chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Inequality satire ‘Greed’ makes its point with wretched excess

Watching “ Greed ” is like getting cornered by a smart and passionate but overbearing guy at a party who rails about social injustice and the sins of the wealthy — and then hands you a printout filled with stats to back up his arguments .
Even though you agree with most of the points he ’ s making , you ’ ve got a pounding headache from the manner in which he ’ s hammered home those points .
Michael Winterbottom ( “ The Claim , ” “ 24 Hour Party People , ” “ Code 46 ” ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it comes as no small surprise “ Greed ” is such a thudding .
one-note takedown of a fictional avaricious fashion mogul .
I wasn ’ t exaggerating about the relentless , lecturing tone of the film .
When the story draws to a close , the closing credits pepper us with ( admittedly sobering ) stats about the obscenely low wages paid to workers in Third World Countries who make all those designer clothes often endorsed by wealthy celebrities .
Before we get to those sobering figures , “ Greed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes convoluted journey in telling the tale of Sir Richard McCreadie , aka “ McGreedy , ” who is a fictionalized version of the controversial British fashion billionaire Philip Green .
The always entertaining Steve Coogan ( a frequent Winterbottom collaborator ) is suitably oily and loathsome but almost cartoonishly over the top as the perpetually tanned Richard , who is planning an obscenely lavish , “ Gladiator ” -influenced 60th birthday party for himself on the Greek island of Mykonos , because if you ’ re going to throw a party based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course you do it in Greece .
With a planned replica Colosseum amphitheater that has to be built within a week , desperate talk of bringing pop superstars such as Adele and Shakira to perform , bacchanalian activities on the party menu and all sorts of scheduling hiccups , this could wind up being the “ Ok , Boomer ” version of Fyre Festival .
I mean , there ’ s an actual lion on the premises .
A lion Richard feels a false sense of kinship with — because after all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a spiritual descendent of Richard the Lionheart !
As we learn from the time-hopping storyline ( with Jamie Blackley playing younger Richard in flashbacks , and “ London Calling ” by the Clash on the soundtrack ) , Richard built his billion-dollar-plus fortune by ripping off designers , exploiting third-world labor , bankrupting competitors and eliminating thousands of jobs .
He ’ s the .00001 % , and he ’ s never lost a moment ’ s sleep troubled by how he climbed to the top of the mountain .
“ [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loved clothes , he loved deals , ” says a former wife in a filmed interview .
“ Money makes money .
And when people think you have money , then they give you more.
” Director Winterbottom employs graphics telling us it ’ s “ 4 DAYS TO THE PARTY , ” etc.
, as we count down to the momentous event .
The film is all over the place with pop culture subplots within subplots , e.g.
, Richard ’ s daughter Lily ( Sophie Cookson ) is filming a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Young , the Rich & the Beautiful , ” and doesn ’ t seem to realize her “ co-star ” is gay .
And then there ’ s Nick ( David Mitchell ) , a journalist of dubious ethics who is writing Richard ’ s biography , and the alliance-of-circumstances he strikes with a McCreadie corporate executive named Amanda ( Dinita Gohill ) , whose family back home in Sri Lanka works in one of the company sweatshops .
The dizzying array of characters also includes Richard ’ s bubbly and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who ’ s having a grand old time living off her $ 1.2 billion divorce settlement ( she personally designed a yacht the size of a football field ) , and Richard ’ s brooding brat of an eldest son ( Asa Butterfield ) , who ’ s just about as horrible as you ’ d expect him to be .
There ’ s a LOT of movie in this movie — made all the more complicated by an overabundance of flashiness , including some “ Big Short ” asides , overlapping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cameos by British celebs that will fly right past most American viewers and geez , enough with the “ Gladiator ” references .
Just when things couldn ’ t possibly get more heavy-handed , McCreadie tricks a group of Syrian refugees ( played by real-life Syrian refugees living in Greece ) into taking a bet that results in the refugees working the opulent party for free , like so many slaves .
Richard the Lionheart is nothing but a chicken -- -- swindler .
We get that early on , but we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with this cad , learning nothing new as everything he says and does merely reinforces what we already know .

Watching “Greed” is like getting cornered by a smart and passionate but overbearing guy at a party who rails about social injustice and the sins of the wealthy — and then hands you a printout filled with stats to back up his arguments.
Even though you agree with most of the points he’s making, you’ve got a pounding headache from the manner in which he’s hammered home those points.
Michael Winterbottom (“The Claim,” “24 Hour Party People,” “Code 46”) is a wonderfully gifted and versatile director, so it comes as no small surprise “Greed” is such a thudding. one-note takedown of a fictional avaricious fashion mogul.
‘Greed’
Untitled Sony Pictures Classics presents a film written and directed by Michael Winterbottom. Rated R (for pervasive language and brief drug use). Running time: 104 minutes. Opens Friday at local theaters.
I wasn’t exaggerating about the relentless, lecturing tone of the film. When the story draws to a close, the closing credits pepper us with (admittedly sobering) stats about the obscenely low wages paid to workers in Third World Countries who make all those designer clothes often endorsed by wealthy celebrities.
Before we get to those sobering figures, “Greed” takes us on a meandering and sometimes convoluted journey in telling the tale of Sir Richard McCreadie, aka “McGreedy,” who is a fictionalized version of the controversial British fashion billionaire Philip Green.
The always entertaining Steve Coogan (a frequent Winterbottom collaborator) is suitably oily and loathsome but almost cartoonishly over the top as the perpetually tanned Richard, who is planning an obscenely lavish, “Gladiator”-influenced 60th birthday party for himself on the Greek island of Mykonos, because if you’re going to throw a party based on a movie set in Rome, of course you do it in Greece.
With a planned replica Colosseum amphitheater that has to be built within a week, desperate talk of bringing pop superstars such as Adele and Shakira to perform, bacchanalian activities on the party menu and all sorts of scheduling hiccups, this could wind up being the “Ok, Boomer” version of Fyre Festival.
I mean, there’s an actual lion on the premises. A lion Richard feels a false sense of kinship with — because after all, he’s Sir Richard McCreadie, a spiritual descendent of Richard the Lionheart!
What an idiot.
As we learn from the time-hopping storyline (with Jamie Blackley playing younger Richard in flashbacks, and “London Calling” by the Clash on the soundtrack), Richard built his billion-dollar-plus fortune by ripping off designers, exploiting third-world labor, bankrupting competitors and eliminating thousands of jobs.
He’s the .00001%, and he’s never lost a moment’s sleep troubled by how he climbed to the top of the mountain.
“[Richard] wasn’t somebody who loved clothes, he loved deals,” says a former wife in a filmed interview. “Money makes money. And when people think you have money, then they give you more.”
Director Winterbottom employs graphics telling us it’s “4 DAYS TO THE PARTY,” etc., as we count down to the momentous event. The film is all over the place with pop culture subplots within subplots, e.g., Richard’s daughter Lily (Sophie Cookson) is filming a “Bachelorette” type reality show called “The Young, the Rich & the Beautiful,” and doesn’t seem to realize her “co-star” is gay.
And then there’s Nick (David Mitchell), a journalist of dubious ethics who is writing Richard’s biography, and the alliance-of-circumstances he strikes with a McCreadie corporate executive named Amanda (Dinita Gohill), whose family back home in Sri Lanka works in one of the company sweatshops.
The dizzying array of characters also includes Richard’s bubbly and still fiercely loyal ex-wife (Isla Fisher), who’s having a grand old time living off her $1.2 billion divorce settlement (she personally designed a yacht the size of a football field), and Richard’s brooding brat of an eldest son (Asa Butterfield), who’s just about as horrible as you’d expect him to be.
There’s a LOT of movie in this movie — made all the more complicated by an overabundance of flashiness, including some “Big Short” asides, overlapping dialogue a la a Robert Altman film, cameos by British celebs that will fly right past most American viewers and geez, enough with the “Gladiator” references.
Just when things couldn’t possibly get more heavy-handed, McCreadie tricks a group of Syrian refugees (played by real-life Syrian refugees living in Greece) into taking a bet that results in the refugees working the opulent party for free, like so many slaves.
Richard the Lionheart is nothing but a chicken---- swindler. We get that early on, but we’re stuck spending day after day with this cad, learning nothing new as everything he says and does merely reinforces what we already know.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Light rain, snow expected Wednesday morning

A light mixture of rain and snow will pass over the Chicago area Wednesday morning , before sunny skies and @ @ @ @ @ afternoon .
The majority of the wintry mix should fall before 7 a.m. , the @ @ @ @ @ Less than an inch of snow is expected to accumulate , if any .
Temperatures @ @ @ @ @ of about 46 degrees , the weather service said .
Wednesday night ’ s low @ @ @ @ @ .
Clear skies are expected to persist throughout the rest of the week , with @ @ @ @ @ and 30 degrees , the weather service said .

A light mixture of rain and snow is passing over the Chicago area Wednesday morning, before sunny skies and moderate temperatures take over the afternoon.
The majority of the wintry mix should fall before 7 a.m., the National Weather Service said. Less than an inch of snow is expected to accumulate, if any.
Temperatures will rise to a high of about 46 degrees, the weather service said. Wednesday night’s low should hover around 33 degrees.
Clear skies are expected to persist throughout the rest of the week, with temperatures fluctuating between about 50 and 30 degrees, the weather service said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Opening day: Out with Jimmy and Chaser Ellison for first day on Braidwood Lake

Chaser Ellison studiously worked on Texas-rigging a finesse bait Sunday morning as his father Jimmy drifted us on howling southerly winds along the west riprap of Braidwood Lake .
Opening day at Braidwood , the cooling lake in southwestern Will County , was one for big ones .
The Ellisons arrived at 4:30 a.m. and were the 16th boat in line .
Pete Banach and friends were first in line at 7 Saturday night .
“ Making ribeyes and fillets and baked potatoes , ” he messaged .
Even with the crowds , Jimmy had us launched by 6:08 a.m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 minutes later .
The first pass on the west bank riprap produced 10 largemouth .
Shore anglers and other boaters also reported catching fish .
All our bass had thick bodies , something fisheries biologist Seth Love expected .
“ According to the fall survey , Largemouth body condition looks pretty good for all length groups ( particularly fish over 12 inches ) , ” he emailed .
“ The largest fish captured [ in the survey ] was just shy of 20 inches.
” Our second pass on the riprap produced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 10-pounder with a story .
Chaser has a Dobyns rod and Shimano Curado baitcaster reel combo , so sweet it is like a lesson in sensitivity training .
While Chaser was changing baits , his dad asked , `` You don ’ t mind if I catch a fish on your rod , do you ?
’ ’ Bam .
He fought in the 10-pound catfish .
The other story of that drift was Chaser catching our biggest largemouth , a 4 1/2-pounder .
I heard him say , `` Oh , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ ’ and looked over to see him reel it in .
Love mentioned that the average big bass in tournaments in 2019 was heavier than 4.5 pounds , with the biggest tournament big bass heavier than 5 pounds .
I bumped into the Ellisons once before and Amy ( mother/wife ) later introduced us more fully .
I met them again at the state finals for bass fishing last year when Chaser and his Morris team finished fourth .
Beside fishing , Chaser hunts .
He was good at baseball , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high school , he did not go out for baseball because most fishing tournaments are on the weekend .
“ He ’ s been fishing since he was 2 or 3 , pond fishing , that is what he started on , ” Jimmy said .
For a break from the wind , Jimmy drove us to the cuts .
We added another 10 bass there .
We finished the morning back on the riprap .
That ’ s when Ellison rigged his special finesse bait , then boated several 3-pound-plus largemouth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and two catfish on the morning , most on Rat-L-Traps , but finesse baits , Ned rigs , crankbaits and spinner baits also produced .
Chaser excitedly weighed our top five bass at 17 pounds .
Our top six went 20 .
BOBCATS : Illinois permit holders filled 335 permits , 306 by harvest ( same as 2018-19 ) and 29 by salvaged road kills .
SPRINGFIELD : Gov J.B. Pritzker named Jerry Costello II , formerly director of law enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources , to be director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Morelock will fill Costello ’ s role in the interim .
CLASSIC : I will be filing daily online reports from the 50th Bassmaster Classic , beginning tonight .
If you ’ re attending , I would like to hear your thoughts .
WILD THINGS : If you can ’ t find a spring sign , look for crocuses , red-winged blackbirds , sandhill cranes or randy rabbits .
STRAY CAST : Tilapia in the Chicago River are the piscatorial equivalent of a Minion meme .

Chaser Ellison studiously worked on Texas-rigging a finesse bait Sunday morning as his father Jimmy drifted us on howling southerly winds along the west riprap of Braidwood Lake.
When rigged, Chaser made a couple casts, then exclaimed, ``Big’un. Big’un.’’
Opening day at Braidwood, the cooling lake in southwestern Will County, was one for big ones.
And crowds.
The Ellisons arrived at 4:30 a.m. and were the 16th boat in line. Pete Banach and friends were first in line at 7 Saturday night. “Making ribeyes and fillets and baked potatoes,” he messaged.
Even with the crowds, Jimmy had us launched by 6:08 a.m. He boated the first largemouth bass 10 minutes later. The first pass on the west bank riprap produced 10 largemouth. Shore anglers and other boaters also reported catching fish.
All our bass had thick bodies, something fisheries biologist Seth Love expected.
“According to the fall survey, Largemouth body condition looks pretty good for all length groups (particularly fish over 12 inches),” he emailed. “The largest fish captured [in the survey] was just shy of 20 inches.”
Our second pass on the riprap produced two largemouth and two catfish, including a 10-pounder with a story.
Chaser has a Dobyns rod and Shimano Curado baitcaster reel combo, so sweet it is like a lesson in sensitivity training. While Chaser was changing baits, his dad asked, ``You don’t mind if I catch a fish on your rod, do you?’’
Bam. He fought in the 10-pound catfish.
Chaser Ellison (left) and his dad Jimmy with the big catfish of opening day on Braidwood Lake. Dale Bowman
The other story of that drift was Chaser catching our biggest largemouth, a 4 1/2-pounder. I heard him say, ``Oh, my God, oh, my God,’’ and looked over to see him reel it in.
Love mentioned that the average big bass in tournaments in 2019 was heavier than 4.5 pounds, with the biggest tournament big bass heavier than 5 pounds.
I bumped into the Ellisons once before and Amy (mother/wife) later introduced us more fully. I met them again at the state finals for bass fishing last year when Chaser and his Morris team finished fourth.
Beside fishing, Chaser hunts. He was good at baseball, playing shortstop and center field. In high school, he did not go out for baseball because most fishing tournaments are on the weekend.
“He’s been fishing since he was 2 or 3, pond fishing, that is what he started on,” Jimmy said.
For a break from the wind, Jimmy drove us to the cuts. We added another 10 bass there.
We finished the morning back on the riprap. That’s when Ellison rigged his special finesse bait, then boated several 3-pound-plus largemouth in a row.
It was time.
We caught 30 largemouth and two catfish on the morning, most on Rat-L-Traps, but finesse baits, Ned rigs, crankbaits and spinner baits also produced.
Chaser excitedly weighed our top five bass at 17 pounds. Our top six went 20.
Dawn on opening day in 2020 at Braidwood Lake. Dale Bowman
BOBCATS: Illinois permit holders filled 335 permits, 306 by harvest (same as 2018-19) and 29 by salvaged road kills.
SPRINGFIELD: Gov J.B. Pritzker named Jerry Costello II, formerly director of law enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, to be director of the Department of Agriculture. Deputy director Joe Morelock will fill Costello’s role in the interim.
CLASSIC: I will be filing daily online reports from the 50th Bassmaster Classic, beginning tonight. If you’re attending, I would like to hear your thoughts.
WILD THINGS: If you can’t find a spring sign, look for crocuses, red-winged blackbirds, sandhill cranes or randy rabbits.
STRAY CAST: Tilapia in the Chicago River are the piscatorial equivalent of a Minion meme.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Biden claims 9 Super Tuesday victories, including Texas

WASHINGTON — A resurgent Joe Biden scored victories from Texas to Massachusetts on Super Tuesday , revitalizing a presidential bid that was teetering on the edge of disaster just days earlier .
But his rival , Bernie Sanders , seized the biggest prize with a win in California that ensured he — and his embrace of democratic socialism — would drive the Democrats ’ nomination fight for the foreseeable future .
And suddenly , the Democratic Party ’ s presidential field , which featured more than a half dozen candidates a week ago , transformed into a two-man contest .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ starkly different visions for America ’ s future , were battling for delegates as 14 states and one U.S. territory held a series of high-stakes elections that marked the most significant day of voting in the party ’ s 2020 presidential nomination fight .
It could take weeks — or months — for the party to pick one of them to take on President Donald Trump in the November general election .
But the new contours of the fight between Biden and Sanders crystallized as the former vice president and the three-term Vermont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory speeches delivered from opposite ends of the country Tuesday night .
“ People are talking about a revolution .
We started a movement , ” Biden said in Los Angeles , knocking one of Sanders ’ signature lines .
Without citing his surging rival by name , Sanders swiped at Biden from Burlington , Vermont .
“ You can not beat Trump with the same-old , same-old kind of politics , ” Sanders declared , ticking down a list of past policy differences with Biden on Social Security , trade and military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contrast in ideas.
” Biden ’ s victories were powered by Democratic voters who broke his way just days before casting their ballots — a wave of late momentum that scrambled the race in a matter of hours .
In some states , the late-deciders made up roughly half of all voters , according to AP VoteCast , surveys of voters in several state primaries .
He drew support from a broad coalition of moderates and conservatives , African Americans and voters older than 45 .
Sanders ’ success proved he could deliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades-long political career .
His success was built on a base of energized liberals , young people and Latinos .
But he was unable to sufficiently widen his appeal to older voters and college graduates who make up a sizable share of Democratic voters , according to AP VoteCast .
The other two high-profile candidates still in the shrinking Democratic field , New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren , were teetering on the edge of viability .
Warren finished in an embarrassing third place in her home state , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday after spending more than a half billion dollars to score a single victory — in American Samoa .
The balance of Super Tuesday ’ s battlefield — with Biden winning at least nine states and Sanders four — raised questions about whether the Democratic primary contest would stretch all the way to the July convention or be decided much sooner .
Biden ’ s strong finish punctuated a dramatic turnaround in the span of just three days when he leveraged a blowout victory in South Carolina to score sweeping victories on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race .
And lest there be any doubt , he cemented his status as the standard-bearer for the Democrats ’ establishment wing .
The former vice president showed strength in the Northeast with a victory in Massachusetts .
He won delegate-rich Texas in the Southwest , Minnesota in the upper Midwest and finished on top across the South in Virginia , Alabama , North Carolina , Tennessee and Arkansas — in addition to Oklahoma .
Sanders opened the night as the undisputed Democratic front-runner and was in a position to claim an insurmountable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the night ’ s biggest delegate-prize in California , he scored just three other decisive victories , winning his home state of Vermont , along with Utah and Colorado .
Biden racked up his victories despite being dramatically outspent and out-staffed .
Moderate rival Bloomberg , for example , poured more than $ 12 million into television advertising in Virginia , while Biden spent less than $ 200,000 .
The Democratic race has shifted dramatically as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns in the days leading up to Super Tuesday and endorsed Biden .
In Biden and Sanders , Democrats have a stark choice in what kind of candidate they want to run against Trump .
Sanders is a 78-year-old democratic socialist who relies on an energized coalition of his party ’ s far-left flank that embraces his longtime fight to transform the nation ’ s political and economic systems .
Biden is a 77-year-old lifelong leader of his party ’ s Washington establishment who emphasizes a more pragmatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care and climate change .
Across the Super Tuesday states , there were early questions about Sanders ’ claims that he is growing his support from his failed 2016 presidential bid .
Biden bested him in Oklahoma , though Sanders won the state against Hillary Clinton four years ago .
In Virginia , where Democratic turnout this year surpassed 2016 ’ s numbers by more than 500,000 votes , Sanders ’ vote share dropped significantly .
And in Tennessee , Democratic turnout was up more than 30 % from 2016 , but Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few hundred votes greater than four years ago .
Meanwhile , Bloomberg was trying to look beyond the primary to the November election against Trump , who racked up easy victories in lightly contested Republican primaries across the country .
” We have the resources to beat Trump in swing states that Democrats lost in 2016 , ” Bloomberg said Tuesday night while campaigning in Florida .
The billionaire former New York mayor , who threw more than a half a billion dollars into the Super Tuesday states , will reassess his campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close to his operation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations .
Warren was also fighting to be optimistic .
Facing a roaring crowd in Michigan before news of her disappointing home-state finish was announced , she called on her supporters to ignore the political pundits and predictions as her advisers insist she ’ s willing to go all the way to a contested convention in July even if she doesn ’ t claim an outright victory anywhere .
“ Here ’ s my advice : Cast a vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vote from your heart , ” Warren declared .
She added : “ You don ’ t get what you don ’ t fight for .
I am in this fight.
” With votes still being counted across the country , The Associated Press has allocated 438 to Biden , 369 delegates to Sanders , 45 to Warren , 39 to Bloomberg and one for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard .
The numbers are expected to shift dramatically throughout the night as new states , none bigger than California , report their numbers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % vote threshold they must hit to earn delegates .
The ultimate nominee must ultimately claim 1,991 delegates , which is a majority of the 3,979 pledged delegates available this primary season .
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Brian Slodysko in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report .

WASHINGTON — A resurgent Joe Biden scored victories from Texas to Massachusetts on Super Tuesday, revitalizing a presidential bid that was teetering on the edge of disaster just days earlier. But his rival Bernie Sanders seized the biggest prize with a win in California that ensured he — and his embrace of democratic socialism — would drive the Democrats’ nomination fight for the foreseeable future.
And suddenly, the Democratic Party’s presidential field, which featured more than a half-dozen candidates a week ago, transformed into a two-man contest.
Biden and Sanders, lifelong politicians with starkly different visions for America’s future, were battling for delegates as 14 states and one U.S. territory held a series of high-stakes elections that marked the most significant day of voting in the party’s 2020 presidential nomination fight.
It could take weeks — or months — for the party to pick one of them to take on President Donald Trump in the November general election. But the new contours of the fight between Biden and Sanders crystallized as the former vice president and the three-term Vermont senator spoke to each other from dueling victory speeches delivered from opposite ends of the country Tuesday night.
“People are talking about a revolution. We started a movement,” Biden said in Los Angeles, knocking one of Sanders’ signature lines.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders greets supporters at his Super Tuesday night event in Essex Junction, Vermont. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Without citing his surging rival by name, Sanders swiped at Biden from Burlington, Vermont.
“You cannot beat Trump with the same-old, same-old kind of politics,” Sanders declared, ticking down a list of past policy differences with Biden on Social Security, trade and military force. “This will become a contrast in ideas.”
Trump took to Twitter Wednesday to call Biden’s strong Super Tuesday showing “a perfect storm” and amplify his long-running argument that the Democratic Party would move to stop Sanders from winning the nomination.
“The Democrat establishment came together and crushed Bernie Sanders, AGAIN!” Trump tweeted.
Biden’s victories were powered by Democratic voters who broke his way just days before casting their ballots — a wave of late momentum that scrambled the race in a matter of hours. In some states, the late-deciders made up roughly half of all voters, according to AP VoteCast, surveys of voters in several state primaries. He drew support from a broad coalition of moderates and conservatives, African Americans and voters older than 45.
Sanders’ success proved he could deliver in perhaps the greatest test of his decadeslong political career. His success was built on a base of energized liberals, young people and Latinos. But he was unable to sufficiently widen his appeal to older voters and college graduates who make up a sizable share of Democratic voters, according to AP VoteCast.
The other two high-profile candidates still in the shrinking Democratic field, New York billionaire Mike Bloomberg and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, were teetering on the edge of viability. Warren finished in an embarrassing third place in her home state, and Bloomberg planned to reassess his candidacy on Wednesday after spending more than a half-billion dollars to score one victory — in American Samoa.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks to supporters, Monday, March 2, 2020, in the Monterey Park section of Los Angeles. AP
The balance of Super Tuesday’s battlefield — with Biden winning at least eight states and Sanders four — raised questions about whether the Democratic primary contest would stretch all the way to the July convention or be decided much sooner.
Biden’s strong finish punctuated a dramatic turnaround in the span of just three days when he leveraged a blowout victory in South Carolina to score sweeping victories on Tuesday that transcended geography, class and race. And lest there be any doubt, he cemented his status as the standard-bearer for the Democrats’ establishment wing.
The former vice president showed strength in the Northeast with a victory in Massachusetts. He won delegate-rich Texas in the Southwest, Minnesota in the upper Midwest and finished on top across the South in Virginia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas — in addition to Oklahoma.
Sanders opened the night as the undisputed Democratic front-runner and was in a position to claim an insurmountable delegate lead. And while he scored the night’s biggest delegate-prize in California, he scored just three other decisive victories, winning his home state of Vermont, along with Utah and Colorado.
Biden racked up his victories despite being dramatically outspent and out-staffed. Moderate rival Bloomberg, for example, poured more than $12 million into television advertising in Virginia, while Biden spent less than $200,000.
The Democratic race has shifted dramatically as Biden capitalized on his commanding South Carolina victory to persuade anxious establishment allies to rally behind his campaign. Former rivals Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg abruptly ended their campaigns in the days leading up to Super Tuesday and endorsed Biden.
In Biden and Sanders, Democrats have a stark choice in what kind of candidate they want to run against Trump.
Sanders is a 78-year-old democratic socialist who relies on an energized coalition of his party’s far-left flank that embraces his longtime fight to transform the nation’s political and economic systems. Biden is a 77-year-old lifelong leader of his party’s Washington establishment who emphasizes a more pragmatic approach to core policy issues like health care and climate change.
Across the Super Tuesday states, there were early questions about Sanders’ claims that he is growing his support from his failed 2016 presidential bid.
Biden bested him in Oklahoma, though Sanders won the state against Hillary Clinton four years ago. In Virginia, where Democratic turnout this year surpassed 2016’s numbers by more than 500,000 votes, Sanders’ vote share dropped significantly. And in Tennessee, Democratic turnout was up more than 30% from 2016, but Sanders’ raw vote total was only a few hundred votes greater than four years ago.
Bloomberg spent heavily on advertising and nearly two dozen field staffers in Oklahoma and has made multiple campaign stops in the Sooner State. AP
Meanwhile, Bloomberg was trying to look beyond the primary to the November election against Trump, who racked up easy victories in lightly contested Republican primaries across the country.
”We have the resources to beat Trump in swing states that Democrats lost in 2016,” Bloomberg said Tuesday night while campaigning in Florida.
The billionaire former New York mayor, who threw more than a half a billion dollars into the Super Tuesday states, will reassess his campaign on Wednesday, according to a person close to his operation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe internal deliberations.
Warren was also fighting to be optimistic.
Facing a roaring crowd in Michigan before news of her disappointing home-state finish was announced, she called on her supporters to ignore the political pundits and predictions as her advisers insist she’s willing to go all the way to a contested convention in July even if she doesn’t claim an outright victory anywhere.
“Here’s my advice: Cast a vote that will make you proud. Cast a vote from your heart,” Warren declared. She added: “You don’t get what you don’t fight for. I am in this fight.”
With votes still being counted across the country, The Associated Press has allocated 453 delegates to Biden, 382 to Sanders, 50 to Warren, 44 to Bloomberg and one for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The numbers are expected to shift as new states report their numbers and as some candidates hover around the 15% vote threshold they must hit to earn delegates.
The ultimate nominee must claim 1,991 delegates, which is a majority of the 3,979 pledged delegates available this primary season.
Associated Press writers Zeke Miller and Brian Slodysko in Washington and Kathleen Ronayne in Los Angeles contributed to this report.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Man, 88, missing from Brighton Park located: police

Federal jury awards $ 5.2 million to man who said he was beaten , forced to confess to gang rape @ @ @ @ @ to Stanley Wrice in compensatory damages and $ 1.2 million in punitive damages .

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--2020-03-03--Chatham fire injures 1: fire officials

Chatham fire injures 1: fire officials

One person was hospitalized after a fire Tuesday in Chatham on the South Side .
Authorities were called about 9:40 @ @ @ @ @ the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue , Chicago fire officials said .
A 45-year-old @ @ @ @ @ University of Chicago Medical Center in serious-to-critical condition for smoke inhalation , fire said .

One person was hospitalized after a fire Tuesday in Chatham on the South Side.
Authorities were called about 9:40 p.m. to the blaze in the 8000 block of South Maryland Avenue, Chicago fire officials said.
A 45-year-old man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious-to-critical condition for smoke inhalation, fire said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--A better way to protect the rights of arrestees who aren’t charged for days

Imagine being arrested and held in a police lock-up for days on end before seeing a judge — or even having charges filed against you .
That ’ s how it was in Chicago and the country before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1975 ruled that the police must go to court and prove to a judge that there is probable cause to hold a suspect longer than 48 hours .
Gerstein hearings , as they are called , have become an important step in protecting the civil liberties of arrestees for more than 40 years .
But as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hearings themselves can be troubling , held out of public view in empty courtrooms or police station back rooms , with the arrested person sometimes clueless as to what ’ s going on .
Several obvious reforms would improve the process , making probable cause hearings more open , transparent and respectful .
As things work now , Gerstein hearings are brief .
A police officer appears before a judge , and the judge asks the officer whether his written statement of probable cause — his justification for wanting to detain an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ true and correct .
The officer answers “ yes.
” Then the judge , who has reviewed the documents , almost always signs an order allowing the police to hold the arrested person until the next session of bond court — typically within two days .
In most cases , the suspect appears for the probable cause hearing , as well , but he usually is asked no more than his name .
And he ’ s returned to the police lock-up immediately afterward .
The hearings are held without public notice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that such proceedings are “ non-adversarial , ” the suspect ’ s lawyer is not notified or present .
All of this is legal .
It is all within the letter of the law , as mandated by the Supreme Court .
But that does not mean the hearings could not be more open and monitored , more in the spirit of equal justice for all .
We believe Gerstein hearings should be held in open court , with public notice , and with a defense lawyer notified in advance and ideally present @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye on what ’ s going on .
Equally important , a judge should be required at the beginning of a probable cause hearing to explain its purpose to the detained person .
You might assume this is already done , but it ’ s not .
In a December 29 , 2019 , hearing at the Chicago police station at Belmont and Western avenues , Cook County Judge Clarence Burch was on the verge of signing a detective ’ s probable cause complaint when the person being held , Marlon Bradley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Sun-Times .
“ Excuse me , what is going on ?
’ ’ Humphries asked .
“ I am going to tell you in one moment , ” Burch said .
“ Just hold on , sir .
Just relax.
” “ No , I can ’ t relax , ” Humphries replied .
“ I am supposed to have legal representation at any hearing I am at .
I don ’ t have no legal representation .
I want to say this for the record , Man .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ain ’ t never ever been in any process like this .
.
.
.
What am I being charged with ?
” “ The detective will explain that to you , sir , ” Burch said .
And with that , the hearing was ended .
Nothing in the transcript indicates that anybody — the detective or the judge — answered Humphries ’ entirely reasonable questions .
City Hall and the courts have made improvements in Gerstein hearings in the last year .
A court stenographer now is present at every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as recently as last summer , and the office of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans now schedules the hearings .
For years until last fall , the hearings were scheduled by a retired judge whose work was poorly monitored , though he was paid up to $ 8,000 a month .
The key improvement here is that Judge Evans has effectively assumed responsibility for the quality of the hearings and any future reforms .
In this , we believe the Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office should also play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim Foxx ’ s office about that , they declined to comment .
Gerstein hearings are a commendable product of criminal justice reform .
They were created to protect people who are arrested but not charged from getting lost in the system .
But in a city that suffers from a national reputation for treading on defendants ’ rights , Gerstein hearings can never be too public , transparent or thorough .

Imagine being arrested and held in a police lock-up for days on end before seeing a judge — or even having charges filed against you.
That’s how it was in Chicago and the country before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1975 ruled that the police must go to court and prove to a judge that there is probable cause to hold a suspect longer than 48 hours.
Editorials bug Editorials
Gerstein hearings, as they are called, have become an important step in protecting the civil liberties of arrestees for more than 40 years. But as a Sun-Times report this week made clear, the hearings themselves can be troubling, held out of public view in empty courtrooms or police station back rooms, with the arrested person sometimes clueless as to what’s going on.
Several obvious reforms would improve the process, making probable cause hearings more open, transparent and respectful.
As things work now, Gerstein hearings are brief. A police officer appears before a judge, and the judge asks the officer whether his written statement of probable cause — his justification for wanting to detain an arrested person a little longer — is true and correct.
The officer answers “yes.” Then the judge, who has reviewed the documents, almost always signs an order allowing the police to hold the arrested person until the next session of bond court — typically within two days.
In most cases, the suspect appears for the probable cause hearing, as well, but he usually is asked no more than his name. And he’s returned to the police lock-up immediately afterward. The hearings are held without public notice, and because the Supreme Court has ruled that such proceedings are “non-adversarial,” the suspect’s lawyer is not notified or present.
All of this is legal. It is all within the letter of the law, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
But that does not mean the hearings could not be more open and monitored, more in the spirit of equal justice for all. We believe Gerstein hearings should be held in open court, with public notice, and with a defense lawyer notified in advance and ideally present — even if only to keep an eye on what’s going on.
Equally important, a judge should be required at the beginning of a probable cause hearing to explain its purpose to the detained person. You might assume this is already done, but it’s not.
In a December 29, 2019, hearing at the Chicago police station at Belmont and Western avenues, Cook County Judge Clarence Burch was on the verge of signing a detective’s probable cause complaint when the person being held, Marlon Bradley, interrupted, according to transcripts obtained by the Sun-Times.
“Excuse me, what is going on?’’ Humphries asked.
“I am going to tell you in one moment,” Burch said. “Just hold on, sir. Just relax.”
“No, I can’t relax,” Humphries replied. “I am supposed to have legal representation at any hearing I am at. I don’t have no legal representation. I want to say this for the record, Man. I don’t have anything . . . and I ain’t never ever been in any process like this. . . . What am I being charged with?”
“The detective will explain that to you, sir,” Burch said.
And with that, the hearing was ended. Nothing in the transcript indicates that anybody — the detective or the judge — answered Humphries’ entirely reasonable questions.
City Hall and the courts have made improvements in Gerstein hearings in the last year. A court stenographer now is present at every hearing, which was not the case as recently as last summer, and the office of Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans now schedules the hearings. For years until last fall, the hearings were scheduled by a retired judge whose work was poorly monitored, though he was paid up to $8,000 a month.
The key improvement here is that Judge Evans has effectively assumed responsibility for the quality of the hearings and any future reforms. In this, we believe the Cook County state’s attorney’s office should also play a bigger role. When we asked Kim Foxx’s office about that, they declined to comment.
Gerstein hearings are a commendable product of criminal justice reform. They were created to protect people who are arrested but not charged from getting lost in the system.
But in a city that suffers from a national reputation for treading on defendants’ rights, Gerstein hearings can never be too public, transparent or thorough.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Girl, 14, missing from Chicago Lawn found safe

Three males between 15 and 25 years old entered the store , grabbed items and ran out before fleeing north @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago police .


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Routine stop touched off CPD Cmdr. Paul Bauer’s fatal struggle with gunman, officers testify

In the perpetual twilight of Lower Wacker Drive , a pair of Chicago police tactical officers on patrol spotted a man in a long , dark coat adjusting his trousers as he stood near a support column .
“ I think he ’ s taking a piss , ” Officer Raymond Haran recalled saying to his partner that afternoon in February 2018 .
“ Let ’ s stop him , talk to him.
” Shomari Legghette took off running when Haran called out to him , touching off a foot chase that ended when Cmdr .
Paul Bauer — spotting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the radio — struggled with Legghette outside the Thompson Center .
The two men tumbled down a nearby stairwell , where Legghette allegedly shot Bauer six times , killing the 31-year police veteran .
Haran Wednesday recounted the mundane start of the chase on the second day of testimony as Legghette stands trial for Bauer ’ s murder .
Defense attorney Scott Kamin asked Haran whether Legghette , now 46 , was within his rights to shrug off the officers if they just suspected him of nothing more than public urination .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m good , ’ and he ran up the stairs , ” Haran recalled of Legghette ’ s response .
“ During my career , I never had anybody run from me just for urinating , so I thought there might be something else there.
” Haran lost sight of Legghette , only laying eyes on him again outside the Thompson Center , as fellow officers held the handcuffed Legghette .
Kamin has argued Legghette didn ’ t know Bauer , 53 , was a police officer , and that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bauer escalated the pursuit of Legghette over what initially was a minor violation .
Cook County prosecutors have argued that Legghette — a convicted felon who was wearing body armor and carrying drugs and the 9-millimeter Glock pistol that he would later use to kill Bauer — fled to avoid arrest .
The three officers who arrested Legghette seconds after Bauer was shot , said Legghette seemed to weigh his options as they shouted at him and trained their guns on him from the top of the stairwell .
Thomas Symanski , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrage of gunshots , said he yelled at Legghette to lay on the stairs “ a minimum of five times , ” and that Legghette just stared up at him .
“ How did his face look ?
” Assistant State ’ s Attorney John Maher asked Symanski , an investigator for the state attorney general .
“ Very resolute .
Very reluctant to follow the verbal commands , ” until three officers , guns drawn , blocked the staircase , Symanski said .
Legghette in a letter to ABC-7 reporters purportedly claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire ” from fellow officers .
Prosecutors have asked the three officers if they fired their weapons and each have said they did not .
Legghette is expected to testify in his own defense .
The trial resumes Thursday .

In the perpetual twilight of Lower Wacker Drive, a pair of Chicago police tactical officers on patrol spotted a man in a long, dark coat adjusting his trousers as he stood near a support column.
“I think he’s taking a piss,” Officer Raymond Haran recalled saying to his partner that afternoon in February 2018. “Let’s stop him, talk to him.”
Shomari Legghette took off running when Haran called out to him, touching off a foot chase that ended when Cmdr. Paul Bauer — spotting Legghette after hearing Haran give a description over the radio — struggled with Legghette outside the Thompson Center. The two men tumbled down a nearby stairwell, where Legghette allegedly shot Bauer six times, killing the 31-year police veteran.
Haran Wednesday recounted the mundane start of the chase on the second day of testimony as Legghette stands trial for Bauer’s murder. Defense attorney Scott Kamin asked Haran whether Legghette, now 46, was within his rights to shrug off the officers if they just suspected him of nothing more than public urination.
“Legghette said, ‘No, I’m good,’ and he ran up the stairs,” Haran recalled of Legghette’s response. “During my career, I never had anybody run from me just for urinating, so I thought there might be something else there.”
Haran lost sight of Legghette, only laying eyes on him again outside the Thompson Center, as fellow officers held the handcuffed Legghette.
Kamin has argued Legghette didn’t know Bauer, 53, was a police officer, and that the shooting was self-defense. He also said Bauer escalated the pursuit of Legghette over what initially was a minor violation.
Cook County prosecutors have argued that Legghette — a convicted felon who was wearing body armor and carrying drugs and the 9-millimeter Glock pistol that he would later use to kill Bauer — fled to avoid arrest.
The three officers who arrested Legghette seconds after Bauer was shot, said Legghette seemed to weigh his options as they shouted at him and trained their guns on him from the top of the stairwell. Thomas Symanski, who ran to the staircase after hearing a barrage of gunshots, said he yelled at Legghette to lay on the stairs “a minimum of five times,” and that Legghette just stared up at him.
“How did his face look?” Assistant State’s Attorney John Maher asked Symanski, an investigator for the state attorney general.
“Very resolute. Very reluctant to follow the verbal commands,” until three officers, guns drawn, blocked the staircase, Symanski said.
Legghette in a letter to ABC-7 reporters purportedly claimed that Bauer was struck by “friendly fire” from fellow officers. Prosecutors have asked the three officers if they fired their weapons and each have said they did not.
Legghette is expected to testify in his own defense. The trial resumes Thursday.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Illinois GOP targets Holocaust denier Arthur Jones with ‘Say No To The Nazi’ ads

Still reeling from a national embarrassment two years ago , the Illinois Republican Party is launching a late primary five-figure ad blitz against Holocaust denier Arthur Jones in the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District , targeting the avowed anti-Semite with robocalls , mailers , digital ads and face-to-face warnings to voters .
The five-member Illinois Republican Congressional delegation is also endorsing Will County Board Member Mike Fricilone for the GOP nomination , calling him a “ very clear choice ” and an antidote to Jones , whom they call a “ fake Republican.
” “ Arthur Jones isn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re going to expose people to who he really is and do everything we can to educate Republicans not to vote for Arthur Jones , ” state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider said .
“ We ’ re going to do everything we can to distance ourselves from this Neo-Nazi who is running as a Republican.
” While attention has centered on the Democratic primary and whether U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski can cling to victory over challengers Marie Newman and Rush Darwish , political observers are also curious just how many votes Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2018 , Jones caught the GOP by surprise and wound up running unopposed in the primary after party leaders failed to field an alternative candidate in the heavily Democratic congressional district .
The Chicago Sun-Times first revealed that the former leader of the New American Nazi Party was on track to win the GOP nomination .
The story was picked up by media outlets across the nation , and Republicans were ridiculed by late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert for running an “ actual Nazi.
” In that year ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes to Lipinski ’ s 163,053 .
But this time , Jones faces two other Republicans in the primary : Fricilone and Catherine O ’ Shea , a real estate broker from Oak Lawn .
The Illinois Republican Party , along with the Will County Republican Party and the Cook County Republican Party , plan to announce the anti-Jones campaign on Thursday and also endorse Fricilone , the Republican leader of the Will County Board .
One ad includes a photo of Jones with the words “ Arthur Jones Is Not A Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seriously .
Vote No On Arthur Jones on March 17th.
” A digital ad says “ Say No To The Nazi.
” Jones , 72 , is a retired insurance agent from Lyons who has run for the GOP nomination eight times before in the 3rd Congressional District .
He ’ s also an outspoken Holocaust denier , anti-Semite and white supremacist who founded the American First Committee .
Its membership is limited to “ any white American citizen of European , non-Jewish descent.
” This year , records show Jones collected 844 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Stickney , Oak Lawn , Bridgeview , Worth , Countryside , Bedford Park , La Grange , Chicago Ridge , Hometown , Lyons and Willow Springs .
Just over 600 signatures were required to get on the ballot .
He also managed to get one Chicago voter to sign his petitions .
No Chicagoans signed his petitions for his 2018 run .
The party said Republicans in the district will receive multiple mailers , see five to seven digital ads on average and hear from a volunteer at their door or on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sean Morrison and Schneider said they plan to record a robocall as well .
“ We have plans to spend upwards of $ 50,000 , and as more money is raised , that money will go directly to defeating Nazi Arthur Jones , ” party spokesman Joe Hackler said .
There are just 12 days until the primary , but Morrison and Schneider insisted it ’ s not too late to push their message .
Early voting began on Monday .
“ It ’ s so important that we get the word out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aware , most of the general electorate , they ’ re busy living their lives , ” said Morrison , who is also a Cook County commissioner .
“ They don ’ t necessarily drill down a name , and with Art Jones , they don ’ t really know who he is.
” Morrison said the push is needed to stem the “ utter embarrassment ” of Jones ’ primary victory in 2018 .
The party has taken plenty of heat for the win , even though there were efforts to challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win ?
Republicans hadn ’ t bothered to muster a credible candidate because the district is so Democratic .
And Jones took his petitions door to door himself , taking care to have valid signatures — preventing him from being knocked off the ballot .
Jones , who couldn ’ t be reached for comment , said previously that his views on the Holocaust are a non-issue .
“ It never comes up .
When I got my signatures , nobody asked me about the damn Holocaust , ” Jones told the Sun-Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totally irrelevant to my campaign .
Totally irrelevant.
” Schneider said the party ’ s executive committee took the rare decision last week to endorse in the race .
The party typically does not endorse candidates in the primary election .
“ They agreed that we should make this endorsement and get involved in this race , ” Schneider said .
“ It was , of course , a no-brainer because we don ’ t want this type of person as part of our party.
” The party is still reeling from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Republican Gov .
Bruce Rauner , who had been a multi-million dollar donor to the party when he was governor .
The party has just $ 109,000 cash on hand , records show .
But Schneider said it ’ s all hands on deck for the anti-Jones campaign .
“ We ’ re just beginning to work on getting major donors but we know , truly as a Republican Party that we ’ ll probably never outraise [ Gov .
J.B. ] Pritzker [ ‘ s ] money , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right candidate to win with less money , ” Schneider said .
“ And we ’ re working on a major donor program .
”

Still reeling from a national embarrassment two years ago, the Illinois Republican Party is launching a late primary five-figure ad blitz against Holocaust denier Arthur Jones in the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District, targeting the avowed anti-Semite with robocalls, mailers, digital ads and face-to-face warnings to voters.
The five-member Illinois Republican Congressional delegation is also endorsing Will County Board Member Mike Fricilone for the GOP nomination, calling him a “very clear choice” and an antidote to Jones, whom they call a “fake Republican.”
“Arthur Jones isn’t a Republican, and we’re going to expose people to who he really is and do everything we can to educate Republicans not to vote for Arthur Jones,” state GOP Chairman Tim Schneider said. “We’re going to do everything we can to distance ourselves from this Neo-Nazi who is running as a Republican.”
While attention has centered on the Democratic primary and whether U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski can cling to victory over challengers Marie Newman and Rush Darwish, political observers are also curious just how many votes Jones may get in the March 17 primary.
In 2018, Jones caught the GOP by surprise and wound up running unopposed in the primary after party leaders failed to field an alternative candidate in the heavily Democratic congressional district.
The Chicago Sun-Times first revealed that the former leader of the New American Nazi Party was on track to win the GOP nomination. The story was picked up by media outlets across the nation, and Republicans were ridiculed by late-night talk show host Stephen Colbert for running an “actual Nazi.”
Arthur Jones in 2018 Sun-Times file
In that year’s November general election, Jones got 57,885 votes to Lipinski’s 163,053.
But this time, Jones faces two other Republicans in the primary: Fricilone and Catherine O’Shea, a real estate broker from Oak Lawn.
The Illinois Republican Party, along with the Will County Republican Party and the Cook County Republican Party, plan to announce the anti-Jones campaign on Thursday and also endorse Fricilone, the Republican leader of the Will County Board. One ad includes a photo of Jones with the words “Arthur Jones Is Not A Republican. Arthur Jones Is A Nazi. Seriously. Vote No On Arthur Jones on March 17th.” A digital ad says “Say No To The Nazi.”
Illinois Republican Party digital banner ad opposing Arthur Jones’ candidacy in the 3rd Congressional District. Provided
Jones, 72, is a retired insurance agent from Lyons who has run for the GOP nomination eight times before in the 3rd Congressional District. He’s also an outspoken Holocaust denier, anti-Semite and white supremacist who founded the American First Committee. Its membership is limited to “any white American citizen of European, non-Jewish descent.”
This year, records show Jones collected 844 signatures in Palos Hills, Hickory Hills, Stickney, Oak Lawn, Bridgeview, Worth, Countryside, Bedford Park, La Grange, Chicago Ridge, Hometown, Lyons and Willow Springs. Just over 600 signatures were required to get on the ballot. He also managed to get one Chicago voter to sign his petitions. No Chicagoans signed his petitions for his 2018 run.
The party said Republicans in the district will receive multiple mailers, see five to seven digital ads on average and hear from a volunteer at their door or on the phone.
Illinois Republican Party social media ad opposing Arthur Jones’ candidacy in the 3rd Congressional District. Provided
Cook County Republican Chairman Sean Morrison and Schneider said they plan to record a robocall as well.
“We have plans to spend upwards of $50,000, and as more money is raised, that money will go directly to defeating Nazi Arthur Jones,” party spokesman Joe Hackler said.
There are just 12 days until the primary, but Morrison and Schneider insisted it’s not too late to push their message. Early voting began on Monday.
“It’s so important that we get the word out because frankly, as you’re aware, most of the general electorate, they’re busy living their lives,” said Morrison, who is also a Cook County commissioner. “They don’t necessarily drill down a name, and with Art Jones, they don’t really know who he is.”
Morrison said the push is needed to stem the “utter embarrassment” of Jones’ primary victory in 2018.
The party has taken plenty of heat for the win, even though there were efforts to challenge Jones’ petitions. How did Jones win? Republicans hadn’t bothered to muster a credible candidate because the district is so Democratic. And Jones took his petitions door to door himself, taking care to have valid signatures — preventing him from being knocked off the ballot.
Jones, who couldn’t be reached for comment, said previously that his views on the Holocaust are a non-issue.
“It never comes up. When I got my signatures, nobody asked me about the damn Holocaust,” Jones told the Sun-Times in 2018. “It’s totally irrelevant to my campaign. Totally irrelevant.”
Schneider said the party’s executive committee took the rare decision last week to endorse in the race. The party typically does not endorse candidates in the primary election.
Republican candidates Catherine A. O’Shea, left, and Mike Fricilone, right, running in the 3rd Congressional District. Rich Hein/Sun-Times file
“They agreed that we should make this endorsement and get involved in this race,” Schneider said. “It was, of course, a no-brainer because we don’t want this type of person as part of our party.”
The party is still reeling from the vacuum left by the political departure of former Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, who had been a multi-million dollar donor to the party when he was governor. The party has just $109,000 cash on hand, state records show. But the party says it also has cash on hand for federal campaigns. The total for both is “closer to” $250,000, a spokesman said.
But Schneider said it’s all hands on deck for the anti-Jones campaign.
“We’re just beginning to work on getting major donors but we know, truly as a Republican Party that we’ll probably never out-raise [Gov. J.B.] Pritzker[‘s] money, but I think we have the right message and the right candidate to win with less money,” Schneider said. “And we’re working on a major donor program.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Jacqueline Novak brings her one-woman show, a provocative N.Y. hit, to Chicago

“ Jacqueline Novak : Get on Your Knees , ” a hit show Off-Broadway with a focus on a particular @ @ @ @ @ its way to Chicago .
Writer and star Novak , a favorite of the New @ @ @ @ @ perform her acclaimed comic monologue May 29-June 18 at the The Den Theatre , 1331 @ @ @ @ @ s discussion of a specific , provocative subject — oral sex — expands to also @ @ @ @ @ and women ’ s private parts and the madness of most sex acts .
The @ @ @ @ @ John Early and boasting a production team that includes Mike Birbiglia and Natasha Lyonne , @ @ @ @ @ ranging from the New York Times to comedian John Mulaney , actress Ilana Glazer and @ @ @ @ @ who called it a “ nearly Talmudic dissection of a subject .
Really funny and @ @ @ @ @ ” Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at www.thedentheatre.com , in person @ @ @ @ @ or by calling ( 773 ) 697-3830 .

“Jacqueline Novak: Get on Your Knees,” a hit show Off-Broadway with a focus on a particular sex act, is on its way to Chicago.
Writer and star Novak, a favorite of the New York talk shows, will perform her acclaimed comic monologue May 29-June 18 at the The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee. It’s part of a nine-city U.S. tour that kicks off March 31 in Boston.
Novak’s discussion of a specific, provocative subject — oral sex — expands to also contemplate the meaning of men and women’s private parts and the madness of most sex acts.
The show, directed by comedian John Early and boasting a production team that includes Mike Birbiglia and Natasha Lyonne, has drawn praise from commentators ranging from the New York Times to comedian John Mulaney, actress Ilana Glazer and radio host Ira Glass, who called it a “nearly Talmudic dissection of a subject. Really funny and just really like nothing else.”
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at www.thedentheatre.com, in person at The Den box office or by calling (773) 697-3830.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel, starter Tyler Chatwood look sharp against Reds in spring game

GOODYEAR , Ariz. — The Cubs scored twice in the ninth , including an unearned run on an infield throwing error , to come from behind and forge a 6-6 Cactus League tie with the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark on Wednesday .
The Cubs are 5-7-1 this spring .
Kimbrel debut : Closer Craig Kimbrel struck out Joey Votto swinging at a curveball and Phillip Ervin swinging at a 96-mph fastball during a one-inning , much-anticipated Cactus League debut in which his only mistake was a middle-of-the-plate fastball that Derek Dietrich hit over the centerfield wall .
“ Felt good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inning , ” said Kimbrel , who dealt with knee and forearm issues late last season after signing with the Cubs .
“ I was able to throw the ball for the most part where I wanted to , ball was coming out good .
Overall , it felt like it was a good day.
” He ’ s scheduled to pitch again Sunday against the Diamondbacks .
In command : Presumptive fifth starter Tyler Chatwood struck out five without a walk in three innings , giving up only a home run on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Felt good , ” Chatwood said .
“ Today my big thing was making sure I pitched .
Last outing I got in fastball-happy mode .
So today I wanted to go throw everything .
I was able to do that and get good swings and misses.
” New leadoff look : The Cubs ’ new leadoff hitter , Kris Bryant , led off the game with a double just inside the bag at third , moved up a base on Anthony Rizzo ’ s grounder to first and scored on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reached again during a two-run second when hit by a pitch .
On deck : Rangers at Cubs , Sloan Park , 2:05 p.m. , Thursday , MSN , Jonathan Hernandez vs. Yu Darvish .

CUBS 6, REDS 6
The Cubs scored twice in the ninth inning, including an unearned run on an infield throwing error, to come from behind and forge a 6-6 Cactus League tie Wednesday with the Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Three Cubs were hit by pitches in the first two innings by their National League Central rivals. The Cubs are 5-7-1 this spring.
Kimbrel debut
Closer Craig Kimbrel struck out Joey Votto swinging at a curveball and Phillip Ervin swinging at a 96 mph fastball during a much-anticipated inning in his Cactus League debut. His only mistake was a middle-of-the-plate fastball that Derek Dietrich hit over the center-field wall.
‘‘Felt good. Felt like it was a productive inning,’’ said Kimbrel, who dealt with knee and forearm issues late last season after signing with the Cubs. ‘‘I was able to throw the ball, for the most part, where I wanted to. Ball was coming out good. Overall, it felt like it was a good day.”
He’s scheduled to pitch again Sunday against the Diamondbacks.
In command
Presumptive fifth starter Tyler Chatwood struck out five without a walk in three innings, giving up only a home run on a heater to Josh VanMeter.
‘‘Felt good,’’ Chatwood said. ‘‘Today my big thing was making sure I pitched. Last outing, I got in fastball-happy mode. So today I wanted to go throw everything. I was able to do that and get good swings and misses.’’
New leadoff look
The Cubs’ new leadoff hitter, Kris Bryant, opened the game with a double just inside the bag at third, moved up a base on Anthony Rizzo’s grounder to first and scored on Javy Baez’s opposite-field single. Bryant reached again when he was hit by a pitch during a two-run second.
On deck
Rangers at Cubs, Mesa, 2:05 p.m. Thursday, MSN, Jonathan Hernandez vs. Yu Darvish.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--CPD officers in Grand Red Line shooting stripped of police powers

The two Chicago Police officers involved in a shooting at the CTA ’ s Grand Red Line station last week have been stripped of their police powers as various agencies — including the Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office — investigate the use of deadly force .
Interim CPD Supt .
Charlie Beck stripped the officers just hours after the Civilian Office of Police Accountability — the agency that investigates uses of force by CPD officers — recommended he do so .
“ As a result of the superintendent ’ s review of the incident , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their police powers pending the outcome of the external reviews into this matter , ” CPD spokesman Tom Ahern said Wednesday .
Earlier in the day , Sydney Roberts , COPA ’ s chief , said : “ Due to the serious nature of both officers ’ actions , I felt it was necessary to recommend the officers involved be relieved of police powers while we continue to investigate this incident.
” Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez , the attorney representing the man who was shot , was pleased with COPA ’ s recommendation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though she still called for both officers to be fired .
“ We hope that the Police Board and Interim Supt .
Charles Beck will act swiftly to facilitate the firing of these rogue officers as they clearly are not fit for duty as Chicago Police officers , ” Schmidt Rodriguez said in an emailed statement .
Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday , two officers assigned to the CPD ’ s Mass Transit Unit saw a man passing between cars on a Red Line train .
The officers and the man — who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Grand station in River North .
In a widely circulated video taken by a passerby , the two officers can be seen struggling to arrest the man , who was trying to free himself and ignoring their commands to stop resisting .
Two deployed stun guns could be seen on the floor , and a female officer could be seen using pepper spray on the man while her partner tries to restrain him .
Her partner , a male officer , repeatedly tells her to “ shoot him.
” After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the female officer fired a shot .
The man ran up a set of stairs and the female officer fired again .
He was hospitalized with gunshot wounds to his hip and buttocks .
Schmidt Rodriguez said Wednesday that he has been released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital ’ s Intensive Care Unit and is now in a standard hospital room , though “ he faces a long recovery period ahead as medical costs continue to rise and he is unable to return to work as a cook.
” Though it took police several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement on the shooting , the department took the rare step of announcing it was consulting with the Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office “ due to the potential criminal nature of this incident.
” The man who was shot was initially charged with resisting arrest , possession of a controlled substance , manufacturing/delivery of cannabis , as well as unsafe passage between CTA train cars .
At Beck ’ s request , the state ’ s attorney ’ s office dropped the charges .
“ Given the totality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level of concern around this incident , it would be insensitive to advocate for these charges , ” Anthony Guglielmi , the CPD ’ s chief spokesman , said previously .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot , who had tweeted her concerns about the viral video hours after the shooting , said Wednesday it was “ not a surprise ” that COPA had recommended stripping the two officers involved in the shooting of their police powers .
“ As I said on Friday , with the caveat that a video obviously doesn ’ t tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saw was concerning from the tactical issues before the shooting but the shooting itself and the circumstances that led to the use of lethal force , ” Lightfoot said .
“ I ’ ve been following it closely but I want to make sure that the COPA investigation is thorough , but expedited [ and ] complete.
” Roberts , the COPA chief , serves at the pleasure of the mayor .
Clearly , she would not have acted without the mayor ’ s knowledge and , presumably , Lightfoot ’ s acquiescence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she supports COPA ’ s recommendation , the mayor said : “ It ’ s not for me to say I support it or don ’ t support it .
I ’ m not surprised by it under the circumstances .
”

The two Chicago Police officers involved in a shooting at the CTA’s Grand Red Line station last week have been stripped of their police powers as various agencies — including the Cook County state’s attorney’s office — investigate the use of deadly force.
Interim CPD Supt. Charlie Beck stripped the officers just hours after the Civilian Office of Police Accountability — the agency that investigates uses of force by CPD officers — recommended he do so.
“As a result of the superintendent’s review of the incident, both of the involved officers have been relieved of their police powers pending the outcome of the external reviews into this matter,” CPD spokesman Tom Ahern said Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, Sydney Roberts, COPA’s chief, said: “Due to the serious nature of both officers’ actions, I felt it was necessary to recommend the officers involved be relieved of police powers while we continue to investigate this incident.”
Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez, the attorney representing the man who was shot, was pleased with COPA’s recommendation and Beck’s subsequent decision, though she still called for both officers to be fired.
“We hope that the Police Board and Interim Supt. Charles Beck will act swiftly to facilitate the firing of these rogue officers as they clearly are not fit for duty as Chicago Police officers,” Schmidt Rodriguez said in an emailed statement.
Shortly after 4 p.m. Friday, two officers assigned to the CPD’s Mass Transit Unit saw a man passing between cars on a Red Line train.
The officers and the man — who was unarmed — got off the train at the Grand station in River North. In a widely circulated video taken by a passerby, the two officers can be seen struggling to arrest the man, who was trying to free himself and ignoring their commands to stop resisting.
Two deployed stun guns could be seen on the floor, and a female officer could be seen using pepper spray on the man while her partner tries to restrain him. Her partner, a male officer, repeatedly tells her to “shoot him.”
After the man wriggled free and stood up, the female officer fired a shot. The man ran up a set of stairs and the female officer fired again. He was hospitalized with gunshot wounds to his hip and buttocks.
Schmidt Rodriguez said Wednesday that he has been released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit and is now in a standard hospital room, though “he faces a long recovery period ahead as medical costs continue to rise and he is unable to return to work as a cook.”
Though it took police several hours longer than normal to issue a statement on the shooting, the department took the rare step of announcing it was consulting with the Cook County state’s attorney’s office “due to the potential criminal nature of this incident.”
The man who was shot was initially charged with resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing/delivery of cannabis, as well as unsafe passage between CTA train cars. At Beck’s request, the state’s attorney’s office dropped the charges.
“Given the totality of circumstances and the department’s significant level of concern around this incident, it would be insensitive to advocate for these charges,” Anthony Guglielmi, the CPD’s chief spokesman, said previously.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who had tweeted her concerns about the viral video hours after the shooting, said Wednesday it was “not a surprise” that COPA had recommended stripping the two officers involved in the shooting of their police powers.
“As I said on Friday, with the caveat that a video obviously doesn’t tell you everything that happened, what I saw was concerning from the tactical issues before the shooting but the shooting itself and the circumstances that led to the use of lethal force,” Lightfoot said.
“I’ve been following it closely but I want to make sure that the COPA investigation is thorough, but expedited [and] complete.”
Roberts, the COPA chief, serves at the pleasure of the mayor. Clearly, she would not have acted without the mayor’s knowledge and, presumably, Lightfoot’s acquiescence.
Even so, when asked Wednesday if she supports COPA’s recommendation, the mayor said: “It’s not for me to say I support it or don’t support it. I’m not surprised by it under the circumstances.”
Contributing: Fran Spielman


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Man found shot to death in Englewood home

The death of a man who was found with a gunshot wound in an Englewood home Tuesday is being investigated @ @ @ @ @ conducted a well-being check about 3 p.m. at a home in the 6100 block of @ @ @ @ @ 58-year-old Kenneth Keller with a head injury , Chicago police and the Cook County medical @ @ @ @ @ .
He was pronounced dead at the scene , authorities said .
Autopsy results released @ @ @ @ @ a gunshot wound to the head and ruled his death a homicide .
Investigators believe @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 26 and when the body was discovered , police said .
Detectives are conducting @ @ @ @ @ are also investigating whether there was an attempt to start a fire in the residence @ @ @ @ @ Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

The death of a missing 58-year-old man found shot in a burned Englewood home Tuesday is being investigated as a homicide.
Kenneth Keller’s girlfriend called police on Tuesday after she found him lying at the bottom of a set of basement stairs in the 6100 block of South Wood Street, Chicago police said.
Officers made a well-being check about 3 p.m. and found him shot in the head, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said. Autopsy results released Wednesday found he died of a gunshot wound to the head and ruled his death a homicide.
The medical examiner’s office found a .25-caliber bullet in his head, and detectives found a shell casing near his body in a pile of clothes, police said.
Investigators believe the shooting happened sometime between Feb. 26 and Tuesday, police said.
Police are also investigating a possible arson attempt.
The ceilings and curtains in the home’s bathroom and basement were burned, police said. A police report does not mention signs of forced entry.
No arrests have been made.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Recreational weed sales drop to $35 million in February as shortages continue

Nearly $ 35 million in recreational marijuana was sold across Illinois in February , marking a significant decrease from the total sold in the state ’ s first month of legal weed .
All told , 41 dispensaries sold 831,600 pot products last month worth $ 34.8 million .
That ’ s down from the $ 39.2 million in sales tallied in January , when enthusiastic cannabis users bought up 972,045 products from dispensaries that quickly saw their stockpiles of pot depleted due to a pervasive supply shortage .
“ If we had more consistent supply and could start lowering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up , ” Kris Krane , president of Mission dispensary in South Chicago , said Wednesday .
“ Supply hasn ’ t really gotten any better yet and I don ’ t really anticipate that it will in the near future.
” Krane and Abigail Watkins , spokeswoman for Dispensary 33 in Uptown , said the major problem for stores is stocking dried cannabis flower .
The dispensaries are essentially dependent on just 21 cultivation centers statewide to provide products .
“ I ’ m not gon na beat around the bush — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ recreational customers ] every day of the week , ” Watkins said .
“ We ’ re replenishing as much as we can.
” Andy Seeger , a cannabis industry researcher for the Loop-based Brightfield Group , said the supply woes that have constrained the Illinois market have likely deterred more folks from traveling across state lines to buy legal weed .
Nevertheless , the amount of recreational pot sold to out-of-staters climbed from $ 8.6 million in January to $ 9.2 million last month .
Seeger also said the weather may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In other legal states , pot sales typically cool down during the winter doldrums and pick up in the summer months , he said .

Nearly $35 million in recreational marijuana was sold across Illinois in February, marking a significant decrease from the total sold in the state’s first month of legal weed.
All told, 41 dispensaries sold 831,600 pot products last month worth $34.8 million. That’s down from the $39.2 million in sales tallied in January, when enthusiastic cannabis users bought up 972,045 products from dispensaries that quickly saw their stockpiles of pot depleted due to a pervasive supply shortage.
“If we had more consistent supply and could start lowering prices, then those numbers would go up,” Kris Krane, president of Mission dispensary in South Chicago, said Wednesday. “Supply hasn’t really gotten any better yet and I don’t really anticipate that it will in the near future.”
Krane and Abigail Watkins, spokeswoman for Dispensary 33 in Uptown, said the major problem for stores is stocking dried cannabis flower. The dispensaries are essentially dependent on just 21 cultivation centers statewide to provide products.
“I’m not gonna beat around the bush — we don’t have flower for [recreational customers] every day of the week,” Watkins said. “We’re replenishing as much as we can.”
Andy Seeger, a cannabis industry researcher for the Loop-based Brightfield Group, said the supply woes that have constrained the Illinois market have likely deterred more folks from traveling across state lines to buy legal weed. Nevertheless, the amount of recreational pot sold to out-of-staters climbed from $8.6 million in January to $9.2 million last month.
Seeger also said the weather may have contributed to the slumping second-month sales. In other legal states, pot sales typically cool down during the winter doldrums and pick up in the summer months, he said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-05--Dear Abby: Man loves his lesbian friend, hates seeing her with women

DEAR ABBY : I am a gay woman .
My male best friend has had a crush on me for more than a year .
It is so intense that he is almost delusional .
We have talked extensively about it .
He knows where I stand and that it will never happen , and he says he accepts that .
But he can ’ t stand the thought of me spending time with a woman , even if it ’ s just a friend .
He wants all of my time and doesn ’ t want to share me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the kicker : I had invited him to move back to my college town with me .
We both thought that moving to a big city would open up more dating opportunities for us and help him get over me .
It was an ordeal for him , but he put in a ton of work to be able to move .
We planned to be housemates .
This happened during a time when we thought he was feeling more resolved about our relationship .
We have been staying with my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the big city , so we are trapped in the same space , and he has nowhere else to go .
Since we moved in together , his feelings for me have resurged .
I no longer want to be roommates because of his possessiveness .
But it would devastate him if I left him alone here , especially since it was my idea to go , and I was meant to be his support system .
I feel like I am trapped in his drama and can not live my life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — TRAPPED LESBIAN IN THE WEST DEAR TRAPPED LESBIAN : Do not rent an apartment with him or buy a house !
To do so would be an expensive mistake .
You can not fulfill his needs .
If you allow this to continue , he will destroy every opportunity that comes your way because it will be a threat to his fantasy .
He needs to find other living arrangements NOW , and you and your relative should insist upon it .
This is not going to have a fairy-tale ending , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you move along with your life .
But move along is what you must do , for both your sakes .
DEAR ABBY : I went out of town on a business trip with two co-workers ( both females ) , and the trip was a success .
We got along great and accomplished all of the goals we set for ourselves during our stay .
During the few outings we had off company time , however , there were moments when we all wanted to link up and do everything together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to go to breakfast at 8 a.m. , someone would want to go at 11 a.m. , or another co-worker wouldn ’ t want to go at all .
Another example is , we would plan dinners ( after touring the city all day ) at a certain time , but it was so late my stomach would growl loudly .
I understand that flexibility is key , but my metabolism works overtime compared to theirs .
How do I go about venturing off on my own for food without coming across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m not a team player ?
— HUNGRY MAN IN NEW YORK DEAR HUNGRY MAN : Explain it to your co-workers as you have to me .
If your body is signaling that you must eat something NOW , you need to do it — if only enough to take the edge off your hunger .
To do that isn ’ t rude .
Taking care of yourself is important , and it doesn ’ t mean you aren ’ t a team player .
Perhaps you should carry something with you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 61054-0447 .
Shipping and handling are included in the price .

DEAR ABBY: I am a gay woman. My male best friend has had a crush on me for more than a year. It is so intense that he is almost delusional. We have talked extensively about it. He knows where I stand and that it will never happen, and he says he accepts that. But he can’t stand the thought of me spending time with a woman, even if it’s just a friend. He wants all of my time and doesn’t want to share me, even with mutual friends.
Here’s the kicker: I had invited him to move back to my college town with me. We both thought that moving to a big city would open up more dating opportunities for us and help him get over me. It was an ordeal for him, but he put in a ton of work to be able to move. We planned to be housemates. This happened during a time when we thought he was feeling more resolved about our relationship.
We have been staying with my relative while we search for a house in the big city, so we are trapped in the same space, and he has nowhere else to go. Since we moved in together, his feelings for me have resurged. I no longer want to be roommates because of his possessiveness. But it would devastate him if I left him alone here, especially since it was my idea to go, and I was meant to be his support system. I feel like I am trapped in his drama and cannot live my life without ruining his. Please help! — TRAPPED LESBIAN IN THE WEST
DEAR TRAPPED LESBIAN: Do not rent an apartment with him or buy a house! To do so would be an expensive mistake. You cannot fulfill his needs. If you allow this to continue, he will destroy every opportunity that comes your way because it will be a threat to his fantasy.
He needs to find other living arrangements NOW, and you and your relative should insist upon it. This is not going to have a fairy-tale ending, and you probably will not remain friends as you move along with your life. But move along is what you must do, for both your sakes.
DEAR ABBY: I went out of town on a business trip with two co-workers (both females), and the trip was a success. We got along great and accomplished all of the goals we set for ourselves during our stay.
During the few outings we had off company time, however, there were moments when we all wanted to link up and do everything together but our stomachs disagreed. If I wanted to go to breakfast at 8 a.m., someone would want to go at 11 a.m., or another co-worker wouldn’t want to go at all. Another example is, we would plan dinners (after touring the city all day) at a certain time, but it was so late my stomach would growl loudly.
I understand that flexibility is key, but my metabolism works overtime compared to theirs. How do I go about venturing off on my own for food without coming across as rude or looking like I’m not a team player? — HUNGRY MAN IN NEW YORK
DEAR HUNGRY MAN: Explain it to your co-workers as you have to me. If your body is signaling that you must eat something NOW, you need to do it — if only enough to take the edge off your hunger. To do that isn’t rude. Taking care of yourself is important, and it doesn’t mean you aren’t a team player. Perhaps you should carry something with you to tide you over from meal to meal.
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--2020-03-05--1 injured in Arlington Heights fire

1 injured in Arlington Heights fire

One person was hospitalized after a fire Wednesday in northwest suburban Arlington Heights .
The fire started about 11:15 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ first block of East Northwest Highway , Arlington Heights police said .
One person was @ @ @ @ @ injuries that were not life-threatening , police said .
At least one other person was @ @ @ @ @ The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist with any displacements , police @ @ @ @ @ the fire was not immediately known .
The Arlington Heights Fire Department did not respond @ @ @ @ @ details Thursday morning .

One person was hospitalized after a fire Wednesday in northwest suburban Arlington Heights.
The fire started about 11:15 p.m. at a building in the first block of East Northwest Highway, Arlington Heights police said.
One person was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said. At least one other person was rescued from the building.
The Red Cross was called to the scene to assist with any displacements, police said.
The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
The Arlington Heights Fire Department did not respond to a request for further details Thursday morning.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-05--4 shot Wednesday in Chicago

4 shot Wednesday in Chicago

Four people were wounded Wednesday in shootings across Chicago , including a teenage boy who was shot in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
The 15-year-old was walking at 2:12 p.m. when someone shot at him from a light-colored SUV on North Harding Avenue , according to Chicago police .
He was hit in the left hand and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition .
The day ’ s latest shooting injured a man in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
The man , 27 , was on the sidewalk about 10:15 p.m. in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ someone opened fire , police said .
He ran a couple of blocks and realized he had been struck in the back , police said .
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn , where his condition was stabilized .
Earlier in the afternoon , a man was shot in Douglas on the South Side .
The 21-year-old was on the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of South King Drive when a male approached him , pulled out a gun and opened fire , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where his condition was stabilized .
Hours before that , another 21-year-old man was shot inside a restaurant in Austin on the West Side .
The man was in the restaurant at 4:17 p.m. in the 5900 block of West North Avenue when someone walked in and fired at him multiple times , according to police .
He was hit in the leg , abdomen and hip and taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in good condition .
One person was shot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Four people were wounded Wednesday in shootings across Chicago, including a teenage boy who was shot in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 15-year-old was walking at 2:12 p.m. when someone shot at him from a light-colored SUV on North Harding Avenue, according to Chicago police. He was hit in the left hand and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
The day’s latest shooting injured a man in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
The man, 27, was on the sidewalk about 10:15 p.m. in the 300 block of West 118th Street when someone opened fire, police said.
He ran a couple of blocks and realized he had been struck in the back, police said. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where his condition was stabilized.
Earlier in the afternoon, a man was shot in Douglas on the South Side.
The 21-year-old was on the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of South King Drive when a male approached him, pulled out a gun and opened fire, police said. He was hit in the arm and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized.
Hours before that, another 21-year-old man was shot inside a restaurant in Austin on the West Side.
The man was in the restaurant at 4:17 p.m. in the 5900 block of West North Avenue when someone walked in and fired at him multiple times, according to police. He was hit in the leg, abdomen and hip and taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood in good condition.
One person was shot Tuesday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-04--Girl, 14, missing from Homan Square located