chicagosuntimes--2020-01-30--Losses keep coming for the Bulls, as Zach LaVine misses out on All-Star bid

Year 3 of the Bulls rebuild , and the body blows keep coming .
Injuries , bad losses , disappointing play , so of course the organization was hoping Thursday would give them a small win .
Not on the court , the team was idle and enjoying some R & R in Brooklyn .
No , this was a win that would have at least justified the roster development going in the right direction .
That ’ s what Zach LaVine making the All-Star Team as a reserve would have meant .
Instead , more disappointment in a season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The reserve teams were announced – as voted on by the coaches – and LaVine was on the outside looking in , even with the Feb 14-16 festivities taking place in Chicago , his own backyard .
“ I think it ’ s the next step in our progression , ’ ’ coach Jim Boylen said earlier this week , when asked what LaVine making the All-Star team would have meant for the organization .
“ We ’ d like to win , we ’ d like to play good basketball every @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have All-Stars .
To me it ’ s important for the organization , it ’ s important for him , and it ’ s a great story.
’ ’ Sure , LaVine was considered to be just on the All-Star fringe , so if a player pulls out because of injury , LaVine could still be in play for a spot .
Either way , LaVine knew it might not be an easy path into the game , considering all the other backcourt competition in the Eastern Conference , as well as where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LaVine might be 12th in the league in scoring with 25.1 points per game , but playing on a 19-31 Bulls team , and one that is 1-19 against teams with a record of .500 or better , doesn ’ t exactly scream All-Star DNA .
“ It makes sense because they ’ re playing for something more than us , they ’ re going to postseason , competing for championships and things like that and that ’ s where you want to strive to be so I guess you can make an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said last week , when discussing why winning helps in the All-Star candidacy .
The sixth-year guard also wasn ’ t going to criticize the voting system .
The All-Star starters are voted in by a mixture of the fans , current players , and members of the media .
That ’ s how a Trae Young gets in , despite his Atlanta Hawks sitting at a dismal 12-36 .
“ It ’ s just something that you ’ re used to being in this culture , ’ ’ LaVine said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBA for six years , been able to get some votes for the last two-to-three .
Before my knee injury I got some votes .
It ’ s all I really know so I don ’ t really have any comments on [ the process ] because it ’ s just what you grew up in.
’ ’ While LaVine won ’ t be in the game , however , he could still entertain the home crowd .
He was hoping for an invite to the Three-point Contest , and hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dunk Contest he ’ s won twice before .
But there is also a bigger picture his coach is hoping LaVine sees and understands .
The Bulls will take on Brooklyn on Friday and then play in Toronto on Sunday .
They currently trail the Nets by three games for the No .
8 playoff seed , with the Feb. 6 trade deadline looming .
There ’ s a lot at stake over the next week .
“ I don ’ t premeditate us not playing well or not competing , ’ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I don ’ t do that .
This group has not done that .
We ’ ve played well , we ’ ve played poorly , we ’ ve played hard .
We ’ ve had nights where we didn ’ t play as hard as we liked .
We have nights we ’ ve played really well .
That ’ s what a young team is , that ’ s what we do .
’ ’

In Year 3 of the Bulls’ rebuild, the body blows just keep coming.
After myriad injuries, bad losses and deficient play, the organization was hoping that Thursday at least would provide a small victory.
Not on the court — the team was idle and enjoying some R&R in Brooklyn. No, this was a win that would’ve at least signaled the roster development is going in the right direction.
That’s what Zach LaVine being named an All-Star reserve would’ve meant.
Instead, it was just more disappointment in a season running out of room in that drawer.
The reserves — as voted on by the coaches — were announced, and LaVine was on the outside looking in, even with the Feb. 14-16 festivities taking place in Chicago, his backyard.
“I think [LaVine being an All-Star would be] the next step in our progression [as an organization],’’ coach Jim Boylen said earlier this week. “We’d like to win, we’d like to play good basketball every night. Good teams that win more have All-Stars. To me, it’s important for the organization, it’s important for him and it’s a great story.’’
LaVine was considered to be just on the All-Star fringe, so if a player pulls out because of injury, he still could be in play for a spot.
Either way, LaVine knew it wouldn’t be an easy path, considering all the backcourt competition in the Eastern Conference and the Bulls’ poor record.
LaVine might be 12th in the league in scoring at 25.1 points per game, but playing on a team with a 19-31 record, including a 1-19 mark against .500-or-better opponents, doesn’t really help a candidacy.
“It makes sense because they’re playing for something more than us,’’ LaVine said last week. ‘‘They’re going to the postseason, competing for championships and things like that, and that’s where you want to strive to be, so I guess you can make an argument for that.’’
He also refused to criticize the voting system.
The All-Star starters are voted in by a combination of fans, players and media members. That’s how second-year guard Trae Young got in even though his Hawks are 13-36.
“It’s just something that you’re used to, being in this culture,’’ LaVine said of the process. “I’ve been in the NBA for six years, been able to get some votes for the last two to three. Before my knee injury, I got some votes. It’s all I really know, so I don’t really have any comments on [the process] because it’s just what you grew up in.’’
LaVine could still entertain the home crowd, however. He was hoping for an invitation to the three-point contest and hasn’t completely ruled out a return to the dunk competition he has won twice.
But there’s a bigger picture Boylen is hoping LaVine sees and understands. The Bulls will face Brooklyn on Friday, then play in Toronto on Sunday. They trail the Nets by three games for the No. 8 playoff seed with the Feb. 6 trade deadline looming.
There’s a lot at stake over the next week.
“I don’t [foresee] us not playing well or not competing,’’ Boylen said of this weekend. “I don’t do that. This group has not done that. We’ve played well; we’ve played poorly; we’ve played hard. We’ve had nights where we didn’t play as hard as we’d like. We’ve had nights we’ve played really well. That’s what a young team is; that’s what we do.’’


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-30--Over and under? State’s highest — and lowest — grossing casinos are first to seek sportsbook license

Over and under? State’s highest — and lowest — grossing casinos are first to seek sportsbook licenses

Three decades ago , it became the first casino to open in Illinois .
Now , it ’ s the first to apply to open a sportsbook .
Illinois Gaming Board officials on Thursday announced the Argosy Casino Alton submitted its sports betting license application Jan. 23 , putting it first in line to offer sports betting once state regulators finish vetting bids and hand out licenses .
Two other casinos applied the next day : the Grand Victoria in Elgin and Rivers in Des Plaines .
Applications were opened last month .
Besides the three initial applicants , regulators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operators to submit applications in the days and weeks ahead .
All 10 existing Illinois casinos and three horse racing tracks are eligible to apply , plus up to seven large sports venues such as the United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field , and , eventually , the holders of six new casino licenses that also were created as part of the state gaming expansion signed into law last summer by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker .
Seven months after that new gaming law legalized sports betting , it ’ s still unclear when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the action on the Bulls or Blackhawks .
After drafting thousands of rules on sports betting operation procedures , the Gaming Board still needs to license the suppliers of the betting technology and league data .
But as suggested by legislators who championed sports betting in Springfield , the application timeline still seems on track for a launch ahead of March Madness and the glut of gambling that accompanies every NCAA men ’ s basketball tournament .
Once the licenses are issued , all bets are on .
“ We ’ ve designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can be nimble and as reactive or as quick as our industry partners are ready to commit sports betting , so when they ’ re ready , we ’ re ready for them to start , ” Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter said .
Management at the Argosy Casino are sure to be looking for a shot in the arm with a sportsbook .
The former Alton Belle launched as Illinois ’ first riverboat casino in 1991 on the Mississippi River , offshore from the city where jazz legend Miles Davis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giant Penn National Gaming , the Argosy saw its revenue shrivel to just $ 40 million in 2018 , the lowest in the state and the worst for the casino amid years of decline since it launched .
Rivers Casino and its corporate owner Churchill Downs Inc. have been champing at the bit for a book , with a sports bar already built and just waiting for the green light to take bets .
It ’ s expected to bolster the state ’ s highest grossing gambling operation and the $ 440 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the only Illinois gambling mecca that has seen any growth in recent years .
The Grand Victoria Casino has been among Illinois ’ highest grossing casinos since its riverboat set sail in 1994 .

Three decades ago, it became the first casino to open in Illinois. Now, it’s the first to apply to open a sportsbook.
Illinois Gaming Board officials on Thursday announced the Argosy Casino Alton submitted its sports betting license application Jan. 23, putting it first in line to offer sports betting once state regulators finish vetting bids and hand out licenses.
Two other casinos applied the next day: the Grand Victoria in Elgin and Rivers in Des Plaines.
Patrons visit the sports betting area of Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I, last November. File Photo. Steven Senne/AP
Applications were opened last month. Besides the three initial applicants, regulators expect a host of other would-be sportsbook operators to submit applications in the days and weeks ahead.
All 10 existing Illinois casinos and three horse racing tracks are eligible to apply, plus up to seven large sports venues such as the United Center and Guaranteed Rate Field, and, eventually, the holders of six new casino licenses that also were created as part of the state gaming expansion signed into law last summer by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
Shown here in 2005, the Argosy Casino Alton, was the first to apply for a sports betting license. It was also Illinois’ first authorized casino riverboat, when it opened in 1991 as the Alton Belle Casino. File Photo. Seth Perlman/AP
Seven months after that new gaming law legalized sports betting, it’s still unclear when Illinois bettors might be able to take the action on the Bulls or Blackhawks. After drafting thousands of rules on sports betting operation procedures, the Gaming Board still needs to license the suppliers of the betting technology and league data.
But as suggested by legislators who championed sports betting in Springfield, the application timeline still seems on track for a launch ahead of March Madness and the glut of gambling that accompanies every NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Once the licenses are issued, all bets are on.
“We’ve designed these rules in such a way so that we can be nimble and as reactive or as quick as our industry partners are ready to commit sports betting, so when they’re ready, we’re ready for them to start,” Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter said.
Illinois Gaming Board administrator Marcus Fruchter speaks at an Aug. 8 meeting. Victor Hilitski / Sun-Times
Management at the Argosy Casino are sure to be looking for a shot in the arm with a sportsbook. The former Alton Belle launched as Illinois’ first riverboat casino in 1991 on the Mississippi River, offshore from the city where jazz legend Miles Davis was born.
Now owned by corporate giant Penn National Gaming, the Argosy saw its revenue shrivel to just $40 million in 2018, the lowest in the state and the worst for the casino amid years of decline since it launched.
Rivers Casino and its corporate owner Churchill Downs Inc. have been champing at the bit for a book, with a sports bar already built and just waiting for the green light to take bets. It’s expected to bolster the state’s highest grossing gambling operation and the $440 million Rivers generated in 2018. It’s the only Illinois gambling mecca that has seen any growth in recent years.
The Grand Victoria Casino has been among Illinois’ highest grossing casinos since its riverboat set sail in 1994.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-30--Beck defends CPD’s use of facial recognition

Interim Chicago Police Superintendent Charlie Beck on Thursday offered a vigorous defense of CPD ’ s use of a facial recognition tool that matches images of unknown suspects to three billion photos scraped from social media .
Clearview AI , the Manhattan-based firm that developed the software , has come under fire after a lawsuit was filed in federal court in Chicago earlier this month seeking to halt the company ’ s data collection and after a New York Times report detailed the privacy concerns its technology has brought to the fore .
But , Beck said Thursday the department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse it .
Without it , Chicago Police would “ solve fewer crimes than places ” that do use it , he said .
“ We are trying to identify people that have committed crimes .
This system is only used when there is a predicate criminal charge .
When there is an unidentified individual tied to that predicate crime and we ’ re searching for their identity , ” Beck said .
“ When that identity comes to light , we have to use a completely different means by which to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls by the wayside .
It ’ s a pointer system .
Without all of that other evidence — be it DNA , be it fingerprints , be it witness ID — there is no case.
” Karen Sheley , an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois , has argued it was an “ incredible absence of judgment ” for CPD to sign a contract to use the Clearview software without any public input .
Sheley wants the department to “ stop using it immediately.
” He argued the privacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ misunderstanding ” about the system than any abuse of it .
“ It ’ s never used as the sole tool for making an arrest .
It ’ s a pointer system .
It is a clue .
It has to be backed up by other articles of evidence that , in and of themselves , support a prosecution , ” he said .
“ We have a very limited amount of people who are able to use the facial recognition system that has social media access .
We don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t use it during First Amendment activities .
... CPD is certainly not using it in any way that is beyond the scope of the professional standard.
” • Blamed a historic “ lack of accountability ” for runaway overtime that saw the Chicago Police Department spend $ 131.2 million through Nov. 30 , matching the 12-month total for the year before .
“ Overtime was used to fill holes that were deemed important at the time , but were maybe fiscally imprudent , ” the superintendent said .
Pointing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , “ As soon as we determine exactly how many people are in each command , we will give them all an individual budget .
That budget will be the subject of Compstat and they will be held to it .
When I was the chief in L.A. we certainly had times when we went over , but it was always over with an explanation .
I stayed within my overtime budget every year .
“ • Acknowledged the nearly-three-year wait for a new police contract has exasperated rank-and-file police officers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promotion system he has already abolished .
“ There ’ s a number of things that Chicago needs to address in order to have a workforce that believes it ’ s appreciated .
One of ` em is timely contracts .
The other is timely exams for promotion that are considered fair , ” he said .
“ The mayor and I have had this discussion .
I know she believes in both of those things and is working towards them .
… There are things we need to do .
Having a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maintained that the “ culture that I come from doesn ’ t allow a cooling-off period before an interview ” with a police officer involved in a shooting .
In Los Angeles , anonymous complaints against police officers are also accepted , he said .
The Task Force on Police Accountability , co-chaired by then-Police Board President Lori Lightfoot , has demanded similar changes to a police contract that , she said , “ codifies the code of silence ” and makes it “ easier for officers to lie by giving them 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting and includes “ impediments to accountability ” that prohibit anonymous complaints , allow officers to change statements after reviewing video and requires sworn affidavits .
“ It isn ’ t whether you collect more false allegations or not .
It ’ s whether you look at every complaint and make a determination on it .
... What you don ’ t want is a system where complaints can fall through the cracks because you ’ ve taken steps to prohibit them , ” he said .
“ Sometimes , anonymous complaints are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time they ’ re not .
But sometimes , they are .
To completely remove them from the process might be ill advised .
”

Interim Chicago Police Superintendent Charlie Beck on Thursday offered a vigorous defense of CPD’s use of a facial recognition tool that matches images of unknown suspects to three billion photos scraped from social media.
Clearview AI, the Manhattan-based firm that developed the software, has come under fire after a lawsuit was filed in federal court in Chicago earlier this month seeking to halt the company’s data collection and after a New York Times report detailed the privacy concerns its technology has brought to the fore.
But,Beck said Thursday the department needs the tool and doesn’t abuse it. Without it, Chicago Police would “solve fewer crimes than places” that do use it, he said.
“We are trying to identify people that have committed crimes. This system is only used when there is a predicate criminal charge. When there is an unidentified individual tied to that predicate crime and we’re searching for their identity,” Beck said.
“When that identity comes to light, we have to use a completely different means by which to make that case. The facial recognition piece falls by the wayside. It’s a pointer system. Without all of that other evidence — be it DNA, be it fingerprints, be it witness ID — there is no case.”
Karen Sheley, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, has argued it was an “incredible absence of judgment” for CPD to sign a contract to use the Clearview software without any public input. Sheley wants the department to “stop using it immediately.”
Beck begs to differ.
He argued the privacy debate about facial recognition stems more from a “misunderstanding” about the system than any abuse of it.
“It’s never used as the sole tool for making an arrest. It’s a pointer system. It is a clue. It has to be backed up by other articles of evidence that, in and of themselves, support a prosecution,” he said.
“We have a very limited amount of people who are able to use the facial recognition system that has social media access. We don’t use it in crowd-sourcing. We don’t use it during First Amendment activities. ... CPD is certainly not using it in any way that is beyond the scope of the professional standard.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Beck also:
• Blamed a historic “lack of accountability” for runaway overtime that saw the Chicago Police Department spend $131.2 million through Nov. 30, matching the 12-month total for the year before.
“Overtime was used to fill holes that were deemed important at the time, but were maybe fiscally imprudent,” the superintendent said.
Pointing to the massive re-organization announced Thursday, Beck said, “As soon as we determine exactly how many people are in each command, we will give them all an individual budget. That budget will be the subject of Compstat and they will be held to it. When I was the chief in L.A. we certainly had times when we went over, but it was always over with an explanation. I stayed within my overtime budget every year. “
• Acknowledged the nearly-three-year wait for a new police contract has exasperated rank-and-file police officers and hurt morale as much as the merit promotion system he has already abolished.
“There’s a number of things that Chicago needs to address in order to have a workforce that believes it’s appreciated. One of `em is timely contracts. The other is timely exams for promotion that are considered fair,” he said.
“The mayor and I have had this discussion. I know she believes in both of those things and is working towards them. … There are things we need to do. Having a contract is one of them.”
• Maintained that the “culture that I come from doesn’t allow a cooling-off period before an interview” with a police officer involved in a shooting. In Los Angeles, anonymous complaints against police officers are also accepted, he said.
The Task Force on Police Accountability, co-chaired by then-Police Board President Lori Lightfoot, has demanded similar changes to a police contract that, she said, “codifies the code of silence” and makes it “easier for officers to lie by giving them 24 hours before providing a statement after a shooting and includes “impediments to accountability” that prohibit anonymous complaints, allow officers to change statements after reviewing video and requires sworn affidavits.
“It isn’t whether you collect more false allegations or not. It’s whether you look at every complaint and make a determination on it. ... What you don’t want is a system where complaints can fall through the cracks because you’ve taken steps to prohibit them,” he said.
“Sometimes, anonymous complaints are accurate. Maybe the vast majority of the time they’re not. But sometimes, they are. To completely remove them from the process might be ill advised.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-30--No learners’ permit for teen voters — White’s office vows to stop letting 16-year-olds submit forms

No learners’ permit for teen voters — White’s office vows to stop letting 16-year-olds submit forms to register to vote

First it was non-citizens , and now it ’ s 16-year-olds .
In the latest snafu over voter registration , Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White ’ s office allowed at least 4,700 16-year-olds to begin the voter registration process .
Although state law does allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary as long as they turn 18 by the next general election , there ’ s no learners ’ permit for 16-year-olds .
“ There ’ s no getting around that , ” Matt Dietrich , spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections told the Daily Line , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said 16-year-olds likely began the registration process when they went to get their drivers ’ licenses .
Those applications were forwarded from the secretary of state ’ s office with the intention that the application could then be held by a local election authority , Dietrich said .
“ I think they thought this was a courtesy to applicants , but there is no process for local election authorities to hold applications [ until someone is old enough to vote ] , ” Dietrich told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ [ The secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll stop.
” Dietrich ’ s office sent out 4,700 letters to would-be voters , telling them that , after a review of their application , “ we have determined that you do not meet the requirement to be eighteen years of age by the date of the next General or consolidated election.
” As a result , those applications were terminated — meaning no 16 year olds were actually registered to vote .
Dave Druker , spokesman for the secretary of state ’ s office , said forwarding the applications @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for awhile ” and said a “ difference of opinion ” on the law that allows 17-year-olds to register could explain why the applications were sent along .
Sixteen-year-olds starting the voter registration process is the latest problem related to the automatic voter registration program .
Last week , Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan , demanding answers from White about how 545 self-identified non-U.S. citizens were mistakenly registered to vote through the state ’ s new automatic registration system .
The Illinois Board of Elections said as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cast ballots in elections , and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker joined those calling for an investigation .
Responding to the non-citizen registration mishap , the state ’ s election board sent the names of 124 people to the city election board Dec. 30 — and those people had their voter registrations cancelled that day , Jim Allen , spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners , said Monday .
Of that number , 118 had never voted .
Four voted before the automatic voter registration system was put in place .
Only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Allen said : one in November 2018 , the other in April 2019 .
The non-citizen registrations have prompted calls to pause the automatic registration program .
But Pritzker dismissed those concerns earlier this week , telling reporters , “ The glitch has been fixed.
” Dietrich also pushed back on the need to suspend the program , arguing it ’ s meant more people getting involved in the voting process — 698,800 actual registrations completed thanks to the program .
Druker also didn ’ t see a need for a pause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the office takes responsibility for non-citizens being registered and took action to notify people and make sure the mistake wouldn ’ t be repeated .
“ I think we were up front about that , ” Druker said about last week ’ s issue .
“ This is less than one tenth of 1 percent — one is too many , but I think , in terms of holding up the program we have to keep it in perspective .
In our opinion , the [ automatic voter registration program ] is @ @ @ @

First it was non-citizens, and now it’s 16-year-olds.
In the latest snafu over voter registration, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office allowed at least 4,700 16-year-olds to begin the voter registration process.
Although state law does allow 17-year-olds to vote in the primary as long as they turn 18 by the next general election, there’s no learners’ permit for 16-year-olds.
“There’s no getting around that,” Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections told the Daily Line, who first reported the gaffe.
Dietrich said 16-year-olds likely began the registration process when they went to get their drivers’ licenses. Those applications were forwarded from the secretary of state’s office with the intention that the application could then be held by a local election authority, Dietrich said.
“I think they thought this was a courtesy to applicants, but there is no process for local election authorities to hold applications [until someone is old enough to vote],” Dietrich told the Chicago Sun-Times. “[The secretary of state’s office] said they’ll stop.”
Dietrich’s office sent out 4,700 letters to would-be voters, telling them that, after a review of their application, “we have determined that you do not meet the requirement to be eighteen years of age by the date of the next General or consolidated election.”
As a result, those applications were terminated — meaning no 16 year olds were actually registered to vote.
Secretary of State Jesse White in 2019. File Photo. Colin Boyle/Sun-Times
Dave Druker, spokesman for the secretary of state’s office, said forwarding the applications was something the office had done “for awhile” and said a “difference of opinion” on the law that allows 17-year-olds to register could explain why the applications were sent along.
Sixteen-year-olds starting the voter registration process is the latest problem related to the automatic voter registration program.
Last week, Republican lawmakers sent a letter to Democratic House Speaker Mike Madigan, demanding answers from White about how 545 self-identified non-U.S. citizens were mistakenly registered to vote through the state’s new automatic registration system.
The Illinois Board of Elections said as many as 14 non-citizens appear to have cast ballots in elections, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined those calling for an investigation.
Responding to the non-citizen registration mishap, the state’s election board sent the names of 124 people to the city election board Dec. 30 — and those people had their voter registrations cancelled that day, Jim Allen, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, said Monday.
Of that number, 118 had never voted. Four voted before the automatic voter registration system was put in place. Only two non-citizens in the city cast ballots, Allen said: one in November 2018, the other in April 2019.
The non-citizen registrations have prompted calls to pause the automatic registration program.
But Pritzker dismissed those concerns earlier this week, telling reporters, “The glitch has been fixed.”
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, left, stands with Democratic governor candidate J.B. Pritzker in 2018. File Photo. Marcus DiPaola/Sun-Times
Dietrich also pushed back on the need to suspend the program, arguing it’s meant more people getting involved in the voting process — 698,800 actual registrations completed thanks to the program.
Druker also didn’t see a need for a pause, saying the two issues are different and the office takes responsibility for non-citizens being registered and took action to notify people and make sure the mistake wouldn’t be repeated.
“I think we were up front about that,” Druker said about last week’s issue. “This is less than one tenth of 1 percent — one is too many, but I think, in terms of holding up the program we have to keep it in perspective. In our opinion, the [automatic voter registration program] is running well.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-30--Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck wasn’t surprised TMZ reported Kobe Bryant’s death before family no

Interim Police Supt. Charlie Beck wasn’t surprised TMZ reported Kobe Bryant’s death before family notified

Interim Chicago Police Supt .
Charlie Beck said he didn ’ t blink an eye when TMZ reported that Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter had been killed in a helicopter crash before Bryant ’ s wife and three surviving daughters had been notified .
It was par for the course in the celebrity-driven frenzy that Beck said he endured for 41 years in his rise to the top of the Los Angeles Police Department .
“ If you put your hand in a rattlesnake ’ s cage , it bites you .
Don ’ t blame the rattlesnake .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , ” Beck said .
“ I went through Camp O.J .
I can ’ t even explain that to you , ” Beck said , referring to O.J Simpson ’ s arrest for the murders of his wife , Nicole , and her friend , Ronald Goldman , that culminated in the celebrity trial of the century and a controversial acquittal .
“ The world-wide crush of media across the street from the courthouse during the trial was incredible ... .Nobody had ever seen that before .
I mean - satellite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see and reporters just going insane for any O.J .
news.
” Beck was also a lieutenant during the low-speed chase of Simpson ’ s white Bronco .
His unit got custody of Simpson ’ s SUV .
“ The Bronco ends up going to the impound yard .
… We went back to get it and it was picked clean .
People had stolen everything off of it for a souvenir .
Everything .
It was insane , ” he said .
Beck is the retired L.A. police chief whose arrival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lightfoot ’ s decision to fire Police Supt .
Eddie Johnson a month early .
She accused him of “ lying ” about the circumstances surrounding an embarrassing drinking-and-driving incident in mid-October .
On Thursday , Beck once again ruled himself out as a candidate for the permanent job because , as he put it , “ I love my family.
” But he made it clear he prefers the Chicago media over the bloodhounds in L.A. Beck noted that the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune agreed to hold a story about his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until after he had told the troops at a Compstat meeting .
“ I would never get the L.A. media to embargo anything .
They were horrible about that , ” he said .
“ No matter what you did , if a celebrity got in the media , if you had anybody do anything silly , that always took the front-page .
”

Interim Chicago Police Supt. Charlie Beck said he didn’t blink an eye when TMZ reported that Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter had been killed in a helicopter crash before Bryant’s wife and three surviving daughters had been notified.
It was par for the course in the celebrity-driven frenzy that Beck said he endured for 41 years in his rise to the top of the Los Angeles Police Department.
“If you put your hand in a rattlesnake’s cage, it bites you. Don’t blame the rattlesnake. That’s just the way they are,” Beck said.
“I went through Camp O.J. I can’t even explain that to you,” Beck said, referring to O.J Simpson’s arrest for the murders of his wife, Nicole, and her friend, Ronald Goldman, that culminated in the celebrity trial of the century and a controversial acquittal.
“The world-wide crush of media across the street from the courthouse during the trial was incredible....Nobody had ever seen that before. I mean - satellite trucks lined up as far as you can see and reporters just going insane for any O.J. news.”
Beck was also a lieutenant during the low-speed chase of Simpson’s white Bronco. His unit got custody of Simpson’s SUV.
“The Bronco ends up going to the impound yard. … We went back to get it and it was picked clean. People had stolen everything off of it for a souvenir. Everything. It was insane,” he said.
Beck is the retired L.A. police chief whose arrival in Chicago was hastened by Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s decision to fire Police Supt. Eddie Johnson a month early.
She accused him of “lying” about the circumstances surrounding an embarrassing drinking-and-driving incident in mid-October.
On Thursday, Beck once again ruled himself out as a candidate for the permanent job because, as he put it, “I love my family.”
But he made it clear he prefers the Chicago media over the bloodhounds in L.A.
Beck noted that the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune agreed to hold a story about his massive re-organization of the Chicago Police Department until after he had told the troops at a Compstat meeting.
“I would never get the L.A. media to embargo anything. They were horrible about that,” he said.
“No matter what you did, if a celebrity got in the media, if you had anybody do anything silly, that always took the front-page.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-30--‘A horrible tragedy’ judge says after baby shot by parents struggling over gun

Calling the case “ a horrible tragedy , ” a judge set bail at $ 10,000 Thursday for the parents of a 1-year-old boy who was shot in the head Monday while they allegedly struggled over a gun during an argument in an Uptown apartment .
In setting the bail for each parent , Judge Arthur Wesley Willis noted that the boy ’ s father had rushed him to a hospital and said he knew that both parents were already “ suffering because their child was shot.
” But Willis admonished 26-year-old Travis McCoy , the boy ’ s father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t legally allowed to possess , and said he found Smith ’ s actions after the shooting “ extremely confusing.
” But , Willis added , “ but I ’ m not here to judge how someone reacts.
” McCoy faces a felony count of filing a false police report for allegedly initially lying to authorities about how the child came to be shot .
His wife , Adriana Smith , 28 , was charged with felony obstruction of justice and destroying evidence .
Both parents also face a misdemeanor charge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Cook County prosecutors said the couple was arguing about 7:30 p.m. Monday at their apartment in the 800 block of West Eastwood because Smith had been told she needed to leave her Chicago Housing Authority unit in three weeks time .
McCoy threw Smith ’ s cellphone through one of the apartment ’ s windows and Smith told him she would call the police .
She then threw his jean jacket at him , causing a gun to fall out , prosecutors said .
Smith grabbed the handle of the gun and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go off , and a bullet struck the ceiling of the apartment , prosecutors said .
The bullet fractured , with one piece falling to the floor and the other entered the temple of their 23-month-old son , prosecutors said .
McCoy grabbed the child and ran to the hospital , which was located blocks away , where he encountered police in the parking lot and said his boy had been shot while he was trying to put him into a car and said he heard five gunshots , prosecutors said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter , who was also home at the time , and cleaned up blood in the hallway before taking her daughter to try and find a phone and call her mother , prosecutors said .
Smith eventually tossed the gun used in the shooting in Clarendon Park , although it has not been recovered , prosecutors said .
Emily Bock , an assistant public defender for the couple , said the couple was faced with “ unimaginable panic ” after their son was shot and that both parents eventually assisted authorities .
Smith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from graduating from Truman College and had already been accepted into nursing programs at two universities in the city .
She is also a volunteer fostering cats .
McCoy has been working as a dishwasher at a restaurant for the past year , she said .
Bock said the couple was married and they lived together at the apartment .
Prosecutors , however , contended that McCoy was not allowed to live at the apartment , and said he resided elsewhere .
In court Thursday , Smith sat in a chair for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowed and McCoy stood before the judge looking down and cried at times .
Smith is not allowed to possess a gun due to a felony conviction when he was 17 in North Carolina for assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury , prosecutors said , who could not provide additional information .
Smith has no criminal background .
Prosecutors said the child was expected to be released from the hospital Thursday , but will be taken into the custody of the state ’ s Department of Children and Family Services , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
Bock said Smith had spoken with the boy at the hospital and that he was walking again .
Willis said neither parent would be allowed to talk to their children until the child welfare agency makes a further determination and ordered both onto electronic monitoring if they post bond .
Their next court date was set for Feb. 6 .

Calling the case “a horrible tragedy,” a judge set bail at $10,000 Thursday for the parents of a 23-month-old boy who was shot in the head Monday while they allegedly struggled over a gun during an argument in an Uptown apartment.
In setting the bail for each parent, Judge Arthur Wesley Willis noted that the boy’s father had rushed him to a hospital and said he knew that both parents were already “suffering because their child was shot.”
But Willis admonished 26-year-old Travis McCoy, the boy’s father, for having a gun that he wasn’t legally allowed to possess, and said he found McCoy’s actions after the shooting “extremely confusing.” But, Willis added, “I’m not here to judge how someone reacts.”
McCoy faces a felony count of filing a false police report for allegedly initially lying to authorities about how the child came to be shot. His wife, Adriana Smith, 28, was charged with felony obstruction of justice and destroying evidence. Both parents also face a misdemeanor charge of causing a child’s endangerment.
Cook County prosecutors said the couple was arguing about 7:30 p.m. Monday at their apartment in the 800 block of West Eastwood because Smith had been told she needed to leave her Chicago Housing Authority unit in three weeks.
Travis McCoy Chicago police
McCoy threw Smith’s cellphone through one of the apartment’s windows, and Smith told him she would call the police. She then threw his jean jacket at him, causing a gun to fall out, prosecutors said.
Smith grabbed the handle of the gun and McCoy grabbed the barrel, causing it to go off, and a bullet struck the ceiling of the apartment, prosecutors said. The bullet fractured, with one piece falling to the floor and the other entering the toddler’s temple, prosecutors said.
McCoy grabbed the child and ran to the hospital, which was located blocks away, where he encountered police in the parking lot and said his boy had been shot while he was trying to put him into a car and said he heard five gunshots, prosecutors said.
Smith grabbed the couple’s 7-year-old daughter, who was also home at the time, and cleaned up blood in the hallway before taking her to try and find a phone and call her mother, prosecutors said.
Smith eventually tossed the gun in Clarendon Park, although it has not been recovered, prosecutors said.
Adriana Smith Chicago police
Emily Bock, an assistant public defender for the couple, said the couple was faced with “unimaginable panic” after their son was shot and that both eventually assisted authorities.
Smith, Bock said, is credits shy from graduating from Truman College and had already been accepted into nursing programs at two universities in the city. She is also a volunteer fostering cats. McCoy has been working as a dishwasher for the past year, she said.
Bock said the couple was married and they lived together at the apartment. Prosecutors, however, contended that McCoy was not allowed to live at the apartment, and said he resided elsewhere.
In court Thursday, Smith sat in a chair for the hearing, sometimes sobbing with her head bowed and McCoy stood before the judge looking down and cried at times.
McCoy is not allowed to possess a gun due to a felony conviction when he was 17 in North Carolina for assault with a deadly weapon causing serious injury, prosecutors said, who could not provide additional information. Smith has no criminal background.
Prosecutors said the child was expected to be released from the hospital Thursday, but will be taken into the custody of the state’s Department of Children and Family Services, along with his sister until further court order. Bock said Smith had spoken with the boy at the hospital and that he was walking again.
Willis said neither parent would be allowed to talk to their children until the child welfare agency makes a further determination and ordered both onto electronic monitoring if they post bond.
Their next court date was set for Feb. 6.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--With 71% of Iowa caucus results reported, Pete Buttigieg narrowly leads, followed by Bernie Sanders

DES MOINES , Iowa — The Iowa Democratic Party has released additional results from Monday night ’ s presidential caucuses .
After a daylong delay , the party has now made public 71 % of results from all 99 Iowa counties .
The new numbers released late Tuesday do not change the state of play for the candidates .
Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , holds a slight lead over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders .
It was too early to call a winner based on the initial results , but Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar were trailing in the tally of State Delegate Equivalents , according to data released for the first time by the state Democratic Party nearly 24 hours after voting concluded .
The two early leaders , Buttigieg and Sanders , were separated by 40 years in age , conflicting ideology and different campaign approaches .
Buttigieg , the 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , is the first openly gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates .
“ We don ’ t know all of the numbers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign that started a year ago with four staff members , no name recognition , no money , just a big idea — a campaign that some said should have no business even making this attempt — has taken its place at the front of this race , ” Buttigieg declared , his voice filled with emotion , as he campaigned in next-up New Hampshire .
While each campaign was eager to spin the results to its advantage , there was little immediate indication that the incomplete results erased the confusion and concern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was unclear when the full results would be released .
During a private conference call with campaigns earlier in the day , state party chairman Troy Price declined to answer pointed questions about the specific timeline — even whether it would be a matter of days or weeks .
“ We have been working day and night to make sure these results are accurate , ” Price said at a subsequent press conference .
The leading candidates pressed on in New Hampshire , which votes in just seven days .
And billionaire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would double his already massive advertising campaign and expand his sprawling staff focused on a series of delegate-rich states voting next month .
The party ’ s caucus crisis was an embarrassing twist after months of promoting Iowa as a chance for Democrats to find some clarity in a jumbled field .
Instead , after a buildup that featured seven rounds of debates , nearly $ 1 billion spent nationwide and a year of political jockeying , caucus day ended with no winner , no official results and many fresh questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first ” status .
Iowa marked the first contest in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending at the party ’ s national convention in mid-July .
Buttigieg ’ s early strength reflected his aggressive political pursuit of rural and small-town voters , including some Republicans , who prefer a more moderate approach to address the nation ’ s political problems .
The other early leader , Sanders , a self-described democratic socialist , has spent decades fighting to fundamentally change the nation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant support from young voters in particular .
Before he left Iowa late Monday , the Sanders ’ campaign told supporters that its internal monitoring showed him in the lead with nearly half the vote in .
Sanders himself said late Monday , “ Today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump.
” For the first time , the Iowa Democratic Party reported three sets of results : a tally of caucusgoers ’ initial candidate preference ; vote totals from the “ final alignment ” after supporters of lower-ranking candidates were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the total number of State Delegate Equivalents each candidate received .
With more than one-third of all precincts left to report , Sanders led on the first alignment .
The Associated Press will declare a winner based on the number of state delegates each candidate wins , which has been the traditional standard .
Early polling had suggested Sanders entered the night with a narrow lead , but any of the top four candidates — Sanders , Biden , Warren and Buttigieg — was positioned to score a victory .
Sen. Amy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was also in the running , while outsider candidates including entrepreneur Andrew Yang , billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard lagged behind .
Campaigning in New Hampshire on Tuesday , Warren also said she was “ feeling good ” about her performance in Iowa .
Biden ’ s team downplayed the impact of the contest after predicting the results would be close .
The state party told campaigns Tuesday that the problem was a result of a “ coding issue in the reporting system ” that it said had since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verified the accuracy of the collected data and said the problem was not a result of “ a hack or an intrusion.
” A Biden campaign representative objected to the party ’ s plan to release partial results before checking them against paper records , saying in the conference call that the plan didn ’ t address “ growing reports ” about problems on caucus night , such as precinct captains unable to get through on the phone to report results .
Sanders adviser Jeff Weaver thanked party officials , and encouraged other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Folks who are just trying to delay the return of this because of their relative positioning in the results last night , I think that ’ s a bit disingenuous , ” Weaver said .
Sensing opportunity amid the chaos , Bloomberg ’ s campaign announced plans to double its national television advertising spending — which has already exceeded $ 100 million — as it expands its paid staff to more than 2,000 people .
Bloomberg is looking to next month , having decided to bypass Iowa ’ s contest and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favor of the delegate-rich states in March .
“ After more than a year of this primary , the field is as unsettled as ever , ” Bloomberg spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said .
“ No one has made the sale or even come close to it .
Meanwhile , Mike is taking the fight to Trump every day , doubling down on the national campaign strategy we ’ ve been running from the beginning.
” Beyond 2020 , the debacle invited fresh criticism about Iowa caucuses , a complicated set of political meetings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and older than the Democratic Party .
Many used the moment to question whether it was a quaint political tradition whose time had passed .
“ I think Iowa is a dumpster fire , ” said Dick Harpootlian , a South Carolina state senator and longtime Biden supporter , who served as an Iowa precinct captain for Biden on Monday .
This is a developing story .
Check back for updates .

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Thursday called for a “recanvass” of the results of the Iowa caucuses, saying it was needed to “assure public confidence” after three days of technical issues and delays.
”Enough is enough,” party leader Tom Perez wrote on Twitter.
With 97% of precincts reporting, Pete Buttigieg, a former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are nearly tied for the lead, and both candidates have declared themselves victorious in the contest. The Associated Press has not called the race.
The Iowa Democratic Party apologized for technical glitches with an app that slowed down reporting of results from Monday’s caucuses and has spent the week trying to verify results. However, it was unclear if the state party planned to follow the directive of the national leader to recanvass those results. Iowa chairman Troy Price suggested in a statement Thursday that he would only pursue a recanvass if one was requested by a campaign.
The caucus crisis was an embarrassing twist after months of promoting Iowa as a chance for Democrats to find some clarity in a jumbled 2020 field. Instead, after a buildup that featured seven rounds of debates, nearly $1 billion spent nationwide and a year of political jockeying, caucus day ended with no winner and no official results.
Campaigning in New Hampshire, Sanders called the Iowa Democratic Party’s management of the caucuses a “screw-up” that has been “extremely unfair” to the candidates and their supporters.
“I really do feel bad for the people of Iowa,” said Sanders, who added that it was “an outrage that they were that unprepared.”
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during a news conference at his New Hampshire campaign headquarters Thursday in Manchester, New Hampshire. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Iowa marked the first contest in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories, ending at the party’s national convention in July.
The trouble began with an app that the Iowa Democratic Party used to tabulate the results of the contest. The app was rolled out shortly before caucusing began and did not go through rigorous testing.
The problems were compounded when phone lines for reporting the outcomes became jammed, with many callers placed on hold for hours in order to report outcomes. Party officials said the backlog was exacerbated by calls from people around the country who accessed the number and appeared intent on disrupting the process.
“There was a moment in the night where, it became clear, ‘Oh, the phone number just became available to the entire country,’” said Iowa state Auditor Rob Sands, who was answering calls for the party. “It was a pretty big problem.”
Enough is enough. In light of the problems that have emerged in the implementation of the delegate selection plan and in order to assure public confidence in the results, I am calling on the Iowa Democratic Party to immediately begin a recanvass. — Tom Perez (@TomPerez) February 6, 2020
President Donald Trump relished the Democratic turmoil.
“The Democrats, they can’t count some simple votes and yet they want to take over your health care system,” Trump said at a White House event Thursday celebrating his impeachment trial acquittal. “Think of that — no, think of that.”
The chaos surrounding the reporting breakdown seems sure to blunt the impact of Iowa’s election, which typically rewards winners with a surge of momentum heading into subsequent primary contests. But without a winner called, Democrats have quickly turned their focus to New Hampshire, which holds the next voting contest on Tuesday.
The results released so far show Buttigieg and Sanders locked in an exceedingly close contest. They lead Sen. Elizabeth Warren, as well as former Vice President Joe Biden and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
The two early leaders, Buttigieg and Sanders, are separated by 40 years in age and conflicting ideology.
Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, left, in Des Moines, Iowa, last month; Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, right, in Sioux City, Iowa, last month. File photos. AP Photos
Sanders, a 78-year-old self-described democratic socialist, has been a progressive powerhouse for decades. Buttigieg, a 38-year-old former municipal official, represents the more moderate wing of the Democratic Party. Buttigieg is also the first openly gay candidate to earn presidential primary delegates.
Sanders narrowly lost the Iowa caucuses in 2016 to Hillary Clinton and pushed the party to make changes to the process this year, including releasing three different sets of results: a tally of candidate support at the start of the caucuses, their levels of support after those backing candidates with less than 15% got to make a second choice and the number of state delegate equivalents each candidate receives. The AP will determine a winner based on state delegates.
Given the tight race, former DNC Chairwoman Donna Brazile said the party needs to “get this right” so the eventual nominee isn’t saddled with questions of legitimacy.
“It’s a combination of embarrassment and not being prepared for the various mishaps that can take place when you try to do something new and different,” she said.
Party activist John Deeth, who organized the caucuses in Iowa’s most Democratic county, Johnson, said he welcomed a recanvass and would help as needed.
“It makes sense to look everything over again and get it right,” he said.
Deeth said that he believed the review would uncover some data entry errors as well as some math and rounding errors in how delegates at each precinct were awarded. Volunteers running the precincts did their best, he said, but likely made some minor mistakes.
Peoples reported from New York. Associated Press writers Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City, Iowa, Will Weissert in Manchester, N.H., and Bill Barrow in Atlanta contributed to this report.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Lightfoot orders sweeping TIF reforms

Lightfoot orders sweeping TIF reforms

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is reforming tax increment financing to increase oversight , focus on equity and prevent a repeat of the controversy surrounding $ 1.6 billion in subsidies used to unlock the development potential of two mega-projects : Lincoln Yards and “ The 78.
” Arguing that TIF spending decisions have “ occurred in the shadows ” for too long , Lightfoot is promising to “ bring in the light ” as her campaign slogan famously put it .
A new TIF Investment Committee will make “ equity ” the central focus of TIF subsidy decisions with pivotal input from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Just like other investment committees at a bank , we ’ re looking at projects holistically in a region .
How they spur economic development , ” said Samir Mayekar , deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development , who chairs the committee .
“ You have a body of folks like the CFO , the budget officer , the comptroller asking pretty tough questions to make sure that taxpayer money is being allocated in the most catalytic way.
” For years , critics have accused the city of violating the “ but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statute requiring tax increment financing subsidies to be confined to projects that would not move forward without that assistance .
Lightfoot is promising a “ more rigorous but , for ” test for developers seeking city subsidies .
That includes initial standards to be included immediately in a revised TIF program guide and the hiring of AECOM to put “ much more quantitative rigor behind ” but , for standards by the end of this year .
“ We have a near-term solution and a long-term solution , ” Mayekar said .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending decisions on a monthly basis ; release annual reports ; develop a new user friendly-version of its existing TIF portal and update the TIF program guide annually to give taxpayers and developers alike a better idea how the city operates the program .
Mayekar pointed to the 100 % affordable housing project next to the Logan Square Blue Line stop and the renovation of the Ramova Theater in Bridgeport as evidence of TIF subsidies that generate “ positive community benefits.
” “ TIF can play a very important role in catalyzing economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s transparent and that there ’ s a high degree of accountability around how the money is spent .
That is what the mayor is doing here with these sweeping reforms , ” he said .
Many of Lightfoot ’ s reforms were suggested last year by Inspector General Joe Ferguson .
In 2018 , Chicago ’ s 138 TIF districts generated $ 841 million in tax revenue , an $ 181 million increase from the year before , according to a report released last summer by Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % bump in equalized assessed value , which factored into the 27.4 % increase in revenue for the city ’ s TIF districts .
Mayekar refused to say whether any of Lightfoot ’ s reforms would have stopped the lame-duck City Council from approving $ 1.6 billion in TIF subsidies for Lincoln Yards and “ the 78 ” weeks before Lightfoot took office .
Instead , he emphasized the need for “ robust methodology behind how TIF investment decisions are made ” instead of considering a series of “ one-off transactions.
” That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened last fall , when Lightfoot declared a $ 300 million TIF surplus that was the largest in Chicago history .
“ If you have an equity lens to this , where there are parts of the city that generate a lot of increment and there ’ s not a specific need for that money to be used , then the most effective use of that money can be by surplusing , which then generates funding for schools and other purposes , ” he said .
When a TIF district is created , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 23 years .
During that time , the “ increment ” or growth in property taxes are held in a special fund and used for specific purposes that include infrastructure , public improvements and developer subsidies .
On April 10 , 2019 , the lame duck City Council approved $ 1.6 billion in subsidies for Lincoln Yards and “ The 78.
” The divided roll calls — with 14 dissenting votes for the 78 and 13 no votes for Lincoln Yards— followed a late-night reversal by then-Mayor Elect Lightfoot .
Lightfoot had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote on those two projects , only to let them go through in the end after persuading developers to bolster minority participation in both .
At the time , she told developers to “ enjoy this moment in the sun because you ’ re never going to get a deal like this again out of the city of Chicago as long as I ’ m mayor.
” Despite Lightfoot ’ s win on minority contracting , her most ardent supporters were disappointed that she did not reduce the subsidies for either project .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — with developers being allowed to borrow against the money in several installments and being reimbursed as individual infrastructure projects are certified by the city — gave her leverage to make additional changes down the road .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot is reforming tax increment financing to increase oversight, focus on equity and prevent a repeat of the controversy surrounding $1.6 billion in subsidies used to unlock the development potential of two mega-projects: Lincoln Yards and “The 78.”
Arguing that TIF spending decisions have “occurred in the shadows” for too long, Lightfoot is promising to “bring in the light” as her campaign slogan famously put it.
A new TIF Investment Committee will make “equity” the central focus of TIF subsidy decisions with pivotal input from Chief Equity Officer Candace Moore.
“Just like other investment committees at a bank, we’re looking at projects holistically in a region. How they spur economic development,” said Samir Mayekar, deputy mayor for economic and neighborhood development, who chairs the committee.
“You have a body of folks like the CFO, the budget officer, the comptroller asking pretty tough questions to make sure that taxpayer money is being allocated in the most catalytic way.”
For years, critics have accused the city of violating the “but, for” clause in the TIF statute requiring tax increment financing subsidies to be confined to projects that would not move forward without that assistance.
Lightfoot is promising a “more rigorous but, for” test for developers seeking city subsidies.
That includes initial standards to be included immediately in a revised TIF program guide and the hiring of AECOM to put “much more quantitative rigor behind” but, for standards by the end of this year.
“We have a near-term solution and a long-term solution,” Mayekar said.
The city also plans to: publish TIF spending decisions on a monthly basis; release annual reports; develop a new user friendly-version of its existing TIF portal and update the TIF program guide annually to give taxpayers and developers alike a better idea how the city operates the program.
Mayekar pointed to the 100% affordable housing project next to the Logan Square Blue Line stop and the renovation of the Ramova Theater in Bridgeport as evidence of TIF subsidies that generate “positive community benefits.”
“TIF can play a very important role in catalyzing economic development. The key is that it’s transparent and that there’s a high degree of accountability around how the money is spent. That is what the mayor is doing here with these sweeping reforms,” he said.
Many of Lightfoot’s reforms were suggested last year by Inspector General Joe Ferguson.
In 2018, Chicago’s 138 TIF districts generated $841 million in tax revenue, an $181 million increase from the year before, according to a report released last summer by Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough.
The reassessment contributed to a 12.5% bump in equalized assessed value, which factored into the 27.4% increase in revenue for the city’s TIF districts.
Mayekar refused to say whether any of Lightfoot’s reforms would have stopped the lame-duck City Council from approving $1.6 billion in TIF subsidies for Lincoln Yards and “the 78” weeks before Lightfoot took office.
Instead, he emphasized the need for “robust methodology behind how TIF investment decisions are made” instead of considering a series of “one-off transactions.”
That may well include a repeat of what happened last fall, when Lightfoot declared a $300 million TIF surplus that was the largest in Chicago history.
“If you have an equity lens to this, where there are parts of the city that generate a lot of increment and there’s not a specific need for that money to be used, then the most effective use of that money can be by surplusing, which then generates funding for schools and other purposes,” he said.
When a TIF district is created, property taxes are frozen at existing levels for 23 years. During that time, the “increment” or growth in property taxes are held in a special fund and used for specific purposes that include infrastructure, public improvements and developer subsidies.
On April 10, 2019, the lame duck City Council approved $1.6 billion in subsidies for Lincoln Yards and “The 78.”
The divided roll calls — with 14 dissenting votes for the 78 and 13 no votes for Lincoln Yards— followed a late-night reversal by then-Mayor Elect Lightfoot.
Lightfoot had convinced the City Council to delay the vote on those two projects, only to let them go through in the end after persuading developers to bolster minority participation in both.
At the time, she told developers to “enjoy this moment in the sun because you’re never going to get a deal like this again out of the city of Chicago as long as I’m mayor.”
Despite Lightfoot’s win on minority contracting, her most ardent supporters were disappointed that she did not reduce the subsidies for either project.
Still, the structure of both deals — with developers being allowed to borrow against the money in several installments and being reimbursed as individual infrastructure projects are certified by the city — gave her leverage to make additional changes down the road.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Dear Abby: I’m divorcing my second wife, might reunite with my first

DEAR ABBY : I was married to a wonderful , beautiful woman when we were much younger .
We got married because of an unplanned pregnancy .
After some years , we both had grown in different directions , and we divorced .
We remained friends even after I remarried .
I ’ m now in the early stages of my second divorce because I am lonely in a marriage where there ’ s no communication or intimacy .
I have tried working things out ; my wife isn ’ t interested , so I have given up trying .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I refuse to lower myself to cheat to fulfill my needs .
I find myself drawn to my first wife , and I know she feels the same .
While I ’ d like to see how life as a single guy of 55-plus would be , I also want to date my ex .
We have a child together , and we have more in common now than before .
Can a second time around really work ?
Or should I first play the field once I am divorced ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ BACKWARD : Because you didn ’ t mention whether your first wife also remarried , I will assume that she didn ’ t .
If you wish to date her — and the feelings are mutual — there should be nothing stopping you .
HOWEVER , your idea of playing the field before committing again is wise .
I have said before , and I ’ ll repeat it for you : If you and your first wife decide to remarry , it would be a good idea to get premarital counseling together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drove you apart the first time have been resolved .
DEAR ABBY : My husband and I have been married 20 years .
He is now on vacation in Thailand with his best buddy ( without me again ) for the third time in as many years .
After doing some research , I have discovered that this place is a major sex tourism destination also known as “ Sodom on the Sea.
” My husband says he stays away from all the hanky-panky and goes there only for the beach , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time ” with his best friend .
My girlfriends all tell me I am foolish and naive .
Am I ?
— SUSPICIOUS IN THE MIDWEST DEAR SUSPICIOUS : I have my opinion , but not knowing your husband , I ’ m hesitant to accuse him of being an adulterer .
However , you know him pretty well by now .
( I assume that having researched your husband ’ s chosen vacation spot , you have seen your doctor to be checked for STDs . )
My questions to you would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what do YOU think ?
And if you agree with your girlfriends , what are you prepared to do about it ?
DEAR ABBY : Many years ago , my wife and I decided we would help each other write our obituaries .
I know this may seem macabre , but when she died a few years ago , after 48 years of marriage , it was less stressful to just fill in the date and age .
What do you think ?
— PRACTICAL UPSTATE NEW YORKER DEAR PRACTICAL : I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , other readers might consider it .
Many people wonder what will be said of them after they ’ re gone .
This way , they can add or delete as they wish .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For everything you need to know about wedding planning , order “ How to Have a Lovely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Wedding Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I was married to a wonderful, beautiful woman when we were much younger. We got married because of an unplanned pregnancy. After some years, we both had grown in different directions, and we divorced. We remained friends even after I remarried.
I’m now in the early stages of my second divorce because I am lonely in a marriage where there’s no communication or intimacy. I have tried working things out; my wife isn’t interested, so I have given up trying. We no longer have a physical bond, but I refuse to lower myself to cheat to fulfill my needs.
I find myself drawn to my first wife, and I know she feels the same. While I’d like to see how life as a single guy of 55-plus would be, I also want to date my ex. We have a child together, and we have more in common now than before. Can a second time around really work? Or should I first play the field once I am divorced? — WORKING BACKWARD IN CONNECTICUT
DEAR WORKING BACKWARD: Because you didn’t mention whether your first wife also remarried, I will assume that she didn’t.
If you wish to date her — and the feelings are mutual — there should be nothing stopping you. HOWEVER, your idea of playing the field before committing again is wise. I have said before, and I’ll repeat it for you: If you and your first wife decide to remarry, it would be a good idea to get premarital counseling together to ensure that all the issues that drove you apart the first time have been resolved.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married 20 years. He is now on vacation in Thailand with his best buddy (without me again) for the third time in as many years.
After doing some research, I have discovered that this place is a major sex tourism destination also known as “Sodom on the Sea.” My husband says he stays away from all the hanky-panky and goes there only for the beach, the food, the culture and “guy time” with his best friend. My girlfriends all tell me I am foolish and naive. Am I? — SUSPICIOUS IN THE MIDWEST
DEAR SUSPICIOUS: I have my opinion, but not knowing your husband, I’m hesitant to accuse him of being an adulterer. However, you know him pretty well by now. (I assume that having researched your husband’s chosen vacation spot, you have seen your doctor to be checked for STDs.) My questions to you would be: In your heart of hearts, what do YOU think? And if you agree with your girlfriends, what are you prepared to do about it?
DEAR ABBY: Many years ago, my wife and I decided we would help each other write our obituaries. I know this may seem macabre, but when she died a few years ago, after 48 years of marriage, it was less stressful to just fill in the date and age. What do you think? — PRACTICAL UPSTATE NEW YORKER
DEAR PRACTICAL: I think that if it worked for you, other readers might consider it. Many people wonder what will be said of them after they’re gone. This way, they can add or delete as they wish.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Summer job outside: Youth Conservation Corps at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie

I was doing a story at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in the summer of 2012 when a young man , sporting a Cubs hat , kept grinning .
I finally realized it was Zach Minas , son of Norm Minas , the late great Kankakee River wanderer .
Minas came to mind last week when Midewin sent an announcement about applying for the 2020 Youth Conservation Corps team .
So I messaged Minas a few questions .
Within minutes , a treatise came back .
Funny the things that trigger life paths and memories .
For me , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a year after college .
I paid for that decision for years afterward .
But it was worth it .
I learned lessons in perseverance that still matter and solidified my goal to write about the outdoors .
It would take 15 years to reach that goal , but it was worth it .
The YCC at Midewin “ plant native Illinois prairie plant species , clear brush , maintain trails and more June 8 to July 31 , 2020 ; network and learn on weekly off-site explorer days.
’ ’ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinks that sounds like fun , well , here is Minas on his two summers in YCC .
“ It was a fantastic experience that I still cherish to this day , ’ ’ he messaged .
“ It taught me a lot about the native and non-native species , even if I don ’ t remember much about the native ones .
Knowing that I helped put in work , that will hopefully be enjoyed by many , many individuals for years to come , is a wonderful feeling , even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speck in terms of the grand scheme of it all .
“ Whether it was helping to work on the start of trails , to collecting seeds for some of the native plants to help spread them farther around the area Midewin has , to the removal of a lot of the non-native species , it was all fun .
“ It was great for team-building , since myself , and the five other members of the Youth Corps , alongside our boss and whichever other crew we were helping that day , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get our tasks for the day done .
I would highly recommend anyone who loves nature to apply , or anyone who is even curious about it to apply too.
’ ’ Applications for YCC are open through March 6 .
Details are at fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/opportunities-for-young-people/youth-conservation-corps-opportunities .
Mail applications to USDA Forest Service – Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie , 30239 S. State Rt .
53 , Wilmington , IL 60481 or email to Patricia.Dyken @ USDA.gov .
Minas caught the overall draw of Midewin , too .
“ As I said earlier , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Midewin is a wonderful place to visit , and really feels like a hidden gem , ’ ’ he messaged .
Got that right .
WILD THINGS : John Heneghan posted about two red-winged blackbirds on Monday , the earliest for him in Big Rock .
.
.
.
I hope to catch `` Monty and Rose , ’ ’ Bob Dolgan ’ s documentary on the nesting piping plovers at Montrose Beach , followed by the indie band Congress of Starlings and banjo virtuoso Michael Miles Thursday at Martyrs , 3855 N. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ martyrslive.com .
.
.
.
Ken Vaclavik thinks recent road-kill deer on 115th by St. Casimer Cemetery are a result of smaller deer squeezing through the narrow gate and looking for better grazing .
Be aware .
STRAY CAST : If Shakira , Patrick Mahomes , Jennifer Lopez and Nick Bosa were centerpieces of a wild-game fundraiser , Joe Buck would be the bowl of mashed potatoes .

I was doing a story at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in the summer of 2012 when a young man, sporting a Cubs hat, kept grinning. I finally realized it was Zach Minas, son of Norm Minas, the late great Kankakee River wanderer.
Minas came to mind last week when Midewin sent an announcement about applying for the 2020 Youth Conservation Corps team.
So I messaged Minas a few questions. Within minutes, a treatise came back.
Funny the things that trigger life paths and memories.
For me, it was hiking a summer on the Appalachian Trail, a year after college. I paid for that decision for years afterward. But it was worth it. I learned lessons in perseverance that still matter and solidified my goal to write about the outdoors. It would take 15 years to reach that goal, but it was worth it.
I digress.
The YCC at Midewin “plant native Illinois prairie plant species, clear brush, maintain trails and more June 8 to July 31, 2020; network and learn on weekly off-site explorer days.’’
If you are a 15- to 18-year-old who thinks that sounds like fun, well, here is Minas on his two summers in YCC.
“It was a fantastic experience that I still cherish to this day,’’ he messaged. “It taught me a lot about the native and non-native species, even if I don’t remember much about the native ones. Knowing that I helped put in work, that will hopefully be enjoyed by many, many individuals for years to come, is a wonderful feeling, even if what I did was just a small speck in terms of the grand scheme of it all.
“Whether it was helping to work on the start of trails, to collecting seeds for some of the native plants to help spread them farther around the area Midewin has, to the removal of a lot of the non-native species, it was all fun.
“It was great for team-building, since myself, and the five other members of the Youth Corps, alongside our boss and whichever other crew we were helping that day, we had to all work together to get our tasks for the day done. I would highly recommend anyone who loves nature to apply, or anyone who is even curious about it to apply too.’’
Applications for YCC are open through March 6. Details are at fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/opportunities-for-young-people/youth-conservation-corps-opportunities. Mail applications to USDA Forest Service – Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, 30239 S. State Rt. 53, Wilmington, IL 60481 or email to Patricia.Dyken@USDA.gov.
Minas caught the overall draw of Midewin, too.
“As I said earlier, and I’ll say it again, Midewin is a wonderful place to visit, and really feels like a hidden gem,’’ he messaged.
Got that right.
Zach Minas working YCC at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in the summer of 2012. Dale Bowman
WILD THINGS: John Heneghan posted about two red-winged blackbirds on Monday, the earliest for him in Big Rock. . . . I hope to catch ``Monty and Rose,’’ Bob Dolgan’s documentary on the nesting piping plovers at Montrose Beach, followed by the indie band Congress of Starlings and banjo virtuoso Michael Miles Thursday at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln. Tickets are $18 at martyrslive.com. . . . Ken Vaclavik thinks recent road-kill deer on 115th by St. Casimer Cemetery are a result of smaller deer squeezing through the narrow gate and looking for better grazing. Be aware.
STRAY CAST: If Shakira, Patrick Mahomes, Jennifer Lopez and Nick Bosa were centerpieces of a wild-game fundraiser, Joe Buck would be the bowl of mashed potatoes.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Marin Alsop named chief conductor, curator for Ravinia

Marin Alsop , an international conductor known for her innovative approaches to programming and audience development , has been named the first-ever chief conductor and curator of the Ravinia Festival , Welz Kauffman will announce Wednesday .
“ She gets Ravinia , she gets the outdoors , she gets how the place works .
She gets the mix of programming .
It just felt right in every possible way , ” said Kauffman , Ravinia ’ s president and chief executive officer since 2000 .
Continuing the steady upward trajectory of a career that has included posts on three continents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra .
In addition , she continues as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra .
Alsop , 63 , has launched such groundbreaking initiatives as the 18-year-old Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship to support the careers of emerging female conductors .
She was named Gramophone Magazine ’ s Artist of the Year in 2003 and received a MacArthur Foundation “ genius grant ” two years later .
“ I have watched her go from strength to strength , ” said Kauffmann , who has known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who stepped down in 2016 after 25 years as music director and conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz , Calif. , said multiple factors attracted her to the position .
At the top of the list was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra , which has had a summer residency at Ravinia since 1936 .
She also cited the festival ’ s “ idyllic setting ” on 36 wooded acres in Highland Park and its strong educational component , especially the well-respected Steans Music Institute for young musicians on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve spent so much time there already , ” she said of the festival , “ and I feel very connected to the audiences , the donors and the board , and , of course , the musicians and guest artists , so it feels like there is a real relationship already there.
” After first appearing at Ravinia in 2002-2005 , she did not return until 2018 and 2019 to serve as curator of Ravinia ’ s extended celebration of the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein ’ s birth .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kauffmann organized a 14-concert tribute that included discussions and other supporting events .
Critics have sometimes knocked Ravinia for CSO programming that is too conservative , but Alsop has already shown that she is not afraid to shake things up .
Right from the start in 2003 , she presented John Corigliano ’ s Symphony No .
1 at the festival , and a year later , she led excerpts from John Adams ’ opera , “ Nixon in China.
” “ She ’ s a really great conductor of all music , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Award winner .
“ She also has a wonderful way of putting programs together that are provocative and interesting and really have people anxious to go the concert .
And she speaks to the audience very well .
She has a communication with them in a natural , down-to-earth way , and that ’ s so healthy for the 21st century.
” Although the Ravinia Festival will not announce its complete summer schedule until March 12 , it did release details about the concerts that Alsop will lead from July 10 through July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 all-Rachmaninoff program and a July 17 line-up focused on variations , concluding with Elgar ’ s popular “ Enigma ” Variations .
Part of a group of events celebrating legendary women and the centennial of the 19th Amendment will be a July 16 screening of the iconic 1928 silent film , “ The Passion of Joan of Arc.
” Alsop will lead the Chicago Symphony and singers from Vocality and the Steans Music Institute in an accompanying performance of Richard Einhorn ’ s 1994 oratorio , “ Voices of Light , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and orchestra premiere .
“ To me , programming has to have variety and some great change-up in order to grab everybody , ” the conductor said .
John Bruce Yeh , the Chicago Symphony ’ s assistant principal clarinetist , described Alsop ’ s two-year appointment as chief conductor and curator as a “ completely natural progression ” and “ great news.
” He has known Alsop since the two both performed together in the 1970s in a student orchestra at the Aspen ( Colo. ) Music Festival .
He had particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Mass , which debuted at the 1971 opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington , D.C. , and then was all but forgotten .
Alsop , one of Bernstein ’ s last protégés and his only female one , has been an ardent champion of the work .
She led Ravinia ’ s debut of the Mass in 2018 with 275 singers and musicians , and conducted an encore performance in 2019 that was recorded for a national television broadcast .
“ To see the way she had 100 percent control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Yeh said .
Alsop ’ s new position takes the place of Ravinia ’ s former music director title .
Conductor James Conlon stepped down in 2015 after 11 years in that role .
Other important maestros who have held that earlier post include Christoph Eschenbach , James Levine and Seiji Ozawa .
Because the festival has broadened its programming focus in recent decades to incorporate a range of popular music , Kaufman said , the music director title became outdated .
It came to wrongly imply that the person in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s musical offerings and not just those related to the CSO .
“ So , this just made a lot more sense , ” Kauffman said , “ and was more fitting and more targeted as to what is actually going on.
” Alsop agreed , saying that she found it descriptive of what her role will be .

Marin Alsop, an international conductor known for her innovative approaches to programming and audience development, has been named the first-ever chief conductor and curator of the Ravinia Festival, Welz Kauffman will announce Wednesday.
“She gets Ravinia, she gets the outdoors, she gets how the place works. She gets the mix of programming. It just felt right in every possible way,” said Kauffman, Ravinia’s president and chief executive officer since 2000.
Continuing the steady upward trajectory of a career that has included posts on three continents, she took over in October as chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she continues as music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Alsop, 63, has launched such groundbreaking initiatives as the 18-year-old Taki Concordia Conducting Fellowship to support the careers of emerging female conductors. She was named Gramophone Magazine’s Artist of the Year in 2003 and received a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” two years later.
“I have watched her go from strength to strength,” said Kauffmann, who has known her since the 1980s.
Alsop, who stepped down in 2016 after 25 years as music director and conductor of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music in Santa Cruz, Calif., said multiple factors attracted her to the position. At the top of the list was the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which has had a summer residency at Ravinia since 1936.
She also cited the festival’s “idyllic setting” on 36 wooded acres in Highland Park and its strong educational component, especially the well-respected Steans Music Institute for young musicians on the cusp of professional careers.
“I’ve spent so much time there already,” she said of the festival, “and I feel very connected to the audiences, the donors and the board, and, of course, the musicians and guest artists, so it feels like there is a real relationship already there.”
After first appearing at Ravinia in 2002-2005, she did not return until 2018 and 2019 to serve as curator of Ravinia’s extended celebration of the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth. During the first season alone, she and Kauffmann organized a 14-concert tribute that included discussions and other supporting events.
Conductor Marin Alsop (center) leads the curtain call following a performance of Bernstein’s Mass at Ravinia in 2018. Russell Jenkins/Ravinia Festival
Critics have sometimes knocked Ravinia for CSO programming that is too conservative, but Alsop has already shown that she is not afraid to shake things up. Right from the start in 2003, she presented John Corigliano’s Symphony No. 1 at the festival, and a year later, she led excerpts from John Adams’ opera, “Nixon in China.”
“She’s a really great conductor of all music,” said Corigliano, a five-time Grammy Award winner. “She also has a wonderful way of putting programs together that are provocative and interesting and really have people anxious to go the concert. And she speaks to the audience very well. She has a communication with them in a natural, down-to-earth way, and that’s so healthy for the 21st century.”
Although the Ravinia Festival will not announce its complete summer schedule until March 12, it did release details about the concerts that Alsop will lead from July 10 through July 17. Highlights will include a July 11 all-Rachmaninoff program and a July 17 line-up focused on variations, concluding with Elgar’s popular “Enigma” Variations.
Part of a group of events celebrating legendary women and the centennial of the 19th Amendment will be a July 16 screening of the iconic 1928 silent film, “The Passion of Joan of Arc.” Alsop will lead the Chicago Symphony and singers from Vocality and the Steans Music Institute in an accompanying performance of Richard Einhorn’s 1994 oratorio, “Voices of Light,” inspired by the movie – a Ravinia and orchestra premiere.
“To me, programming has to have variety and some great change-up in order to grab everybody,” the conductor said.
John Bruce Yeh, the Chicago Symphony’s assistant principal clarinetist, described Alsop’s two-year appointment as chief conductor and curator as a “completely natural progression” and “great news.” He has known Alsop since the two both performed together in the 1970s in a student orchestra at the Aspen (Colo.) Music Festival.
He had particular praise for her presentation of Bernstein’s Mass, which debuted at the 1971 opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and then was all but forgotten. Alsop, one of Bernstein’s last protégés and his only female one, has been an ardent champion of the work.
She led Ravinia’s debut of the Mass in 2018 with 275 singers and musicians, and conducted an encore performance in 2019 that was recorded for a national television broadcast. “To see the way she had 100 percent control and just owned that was so impressive,” Yeh said.
Alsop’s new position takes the place of Ravinia’s former music director title. Conductor James Conlon stepped down in 2015 after 11 years in that role. Other important maestros who have held that earlier post include Christoph Eschenbach, James Levine and Seiji Ozawa.
Because the festival has broadened its programming focus in recent decades to incorporate a range of popular music, Kaufman said, the music director title became outdated. It came to wrongly imply that the person in the position was overseeing all the festival’s musical offerings and not just those related to the CSO.
“So, this just made a lot more sense,” Kauffman said, “and was more fitting and more targeted as to what is actually going on.” Alsop agreed, saying that she found it descriptive of what her role will be.
Kyle MacMillan is a freelance writer.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Thief steals from safe at Lincoln Park restaurant

Someone walked out of a Lincoln Park restaurant with a cash drawer after a safe was left open Tuesday evening @ @ @ @ @ a male dressed in black used the side door to walk into Gemini Chicago , @ @ @ @ @ and proceeded to the office , where he stole a cash drawer from a safe @ @ @ @ @ said .
No one has been arrested , police said .

Someone walked out of a Lincoln Park restaurant with a cash drawer after a safe was left open Tuesday evening.
About 9:25 p.m., a male dressed in black used the side door to walk into Gemini Chicago, 2075 N. Lincoln Ave, and proceeded to the office, where he stole a cash drawer from a safe, a Chicago police source said.
No one has been arrested, police said.
Area Central detectives are investigating.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--SUV crashes into home in Jefferson Park

SUV crashes into home in Jefferson Park

A 51-year-old man crashed his SUV into a home Wednesday in Jefferson Park on the Northwest Side .
He told officers he was driving a 2003 Ford truck north about 1 a.m. in the 5800 block of North Central Avenue when an unknown vehicle cut him off , causing him to lose control and crash into the front of a home , Chicago police said .
About an hour after the crash , the SUV could be seen turned on its driver ’ s side , apparently narrowly missing an evergreen tree in the front yard before coming to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police and fire crews huddled near the home ’ s front steps as local tow trucks tried to decide the best way to get the disabled truck out of the yard .
The driver was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with bruising to his head , police said .
He is in fair condition .
No one inside the home was injured in the crash , police said .
There are currently no citations or charges filed , police said .
Building inspectors are trying to estimate the damage to @ @ @

A 51-year-old man crashed his SUV into a home Wednesday in Jefferson Park on the Northwest Side.
He told officers he was driving a 2003 Ford truck north about 1 a.m. in the 5800 block of North Central Avenue when an unknown vehicle cut him off, causing him to lose control and crash into the front of a home, Chicago police said.
About an hour after the crash, the SUV could be seen turned on its driver’s side, apparently narrowly missing an evergreen tree in the front yard before coming to a stop in front of the home.
Police and fire crews huddled near the home’s front steps as local tow trucks tried to decide the best way to get the disabled truck out of the yard.
The driver was taken to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge with bruising to his head, police said. He is in fair condition.
No one inside the home was injured in the crash, police said.
There are currently no citations or charges filed, police said. Building inspectors are trying to estimate the damage to the home.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Restaurant robbed at gunpoint near North Park University

A person robbed a restaurant at gunpoint Tuesday near North Park University on the Northwest Side .
About 10:25 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ the restaurant in the 3300 block of West Foster Avenue and approached a female clerk @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago police said .
He then pulled out a handgun and told her to @ @ @ @ @ The female complied and the robber ran from the restaurant with an unknown amount of @ @ @ @ @ No injuries were reported , police said .
Read more on crime , and track @ @ @ @ @ .

A person robbed a restaurant at gunpoint Tuesday near North Park University on the Northwest Side.
About 10:25 p.m., a male walked into the restaurant in the 3300 block of West Foster Avenue and approached a female clerk who was behind the counter, Chicago police said. He then pulled out a handgun and told her to empty the cash register.
The female complied and the robber ran from the restaurant with an unknown amount of money, police said.
No injuries were reported, police said.
Area North detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--5 shot, 1 killed Tuesday in Chicago

5 shot, 1 killed Tuesday in Chicago

Five people were shot Tuesday in Chicago , including a man who was killed in Englewood on the South Side .
The man , 40 , was standing in the street about 3 p.m. in the 6000 block of South Wolcott Avenue when someone approached him and opened fire , Chicago police said .
He was hit multiple times and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ t released details on the fatality .
Later in the evening , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ double shooting at the Wentworth Gardens apartments on the South Side .
The boy , 16 , was outside with an 18-year-old man about 8:20 p.m. in the 200 block of West 38th Place when shots rang out , striking them both , according to police .
The 16-year-old was struck in the torso and taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital in critical condition , police said .
The 18-year-old was stabilized at the University of Chicago Medical Center after being shot in the hip and arm .
Early Tuesday , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Kilbourn Park on the Northwest Side .
He was driving in the 4200 block of West Belmont Avenue just before 3 a.m. when an unknown vehicle pulled alongside him and someone inside fired shots , police said .
He was struck in twice in the leg and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment , police said .
He was in fair condition .
The day ’ s first reported shooting left a 21-year-old man injured in Washington Park on the South Side .
About 12:35 a.m. , he was sitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block of South Michigan Avenue when someone approached from behind and fired shots , police said .
He was struck in the arm but drove himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment , police said .
He was in fair condition .
Five people were shot on Monday in Chicago as well .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were shot Tuesday in Chicago, including a man who was killed in Englewood on the South Side.
Issac Brown, 40, was standing in the street about 3 p.m. in the 6000 block of South Wolcott Avenue when someone approached him and opened fire, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He was hit multiple times and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Later in the evening, a teenage boy was critically wounded in a double shooting at the Wentworth Gardens apartments on the South Side.
The boy, 16, was outside with an 18-year-old man about 8:20 p.m. in the 200 block of West 38th Place when shots rang out, striking them both, according to police.
The 16-year-old was struck in the torso and taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition, police said. The 18-year-old was stabilized at the University of Chicago Medical Center after being shot in the hip and arm.
Early Tuesday, a 30-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by in Kilbourn Park on the Northwest Side.
He was driving in the 4200 block of West Belmont Avenue just before 3 a.m. when an unknown vehicle pulled alongside him and someone inside fired shots, police said.
He was struck twice in the leg and taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center for treatment, police said. He was in fair condition.
The day’s first reported shooting left a 21-year-old man injured in Washington Park on the South Side.
About 12:35 a.m., he was sitting in his parked vehicle in the 5600 block of South Michigan Avenue when someone approached from behind and fired shots, police said.
He was struck in the arm but drove himself to the University of Chicago Medical Center for treatment, police said. He was in fair condition.
Five people were shot on Monday in Chicago as well.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.