chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Groups aim to reach city’s hard-to-count residents in 2020 Census: ‘If there is an undercount, that

Groups aim to reach city’s hard-to-count residents in 2020 Census: ‘If there is an undercount, that voice is lost’

Groups aim to reach city ’ s hard-to-count residents in 2020 Census : ‘ If there is an undercount , that voice is lost ’ Share All sharing options for : Groups aim to reach city ’ s hard-to-count residents in 2020 Census : ‘ If there is an undercount , that voice is lost ’ Grace Chan stood in the middle of a bustling Bridgeport coffee shop flanked by three others .
They didn ’ t grab coffee but instead passed around clipboards with maps of the area they soon would canvass .
For months , the Coalition for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city blocks and knocked on doors alerting residents to the importance of the upcoming 2020 U.S. census .
On April 1 , the Census Bureau will embark on a decennial headcount of the nation ’ s entire population .
Chan , the coalition director , hopes their groundwork can raise awareness about the importance of the census .
The results of that count will determine how federal funds are distributed , the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives , the redrawing of congressional districts and a state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years .
What happens if the Census Bureau gets it wrong ?
A miscount will spell disaster in already under-resourced cities and towns throughout Illinois , Chan said .
Central to those fears are what the bureau deems “ hard-to-count populations ” — people who the bureau worries will rebuff knocks on their door and therefore won ’ t be tallied .
The “ hard-to-count ” population in Chicago is estimated to be around 1.3 million people concentrated in low-income communities like Austin , Humboldt Park , South Shore , Chicago Lawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Englewood .
More than 372,000 people in those seven neighborhoods alone are at risk of not being counted , according to the census estimates .
There is no one reason why it ’ s difficult to get an accurate count , but language barriers and a distrust of the federal government rank high on the list .
In October , Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city would work toward an accurate count by spending $ 2.7 million — about $ 2 for every hard-to-count resident .
Lightfoot also urged business leaders in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city is using to fund community organizations working on outreach .
The city ’ s goal of a 75 % response rate for this census is ambitious compared with the 66 % response 10 years ago — the worst among big cities .
Illinois is already expected to lose one congressional seat because of population loss ; an undercount of just 1 % could cost the state a second seat .
It will also affect funding for federal programs like Highway Planning and Construction , Medicaid , Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program , Section @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the decennial census data .
“ We know our community will benefit from having a political voice , and if there is an undercount , that voice is lost , said Kareem Butler , the Chicago Urban League ’ s 2020 Census policy coordinator .
“ Infrastructure is already something that is depleted in these areas and without adequate funding it will become more dire over the next 10 years.
” The census will mostly be conducted online for the first time , but census takers will be sent out to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The goal of a digital census is to make it easier and more accessible , but reliable internet access isn ’ t universal .
“ There ’ s an issue of internet access in the African American community , and this poses socioeconomic questions about who has access to the internet ?
” Butler said .
About 12 % of households living in hard-to-count communities don ’ t have an internet subscription or use an outdated dial-up connection , according to census data .
Butler said the organization sees the 2020 census as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disinvested neighborhoods .
For more than a century , the Urban League has worked toward “ economic , educational and social progress ” for African Americans in the city .
It has invested in transforming its offices at 4510 S. Michigan Ave. into a “ census center ” where people can use computers to fill out the census form .
“ We also want to make sure we are an information hub so that people can feel comfortable asking us questions , ” said Butler .
Why are people afraid of the 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a matter of accessibility .
It is also driven by fear , said Maricela García , CEO of Gads Hill Center .
People often wrongly believe their personal information will be shared if they complete the census .
This misconception is stoked by the Trump administration ’ s hardline immigration policy and its failed attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census , she said .
That fear persists despite the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the citizenship question from showing up on census forms .
“ People don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maintain that their the data is confidential and they won ’ t share it with other agencies , ” said García .
“ Many families don ’ t trust the government today , and that is a legitimate concern.
” García said her organization is focusing on assuring people their information won ’ t be shared with other federal agencies like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement .
“ Our organization focuses on bringing the resources to build for the future in the communities we service , ” Garcia said .
“ Without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count this will be harder to achieve.
” Gads Hill Center , 4255 S. Archer Ave. , will also serve as a 2020 census hub .
The Urban League ’ s Butler said skepticism of the census comes from a “ real place of fear and cynicism.
” Groups must acknowledge people ’ s angst while reassuring them the 2020 census is safe .
For one , those facing legal battles can be apprehensive about the census .
They could also fear their information being shared with landlords .
“ People don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their apartment for listing someone in their census form who is not on their apartment lease , ” Butler said .
“ We have to take the time and assure them their information won ’ t be shared with their landlord or employer.
” It ’ s also about being upfront about the importance of the census .
“ The census is not a broad or wide sweeping solution to every single problem in every single community , ” Butler said .
“ But it is part of what is going to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that is what we have to remind folks.
” Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America , a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago ’ s South and West sides .

Grace Chan stood in the middle of a bustling Bridgeport coffee shop flanked by three others. They didn’t grab coffee but instead passed around clipboards with maps of the area they soon would canvass.
For months, the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community have walked city blocks and knocked on doors alerting residents to the importance of the upcoming 2020 U.S. census.
On April 1, the Census Bureau will embark on a decennial headcount of the nation’s entire population. Chan, the coalition director, hopes their groundwork can raise awareness about the importance of the census.
The results of that count will determine how federal funds are distributed, the number of seats a state has in the House of Representatives, the redrawing of congressional districts and a state’s number of electors for the next 10 years.
What happens if the Census Bureau gets it wrong? A miscount will spell disaster in already under-resourced cities and towns throughout Illinois, Chan said.
Central to those fears are what the bureau deems “hard-to-count populations” — people who the bureau worries will rebuff knocks on their door and therefore won’t be tallied.
The “hard-to-count” population in Chicago is estimated to be around 1.3 million people concentrated in low-income communities like Austin, Humboldt Park, South Shore, Chicago Lawn, Little Village, North Lawndale and West Englewood.
More than 372,000 people in those seven neighborhoods alone are at risk of not being counted, according to the census estimates.
There is no one reason why it’s difficult to get an accurate count, but language barriers and a distrust of the federal government rank high on the list.
In October, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city would work toward an accurate count by spending $2.7 million — about $2 for every hard-to-count resident. Lightfoot also urged business leaders in Chicago to match the $500,000 the city is using to fund community organizations working on outreach.
The city’s goal of a 75% response rate for this census is ambitious compared with the 66% response 10 years ago — the worst among big cities.
Maricela García reads to Yennya Segura’s daughter at Gads Hill Center in October 2019. Her organization is working to educate people about the 2020 census. Archivo Manny Ramos/Sun-Times
Illinois is already expected to lose one congressional seat because of population loss; an undercount of just 1% could cost the state a second seat.
It will also affect funding for federal programs like Highway Planning and Construction, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Section 8 Housing and Head Start that rely on the decennial census data.
“We know our community will benefit from having a political voice, and if there is an undercount, that voice is lost, said Kareem Butler, the Chicago Urban League’s 2020 Census policy coordinator. “Infrastructure is already something that is depleted in these areas and without adequate funding it will become more dire over the next 10 years.”
The census will mostly be conducted online for the first time, but census takers will be sent out to find people who don’t respond. The goal of a digital census is to make it easier and more accessible, but reliable internet access isn’t universal.
“There’s an issue of internet access in the African American community, and this poses socioeconomic questions about who has access to the internet?” Butler said.
About 12% of households living in hard-to-count communities don’t have an internet subscription or use an outdated dial-up connection, according to census data.
Butler said the organization sees the 2020 census as a way of improving conditions in already disinvested neighborhoods. For more than a century, the Urban League has worked toward “economic, educational and social progress” for African Americans in the city.
It has invested in transforming its offices at 4510 S. Michigan Ave. into a “census center” where people can use computers to fill out the census form.
“We also want to make sure we are an information hub so that people can feel comfortable asking us questions,” said Butler.
Why are people afraid of the 2020 Census?
A census undercount is not only a matter of accessibility. It is also driven by fear, said Maricela García, CEO of Gads Hill Center.
People often wrongly believe their personal information will be shared if they complete the census. This misconception is stoked by the Trump administration’s hardline immigration policy and its failed attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census, she said.
Grace Chan, left, and Michelle Gan knocked on homes in Bridgeport to tell residents about the upcoming 2020 census. Manny Ramos/Sun-Times
That fear persists despite the U.S. Supreme Court blocking the citizenship question from showing up on census forms.
“People don’t believe the government is really going to maintain that their the data is confidential and they won’t share it with other agencies,” said García. “Many families don’t trust the government today, and that is a legitimate concern.”
García said her organization is focusing on assuring people their information won’t be shared with other federal agencies like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“Our organization focuses on bringing the resources to build for the future in the communities we service,” Garcia said. “Without the resources allocated through a proper census count this will be harder to achieve.”
Gads Hill Center, 4255 S. Archer Ave., will also serve as a 2020 census hub.
The Urban League’s Butler said skepticism of the census comes from a “real place of fear and cynicism.” Groups must acknowledge people’s angst while reassuring them the 2020 census is safe.
For one, those facing legal battles can be apprehensive about the census. They could also fear their information being shared with landlords.
“People don’t want to get kicked out of their apartment for listing someone in their census form who is not on their apartment lease,” Butler said. “We have to take the time and assure them their information won’t be shared with their landlord or employer.”
It’s also about being upfront about the importance of the census.
“The census is not a broad or wide sweeping solution to every single problem in every single community,” Butler said. “But it is part of what is going to help secure progress for the next 10 years, and that is what we have to remind folks.”
Manny Ramos is a corps member in Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of issues affecting Chicago’s South and West sides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--On ‘The Conners,’ a Packer fan tests the tolerance of a Bears-loving family

It ’ s a Saturday during the regular football season , but the Conners already are ready to support the Bears the next day .
It turns out the working-class residents of fictional Lanford , Illinois , make it through the week by cheering on their favorite football team .
Things become tense when Becky Conner brings her family a harrowing surprise : her new boyfriend , a devout but hypocritical Christian determined to criticize their Bears pride and look down on their Sunday ritual .
He is also a Packers fan .
The story for this week ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conners ” ( 7 p.m. Tuesday on WLS-Channel 7 ) comes from Evanston-born actress Alicia “ Lecy ” Goranson , who has played Becky off and on since she was cast for the original “ Roseanne ” in 1988 .
She wanted the series ’ writers to show just how important the Bears are to Midwestern culture by highlighting one of her favorite things about being from Illinois .
Goranson and her family followed football as she grew up .
She said it gave them something to talk about .
She learned she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bears with fellow Midwesterners outside of Chicago .
“ One thing I really missed being in New York for years and years was not having a community to watch the games with , ” said Goranson .
“ I started watching the games with this community , and I realized how important it was to me to feel that community and watch the games with people.
” She ’ ll also be viewing this episode with people , during a watch party Tuesday at Joe ’ s on Weed Street , 940 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 10 includes a drink ticket , and Goranson will be raising money for the Chicago Fire Department ’ s Widows & Children ’ s Fund ( EMWQ ) .
Doors open at 6 p.m. ( Reservations : www.LecyBearsDown.Eventbrite.com ) .
The boyfriend on the episode is played by Tim Baltz , a Joliet native and Second City alum .
She said he agreed to do the show without reading the script and was horrified to learn he ’ s playing a cheesehead .
“ He told me he is never going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same way once the photos get out , ” Goranson laughed .
The two performers built off one another on and off set .
Goranson ordered Lou Malnati ’ s and Giordano ’ s pizza to build Midwestern culture rapport on set .
John Goodman ’ s character , Dan Conner , mirrors similar sentiments by preparing the Sunday game meal on Saturday night .
Dan spends the entirety of the episode encouraging his family to share in excitement and sorrow watching the game .
He also works on teaching young Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s diehard loyalty to the Bears , and bestows on him the cap he received from his grandfather at a game where Gayle Sayers played .
“ I know what a big deal sports are in our culture and community , and I felt that the show wasn ’ t touching upon that , ” said Goranson .
“ To me , it was this glaring hole in our show because it ’ s such a big part of our community.
” The Conners can not afford to watch a Bears game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but they can watch on television and cheer and cry alongside their loved ones .
As Dan says , “ It is like church .
Because when the Bears are collapsing at the end of the game , we ask the Almighty for a swift and merciful end .
”

It’s a Saturday during the regular football season, but the Conners already are ready to support the Bears the next day. It turns out the working-class residents of fictional Lanford, Illinois, make it through the week by cheering on their favorite football team.
Things become tense when Becky Conner brings her family a harrowing surprise: her new boyfriend, a devout but hypocritical Christian determined to criticize their Bears pride and look down on their Sunday ritual.
He is also a Packers fan.
The story for this week’s episode of ABC’s “The Conners” (7 p.m. Tuesday on WLS-Channel 7) comes from Evanston-born actress Alicia “Lecy” Goranson, who has played Becky off and on since she was cast for the original “Roseanne” in 1988. She wanted the series’ writers to show just how important the Bears are to Midwestern culture by highlighting one of her favorite things about being from Illinois.
Goranson and her family followed football as she grew up. She said it gave them something to talk about. She learned she could share a laugh or excitement about the Bears with fellow Midwesterners outside of Chicago.
“One thing I really missed being in New York for years and years was not having a community to watch the games with,” said Goranson. “I started watching the games with this community, and I realized how important it was to me to feel that community and watch the games with people.”
She’ll also be viewing this episode with people, during a watch party Tuesday at Joe’s on Weed Street, 940 W. Weed. The admission fee of $10 includes a drink ticket, and Goranson will be raising money for the Chicago Fire Department’s Widows & Children’s Fund (EMWQ). Doors open at 6 p.m. (Reservations: www.LecyBearsDown.Eventbrite.com).
The boyfriend on the episode is played by Tim Baltz, a Joliet native and Second City alum. She said he agreed to do the show without reading the script and was horrified to learn he’d play a cheesehead.
“He told me he is never going to be able to go back home in the same way once the photos get out,” Goranson laughed.
Second City alum Tim Baltz plays a Packer fan who’s dating Becky (Lecy Goranson) on “The Conners.” ABC
The two performers built off one another on and off set. Goranson ordered Lou Malnati’s and Giordano’s pizza to build Midwestern culture rapport on set.
John Goodman’s character, Dan Conner, mirrors similar sentiments by preparing the Sunday game meal on Saturday night. Dan spends the entirety of the episode encouraging his family to share in excitement and sorrow watching the game. He also works on teaching young Mark Conner-Healy (Ames McNamara) the family’s diehard loyalty to the Bears, and bestows on him the cap he received from his grandfather at a game where Gale Sayers played.
“I know what a big deal sports are in our culture and community, and I felt that the show wasn’t touching upon that,” said Goranson. “To me, it was this glaring hole in our show because it’s such a big part of our community.”
The Conners cannot afford to watch a Bears game at Soldier Field, Goranson said, but they can watch on television and cheer and cry alongside their loved ones.
As Dan says, “It is like church. Because when the Bears are collapsing at the end of the game, we ask the Almighty for a swift and merciful end.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Police and fire overtime continue to surge in Chicago

Chicago taxpayers spent nearly $ 210 million on police and fire overtime last year — and another $ 33.7 million on lump-sum payments to departing employees , most of them police officers , records show .
One retiring officer walked out the door with $ 276,053 for stockpiled compensatory time and another $ 9,236 for unused vacation days .
Records released to the Chicago Sun-Times in response to a Freedom of Information Act request show scores of other six-figure checks and hundreds of payments that topped $ 20,000 .
In private industry , employees are routinely required to use comp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They are not allowed to accumulate a career ’ s worth of comp time and cash it out when they leave .
City tradespeople and members of AFSCME get cash only for overtime .
Their most recent contracts do not allow for comp time .
Chicago police officers are exceptions to that rule .
“ When they do earn this overtime , they have that option of electing pay or comp time , ” Budget Director Susie Park told the Sun-Times .
“ There ’ s another provision in the contract that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of comp time.
” Park said the “ best way ” to control costs “ is to manage the overtime before it is earned and turned into comp time .
… When we start there , that restricts the amount of comp time they are allowed to take and carry over .
We ’ re trying to start that on the front end — before you even earn it.
” Five months ago , the Sun-Times reported the Chicago Police Department had spent $ 67.6 million on overtime through the first six months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff and an all-time high in technology .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was “ angry and frustrated ” and planned to hold then-Police Supt .
Eddie Johnson personally accountable for reining in an abuse that beleaguered Chicago taxpayers “ can ’ t afford.
” Johnson is gone , fired for “ lying ” to the mayor about an embarrassing drinking and driving incident in mid-October .
Meanwhile , Lightfoot ’ s attempt to put the Police and Fire Departments on the hot seat about runaway overtime has not yet produced tangible results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent $ 131.2 million on police overtime , matching the 12-month total for the year before .
The Fire Department overtime was even worse .
The department spent $ 78.7 million through Nov. 30 , a 16 percent increase from the 12-month total the year before and a more than sixfold increase from the $ 12.8 million spent on overtime in 2011 .
Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford referred questions about the overtime surge to the city ’ s Office of Budget and Management .
Budget spokesperson Kristen Cabanban said the spike was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the uniformed ranks and by “ minimum manning requirements ” in the firefighters contract that “ specifies the number of members required on all apparatuses at all times and the number of existing companies which all must be maintained.
” The minimum manning requirement triggered the bitter 1980 firefighters strike .
It requires every piece of fire apparatus to be staffed by at least five employees .
Last week , Lightfoot attended a Navy Pier graduation ceremony for 110 new firefighters and 30 new paramedics .
“ The department will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things , focusing strategically on the hiring and promotion pipeline , ” Cabanban said .
“ As of 2019 , the CFD has eliminated the use of mandatory overtime that was once relied on to staff the [ five ] new ambulances recently added into service.
” Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said “ major structural changes ” have now been put in place in an effort to control overtime going forward .
Police personnel finally started swiping in and out of work in September .
Each commander is now given an overtime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that overtime spending is “ audited within the Compstat process , ” he said .
“ Essentially , you have to articulate operational needs to justify overtime expenditures , ” Guglielmi said .
“ Now , you have electronic records monitoring ... exact amounts of overtime .
Overtime has to be pre-authorized .
You can ’ t just swipe out at later periods .
That has to be pre-requested and approved through supervision in accordance with the overtime budgeting plan.
” All of those systems — and the new Office Of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herd over overtime — took time to implement and “ work the kinks out , ” Park said .
“ It ’ s frustrating that the numbers are high and continue to be so .
But the mayor has spoken to her cabinet members .
They know that these numbers are unacceptable and we do need to bring them down , ” Park said .

Chicago taxpayers spent nearly $210 million on police and fire overtime last year — and another $33.7 million on lump-sum payments to departing employees, most of them police officers, records show.
One retiring officer walked out the door with $276,053 for stockpiled compensatory time and another $9,236 for unused vacation days.
Records released to the Chicago Sun-Times in response to a Freedom of Information Act request show scores of other six-figure checks and hundreds of payments that topped $20,000.
In private industry, employees are routinely required to use comp time within a defined period of time. They are not allowed to accumulate a career’s worth of comp time and cash it out when they leave.
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City tradespeople and members of AFSCME get cash only for overtime. Their most recent contracts do not allow for comp time.
Chicago police officers are exceptions to that rule.
“When they do earn this overtime, they have that option of electing pay or comp time,” Budget Director Susie Park told the Sun-Times. “There’s another provision in the contract that says we will not restrict the accumulation of comp time.”
Park said the “best way” to control costs “is to manage the overtime before it is earned and turned into comp time. … When we start there, that restricts the amount of comp time they are allowed to take and carry over. We’re trying to start that on the front end — before you even earn it.”
Five months ago, the Sun-Times reported the Chicago Police Department had spent $67.6 million on overtime through the first six months of 2019 despite a 10-year high in staff and an all-time high in technology.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was “angry and frustrated” and planned to hold then-Police Supt. Eddie Johnson personally accountable for reining in an abuse that beleaguered Chicago taxpayers “can’t afford.”
Johnson is gone, fired for “lying” to the mayor about an embarrassing drinking and driving incident in mid-October.
Meanwhile, Lightfoot’s attempt to put the Police and Fire Departments on the hot seat about runaway overtime has not yet produced tangible results.
Through Nov. 30, the city spent $131.2 million on police overtime, matching the 12-month total for the year before.
The Fire Department overtime was even worse. The department spent $78.7 million through Nov. 30, a 16 percent increase from the 12-month total the year before and a more than sixfold increase from the $12.8 million spent on overtime in 2011.
Fire Department spokesperson Larry Langford referred questions about the overtime surge to the city’s Office of Budget and Management.
Budget spokesperson Kristen Cabanban said the spike was “principally driven” by 456 vacancies in the uniformed ranks and by “minimum manning requirements” in the firefighters contract that “specifies the number of members required on all apparatuses at all times and the number of existing companies which all must be maintained.”
The minimum manning requirement triggered the bitter 1980 firefighters strike. It requires every piece of fire apparatus to be staffed by at least five employees.
Last week, Lightfoot attended a Navy Pier graduation ceremony for 110 new firefighters and 30 new paramedics.
“The department will continue to address overall overtime by, among other things, focusing strategically on the hiring and promotion pipeline,” Cabanban said.
“As of 2019, the CFD has eliminated the use of mandatory overtime that was once relied on to staff the [five] new ambulances recently added into service.”
Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said “major structural changes” have now been put in place in an effort to control overtime going forward.
Police personnel finally started swiping in and out of work in September. Each commander is now given an overtime budget to manage. Every two weeks, that overtime spending is “audited within the Compstat process,” he said.
“Essentially, you have to articulate operational needs to justify overtime expenditures,” Guglielmi said.
“Now, you have electronic records monitoring ... exact amounts of overtime. Overtime has to be pre-authorized. You can’t just swipe out at later periods. That has to be pre-requested and approved through supervision in accordance with the overtime budgeting plan.”
All of those systems — and the new Office Of Public Safety Administration that will help to ride herd over overtime — took time to implement and “work the kinks out,” Park said.
“It’s frustrating that the numbers are high and continue to be so. But the mayor has spoken to her cabinet members. They know that these numbers are unacceptable and we do need to bring them down,” Park said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Menu planner: Tangy tomato and lemon risotto is worth the extra time

In a 2-quart saucepan on medium , heat broth to a simmer ; reduce heat to low and keep warm .
Meanwhile , heat oil in a large saucepan on medium .
Add shallots ; cook until soft .
Add rice ; stir 2 to 3 minutes .
Increase heat to medium-high ; stir in 1 cup broth .
Continue stirring and adding remaining broth , 1 cup at a time , allowing each cup to be absorbed before adding another .
Cook , uncovered , stirring frequently , 25 to 30 minutes or until broth is absorbed .
Cook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a creamy consistency .
Stir in tomatoes , lemon juice and zest .
Serve immediately .
Per serving : 159 calories , 3 grams protein , 2 grams fat ( 15 percent calories from fat ) , 0.3 gram saturated fat , 30 grams carbohydrate , no cholesterol , 86 milligrams sodium , 1 gram fiber .
Carb count : 2 .
Microwave bacon on high ( 100 percent power ) 2 to 3 minutes ; let stand 2 minutes .
In a Dutch oven , heat oil on medium .
Add onion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes or until onion is soft and lentils are lightly browned .
Add barley , broth , cumin and allspice .
Bring to a boil .
Reduce heat to medium-low ; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until lentils are soft ; add tomatoes .
Cook uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils and barley are tender and liquid is absorbed .
Before serving , stir in parsley and crumble bacon on top .
Combine plums , brown sugar , wine , olives , capers , vinegar , oil , oregano , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resealable plastic bag .
Add chicken ; seal and marinate in refrigerator 8 hours , turning bag occasionally .
Heat oven to 350 degrees .
Remove and arrange chicken in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish ; pour marinade evenly over chicken .
Bake 45 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees .
( Baste every 10 minutes with marinade . )
Place chicken , plums , olives and capers on serving platter , reserving pan drippings .
Discard bay leaves .
Sprinkle chicken with parsley and serve with reserved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cup packed light brown sugar , 1/4 cup cider vinegar , 2 tablespoons tomato paste , 1 tablespoon chili powder , 2 teaspoons cumin and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a resealable plastic bag ; mix well .
Add 2 trimmed pork tenderloins ( 1 pound each ) , turning to coat .
Seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour or up to 24 hours .
Heat oven to 425 degrees .
Place tenderloins on broiler rack coated with cooking spray ; place rack in broiler pan lined with foil .
Brush with marinade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperature reaches 145 degrees .
Remove from oven , cover and let stand 5 minutes .
Slice 1 tenderloin and serve .
To accompany the pork , add roasted red potatoes , petite green peas ( from frozen ) and whole-grain rolls .
Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a Dutch oven over medium .
Add 1 cup chopped onion ; cook 5 minutes or until softened .
Mix in 2 tablespoons chili powder .
Cook 1 minute ; chop and add the leftover pork tenderloin and cook 3 minutes .
Add 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 1 ( 15 1/2-ounce ) can rinsed white hominy , 1 ( 14 1/2-ounce ) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with liquid and 1 tablespoon minced chipotle chilies in adobo sauce ; mix well .
Bring to a boil , then reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes , stirring occasionally .
TIP : If chipotle chilies in adobo sauce are not available , use 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and a dash of liquid smoke .

Tangy tomato and lemon risotto
Servings: 6
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: about 35 minutes
INGREDIENTS
4 cups unsalted chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 cup Arborio rice
1 cup cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Zest of one lemon
In a 2-quart saucepan on medium, heat broth to a simmer; reduce heat to low and keep warm. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large saucepan on medium. Add shallots; cook until soft. Add rice; stir 2 to 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high; stir in 1 cup broth. Continue stirring and adding remaining broth, 1 cup at a time, allowing each cup to be absorbed before adding another. Cook, uncovered, stirring frequently, 25 to 30 minutes or until broth is absorbed. Cook until rice is tender and mixture has a creamy consistency. Stir in tomatoes, lemon juice and zest. Serve immediately.
Per serving: 159 calories, 3 grams protein, 2 grams fat (15 percent calories from fat), 0.3 gram saturated fat, 30 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 86 milligrams sodium, 1 gram fiber. Carb count: 2.
Lentils with bacon and tomatoes
Servings: 5
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: about 40 minutes, plus bacon
INGREDIENTS
3 slices bacon
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 cup dry lentils
1 cup quick-cooking barley
2 (14-ounce) cans lower-sodium beef broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can stewed tomatoes with liquid
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Microwave bacon on high (100 percent power) 2 to 3 minutes; let stand 2 minutes. In a Dutch oven, heat oil on medium. Add onion and lentils and cook 3 to 5 minutes or until onion is soft and lentils are lightly browned. Add barley, broth, cumin and allspice. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until lentils are soft; add tomatoes. Cook uncovered 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils and barley are tender and liquid is absorbed. Before serving, stir in parsley and crumble bacon on top.
Per serving: 325 calories, 19 grams protein, 5 grams fat (12 percent calories from fat), 0.9 gram saturated fat, 55 grams carbohydrate, 5 milligrams cholesterol, 347 milligrams sodium, 10 grams fiber. Carb count: 3.5.
Chicken marbella
Servings: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Marinating time: 8 hours
INGREDIENTS
2/3 cup pitted dried plums (prunes)
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/3 cup pitted green olives
1/4 cup capers, rinsed
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
6 cloves garlic, chopped
3 bay leaves
2 1/2 to 3 pounds bone-in skinless chicken parts (breasts, thighs, legs or combination)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Combine plums, brown sugar, wine, olives, capers, vinegar, oil, oregano, garlic and bay leaves in a large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken; seal and marinate in refrigerator 8 hours, turning bag occasionally. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Remove and arrange chicken in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; pour marinade evenly over chicken. Bake 45 minutes or until internal temperature is 165 degrees. (Baste every 10 minutes with marinade.) Place chicken, plums, olives and capers on serving platter, reserving pan drippings. Discard bay leaves. Sprinkle chicken with parsley and serve with reserved drippings as a sauce.
Per serving: 549 calories, 42 grams protein, 23 grams fat (38 percent calories from fat), 4.3 grams saturated fat, 42 grams carbohydrate, 155 milligrams cholesterol, 583 milligrams sodium, 2 grams fiber. Carb count: 3.
Sweet and tangy pork tenderloin
Combine 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons cumin and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a resealable plastic bag; mix well. Add 2 trimmed pork tenderloins (1 pound each), turning to coat. Seal and marinate in refrigerator 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Place tenderloins on broiler rack coated with cooking spray; place rack in broiler pan lined with foil. Brush with marinade. Bake 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove from oven, cover and let stand 5 minutes. Slice 1 tenderloin and serve.
To accompany the pork, add roasted red potatoes, petite green peas (from frozen) and whole-grain rolls.
Pork chili
Heat 1 teaspoon canola oil in a Dutch oven over medium. Add 1 cup chopped onion; cook 5 minutes or until softened. Mix in 2 tablespoons chili powder. Cook 1 minute; chop and add the leftover pork tenderloin and cook 3 minutes. Add 2 (8-ounce) cans no-salt-added tomato sauce, 1 (15 1/2-ounce) can rinsed white hominy, 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes with liquid and 1 tablespoon minced chipotle chilies in adobo sauce; mix well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve with coleslaw and cornbread.
TIP: If chipotle chilies in adobo sauce are not available, use 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and a dash of liquid smoke.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Man seriously injured in South Shore hit-and-run

A 57-year-old man was seriously injured Tuesday in a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian in South Shore on the South @ @ @ @ @ , police found the man in the middle of the street in the 2300 block @ @ @ @ @ after being struck by a white vehicle that continued west on 79th Street after the @ @ @ @ @ .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in serious condition with a @ @ @ @ @ .
He has had his condition stabilized .
No arrests have been made , police @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 57-year-old man was seriously injured Tuesday in a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian in South Shore on the South Side.
About 12:15 a.m., police found the man in the middle of the street in the 2300 block of East 79th Street, after being struck by a white vehicle that continued west on 79th Street after the crash, Chicago police said.
He was taken to the University of Chicago Hospital in serious condition with a head injury, police said. He has had his condition stabilized.
No arrests have been made, police said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--5 shot Monday in Chicago

5 shot Monday in Chicago

Five people were shot Monday in Chicago , including a teen boy who was wounded by gunfire in Garfield Park on the West Side .
The 17-year-old was walking about 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of West West End Avenue when he heard multiple gunshots , Chicago police said .
He ran away and realized he was grazed in the leg .
He was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in good condition , police said .
He didn ’ t give investigators a description of the shooter .
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was shot by someone after an argument in Austin on the West Side .
The man was shot in the leg and buttocks about 1:30 p.m. in the 4800 block of West Gladys Avenue , police said .
He was arguing with someone who later left .
However , that person returned in a red four-door vehicle and opened fire .
The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition , police said .
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate .
Fifteen minutes later , a 22-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lawndale on the West Side .
She was shot inside a vehicle about 1:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Douglas Boulevard , Chicago police said .
She took herself to Mt .
Sinai Hospital with two gunshot wounds to her shoulder , police said .
No arrests have been made .
A 24-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in West Garfield Park .
He was shot about 12:15 p.m. in the 4700 block of West Jackson Boulevard , police said .
He took himself to Loretto Hospital in good condition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinai Hospital , police said .
No one is in custody .
The day ’ s first shooting wounded a 32-year-old man in Fernwood on the South Side .
He was in the 10300 block of South Harvard Avenue about 10:07 a.m. when he heard gunfire and realized he was shot , police said .
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with a gunshot wound to his leg , police said .
Over the weekend , three people were killed and 13 others wounded in citywide gun violence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were shot Monday in Chicago, including a teen boy who was wounded by gunfire in Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 17-year-old was walking about 9 p.m. in the 4200 block of West West End Avenue when he heard multiple gunshots, Chicago police said. He ran away and realized he was grazed in the leg.
He was taken to West Suburban Medical Center in good condition, police said. He didn’t give investigators a description of the shooter.
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.
A 37-year-old man was wounded when he was shot by someone after an argument in Austin on the West Side.
The man was shot in the leg and buttocks about 1:30 p.m. in the 4800 block of West Gladys Avenue, police said. He was arguing with someone who later left. However, that person returned in a red four-door vehicle and opened fire.
The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition, police said.
No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.
Fifteen minutes later, a 22-year-old woman was wounded in a shooting in Lawndale on the West Side.
She was shot inside a vehicle about 1:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Douglas Boulevard, Chicago police said.
She took herself to Mt. Sinai Hospital with two gunshot wounds to her shoulder, police said. No arrests have been made.
A 24-year-old man was wounded in a shooting in West Garfield Park.
He was shot about 12:15 p.m. in the 4700 block of West Jackson Boulevard, police said.
He took himself to Loretto Hospital in good condition, and was transferred to Mt. Sinai Hospital, police said. No one is in custody.
The day’s first shooting wounded a 32-year-old man in Fernwood on the South Side.
He was in the 10300 block of South Harvard Avenue about 10:07 a.m. when he heard gunfire and realized he was shot, police said.
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with a gunshot wound to his leg, police said.
Area South detectives are investigating.
Over the weekend, three people were killed and 13 others wounded in citywide gun violence.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Apartments burglarized in South Shore: police

Four apartments were burglarized in December and January in South Shore on the South Side .
In each incident , @ @ @ @ @ or rear doors and stole property from therein , according to a community alert from @ @ @ @ @ 3:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. , between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3 , in the @ @ @ @ @ Avenue ; • Between 1:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. Jan. 2 , in the 6900 @ @ @ @ @ ; • Between 6:45 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Jan. 5 , in the 7000 block @ @ @ @ @ and • Between 10 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Jan. 13 , in the 6700 block @ @ @ @ @ Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s homicides .

Four apartments were burglarized in December and January in South Shore on the South Side.
In each incident, someone entered apartments through windows or rear doors and stole property from therein, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
The burglaries happened:
Between 3:30 a.m. and 11:30 p.m., between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, in the 6900 block of South Merrill Avenue;
Between 1:30 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. Jan. 2, in the 6900 block of South Paxton Avenue;
Between 6:45 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Jan. 5, in the 7000 block of South Paxton Avenue; and
Between 10 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. Jan. 13, in the 6700 block of South Merrill Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Residential burglaries reported in Gresham: police

Chicago police are warning of three residential burglaries reported in January in Gresham on the South Side .
In each @ @ @ @ @ residences through an opened window or side door , Chicago police said in a community @ @ @ @ @ stole vehicle keys , then the vehicle and in one incident they stole photography equipment @ @ @ @ @ and 10:45 a.m. Jan. 7 , in the 7500 block of South Damen Avenue ; @ @ @ @ @ 4:30 p.m. Jan. 14 , in the 7700 block of South Damen Avenue ; and @ @ @ @ @ 5 p.m. Jan 14 , in the 7600 block of South Damen Avenue .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ contact Area South detectives at 312-747-8273 .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Chicago police are warning of three residential burglaries reported in January in Gresham on the South Side.
In each incident, someone breaks into residences through an opened window or side door, Chicago police said in a community alert. Once inside they stole vehicle keys, then the vehicle and in one incident they stole photography equipment.
The burglaries happened:
Between 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Jan. 7, in the 7500 block of South Damen Avenue;
Between 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Jan. 14, in the 7700 block of South Damen Avenue; and
Between 4 a.m. and 5 p.m. Jan 14, in the 7600 block of South Damen Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area South detectives at 312-747-8273.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Metra MD-N train strikes semi near Edgebrook, halts service

Metra Milwaukee District North trains were stopped during the evening rush Tuesday after a train struck a semi truck in @ @ @ @ @ .
The collision happened about 5:30 p.m. near the Edgebrook station at Caldwell Avenue , @ @ @ @ @ No injuries have been reported .
Inbound and outbound movement was stopped about 5:45 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ crossing accident , ” Metra said in a tweet .

Metra Milwaukee District North trains are running nearly an hour behind schedule during the evening rush Tuesday after a train struck a semi truck in Edgebrook on the North Side.
The collision happened about 5:30 p.m. near the Edgebrook station at Caldwell Avenue, a Metra spokeswoman said. No injuries have been reported.
Inbound and outbound movement was stopped about 5:45 p.m. due to “a grade crossing accident,” Metra said in a tweet.
The train that struck the semi is moving, and service is expected to be up to 55 minutes behind schedule, Metra said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--CPS layoffs didn’t discriminate against black teachers, judge says in dismissing CTU’s class-action

CPS layoffs didn’t discriminate against black teachers, judge says in dismissing CTU’s class-action lawsuit

A federal judge has dismissed a 2012 class action lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools that alleged discriminatory layoffs , finding the district ’ s procedures to be “ reasonable and practical , ” not racist .
The suit was filed more than seven years ago by the Chicago Teachers Union with class action status on behalf of 630 black educators who were among 1,470 CPS employees laid off in the summer of 2011 .
The union argued the layoffs disproportionately hurt teachers of color at schools on the city ’ s South and West sides — ones with the steepest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportion of the district ’ s black teachers were laid off than white ones .
CPS said it determined layoffs based on falling school enrollment ; if a school lost students , it didn ’ t need as many teachers regardless of the racial makeup of the school , where in the city it was located or who worked there , the district argued .
Despite a slight uptick in district-wide enrollment that year , CPS had lost 7.6 % of its students since 2001 and 25.2 % of its black students .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ out the suit earlier this month dismissed the notion that there were alternative , less discriminatory ways to pick the employees who would get pink slips .
And if there were , he said the CTU failed to show any .
“ The layoffs were not the product of intentional discrimination ; rather , they were the product of a regular bureaucratic process by which the number of positions and amount of funding allocated to particular schools dropped when the schools ’ enrollment dropped , ” Alonso wrote , describing that process as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the layoffs were tied directly to the enrollment-based system and not at all to a $ 724-million budget deficit facing schools officials .
Alonso did , however , acknowledge that the layoffs adversely impacted the group in question .
He disagreed with a CPS argument that things turned out fine for the 335 black educators who found full-time jobs at new schools , as well as others who became substitute teachers or retired , writing that “ the fact remains that their positions were closed and the onus was on them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPS had no other choice .
CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said the fact that the judge realized educators of color were hurt by the layoffs but declining black enrollment gave the district minimal options showed a wider , citywide problem .
“ The mayor has control of economic development , public schools and public housing , ” Davis Gates said .
“ Of course you ’ re going to have as situation where you won ’ t have black and brown students on the South and West sides if you tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t replace it with something affordable.
” CTU spokesman Ronnie Reese added that the union will appeal the judge ’ s decision , “ and we dare Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson to allow Donald Trump ’ s federal court system to decide if black educators — who look just like them — should be able to work in Chicago ’ s public schools.
” Judge Alonso was appointed by former President Barack Obama .
CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton said in a statement that “ the district ’ s strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to aggressively work to promote teacher and staff diversity in our schools .
After an extensive review of records , facts , and the law , the Court agreed that the CTU ’ s case lacked merit.
” The teaching ranks in CPS are currently 50.4 % white , 21.2 % Latino and 20.7 % black .

A federal judge has dismissed a 2012 class action lawsuit against Chicago Public Schools that alleged discriminatory layoffs, finding the district’s procedures to be “reasonable and practical,” not racist.
The suit was filed more than seven years ago by the Chicago Teachers Union with class action status on behalf of 630 black educators who were among 1,470 CPS employees laid off in the summer of 2011.
The union argued the layoffs disproportionately hurt teachers of color at schools on the city’s South and West sides — ones with the steepest declines in enrollment — since a higher proportion of the district’s black teachers were laid off than white ones.
CPS said it determined layoffs based on falling school enrollment; if a school lost students, it didn’t need as many teachers regardless of the racial makeup of the school, where in the city it was located or who worked there, the district argued.
Despite a slight uptick in district-wide enrollment that year, CPS had lost 7.6% of its students since 2001 and 25.2% of its black students.
U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso in throwing out the suit earlier this month dismissed the notion that there were alternative, less discriminatory ways to pick the employees who would get pink slips. And if there were, he said the CTU failed to show any.
“The layoffs were not the product of intentional discrimination; rather, they were the product of a regular bureaucratic process by which the number of positions and amount of funding allocated to particular schools dropped when the schools’ enrollment dropped,” Alonso wrote, describing that process as “reasonable and practical.”
The judge said the layoffs were tied directly to the enrollment-based system and not at all to a $724-million budget deficit facing schools officials.
Alonso did, however, acknowledge that the layoffs adversely impacted the group in question. He disagreed with a CPS argument that things turned out fine for the 335 black educators who found full-time jobs at new schools, as well as others who became substitute teachers or retired, writing that “the fact remains that their positions were closed and the onus was on them to secure new ones.” He simply decided CPS had no other choice.
CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates said the fact that the judge realized educators of color were hurt by the layoffs but declining black enrollment gave the district minimal options showed a wider, citywide problem.
“The mayor has control of economic development, public schools and public housing,” Davis Gates said. “Of course you’re going to have as situation where you won’t have black and brown students on the South and West sides if you tear down all their housing and don’t replace it with something affordable.”
CTU spokesman Ronnie Reese added that the union will appeal the judge’s decision, “and we dare Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson to allow Donald Trump’s federal court system to decide if black educators — who look just like them — should be able to work in Chicago’s public schools.”
Judge Alonso was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
CPS spokeswoman Emily Bolton said in a statement that “the district’s strength lies in its diversity, and we will continue to aggressively work to promote teacher and staff diversity in our schools. After an extensive review of records, facts, and the law, the Court agreed that the CTU’s case lacked merit.”
The teaching ranks in CPS are currently 50.4% white, 21.2% Latino and 20.7% black.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Derek Jeter and Larry Walker elected to Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2020

Derek Jeter ’ s passage into baseball ’ s Hall of Fame was as brisk and predictable as Larry Walker ’ s was arduous and dramatic .
The last of the New York Yankees ’ single-digit legends , Jeter on Tuesday just missed becoming the second player shipped off to Cooperstown in unanimous fashion , receiving 396 of 397 votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers ’ Association of America .
Teammate Mariano Rivera was the first unanimous selection last year .
Walker , whose climb to the 75 percent vote total required for induction looked impossible just three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote — getting in by 10 votes — earning induction in his 10th and final appearance on the ballot .
He ’ s the seventh player to get in on his final try , following Edgar Martinez ’ s path one year ago .
Jeter ’ s coronation has been expected for the better part of a decade .
As one of the game ’ s most telegenic stars , he lacked not for attention — but also had the credentials to back his outsize recognition .
The 14-time All-Star shortstop finished his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time shortstops , and a .310 batting average .
His postseason resume is second , perhaps , to no one : In 158 games , Jeter batted .308 and boosted his on base plus slugging percentage to .838 from his respectable .817 mark .
That the Yankees won five World Series championships only boosted Jeter ’ s resume – and his fame .
The first title came after his 1996 Rookie of the Year campaign , starting a run of three in four seasons that concluded with his World Series MVP performance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Walker had no such platform — his only World Series appearance came in his penultimate season of 2004 , with the St. Louis Cardinals .
And he had to fight the perception many of his greatest accomplishments were fueled by Coors Field , his home ballpark for 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies , including his 1997 NL MVP campaign .
But Walker ’ s five-tool skill set and undeniable Hall of Fame credentials in two crucial categories — OPS ( .965 , fifth all-time ) and Wins Above Replacement ( 55th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — and finally get over the top .
Curt Schilling , Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens weren ’ t quite as fortunate Tuesday .
Schilling ( 70 ) narrowly missed out as Bonds ( 60.7 ) and Clemens ( 61 ) continued their slow climbs — all three players with just two more years of eligibility left on the ballot .
Schilling was up from 60.9 percent , Bonds saw an increase from 59.1 and Clemens from 59.5 .

Derek Jeter’s passage into baseball’s Hall of Fame was as brisk and predictable as Larry Walker’s was arduous and dramatic.
The last of the New York Yankees’ single-digit legends, Jeter on Tuesday just missed becoming the second player shipped off to Cooperstown in unanimous fashion, receiving 396 of 397 votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Teammate Mariano Rivera was the first unanimous selection last year.
Walker, whose climb to the 75 percent vote total required for induction looked impossible just three years ago, earned 76.6 percent of the vote — getting in by 10 votes — earning induction in his 10th and final appearance on the ballot. He’s the seventh player to get in on his final try, following Edgar Martinez’s path one year ago.
Related Baseball Hall of Fame vote poses some intriguing questions
Jeter’s coronation has been expected for the better part of a decade. As one of the game’s most telegenic stars, he lacked not for attention — but also had the credentials to back his outsize recognition.
The 14-time All-Star shortstop finished his career with 3,465 hits, most among full-time shortstops, and a .310 batting average. His postseason resume is second, perhaps, to no one: In 158 games, Jeter batted .308 and boosted his on base plus slugging percentage to .838 from his respectable .817 mark.
20 seasons in pinstripes.
2020 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Derek Jeter's career was full of memorable moments 🍿 pic.twitter.com/AcWqfMylI1 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 21, 2020
That the Yankees won five World Series championships only boosted Jeter’s resume – and his fame. The first title came after his 1996 Rookie of the Year campaign, starting a run of three in four seasons that concluded with his World Series MVP performance in the 2000 Subway Series against the Mets.
Walker had no such platform — his only World Series appearance came in his penultimate season of 2004, with the St. Louis Cardinals. And he had to fight the perception many of his greatest accomplishments were fueled by Coors Field, his home ballpark for 10 seasons with the Colorado Rockies, including his 1997 NL MVP campaign.
But Walker’s five-tool skill set and undeniable Hall of Fame credentials in two crucial categories — OPS (.965, fifth all-time) and Wins Above Replacement (55th) helped him stay on the ballot — and finally get over the top.
Curt Schilling, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens weren’t quite as fortunate Tuesday.
Schilling (70) narrowly missed out as Bonds (60.7) and Clemens (61) continued their slow climbs — all three players with just two more years of eligibility left on the ballot.
Schilling was up from 60.9 percent, Bonds saw an increase from 59.1 and Clemens from 59.5.
Read more at usatoday.com


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--As ‘Power’ ends, Joseph Sikora says his iconic character is a ‘shell of a man’

As two episodes remain for the Starz series “ Power , ” the ending of a “ tragic love story between two brothers ” left Joseph Sikora with more questions than answers about his powerful character Tommy Egan .
And after the Jan. 19 episode that centered on Tommy , viewers were left with a question answered and the most important one unanswered : # WhoShotGhost ?
Tommy is scratched off the list of suspects in the shooting of his best friend , James “ Ghost ” St. Patrick , played by Omari Hardwick .
But we won ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the trigger — if you can manage to avoid the spoilers .
Tommy and Ghost were the quintessential drug kingpins of New York who over six seasons took viewers on the highs and lows of their relationship .
Things were great but got rocky at times in the first few seasons , and ultimately turn a turn for the worst .
The last few seasons were brutal .
They became enemies before coming back to the place it all started — sort of .
Tommy and Ghost started the journey as childhood friends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unconditionally , then power got the best of both .
In the end , they ended back where they started , as brothers .
“ To see Ghost die , it ’ s the last of the last holding Tommy together , “ Sikora said in an interview Sunday .
What would Tommy have wanted to say to his lifelong friend if there was more time before Ghost took his last breath ?
“ I think Tommy would have wanted to apologize , which I did , but I didn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would want to say , ‘ I ’ ll love you forever .
Don ’ t die on me .
Can I give you part of myself ?
Can I give you part of my soul to save you ?
I never should have doubted you , ’ ” the Chicago native said .
The ending to the relationship was the last straw , and breaks Tommy .
He lost Ghost , and two fiances and his mother abandoned him .
He packs up , leaves New York behind and heads for Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything .
He is absolutely empty .
He ’ s a super shell of a man .
I think the exciting part about that , if there was a continuation for Tommy , was : How is he going to fill that shell back up and what becomes of that man ?
Just like when they say you can never go home again , can you ever really be the same person again ?
It ’ s a lot of questions that we end up with.
” Could this be the setup for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on the series ?
There ’ s one already in the works , “ Power Book II : Ghost ” starring rapper-actor Method Man and singer-actress Mary J. Blige .
Sikora said , “ From your lips to God ’ s ears.
” The recent episode detailing how his character ends was a rare one for the Columbia College grad .
When Tommy comes on screen , you can tell in his eyes and slight head tilt — a technique he picked up from his dog — that something ’ s about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this engine and you get used to that .
In this episode , he had some chances to relax .
There was a stillness in Tommy which we don ’ t get a lot of in this series .
There was a lot of breathing room .
Just sitting there and being Tommy Egan is as much of a challenge and a journey as a monologue , ” he said .
Asked how he wants fans to remember his character , Sikora said as a “ people ’ s champion who punches that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so much to Tommy at a working level .
He ’ s like the factory worker somehow of the streets .
There ’ s just an honest dignity to a role that could sometimes have gone awry with just evil or sociopath , and he ’ s not a sociopath , nor is he evil .
Tommy ’ s dissociative at times , but he feels very deeply and loves hard .
And he reminds people of the rules and the life they signed up for , ” he said .
The former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if it weren ’ t for one of his instructors , Jeff Ginsberg at Columbia , he would ’ ve ended up with the Chicago Fire Department or in another position with the city .
Ginsberg encouraged him to follow his acting dreams and never look back .
“ In those neighborhoods , there ’ s a lot of cops , firemen and city workers , ” Sikora said .
“ So that was a path I admired .
I admired firemen putting their lives on the line .
It ’ s an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m an extreme person .
I ’ m pretty cool under pressure and I think a great fireman is as well .
”

As two episodes remain for the Starz series “Power,” the ending of a “tragic love story between two brothers” left Joseph Sikora with more questions than answers about his powerful character Tommy Egan.
And after the Jan. 19 episode that centered on Tommy, viewers were left with a question answered and the most important one unanswered: #WhoShotGhost?
Tommy is scratched off the list of suspects in the shooting of his best friend, James “Ghost” St. Patrick, played by Omari Hardwick. But we won’t find out until Feb. 9 who pulled the trigger — if you can manage to avoid the spoilers.
Tommy and Ghost were the quintessential drug kingpins of New York who over six seasons took viewers on the highs and lows of their relationship. Things were great but got rocky at times in the first few seasons, and ultimately took a turn for the worst. The last few seasons were brutal. They became enemies before coming back to the place it all started — sort of.
Tommy and Ghost started the journey as childhood friends who were tight and loved each other unconditionally, then power got the best of both. In the end, they ended back where they started, as brothers.
Omari Hardwick as James “Ghost” St. Patrick and Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan on “Power.” Starz
“To see Ghost die, it’s the last of the last holding Tommy together, “ Sikora said in an interview Sunday.
What would Tommy have wanted to say to his lifelong friend if there was more time before Ghost took his last breath?
“I think Tommy would have wanted to apologize, which I did, but I didn’t get there in time. I think he would want to say, ‘I’ll love you forever. Don’t die on me. Can I give you part of myself? Can I give you part of my soul to save you? I never should have doubted you,’” the Chicago native said.
The ending to the relationship was the last straw, and breaks Tommy.
He lost Ghost, and two fiances and his mother abandoned him. He packs up, leaves New York behind and heads for Los Angeles.
“He’s lost everything. He is absolutely empty. He’s a super shell of a man. I think the exciting part about that, if there was a continuation for Tommy, was: How is he going to fill that shell back up and what becomes of that man? Just like when they say you can never go home again, can you ever really be the same person again? It’s a lot of questions that we end up with.”
Could this be the setup for one of the spinoffs Starz is creating based on the series? There’s one already in the works, “Power Book II: Ghost” starring rapper-actor Method Man and singer-actress Mary J. Blige.
Sikora said, “From your lips to God’s ears.” Hours later, he hinted on Instagram there will be a spinoff. Or, he could be promoting Edie Falco’s new crime drama “Tommy.”
The recent episode detailing how his character ends was a rare one for the Columbia College grad.
Playing Tommy was a challenge and delight for the Columbia College grad. What he brought to the character prompted writers to sometimes go in a different direction.
“I always read the material and try to understand the writers so I can honor their work as best as I can, then create a fully three-dimensional, 360-degree view of that character. Whether our show went one season or six, I feel like Tommy, who I had Tommy be, never changed. The writers started writing different scenarios for that man I created,” Sikora said.
When Tommy comes on screen, you can tell in his eyes and slight head tilt — a technique he picked up from his dog — that something’s about to go down.
“Tommy is this engine and you get used to that. In this episode, he had some chances to relax. There was a stillness in Tommy which we don’t get a lot of in this series. There was a lot of breathing room. Just sitting there and being Tommy Egan is as much of a challenge and a journey as a monologue,” he said.
Asked how he wants fans to remember his character, Sikora said as a “people’s champion who punches that card.”
“I feel people respond so much to Tommy at a working level. He’s like the factory worker somehow of the streets. There’s just an honest dignity to a role that could sometimes have gone awry with just evil or sociopath, and he’s not a sociopath, nor is he evil. Tommy’s dissociative at times, but he feels very deeply and loves hard. And he reminds people of the rules and the life they signed up for,” he said.
The former Norwood Park and Jefferson Park resident said if it weren’t for one of his instructors, Jeff Ginsberg at Columbia, he would’ve ended up with the Chicago Fire Department or in another position with the city.
Ginsberg encouraged him to follow his acting dreams and never look back.
“In those neighborhoods, there’s a lot of cops, firemen and city workers,” Sikora said. “So that was a path I admired. I admired firemen putting their lives on the line. It’s an extreme profession, and I think I’m an extreme person. I’m pretty cool under pressure and I think a great fireman is as well.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Torch-wielding burglar stole $200K from pot shop’s safe, used employee key card to get inside: polic

Torch-wielding burglar stole $200K from pot shop’s safe, used employee key card to get inside: police report

A heist last month at a Logan Square pot shop played out like a scene from a Hollywood caper — and the thief ’ s $ 200,000 score fits the bill .
Just after 3 a.m. Jan. 6 , the suspect used an employee key card to gain entry into MOCA at 2847 W. Fullerton , according to an incident report obtained from Chicago police .
After creeping inside , the burglar got into a secure vault and used a torch to break into a safe and snatch the estimated $ 200,000 in cash , the report states .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thief deactivated the store ’ s camera system , the report says .
As of Tuesday afternoon , the suspect was still at large , according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi , who previously framed the burglary as an apparent inside job and reported that over $ 100,000 was taken .
Danny Marks , MOCA ’ s owner , didn ’ t immediately respond to requests for comment .
Last month , he touted the store ’ s security system and said the shop has “ licensed security staff on site during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security extremely seriously and have never experienced an incident like this since we first opened in 2016 , ” Marks said of the burglary , which took place just five days after recreational marijuana was legalized statewide .
The burglary was reported after an employee showed up to the store hours later and found his key card wasn ’ t working , according to the police report .
After entering through Emporium , an adjacent bar/arcade that ’ s also owned by Marks , the employee realized the dispensary had been hit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pot and cash have become attractive targets for thieves in other states that have legalized the drug .
In September , four men were arrested in connection with a series of burglaries in California , including a break-in at a pot shop in San Leandro .
Earlier that same month , four other thieves struck another dispensary in Sonora , California , making off with nearly $ 70,000 .
Following the burglary at MOCA , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker told Sun-Times columnist Rich Miller that his administration is considering setting up a cash @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abudayyeh , a spokeswoman for Pritzker , said the governor ’ s office is now discussing the possible program with federal officials and “ other stakeholders.
” Because marijuana is still illegal on the federal level , pot companies are left with limited options for depositing cash and processing transactions .
Like many other Illinois dispensaries , MOCA only accepts cash that is later deposited at the few banks that do business with cannabis firms .
Though legislation aimed at addressing the banking issue passed the Illinois General Assembly last year , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate after passing the House .

A heist at a Logan Square pot shop two weeks ago played out like a scene from a Hollywood caper — and the thief’s $200,000 score fits the bill.
Just after 3 a.m. Jan. 6, the suspect used a key card to gain entry into MOCA at 2847 W. Fullerton, according to an incident report obtained from Chicago police.
After creeping inside, the burglar got into a secure vault and used a torch to break into a safe and snatch the estimated $200,000 in cash, the report states. At some point before slipping out, the thief deactivated the store’s camera system, the report says.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the suspect was still at large, according to Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi, who previously framed the burglary as an apparent inside job and reported that over $100,000 was taken.
Danny Marks, MOCA’s owner, didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. Earlier this month, he touted the store’s security system and said the shop has “licensed security staff on site during all open hours.”
“We take security extremely seriously and have never experienced an incident like this since we first opened in 2016,” Marks said of the burglary, which took place just five days after recreational marijuana was legalized statewide.
The burglary was reported after an employee showed up to the store hours later and found his key card wasn’t working, according to the police report. After entering through Emporium, an adjacent bar/arcade that’s also owned by Marks, the employee realized the dispensary had been hit.
Cannabis businesses that have large amounts of pot and cash have become attractive targets for thieves in other states that have legalized the drug.
In September, four men were arrested in connection with a series of burglaries in California, including a break-in at a pot shop in San Leandro. Earlier that month, four other thieves struck another dispensary in Sonora, California, making off with nearly $70,000.
Following the burglary at MOCA, Gov. J.B. Pritzker told Sun-Times columnist Rich Miller that his administration is considering setting up a cash deposit program for weed businesses. Jordan Abudayyeh, a spokeswoman for Pritzker, said the governor’s office is now discussing the possible program with federal officials and “other stakeholders.”
Because marijuana is still illegal on the federal level, pot companies are left with limited options for depositing cash and processing transactions. Many Illinois dispensaries, including MOCA, only accept cash that is later deposited at the few banks that do business with cannabis firms.
Though legislation aimed at addressing the banking issue passed the Illinois General Assembly last year, a similar measure has stalled in the U.S. Senate after passing the House.
Contributing: Mitch Dudek


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--22nd cold-related death in Cook County reported in Bridgeview: medical examiner

The cold-related death toll is at nearing two dozen this season in Cook County .
Clayton L. Wynne , 96 @ @ @ @ @ the 7000 block of Birch Street in southwest suburban Bridgeview just before 2 p.m. Monday @ @ @ @ @ County medical examiner ’ s office .
It is the 22nd cold-related death .
He @ @ @ @ @ heart disease with cold exposure and diabetes as contributing factors , the medical examiner ’ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death was ruled an accident .
The medical examiner ’ s office confirmed @ @ @ @ @ deaths in Cook County last week .
The first confirmed cold-related death of the season @ @ @ @ @ .
Last season , 60 people in Cook County died of cold-related causes .

The cold-related death toll is at nearing two dozen this season in Cook County.
Clayton L. Wynne, 96, was pronounced dead in the 7000 block of Birch Street in southwest suburban Bridgeview just before 2 p.m. Monday, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. It is the 22nd cold-related death.
He died as a result of heart disease with cold exposure and diabetes as contributing factors, the medical examiner’s office said. Wynne’s death was ruled an accident.
Bridgeview police didn’t immediately provide details about his death.
The medical examiner’s office confirmed the 20th and 21st cold-related deaths in Cook County last week.
The first confirmed cold-related death of the season happened Nov. 1 in Avondale.
Last season, 60 people in Cook County died of cold-related causes.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--Dear Abby: Mother of 6 thinks she can’t leave her cheating husband

DEAR ABBY : I just found out my husband of 18 years has been going to “ hookup ” websites .
He says he was just looking at the pictures , but I don ’ t believe him .
I have caught him cheating twice in the past , so it ’ s hard to trust him .
My problem is , he knows I can ’ t leave him because I have no job , no skills , no money — nothing .
I went right from my parents ’ house to living with him after our wedding .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
He will continue to go to these websites because he knows I am stuck .
What should I do ?
— SOON-TO-BE MOTHER OF SEVEN DEAR SOON-TO-BE MOTHER OF SEVEN : The first thing you should do is see your doctor and be checked for STDs .
If you are well , thank your higher power .
If you aren ’ t , get treatment , get well and talk to a lawyer .
Your situation may not be as hopeless as you think .
Have you any relatives or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave , change your life and become self-supporting ?
It may require job training and time , but please consider it .
I doubt your husband will have much time for philandering if he has six kids to take care of by himself in addition to his job .
I also doubt that few , if any , women he might be hooking up with would welcome becoming the instant mother of six .
And one more thing : From now on , please use birth control .
DEAR ABBY : I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time , my ex-wife has rarely spoken to me , and in the last 10 years said not one word to me .
There have been many occasions and events at my son ’ s home to celebrate my granddaughter ’ s birthday , etc .
My ex and many other people attend , but basically , no one speaks to me .
I am totally ignored .
I have a strong hunch that during the divorce my ex told people I hit or abused her .
( Not true ! )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ effect .
I believe it was a ploy to distract from the fact she had been cheating on me .
Regardless , this situation is extremely hurtful and unpleasant .
Any ideas how to deal with this ?
— OSTRACIZED AND PARALYZED DEAR O .
& P. : Have you tried to initiate a conversation ?
Have you asked these people why they give you the silent treatment ?
They ’ re fair questions .
After 30 years , it is a little late to correct the mindset your ex may have caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But if at this late date you try to spread the word that she was cheating , it will accomplish nothing positive , and I don ’ t advise it .
P.S .
If the silence continues , then I recommend you bring someone — a friend or a date — with you to these gatherings .
At least you will have someone to talk to .
DEAR ABBY : I have an acquaintance I see occasionally .
He recently told me he is getting married .
When I congratulated him , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is because I have often thought he was gay , but I found out he ’ s marrying a woman .
What ’ s the appropriate way to ask this question nowadays since all of us can marry , I am happy to say .
— PONDERING IN NEVADA DEAR PONDERING : A subtle way to ask that question would be , “ Congratulations !
What ’ s your lucky fiance ’ s ( -ee ’ s ) name ?
” Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price @ @

DEAR ABBY: I just found out my husband of 18 years has been going to “hookup” websites. He says he was just looking at the pictures, but I don’t believe him. I have caught him cheating twice in the past, so it’s hard to trust him.
My problem is, he knows I can’t leave him because I have no job, no skills, no money — nothing. I went right from my parents’ house to living with him after our wedding. We have six kids and one on the way. He will continue to go to these websites because he knows I am stuck. What should I do? — SOON-TO-BE MOTHER OF SEVEN
DEAR SOON-TO-BE MOTHER OF SEVEN: The first thing you should do is see your doctor and be checked for STDs. If you are well, thank your higher power. If you aren’t, get treatment, get well and talk to a lawyer. Your situation may not be as hopeless as you think.
Have you any relatives or friends you can stay with when you leave, change your life and become self-supporting? It may require job training and time, but please consider it.
I doubt your husband will have much time for philandering if he has six kids to take care of by himself in addition to his job. I also doubt that few, if any, women he might be hooking up with would welcome becoming the instant mother of six. And one more thing: From now on, please use birth control.
DEAR ABBY: I have been divorced for 30 years. During this time, my ex-wife has rarely spoken to me, and in the last 10 years said not one word to me. There have been many occasions and events at my son’s home to celebrate my granddaughter’s birthday, etc. My ex and many other people attend, but basically, no one speaks to me. I am totally ignored.
I have a strong hunch that during the divorce my ex told people I hit or abused her. (Not true!) She told my sister something to this effect. I believe it was a ploy to distract from the fact she had been cheating on me. Regardless, this situation is extremely hurtful and unpleasant. Any ideas how to deal with this? — OSTRACIZED AND PARALYZED
DEAR O. & P.: Have you tried to initiate a conversation? Have you asked these people why they give you the silent treatment? They’re fair questions.
After 30 years, it is a little late to correct the mindset your ex may have caused these relatives to have about you. But if at this late date you try to spread the word that she was cheating, it will accomplish nothing positive, and I don’t advise it.
P.S. If the silence continues, then I recommend you bring someone — a friend or a date — with you to these gatherings. At least you will have someone to talk to.
DEAR ABBY: I have an acquaintance I see occasionally. He recently told me he is getting married. When I congratulated him, I wanted to ask who the lucky groom is because I have often thought he was gay, but I found out he’s marrying a woman. What’s the appropriate way to ask this question nowadays since all of us can marry, I am happy to say. — PONDERING IN NEVADA
DEAR PONDERING: A subtle way to ask that question would be, “Congratulations! What’s your lucky fiance’s (-ee’s) name?”
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--Ice fishing around Chicago: Arrives late, but it’s here

As Lady and I rambled into the dawn Monday , patches of open water on the town pond showed through the flurries , I suspect a result of Saturday ’ s wind and Canada geese .
Even after days of serious cold , the mid-winter ice is just firming enough to a serious beginning to ice fishing , with caution .
It ’ s been an odd year for ice and wintry weather , especially since things started freakishly early .
For some , the big snow so far remains the one on Halloween .
Some of the backwaters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lakes and lakes near the Wisconsin border had ice fishing by the second week of November , earliest I remember in my 20-plus years of doing the outdoors for the Sun-Times .
In the months since , it ’ s been spottily sporadic at best near the Wisconsin line .
But , finally , more general ice fishing comes .
On Monday , Lakeside proprietor Clint Sands said some were on the ice at Shabbona Lake , primarily around the no-motor zone , piers and the campground shoreline .
But he cautioned that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fishable ice came so late that Sands said they will not open for ice fishing , so have supplies before you arrive .
Monday evening , Steve Palmisano of Henry ’ s Sports and Bait called with an update from DuPage County .
He and another angler were catching crappie , bluegill and largemouth bass on about 4 1/2 inches of ice .
`` In general , there ’ s good conditions : I give it the green light , ’ ’ he said .
`` But there was some open water in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is true across many waters in northern Illinois .
`` We ’ re fishing now , ’ ’ said Greg Dixon , proprietor of Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch , Tuesday morning .
`` It turned around quite nicely .
Our snowfall was around four inches , the saving grace was some ice and rain to knock it down , then it froze and tightened up .
`` We are probably parked at 5-6 inches in most places [ on the Chain ] .
We have been busy .
Seems like folks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ’ Dickson has been doing this for nearly half a century , so his final words carry weight , `` You always got to approach this with caution .
Always , always , err on caution .
But a lot of folks are out.
’ ’ SHEDS : I put the final two hours of daylight Monday into hunting for shed antlers .
Apparently , I was early .
The second winter herd I crossed included a buck still sporting a notable rack .
At least I ’ m looking in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers come for Illinois ’ deer seasons , I will post at chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors WILD THINGS : SCORE host Dan Bernstein DM ’ d Sunday about an osprey flying over a CVS in Darien .
It ’ s been that kind of odd year .
STRAY CAST : My wife thinks Matthew McConaughey ’ s ice-fishing ad would be better if he was shirtless ; I think it would be better if he drove the car out on the ice .

As Lady and I rambled into the dawn Monday, patches of open water on the town pond showed through the flurries, I suspect a result of Saturday’s wind and Canada geese. Even after days of serious cold, the mid-winter ice is just firming enough to a serious beginning to ice fishing, with caution.
It’s been an odd year for ice and wintry weather, especially since things started freakishly early. For some, the big snow so far remains the one on Halloween. Some of the backwaters and back channels on the Chain O’Lakes and lakes near the Wisconsin border had ice fishing by the second week of November, earliest I remember in my 20-plus years of doing the outdoors for the Sun-Times. In the months since, it’s been spottily sporadic at best near the Wisconsin line.
But, finally, more general ice fishing comes.
With serious cautions.
On Monday, Lakeside proprietor Clint Sands said some were on the ice at Shabbona Lake, primarily around the no-motor zone, piers and the campground shoreline. But he cautioned that there still about six open holes.
Fishable ice came so late that Sands said they will not open for ice fishing, so have supplies before you arrive.
Monday evening, Steve Palmisano of Henry’s Sports and Bait called with an update from DuPage County. He and another angler were catching crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass on about 4 1/2 inches of ice.
``In general, there’s good conditions: I give it the green light,’’ he said. ``But there was some open water in the middle.’’
That last sentence is true across many waters in northern Illinois.
``We’re fishing now,’’ said Greg Dixon, proprietor of Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch, Tuesday morning. ``It turned around quite nicely. Our snowfall was around four inches, the saving grace was some ice and rain to knock it down, then it froze and tightened up.
``We are probably parked at 5-6 inches in most places [on the Chain]. We have been busy. Seems like folks are going all over the damm place.’’
Dickson has been doing this for nearly half a century, so his final words carry weight, ``You always got to approach this with caution. Always, always, err on caution. But a lot of folks are out.’’
Scott Woltman of Glen Ellyn enjoyed his day off of school Monday, reeling in bluegill, bass and crappie on Hidden Lake. Provided by Steve Palmisano
SHEDS: I put the final two hours of daylight Monday into hunting for shed antlers. Apparently, I was early. The second winter herd I crossed included a buck still sporting a notable rack. At least I’m looking in the right spots.
HUNTING: When harvest numbers come for Illinois’ deer seasons, I will post at chicago.suntimes.com/outdoors
WILD THINGS: SCORE host Dan Bernstein DM’d Sunday about an osprey flying over a CVS in Darien. It’s been that kind of odd year.
STRAY CAST: My wife thinks Matthew McConaughey’s ice-fishing ad would be better if he was shirtless; I think it would be better if he drove the car out on the ice.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--Businesses robbed in Marquette Park, Chicago Lawn: police

Chicago police are warning residents of three robberies reported in December and January in Marquette Park and Chicago Lawn on @ @ @ @ @ each incident , two males wearing ski masks and black jackets entered businesses and demanded @ @ @ @ @ in a community alert .
• About 8:35 p.m. Dec. 31 , in the 6400 @ @ @ @ @ ; • About 8:20 p.m. Jan. 16 , in the 6800 block of South Western @ @ @ @ @ 6:10 p.m. Jan. 20 , in the 6100 block of South Western Avenue .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Chicago police are warning residents of three robberies reported in December and January in Marquette Park and Chicago Lawn on the Southwest Side.
In each incident, two males wearing ski masks and black jackets entered businesses and demanded money, Chicago police said in a community alert.
The robberies happened:
About 8:35 p.m. Dec. 31, in the 6400 block of South Western Avenue;
About 8:20 p.m. Jan. 16, in the 6800 block of South Western Avenue; and
About 6:10 p.m. Jan. 20, in the 6100 block of South Western Avenue.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--Man flees police, crashes near Burnham Harbor

A “ minor traffic violation ” led to a police chase that ended in a crash Wednesday by Burnham Harbor @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers tried to pull over a southbound 2015 Chevrolet Cruze about 1:50 a.m. after @ @ @ @ @ traffic violation ” on Lake Shore Drive , Chicago police said .
Instead of stopping @ @ @ @ @ on Lake Shore Drive and exited at 18th Street , where the driver lost control @ @ @ @ @ three light poles and a barrier , police said .
The driver , a 26-year-old @ @ @ @ @ Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was stabilized , police said .

A “minor traffic violation” led to a police chase that ended in a crash Wednesday by Burnham Harbor on the Near South Side.
Officers tried to pull over a southbound 2015 Chevrolet Cruze about 1:50 a.m. after they noticed a “minor traffic violation” on Lake Shore Drive, Chicago police said.
Instead of stopping, the Chevrolet continued south on Lake Shore Drive and exited at 18th Street, where the driver lost control on the ramp and struck three light poles and a barrier, police said.
The driver, a 26-year-old man, was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was stabilized, police said.
Charges are pending.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--2 shot Tuesday in Chicago

2 shot Tuesday in Chicago

Two people were shot Tuesday in Chicago , including a 43-year-old man wounded in a shooting in Logan Square that led to a police chase and ended in a crash in Ravenswood on the North Side .
The man was shot by someone in a passing car about 8:35 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Armitage Avenue , Chicago police said .
The alleged shooters sped off and fired shots at police during a pursuit .
The chase ended in a crash in the 4400 block of North Western Avenue , police said .
The totaled car could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the corner of Western and Montrose avenues Thursday evening .
The people inside the vehicle were taken into custody , and a handgun was recovered .
The 43-year-old man , who was shot in the torso , was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition , police said .
No officers were hurt .
In the day ’ s other shooting , a 17-year-old boy was shot during a robbery near Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Englewood on the South Side .
He and a 15-year-old boy were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6100 block of South Wolcott Avenue when a black vehicle approached them , police said .
Two people got out , produced a handgun and demanded their property .
The 17-year-old ran and was shot in the chest , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition .
The younger boy wasn ’ t hurt , and the suspects fled the scene , police said .
No arrests have been made , and Area South detectives are investigating .

Two people were shot Tuesday in Chicago, including a 43-year-old man wounded in a shooting in Logan Square that led to a police chase and ended in a crash in Ravenswood on the North Side.
The man was shot by someone in a passing car about 8:35 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Armitage Avenue, Chicago police said. The alleged shooters sped off and fired shots at police during a pursuit.
The chase ended in a crash in the 4400 block of North Western Avenue, police said. The totaled car could be seen outside the Albany Bank and Trust at the corner of Western and Montrose avenues Thursday evening.
The people inside the vehicle were taken into custody, and a handgun was recovered.
The 43-year-old man, who was shot in the torso, was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in critical condition, police said. No officers were hurt.
In the day’s other shooting, a 17-year-old boy was shot during a robbery near Lindblom Math and Science Academy in Englewood on the South Side.
He and a 15-year-old boy were on the sidewalk about 6:30 p.m. in the 6100 block of South Wolcott Avenue when a black vehicle approached them, police said. Two people got out, produced a handgun and demanded their property.
The 17-year-old ran and was shot in the chest, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in fair condition.
The younger boy wasn’t hurt, and the suspects fled the scene, police said.
No arrests have been made, and Area South detectives are investigating.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--Man charged after crashing into police cars in Orland Park chase

A Palos Hills man was charged with multiple felonies for fleeing police and crashing into multiple squad cars in southwest @ @ @ @ @ McMahan , 19 , was charged with aggravated assault to a police officer , criminal @ @ @ @ @ and aggravated fleeing and eluding , as well as multiple misdemeanors , Orland Park police @ @ @ @ @ of committing vehicle burglaries in Orland Park in December 2019 , and was already wanted @ @ @ @ @ domestic battery in Palos Hills , police said .
When officers attempted to arrest McMahan @ @ @ @ @ fled in a vehicle , crashing into two squad cars and one other parked vehicle @ @ @ @ @ said .
Nearly two weeks later on Jan. 20 , officers arrested McMahan at an @ @ @ @ @ police said .
McMahan was held on $ 50,000 bail , police said .
He @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 18 .

A Palos Hills man was charged with multiple felonies for fleeing police and crashing into multiple squad cars in southwest suburban Orland Park.
Reno McMahan, 19, was charged with aggravated assault to a police officer, criminal damage to state supported property and aggravated fleeing and eluding, as well as multiple misdemeanors, Orland Park police said.
Reno McMahon Orland Park police
McMahan was suspected of committing vehicle burglaries in Orland Park in December 2019, and was already wanted for burglary in Frankfort and domestic battery in Palos Hills, police said.
When officers attempted to arrest McMahan on Jan. 8, McMahan fled in a vehicle, crashing into two squad cars and one other parked vehicle before successfully escaping, police said.
Nearly two weeks later on Jan. 20, officers arrested McMahan at an apartment in Park Forest, police said.
McMahan was held on $50,000 bail, police said. He is due back in court Feb. 18.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-22--Police seek car in fatal Aurora hit-and-run

Police are looking for a car wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run last week in west suburban Aurora .
@ @ @ @ @ was fatally struck by the light-colored sedan Jan. 13 in the 500 block of South @ @ @ @ @ said .
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Aurora police at @ @ @ @ @ 630-892-1000 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are looking for a car wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run last week in west suburban Aurora.
Brent Jean, 57, was fatally struck by the light-colored sedan Jan. 13 in the 500 block of South River Street, Aurora police said.
Aurora police
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Aurora police at 630-256-5330 or Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.