keep Lions star Connor Kochera from getting the ball , but the Ramblers managed to keep him from winning the game .
Kochera ’ s shot went in , but he didn ’ t get it off before the buzzer , and Loyola picked up a 40-39 victory in the Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ We grind , ’ ’ Ramblers coach Tom Livatino said .
‘ ‘ That ’ s what we do .
It ’ s not everybody ’ s taste , but it is our taste .
Winning taste .
And winning tastes pretty good.
’ ’ Senior Matt Enghauser was the late-game hero for the No .
19 Ramblers ( 17-1 ) .
He grabbed a crucial rebound and was fouled with six seconds left in overtime .
He sank both free throws to give Loyola the lead for good .
‘ ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I have complete confidence in him , ’ ’ Livatino said .
‘ ‘ The free throws were big , but the rebound and the shot fake to get to the line was even more important.
’ ’ Bennett Kwiecinski , a 6-8 Siena recruit , helped turn the game in the Ramblers ’ favor .
St. Viator ( 11-6 ) led by five late in the third quarter before Kwiecinski heated up , scoring six points in an 80-second burst .
He then scored all six of Loyola ’ s points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 points , six rebounds and four blocks .
‘ ‘ It started with the layup I had , ’ ’ Kwiecinski said .
‘ ‘ I felt just more into the game .
They didn ’ t really change up anything on defense .
I just started looking to score more , and we were moving better and faster on offense .
That helped because they weren ’ t able to double as easily and I got a lot of good looks.
’ ’ The Lions had two chances to win at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couldn ’ t get a shot to fall .
‘ ‘ The bounces didn ’ t go our way , ’ ’ St. Viator coach Quin Hayes said .
‘ ‘ It came down to a box-out .
It always comes down to one play at the end , and we didn ’ t get it done.
’ ’ ‘ ‘ He ’ s a great player , ’ ’ Livatino said .
‘ ‘ Our guys put forth a really good effort on him individually and as a team .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen all year , period .
He ’ s in complete control of his game .
He ’ ll post you up , take you off the dribble , knock down a three .
He ’ s unselfish .
They run great stuff to get him the ball.
’ ’ The Ramblers ’ only loss this season was to Sante Fe Catholic of Lakeland , Florida .
They have victories against St. Rita , Notre Dame and Leo and knocked off St. Ignatius in the Jesuit Cup rivalry game Friday at Gentile Arena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three baskets in the second quarter and another three in the fourth , but Livatino was quick to defend his team ’ s style of play .
‘ ‘ [ Friday ] was a grind , ’ ’ Livatino said .
‘ ‘ It was sloppy .
I didn ’ t think today was sloppy .
It was very good basketball with two good offensive and defensive teams .
Not a lot of points , just really good play .
We were improved today .
’ ’

Loyola prides itself on its ability to play defense. So having a one-point lead with six seconds left in overtime and St. Viator inbounding the ball under its own basket is, theoretically, an ideal late-game situation for the Ramblers.
That proved true Saturday.
Loyola wasn’t able to keep Lions star Connor Kochera from getting the ball, but the Ramblers managed to keep him from winning the game. Kochera’s shot went in, but he didn’t get it off before the buzzer, and Loyola picked up a 40-39 victory in the Steve Pappas Shootout at DePaul Prep.
‘‘We grind,’’ Ramblers coach Tom Livatino said. ‘‘That’s what we do. It’s not everybody’s taste, but it is our taste. Winning taste. And winning tastes pretty good.’’
Senior Matt Enghauser was the late-game hero for the No. 19 Ramblers (17-1). He grabbed a crucial rebound and was fouled with six seconds left in overtime. He sank both free throws to give Loyola the lead for good.
‘‘Matty is one of our leaders, and I have complete confidence in him,’’ Livatino said. ‘‘The free throws were big, but the rebound and the shot fake to get to the line was even more important.’’
Enghauser finished with 11 points.
Bennett Kwiecinski, a 6-8 Siena recruit, helped turn the game in the Ramblers’ favor.
St. Viator (11-6) led by five late in the third quarter before Kwiecinski heated up, scoring six points in an 80-second burst. He then scored all six of Loyola’s points in the fourth quarter to finish with 16 points, six rebounds and four blocks.
‘‘It started with the layup I had,’’ Kwiecinski said. ‘‘I felt just more into the game. They didn’t really change up anything on defense. I just started looking to score more, and we were moving better and faster on offense. That helped because they weren’t able to double as easily and I got a lot of good looks.’’
The Lions had two chances to win at the end of regulation, but they couldn’t get a shot to fall.
‘‘The bounces didn’t go our way,’’ St. Viator coach Quin Hayes said. ‘‘It came down to a box-out. It always comes down to one play at the end, and we didn’t get it done.’’
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Kochera, a William & Mary recruit, scored 20 points but shot 5-for-14.
‘‘He’s a great player,’’ Livatino said. ‘‘Our guys put forth a really good effort on him individually and as a team. He’s the best player I’ve seen all year, period. He’s in complete control of his game. He’ll post you up, take you off the dribble, knock down a three. He’s unselfish. They run great stuff to get him the ball.’’
The Ramblers’ only loss this season was to Sante Fe Catholic of Lakeland, Florida. They have victories against St. Rita, Notre Dame and Leo and knocked off St. Ignatius in the Jesuit Cup rivalry game Friday at Gentile Arena.
The teams combined to make only three baskets in the second quarter and another three in the fourth, but Livatino was quick to defend his team’s style of play.
‘‘[Friday] was a grind,’’ Livatino said. ‘‘It was sloppy. I didn’t think today was sloppy. It was very good basketball with two good offensive and defensive teams. Not a lot of points, just really good play. We were improved today.’’


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Girl, 15, missing from Chatham: police

Girl, 15, missing from Chatham: police

Chicago police are asking for help locating a 15-year-old girl who has been reported missing from Chatham on the South @ @ @ @ @ last seen Wednesday in the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue , according to a @ @ @ @ @ police .
Johnson is 5-foot-4 , 125 pounds , with brown eyes , black hair @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
She was last seen wearing a dark-green coat with red fur @ @ @ @ @ a black backpack , police said .
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked @ @ @ @ @ at 312-747-8273 .

Chicago police are asking for help locating a 15-year-old girl who has been reported missing from Chatham on the South Side.
Taliyah Johnson was last seen Wednesday in the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue, according to a missing persons alert from Chicago police.
Johnson is 5-foot-4, 125 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and has a medium-brown complexion, police said.
She was last seen wearing a dark-green coat with red fur, gray boots and carrying a black backpack, police said.
Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Area South detectives at 312-747-8273.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--DePaul remains winless in Big East with loss to St. John’s

NEW YORK — Rasheem Dunn poured in 19 points with eight rebounds and five assists and Greg Williams Jr. sank two late free throws as St. John ’ s turned back DePaul 74-67 Saturday at Madison Square Garden .
Mustapha Heron scored 15 points with three 3-pointers and Julian Champagnie added 11 as the Red Storm broke a three-game losing skid to claim their first Big East victory .
St. John ’ s ( 12-5 , 1-3 ) held a 12-point lead with 6:03 to play before DePaul ( 12-4 , 0-3 ) whittled that to 71-67 inside the final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , all at the line , sank two free throws with 41 seconds left , making it a two-possession game .
DePaul missed four shots in the final 1:53 , including three 3-point attempts , finishing 3-for-15 from behind the arc .
Jaylen Butz led the Blue Demons with 17 points on 6-for-6 shooting .
Jalen Coleman-Lands added 15 points and Charlie Moore 14 , but were a combined 3-of-13 from deep .
Moore compiled 12 assists and eight rebounds .
The teams had combined for a 23-3 nonconference record but are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John ’ s plays Providence on the road on Wednesday .
DePaul matches up against Villanova on the road on Tuesday .

NEW YORK — Rasheem Dunn poured in 19 points with eight rebounds and five assists and Greg Williams Jr. sank two late free throws as St. John’s turned back DePaul 74-67 Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Mustapha Heron scored 15 points with three 3-pointers and Julian Champagnie added 11 as the Red Storm broke a three-game losing skid to claim their first Big East victory.
St. John’s (12-5, 1-3) held a 12-point lead with 6:03 to play before DePaul (12-4, 0-3) whittled that to 71-67 inside the final minute. Williams, who scored four points, all at the line, sank two free throws with 41 seconds left, making it a two-possession game.
DePaul missed four shots in the final 1:53, including three 3-point attempts, finishing 3-for-15 from behind the arc. Jaylen Butz led the Blue Demons with 17 points on 6-for-6 shooting. Jalen Coleman-Lands added 15 points and Charlie Moore 14, but were a combined 3-of-13 from deep. Moore compiled 12 assists and eight rebounds.
The teams had combined for a 23-3 nonconference record but are 1-and-7 in the Big East. St. John’s plays Providence on the road on Wednesday. DePaul matches up against Villanova on the road on Tuesday.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Illinois slips past Rutgers to equal victory total from last season

CHAMPAIGN — Ayo Dosunmu scored 18 points and Kofi Cockburn added 11 and grabbed 17 rebounds and Illinois held off Rutgers 54-51 at home on Saturday .
The win propels Illinois into second place in the Big Ten Conference and ties its season win total from a year ago , when the Illini went 12-21 and 7-13 in the conference .
Dosunmu stepped up big in the final two minutes for Illinois ( 12-5 , 4-2 ) .
He scored four points ( all at the free-throw line ) to seal a defensive battle that saw Rutgers ( 12-4 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the game .
“ Coach has that trust in me down the stretch , ” Dosunmu said after the game .
“ I like to seize the moment.
” Jacob Young led Rutgers with 16 points .
Ron Harper Jr. added nine for the Scarlet Knights .
Illinois went on two 6-0 runs in the second half to close the gap against a fierce Rutgers defense .
Both teams played exceedingly well defensively .
Rutgers was 20 of 59 ( 34 % ) from the field to Illinois ’ 18 of 63 ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7-foot freshman , hit his seventh double-double of the season for the Illini , Both teams shot poorly in the first half .
Rutgers was 9 of 27 from the field ( 33 % ) while Illinois shot a paltry 6 of 31 ( 19 % ) .
Rutgers led 21-18 at the break .
Cockburn had five points and 10 rebounds in the first half .
“ We shot 19 percent in the first half and found a way to win it against a good Rutgers team , ” Illinois coach Brad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud of our guys today .
This shows the growth we ’ ve been seeing all year.
” Rutgers has a reputation this season of owning the boards , particularly on the offensive end .
But Illinois used its big men , Cockburn and 6-foot-9 forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili , to out-rebound the Scarlet Knights 48-42 overall and 16-10 on the offensive end .
“ We work hard on our rebounding during every practice , ” Underwood said , “ It paid off for us today .
Kofi in particular stepped up for us.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard Geo Baker , out indefinitely with a left thumb injury .
Baker is the team ’ s second-highest scorer , averaging 11.5 points per game .
He also leads the team in assists and is the undisputed leader on the court .
Baker could miss up to a month because of the injury , sustained in practice last week .
Rutgers played the brand of defense it ’ s known for this season , but couldn ’ t contain Dosunmu down the stretch , Illinois , on the heels on a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped up again against a tough conference foe .
The Illini slipped into second place in the Big Ten , trailing only No 8 Michigan State , which sits at 13-3 and 5-0 in conference play .
The Spartans play Purdue on the road Sunday .

CHAMPAIGN — Ayo Dosunmu scored 18 points and Kofi Cockburn added 11 and grabbed 17 rebounds and Illinois held off Rutgers 54-51 at home on Saturday.
The win propels Illinois into second place in the Big Ten Conference and ties its season win total from a year ago, when the Illini went 12-21 and 7-13 in the conference.
Dosunmu stepped up big in the final two minutes for Illinois (12-5, 4-2). He scored four points (all at the free-throw line) to seal a defensive battle that saw Rutgers (12-4, 3-2) grab the lead early in the game.
“Coach has that trust in me down the stretch,” Dosunmu said after the game. “I like to seize the moment.”
Jacob Young led Rutgers with 16 points. Ron Harper Jr. added nine for the Scarlet Knights.
Illinois went on two 6-0 runs in the second half to close the gap against a fierce Rutgers defense. Both teams played exceedingly well defensively.
Rutgers was 20 of 59 (34%) from the field to Illinois’ 18 of 63 (29%).
Cockburn, a 7-foot freshman, hit his seventh double-double of the season for the Illini,
POOR START
Both teams shot poorly in the first half. Rutgers was 9 of 27 from the field (33%) while Illinois shot a paltry 6 of 31 (19%). Rutgers led 21-18 at the break. Cockburn had five points and 10 rebounds in the first half.
“We shot 19 percent in the first half and found a way to win it against a good Rutgers team,” Illinois coach Brad Underwood said. “I’m proud of our guys today. This shows the growth we’ve been seeing all year.”
BATTLE OF THE BOARDS
Rutgers has a reputation this season of owning the boards, particularly on the offensive end. But Illinois used its big men, Cockburn and 6-foot-9 forward Giorgi Bezhanishvili, to out-rebound the Scarlet Knights 48-42 overall and 16-10 on the offensive end.
“We work hard on our rebounding during every practice,” Underwood said, “It paid off for us today. Kofi in particular stepped up for us.”
BIG LOSS
Rutgers is playing without veteran point guard Geo Baker, out indefinitely with a left thumb injury. Baker is the team’s second-highest scorer, averaging 11.5 points per game.
He also leads the team in assists and is the undisputed leader on the court. Baker could miss up to a month because of the injury, sustained in practice last week.
BIG PICTURE
Rutgers played the brand of defense it’s known for this season, but couldn’t contain Dosunmu down the stretch,
Illinois, on the heels on a huge road win against Wisconsin on Wednesday, stepped up again against a tough conference foe. The Illini slipped into second place in the Big Ten, trailing only No 8 Michigan State, which sits at 13-3 and 5-0 in conference play. The Spartans play Purdue on the road Sunday.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--No. 13 Louisville squanders 16-point lead before recovering to edge Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND , Ind .
— Jordan Nwora led three Louisville players in double figures with 20 points as the No .
13 Cardinals withstood a furious Notre Dame comeback in the second half for a 67-64 Atlantic Coast Conference victory Saturday .
Reserve guard Ryan McMahon scored 17 points and Dwayne Sutton had a double-double of 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Cardinals ( 13-3 , 4-1 ACC ) who won their second straight .
Sutton hit a pair of key 3-pointers late as Louisville rallied in the final 4:05 .
John Mooney had his 10th straight double-double @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 15 points and 19 rebounds for the Fighting Irish ( 10-6 , 1-4 ) who lost their second straight .
T.J. Gibbs also had 15 points and reserve Dane Goodwin added 14 .
Trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half , Notre Dame opened the second with an 11-1 run .
Mooney ’ s 3-pointer brought the Irish within 36-29 early in the half and then Goodwin hit a pair of 3-pointers to cut the Louisville lead to 37-35 .
McMahon re-entered the game , and he and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge , but the Irish kept coming and Goodwin ’ s third 3-pointer gave them a 55-53 lead with 7:04 left .
A Goodwin follow of a Prentiss Hubb miss made it 59-55 Irish with 5:25 left as Louisville missed six of seven shots .
But an 11-3 Louisville run , fueled by two 3-pointers by Sutton , sealed the victory .
From an 11-11 tie with 13:09 left in the first half , the Cardinals pulled away to a 36-24 halftime lead built on 41 % shooting ( 15 of 37 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Irish to just 31 % shooting ( 11 of 35 ) .
Notre Dame endured a pair of scoring droughts of 4:05 and 4:39 .
McMahon , who started the first 13 games of the season , entered the game at 14:29 and broke the tie with a baseline drive and underhand scoop reverse lay-in .
He then added an uncontested drive the next time down the floor for a 15-11 Louisville lead , forcing Notre Dame coach Mike Brey to call a timeout .
McMahon , who had 12 points to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added a pair of 3-pointers and another scoop layup with 5:29 to play in the half to put the Cardinals up 30-14 , their biggest lead of the period .
It might have been worse for the Irish if not for Mooney , who had 10 rebounds in the first 11 minutes on his way to 13 in the first half .
His dunk off an inbound pass from Hubb with 38 seconds remaining gave him a first-half double-double .
Louisville : The Cardinals had an 18-3 edge in bench points in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5-of-9 shooting .
Nwora , the ACC scoring leader coming in , had his 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting .
He entered the game with 313 points in 15 games , the best by a Cardinal in the last 20 seasons .
Notre Dame : The Fighting Irish continued their shooting struggles .
Guards Hubb , Gibbs and Rex Pflueger were a combined 3 of 13 ( 23 % ) in the first half as Louisville seemed content to allow Mooney to get his points and rebounds .

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Louisville’s Dwayne Sutton came up big when the No. 13 Cardinals needed him the most on the road against Notre Dame.
“My teammates did a nice job finding me. It wasn’t my night offensively,” said the 6-foot-5 Sutton, who hit a pair of 3-pointers in the final 4:05 to finish with 10 points and 14 rebounds as the Cardinals closed with a 10-5 run to hold off an Irish upset bid in a 67-64 Atlantic Coast Conference victory on Saturday.
ACC leading scorer Jordan Nwora had a game-high 20 points and reserve guard Ryan McMahon added 17 for the Cardinals (13-3, 4-1 ACC) to begin a three-game road trip.
“This team needed to figure a way to cut through some adversity,” Louisville coach Chris Mack said after the Cardinals won their second straight game after losing two straight to ranked teams, 78-70 to in-state rival Kentucky in overtime on Dec. 28 and 78-65 against Florida State a week ago. “I loved the way we finished the game. A couple of our guys played like experienced players in a tough moment, Dwayne Sutton in particular.”
John Mooney, who notched his 10th straight double-double and 13th of the season with 15 points and 19 rebounds for the Fighting Irish (10-6, 1-4), credited Sutton after Notre Dame stumbled at the end for its second straight loss.
“When Sutton hits two bombs at the end, it’s tough — you tip your hat,” Mooney said. “They just made more plays down the stretch.”
T.J. Gibbs matched Mooney’s 15 points, scoring 13 after intermission, and reserve Dane Goodwin had 14, 11 in the second half, as the Irish managed to erase a 36-24 deficit but failed to finish again.
“I feel for us the way we battled back,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “Give them credit – they’re really good and Sutton drilled two really big ones.”
Trailing by as many as 16 points in the first half, Notre Dame opened the second with an 11-1 run. Mooney’s 3-pointer brought the Irish within 36-29 early in the half and then Goodwin hit a pair of 3-pointers to cut the Louisville lead to 37-35.
McMahon re-entered the game, and he and Nwora hit 3-pointers to give Louisville an edge, but the Irish kept coming and Goodwin’s third 3-pointer gave them a 55-53 lead with 7:04 left.
A Goodwin follow of a Prentiss Hubb miss made it 59-55 Irish with 5:25 left as Louisville missed six of seven shots. But after a timeout with 4:05 left, a 10-5 Louisville run, fueled by two 3-pointers by Sutton, sealed the victory.
From an 11-11 tie with 13:09 left in the first half, the Cardinals pulled away to a 12-point halftime lead built on 41% shooting (15 of 37) and a strong defensive performance that limited the Irish to just 31% shooting (11 of 35). Notre Dame endured a pair of scoring droughts of 4:05 and 4:39.
McMahon, who started the first 13 games of the season, entered the game at 14:29 and broke the tie with a baseline drive and underhand scoop reverse lay-in. He then added an uncontested drive the next time down the floor for a 15-11 Louisville lead, forcing Brey to call a timeout.
McMahon, who had 12 points to match Nwora in the opening period, added a pair of 3-pointers and another scoop layup with 5:29 to play in the half to put the Cardinals up 30-14, their biggest lead.
It might have been worse for the Irish if not for Mooney, who had 10 rebounds in the first 11 minutes on his way to 13 in the first half. His dunk off an inbound pass from Hubb with 38 seconds remaining gave him a first-half double-double.
BIG PICTURE
Louisville: The Cardinals had a 28-16 edge in bench points in the game, including 18-3 in the first half thanks to McMahon’s 5-of-9 shooting and 12 points. McMahon, a 6-foot redshirt senior guard, called Notre Dame a dream school after growing up in Sarasota, Florida and attending Cardinal Mooney High School.
“My dad’s family is all from here,” said McMahon, whose 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting in 27 minutes were a season high. “In the summer, we’d go to the (Notre Dame campus) and try to sneak into the stadium. I do love playing here.”
Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish continued their shooting struggles. Guards Hubb, Gibbs and Rex Pflueger were a combined 3 of 13 (23%) in the first half as Louisville seemed content to allow Mooney to get his points and rebounds.
“We’re a very poised group to be able to claw and fight back,” Mooney said of Notre Dame’s second-half rally that saw the Irish hit 15 of 31 shots (48%). “We’ve got to stop putting ourselves in that position in the first half.”
“We’ve just got to finish these games,” Goodwin added. “It’s a play here or there. We have to make those plays to win.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Pounding waves close section of South Shore Drive; 2-5 inches of snow expected overnight

Pounding waves and steady rain brought by a winter storm Saturday forced the closure of parts of Lake Shore Drive and South Shore Drive due to flooding .
The storm also caused the cancellation of more than 1,200 flights at the city ’ s airports .
Steady rain throughout the day was expected to transition to snow Saturday night .
A winter weather advisory was in effect until 3 a.m. Sunday .
Wind gusts more than 55 mph were reported Saturday and waves as high as 20 feet ravaged the shoreline , rendering beaches in the area impassable and sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots and closing lakefront trails .
About 9:45 a.m. , the deluge forced the Office of Emergency Management to close South Shore Drive between 67th Street and 71st Street due to high water .
The section of the drive remained closed as of 5 p.m. High waves also closed a lane of traffic about noon between the 1000 and 1600 blocks of North Lake Shore Drive for several hours , officials said .
By 3:50 p.m. , the Chicago Department of Aviation reported at least 1,124 flights canceled at O ’ Hare International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ International Airport .
Delays at O ’ Hare and Midway averaged 25 and 15 minutes , respectively , the department said .
Between 2 and 5 inches of snow were expected overnight , with the highest totals over northern Cook County , the National Weather Service said .
The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed over 200 snow vehicles to spread salt over “ arterial routes ” and Lake Shore Drive before turning their attention residential streets , the agency said .
Drivers were advised to use caution , the weather service said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to cause reduced visibility on the region ’ s roadways .
Cook County officials urged residents to be cautious during the storm by steering clear of flooded roadways , bringing loose items indoors and avoiding the Lake Michigan shoreline .
Sunday was expected to be partly sunny with a high near 30 and wind gusts up to 15 mph .

Pounding waves and steady rain brought by a winter storm Saturday forced the closure of parts of Lake Shore Drive and South Shore Drive due to flooding.
The storm also caused the cancellation of more than 1,200 flights at the city’s airports Saturday afternoon.
Steady rain throughout the day transitioned to snow Saturday night, with 2.1 inches recorded at O’Hare International Airport by the end of the storm, according to the National Weather Service. Midway International Airport saw 1.2 inches.
Wind gusts more than 55 mph were reported Saturday and waves as high as 20 feet ravaged the shoreline, rendering beaches in the area impassable and sending water over break walls, flooding parking lots and closing lakefront trails.
High waves from Lake Michigan hit the lakefront trail near North Avenue as a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 1 of 7 The far right lane of Lake Shore Drive, between Oak Street and La Salle Drive, is closed to traffic as high waves from Lake Michigan hit the lakefront trail while a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 2 of 7 Pedestrians on the Magnificent Mile use their hoods to shield their faces as a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 3 of 7 North Avenue Beach floods as a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 4 of 7 High waves from Lake Michigan hit the lakefront trail near Fullerton Avenue as a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 5 of 7 High waves from Lake Michigan hit the lakefront trail near North Avenue as a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 6 of 7 Pedestrians on the Magnificent Mile use their hoods to shield their faces as a major winter storm, bringing freezing rain and wind gusts as high as 55 mph, moves through the Chicago area, Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, 2020. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times 7 of 7
About 9:45 a.m., the deluge forced the Office of Emergency Management to close South Shore Drive between 67th Street and 71st Street due to high water. The road was reopened about 6 p.m.
High waves also closed a lane of traffic about noon between the 1000 and 1600 blocks of North Lake Shore Drive for several hours, officials said.
The Chicago Department of Aviation reported at least 1,139 flights canceled at O’Hare and 87 flights canceled at Midway International Airport Saturday afternoon.
By 6:30 a.m. Sunday, those numbers had dropped to 93 cancellations at O’Hare and two at Midway, with delays at both airports averaging less than 15 minutes.
Video location Lee Street Beach. pic.twitter.com/RGplt843hD — Evanston, IL Police (@EvanstonPD) January 11, 2020
The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed over 200 snow vehicles to spread salt over “arterial routes” and Lake Shore Drive Saturday before turning their attention residential streets by 6:20 a.m. Sunday, the agency said.
Drivers were advised to use caution, the weather service said, as blowing and accumulating snow was expected to cause reduced visibility on the region’s roadways.
Cook County officials urged residents to be cautious during the storm by steering clear of flooded roadways, bringing loose items indoors and avoiding the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Sunday is expected to be partly sunny with a high near 30 and wind gusts up to 15 mph, the weather service said. A weaker storm system could bring more freezing drizzle or light snow to the Chicago area Sunday night.
Related Chicago area braces for weekend winter storm


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Man killed, another wounded in Lawndale drive-by: police

A man was killed and another was wounded in a shooting Friday in Lawndale on the West Side , police @ @ @ @ @ the street about 6 p.m. in the 700 block of South California Avenue when someone @ @ @ @ @ car that was westbound on Lexington Street , Chicago police said .
A 34-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said the man died of multiple gunshot @ @ @ @ @ ruled his death a homicide .
The other man , 39 , was hit in @ @ @ @ @ the same hospital in good condition , police said .
The car , possibly a @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A man was killed and another was wounded in a shooting Friday in Lawndale on the West Side.
They were crossing the street about 6 p.m. in the 700 block of South California Avenue when someone fired shots from a dark-colored car that was westbound on Lexington Street, Chicago police said.
Maurice Jones, 34, was struck in the chest and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He died of multiple gunshot wounds and his death was ruled a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said. He lived in Lawndale.
The other man, 39, was hit in the buttocks and taken to the same hospital in good condition, police said.
The car, possibly a Jeep, continued on Lexington, police said.
Area North detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-11--Boy, 17, killed in Englewood shooting

Boy, 17, killed in Englewood shooting

A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot Friday in Englewood on the South Side .
About 5 p.m. , Rasean Green @ @ @ @ @ of South Aberdeen Street when someone approached him and opened fire , Chicago police and @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
Green , who lived in Englewood , was struck multiple @ @ @ @ @ of his body , authorities said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m. An autopsy Saturday said Green died of multiple gunshot @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office .
His death was ruled a homicide .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

A 17-year-old boy was fatally shot Friday in Englewood on the South Side.
About 5 p.m., Rasean Green was in the 7200 block of South Aberdeen Street when someone approached him and opened fire, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Green, who lived in Englewood, was struck multiple times to the left side of his body, authorities said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m.
An autopsy Saturday said Green died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the medical examiner’s office. His death was ruled a homicide.
Area South detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Active shooter drill planned near Chase Tower downtown

Several downtown streets will be closed Sunday as part of an active shooter response drill in the Loop .
Chicago @ @ @ @ @ agencies will conduct the simulation and training exercise from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in @ @ @ @ @ , 10 S. Dearborn St. , according to police .
Emergency vehicles and street closures @ @ @ @ @ surrounding area on Madison , Clark and Dearborn streets , police said .

Several downtown streets will be closed Sunday as part of an active shooter response drill in the Loop.
The Chicago police and fire departments and the city’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications will conduct the simulation and training exercise from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the area around Chase Tower, 10 S. Dearborn St., according to police and OEMC.
Emergency vehicles, additional traffic and street closures can be expected in the surrounding area on Madison, Clark and Dearborn streets, authorities said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Chicago outdoors: Inevitable winter, short-eared owls, Cooper’s hawks, bald eagles

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors with the help of readers .
Bill Peak photographed short-eared owls at one of the prime viewing spots near Route 41 and County Road 400 at Indiana ’ s Kankakee Sands .
WOTW , the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors , runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday .
Send nominations to @ BowmanOutside on Twitter or Instagram , to Dale Bowman on Facebook or email BowmanOutside @ gmail.com .
Tuesday , Jan. 14 : Lake Vermilion guide Luke Ronnestrand , Chicagoland Muskie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Branch Pizza & Burger Co. , Glenview , 7:30 p.m. , chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/meetingschedule.asp Wednesday , January 15 : Frank Pascoe , Professor of Biology at St. Francis , `` Spider Watching at Midewin , ’ ’ Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center , Wilmington , begins 7 p.m. , registration required at ( 815 ) 423-6370 or SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP @ usda.gov .
Thursday , Jan. 16 to Jan. 20 : First free days of 2020 , Illinois residents .
Click here for details .
Friday , Jan. 17 to Jan. 19 : Second late-winter antlerless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in [ Saturday ’ s ] paper !
This hawk has been hanging out in our Wicker Park backyard.
’ ’ Kati Rooney A : Rooney was one of many to send photos and stories of Cooper ’ s hawks around Chicago .
27 : Percent increase in bald eagle nests in southeastern Wisconsin during the Wisconsin DNR ’ s annaul aerial survey of known nest locations , flown since the 1970s .
Click here for more on the survey .
`` Waiting for winter to show up .
I ’ m 64-65 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ miss a [ blankety-blankety winter ] yet.
’ ’ Greg Dickson , proprietor of Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch on Tuesday , on the wait for real winter and sustained ice fishing to begin

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors with the help of readers.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Bill Peak photographed short-eared owls at one of the prime viewing spots near Route 41 and County Road 400 at Indiana’s Kankakee Sands.
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. Send nominations to @BowmanOutside on Twitter or Instagram, to Dale Bowman on Facebook or email BowmanOutside@gmail.com.
WILD TIMES
SHOWTIME
Thursday, Jan. 16 to Jan. 19: Northern Illinois Sports Show, Lake County Fairground & Event Center, Grayslake, ilsportsshow.com
Friday, Jan. 17 to Jan. 19: Muskie Expo Chicago, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, muskieexpo.com/chicago/
Friday, Jan. 17 to Jan. 19: Greater Chicago RV Show, Schaumburg Convention Center, greaterchicagorvshow.com
Today, Jan. 12: Final day, Chicago Boat, RV and Sail Show, McCormick Place South, ChicagoBoatShow.com
Today, Jan. 12: Final day, All-Canada Show, Pheasant Run, St. Charles, allcanada.com
Today, Jan.12: Final day, Lake Home & Cabin Show, Schaumburg Convention Center, lakehomeandcabinshow.com
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Jan. 14: Lake Vermilion guide Luke Ronnestrand, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m., chicagolandmuskiehunters.org/meetingschedule.asp
Tuesday, Jan. 14: Rob Wendel of Lake Michigan Angler, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, 7 p.m., salmonunlimitedinc.com
Thursday, Jan. 16: ``Chef Todd’’ on ice fishing LaCrosse, Wis. and recipes, Fish Tales Fishing Club, Worth Township offices, Alsip, 7 p.m., fishtalesfishingclub.com
MIDEWIN LECTURE SERIES
Wednesday, January 15: Frank Pascoe, Professor of Biology at St. Francis, ``Spider Watching at Midewin,’’ Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center, Wilmington, begins 7 p.m., registration required at (815) 423-6370 or SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov.
SHEDD FREE DAYS
Thursday, Jan. 16 to Jan. 20: First free days of 2020, Illinois residents. Click here for details.
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Through Monday, Jan. 13: Applications, spring turkey hunting, second lottery
Wednesday, Jan. 15: Pheasant, quail and partridge hunting, south zone, ends
Thursday, Jan. 16: Canada goose season, north zone, ends
Friday, Jan. 17 to Jan. 19: Second late-winter antlerless and CWD seasons
DALE’S MAILBAG
Cooper’s hawk in Wicker Park. Provided
``Enjoyed your article in [Saturday’s] paper! This hawk has been hanging out in our Wicker Park backyard.’’ Kati Rooney
A: Rooney was one of many to send photos and stories of Cooper’s hawks around Chicago.
BIG NUMBER
27: Percent increase in bald eagle nests in southeastern Wisconsin during the Wisconsin DNR’s annaul aerial survey of known nest locations, flown since the 1970s. Click here for more on the survey.
LAST WORD
``Waiting for winter to show up. I’m 64-65 and I’ve never seen us miss a [blankety-blankety winter] yet.’’
Greg Dickson, proprietor of Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch on Tuesday, on the wait for real winter and sustained ice fishing to begin


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Dear Abby: Mom’s meddling thwarts a romance that could have been everlasting

DEAR ABBY : Parents frequently write to you asking for advice about their children , seemingly asking permission to butt in where they should not .
When I was in my 20s , I dated a guy who had just returned from the Navy .
I saw him — and others — while working and going to college .
Sometimes I ’ d drive 40 miles to visit him and stay with my mother .
At some point , he told me we wouldn ’ t be seeing each other anymore .
He doesn ’ t remember the details of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I liked him very much and may have been in love .
I found out years later that my mother had called him to her house and told him to marry me or let me go .
We were both young and not ready for marriage .
I have no idea what possessed her to do that .
Sometimes I wish I had talked with her about it , but it wouldn ’ t have changed anything .
He and I have visited a few times during the past few years .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and have had good lives .
Yet there has always been the question : What if Mom had not interfered ?
Abby , please advise parents to mind their own business , especially where adult children are involved .
— FIFTY YEARS WONDERING DEAR F.Y.W .
: Whether that romance would have led to marriage had your mother stayed out of it , I can ’ t guess and neither can you .
Fortunately , you and the young man went on to have happy lives and successful marriages .
Some mothers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interfere in their adult children ’ s lives .
Today , when it is constant , it ’ s called “ helicopter parenting , ” and the unfortunate result can be disabling rather than helping because it prevents children from resolving their own issues .
DEAR ABBY : My 30-plus-year-old brother struggles with substance abuse .
It has been going on for years .
After countless trips to rehab , inpatient , outpatient and all the step programs , he still uses .
Periodically he ’ ll be sober for a short time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long time , I have been torn between total disassociation or the sporadic run-in at family events .
Seven months ago , his baby boy was born with narcotics in his system .
Birds of a feather flock together , I guess .
Since then he hasn ’ t been invited to my home or any event I have hosted .
My mother and the rest of my siblings still invite him into their homes and act as if his lifestyle choices are OK. Am I supposed to boycott family functions ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties for my kids , nieces and nephews ) because they all continue allowing him to attend ?
I honestly don ’ t know what is right here .
Please help .
— HAD ENOUGH IN NEW YORK DEAR HAD ENOUGH : Your brother has an addiction he can not seem to shake .
It is a disease that , in spite of treatment , persists .
If you prefer not to include him at events you host or invite him into your home , that is your right .
But for you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to punish him is isolating only yourself , and I see nothing positive to be gained by it .
Because your feelings about this situation are so strong , the ultimate decision is yours .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
To receive a collection of Abby ’ s most memorable — and most frequently requested — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: Parents frequently write to you asking for advice about their children, seemingly asking permission to butt in where they should not.
When I was in my 20s, I dated a guy who had just returned from the Navy. I saw him — and others — while working and going to college. Sometimes I’d drive 40 miles to visit him and stay with my mother. At some point, he told me we wouldn’t be seeing each other anymore. He doesn’t remember the details of the conversation, and neither do I. I liked him very much and may have been in love.
I found out years later that my mother had called him to her house and told him to marry me or let me go. We were both young and not ready for marriage. I have no idea what possessed her to do that. Sometimes I wish I had talked with her about it, but it wouldn’t have changed anything.
He and I have visited a few times during the past few years. We both married wonderful people, had kids, and have had good lives. Yet there has always been the question: What if Mom had not interfered?
Abby, please advise parents to mind their own business, especially where adult children are involved. — FIFTY YEARS WONDERING
DEAR F.Y.W.: Whether that romance would have led to marriage had your mother stayed out of it, I can’t guess and neither can you. Fortunately, you and the young man went on to have happy lives and successful marriages.
Some mothers can’t resist the temptation to interfere in their adult children’s lives. Today, when it is constant, it’s called “helicopter parenting,” and the unfortunate result can be disabling rather than helping because it prevents children from resolving their own issues.
DEAR ABBY: My 30-plus-year-old brother struggles with substance abuse. It has been going on for years. After countless trips to rehab, inpatient, outpatient and all the step programs, he still uses. Periodically he’ll be sober for a short time, but it never lasts. For a long time, I have been torn between total disassociation or the sporadic run-in at family events.
Seven months ago, his baby boy was born with narcotics in his system. Birds of a feather flock together, I guess. Since then he hasn’t been invited to my home or any event I have hosted. My mother and the rest of my siblings still invite him into their homes and act as if his lifestyle choices are OK.
Am I supposed to boycott family functions (holiday gatherings, summer BBQs, birthday parties for my kids, nieces and nephews) because they all continue allowing him to attend? I honestly don’t know what is right here. Please help. — HAD ENOUGH IN NEW YORK
DEAR HAD ENOUGH: Your brother has an addiction he cannot seem to shake. It is a disease that, in spite of treatment, persists. If you prefer not to include him at events you host or invite him into your home, that is your right. But for you to forgo family events in an attempt to punish him is isolating only yourself, and I see nothing positive to be gained by it. Because your feelings about this situation are so strong, the ultimate decision is yours.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
To receive a collection of Abby’s most memorable — and most frequently requested — poems and essays, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby — Keepers Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. Shipping and handling are included in the price.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Burglars strike twice at same Kenwood apartment

Police are warning residents about a pair of burglaries last week at the same Kenwood apartment on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ someone took keys from an outdoor lockbox and used them to steal materials and equipment @ @ @ @ @ work in the 900 block of East 45th Street , according to a community alert @ @ @ @ @ first break-in happened between 7 p.m. Jan. 6 and 7 a.m. Jan. 7 , police @ @ @ @ @ between 7 p.m. Jan. 7 and 7 a.m. Jan. 8 .
No suspect description was @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read @ @ @ @ @ track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning residents about a pair of burglaries last week at the same Kenwood apartment on the South Side.
In each case, someone took keys from an outdoor lockbox and used them to steal materials and equipment from an apartment undergoing rehabilitation work in the 900 block of East 45th Street, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The first break-in happened between 7 p.m. Jan. 6 and 7 a.m. Jan. 7, police said. The second occurred between 7 p.m. Jan. 7 and 7 a.m. Jan. 8.
No suspect description was available, according to police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Woman missing from Schaumburg since December

Schaumburg police are looking for a woman who was reported missing since last month from the northwest suburb .
Sureel @ @ @ @ @ reported missing by her family Jan. 1 after she failed to return home on Dec. @ @ @ @ @ statement from Schaumburg police .
Dabawala is described as a 5-foot-6 , 138-pound woman , @ @ @ @ @ photos of her with brown and blond hair .
She was last seen driving her @ @ @ @ @ an Illinois license plate of L411736 , according to police .
She has been known @ @ @ @ @ and the surrounding suburbs .
Her family is concerned about her well-being because of a @ @ @ @ @ .
Anyone who sees Dabawala or her car is asked to call 911 or contact @ @ @ @ @

Schaumburg police are looking for a woman who was reported missing since last month from the northwest suburb.
Sureel Dabawala, 34, was reported missing by her family Jan. 1 after she failed to return home on Dec. 30, according to a statement from Schaumburg police.
Dabawala is described as a 5-foot-6, 138-pound woman, police said. Authorities released photos of her with brown and blond hair.
Sureel Dabawala Schaumburg police
She was last seen driving her white 2011 Lexus sedan with an Illinois license plate of L411736, according to police. She has been known to spend time in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.
Her family is concerned about her well-being because of a medical condition, police said.
Anyone who sees Dabawala or her car is asked to call 911 or contact Schaumburg police at 847-882-3534.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Armed robbers target victims in Logan Square, Bucktown

Authorities are warning residents about a pair of armed robberies last month in Logan Square and Bucktown on the Northwest @ @ @ @ @ , a man approached the victim and demanded the person ’ s belongings at gunpoint @ @ @ @ @ alert from Chicago police .
The first hold-up happened at 6:42 p.m. Dec. 23 in @ @ @ @ @ Troy Street , police said .
The other occurred about 10 p.m. Dec. 29 in @ @ @ @ @ Western Avenue .
The suspects were described as men between 30 and 38 years old @ @ @ @ @ 5-foot-8 , police said .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Authorities are warning residents about a pair of armed robberies last month in Logan Square and Bucktown on the Northwest Side.
In each case, a man approached the victim and demanded the person’s belongings at gunpoint, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The first hold-up happened at 6:42 p.m. Dec. 23 in the 1700 block of North Troy Street, police said. The other occurred about 10 p.m. Dec. 29 in the 1700 block of North Western Avenue.
The suspects were described as men between 30 and 38 years old, standing between 5-foot-6 and 5-foot-8, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-12--Pounding waves close section of South Shore Drive for hours

Pounding waves and steady rain brought by a winter storm Saturday forced the closure of parts of Lake Shore Drive and South Shore Drive due to flooding .
The storm also caused the cancellation of more than 1,200 flights at the city ’ s airports Saturday afternoon .
Steady rain throughout the day transitioned to snow Saturday night , with 2.1 inches recorded by midnight at O ’ Hare International Airport , according to the National Weather Service .
Wind gusts more than 55 mph were reported Saturday and waves as high as 20 feet ravaged the shoreline , rendering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ water over break walls , flooding parking lots and closing lakefront trails .
About 9:45 a.m. , the deluge forced the Office of Emergency Management to close South Shore Drive between 67th Street and 71st Street due to high water .
The road was reopened about 6 p.m. High waves also closed a lane of traffic about noon between the 1000 and 1600 blocks of North Lake Shore Drive for several hours , officials said .
The Chicago Department of Aviation reported at least 1,139 flights canceled at O ’ Hare and 87 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afternoon .
By 12:45 a.m. Sunday , those numbers had dropped to 88 cancellations at O ’ Hare and two at Midway , with delays at both airports averaging less than 15 minutes .
More snow was expected overnight , with up to four inches possible in northern Cook County , the weather service said .
The Department of Streets and Sanitation deployed over 200 snow vehicles to spread salt over “ arterial routes ” and Lake Shore Drive before turning their attention residential streets , the agency said .
Drivers were advised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , as blowing and accumulating snow was expected to cause reduced visibility on the region ’ s roadways .
Cook County officials urged residents to be cautious during the storm by steering clear of flooded roadways , bringing loose items indoors and avoiding the Lake Michigan shoreline .
Sunday was expected to be partly sunny with a high near 30 and wind gusts up to 15 mph .