chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--1 killed, 4 wounded Thursday in Chicago shootings

Five people were shot Thursday across Chicago , including a man who killed in Gresham on the South Side .
The 39-year-old was discovered unresponsive in a vehicle about 7 p.m. in the 8500 block of South Parnell Avenue with a gunshot wound to the chest , Chicago police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ t released details on the fatality .
In non-fatal shootings , a teenage boy was wounded in Woodlawn on the South Side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walking north about 6:25 p.m. in the 6200 block of South Eberhart Avenue when someone wearing all black approached him and fired shots , police said .
He was struck in the arm and hand .
His family took him to the University of Illinois Hospital , where he was stabilized .
The shooter fled in an unknown direction .
The day ’ s latest shooting left a 32-year-old man injured in Uptown on the North Side .
He was crossing the 900 block of West Montrose Avenue about 11:55 p.m. when someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him , police said .
The man was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital in good condition .
Less than an hour earlier , a man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side .
The man , 29 , was outside about 11:10 p.m. in the 4700 block of South Vincennes Avenue when someone walked up and fired shots , striking him in the leg , police said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition .
The first shooting of the day seriously wounded a 39-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was arguing with another man about 11:53 a.m. in the 8100 block of South Racine Avenue when the 39-year-old punched him , prompting the other to pull out a gun and open fire , police said .
He was shot in the thigh and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition .
One person was shot Wednesday in Chicago .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were shot Thursday across Chicago, including a man who killed in Gresham on the South Side.
The 39-year-old was discovered unresponsive in a vehicle about 7 p.m. in the 8500 block of South Parnell Avenue with a gunshot wound to the chest, Chicago police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on the fatality.
In non-fatal shootings, a teenage boy was wounded in Woodlawn on the South Side.
The boy, 15, was walking north about 6:25 p.m. in the 6200 block of South Eberhart Avenue when someone wearing all black approached him and fired shots, police said. He was struck in the arm and hand. His family took him to the University of Illinois Hospital, where he was stabilized. The shooter fled in an unknown direction.
The day’s latest shooting left a 32-year-old man injured in Uptown on the North Side.
He was crossing the 900 block of West Montrose Avenue about 11:55 p.m. when someone in a silver SUV fired shots at him, police said. The man was taken to Weiss Memorial Hospital in good condition.
Less than an hour earlier, a man was shot in Bronzeville on the South Side.
The man, 29, was outside about 11:10 p.m. in the 4700 block of South Vincennes Avenue when someone walked up and fired shots, striking him in the leg, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
The first shooting of the day seriously wounded a 39-year-old man in Gresham on the South Side.
He was arguing with another man about 11:53 a.m. in the 8100 block of South Racine Avenue when the 39-year-old punched him, prompting the other to pull out a gun and open fire, police said. He was shot in the thigh and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in serious condition.
One person was shot Wednesday in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Girl, 15, missing from Aurora since December

Authorities are looking for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for nearly two months from west suburban Aurora .
@ @ @ @ @ home on Dec. 8 , 2019 , and has not returned since , according to @ @ @ @ @ .
Her family reported her missing in December and has not heard from her in @ @ @ @ @ Gonzalez has run away before , but has typically contacted her family while she was @ @ @ @ @ few days .
Investigators have followed up on multiple leads about her disappearance but have @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
She is now considered an endangered missing person .
Anyone with @ @ @ @ @ to call Aurora police at 630-256-5000 or dial 911 .

Authorities are looking for a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for nearly two months from west suburban Aurora.
Jenifer Gonzalez left her Aurora home on Dec. 8, 2019, and has not returned since, according to a statement from Aurora police. Her family reported her missing in December and has not heard from her in several weeks.
Police said Gonzalez has run away before, but has typically contacted her family while she was gone and returned after a few days.
Investigators have followed up on multiple leads about her disappearance but have been unable to locate her, police said. She is now considered an endangered missing person.
Anyone with information about her is asked to call Aurora police at 630-256-5000 or dial 911.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Post office in Pilsen accused of discriminating against non-English speaking customers

Pilsen ’ s first-term alderman is calling on U.S. Rep. Jesus “ Chuy ” Garcia and the U.S .
Postal Service to address allegations of discrimination against non-English speakers at the neighborhood ’ s post office .
The allegations stem from a viral Facebook post earlier this week by Evelyn Gonzalez , who wrote that during a visit earlier this week to the post office , 1859 S. Ashland Ave. , a retail clerk told several customers , “ I do not speak Spanish , I can not help you.
” Gonzalez wrote that the clerk berated an elder Latina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , the clerk threatened to call police on her .
Gonzalez , a beauty stylist who works in the neighborhood , said this wasn ’ t the first time she ’ s witnessed staff at the post office treat non-English speakers poorly .
“ That could ’ ve been my grandmother , ” Gonzalez said .
“ You ’ re in Pilsen — most of your clients are Latinos , and you don ’ t have a Spanish speaker on staff ?
That doesn ’ t seem right.
” Gonzalez ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the comment section from residents who said they ’ ve also witnessed staff at the post office in the predominantly Latino neighborhood mistreat customers who don ’ t speak English .
Those complaints percolated up to Ald .
Byron Sigcho-Lopez ( 25th ) , who met with Gonzalez at his ward office on Friday .
He also spoke with the son of the senior Latina woman who felt discriminated against at the post office .
Sigcho-Lopez plans to send Garcia ’ s office a letter about the incident on Monday and hopes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ P. Prater , who oversees operations in Cook County for USPS .
“ Our understanding is that this is not a new issue , ” Sigcho-Lopez said in an interview Friday .
“ It ’ s not acceptable for this to happen in this day and age in a working-class , immigrant community like Pilsen .
We hopes this sets a precedent in how they service our communities.
” Garcia said in a statement he plans to contact the agency in the coming days .
“ As an immigrant and representative of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I take these issues very seriously , ” Garcia said .
“ All community members deserve fair and respectful service.
” A supervisor at the Pilsen post office branch declined to comment .
In a statement , a spokesperson for USPS Chicago said the agency is investigating the incident and “ apologizes to customers who may have suffered a bad customer experience and any inconvenience.
” The statement goes on to say that “ bilingual employees may not be available at all times ” and that non-English speakers can “ read signage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their favorite translator app.
” The post office in Pilsen is named after late Mexican-American labor leader Cesar Chavez .
In July , veteran window clerk Alfredo Jacinto retired after working there for nearly 40 years , according to WBEZ reported .
Jacinto used to help Alicia Guerrero , a housekeeper at a senior care facility who ’ s been going to the post office in Pilsen since 1987 .
But Guerrero said she ’ s had a tough time communicating with the staff since Jacinto left .
“ My English isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her native Spanish .
Guerrero rents a P.O .
box and comes in to pay the $ 53 fee once a month .
But if she needs to do anything else , she ’ d rather wait until her son can take her .
“ I get frustrated every time I come .
They can ’ t help me , and if I try to work it out with them they just say they can ’ t help me , ” she said .
Carlos Ballesteros is a corps member of Report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of Chicago ’ s South Side and West Side .

Pilsen’s first-term alderman is calling on U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and the U.S. Postal Service to address allegations of discrimination against non-English speakers at the neighborhood’s post office.
The allegations stem from a viral Facebook post by Evelyn Gonzalez, who wrote that during a visit earlier this week to the post office, 1859 S. Ashland Ave., a retail clerk told several customers, “I do not speak Spanish, I cannot help you.”
Gonzalez wrote that the clerk berated an elder Latina woman, and when Gonzalez asked the clerk why she was being rude to the woman and others, the clerk threatened to call police on her.
Gonzalez, an eyelash technician who lives in the neighborhood, said this wasn’t the first time she’s witnessed staff at the post office treat non-English speakers poorly.
“That could’ve been my grandmother,” Gonzalez said. “You’re in Pilsen — most of your clients are Latinos, and you don’t have a Spanish speaker on staff? That doesn’t seem right.”
Gonzalez’s post immediately set off a firestorm in the comment section from residents who said they’ve also witnessed staff at the post office in the predominantly Latino neighborhood mistreat customers who don’t speak English.
Those complaints percolated up to Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th), who met with Gonzalez at his ward office on Friday. He also spoke with the son of the senior Latina woman who felt discriminated against at the post office.
Sigcho-Lopez plans to send Garcia’s office a letter about the incident on Monday and hopes the congressman files a complaint with Postmaster Wanda P. Prater, who oversees operations in Cook County for USPS.
“Our understanding is that this is not a new issue,” Sigcho-Lopez said in an interview Friday. “It’s not acceptable for this to happen in this day and age in a working-class, immigrant community like Pilsen. We hopes this sets a precedent in how they service our communities.”
Garcia said in a statement he plans to contact the agency in the coming days.
“As an immigrant and representative of a district home to multiethnic and multilingual communities, I take these issues very seriously,” Garcia said. “All community members deserve fair and respectful service.”
A supervisor at the Pilsen post office branch declined to comment.
In a statement, a spokesperson for USPS Chicago said the agency is investigating the incident and “apologizes to customers who may have suffered a bad customer experience and any inconvenience.”
The statement goes on to say that “bilingual employees may not be available at all times” and that non-English speakers can “read signage in another language by scanning that with their favorite translator app.”
A plaque inside the post office in Pilsen honoring late labor leader Cesar Chavez. February 7, 2020. Carlos Ballesteros/Sun-Times
The post office in Pilsen is named after late Mexican-American labor leader Cesar Chavez.
In July, veteran window clerk Alfredo Jacinto retired after working there for nearly 40 years, according to WBEZ.
Jacinto used to help Alicia Guerrero, a housekeeper at a senior care facility who’s been going to the post office in Pilsen since 1987. But Guerrero said she’s had a tough time communicating with the staff since Jacinto left.
Alicia Guerrero said staff at the post office in Pilsen aren’t helpful to non-English speakers like her. February 7, 2020. Carlos Ballesteros/Sun-Times
“My English isn’t that good,” she said in her native Spanish.
Guerrero rents a P.O. box and comes in to pay the $53 fee once a month. But if she needs to do anything else, she’d rather wait until her son can take her.
“I get frustrated every time I come. They can’t help me, and if I try to work it out with them they just say they can’t help me,” she said.
Carlos Ballesteros is a corps member of Report for America, a not-for-profit journalism program that aims to bolster Sun-Times coverage of Chicago’s South Side and West Side.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--How to watch the Oscars this Sunday

How to watch the Oscars this Sunday

The Academy Awards are upon us again , and Sunday ’ s show will have plenty for movie lovers to look forward to despite going without a host for the second year in a row .
The 92nd Oscars will be held in Los Angeles and begins at 7 p.m. Chicago time .
The live ABC broadcast will air locally on WLS-Channel 7 .
Chicagoans who subscribe to cable and satellite services can also tune it by signing in at abc.com/watch-live or on the ABC app .
Best Picture nominees include “ Ford v Ferrari , ” “ The Irishman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jojo Rabbit , ” “ Little Women , ” “ Marriage Story , ” “ 1917 , ” “ Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood ” and “ Parasite.
” See the full list of contenders here .
Performers and presenters will help keep viewers entertained even without a host , a change that did not hurt the Oscars last year .
Cynthia Ervio , Elton John , Idina Menzel , Chrissy Metz and Randy Newman are slated to perform .
Presenters this year include : Jane Fonda , Josh Gad , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Portman , Timothee Chalamet , Lin-Manuel Miranda , Olivia Coleman , Tom Hanks , Oscar Isaac , Chris Rock , Taika Waititi , Mahershala Ali , Utkarsh Ambudkar , Zarzie Beetz , James Corden , Penélope Cruz , Beanie Feldstein , Will Ferrell , Gal Gadot , Zack Gottsagen , Salma Hayek , Mindy Kaling , Diane Keaton , Regina King , Shia LaBeouf , Brie Larson , Spike Lee , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , George MacKay , Rami Malek , Steve Martin , Anthony Ramos , Ray Romano , Maya Rudolph , Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weaver , Kristen Wiig and Rebel Wilson .
Before the awards , ABC will present “ The Oscars All Access : Red Carpet Live ” beginning at 5:30 p.m .

The Academy Awards are upon us again, and Sunday’s show will have plenty for movie lovers to look forward to despite going without a host for the second year in a row.
The 92nd Oscars will be held in Los Angeles and begins at 7 p.m. Chicago time. The live ABC broadcast will air locally on WLS-Channel 7. Chicagoans who subscribe to cable and satellite services can also tune it by signing in at abc.com/watch-live or on the ABC app.
Oscar Nominees Here are the nominees in the five big categories, along with our predictions for who will win. Best picture: “1917;” “Ford v. Ferrari;” “The Irishman;” “Jojo Rabbit;” “Joker;” “Little Women;” “Marriage Story;” “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood;” “Parasite.” Best actor: Antonio Banderas, “Pain and Glory;” Leonardo DiCaprio, “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood;” Adam Driver, “Marriage Story;” Joaquin Phoenix, “Joker;” Jonathan Pryce, “The Two Popes” Best actress: Cynthia Erivo, “Harriet;” Scarlett Johansson, “Marriage Story;” Saoirse Ronan, “Little Women;” Charlize Theron, “Bombshell;” Renée Zellweger, “Judy” Best supporting actor: Tom Hanks, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood;” Anthony Hopkins, “The Two Popes;” Brad Pitt, “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood;” Joe Pesci, “The Irishman;” Al Pacino, “The Irishman.” Best supporting actress: Kathy Bates, “Richard Jewell;” Laura Dern, “Marriage Story;” Scarlett Johansson, “Jojo Rabbit;” Florence Pugh, “Little Women;” Margot Robbie, “Bombshell.”
Best Picture nominees include “Ford v Ferrari,” “The Irishman,” “Joker,” “Jojo Rabbit,” “Little Women,” “Marriage Story,” “1917,” “Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood” and “Parasite.”
See the full list of contenders here.
Performers and presenters will help keep viewers entertained even without a host, a change that did not hurt the Oscars last year.
Cynthia Ervio, Elton John, Idina Menzel, Chrissy Metz and Randy Newman are slated to perform.
Presenters this year include: Jane Fonda, Josh Gad, Keanu Reeves, Sandra Oh, Natalie Portman, Timothee Chalamet, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Olivia Coleman, Tom Hanks, Oscar Isaac, Chris Rock, Taika Waititi, Mahershala Ali, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Zarzie Beetz, James Corden, Penélope Cruz, Beanie Feldstein, Will Ferrell, Gal Gadot, Zack Gottsagen, Salma Hayek, Mindy Kaling, Diane Keaton, Regina King, Shia LaBeouf, Brie Larson, Spike Lee, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, George MacKay, Rami Malek, Steve Martin, Anthony Ramos, Ray Romano, Maya Rudolph, Mark Ruffalo, Kelly Marie Tran, Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Wiig and Rebel Wilson.
Before the awards, ABC will present “The Oscars All Access: Red Carpet Live” beginning at 5:30 p.m.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Durbin not ready to predict how Trump’s acquittal will play in November

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday it ’ s too soon to tell whether the failed effort to impeach President Donald Trump makes it more or less likely for Democrats to block his re-election—or to regain a majority in the Senate .
“ I don ’ t think you can answer that nine months , 10 months away from the election , ” Illinois ’ senior senator told me .
“ But we had an obligation , I believe , under the Constitution , not to ignore what this President did.
” I guess I ’ ll have to ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just back from voting to convict Trump in the Senate trial that ended in the President ’ s acquittal , joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Lt. Gov .
Juliana Stratton at La Rabida Children ’ s Hospital Friday to talk about the need for more federal funding to protect the Lake Michigan shoreline .
But with Trump ’ s continued gloating still grating on my brain , I followed Durbin down there in hopes of hearing some indication Democratic leaders were prepared for this eventuality when they started down the impeachment path .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ few Democrats who always thought impeachment was a bad idea .
The best way to get rid of Trump , in my humble opinion , is to vote him out of office .
Any strategy that makes that more difficult is a mistake , and impeachment always appeared to be doomed to failure in the Republican controlled Senate .
Now , here we are with some of my fellow soothsayers asserting the whole impeachment effort has backfired on Democrats and the most recent Gallup poll telling us Trump ’ s approval rating is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ albeit a modest 49 percent , if the word “ modest ” can be used in connection with our megalomaniac president . )
So what was accomplished by impeaching Trump , when he seems to have emerged as strong as ever ?
“ I think the story was told for the American people to see it , ” Durbin said .
“ I think what the president did was out of line .
It was an abuse of his authority as president , and I think the case was made very dramatically.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s election was at risk because of foreign interference , the fact this president continued to invite other foreign nations to get involved in our electoral process is , in my mind , shameless , ” Durbin later continued .
But here ’ s the thing .
The people who voted for Trump don ’ t seem to agree .
They knew the guy was shameless when they voted for him .
They don ’ t mind .
They were never going to accept overturning the results of the 2016 election and seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis of the Ukraine evidence , no matter how many witnesses were called to testify .
And the Republicans in the Senate were always going to reflect that point of view , no matter what they think of Trump personally or the case against him .
Durbin said he never foresaw any more than three Republicans voting in favor of impeachment , which at best would have resulted in a 50-50 vote when a two-thirds supermajority was required to convict .
In the end , as we know , only one senator , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all totally predictable .
Despite my objection to impeachment , it gave me pause in late September when Durbin , to my mind a partisan but reasonable individual who had also been slow to jump on the impeachment bandwagon , added his voice to those calling for an inquiry .
I thought maybe he knew something the rest of us didn ’ t .
Apparently not that much more .
I will always wonder if there would have been a way to conduct the Ukraine investigation just as effectively through a proceeding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say the Democrats real goal here was to win back the Senate by putting vulnerable Republicans on the spot with an unpopular impeachment vote .
It ’ s hard for me to imagine any scenario in which Democrats win the Senate without also defeating Trump .
Durbin , who is up for re-election himself this year , wasn ’ t consulting his crystal ball on that question either .
“ It ’ s hard to measure .
It ’ s hard to say what anything that is done now , in February , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plus or minus basis in November , ” he said .
True , it ’ s a long game , and the eventual deciding factor in the 2020 election may still be in the future .
But this didn ’ t help .

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin said Friday it’s too soon to tell whether the failed effort to impeach President Donald Trump makes it more or less likely for Democrats to block his re-election—or to regain a majority in the Senate.
“I don’t think you can answer that nine months, 10 months away from the election,” Illinois’ senior senator told me. “But we had an obligation, I believe, under the Constitution, not to ignore what this President did.”
I guess I’ll have to ask him again in November.
Opinion bug Opinion
Durbin, just back from voting to convict Trump in the Senate trial that ended in the President’s acquittal, joined Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton at La Rabida Children’s Hospital Friday to talk about the need for more federal funding to protect the Lake Michigan shoreline.
But with Trump’s continued gloating still grating on my brain, I followed Durbin down there in hopes of hearing some indication Democratic leaders were prepared for this eventuality when they started down the impeachment path.
I didn’t come away encouraged.
I seem to be one of the few Democrats who always thought impeachment was a bad idea.
The best way to get rid of Trump, in my humble opinion, is to vote him out of office. Any strategy that makes that more difficult is a mistake, and impeachment always appeared to be doomed to failure in the Republican controlled Senate.
Now, here we are with some of my fellow soothsayers asserting the whole impeachment effort has backfired on Democrats and the most recent Gallup poll telling us Trump’s approval rating is the highest since he took office (albeit a modest 49 percent, if the word “modest” can be used in connection with our megalomaniac president.)
So what was accomplished by impeaching Trump, when he seems to have emerged as strong as ever?
“I think the story was told for the American people to see it,” Durbin said. “I think what the president did was out of line. It was an abuse of his authority as president, and I think the case was made very dramatically.”
“At a time when 2016’s election was at risk because of foreign interference, the fact this president continued to invite other foreign nations to get involved in our electoral process is, in my mind, shameless,” Durbin later continued.
Wrong? Agreed. Shameless? Agreed. Abuse of authority? Absolutely.
But here’s the thing. The people who voted for Trump don’t seem to agree. They knew the guy was shameless when they voted for him. They don’t mind.
They were never going to accept overturning the results of the 2016 election and seeing him thrown out of office on the basis of the Ukraine evidence, no matter how many witnesses were called to testify.
And the Republicans in the Senate were always going to reflect that point of view, no matter what they think of Trump personally or the case against him.
Durbin said he never foresaw any more than three Republicans voting in favor of impeachment, which at best would have resulted in a 50-50 vote when a two-thirds supermajority was required to convict.
In the end, as we know, only one senator, Republican Mitt Romney, crossed party lines, all totally predictable.
Despite my objection to impeachment, it gave me pause in late September when Durbin, to my mind a partisan but reasonable individual who had also been slow to jump on the impeachment bandwagon, added his voice to those calling for an inquiry.
I thought maybe he knew something the rest of us didn’t. Apparently not that much more.
I will always wonder if there would have been a way to conduct the Ukraine investigation just as effectively through a proceeding that fell short of impeachment.
Some say the Democrats real goal here was to win back the Senate by putting vulnerable Republicans on the spot with an unpopular impeachment vote.
It’s hard for me to imagine any scenario in which Democrats win the Senate without also defeating Trump.
Durbin, who is up for re-election himself this year, wasn’t consulting his crystal ball on that question either.
“It’s hard to measure. It’s hard to say what anything that is done now, in February, is going to have any impact on a plus or minus basis in November,” he said.
True, it’s a long game, and the eventual deciding factor in the 2020 election may still be in the future.
But this didn’t help.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Money makes the world go around in timely and engaging economics lesson of ‘Labyrinth’

When non-Americans talk about history , explains one character in the play “ Labyrinth , ” they speak with reverence for the past .
But when Americans do , “ We ’ re saying something ’ s over… .
Done with.
” The power of American forgetting hangs over “ Labyrinth , ” in fact drives its forceful impact .
It ’ s about a young banker who finds himself issuing questionable loans unlikely ever to be paid off , part of a giant credit bubble that inevitably leads to a government bailout where everyday people suffer but the banks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it does .
But “ Labyrinth ” starts in 1978 and ends in 1982 , and it isn ’ t about U.S. housing but about the Latin American debt crisis .
You can almost think of it as a combination of the economic lesson of “ The Big Short ” with the era of “ American Hustle.
” First produced in 2016 , “ Labyrinth ” comes from British playwright Beth Steel , and Broken Nose Theatre provides this smart semi-comedy with a tragic sensibility its U.S. premiere .
Under Spenser Davis ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a highly capable cast ( many of them Broken Nose ensemble members ) fully committed to the play ’ s energetic theatricality , both the work ’ s strengths — and its flaws — shine through .
Its strengths are significant .
Steel manages to make the financial shell game involved with big-time government lending remarkably clear .
Told through the perspective of a young , ambitious banker somewhat generically named John Anderson ( William Anthony Sebastian Rose II ) , “ Labyrinth ” details just how a credit analyst can provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questionable deal .
Assigned to work with fast-rising , jet-setting loan officer Charlie ( a persuasively persuasive David Weiss ) , John quickly finds himself confronted with the logical illogic of Wall Street-style lending .
So what that the government of Argentina ( or Chile , or Mexico , all represented by actor Ambrose Cappuccio ) is overpaying for the nuclear power plant they want to build ?
That ’ s about “ connections.
” So what that cost overruns are certain ?
That just means they ’ ll need to borrow more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forecasts don ’ t suggest the government will be able to pay the loan back ?
Just listen to the economists at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund , who are encouraging this modernization .
So what that the bank could be left with unpaid loans ?
First , the loan officers get promoted based on the loans they grant , not the ones they refuse , and second , who ever heard of a government not paying back its loans ?
Rose , an engaging actor , makes John a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He doesn ’ t come from the same Ivy-League background as his co-workers but is filled with all-American grit and determination .
Any doubts he possesses are no match for the whirlwind of sudden success .
And Davis ’ production does a pretty great job , with just a few pieces of rolling furniture and a couple of light fixtures in an in-the-round setting , of depicting the frenetic intensity of the Wall Street world , as well as the era ’ s casual cocaine use and even more casual misogyny .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little details that fly by ( I certainly caught the reference to the historic Dutch tulip mania ) , layers in one too many style demands .
In addition to the big story , she also wants to tell a more human , psychological one about conscience , and specifically John ’ s conscience .
Even if America as a whole easily forgets his past , John is haunted by his family ’ s history , particularly by his father Frank ( a charismatic Darren Jones ) , who committed fraud and went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Steel resorts to some expressionistic flairs that externalize some of John ’ s internal battles .
But the production is already so stylized to begin with that the story of conscience never separates itself out effectively .
And Steel seems to want it both ways : for John to be a representative figure — an Everyman — and also to make us invest in his deeper individual psyche .
Ultimately , John ’ s more personal narrative is simply subsumed within the larger social tale , which is imbued with a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Labyrinth ” from being emotionally moving , even when at the end it tries to be .
And although this is very much a period piece , I found that Rachel M. Sypniewski ’ s entertainingly era-authentic costume design — so many unbuttoned wide collars and roomy pants — provided yet another layer of style and became occasionally more distracting than involving .
That said , even if this show is aesthetically over-ambitious , overall “ Labyrinth ” tells an important — and largely forgotten — story that couldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past but to an eventual future .
After all , we seem to be forgetting the last crisis very quickly , and our unchecked optimism never seems to find a reasoned balance .
“ Confidence , ” says the journalist Grace , “ is often irrational .
”

When non-Americans talk about history, explains one character in the play “Labyrinth,” they speak with reverence for the past. But when Americans do, “We’re saying something’s over…. Done with.”
“That’s history.”
The power of American forgetting hangs over “Labyrinth,” in fact drives its forceful impact. It’s about a young banker who finds himself issuing questionable loans unlikely ever to be paid off, part of a giant credit bubble that inevitably leads to a government bailout where everyday people suffer but the banks get paid.
Sound familiar?
I’m sure it does. But “Labyrinth” starts in 1978 and ends in 1982, and it isn’t about U.S. housing but about the Latin American debt crisis. You can almost think of it as a combination of the economic lesson of “The Big Short” with the era of “American Hustle.”
‘Labyrinth’
Untitled When: Through Feb, 29 Where: Broken Nose Theatre at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. Tickets: Pay-what-you-can Info: brokennosetheatre.com Run time: 2 hours and 15 minutes
First produced in 2016, “Labyrinth” comes from British playwright Beth Steel, and Broken Nose Theatre provides this smart semi-comedy with a tragic sensibility in its U.S. premiere. Under Spenser Davis’ dynamic and fluid direction, and with a highly capable cast (many of them Broken Nose ensemble members) fully committed to the play’s energetic theatricality, both the work’s strengths — and its flaws — shine through.
Its strengths are significant. Steel manages to make the financial shell game involved with big-time government lending remarkably clear. Told through the perspective of a young, ambitious banker somewhat generically named John Anderson (William Anthony Sebastian Rose II), “Labyrinth” details just how a credit analyst can provide a more “optimistic” view of a questionable deal.
Assigned to work with fast-rising, jet-setting loan officer Charlie ( a persuasively persuasive David Weiss), John quickly finds himself confronted with the logical illogic of Wall Street-style lending. So what that the government of Argentina (or Chile, or Mexico, all represented by actor Ambrose Cappuccio) is overpaying for the nuclear power plant they want to build? That’s about “connections.” So what that cost overruns are certain? That just means they’ll need to borrow more money. So what that the growth forecasts don’t suggest the government will be able to pay the loan back? Just listen to the economists at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, who are encouraging this modernization. So what that the bank could be left with unpaid loans? First, the loan officers get promoted based on the loans they grant, not the ones they refuse, and second, who ever heard of a government not paying back its loans?
Rose, an engaging actor, makes John a highly relatable and even sympathetic figure. He doesn’t come from the same Ivy-League background as his co-workers but is filled with all-American grit and determination. Any doubts he possesses are no match for the whirlwind of sudden success. And Davis’ production does a pretty great job, with just a few pieces of rolling furniture and a couple of light fixtures in an in-the-round setting, of depicting the frenetic intensity of the Wall Street world, as well as the era’s casual cocaine use and even more casual misogyny.
But Steel, who throws in some terrific little details that fly by (I certainly caught the reference to the historic Dutch tulip mania), layers in one too many style demands. In addition to the big story, she also wants to tell a more human, psychological one about conscience, and specifically John’s conscience. Even if America as a whole easily forgets his past, John is haunted by his family’s history, particularly by his father Frank (a charismatic Darren Jones), who committed fraud and went to jail. To tell this part, Steel resorts to some expressionistic flairs that externalize some of John’s internal battles.
But the production is already so stylized to begin with that the story of conscience never separates itself out effectively. And Steel seems to want it both ways: for John to be a representative figure — an Everyman — and also to make us invest in his deeper individual psyche.
Ultimately, John’s more personal narrative is simply subsumed within the larger social tale, which is imbued with a general tone of righteous indignation. That keeps “Labyrinth” from being emotionally moving, even when at the end it tries to be.
And although this is very much a period piece, I found that Rachel M. Sypniewski’s entertainingly era-authentic costume design — so many unbuttoned wide collars and roomy pants — provided yet another layer of style and became occasionally more distracting than involving.
That said, even if this show is aesthetically over-ambitious, overall “Labyrinth” tells an important — and largely forgotten — story that couldn’t be more relevant not just to our recent past but to an eventual future. After all, we seem to be forgetting the last crisis very quickly, and our unchecked optimism never seems to find a reasoned balance.
“Confidence,” says the journalist Grace, “is often irrational.”
Steven Oxman is a local freelance writer.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Two ways to instantly crack down on public corruption in Illinois

If Springfield is serious about standing against corruption , it can take two important steps in that direction right now : It can release a hidden report that reportedly indicates serious wrongdoing by a legislator .
And it can do away with a shameful system that allows lawmakers to cover up ethics complaints .
On Thursday , former Acting Inspector General Julie Porter , who left the job in February 2019 , told the Illinois Joint Commission on Ethics that the Legislative Ethics Commission quashed a report she wrote that uncovered alleged misdeeds by a lawmaker .
We still don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — is in that report .
The whole point of having an independent legislative inspector general is to look into complaints of wrongdoing , no matter who the alleged culprit is .
The IG is supposed to be an objective official to whom anyone can take a complaint about lawmakers who engage in transgressions .
That ’ s an excellent way to keep corruption from becoming entrenched .
But as things work now , the inspector general is required to take completed reports to the Legislative Ethics Commission , which is made up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Legislature ’ s leadership .
And this commission , though it is completely saturated in politics , can deep-six any report on a whim .
The commission also can pull the plug on opening an investigation and issuing subpoenas .
It ’ s all about protecting pals and insiders who have been up to no good .
“ It is entirely backward , ” David Melton , executive director of Reform for Illinois , told us .
“ Legislators don ’ t want this office to do its job , and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oversight agency.
” What good is an investigation if the powers-that-be can bury the findings at will ?
The commission , in such instances , is nothing more than a government censor , hiding information from the public because it is politically embarrassing .
When state Rep. David McSweeney , R-Palatine , says this is like the fox watching the hen house , he ’ s got it just right .
The commission must be restructured , adding members who are not lawmakers beholden to the legislative leaders .
“ I think it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McSweeney , who has introduced legislation that would require legislative IG reports to be made public .
“ We have a sitting member who is accused of wrongdoing , and voters don ’ t know who it is .
It is a coverup.
” While they ’ re at it , the Legislature should give the inspector general the ability to open investigations and issue subpoenas without first having to get permission from the Legislative Ethics Commission .
Moreover , as the laws are written , the IG has a much broader authority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission has the authority to do anything about .
The commission is restricted to acting on such misconduct as doing political work on state time , promising something of value in exchange for a political contribution , accepting certain positions after state employments ends , sexual harassment and similar violations .
That leaves a world of mischief that the IG might uncover but for which the commission can ’ t impose penalties , such as fines .
So for example , if the IG gets a tip that a legislator is working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a huge financial windfall as a result of a bill the legislator is pushing , the inspector general can check it out and write up a report .
But there is no way for the commission to impose a punishment .
And , of course , if the commission isn ’ t pleased , the report will never see the light of day .
That makes zero sense .
The Legislature should give the IG free rein to investigate and make the results known as warranted , even with respect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the commission .
“ Any changes they make to increase transparency and enhance the independence of the inspector general will be a huge win for the people for Illinois , ” Porter said .
When it comes to integrity in politics , Illinois could use a little winning .

If Springfield is serious about standing against corruption, it can take two important steps in that direction right now:
It can release a hidden report that reportedly indicates serious wrongdoing by a legislator. And it can do away with a shameful system that allows lawmakers to cover up ethics complaints.
Call it reform in real time.
Editorials bug Editorials
On Thursday, former Acting Inspector General Julie Porter, who left the job in February 2019, told the Illinois Joint Commission on Ethics that the Legislative Ethics Commission quashed a report she wrote that uncovered alleged misdeeds by a lawmaker.
We still don’t know what — or who — is in that report.
Let’s unpack that here.
The whole point of having an independent legislative inspector general is to look into complaints of wrongdoing, no matter who the alleged culprit is. The IG is supposed to be an objective official to whom anyone can take a complaint about lawmakers who engage in transgressions.
That’s an excellent way to keep corruption from becoming entrenched.
But as things work now, the inspector general is required to take completed reports to the Legislative Ethics Commission, which is made up of state senators and representatives appointed by the Legislature’s leadership. And this commission, though it is completely saturated in politics, can deep-six any report on a whim.
How’s that for independent oversight?
The commission also can pull the plug on opening an investigation and issuing subpoenas.
It’s all about protecting pals and insiders who have been up to no good.
“It is entirely backward,” David Melton, executive director of Reform for Illinois, told us. “Legislators don’t want this office to do its job, and that defeats the whole purpose of having an oversight agency.”
What good is an investigation if the powers-that-be can bury the findings at will? The commission, in such instances, is nothing more than a government censor, hiding information from the public because it is politically embarrassing.
When state Rep. David McSweeney, R-Palatine, says this is like the fox watching the hen house, he’s got it just right. The commission must be restructured, adding members who are not lawmakers beholden to the legislative leaders.
“I think it is a big scandal,” said McSweeney, who has introduced legislation that would require legislative IG reports to be made public. “We have a sitting member who is accused of wrongdoing, and voters don’t know who it is. It is a coverup.”
While they’re at it, the Legislature should give the inspector general the ability to open investigations and issue subpoenas without first having to get permission from the Legislative Ethics Commission.
Moreover, as the laws are written, the IG has a much broader authority to investigate various types of transgressions than the commission has the authority to do anything about. The commission is restricted to acting on such misconduct as doing political work on state time, promising something of value in exchange for a political contribution, accepting certain positions after state employments ends, sexual harassment and similar violations.
That leaves a world of mischief that the IG might uncover but for which the commission can’t impose penalties, such as fines.
So for example, if the IG gets a tip that a legislator is working for a company that’s going to get a huge financial windfall as a result of a bill the legislator is pushing, the inspector general can check it out and write up a report. But there is no way for the commission to impose a punishment.
And, of course, if the commission isn’t pleased, the report will never see the light of day.
That makes zero sense. The Legislature should give the IG free rein to investigate and make the results known as warranted, even with respect to misdeeds that are not under the purview of the commission.
“Any changes they make to increase transparency and enhance the independence of the inspector general will be a huge win for the people for Illinois,” Porter said.
When it comes to integrity in politics, Illinois could use a little winning.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Man shot, paralyzed 13-year-old girl in Gary after she refused him sex: police

A man is accused of shooting a 13-year-old girl in the back and paralyzing her after she refused to have sex with him last month in Gary , Indiana .
Shamar Walker , 18 , is charged with attempted murder , aggravated battery , battery resulting in serious bodily injury and battery by means of a deadly weapon , according to an affidavit from the Lake County state ’ s attorney ’ s office .
The charges stem from a shooting that occurred about midnight Jan. 25 near the corner of 21st Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive in Gary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officers responded to reports of a person shot at that location and found the girl lying on her back , the document states .
The teen also had a cut on her forehead , and was unable to move .
She was taken to an area hospital where a bullet was found lodged in her upper back by her spine , the document states .
She was later transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center .
The girl told officers she went over to Walker ’ s sister ’ s apartment that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her for sex , the document states .
She and Walker had a previous sexual relationship in which she told him she was 15 .
She refused , the pair got into an argument and she grabbed her purse and left , the document states .
Walker followed her and yelled as she walked home , the document states .
She called him a “ little boy ” and told him to leave her alone .
She then heard a gunshot and fell , hitting her head on the ground , the document @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago told the girl ’ s mother that she was paralyzed from her chest down , and were electing not to do surgery , the document states .
Doctors said the teen would never walk again .
Walker appeared at a bond hearing Friday , where his bail was set at $ 150,000 , according to court records .

A man is accused of shooting a 13-year-old girl in the back and paralyzing her after she refused to have sex with him last month in Gary, Indiana.
Shamar Walker, 18, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery, battery resulting in serious bodily injury and battery by means of a deadly weapon, according to an affidavit from the Lake County state’s attorney’s office.
The charges stem from a shooting that occurred about midnight Jan. 25 near the corner of 21st Avenue and Martin Luther King Drive in Gary, according to the court document.
Shamar Walker Lake County sheriff’s office
Officers responded to reports of a person shot at that location and found the girl lying on her back, the document states. The teen also had a cut on her forehead, and was unable to move.
She was taken to an area hospital where a bullet was found lodged in her upper back by her spine, the document states. She was later transferred to the University of Chicago Medical Center.
The girl told officers she went over to Walker’s sister’s apartment that day after school, where he asked her for sex, the document states. She and Walker had a previous sexual relationship in which she told him she was 15.
She refused, the pair got into an argument and she grabbed her purse and left, the document states.
Walker followed her and yelled as she walked home, the document states. She called him a “little boy” and told him to leave her alone.
She then heard a gunshot and fell, hitting her head on the ground, the document states.
Doctors at the University of Chicago told the girl’s mother that she was paralyzed from her chest down, and were electing not to do surgery, the document states. Doctors said the teen would never walk again.
Walker appeared at a bond hearing Friday, where his bail was set at $150,000, according to court records.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Gov. Pritzker’s State of the State speech touched on way more than fighting corruption

I ’ ve read and heard a lot of commentary about what Gov .
J.B. Pritzker didn ’ t say in his State of the State address last month .
Some folks are still quite angry that he didn ’ t address their pet causes .
And the previous day ’ s guilty plea by former Sen. Martin Sandoval prompted the news media to focus mainly on the anti-corruption portion of the governor ’ s speech .
Behind his strong , quote-worthy rhetoric , however , were three concrete proposals : 1 ) A ban on legislators being paid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interests and punishment for non-compliance ; and 3 ) Forbidding legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office .
The House Republicans are already on record in favor of a legislator lobbying ban , and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has introduced a conflict of interest bill ( HB 3954 ) that would even require attorneys to disclose clients who could pose potential conflicts .
Senate President Don Harmon offered support of the lobbying revolving door provision .
Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady said he supports the conflicts of interest disclosure bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicate support for anything .
The chairman he appointed to head an ethics commission , however , supported all three .
But beyond what Pritzker didn ’ t say , and beyond the corruption angle , the governor did get into some other substance which was lost in the shuffle .
On the subject of property taxes , Pritzker complained about the “ perverse incentives in state law ” that encourage local governments to “ max out ” their property tax levies “ even when they don ’ t need to.
” He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state ’ s Property Tax Extension Limitation Law that essentially encourages units of government to tax to the cap every year for fear of forever losing that revenue .
What Pritzker wants to do is not yet known .
Pritzker also proposed allowing citizens to initiate consolidating or eliminating units of local government .
The General Assembly has passed some limited , highly localized legislation on this topic .
Pritzker wants to take it statewide .
Other governors have talked about ethics , property taxes and consolidation and ended up accomplishing little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his considerable persuasive powers to move his agenda to the goal line .
He spent a whole lot of his political capital on last year ’ s mega-agenda and a governor ’ s second year is never as “ easy ” as the first .
There is generally an eagerness to help a brand-new governor achieve his goals , but that can wear off .
Pritzker ’ s clean energy proposals included legislation “ that reduces carbon pollution , promotes renewable energy , and accelerates electrification of our transportation sector.
” That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of the Illinois Clean Jobs coalition .
Pritzker also made clear that ComEd ’ s hegemonic days are over : “ I ’ m not going to sign an energy bill written by the utility companies.
” Harmon told Public Television ’ s Jak Tichenor after the speech that he didn ’ t believe anyone was suggesting that Exelon and ComEd shouldn ’ t be at the bargaining table .
“ What is encouraging to me , ” Harmon said , “ is that they won ’ t be the loudest voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made it very clear that he ’ s going to amplify the voices of other people.
” On the social justice front , the governor said he wants to start phasing out cash bail .
He also wants to follow “ many of the recommendations made by the bipartisan criminal justice reform commission created by my predecessor , most of whose ideas were never adopted because of the rancor and dysfunction.
” Gov .
Bruce Rauner drew widespread praise for his criminal justice reforms , but the issue got lost in his never-ending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pointed response to those who have been pushing him hard to hire more Democratic patronage workers .
Democratic insiders have been grumbling for a full year that their people have to go through the same hiring practice as everyone else and often don ’ t wind up being picked .
In response , people within the administration have complained about how party bosses have been trying to shove an inordinate number of politically connected and unqualified or under-qualified white men down their throats .
Pritzker insisted that his way of hiring has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old patronage system needs to die ... finally and completely .
The input of women and people of color needs to be treated as essential to decision making — not as some token show of diversity.
” It was a well-written speech , but the really hard part comes soon when he introduces his next budget , which , at last check , was projected to be $ 1.8 billion out of balance .

I’ve read and heard a lot of commentary about what Gov. J.B. Pritzker didn’t say in his State of the State address last month. Some folks are still quite angry that he didn’t address their pet causes.
And the previous day’s guilty plea by former Sen. Martin Sandoval prompted the news media to focus mainly on the anti-corruption portion of the governor’s speech. Behind his strong, quote-worthy rhetoric, however, were three concrete proposals: 1) A ban on legislators being paid to lobby; 2) Disclosure of conflicts of interests and punishment for non-compliance; and 3) Forbidding legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately after leaving office.
Editorials bug Editorials
The House Republicans are already on record in favor of a legislator lobbying ban, and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin has introduced a conflict of interest bill (HB 3954) that would even require attorneys to disclose clients who could pose potential conflicts. Senate President Don Harmon offered support of the lobbying revolving door provision. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady said he supports the conflicts of interest disclosure bit.
House Speaker Michael Madigan did not indicate support for anything. The chairman he appointed to head an ethics commission, however, supported all three.
But beyond what Pritzker didn’t say, and beyond the corruption angle, the governor did get into some other substance which was lost in the shuffle.
On the subject of property taxes, Pritzker complained about the “perverse incentives in state law” that encourage local governments to “max out” their property tax levies “even when they don’t need to.” He was referring to an unintended consequence of the state’s Property Tax Extension Limitation Law that essentially encourages units of government to tax to the cap every year for fear of forever losing that revenue. What Pritzker wants to do is not yet known.
Pritzker also proposed allowing citizens to initiate consolidating or eliminating units of local government. The General Assembly has passed some limited, highly localized legislation on this topic. Pritzker wants to take it statewide.
Other governors have talked about ethics, property taxes and consolidation and ended up accomplishing little. Pritzker will have to use all of his considerable persuasive powers to move his agenda to the goal line. He spent a whole lot of his political capital on last year’s mega-agenda and a governor’s second year is never as “easy” as the first. There is generally an eagerness to help a brand-new governor achieve his goals, but that can wear off.
Pritzker’s clean energy proposals included legislation “that reduces carbon pollution, promotes renewable energy, and accelerates electrification of our transportation sector.”
That matches up with the three “pillars” of the Illinois Clean Jobs coalition. Pritzker also made clear that ComEd’s hegemonic days are over: “I’m not going to sign an energy bill written by the utility companies.”
Harmon told Public Television’s Jak Tichenor after the speech that he didn’t believe anyone was suggesting that Exelon and ComEd shouldn’t be at the bargaining table. “What is encouraging to me,” Harmon said, “is that they won’t be the loudest voice in the room now. The governor made it very clear that he’s going to amplify the voices of other people.”
On the social justice front, the governor said he wants to start phasing out cash bail. He also wants to follow “many of the recommendations made by the bipartisan criminal justice reform commission created by my predecessor, most of whose ideas were never adopted because of the rancor and dysfunction.” Gov. Bruce Rauner drew widespread praise for his criminal justice reforms, but the issue got lost in his never-ending battles with Democrats.
Pritzker did have a pointed response to those who have been pushing him hard to hire more Democratic patronage workers.
Democratic insiders have been grumbling for a full year that their people have to go through the same hiring practice as everyone else and often don’t wind up being picked.
In response, people within the administration have complained about how party bosses have been trying to shove an inordinate number of politically connected and unqualified or under-qualified white men down their throats.
Pritzker insisted that his way of hiring has made the state better: “The old patronage system needs to die...finally and completely. The input of women and people of color needs to be treated as essential to decision making — not as some token show of diversity.”
It was a well-written speech, but the really hard part comes soon when he introduces his next budget, which, at last check, was projected to be $1.8 billion out of balance.
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Coach Jim Boylen’s job remains safe in eyes of Bulls front office

NBA coaching jobs are always fluid , but if the season were to end today – which many Bulls fans have been praying for – Boylen would be in that head coaching seat when training camp opened up next fall .
Vice president of basketball operations John Paxson gave Boylen that vote of confidence earlier in the season when he met with individual media members , and reiterated his belief in the job Boylen ’ s been doing once again on Thursday .
“ It ’ s always hard for a coach , ’ ’ Paxson said , when asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way through all the injuries on the roster .
“ I think you guys have been around Jim enough to know that he ’ s a very positive guy .
He keeps trying to grind it out .
One thing I do admire is he doesn ’ t quit on these guys .
He looks at them and he believes in them .
“ Hey , in this league , every team faces injuries .
We ’ re not the only ones .
That ’ s why you have a 15-man roster .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ He ’ s trying to coach these guys and try to get them better.
’ ’ Not the kind of statement critics of Boylen want to hear right about now , especially with how polarizing the coach has become .
There seems to be very little middle ground when discussing Boylen .
When he took over for Fred Hoiberg back on Dec. 3 , 2018 , it wasn ’ t done quietly .
Whether it was Boylen calling out his players for a lack of toughness and conditioning his first week on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-player attempted coup like a mob boss , fans and members of the media quickly had an opinion on the long-time assistant .
In most cases , not a good one .
Still , Boylen actually seemed to be turning things slightly around , whether it was a solid February showing last season , or the way he seemed to get players to buy in when last season ended .
So how can a guy that was given an extension in the offseason and has started off just 19-34 this season be safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flipped the narrative .
Under former coach Tom Thibodeau – the second-winningest coach in franchise history – in a poor attempt to win a power struggle , the front office blamed injuries on the supposed grinding style of Thibodeau , eventually attaching that stigma on him nationally .
The Bulls have suffered more injuries under Hoiberg and Boylen than they ever saw with Thibodeau , conveniently passing it off as just bad luck these days .
“ He ’ s trying to do his job the best he can , you know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when asked about the job Boylen has done with the undermanned roster .
“ No one ’ s going to feel sorry for you.
’ ’ Maybe that ’ s also why LaVine did point out that the team started the season relatively healthy and still stumbled out of the gate .
“ Beginning of the year we lost games and we had everybody , so I don ’ t know , ’ ’ LaVine said .
So how would the current parachute Boylen is using suddenly twist up and send him into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Games like Thursday night against New Orleans , in which the starters looked unprepared and uninspired .
Non-competitive showings – undermanned or not – will be Boylen ’ s downfall .
He knows that more than anyone .
“ I evaluate everything , ’ ’ Boylen said .
“ I don ’ t go home and not think about this or not think about basketball and what we ’ re trying to do .
But I try and keep the positive things and what we have done in the right perspective .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , banged-up young team that battles and fights and competes .
Do we have off nights when we don ’ t play well ?
Of course , every team does .
My job is to teach and to coach , and I will keep doing that .
The people in this room that know me know that .
I ’ m not deterred .
’ ’

Although the status of an NBA coaching job is always fluid, if the season were to end today — answering the prayers of some Bulls fans — coach Jim Boylen would be safe.
Vice president of basketball operations John Paxson gave Boylen that vote of confidence earlier in the season in conversations with reporters, and on Thursday he reiterated his faith in the job Boylen has been doing while navigating his way through a slew of injuries on the roster.
“It’s always hard for a coach,” Paxson said. “I think you guys have been around Jim enough to know that he’s a very positive guy. He keeps trying to grind it out. One thing I do admire is he doesn’t quit on these guys. He looks at them, and he believes in them.
“Hey, in this league, every team faces injuries. We’re not the only ones. That’s why you have a 15-man roster. But Jim handles it very well. He’s trying to coach these guys and try to get them better.”
That’s not the kind of statement critics of Boylen want to hear right now.
There seems to be very little middle ground when discussing him. When he took over for the fired Fred Hoiberg in early December 2018 — immediately calling out Bulls players for what he considered a lack of toughness and conditioning and then squashing an attempted two-player coup — fans and media quickly formed opinions about the long-time assistant coach. In most cases, those opinions weren’t favorable.
Still, Boylen seemed to be turning things around slowly. The Bulls had a solid showing last February, and when the season ended, it seemed as though he had gotten his players to buy in. He was given a contract extension in the offseason.
But even so, how can a guy be safe when his team is 19-34?
A big reason is that he’s getting the benefit of the doubt. Several years ago, during the notorious power struggle with former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau — the second-winningest coach in franchise history — the front office blamed injuries on Thibodeau’s supposed grinding style. But today, the front office is passing off injuries as simply bad luck, even though the Bulls have suffered more of them under Hoiberg and Boylen than they ever did under Thibodeau.
“He’s trying to do his job the best he can, you know?” guard Zach LaVine said when asked about what Boylen has done with an undermanned roster. “No one’s going to feel sorry for you.”
LaVine noted the team started the season healthy and still stumbled out of the gate.
“Beginning of the year, we lost games and we had everybody, so I don’t know,’’ he said.
Is it possible Boylen’s parachute will suddenly twist up and send him into a freefall? Games like Thursday’s 125-119 loss to the Pelicans, in which the starters looked unprepared and uninspired, don’t help. Non-competitive showings will be his downfall, whether he’s undermanned or not.
Boylen knows that more than anyone.
“I evaluate everything,” he said. “I don’t go home and not think about this or not think about basketball and what we’re trying to do, but I try and keep the positive things and what we have done in the right perspective.
“We’ve got an injured, banged-up young team that battles and fights and competes. Do we have off nights when we don’t play well? Of course. Every team does. My job is to teach and to coach, and I will keep doing that. The people in this room that know me know that. I’m not deterred.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--High school basketball scores

High school basketball scores

Man out on bail for attempted murder of ex- returns to Hammond , kills her : prosecutors Sylvia Williams was @ @ @ @ @ of her mobile home , shot five times Wednesday shooting — and twice before from @ @ @ @

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


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Man, 34, and 3 teen boys charged with murder in shooting of Park Manor store clerk

A 34-year-old man and three teenage boys have been charged with first-degree murder after an exchange of gunfire during an attempted robbery Friday left a store clerk in Park Manor dead .
The boys , 13 , 15 and 17 , were charged as juveniles and are not being named , Chicago police said .
Along with 34-year-old Sammy Trice of Park Manor , the teens allegedly entered the store about 1:45 p.m. Friday in the first block of East 71st Street and took cash from the register at gunpoint , Chicago police said .
The clerk , identified as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his own gun and fired shots , police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
At least one member of the group returned fire and struck Maali in the chest , killing him .
The 17-year-old was also shot multiple times and Trice was struck in the leg , police said .
Although he remains in the hospital , a Cook County judge on Sunday ordered Trice held without bail , according to Cook County court records .
He is due in court Feb. 10 .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s homicides .

A 34-year-old man and three teenage boys have been charged with first-degree murder after an exchange of gunfire during an attempted robbery Friday left a store clerk in Park Manor dead.
The boys, 13, 15 and 17, were charged as juveniles and are not being named, Chicago police said.
Along with 34-year-old Sammy Trice of Park Manor, the teens allegedly entered the store about 1:45 p.m. Friday in the first block of East 71st Street and took cash from the register at gunpoint, Chicago police said.
The clerk, identified as 33-year-old Mohammed I. Maali, took out his own gun and fired shots, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. At least one member of the group returned fire and struck Maali in the chest, killing him.
The 17-year-old was also shot multiple times and Trice was struck in the leg, police said.
Although he remains in the hospital, a Cook County judge on Sunday ordered Trice held without bail, according to Cook County court records. He is due in court Feb. 10.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Man shot to death in West Elsdon

Man shot to death in West Elsdon

A 29-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday in West Elsdon on the Southwest Side .
Ruben Quiroz Trejo was @ @ @ @ @ 7:20 p.m. when someone in a vehicle pulled up in the 3700 block of West @ @ @ @ @ in the head and chest , Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ @ @ @ @ @ was pronounced dead at the scene .
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

A 29-year-old man was shot and killed Saturday in West Elsdon on the Southwest Side.
Ruben Quiroz Trejo was walking on the sidewalk about 7:20 p.m. when someone in a vehicle pulled up in the 3700 block of West 58th Street and shot him in the head and chest, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
Area Central detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Man killed in Oakland shooting

Man killed in Oakland shooting

A man was shot to death Saturday in Oakland on the South Side .
Jabari Pittman , 19 , was @ @ @ @ @ of South Cottage Grove Avenue about 5:30 p.m. when someone got out of a green @ @ @ @ @ gun and opened fire , Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s @ @ @ @ @ who lived in Oakland , was struck in the head , leg and hand , @ @ @ @ @ taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead minutes @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ruled his death a homicide , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
@ @ @ @ @ shots , saw the man shot outside and went to comfort his family who was @ @ @ @ @ the area near a car , and placed at least 14 evidence markers near it @ @ @ @ @ , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man was shot to death Saturday in Oakland on the South Side.
Jabari Pittman, 19, was walking in the 3800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue about 5:30 p.m. when someone got out of a green BMW, pulled out a gun and opened fire, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
Pittman, who lived in Oakland, was struck in the head, leg and hand, authorities said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead minutes later.
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
A man said he heard shots, saw the man shot outside and went to comfort his family who was nearby. Police were searching the area near a car, and placed at least 14 evidence markers near it.
Area Central detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Man fatally shot in Heart of Chicago: police

A 26-year-old man was fatally shot Saturday in the Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side .
Alberto Ponce @ @ @ @ @ of West Cullerton Street about 9:15 a.m. when someone opened fire , striking him multiple @ @ @ @ @ the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
He was taken to Mt @ @ @ @ @ later died , authorities said .
Ponce lived in Heart of Chicago .
An autopsy @ @ @ @ @ a homicide , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
The specific details of @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
No one is in custody as Area Central detectives investigate .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 26-year-old man was fatally shot Saturday in the Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side.
Alberto Ponce was in the 2200 block of West Cullerton Street about 9:15 a.m. when someone opened fire, striking him multiple times, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where he later died, authorities said. Ponce lived in Heart of Chicago.
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
The specific details of the shooting remain under investigation, police said.
No one is in custody as Area Central detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--3 shot, 1 fatally, in Lawndale

3 shot, 1 fatally, in Lawndale

Three men were shot leaving one dead Saturday morning in Lawndale on the West Side .
About 9 a.m. , @ @ @ @ @ block of West Congress Parkway when they were approached by someone who pulled out two @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police said .
All three were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ was struck in the chest and abdomen and later died , the Cook County medical @ @ @ @ @ police said .
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a homicide , the medical @ @ @ @ @ .
A second man , also 29 , was struck in the back , hand @ @ @ @ @ .
He was listed in serious condition .
The third man , 28 , was @ @ @ @ @ leg wound , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city @ @ @ @

Three men were shot leaving one dead Saturday morning in Lawndale on the West Side.
About 9 a.m., they were in the 2800 block of West Congress Parkway when they were approached by someone who pulled out two guns and opened fire, Chicago police said.
All three were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment. Isiah Wallace, 29, was struck in the chest and abdomen and later died, the Cook County medical examiner’s office and police said.
An autopsy conducted Sunday ruled his death a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.
A second man, also 29, was struck in the back, hand and thigh, police said. He was listed in serious condition.
The third man, 28, was in fair condition with a leg wound, police said.
Area North detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--To win suburban vote, Trump might be smart to dump Pence and put a woman on the ticket

President Donald Trump loves to brag about all the great things he ’ s doing for black people .
His Feb. 5 State of the Union “ show ” was chock-full of boasts and grins aimed at African Americans .
Our unemployment rate is at an all-time low , thanks to him .
Trump is a criminal justice champion , he claimed in the speech .
He lavished praise on a 100-year-old Tuskegee Airman and bestowed a scholarship on a young black girl .
No matter .
Trump ’ s softer , gentler words were aimed at another , crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who swing more liberally on social issues than their male counterparts .
Trump needs their votes to prevail in the November presidential election .
Women who are not amused by Trump ’ s embrace of white nationalists and anti-immigrant crusades .
Women who abhor his bombastic , misogynist ways .
In the 2020 presidential campaign , women prefer all of the leading Democratic candidates over Trump by 23 to 30 percentage points , according to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll .
The poll was conducted Jan. 20 to 23 .
If held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly double the previous record gender gap in exit polls dating to 1976 , ” ABC News reported .
A woman will surely be on the Democratic presidential ticket , as either the nominee or the VP pick .
Talk is cheap .
Trump needs a secret weapon to get alienated women voters back into his fold .
Last spring , Trump was “ asking his longtime friends and members of his inner circle ” whether “ keeping Pence on the ticket was a shrewd decision heading into 2020 , ” Politico reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nikki Haley , the former South Carolina governor and former U.N. ambassador , as a possible running mate .
Would he consider replacing Vice President Mike Pence with a woman on the 2020 ticket ?
I rang up Pat Brady .
The former chairman of the Republican Party of Illinois said he would be “ surprised ” if Trump dumped Pence .
“ Pence is a very trusted and relied upon adviser to the president , ” said Brady , a consultant , lobbyist and attorney who keeps close tabs on political and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends in Washington tell him “ Pence is the guy on [ Trump ’ s ] schedule daily , more than almost anybody.
” He ’ s “ in every meeting.
” Besides , abandoning Pence “ would create so much consternation ” in conservative circles and “ so many problems ” for Trump “ that he doesn ’ t need.
” Right now , Trump is savoring one of the best weeks of his presidency after delivering a powerful State of the Union speech and reveling in his impeachment acquittal .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good thing , it ’ s this president .
During his acquittal “ celebration ” in the White House East Room , he berated U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and declared the investigation into Russian electoral interference was “ bullshit.
” He labeled one adversary a “ sleazebag.
” Here ’ s some unsolicited , free advice for the Trump campaign .
I guarantee your candidate will continue to alienate women , no matter how much he panders .
If anything , the gender gap will grow .
He may need a Plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dumping an uber-loyal vice president would be unthinkable .
It would be a cinch for Trump .
He knows no allegiance beyond whatever will save his orange skin .
Trump is the ultimate transactional president .
What ’ s good for Trump personally had better be good for everyone else .
Pence and the rest of you are highly dispensable .

President Donald Trump loves to brag about all the great things he’s doing for black people.
His Feb. 5 State of the Union “show” was chock-full of boasts and grins aimed at African Americans. Our unemployment rate is at an all-time low, thanks to him. Trump is a criminal justice champion, he claimed in the speech. He lavished praise on a 100-year-old Tuskegee Airman and bestowed a scholarship on a young black girl.
Black folks won’t fall for that okey-doke.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
No matter. Trump’s softer, gentler words were aimed at another, crucial constituency: white suburban women.
Women who swing more liberally on social issues than their male counterparts. Trump needs their votes to prevail in the November presidential election.
Women who are not amused by Trump’s embrace of white nationalists and anti-immigrant crusades. Women who abhor his bombastic, misogynist ways.
In the 2020 presidential campaign, women prefer all of the leading Democratic candidates over Trump by 23 to 30 percentage points, according to a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll.
The poll was conducted Jan. 20 to 23. If held on Election Day, it would “nearly double the previous record gender gap in exit polls dating to 1976,” ABC News reported.
A woman will surely be on the Democratic presidential ticket, as either the nominee or the VP pick.
Talk is cheap. Trump needs a secret weapon to get alienated women voters back into his fold.
Last spring, Trump was “asking his longtime friends and members of his inner circle” whether “keeping Pence on the ticket was a shrewd decision heading into 2020,” Politico reported in December.
Trump was talking up Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor and former U.N. ambassador, as a possible running mate.
Would he consider replacing Vice President Mike Pence with a woman on the 2020 ticket?
I rang up Pat Brady. The former chairman of the Republican Party of Illinois said he would be “surprised” if Trump dumped Pence.
“Pence is a very trusted and relied upon adviser to the president,” said Brady, a consultant, lobbyist and attorney who keeps close tabs on political and corporate affairs.
Brady’s GOP friends in Washington tell him “Pence is the guy on [Trump’s] schedule daily, more than almost anybody.” He’s “in every meeting.”
Besides, abandoning Pence “would create so much consternation” in conservative circles and “so many problems” for Trump “that he doesn’t need.”
Right now, Trump is savoring one of the best weeks of his presidency after delivering a powerful State of the Union speech and reveling in his impeachment acquittal.
But if anyone knows how to ruin a good thing, it’s this president.
During his acquittal “celebration” in the White House East Room, he berated U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and declared the investigation into Russian electoral interference was “bullshit.” He labeled one adversary a “sleazebag.”
Others “scum.”
Here’s some unsolicited, free advice for the Trump campaign.
I guarantee your candidate will continue to alienate women, no matter how much he panders. If anything, the gender gap will grow. He may need a Plan B.
For any other president, dumping an uber-loyal vice president would be unthinkable.
It would be a cinch for Trump. He knows no allegiance beyond whatever will save his orange skin.
Trump is the ultimate transactional president. What’s good for Trump personally had better be good for everyone else.
Pence and the rest of you are highly dispensable.
Send letters to: letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Lake County, IN, coroner searches for family of Timothy Farkas

The Lake County , Indiana , coroner ’ s office is looking to find the family of a recently deceased @ @ @ @ @ , 68 , is in the care of the coroner ’ s office , Lake @ @ @ @ @ .
He lived at the Renaissance Towers , 535 Logan Dr. Farkas is 5-foot-7 , @ @ @ @ @ with white hair and blue eyes , the coroner ’ s office said .
He @ @ @ @ @ refinery industry in Casper , Wyoming and Atlantic Richfield Refinery in East Chicago , Indiana @ @ @ @ @ office is now asking for the public ’ s help in finding Farkas ’ immediate @ @ @ @ @ with information about Farkas can call the coroner ’ s office at 219-755-3265 .

The Lake County, Indiana, coroner’s office is looking to find the family of a recently deceased Hammond man.
Timothy Farkas, 68, is in the care of the coroner’s office, Lake County coroner Merrilee Frey said. He lived at the Renaissance Towers, 535 Logan Dr.
Farkas is 5-foot-7, weighs about 150 pounds, with white hair and blue eyes, the coroner’s office said. He previously worked in the oil refinery industry in Casper, Wyoming and Atlantic Richfield Refinery in East Chicago, Indiana.
The coroner’s office is now asking for the public’s help in finding Farkas’ immediate family or relatives.
Anyone with information about Farkas can call the coroner’s office at 219-755-3265.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Chicago outdoors: Poppee Matan, screech owl, daffodils and big Indiana Chinook

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors .
Emil Baumbach framed this eastern screech owl sunning in the entrance to a tree cavity .
“ This red morph looks very comfortable in his sycamore tree , ’ ’ Baumbach emailed .
I would add “ very striking , too.
’ ’ WOTW , the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors , runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday .
Send nominations to @ BowmanOutside on Twitter or Instagram , to Dale Bowman on Facebook or email BowmanOutside @ gmail.com .
Click @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , classes and seminars Tuesday , Feb. 11 : Capt .
Doug Wegner on Lake of the Woods , Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc. , North Branch Pizza & Burger Co. , Glenview , 7:30 p.m. Saturday , Feb. 15 : Turkey , Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area , Wilmington , just be 18 or older , click here to register Thursday , Feb. 13 : Trevor Edmonson , “ Fantastic Moths and How to Find Them , ’ ’ Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center , Wilmington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( 815 ) 423-6370 or SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP @ usda.gov Monday , Feb. 10 , to Friday , Feb. 14 : Illinois residents only , click here for details “ My wife ’ s daffodils are starting to sprout and I heard male cardinals doing their territorial calls every day last week in the early morning .
This is the earliest for either of these events that I can remember .
Pretty optimistic since we ’ re just starting February.
’ ’ Jim Hantak A : Hantak of was of many who noted early arrivals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been a weird winter .
42.2 : Inches of the Chinook caught by Danny Lunn from Salt Creek in 2019 to earn a Fish of the Year from the Indiana DNR .
Click here for Indiana DNR ’ s 2019 Fish of the Year .
“ In the late 80 ’ s thru the 90 ’ s Poppee , [ his wife ] Helen and I purchased Custom Jigs & Spins where Poppee did the bulk of the soldering and jig pouring-several million jigs over the years , in his spare time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ developed many lures , and helped in promotional efforts.
’ ’ Walt Matan , posting on Facebook on the death of his father on Tuesday

Notes come from around Chicago outdoors.
WILD OF THE WEEK
Emil Baumbach framed this eastern screech owl sunning in the entrance to a tree cavity. “This red morph looks very comfortable in his sycamore tree,’’ Baumbach emailed. I would add “very striking, too.’’
WOTW, the celebration of wild stories and photos around Chicago outdoors, runs most weeks in the special two-page outdoors section in the Sun-Times Sports Saturday. Send nominations to @BowmanOutside on Twitter or Instagram, to Dale Bowman on Facebook or email BowmanOutside@gmail.com.
WILD TIMES
HUNTER SAFETY
March 13-14: Wheeling, huntersafety@sbcglobal.net
SHOWTIME
Click here for the master list of shows, classes and seminars
Thursday, Feb. 13, to Feb. 16: Chicago RV & Camping Show, Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont
Friday, Feb. 14, to Feb. 16: Muskie Expo Milwaukee, Washington County Fair Park, West Bend, Wis.
Friday, Feb. 14, to Feb. 23: Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds
Saturday, Feb. 15, to Feb. 16: Bedford Sales 50th Anniversity Open House, Morris
Saturday, Feb. 15: Midwest Musky Club’s annual swap meet, Village Sportsmen’s Club, Alsip
FISH GATHERINGS
Tuesday, Feb. 11: Capt. Doug Wegner on Lake of the Woods, Chicagoland Muskie Hunters chapter of Muskies Inc., North Branch Pizza & Burger Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 11: U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Chuck Bronte, Salmon Unlimited, Thornwood Restaurant & Lounge, Wood Dale, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12: Guide Luke Ronnestrand, Fox River Valley chapter of Muskies Inc., Schaumburg Golf Club, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 12: Steve Sarley, “The Most Common Mistakes Most Anglers Make,’’ Lake Geneva Fishing Club, Poplar Creek Bowl, Hoffman Estates, 6 p.m.
Thursday: Capt. Ralph Steiger, Riverside Fishing Club, LaGrange American Legion, 6:30 p.m.
ILLINOIS PERMITS/SEASONS
Monday, Feb. 10: Applications, spring turkey hunting, third lottery, ends
Saturday, Feb. 15: Bobcat, rabbit and squirrel seasons end
LEARN TO HUNT
Saturday, Feb. 15: Turkey, Des Plaines State Fish and Wildlife Area, Wilmington, just be 18 or older, click here to register
MIDEWIN LECTURE SERIES
Thursday, Feb. 13: Trevor Edmonson, “Fantastic Moths and How to Find Them,’’ Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie Welcome Center, Wilmington, begins 7 p.m., registration required at (815) 423-6370 or SM.FS.Midewin_RSVP@usda.gov
SHEDD FREE DAYS
Monday, Feb. 10, to Friday, Feb. 14: Illinois residents only, click here for details
DALE’S MAILBAG
“My wife’s daffodils are starting to sprout and I heard male cardinals doing their territorial calls every day last week in the early morning. This is the earliest for either of these events that I can remember. Pretty optimistic since we’re just starting February.’’ Jim Hantak
A: Hantak of was of many who noted early arrivals of various natural events. It’s been a weird winter.
BIG NUMBER
42.2: Inches of the Chinook caught by Danny Lunn from Salt Creek in 2019 to earn a Fish of the Year from the Indiana DNR. Click here for Indiana DNR’s 2019 Fish of the Year.
LAST WORD
“In the late 80’s thru the 90’s Poppee, [his wife] Helen and I purchased Custom Jigs & Spins where Poppee did the bulk of the soldering and jig pouring-several million jigs over the years, in his spare time after work at the buildings. He developed many lures, and helped in promotional efforts.’’
Walt Matan, posting on Facebook on the death of his father on Tuesday


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Burglar targets Near North Side restaurants: police

Chicago police are warning residents of a string of recent burglaries reported in Near North Side neighborhoods .
In each @ @ @ @ @ way into the front door of restaurants using a “ pry tool ” and stole @ @ @ @ @ police said in a community alert .
The burglaries happened during the morning hours : @ @ @ @ @ 400 block of North Dearborn Street ; • Dec. 31 in the 200 block of @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 12 in the 1000 block of West North Avenue ; • Feb. 1 in @ @ @ @ @ Wells Street ; • Feb. 3 in the 300 block of East Illinois Street ; @ @ @ @ @ the 300 block of North Clark Street .
Anyone with information is asked to contact @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Chicago police are warning residents of a string of recent burglaries reported in Near North Side neighborhoods.
In each incident, someone forced their way into the front door of restaurants using a “pry tool” and stole property from therein, Chicago police said in a community alert.
The burglaries happened during the morning hours:
Dec. 26 in the 400 block of North Dearborn Street;
Dec. 31 in the 200 block of East Illinois Street;
Jan. 12 in the 1000 block of West North Avenue;
Feb. 1 in the 700 block of North Wells Street;
Feb. 3 in the 300 block of East Illinois Street; and
Feb. 7 in the 300 block of North Clark Street.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.