chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Law limits union campaign gifts, but what if they give to allies who then give to their candidate?

The Service Employees International Union has a candidate it likes in the race to succeed state Rep. Art Turner II , a West Side Democrat who isn ’ t seeking reelection .
That ’ s Lakesia Collins , one of the union ’ s nursing home organizers .
The SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana PAC has contributed $ 33,000 to Collins ’ campaign , and the SEIU Illinois State Council PAC has given her another $ 25,000 , according to campaign finance filings .
Others with ties to SEIU Local 73 also have given campaign money to Collins , who faces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democratic primary .
But the timing and the amounts of the contributions raise questions about whether they violate a state cap on campaign giving .
In four instances , records examined by the Chicago Sun-Times show , union-friendly elected officials have reported receiving a campaign contribution from SEIU and then , within one month , giving that exact amount to Collins — for a total of $ 65,000 .
Contributions are capped at $ 57,800 from each political action committee through November and at $ 11,600 from any union , corporation or association @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporters throughout the city who are excited about her campaign and believe in her ability to fight for working families , ” says Jackie Anderson , Collins ’ campaign manager .
In 2018 , Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson enjoyed similar support from his union when he defeated incumbent Richard Boykin for a seat on the Cook County Board .
Johnson got $ 78,000 from his union and its political action committee .
Then , Johnson got $ 55,000 from a second CTU PAC , established a month before the primary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solely by the CTU , and tens of thousands more from three union allies who , like four of Collins ’ contributors , then , within weeks , gave Johnson the same amount the CTU had given them .
Illinois ’ election code says : “ No person shall make an anonymous contribution or a contribution in the name of another person , and no person shall knowingly accept any anonymous contribution or contribution made by one person in the name of another person.
” Illinois Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But Dietrich says it ’ s hard to prove whether a candidate is serving as a pass-through from a union to get around the limit .
“ Should someone file a complaint making that allegation , it would go through our hearing process , ” Dietrich says .
Here ’ s a rundown of the timing of the contributions to Collins : • On Nov. 20 , SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana gave $ 5,000 to Josina Morita , a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner who ’ s not facing reelection until 2022 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5,000 to Collins .
SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana has an ownership stake in the Sun-Times .
• On Jan. 28 , the union gave $ 25,000 to Ald .
Jeanette Taylor ( 20th ) , whose term runs out in 2023 .
On Feb. 7 , Taylor gave $ 25,000 to Collins .
• On Feb. 1 , the union gave $ 20,000 to Ald .
Byron Sigcho-Lopez ( 25th ) , who then gave Collins the same amount on Feb. 22 .
• On Dec. 18 , the union gave $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same amount to Collins on Jan. 23 .
The union also has given Collins $ 33,465.32 .
Asked about the timing of the contributions , SEIU spokesman James Muhammad says : “ We wholeheartedly support the candidacy of Lakesia Collins , whose track record demonstrates the core of our values for working families .
We also encourage other organizations , other candidates and local unions who have a similar vision to support Lakesia as well.
” In 2018 , Johnson — who is paid $ 85,000 a year as a county commissioner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a community organizer — benefited from a second PAC that CTU president Jesse Sharkey set up at a time PAC contributions were capped at $ 55,400 .
Those caps were lifted on March 12 , meaning contributors could then give as much as they wanted through the March 20 , 2018 , primary .
CTU Local 1 PAC was founded Feb. 14 , 2018 , funded by dues CTU members opt to pay as political contributions .
The day before the primary , that PAC gave $ 55,000 — $ 400 shy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had on hand to Johnson , who , as a county commissioner , doesn ’ t directly work with schools .
“ Brandon is a member , he ’ s an employee , he ’ s pro-union , he ’ s pro-affordable housing , he ’ s pro-elected school board , he ’ s a liaison to a number of ministers throughout the city , ” CTU spokesman Ronnie Reese says .
“ He represents us as well as anyone can.
” For the union , having the second PAC “ gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who support our values , ” Reese says , noting that the smaller CTU committee has subsequently given to other candidates as well .
Johnson says one candidate giving money to another is a “ common practice that happens within campaigns .
We always work within the confines of the rules.
” There also have been other cases in recent years in which campaign money given to one candidate or organization soon found its way to another , the Sun-Times found : • In 2017 , Johnson helped start the Greater Austin Independent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Side , it has made just one contribution , giving Johnson ’ s campaign $ 23,000 on March 9 , 2018 .
Two days earlier , it got $ 25,000 from the CTU .
Ronald DuBose , who went on to chair Johnson ’ s campaign committee , told the election board he co-founded the PAC “ to organize the Austin community to exercise greater political power.
” • In 2018 , Ald .
Susan Sadlowski Garza ( 10th ) , a former Chicago school counselor who remains a CTU member , reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s main PAC on March 1 and $ 20,000 on March 14 .
That March 27 , Garza — whose term wasn ’ t up until 2019 — paid $ 20,000 for mailers for Johnson .
• On March 9 , 2018 , state Sen. Robert Martwick , D-Chicago , also paid $ 25,000 toward mailers for Johnson from the same company as Garza .
Ten days later , Martwick — who has been shepherding efforts in Springfield to turn the appointed Chicago Board of Education into an elected body , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the original CTU PAC .
• From Jan. 31 , 2018 , through March 14 , 2018 , the Chicago Federation of Labor — of which the CTU is a member — gave Johnson $ 20,000 even as it was getting $ 17,000 from the CTU ’ s main PAC .
“ What they ’ re doing with this from A to B and B to C , with the same amount , is a contribution in the name of another , ” says Richard Means , who was Harold Washington ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor .
“ The whole thing is gaming the system , and it ’ s really not any different than money laundering .
This is something that people should be embarrassed by .
And indeed it is clearly dishonest when they are reporting the middle man instead of the ultimate source or the original source.
” Means says the intermediary as well as the original source of a contribution could be in violation , depending on what they knew .
Michael Dorf , who was Barack Obama ’ s election lawyer when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says , “ The question is : Are you the recipient really making that contribution , or are you making it in the name of someone else ?
” Burt Odelson , another election lawyer , says organizations routinely get away with these kinds of contributions “ unless a complaint is filed.
” Hired by former Cook County State ’ s Attorney Anita Alvarez , Odelson filed a complaint in 2016 with the Illinois State Board of Elections against Kim Foxx , the current state ’ s attorney .
The board ruled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign finance law by not disclosing a $ 25,000 contribution from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle that was used to pay for a poll .
Foxx was fined nearly $ 20,000 for that — $ 5,000 less than the amount of Preckwinkle ’ s contribution .
The board also assessed fines of $ 40,250 against Foxx ’ s campaign for 13 separate violations of campaign finance laws and regulations .
Martwick called his contribution to Johnson “ coincidence more than anything else.
” “ It was a personal , political position to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Martwick says .
“ I ’ ve always tried to be generous to people I think are worthy because my whole political career has been people being generous to me because they think I ’ m worthy.
” Bob Reiter , president of the Chicago Federation of Labor , which has an ownership stake in the Sun-Times , says the CFL directed its 300 affiliates , including the CTU , which races it intended to get involved in .
The Johnson-Boykin race was among its priorities .
“ The CFL ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public , ” Reiter says .
“ I personally supported Brandon running for that office .
He was a good candidate who was going to work hard , had roots in the community.
” Johnson says his $ 15,000 to Collins was to support a fellow progressive who supports working people : “ It ’ s not like millionaires and billionaires are giving to our platforms.
” Sigcho-Lopez says he gave to Collins ’ campaign because he wants a “ strong ally in Springfield.
” Sigcho-Lopez , who ’ s also an SEIU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t given on behalf of the union : “ This is my contribution .
That came from me.
” Morita , who also was a labor organizer for the SEIU , says of her $ 5,000 contribution to Collins : “ She ’ s a young organizer , and I tend to support that .
”

The Service Employees International Union has a candidate it likes in the race to succeed state Rep. Art Turner II, a West Side Democrat who isn’t seeking reelection.
That’s Lakesia Collins, one of the union’s nursing home organizers.
The SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana PAC has contributed $33,000 to Collins’ campaign, and the SEIU Illinois State Council PAC has given her another $25,000, according to campaign finance filings. Others with ties to SEIU Local 73 also have given campaign money to Collins, who faces six other candidates in the March 17 Democratic primary.
But the timing and the amounts of the contributions raise questions about whether they violate a state cap on campaign giving.
In three instances, records examined by the Chicago Sun-Times show, union-friendly elected officials have reported receiving a campaign contribution from SEIU and then, within one month, giving that exact amount to Collins — for a total of $60,000.
Contributions are capped at $57,800 from each political action committee through November and at $11,600 from any union, corporation or association.
“Lakesia is happy to have supporters throughout the city who are excited about her campaign and believe in her ability to fight for working families,” says Jackie Anderson, Collins’ campaign manager.
Brandon Johnson at a rally last Oct. 27 at New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church for the Chicago Teachers Union and SEIU Local 73 during the teachers strike. Colin Boyle / Sun-Times
In 2018, Chicago Teachers Union organizer Brandon Johnson enjoyed similar support from his union when he defeated incumbent Richard Boykin for a seat on the Cook County Board. Johnson got $78,000 from his union and its political action committee.
Then, Johnson got $55,000 from a second CTU PAC, established a month before the primary, $23,000 from an outside PAC funded solely by the CTU, and tens of thousands more from three union allies who, like three of Collins’ contributors, then, within weeks, gave Johnson the same amount the CTU had given them.
Illinois’ election code says: “No person shall make an anonymous contribution or a contribution in the name of another person, and no person shall knowingly accept any anonymous contribution or contribution made by one person in the name of another person.”
Illinois Board of Elections spokesman Matt Dietrich says that also applies to transfers involving PACs. But Dietrich says it’s hard to prove whether a candidate is serving as a pass-through from a union to get around the limit.
“Should someone file a complaint making that allegation, it would go through our hearing process,” Dietrich says.
Here’s a rundown of the timing of the contributions to Collins. :
• On Jan. 28, SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana gave $25,000 to Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th), whose term runs out in 2023. On Feb. 7, Taylor gave $25,000 to Collins. SEIU Healthcare Illinois Indiana has an ownership stake in the Sun-Times.
• On Feb. 1, the union gave $20,000 to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), who then gave Collins the same amount on Feb. 22.
• On Dec. 18, the union gave $15,000 to Johnson, who then gave the same amount to Collins on Jan. 23.
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The union also has given Collins $33,465.32.
In another instance, the contribution was flipped, with a contribution first given to Collins, and then an SEIU contribution matching that amount given later. However, the date of the transfer is in dispute.
On Nov. 20, Josina Morita, a Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner who’s not facing reelection until 2022, gave $5,000 to Collins. Later, the union gave $5,000 to Morita; according to the Illinois Sunshine database, that transfer occurred Dec. 13; the Illinois State Board of Elections records the transfer as occurring on Jan. 27.
Asked about the timing of the contributions, SEIU spokesman James Muhammad says: “We wholeheartedly support the candidacy of Lakesia Collins, whose track record demonstrates the core of our values for working families. We also encourage other organizations, other candidates and local unions who have a similar vision to support Lakesia as well.”
In 2018, Johnson — who is paid $85,000 a year as a county commissioner plus $103,000 by the CTU as a community organizer — benefited from a second PAC that CTU president Jesse Sharkey set up at a time PAC contributions were capped at $55,400. Those caps were lifted on March 12, meaning contributors could then give as much as they wanted through the March 20, 2018, primary.
CTU Local 1 PAC was founded Feb. 14, 2018, funded by dues CTU members opt to pay as political contributions.
The day before the primary, that PAC gave $55,000 — $400 shy of the limit — of the $78,000 it had on hand to Johnson, who, as a county commissioner, doesn’t directly work with schools.
“Brandon is a member, he’s an employee, he’s pro-union, he’s pro-affordable housing, he’s pro-elected school board, he’s a liaison to a number of ministers throughout the city,” CTU spokesman Ronnie Reese says. “He represents us as well as anyone can.”
For the union, having the second PAC “gives us more flexibility in donating to candidates who support our values,” Reese says, noting that the smaller CTU committee has subsequently given to other candidates as well.
Johnson says one candidate giving money to another is a “common practice that happens within campaigns. We always work within the confines of the rules.”
There also have been other cases in recent years in which campaign money given to one candidate or organization soon found its way to another, the Sun-Times found:
• In 2017, Johnson helped start the Greater Austin Independent Political Committee. Based on the West Side, it has made just one contribution, giving Johnson’s campaign $23,000 on March 9, 2018. Two days earlier, it got $25,000 from the CTU.
Ronald DuBose, who went on to chair Johnson’s campaign committee, told the election board he co-founded the PAC “to organize the Austin community to exercise greater political power.”
• In 2018, Ald. Susan Sadlowski Garza (10th), a former Chicago school counselor who remains a CTU member, reported getting $20,000 from the CTU’s main PAC on March 1 and $20,000 on March 14. That March 27, Garza — whose term wasn’t up until 2019 — paid $20,000 for mailers for Johnson.
• On March 9, 2018, state Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, also paid $25,000 toward mailers for Johnson from the same company as Garza. Ten days later, Martwick — who has been shepherding efforts in Springfield to turn the appointed Chicago Board of Education into an elected body, as the union wants — got $25,000 from the original CTU PAC.
• From Jan. 31, 2018, through March 14, 2018, the Chicago Federation of Labor — of which the CTU is a member — gave Johnson $20,000 even as it was getting $17,000 from the CTU’s main PAC.
DuBose, Garza and Taylor didn’t return messages seeking comment.
“What they’re doing with this from A to B and B to C, with the same amount, is a contribution in the name of another,” says Richard Means, who was Harold Washington’s election lawyer during his successful campaigns for mayor. “The whole thing is gaming the system, and it’s really not any different than money laundering. This is something that people should be embarrassed by. And indeed it is clearly dishonest when they are reporting the middle man instead of the ultimate source or the original source.”
Means says the intermediary as well as the original source of a contribution could be in violation, depending on what they knew.
Michael Dorf, who was Barack Obama’s election lawyer when he ran for Congress and the U.S. Senate, says, “The question is: Are you the recipient really making that contribution, or are you making it in the name of someone else?”
Burt Odelson, another election lawyer, says organizations routinely get away with these kinds of contributions “unless a complaint is filed.”
Hired by former Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, Odelson filed a complaint in 2016 with the Illinois State Board of Elections against Kim Foxx, the current state’s attorney. The board ruled unanimously in March 2016 that Foxx violated campaign finance law by not disclosing a $25,000 contribution from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle that was used to pay for a poll.
Foxx was fined nearly $20,000 for that — $5,000 less than the amount of Preckwinkle’s contribution.
The board also assessed fines of $40,250 against Foxx’s campaign for 13 separate violations of campaign finance laws and regulations.
Martwick called his contribution to Johnson “coincidence more than anything else.”
“It was a personal, political position to support someone I’ve worked with,” Martwick says. “I’ve always tried to be generous to people I think are worthy because my whole political career has been people being generous to me because they think I’m worthy.”
Bob Reiter, president of the Chicago Federation of Labor, which has an ownership stake in the Sun-Times, says the CFL directed its 300 affiliates, including the CTU, which races it intended to get involved in. The Johnson-Boykin race was among its priorities.
“The CFL’s fight with Richard Boykin was very public,” Reiter says. “I personally supported Brandon running for that office. He was a good candidate who was going to work hard, had roots in the community.”
Johnson says his $15,000 to Collins was to support a fellow progressive who supports working people: “It’s not like millionaires and billionaires are giving to our platforms.”
Sigcho-Lopez says he gave to Collins’ campaign because he wants a “strong ally in Springfield.”
Sigcho-Lopez, who’s also an SEIU Local 73 steward, says the money wasn’t given on behalf of the union: “This is my contribution. That came from me.”
Morita, who also was a labor organizer for the SEIU, says of her $5,000 contribution to Collins: “She’s a young organizer, and I tend to support that.”
Contributing: Nader Issa


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Mother of Chicago overdose victim suing to get daughter’s death reclassified as homicide

The mother of a North Side woman who died of a drug overdose is waging a legal battle against the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office over its decision to classify her death an accident rather than a drug-induced homicide .
In late 2016 , Valerie Teper , 33 , was found dead in her apartment in the 1900 block of West Belmont Avenue .
An autopsy found she died of poisoning from fentanyl , a powerful drug that dealers sometimes use to boost the potency of heroin .
Teper ’ s family says her death should be classified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homicide law .
Calling her death an accident stigmatizes Teper because it implies she died from a bad choice , says attorney Terry Slaw , who is suing the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office on behalf of his wife Irene Rodik , who is Teper ’ s mother .
“ The fact is that Teper did not die by choice , ” Slaw says in a court filing .
“ She was murdered by someone who delivered her furanyl fentanyl.
” He says the police might take fatal overdoses more seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those deaths to be homicides .
“ If these things are rubber-stamped as accidents , where ’ s the incentive for the police to do their work ?
” Slaw says .
Teper and her family immigrated to the United States from Ukraine , and her father later got sick and died .
She graduated a year early from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire and studied psychology at Loyola University Chicago but never completed a degree .
She became addicted to painkillers after she was prescribed medicine for menstrual cramps , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ troubled , ” he says .
In 2015 , Teper overdosed on heroin and was found slumped in her car .
Police revived her with an overdose-reversal drug .
She was jailed for about a week and later convicted of a drug charge , placed on probation and ordered into drug treatment .
“ That ’ s when we knew she was very sick , ” Slaw says .
But her addiction problems continued .
In November 2016 , she overdosed on a bus , was revived with a reversal drug and taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she went home , where she overdosed again and died .
Her young son was living with his father , Slaw says .
A form letter from the hospital was found in Teper ’ s apartment , warning her that she could die if she took ever drugs again , Slaw says .
In early 2017 , the medical examiner ’ s office ruled Teper ’ s death was accidental .
Last September , her mother sued in an effort to get that ruling changed , arguing that her daughter ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autopsy results and a state law passed in 1988 .
The law says that when anyone provides illegal drugs that to someone who dies from injecting , inhaling or ingesting any amount of it , that ’ s a drug-induced homicide .
The law doesn ’ t address whether the person delivering the drug must know that it could be deadly .
A conviction carries a prison term of up to 30 years .
The county ’ s lawyers say that , despite that law , the medical examiner ’ s office still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manner of death is accidental , homicide or suicide .
In a letter Feb. 5 , Dr. Ponni Arunkumar , Cook County ’ s chief medical examiner , offered condolences to Teper ’ s family but said , after a review following the request to reclassify her death , that it would not be ruled a homicide “ based on the information available to us.
” Slaw says the drug-induced homicide law doesn ’ t give the medical examiner the leeway to consider whether an overdose death was unintentional .
Attorneys for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County Circuit Judge Sanjay Tailor to dismiss the lawsuit .
The Chicago police began an investigation of Teper ’ s death based on text messages they found on her cellphone between her and the people who sold her drugs .
Teper ’ s dealers kept texting her phone even after she died .
That allowed investigators to identify them and arrest them on drug charges , according to a police source , but the police couldn ’ t directly connect anyone to the fentanyl that killed Teper .
So no charges have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawsuit against the medical examiner is part of an ongoing controversy over drug-induced homicide laws in Illinois and elsewhere .
Some argue that a fear of getting locked up on a homicide charge keeps people who sell or otherwise provide drugs from calling 911 when they see someone overdose .
Slaw says Illinois law should be changed to keep such “ Samaritans ” from being charged .
But he and parents of overdose victims have banded together to demand that Illinois ’ drug-induced homicide law be enforced as a way to target high-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dealers need to be taken out , ” Slaw says .
In Chicago , the police have made just two arrests in the past decade under the drug-induced homicide law .
In one case , a woman injected a 31-year-old man with heroin in 2015 on the North Side , according to the police .
The medical examiner classified his death as a homicide , and the woman was charged with drug-induced homicide , but the case was dropped .
In the second case , an 18-year-old woman died after taking ecstasy , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at her parents ’ home on the Southwest Side .
The medical examiner classified her death as accidental .
But the man who provided her with the drug was charged with drug-induced homicide and sentenced to six years in prison .
In three other drug-induced homicide cases in the Cook County suburbs , the medical examiner ’ s office also ruled those deaths were accidental , records show .
Drug-induced homicide cases are more common in the collar counties .
In just the past two years , at least a dozen people have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , DuPage , McHenry and Will counties .
Officials in McHenry County have said they believe their enforcement of the law has deterred drug sales and reduced the number of deaths from overdoses .
The Chicago Police Department ’ s new chief of detectives , Brendan Deenhihan , is considering creating a task force to investigate drug-induced homicides , a police spokesman has said .
In Cook County last year , at least 1,151 people died of poisoning from opioids such as heroin and fentanyl , according to the medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over 2018 .
“ This is a terrible , terrible problem , ” Slaw says .
“ We ’ re forcing a Cook County judge to take a stand .
”

The mother of a North Side woman who died of a drug overdose is waging a legal battle against the Cook County medical examiner’s office over its decision to classify her death an accident rather than a drug-induced homicide.
In late 2016, Valerie Teper, 33, was found dead in her apartment in the 1900 block of West Belmont Avenue. An autopsy found she died of poisoning from fentanyl, a powerful drug that dealers sometimes use to boost the potency of heroin.
Teper’s family says her death should be classified as a homicide under Illinois’ drug-induced homicide law.
Calling her death an accident stigmatizes Teper because it implies she died from a bad choice, says attorney Terry Slaw, who is suing the Cook County medical examiner’s office on behalf of his wife Irene Rodik, who is Teper’s mother.
“The fact is that Teper did not die by choice,” Slaw says in a court filing. “She was murdered by someone who delivered her furanyl fentanyl.”
He says the police might take fatal overdoses more seriously if the medical examiner were to rule those deaths to be homicides.
“If these things are rubber-stamped as accidents, where’s the incentive for the police to do their work?” Slaw says.
Teper and her family immigrated to the United States from Ukraine, and her father later got sick and died.
She graduated a year early from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire and studied psychology at Loyola University Chicago but never completed a degree. She became addicted to painkillers after she was prescribed medicine for menstrual cramps, according to Slaw.
“Very bright, obviously troubled,” he says.
In 2015, Teper overdosed on heroin and was found slumped in her car. Police revived her with an overdose-reversal drug. She was jailed for about a week and later convicted of a drug charge, placed on probation and ordered into drug treatment.
“That’s when we knew she was very sick,” Slaw says.
But her addiction problems continued. In November 2016, she overdosed on a bus, was revived with a reversal drug and taken to a hospital. After being released, she went home, where she overdosed again and died.
Her young son was living with his father, Slaw says.
A form letter from the hospital was found in Teper’s apartment, warning her that she could die if she took ever drugs again, Slaw says.
In early 2017, the medical examiner’s office ruled Teper’s death was accidental.
Last September, her mother sued in an effort to get that ruling changed, arguing that her daughter’s death was a homicide based on the autopsy results and a state law passed in 1988.
The law says that when anyone provides illegal drugs to someone who dies from injecting, inhaling or ingesting any amount of it, that’s a drug-induced homicide.
The law doesn’t address whether the person delivering the drug must know that it could be deadly.
A conviction carries a prison term of up to 30 years.
The county’s lawyers say that, despite that law, the medical examiner’s office still has the discretion to decide whether the manner of death is accidental, homicide or suicide.
Dr. Ponni Arunkumar, Cook County’s chief medical examiner. Ashlee Rezin Garcia / Sun-Times
In a letter Feb. 5, Dr. Ponni Arunkumar, Cook County’s chief medical examiner, offered condolences to Teper’s family but said, after a review following the request to reclassify her death, that it would not be ruled a homicide “based on the information available to us.”
“In essence, the fatal outcome was unintentional,” Arunkumar wrote.
Slaw says the drug-induced homicide law doesn’t give the medical examiner the leeway to consider whether an overdose death was unintentional.
Attorneys for the medical examiner’s office are asking Cook County Circuit Judge Sanjay Tailor to dismiss the lawsuit.
The Chicago police began an investigation of Teper’s death based on text messages they found on her cellphone between her and the people who sold her drugs. Teper’s dealers kept texting her phone even after she died. That allowed investigators to identify them and arrest them on drug charges, according to a police source, but the police couldn’t directly connect anyone to the fentanyl that killed Teper. So no charges have been filed in her death.
The lawsuit against the medical examiner is part of an ongoing controversy over drug-induced homicide laws in Illinois and elsewhere. Some argue that a fear of getting locked up on a homicide charge keeps people who sell or otherwise provide drugs from calling 911 when they see someone overdose.
Slaw says Illinois law should be changed to keep such “Samaritans” from being charged.
But he and parents of overdose victims have banded together to demand that Illinois’ drug-induced homicide law be enforced as a way to target high-level dealers.
“I believe bigtime drug dealers need to be taken out,” Slaw says.
In Chicago, the police have made just two arrests in the past decade under the drug-induced homicide law.
In one case, a woman injected a 31-year-old man with heroin in 2015 on the North Side, according to the police. The medical examiner classified his death as a homicide, and the woman was charged with drug-induced homicide, but the case was dropped.
In the second case, an 18-year-old woman died after taking ecstasy, a recreational drug. She fatally overdosed at her parents’ home on the Southwest Side. The medical examiner classified her death as accidental. But the man who provided her with the drug was charged with drug-induced homicide and sentenced to six years in prison.
Terry Slaw and Irene Rodik at a demonstration last May in Millennium Park calling for enforcement of the state’s drug-induced homicide law. Provided
In three other drug-induced homicide cases in the Cook County suburbs, the medical examiner’s office also ruled those deaths were accidental, records show.
Drug-induced homicide cases are more common in the collar counties. In just the past two years, at least a dozen people have been charged with that crime in Lake, DuPage, McHenry and Will counties.
Officials in McHenry County have said they believe their enforcement of the law has deterred drug sales and reduced the number of deaths from overdoses.
The Chicago Police Department’s new chief of detectives, Brendan Deenhihan, is considering creating a task force to investigate drug-induced homicides, a police spokesman has said.
In Cook County last year, at least 1,151 people died of poisoning from opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, according to the medical examiner’s office. That was a slight increase over 2018.
“This is a terrible, terrible problem,” Slaw says. “We’re forcing a Cook County judge to take a stand.”
Contributing: Andy Grimm


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Arnold Massier, WWII POW whose war stories enthralled Naperville kids, dead at 97

Having fought through North Africa , Sicily and Italy during World War II , Arnie Massier came home to Naperville , but he never forgot the moment a German soldier got the drop on him .
“ All of a sudden , I got kicked in the leg , ” he recalled 63 years after he became a GI .
“ And I turned around , and they had the zip pistol .
.
.
.
He had it right by my head .
And he said , ‘ For you , the war is over ’ in English .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I just looked up at him , ” he said , “ Boy , I ’ m telling you , what a feeling that is .
You don ’ t know when that trigger ’ s going to go off.
” While following orders from his German captors to move the wounded , his ammunition belt exploded , injuring his hands in 14 places .
That caused pain and blood poisoning during the more than 18 months he was held as a prisoner of war .
At one point during a forced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he contemplated giving up .
But another soldier urged him to go on , saying , “ ‘ Arnie , we ’ re going to walk , ’ ” Mr. Massier said in an oral history .
“ They would have shot me.
” He kept on walking — until he escaped by rolling down a hill , unnoticed .
And he kept walking when he returned to his hometown of Naperville , where he lived out his life in the house on Franklin Avenue where he was born in 1922 — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flag .
“ He would walk around town five miles a day , ” said his neighbor Jennifer Reichert .
“ He ’ d be down on the Riverwalk .
If you were a little kid , he ’ d want to give you a dollar for ice cream .
He grew beautiful roses .
He ’ d tell people , ‘ I ’ ll bring you a rose tomorrow.
’ ” Mr. Massier , 97 , died Feb. 14 at Naperville ’ s Spring Meadows senior community , where he lived the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other than that , the war “ was the only time he ’ d ever been away from home , ” Reichert said .
“ He never stayed at a hotel .
He didn ’ t go on vacation.
” “ Everybody in the neighborhood loved him , took care of him , ” said Pablo Araya , a Navy veteran and commander of Naperville ’ s VFW Post 3873 .
“ At the funeral , it was all neighbors because he outlived everybody in his family.
” Mr. Massier never had any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the sheer relief at making it back to the town he loved , where he ’ d set pins in a bowling alley as a boy .
The place where his Austria-born parents raised chickens and brewed liquor during Prohibition .
Where they ’ d danced around the house in celebration after , at his mother ’ s insistence , they ’ d gotten their money out of the bank just before the stock market crashed .
He worked for Kroehler Manufacturing in Naperville for more than 30 years .
“ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ When he ’ d be napping , he ’ d be doing this thing with his hands .
I asked him about it , and he said , ‘ Oh , I ’ m making pleats.
’ He was making pleats in his sleep.
” He and his brother Adam — also a WWII Army veteran — never married or had children .
On warm days , they and their friends would hold court in downtown Naperville .
“ They would sit on park benches at Main Street and Jefferson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Bill Anderson , a past president of the Rotary Club of Naperville and owner of Oswald ’ s Pharmacy .
“ He would sit there every day , and everybody knew who he was , ” Araya said .
“ People loved to talk to him.
” Until the 1990s , Mr. Massier wouldn ’ t talk about the war .
When he first returned to Naperville , he didn ’ t even want a homecoming parade , thinking about the time he and other POWS had been marched around Rome and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invited her neighbor to share his stories with her sixth-grade classmates at Washington Junior High School .
“ He was supposed to be there for 10 minutes , ” she said .
“ He spoke and spoke.
” The kids and teachers found his words so enthralling , she said , “ They canceled the next class and then the next class.
” Mr. Massier became a popular speaker at Naperville schools , and he was honored in parades and at Wrigley Field .
In 2007 , he spoke with Elitsa Bizios , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the oral history , which became part of the Library of Congress ’ Veterans History Project .
He told Bizios about being a prisoner at the sprawling Stalag 7-A near Munich and Stalag II-B and II-D in what ’ s now Poland .
He battled malaria , hunger and lice and did forced farm labor .
One day , “ A little kid about 5 years old got shot right in front of me , ” Mr. Massier recalled .
“ He was playing there .
They have a wire , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .then , they have this barbed wire strung all over the place and then the guard sitting up on top .
Two little kids were playing tag , and they told them to stop .
He ain ’ t hurtin ’ nobody .
They warned them .
They didn ’ t [ stop ] .
Boom , killed them .
About 5 years old , playing.
” “ He lamented that his entire life , ” Reichert said .
“ It was so wrong , and there was nothing he could do.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Massier understood German .
He spoke of a German soldier ’ s cries after being shot .
“ He hollered ‘ Dear Lord ’ first .
Then .
he hollered for his mother and dad and brother and sister .
.
.
.He says , ‘ Why did you shoot me ?
’ I thought , hey , you ’ re coming toward me .
You woulda got me first.
” He remembered the day he and his fellow GIs killed 298 men in a single battle .
How they moved through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dubbed “ Truscott ’ s Trotters ” after their general , Lucian Truscott .
As the Allies surged , he said prisoners were forced to walk toward the interior of Germany during an 800-mile march that lasted from January to mid-April 1945 .
“ There were some Russians with us , guys that were about 70 years old , they were crying they couldn ’ t walk no more , ” he told Bizios .
“ The Germans walked up to ’ em and shoot ’ em in the head and throw a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right on walking.
” After covering 110 miles in three days , “ We got a potato that big , ” Mr. Massier said , holding up his hand to make a tiny circle .
When he and other GIs rolled down the hill to escape , they found refuge in a nearby town .
But a moment of high alert came when a German with a rifle showed up , Mr. Massier said .
“ He said , what are you doing here ?
” he told Bizios .
“ ‘ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief , “ He says , ‘ Hang Hitler from the highest pole.
’ He was a deserter.
” When they located American tanks , “ Oh , geez , you cried .
You ’ re free .
You never forget it , ” he said in another interview with Bizios , who became a friend , for Naperville Community Television Channel 17 .
But some details he kept to himself .
After escaping , he was on a transport plane .
“ A guy come from Glen Ellyn , the pilot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a prisoner , ’ he said .
‘ D ’ you know him ?
’ I says , ‘ There ’ s so many prisoners , you don ’ t know who ’ s who.
’ “ I couldn ’ t tell the guy what they did to the American pilots .
.
.
They pitchforked a lot of them.
” Later , in a military hospital , “ The radio was playing music , and all of a sudden it said , ‘ Flash — Indianapolis sunk , ’ ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ship and died in the torpedo attack .
Later , it became known that sailors who survived the infamous attack floated for days in the water , some getting attacked by sharks .
“ He always struggled with it , ” Reichert said , but comforted himself with the thought his brother must have died quickly , saying , “ I don ’ t think George could swim too well.
” He remembered lighter moments , too .
Like the time he visited a British ship in Casablanca and saw the cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into sausages .
“ There was a big wooden tub , and you could see the grease hanging , the outside of it .
He was in there , barefooted , stomping sausage in there , ” he told Bizios .
“ From then on I went in the PX and got a little can of salmon , chocolate bars .
That ’ s what I ate.
” Or the time soldiers realized a makeshift latrine in Sicily contained a deadly surprise .
“ They holler for the sergeant to bring down a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a transcript of his oral history .
“ There was a bomb in there .
.
.
.
They could have all went sky high.
” With his death , “ We really lost a page of history , ” said Army veteran Ken Garhan , 86 , a former VFW Post 3873 commander .
“ I ’ m not a brave guy , ” Mr. Massier once said of his service .
“ I ’ m just another GI ‘ dogface.
’ That ’ s all I am .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do .
”

Having fought through North Africa, Sicily and Italy during World War II, Arnie Massier came home to Naperville, but he never forgot the moment a German soldier got the drop on him.
“All of a sudden, I got kicked in the leg,” he recalled 63 years after he became a GI. “And I turned around, and they had the zip pistol. . . . He had it right by my head. And he said, ‘For you, the war is over’ in English.
“I just dropped my rifle, and I just looked up at him,” he said. “Boy, I’m telling you, what a feeling that is. You don’t know when that trigger’s going to go off.”
While following orders from his German captors to move the wounded, his ammunition belt exploded, injuring his hands in 14 places. That caused pain and blood poisoning during the more than 18 months he was held as a prisoner of war.
At one point while being held captive, he was in such misery that he contemplated giving up.
But another soldier urged him to go on, saying, “ ‘Arnie, we’re going to walk,’ ” Mr. Massier said in an oral history. “They would have shot me.”
He kept on walking — until the day he escaped with other POWs by rolling down a hill, unnoticed.
And he kept walking when he returned to his hometown of Naperville, where he lived out his life in the house on Franklin Avenue where he was born in 1922 — and where he always flew the POW-MIA flag.
“He would walk around town five miles a day,” said his neighbor Jennifer Reichert. “He’d be down on the Riverwalk. If you were a little kid, he’d want to give you a dollar for ice cream. He grew beautiful roses. He’d tell people, ‘I’ll bring you a rose tomorrow.’ ”
Mr. Massier, 97, died Feb. 14 at Naperville’s Spring Meadows senior community, where he lived the last two months of his life.
Other than that, the war “was the only time he’d ever been away from home,” Reichert said. “He never stayed at a hotel. He didn’t go on vacation.”
“Everybody in the neighborhood loved him, took care of him,” said Pablo Araya, a Navy veteran and commander of Naperville’s VFW Post 3873. “At the funeral, it was all neighbors because he outlived everybody in his family.”
Little Arnie Massier, son of Austrian immigrants Mary and Adam Massier, was the youngest of three brothers who grew up in Naperville. All served in WWII. Arnie and Adam came home from the war, but their brother George died in the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Provided
Mr. Massier never had any desire to leave Naperville. Maybe it was the sheer relief at making it back to the town he loved, where he’d set pins in a bowling alley as a boy. The place where his Austria-born parents raised chickens and brewed liquor during Prohibition. Where they’d danced around the house in celebration after, at his mother’s insistence, they’d gotten their money out of the bank just before the stock market crashed.
Young Arnie Massier. Provided
He worked for Kroehler Manufacturing in Naperville for more than 30 years.
“He was a furniture upholsterer,” Reichert said. “When he’d be napping, he’d be doing this thing with his hands. I asked him about it, and he said, ‘Oh, I’m making pleats.’ He was making pleats in his sleep.”
After returning home from WWII and working at Kroehler Manufacturing in Naperville, Arnie Massier (left) and his father Adam (above him) posed for a photo with two other coworker teams of fathers and their veteran sons. Provided
He and his brother Adam — also a WWII Army veteran — never married or had children. On warm days, they and their friends would hold court in downtown Naperville.
“They would sit on park benches at Main Street and Jefferson and watch Naperville go by,” said Bill Anderson, a past president of the Rotary Club of Naperville and owner of Oswald’s Pharmacy.
“He would sit there every day, and everybody knew who he was,” Araya said. “People loved to talk to him.”
Arnie Massier served in the 3rd Infantry Division. Provided
Until the 1990s, Mr. Massier wouldn’t talk about the war. When he first returned to Naperville, he didn’t even want a homecoming parade, thinking about the time he and other POWs had been marched around Rome and pelted with rocks.
But then Reichert invited her neighbor to share his stories with her sixth-grade classmates at Washington Junior High School.
“He was supposed to be there for 10 minutes,” she said. “He spoke and spoke.”
The kids and teachers found his words so enthralling, she said, “They canceled the next class and then the next class.”
Mr. Massier became a popular speaker at Naperville schools, and he was honored in parades and at Wrigley Field.
In 2007, he spoke with Elitsa Bizios, then a Columbia College Chicago student, for the oral history, which became part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project.
He told Bizios about being a prisoner at the sprawling Stalag 7-A near Munich and Stalag II-B and II-D in what’s now Poland. He battled malaria, hunger and lice and did forced farm labor.
Some camps also held civilians.
One day, “A little kid about 5 years old got shot right in front of me,” Mr. Massier recalled. “He was playing there. They have a wire, and that’s the warning wire....then, they have this barbed wire strung all over the place and then the guard sitting up on top. Two little kids were playing tag, and they told them to stop. He ain’t hurtin’ nobody. They warned them. They didn’t [stop]. Boom, killed them. About 5 years old, playing.”
In 2007, Arnold Massier was interviewed for an oral history that became part of the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project. Library of Congress
“He lamented that his entire life,” Reichert said. “It was so wrong, and there was nothing he could do.”
Because his parents were from Austria, Mr. Massier understood German. He spoke of a German soldier’s cries after being shot.
“He hollered ‘Dear Lord’ first. Then. he hollered for his mother and dad and brother and sister. . . .He says, ‘Why did you shoot me?’ I thought, hey, you’re coming toward me. You woulda got me first.”
Arnold Massier in his Army days. Provided
He remembered the day he and his fellow GIs killed 298 men in a single battle. How they moved through Italy with such force that they were dubbed “Truscott’s Trotters” after their general, Lucian Truscott.
As the Allies surged, he said prisoners were forced to walk toward the interior of Germany during an 800-mile march that lasted from January to mid-April 1945.
“There were some Russians with us, guys that were about 70 years old, they were crying they couldn’t walk no more,” he told Bizios. “The Germans walked up to ’em and shoot ’em in the head and throw a blanket over ’em and just kept right on walking.”
After covering 110 miles in three days, “We got a potato that big,” Mr. Massier said, holding up his hand to make a tiny circle.
When he and other GIs rolled down the hill to escape, they found refuge in a nearby town. But a moment of high alert came when a German with a rifle showed up, Mr. Massier said. “He said, what are you doing here?” he told Bizios. “ ‘We’re prisoners.’ ”
To their relief, “He says, ‘Hang Hitler from the highest pole.’ He was a deserter.”
When they located American tanks, “Oh, geez, you cried. You’re free. You never forget it,” he said in another interview with Bizios, who became a friend, for Naperville Community Television Channel 17.
But some details he kept to himself. After escaping, he was on a transport plane.
“A guy come from Glen Ellyn, the pilot. He says, ‘My brother’s a prisoner,’ he said. ‘D’you know him?’ I says, ‘There’s so many prisoners, you don’t know who’s who.’
“I couldn’t tell the guy what they did to the American pilots. . . They pitchforked a lot of them.”
Later, in a military hospital, “The radio was playing music, and all of a sudden it said, ‘Flash — Indianapolis sunk,’ ” he said.
His brother George was on the ship and died in the torpedo attack.
Later, it became known that sailors who survived the infamous attack floated for days in the water, some getting attacked by sharks.
“He always struggled with it,” Reichert said, but comforted himself with the thought his brother must have died quickly, saying, “I don’t think George could swim too well.”
He remembered lighter moments, too. Like the time he visited a British ship in Casablanca and saw the cook using his feet to turn lamb meat into sausages.
“There was a big wooden tub, and you could see the grease hanging, the outside of it. He was in there, barefooted, stomping sausage in there,” he told Bizios. “From then on I went in the PX and got a little can of salmon, chocolate bars. That’s what I ate.”
Or the time soldiers realized a makeshift latrine in Sicily contained a deadly surprise.
“They holler for the sergeant to bring down a flashlight,” he said, according to a transcript of his oral history. “There was a bomb in there . . . . They could have all went sky high.”
With his death, “We really lost a page of history,” said Army veteran Ken Garhan, 86, a former VFW Post 3873 commander.
“I’m not a brave guy,” Mr. Massier once said of his service. “I’m just another GI ‘dogface.’ That’s all I am. I’m doing what I’m supposed to do.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--‘Spenser Confidential’: Mark Wahlberg takes a beating in funny Boston B-movie on Netflix

Based on the following clues , can you figure out which great American city is the setting for the Netflix original film “ Spenser Confidential ?
” C. The soundtrack includes “ Long Time ” by Boston and “ Sweet Emotion ” by Aerosmith .
E. When Wahlberg asks his girlfriend what she wants for lunch , she says , “ Lobstah ” — and we actually see a giant , screen-filling title card proclaiming : “ LOBSTAH.
” “ Spenser Confidential ” is the fifth feature collaboration between Wahlberg and director Peter Berg , after “ Lone Survivor ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and “ Patriots Day ” ( both 2016 ) and “ Mile 22 ” ( 2018 ) .
In the first three films , Berg put his frenetic , sometimes dizzying visual stamp on stories inspired by real-life tragedies .
And though “ Mile 22 ” was a fictional story , it was an international thriller with an appropriately serious tone .
“ Spenser Confidential , ” in contrast , is a violent , rough-and-tumble , expletive-laden tale featuring a gang of villains who favor machetes instead of guns for absolutely no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also as much a dark comedy as it is an action film .
Like the mid-1980s TV series “ Spenser : For Hire ” starring Robert Urich and Avery Brooks , “ Spenser Confidential ” is about a Boston private detective ( that would be Spenser ) and his sidekick Hawk — characters conceived by Robert B. Parker for a series of novels .
That ’ s where the similarities pretty much end .
“ Spenser Confidential ” is based on the novel “ Wonderland ” by Ace Atkins , who was selected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the franchise after Parker died in 2010 .
In this version , Wahlberg ’ s Spenser is a Boston cop who confronts his captain at the captain ’ s home , sees the captain ’ s wife bruised and bloodied — and proceeds to beat the scoundrel to within an inch of his life .
At Spenser ’ s trial , the judge asks if he has anything to say .
Spenser replies : “ Yes .
The son of a bitch deserves it.
” Flash forward to five years later .
Spenser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the title card says : PRISON .
Just before Spenser is to be released , a bunch of goons from the Aryan Nation attempt to carry out a hit against him — but as the aforementioned “ Long Time ” blasts on the soundtrack , a wisecracking Spenser ( “ Why you got ta kick me , bro ?
” ) takes the thugs down one at a time .
The great Alan Arkin , who sometimes appears to be looking at something in the distance instead of talking to other actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Henry , a cranky old coot who runs a boxing/MMA gym and is something of a father figure and mentor to Spenser .
He picks up Spenser from prison , takes him to his house and introduces Spenser to his new roommate : the hulking yet sensitive wannabe MMA fighter Hawk ( Winston Duke . )
At first , Spenser and Hawk can ’ t stand to be in the same room with one another .
There ’ s a chance this might change as the story develops .
After Spenser ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ murder is pinned on a good cop and family man Spenser knew from back in the day , Spenser starts sticking his nose in all sorts of places it doesn ’ t belong .
This guy can ’ t walk into a bar or a restaurant or a bathroom or a nail salon without getting into a brawl .
“ Man , you get beat up a lot , ” notes Hawk .
“ I notice every time you come back with your face mashed in , you get a little bit more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a very good tactic.
” Wahlberg is in familiar territory in this action/comedic role , playing a rabble-rousing tough guy with an essentially good heart .
( The old standby scene of the hero finding himself in a backyard with a snarling dog is taken to extreme , and extremely hilarious , lengths . )
He also has a great rapport with Iliza Shlesinger , who swipes every scene she ’ s in as Spenser ’ s on-and-off girlfriend Cissy , who , upon running up against those aforementioned machete-wielding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , do you work in a Brazilian steakhouse ?
” We even get Marc Maron wandering in and out of the movie as a cynical journalist who is reluctant to run with a story about widespread corruption because people will just blow it off as Fake News and Post Malone as a fellow inmate of Spenser .
“ Spenser Confidential ” is a movie that knows exactly what it wants to do and goes about doing exactly that .

Pop quiz!
Based on the following clues, can you figure out which great American city is the setting for the Netflix original film “Spenser Confidential?”
A. Mark Wahlberg is the star.
B. There’s a cop bar called Sláinte’.
C. The soundtrack includes “Long Time” by Boston and “Sweet Emotion” by Aerosmith.
D. Red Sox fans sing “Sweet Caroline” at Fenway Park.
‘Spenser Confidential’
Untitled Netflix presents a film directed by Peter Berg and written by Sean O’Keefe and Brian Helgeland based on the novel “Robert B. Parker’s Wonderland” by Ace Atkins. Rated R (for violence, language throughout and sexual content). Running time: 110 minutes. Streaming on Netflix.
E. When Wahlberg asks his girlfriend what she wants for lunch, she says, “Lobstah” — and we actually see a giant, screen-filling title card proclaiming: “LOBSTAH.”
If you guessed Boston, ding-ding-ding-ding-ding!
(If you guessed any other city: Welcome to planet Earth!)
“Spenser Confidential” is the fifth feature collaboration between Wahlberg and director Peter Berg, after “Lone Survivor” (2013), “Deepwater Horizon” and “Patriots Day” (both 2016) and “Mile 22” (2018).
In the first three films, Berg put his frenetic, sometimes dizzying visual stamp on stories inspired by real-life tragedies. And though “Mile 22” was a fictional story, it was an international thriller with an appropriately serious tone.
“Spenser Confidential,” in contrast, is a violent, rough-and-tumble, expletive-laden tale featuring a gang of villains who favor machetes instead of guns for absolutely no discernible reason — but it’s also as much a dark comedy as it is an action film.
It’s a fantastically over-the-top, drive-in B-movie for the streaming generation.
Like the mid-1980s TV series “Spenser: For Hire” starring Robert Urich and Avery Brooks, “Spenser Confidential” is about a Boston private detective (that would be Spenser) and his sidekick Hawk — characters conceived by Robert B. Parker for a series of novels.
That’s where the similarities pretty much end. “Spenser Confidential” is based on the novel “Wonderland” by Ace Atkins, who was selected by Parker’s estate to continue the franchise after Parker died in 2010.
In this version, Wahlberg’s Spenser is a Boston cop who confronts his captain at the captain’s home, sees the captain’s wife bruised and bloodied — and proceeds to beat the scoundrel to within an inch of his life.
At Spenser’s trial, the judge asks if he has anything to say. Spenser replies: “Yes. The son of a bitch deserves it.”
Flash forward to five years later. Spenser is in prison. We know this because the title card says: PRISON.
Just before Spenser is to be released, a bunch of goons from the Aryan Nation attempt to carry out a hit against him — but as the aforementioned “Long Time” blasts on the soundtrack, a wisecracking Spenser (“Why you gotta kick me, bro?”) takes the thugs down one at a time.
The great Alan Arkin, who sometimes appears to be looking at something in the distance instead of talking to other actors in his scenes, is a hoot as Henry, a cranky old coot who runs a boxing/MMA gym and is something of a father figure and mentor to Spenser. He picks up Spenser from prison, takes him to his house and introduces Spenser to his new roommate: the hulking yet sensitive wannabe MMA fighter Hawk (Winston Duke.)
At first, Spenser and Hawk can’t stand to be in the same room with one another. There’s a chance this might change as the story develops.
After Spenser’s old captain is killed and the murder is pinned on a good cop and family man Spenser knew from back in the day, Spenser starts sticking his nose in all sorts of places it doesn’t belong. This guy can’t walk into a bar or a restaurant or a bathroom or a nail salon without getting into a brawl.
“Man, you get beat up a lot,” notes Hawk. “I notice every time you come back with your face mashed in, you get a little bit more information. I don’t think that’s a very good tactic.”
Wahlberg is in familiar territory in this action/comedic role, playing a rabble-rousing tough guy with an essentially good heart. (The old standby scene of the hero finding himself in a backyard with a snarling dog is taken to extreme, and extremely hilarious, lengths.)
He also has a great rapport with Iliza Shlesinger, who swipes every scene she’s in as Spenser’s on-and-off girlfriend Cissy, who, upon running up against those aforementioned machete-wielding bad guys, says, “What, do you work in a Brazilian steakhouse?”
We even get Marc Maron wandering in and out of the movie as a cynical journalist who is reluctant to run with a story about widespread corruption because people will just blow it off as Fake News and Post Malone as a fellow inmate of Spenser.
“Spenser Confidential” is a movie that knows exactly what it wants to do and goes about doing exactly that.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--2 dead, 3 wounded in Chicago shootings Thursday

Five people were shot Thursday , two of them fatally , on Chicago ’ s South and West sides .
The most recent fatal shooting happened at 2:55 p.m. in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
A 44-year-old man was sitting in his black sedan in the 1100 block of North Pulaski Road when a silver sedan drove up and someone inside opened fire , Chicago police said .
He was struck multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ t released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two guns and detectives are questioning four people , police said .
Charges are pending .
Earlier that morning , a man was fatally shot in Little Village on the Southwest Side .
Ivan Vega-Lopez , 31 , was walking about 8 a.m. in the 2300 block of South St. Louis Avenue when someone shot him three times , police and the medical examiner ’ s office said .
Paramedics took him to Mount Sinai Hospital with gunshots to his face , abdomen and chest .
He was pronounced dead at 8:29 a.m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack left a man wounded in Bridgeport on the South Side .
The 48-year-old was in an alley about 5 p.m. in the 3700 block of South Parnell Avenue when someone approached him from behind and opened fire , police said .
He was hit in the buttocks and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where his condition was stabilized .
Hours before that , two men were injured in a drive-by in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
The men , both 21 , were walking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South Whipple Street when someone in a passing gray Mazda opened fire , according to police .
One man was shot four times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition .
The other was struck in the buttocks and listed in good condition at the same hospital .
Four people were shot throughout the city on Wednesday .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were shot Thursday, two of them fatally, on Chicago’s South and West sides.
The most recent fatal shooting happened at 2:55 p.m. in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
A 44-year-old man was sitting in his black sedan in the 1100 block of North Pulaski Road when a silver sedan drove up and someone inside opened fire, Chicago police said. He was struck multiple times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on the death.
Investigators recovered two guns and detectives are questioning four people, police said. Charges are pending.
Earlier that morning, a man was fatally shot in Little Village on the Southwest Side.
Ivan Vega-Lopez, 31, was walking about 8 a.m. in the 2300 block of South St. Louis Avenue when someone shot him three times, police and the medical examiner’s office said. Paramedics took him to Mount Sinai Hospital with gunshots to his face, abdomen and chest. He was pronounced dead at 8:29 a.m.
The day’s latest nonfatal attack left a man wounded in Bridgeport on the South Side.
The 48-year-old was in an alley about 5 p.m. in the 3700 block of South Parnell Avenue when someone approached him from behind and opened fire, police said. He was hit in the buttocks and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where his condition was stabilized.
Hours before that, two men were injured in a drive-by in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The men, both 21, were walking about 10 a.m. in the 300 block of South Whipple Street when someone in a passing gray Mazda opened fire, according to police. One man was shot four times and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition. The other was struck in the buttocks and listed in good condition at the same hospital.
Four people were shot throughout the city on Wednesday.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Burglars ransack apartments in South Shore: police

Police are warning residents about a series of apartment burglaries since last month in South Shore .
In each case @ @ @ @ @ through a side window and “ rummaged through property , ” according to a community @ @ @ @ @ Nothing was reported missing .
• Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in @ @ @ @ @ Luella Avenue ; • At 11:09 p.m. Feb. 29 in the 7200 block of South @ @ @ @ @ Between 10 p.m. Feb. 29 and noon March 1 in the 7200 block of South @ @ @ @ @ description was available , police said .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area @ @ @ @ @

Police are warning residents about a series of apartment burglaries since last month in South Shore.
In each case, someone entered an apartment through a side window and “rummaged through property,” according to a community alert from Chicago police. Nothing was reported missing.
The burglaries were reported:
Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Feb. 18 in the 7100 block of South Luella Avenue;
At 11:09 p.m. Feb. 29 in the 7200 block of South Oglesby Avenue; and
Between 10 p.m. Feb. 29 and noon March 1 in the 7200 block of South Paxton Avenue.
No suspect description was available, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-05--White Sox’ bats come alive in win over Rockies

With 5.4 runs per game in spring training , hardly indicative of the White Sox ’ offensive potential , manager Rick Renteria was asked before the game Thursday when the bats would get as warm as the Arizona weather .
“ I ’ m not too concerned about that , ” Renteria said .
“ I do see some good things .
But , obviously , is there some improvement to be had ?
Yeah .
We are in the spring , but hopefully the guys that continue to work and understand what [ is ] involved will be OK. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s team was on its way to a seven-run outburst in a victory over the Rockies , tying its second-highest scoring game of the spring .
Nomar Mazara hit a booming two-run home run in a four-run fifth inning onto the grass berm in right-center field .
Mazara had two hits on the day .
The Sox had 11 hits , with Danny Mendick delivering three and Cheslor Cuthbert getting two .
Of the 11 hits , 10 were singles , so even more room remains for offensive improvement .
The Rockies hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but three of them were solo shots , and one was of the two-run variety .
Starter Drew Anderson allowed two home runs , to Ian Desmond and Drew Butera , and Alex Colome gave up two , to David Dahl and Sam Hilliard .
Anderson and Colome gave up all of the Rockies ’ runs .
Ross Detwiler , Jose Ruiz , Zack Burdi , Tayron Guerrero and Matt Tomshaw pitched scoreless innings and allowed a combined six hits .
Sox at Cubs , Mesa , 2:05 p.m. Friday , 720-AM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aaron Bummer , Steve Cishek , Jimmy Cordero , Kelvin Herrera , Adalberto Mejia , Tyler Johnson , Evan Marshall and Carson Fulmer are also scheduled to pitch .

SOX 7, ROCKIES 6
Offense breaking loose
With 5.4 runs per game in spring training, hardly indicative of the White Sox’ offensive potential, manager Rick Renteria was asked before the game Thursday when the bats would get as warm as the Arizona weather.
“I’m not too concerned about that,” Renteria said. “I do see some good things. But, obviously, is there some improvement to be had? Yeah. We are in the spring, but hopefully the guys that continue to work and understand what [is] involved will be OK.”
An hour later, Renteria’s team was on its way to a seven-run outburst in a victory over the Rockies, tying its second-highest scoring game of the spring.
Nomar Mazara hit a booming two-run home run in a four-run fifth inning onto the grass berm in right-center field. Mazara had two hits on the day. The Sox had 11 hits, with Danny Mendick delivering three and Cheslor Cuthbert getting two.
Of the 11 hits, 10 were singles, so even more room remains for offensive improvement.
Limit the damage
The Rockies hit four home runs on the 80-degree day, but three of them were solo shots, and one was of the two-run variety.
Starter Drew Anderson allowed two home runs, to Ian Desmond and Drew Butera, and Alex Colome gave up two, to David Dahl and Sam Hilliard. Anderson and Colome gave up all of the Rockies’ runs.
Ross Detwiler, Jose Ruiz, Zack Burdi, Tayron Guerrero and Matt Tomshaw pitched scoreless innings and allowed a combined six hits.
On deck
Sox at Cubs, Mesa, 2:05 p.m. Friday, 720-AM, Lucas Giolito vs. Jon Lester. Aaron Bummer, Steve Cishek, Jimmy Cordero, Kelvin Herrera, Adalberto Mejia, Tyler Johnson, Evan Marshall and Carson Fulmer are also scheduled to pitch.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-05--Horoscope for Friday, March 6, 2020

Horoscope for Friday, March 6, 2020

After 4 a.m. Chicago time , we have the all clear to shop and do business .
The moon is in Leo .
A surprise invitation might come your way .
Conversely , a planned social event might be canceled or changed at the last minute .
Either way , unexpected flirtations might sizzle !
Meanwhile parents , please note : This is an accident-prone day for your kids , so be vigilant .
Something unexpected will interrupt your home scene .
A small appliance might break down or a minor breakage could occur .
Surprise company might knock at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has some surprising news .
“ We ’ re pregnant !
” Pay attention to everything you say and do because this is a mildly accident-prone day for your sign .
It ’ s very easy for you to say or do something that you will regret .
This means you have to pause and think before you say or do anything .
Be mindful .
You might find money or you might lose money .
Something you own could be stolen , damaged or lost .
You might also buy something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with your cash and your assets are unpredictable .
Oy !
You feel rebellious and restless .
This is why you want to do something different and why you ’ re being saucy with someone .
You ’ re ready to stir the pot just to see what happens .
You are a creative sign , so why not let your creative vibes run wild ?
This is a restless day for you and you might not know why .
But you do know the feeling , and the feeling is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other shoe to drop .
Do not overreact , especially when dealing with ex-partners .
You like people .
Furthermore , you like being in the company of others .
( Yes , you are the most social sign in the zodiac . )
This will not be a boring day because today someone ( probably a female ) will say something that surprises people .
Or maybe you will meet someone new who is a real character ?
Look your best today .
Be cool because something unexpected , perhaps related to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher or a member of the police , will catch you off guard .
And when this happens , others will notice .
( Oh definitely ! )
Dance like everyone is watching .
Get ready because travel plans will be delayed , canceled or changed in some way .
Likewise , university and college schedules might also be subject to change .
Meanwhile , a conversation about politics , religion and racial issues could be explosive .
Make friends with your bank account so that you know what ’ s happening because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banking , taxes , debt and inheritances .
Stay top of things !
This might be the kind of day where if you snooze , you lose .
Avoid regrets .
Someone close to you might throw you a curveball .
They might say or do something that really catches you off guard .
Do not think you have to respond right away .
Give yourself time to react and process whatever happens .
Your response , at least , is in your own control .
Your work routine will be interrupted today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ missed appointments , canceled meetings or the breakdown of equipment .
( These are just some possibilities . )
Therefore , be smart and give yourself extra time so that you have enough wiggle room to cope with the unexpected .
If Your Birthday Is Today Actor , filmmaker Rob Reiner ( 1947 ) shares your birthday .
You love beauty , elegance and etiquette .
( Sometimes you ’ re a perfectionist . )
You are free-spirited and can be inspirational to others .
Finally , this year your hard work will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life and focus on how to build solid foundations .
Work with purpose .
Physical exercise will be important , which is why you should explore enjoyable physical activities .

Moon Alert
After 4 a.m. Chicago time, we have the all clear to shop and do business. The moon is in Leo.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
A surprise invitation might come your way. Conversely, a planned social event might be canceled or changed at the last minute. Either way, unexpected flirtations might sizzle! Meanwhile parents, please note: This is an accident-prone day for your kids, so be vigilant.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Something unexpected will interrupt your home scene. A small appliance might break down or a minor breakage could occur. Surprise company might knock at your door or perhaps a family member has some surprising news. “We’re pregnant!”
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Pay attention to everything you say and do because this is a mildly accident-prone day for your sign. It’s very easy for you to say or do something that you will regret. This means you have to pause and think before you say or do anything. Be mindful.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You might find money or you might lose money. Something you own could be stolen, damaged or lost. You might also buy something that delights you? This is because everything to do with your cash and your assets are unpredictable. Oy!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You feel rebellious and restless. This is why you want to do something different and why you’re being saucy with someone. You’re ready to stir the pot just to see what happens. You are a creative sign, so why not let your creative vibes run wild?
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a restless day for you and you might not know why. But you do know the feeling, and the feeling is that you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. Do not overreact, especially when dealing with ex-partners.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
You like people. Furthermore, you like being in the company of others. (Yes, you are the most social sign in the zodiac.) This will not be a boring day because today someone (probably a female) will say something that surprises people. Or maybe you will meet someone new who is a real character?
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Look your best today. Be cool because something unexpected, perhaps related to dealing with a parent, boss, teacher or a member of the police, will catch you off guard. And when this happens, others will notice. (Oh definitely!) Dance like everyone is watching.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Get ready because travel plans will be delayed, canceled or changed in some way. Likewise, university and college schedules might also be subject to change. Meanwhile, a conversation about politics, religion and racial issues could be explosive.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Make friends with your bank account so that you know what’s happening because something unusual could affect shared property, banking, taxes, debt and inheritances. Stay top of things! This might be the kind of day where if you snooze, you lose. Avoid regrets.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Someone close to you might throw you a curveball. They might say or do something that really catches you off guard. Do not think you have to respond right away. Give yourself time to react and process whatever happens. Your response, at least, is in your own control.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Your work routine will be interrupted today by computer crashes, staff shortages, missed appointments, canceled meetings or the breakdown of equipment. (These are just some possibilities.) Therefore, be smart and give yourself extra time so that you have enough wiggle room to cope with the unexpected.
If Your Birthday Is Today
Actor, filmmaker Rob Reiner (1947) shares your birthday. You love beauty, elegance and etiquette. (Sometimes you’re a perfectionist.) You are free-spirited and can be inspirational to others. Finally, this year your hard work will start to pay off! Simplify your life and focus on how to build solid foundations. Work with purpose. Physical exercise will be important, which is why you should explore enjoyable physical activities.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Aide at CPS special education high school tests positive for coronavirus, officials say

An aide at a Chicago high school has tested positive for the coronavirus after working in the school all week @ @ @ @ @ announced at a Friday evening news conference .
The school , Vaughn Occupational in the @ @ @ @ @ Northwest Side , specializes in special education and enrolls 212 students , according to Chicago @ @ @ @ @ chief Janice Jackson joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov .
J.B. Pritzker at the City @ @ @ @ @ student body is 54 % Latino , 24 % white and 21 % African American @ @ @ @ @ body come from low-income families .
The school serves students with “ mild to moderate @ @ @ @ @ CPS website says .

An aide at a Chicago high school who tested positive for the coronavirus Friday worked at the school for a week after returning from a cruise, city and state officials announced at a Friday evening news conference.
The patient, Illinois’ sixth, is a Chicago woman in her 50s who was a passenger on the Grand Princess cruise ship last month and works as a special education classroom assistant at Vaughn Occupational in the Portage Park neighborhood on the Northwest Side.
Vaughn specializes in special education and enrolls 212 students. As of the start of the year, 85 CPS employees worked at Vaughn, according to Chicago Public Schools records
Schools chief Janice Jackson, joined by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker at the City Hall press conference, said classes at Vaughn will be canceled next week and all students, their families and staff will be contacted individually.
“While I understand that parents across the district may be concerned by this development, I want to stress that this is currently an isolated case,” Jackson added.
She added, however, that Vaughn has “many students who are medically fragile.”
“It is important to note that Vaughn is a unique school with many complex needs,” Jackson said. “As a specialty school with students for special needs and disabilities, we want to take all possible measures to ensure that the health and well-being of these students is the first priority.”
Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Janice Jackson at a City Hall news conference Friday to discuss a high school aide testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Others at the news conference included Mayor Lori Lightfoot (left) and Gov. J.B. Pritzker (center) and Allison Arwady, city health commissioner (right). Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
City health commissioner Allison Arwady said it was “premature” to say how many people at the school will be monitored but that arrangements for students to be tested will be made “where it is appropriate.”
“We know this has the potential to raise a lot of concerns, and I want to really reassure folks that we want to have conversations with them on an individual basis,” Arwady said of the families and staff at Vaughn. “My team will be asking the students and their families about any underlying conditions that these students will have. We’ll be doing a good analysis of any symptoms that they may have.”
Nancy Bender, a parent member of Vaughn’s Local School Council, said news of the case has caused her “a lot of anxiety.”
“It’s very unfortunate for all the families and staff and everyone that this has happened at Vaughn,” Bender said. “It was bound to happen somewhere, but it happened at our school.”
Bender’s daughter Emily has an intellectual disability and is in her fifth year at Vaughn. Bender said the case will be “unbelievably disruptive,” and she’s worried about how next week will go with Emily at home because “my anxiety plays into her anxiety.”
“[My husband and I are] self employed, and so we’ve had to cancel appointments all next week,” Bender said. “We don’t have paid sick leave. And also Emily’s going to be home all week and she does much better at school than being at home all day.”
Cindy Ok, the chair of the LSC, said she doesn’t want families to panic, but she’s concerned that many at the school won’t have the resources to get through the next week at home, including food and toiletries. She also noted that many Vaughn families also have kids at other schools.
“A lot of our families, because they have a student with a disability, they’re in survival mode all the time,” said Ok, who posted the news in the Vaughn Facebook group and is trying to reach as many families as she can. “It would really be quite devastating for a lot of our families to have to deal with coronavirus and at the same time autism or Down syndrome or a mobility issue.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said student safety will be the top priority, but that “despite this case, I want to remind everyone that the risk to the general public still remains low based upon the advice and guidance we’ve received from our public health officials.”
The school worker who tested positive for the coronavirus disembarked the cruise Feb. 21 in San Francisco and returned to work the next week, not knowing she had contracted COVID-19, officials said. When she started to feel symptoms on Monday, she stayed home the next day.
Related 21 positive for coronavirus on Grand Princess cruise ship off California coast
On Wednesday, when the woman saw an advisory that the Grand Princess cruise ship had a potential outbreak of the coronavirus, she sought testing. Her results came back positive Friday evening, officials said.
Officials wouldn’t say which hospital was treating the woman but said her condition had stabilized. There are now more than 20 cases of the coronavirus stemming from the Grand Princess, Arwady said.
The student body at Vaughn is 54% Latino, 24% white and 21% African American. Three-quarters of the student body comes from low-income families. The school serves students with “mild to moderate cognitive disabilities,” the CPS website says.
While CPS and city health officials reach out to those at Vaughn, Jackson recommended they stay home in isolation. Pritzker added that all COVID-19 testing is free and covered by the state.
“We’ve also spoken with the largest insurance companies in the state of Illinois to make sure that they are offering the care that is needed not only by the people who are fully insured by their companies but also those that are underinsured,” Pritzker said.
Jackson also said all CPS staff district-wide have been advised to cancel any travel plans to countries on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Level 2 or 3 travel advisory list — China, Iran, South Korea, Italy and Japan. Any employee who travels to one of those countries will be asked to stay home and self-quarantine for 14 days after they return.
All school trips to those countries have also been canceled, Jackson said.
Ngozi Ezike, the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said the state is monitoring more than 250 people. Illinois, the first state with the ability to conduct its own COVID-19 testing, has the capacity at this point to test as many people as needed, she said.
Chicago Teachers Union spokesman Ronnie Reese in a statement called on CPS to “rapidly ramp up its efforts to clean and disinfect all schools throughout the city to prevent the spread of the virus.” Reese added that CPS made assurances that all school staff would continue to be paid while they stayed home.
CPS told all families district-wide about the case at Vaughn in a Friday night robocall that emphasized there are no plans at this point to close any other schools. The district added that extra soap, hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies have been sent to all schools.
Ok, the Vaughn mother, said she canceled her own family’s plans for the next week, including her kids’ piano lessons, a trip to a nephew’s birthday party and movie plans with friends.
She added that she doesn’t know if her daughter, who’s a senior at Vaughn, has had contact with the aide who tested positive. But because it’s a small school, Ok said “it’s very easy to come in contact with every person in the school” on any given day.
“We have a lot of parents that are single and immigrants and they don’t have a lot of support,” Ok said. “Our families are going to need help.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Cubs drop 6-3 Cactus League grudge match to rising White Sox

MESA , Ariz. — Cubs bullpen candidate Dan Winkler gave up a two-run homer to Jose Abreu in the fourth inning , and rookie Adbert Alzolay gave up a two-run shot to Adam Engel in the fifth as the Cubs lost 6-3 to the White Sox in the Cactus League crosstown matchup Friday at Sloan Park .
Lester gets work : Veteran starter Jon Lester , commanding a “ pretty good ” cutter and better than normal changeup , faced 12 batters in his third start of the spring , pitching two outs deep into the third before issuing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Six of his eight outs came on strikeouts .
“ I would have liked to have had maybe a few more at-bats with some contact early regardless of if it was a hit or not , ” said Lester , whose only run allowed came on Luis Robert ’ s double to the wall in right after an Eloy Jimenez walk .
“ I felt like there were some good pitches that were fouled off as opposed to put in play and I had to kind of battle from there.
” Rizzo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t in the lineup the day after being scratched Thursday because of a blister that split on his right middle finger , which he eagerly displayed for a Chicago columnist Friday morning .
He ’ s to be evaluated daily but is making the trip to Las Vegas this weekend for a pair of split-squad games .
Spring cleaning : The Cubs made their first cuts of the spring , sending 11 players out , reducing the spring roster to 51 .
Four were optioned : right-hander Tyson Miller and infielder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Manny Rodriguez ( sidelined with a biceps injury ) to AA Tennessee .
Seven were reassigned to minor-league camp : right-handers Jason Adam , Oscar De La Cruz , Caleb Simpson and Brock Stewart ; left-handers Tyler Olson and C.D .
Pelham ; and catcher Jhonny Pereda .
Attendance “ record ” : The game drew 16,095 in attendance , touted by the Cubs as an official Cactus League record – despite the fact the Cubs drew 16,100 last March at the same place , for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red Sox .
On deck : Split squad : Cubs at Indians , Goodyear , 2:05 p.m. , Saturday , 670-AM , Kyle Hendricks vs. Adam Plutko ; Cubs vs. Reds , Las Vegas , 3:05 p.m. , Saturday , MSN , Alec Mills vs. Tejay Antone .

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs bullpen candidate Dan Winkler gave up a two-run homer to Jose Abreu in the fourth inning, and rookie Adbert Alzolay gave up a two-run shot to Adam Engel in the fifth as the Cubs lost 6-3 to the White Sox in the Cactus League crosstown matchup Friday at Sloan Park.
Lester gets work: Veteran starter Jon Lester, commanding a “pretty good” cutter and better than normal changeup, faced 12 batters in his third start of the spring, pitching two outs into the third before issuing a walk and running into his pitch limit. Six of his eight outs came on strikeouts.
“I would have liked to have had maybe a few more at-bats with some contact early regardless of if it was a hit or not,” said Lester, whose only run allowed came on Luis Robert’s double to the wall in right after an Eloy Jimenez walk.
Lester after his start Friday pic.twitter.com/AGXD5nmI7K — Gordon Wittenmyer (@GDubCub) March 6, 2020
Rizzo finger update: First baseman Anthony Rizzo wasn’t in the lineup after being scratched Thursday because of a blister that split on his right middle finger. He will be evaluated daily but is making the trip to Las Vegas this weekend for a pair of split-squad games.
Spring cleaning: The Cubs made their first cuts of the spring, sending 11 players out, reducing the roster to 51.
Four were optioned: right-hander Tyson Miller and infielder Robel Garcia to Class AAA Iowa, and left-hander Justin Steele and right-hander Manny Rodriguez (sidelined with a biceps injury) to Class AA Tennessee.
Seven were reassigned to minor-league camp: right-handers Jason Adam, Oscar De La Cruz, Caleb Simpson and Brock Stewart, left-handers Tyler Olson and C.D. Pelham and catcher Jhonny Pereda.
Attendance “record”: The game drew 16,095 in attendance, touted by the Cubs as an official Cactus League record — despite the fact the team drew 16,100 last March at the same place for a non-Cactus League spring exhibition game against the Red Sox.
On deck: Split squad: Cubs at Indians, Goodyear, 2:05 p.m. Saturday, 670-AM, Kyle Hendricks vs. Adam Plutko; Cubs vs. Reds, Las Vegas, 3:05 p.m. Saturday, MSN, Alec Mills vs. Tejay Antone.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Videos shown to jurors show moments before and after shooting of CPD Cmdr. Paul Bauer

Cook County jurors Friday watched a series of videos depicting the moments before and after Chicago Police Cmdr .
Paul Bauer ’ s fatal shooting .
Legghette ’ s defense attorney objected as one video of a police officer ’ s body-worn camera played in court , showing alleged gunman Shomari Legghette being taken in custody after the Feb. 13 , 2018 shooting .
The tape was paused and Judge Erica Reddick cleared the jury from her courtroom , telling prosecutors to limit the amount of the body-camera footage shown during Legghette ’ s murder trial .
Defense attorney Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jurors couldn ’ t be expected to disregard comments they heard officers make on the video , nor images of Legghette in handcuffs near a downtown stairwell where the shooting took place .
Reddick ruled against the motion .
“ In this case , I ’ ll say the amount of material [ jurors ] viewed was somewhat limited , ” she said .
Assistant State ’ s Attorney John Maher said the footage was presented to show jurors that Legghette wasn ’ t injured while in police custody .
Officer Anja Bouch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from , also testified that Legghette had been “ treated fairly ” by police .
When the jury returned to the courtroom , the footage was presented without audio and limited to footage of police officers searching Legghette at the scene near the Thompson Center and again at Area Central headquarters .
Jurors Friday also watched taxi cab footage footage and heard testimony from cabbie Evin Kulic , who saw 53-year-old Bauer chase Legghette across Clark Street and toward the stairwell .
Kulic said he saw Bauer and Legghette tussle at the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steps out of view .
He also said he heard gunshots after pulling his cab over to watch .
He later used his cellphone to shoot video of Legghette being brought up the stairs and searched by officers .
The footage and audio , mounted on Kulic ’ s cab , showed two figures run across the street in front of the taxi .
Then a series of seven gunshots could be heard .
Kulic testified he did not see or hear any officers fire their weapons .
In a letter to ABC-7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Bauer was struck by “ friendly fire ” from fellow officers .
Illinois State Police firearms examiner Jennifer Sher testified Friday that a bullet that struck Bauer and shell casings found at the scene were fired from the 9-mm Glock semiautomatic pistol that was later recovered from Leghette .

Cook County jurors Friday watched a series of videos depicting the moments before and after Chicago Police Cmdr. Paul Bauer’s fatal shooting.
Legghette’s defense attorney objected as one video of a police officer’s body-worn camera played in court, showing alleged gunman Shomari Legghette being taken in custody after the Feb. 13, 2018 shooting.
The tape was paused and Judge Erica Reddick cleared the jury from her courtroom, telling prosecutors to limit the amount of the body-camera footage shown during Legghette’s murder trial.
Defense attorney Scott Kamin asked for a mistrial, maintaining jurors couldn’t be expected to disregard comments they heard officers make on the video, nor images of Legghette in handcuffs near a downtown stairwell where the shooting took place.
Reddick ruled against the motion. “In this case, I’ll say the amount of material [jurors] viewed was somewhat limited,” she said.
Assistant State’s Attorney John Maher said the footage was presented to show jurors that Legghette wasn’t injured while in police custody. Officer Anja Bouch, whose body-worn camera the footage came from, also testified that Legghette had been “treated fairly” by police.
When the jury returned to the courtroom, the footage was presented without audio and limited to footage of police officers searching Legghette at the scene near the Thompson Center and again at Area Central headquarters.
Jurors Friday also watched taxi cab footage footage and heard testimony from cabbie Evin Kulic, who saw 53-year-old Bauer chase Legghette across Clark Street and toward the stairwell. Kulic said he saw Bauer and Legghette tussle at the top of the stairwell before falling down the steps out of view. He also said he heard gunshots after pulling his cab over to watch. He later used his cellphone to shoot video of Legghette being brought up the stairs and searched by officers.
The footage and audio, mounted on Kulic’s cab, showed two figures run across the street in front of the taxi. Then a series of seven gunshots could be heard.
Kulic testified he did not see or hear any officers fire their weapons.
In a letter to ABC-7 reporters, Legghette, 46, claimed that Bauer was struck by “friendly fire” from fellow officers.
Illinois State Police firearms examiner Jennifer Sher testified Friday that a bullet that struck Bauer and shell casings found at the scene were fired from the 9-mm Glock semiautomatic pistol that was later recovered from Leghette.
Legghette’s trial is expected to continue Monday.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-06--Smollett in town ahead of hush-hush meeting between lawyers, judge

In the latest chapter of his alleged homophobic racial assault case , former “ Empire ” actor Jussie Smollett hit town Thursday in advance of a hush-hush meeting .
That meeting Friday was between his lawyers , including attorney William Quinlan , and special prosecutor Dan Webb in the private chambers of Cook County Judge David Linn .
Linn is the judge that is hearing the new case against Smollett on charges he faked a hate crime against himself .
What was discussed at the meeting isn ’ t known , but the parties did agree to move his next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t present for the meeting in the judge ’ s chambers .
But he was spotted dining in the Loop with Quinlan on Thursday night .
A source tells Sneed singer R. Kelly , 53 , who pleaded not guilty to an updated federal indictment Thursday loaded with child porn charges , is “ healing ” from his recent hernia and stomach surgery since his incarceration at the Metropolitan Correctional Center , “ but he is losing weight.
” Well , do tell : First Lady Melania Trump only follows SEVEN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it includes only one politico besides her hubby and veep Mike Pence : former President Barack Obama !
• Surprisingly , Melania does NOT follow former first lady Michelle Obama on Twitter — but Michelle follows her !
Barack Obama continues to beat the Trumpster in the twittersphere .
• To wit : President Donald Trump ’ s @ realDonaldTrump Twitter account has 73.4 million followers while Obama clocks in with 113.4 million Twitter users following him .
Sneedless to say , no matter what political criticism lands on Bernie Sanders ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ land anywhere near him : He would not be accused of wasting weekend time on the golf course .

The Smollett saga . . .
In the latest chapter of his alleged homophobic racial assault case, former “Empire” actor Jussie Smollett hit town Thursday in advance of a hush-hush meeting.
That meeting Friday was between his lawyers, including attorney William Quinlan, and special prosecutor Dan Webb in the private chambers of Cook County Judge James Linn.
Linn is the judge that is hearing the new case against Smollett on charges he faked a hate crime against himself.
What was discussed at the meeting isn’t known, but the parties did agree to move his next court date to April 20.
Smollett wasn’t present for the meeting in the judge’s chambers.
But he was spotted dining in the Loop with Quinlan on Thursday night.
The R. Kelly case . . .
A source tells Sneed singer R. Kelly, 53, who pleaded not guilty to an updated federal indictment Thursday loaded with child porn charges, is “healing” from his recent hernia and stomach surgery since his incarceration at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, “but he is losing weight.”
Melania my, my . . .
Well, do tell: First Lady Melania Trump only follows SEVEN people on her @FLOTUS Twitter account and it includes only one politico besides her hubby and veep Mike Pence: former President Barack Obama!
Surprisingly, Melania does NOT follow former first lady Michelle Obama on Twitter — but Michelle follows her!
The numbers game . . .
Barack Obama continues to beat the Trumpster in the twittersphere.
To wit: President Donald Trump’s @realDonaldTrump Twitter account has 73.4 million followers while Obama clocks in with 113.4 million Twitter users following him.
Tee hee?
Sneedless to say, no matter what political criticism lands on Bernie Sanders’ lapel, one shot won’t land anywhere near him: He would not be accused of wasting weekend time on the golf course.