chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--As coronavirus spreads, anxiety spreads faster

When Anise Fernandez first heard about coronavirus , she wasn ’ t very concerned .
But as cases popped up across the U.S. , the 19-year-old panicked and was overcome by shallow breathing and shaking hands .
“ When I realized it was spreading , my reaction was to text my mom and tell her I felt nervous about it and to look up symptoms and ways to avoid contracting the virus , ” the Chicago woman said .
“ I think that because the spread of the virus occurred so quickly and there have already been cases in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a potentially very serious situation.
” Fernandez has health anxiety — sometimes called hypochondria — and for many who deal with the condition , their symptoms have been made worse by coronavirus ’ spread .
“ My anxiety peaked this past Sunday night — complete attack , night sweats , rapid heart rate , overwhelming fear and stomach cramps , ” said Kassandra Leonard , 27 , who lives in Arizona where a case was confirmed Jan. 26 .
“ I was convinced I had a fever and took my temperature multiple times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health anxiety is fairly common , affecting 3 % to 6.5 % of all people ; that goes up to nearly one in 10 people if you include obsessive-compulsive disorders revolving around illnesses , said Karen Lynn Cassiday , owner of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago .
People with health anxiety often fixate on particular illnesses , like cancer , Cassiday said .
Then , they try to adjust their environment to reduce their risk of getting it .
“ Some [ people with health anxiety ] will do an entire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pay out of pocket , and a week later be miserable because what if they missed something or now something cancerous is starting to grow in their body , ” she said .
Those fears can be amplified when public health concerns break out .
“ Anytime there are media reports about ‘ new ’ or ‘ exotic ’ illnesses , we start to receive numerous calls and emails from people who are excessively anxious about the perceived threat that these conditions pose , ” said Tom Corboy , executive director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The coronavirus outbreak , which originated in Wuhan , China , has infected over 37,000 people worldwide , according to the World Health Organization .
There have been 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S. , according to CDC statistics released Friday .
That includes two patients in Illinois , a husband and wife from Chicago who were discharged from a suburban hospital Friday and moved into home isolation .
Other confirmed cases are in Wisconsin , Washington , Massachusetts , California and Arizona , according to the CDC .
Symptoms include @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like those typically associated with the common cold or flu .
“ Lots of people are gon na get a cold while this goes on , and 99.99 % won ’ t have coronavirus , ” said Timothy Scarella , associate program director of BIDMC/Harvard Psychiatry Residency .
“ But when they go to doctor with a cough , they ’ ll ask , ‘ How do you know ?
Coronavirus comes with a cough , right ?
’ ” Despite repeated assurance from both the CDC and Chicago Department of Public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the general public remains low , the virus possesses several characteristics that might make it more anxiety-inducing than other similar illnesses , like the classic flu , Cassiday said .
“ Every report you hear says doctors and disease specialists don ’ t really understand — don ’ t understand the capacity compared to SARS , ” she said .
“ Anyone who remembers SARS remembers it had a high death rate — cities and borders shut down .
We don ’ t have a vaccine for it ; combine that with we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to reduce or contain and we don ’ t understand — it induces massive anxiety.
” She added when humans get anxiety signals , they ’ re hardwired to perceive it as important ; people perceive danger much quicker than happiness and safety .
Plus , the brain struggles to distinguish between what fear is imagined and what is real .
“ If your mind is thinking of something frightening , your body will feel the same way — just as if a grizzly bear is staring you down and is gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ When we hear about the sick people and the quarantine around the Wuhan area , our brains and bodies go , ‘ Oh my gosh , it feels so real ; it feels even more necessary to talk to more people , read anything I find on the internet.
’ But you ’ re never going to get a definitive source that will say this will never happen to you.
” A key difference between health anxiety and plain anxiety is the inability to be reassured .
While someone generally worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a doctor says there ’ s no need to worry , a person who struggles with health anxiety can not .
“ It ’ s hard for people with health anxiety to realize that the person they need to see isn ’ t a physician , but rather someone for their mental health , ” Scarella said .
The best way to deal with anxiety surrounding coronavirus , Cassiday suggested , is to consider the worst-case scenario — like scenes from scary movies featuring pandemics or dying young .
“ A moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why am I worrying about this ?
’ ” Cassiday said .
“ It might even seem humorous to you , and you ’ ll be able to let go ; the thoughts won ’ t have that sticky Velcro quality .
”

When Anise Fernandez first heard about coronavirus, she wasn’t very concerned. But as cases popped up across the U.S., the 19-year-old panicked and was overcome by shallow breathing and shaking hands.
“When I realized it was spreading, my reaction was to text my mom and tell her I felt nervous about it and to look up symptoms and ways to avoid contracting the virus,” the Chicago woman said. “I think that because the spread of the virus occurred so quickly and there have already been cases in the U.S., I felt that it was a potentially very serious situation.”
Fernandez has health anxiety — sometimes called hypochondria — and for many who deal with the condition, their symptoms have been made worse by coronavirus’ spread.
“My anxiety peaked this past Sunday night — complete attack, night sweats, rapid heart rate, overwhelming fear and stomach cramps,” said Kassandra Leonard, 27, who lives in Arizona where a case was confirmed Jan. 26. “I was convinced I had a fever and took my temperature multiple times; of course, no fever.”
Me: has major health anxiety
Also me: tortures myself by spending hours a day looking at coronavirus updates and scaring myself even more — lizzie (@lizziebarnettx) January 28, 2020
Health anxiety is fairly common, affecting 3% to 6.5% of all people; that goes up to nearly one in 10 people if you include obsessive-compulsive disorders revolving around illnesses, said Karen Lynn Cassiday, owner of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago.
People with health anxiety often fixate on particular illnesses, like cancer, Cassiday said. Then, they try to adjust their environment to reduce their risk of getting it.
“Some [people with health anxiety] will do an entire body scan if they’re willing to pay out of pocket, and a week later be miserable because what if they missed something or now something cancerous is starting to grow in their body,” she said.
Those fears can be amplified when public health concerns break out.
“Anytime there are media reports about ‘new’ or ‘exotic’ illnesses, we start to receive numerous calls and emails from people who are excessively anxious about the perceived threat that these conditions pose,” said Tom Corboy, executive director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles.
The coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan, China, has infected over 37,000 people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.
There have been 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the U.S., according to CDC statistics released Friday. That includes two patients in Illinois, a husband and wife from Chicago who were discharged from a suburban hospital Friday and moved into home isolation.
Other confirmed cases are in Wisconsin, Washington, Massachusetts, California and Arizona, according to the CDC.
Symptoms include shortness of breath, fever and coughing, like those typically associated with the common cold or flu.
“Lots of people are gonna get a cold while this goes on, and 99.99% won’t have coronavirus,” said Timothy Scarella, associate program director of BIDMC/Harvard Psychiatry Residency. “But when they go to doctor with a cough, they’ll ask, ‘How do you know? Coronavirus comes with a cough, right?’”
Despite repeated assurance from both the CDC and Chicago Department of Public Health that coronavirus’ health risk to the general public remains low, the virus possesses several characteristics that might make it more anxiety-inducing than other similar illnesses, like the classic flu, Cassiday said.
“Every report you hear says doctors and disease specialists don’t really understand — don’t understand the capacity compared to SARS,” she said. “Anyone who remembers SARS remembers it had a high death rate — cities and borders shut down. We don’t have a vaccine for it; combine that with we only have palliative care, no definitive way to reduce or contain and we don’t understand — it induces massive anxiety.”
Tips for dealing with health anxiety Tips for dealing with health anxiety Ask a physician: Though the likelihood of contracting coronavirus is low, there’s no harm in checking with your physician, said Timothy Scarella, associate program director of BIDMC/Harvard Psychiatry Residency. Don’t over-attend to your symptoms or to media reports, over-value your thoughts on the virus or over-respond to those thoughts: Overthinking and exaggerating will only make your anxiety worse, said Tom Corboy, executive director of the OCD Center of Los Angeles. Don’t give in to Google. Imagine the worst-case scenario — and then debunk it: Dictate your worst fears to your smartphone and listen back to them, suggests Karen Lynn Cassiday, owner of the Anxiety Treatment Center of Greater Chicago. After 20 or 30 minutes, your brain and body will start to realize it’s not as bad as you thought. Recognize when you need help: If you keep getting negative test results back and still can’t convince yourself you’re not ill, consider seeing a psychiatrist, Scarella said.
She added when humans get anxiety signals, they’re hardwired to perceive it as important; people perceive danger much quicker than happiness and safety. Plus, the brain struggles to distinguish between what fear is imagined and what is real.
“If your mind is thinking of something frightening, your body will feel the same way — just as if a grizzly bear is staring you down and is gonna charge you,” Cassiday said. “When we hear about the sick people and the quarantine around the Wuhan area, our brains and bodies go, ‘Oh my gosh, it feels so real; it feels even more necessary to talk to more people, read anything I find on the internet.’ But you’re never going to get a definitive source that will say this will never happen to you.”
A key difference between health anxiety and plain anxiety is the inability to be reassured. While someone generally worried about their health might stop being fearful after a doctor says there’s no need to worry, a person who struggles with health anxiety cannot.
“It’s hard for people with health anxiety to realize that the person they need to see isn’t a physician, but rather someone for their mental health,” Scarella said.
The best way to deal with anxiety surrounding coronavirus, Cassiday suggested, is to consider the worst-case scenario — like scenes from scary movies featuring pandemics or dying young.
“A moment will come when you realize: ‘Why am I worrying about this?’” Cassiday said. “It might even seem humorous to you, and you’ll be able to let go; the thoughts won’t have that sticky Velcro quality.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--9 killed, 11 wounded since Friday night in Chicago weekend shootings

Twenty people have been shot in Chicago so far this weekend , nine of them fatally , according to Chicago police .
Four of the deadly shootings happened within a 12-hour period Saturday , while three others occurred in under an hour early Sunday .
The weekend ’ s latest fatal shooting left one man dead and another in police custody Sunday morning in South Shore .
A 27-year-old man was in his parked vehicle about 4:35 a.m. in the 7200 block of South Bennett Avenue when he shot a 33-year-old man who was outside , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he succumbed to his injuries , police said .
The alleged shooter was taken into custody without incident .
Earlier in the morning , man was shot dead and a 7-year-girl was wounded in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
The 36-year-old man was driving a car with the child and several other adults inside at 3:04 a.m. when they heard gunshots from behind them in the 1300 block of North Rockwell Street , according to police .
The man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was hit in the back .
The car came to a stop in the 1500 block of North Rockwell and they were both taken to Stroger Hospital , where the man was pronounced dead , police said .
The girl , who is related to him , is listed in good condition .
Less than an hour before that , two men were shot to death during a robbery in Chinatown on the South Side .
The men , ages 38 and 39 , were standing in the parking lot of an apartment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman when someone walked up and tried to rob them in the 2000 block of South Wells Street , police said .
The woman complied with the robber but the men resisted , at which point the suspect shot them both in the head .
They were pronounced dead at the scene .
The woman was not injured .
The shooter ran away but was caught and taken into custody a short time later in the 2200 block of South Princeton Avenue , police said .
Charges are pending .
Another man was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Southwest Side .
The man , 29 , 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 , police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Less than two hours earlier , a 19-year-old man was shot to death in Oakland on the South Side .
Jabari Pittman was walking about 5:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when someone got out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gun and opened fire , police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
Pittman , who lived in Oakland , was struck in the head , leg and hand .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead minutes later .
Saturday morning , a 26-year-old man was fatally shot in Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side .
He was in the 2200 block of West Cullerton Street about 9:15 a.m. when someone opened fire , striking him multiple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he later died .
A triple shooting 15 minutes earlier left a man dead in Lawndale on the West Side .
The three men were in the 2800 block of West Congress Parkway when they were approached by someone who pulled out two guns and opened fire , police said .
All three were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment .
One man , 29 , was struck in the chest and abdomen and later died , police said .
A second man , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hand and thigh and was listed in serious condition .
The third man , 28 , was in fair condition with a leg wound .
Friday evening , a 39-year-old man was shot dead in a vehicle in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
Travis Thompson was in a parked vehicle about 10:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Monroe Street when someone got out of a red or maroon four-door car and opened fire , police and the medical examiner ’ s office said .
Thompson , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene .
The suspected shooter drove off west on Monroe Street .
In non-fatal shootings , a man was critically injured early Sunday outside a bar in Lake View by a male who was fatally shot by police moments later .
About 5:15 a.m. , officers in the area responded to calls of a disturbance outside of Tai ’ s Til 4 , 3611 N. Ashland Ave. , and as officers arrived , an armed male shot a person outside of the bar and attempted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superintendent Charlie Beck said at a press conference .
Police shot the suspect to death after he alleged fired shots at officers during the chase , police said .
The person who was shot outside the bar was struck in the neck and cheek and hospitalized in critical condition .
Earlier in the morning , woman was wounded in the Heart of Chicago on the South Side .
The 25-year-old was riding in a vehicle with two other people at 3:48 a.m. when someone started shooting from a passing silver four-door sedan in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , according to police .
Someone in a second passing vehicle may also have fired shots .
The woman was hit in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition .
Investigators think she may not have been the intended target .
On Saturday afternoon , a 20-year-old woman was wounded in Hermosa on the Northwest Side .
She was in the 1900 block of North Keeler Avenue about 2:20 p.m. when an unknown person shot her in the head , police said .
She was rushed to Stroger Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people have been injured in citywide shootings so far this weekend .
Last weekend , three people were killed and 19 more were wounded in shootings across the city .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Twenty-three people were shot in Chicago this weekend, nine of them fatally, according to Chicago police.
Four of the deadly shootings happened within a 12-hour period Saturday, while three occurred in under an hour early Sunday.
The weekend’s latest fatal shooting left one man dead and another in police custody Sunday morning in South Shore.
A 27-year-old man was in his parked vehicle about 4:35 a.m. in the 7200 block of South Bennett Avenue when he shot a 33-year-old man who was outside, Chicago police said.
The 33-year-old was struck in the abdomen and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries, police said. The alleged shooter was taken into custody.
Earlier in the morning, man was shot dead and a 7-year-old girl was wounded in Humboldt Park on the West Side.
Fermin Cisneros, 36, was driving a car with the child and other adults at 3:04 a.m. when they heard gunshots from behind in the 1300 block of North Rockwell Street, officials said. Cisneros was hit in the head and the girl was hit in the back.
The car came to a stop in the 1500 block of North Rockwell and they were both taken to Stroger Hospital, where Cisneros was pronounced dead, authorities said. The girl, who is related to him, was listed in good condition.
A man was shot to death and a 7-year-old girl was wounded Feb. 9, 2020, in the 1300 block of North Rockwell Street in Humboldt Park. Carly Behm/Sun-Times
Less than an hour before that, two men were fatally shot during a robbery in Chinatown on the South Side.
The men, ages 38 and 39, were standing in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 2:13 a.m. with a 44-year-old woman when someone walked up and tried to rob them in the 2000 block of South Wells Street, police said. The woman complied with the robber but the men resisted, at which point the suspect shot both in the head. They were pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was not injured.
The shooter ran but was caught and taken into custody a short time later in the 2200 block of South Princeton Avenue, police said. Charges are pending.
Two men were shot to death during a robbery Feb. 9, 2020, in the 2000 block of South Wells Street in Chinatown. Carly Behm/Sun-Times
Another man was killed Saturday night in West Elsdon on the Southwest Side.
The man, 29, was walking 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, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Less than two hours earlier, a 19-year-old man was shot to death in Oakland on the South Side.
Jabari Pittman was walking about 5:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when someone got out of a green BMW, pulled out a gun and opened fire, police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Pittman, who lived in Oakland, was struck in the head, leg and hand. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead minutes later.
Saturday morning, a 26-year-old man was fatally shot in Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side.
He was in the 2200 block of West Cullerton Street about 9:15 a.m. when someone opened fire, striking him multiple times, police said. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he later died.
A triple shooting 15 minutes earlier left a man dead in Lawndale on the West Side.
The three men were in the 2800 block of West Congress Parkway when they were approached by someone who pulled out two guns and opened fire, police said.
All three were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment. One man, 29, was struck in the chest and abdomen and later died, police said. A second man, also 29, was struck in the back, hand and thigh and was listed in serious condition. The third man, 28, was in fair condition with a leg wound.
Friday evening, a 39-year-old man was shot dead in a vehicle in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
Travis Thompson was in a parked vehicle about 10:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Monroe Street when someone got out of a red or maroon four-door car and opened fire, police and the medical examiner’s office said. Thompson, who lived in Humboldt Park, was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene. The suspected shooter drove off west on Monroe Street.
In non-fatal shootings, a man was critically injured early Sunday outside a bar in Lake View by a male who was fatally shot by police moments later.
About 5:15 a.m., officers in the area responded to calls of a disturbance outside of Tai’s Til 4, 3611 N. Ashland Ave., and as officers arrived, an armed male shot a person outside of the bar and attempted to run from the scene, interim CPD Superintendent Charlie Beck said at a press conference.
Police shot the suspect to death after he allegedly fired shots at officers during the chase, police said. The person who was shot outside the bar was struck in the neck and cheek and is hospitalized in critical condition.
Earlier that morning, a woman was wounded in the Heart of Chicago on the South Side.
The 25-year-old was riding in a vehicle with two others at 3:48 a.m. when someone started shooting from a passing silver four-door sedan in the 2200 block of South Blue Island Avenue, according to police. Someone in a second passing vehicle may also have fired shots. The woman was hit in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition. Investigators said she may not have been the intended target.
On Saturday afternoon, a 20-year-old woman was wounded in Hermosa on the Northwest Side.
She was in the 1900 block of North Keeler Avenue about 2:20 p.m. when she was shot in the head, police said. She was rushed to Stroger Hospital where she was stabilized.
Eight others were injured in citywide shootings from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend, three people were killed and 19 more were wounded in shootings across the city.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Oscar fashions 2020— Here’s what the stars are wearing

As iconic as those golden Oscar statues are , a good chunk of the excitement surrounding the annual Academy Awards @ @ @ @ @ Although the “ who are you wearing ” question has long been jettisoned from red @ @ @ @ @ like to check out what Hollywood ’ s A-listers are wearing on Hollywood ’ s @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a look at some of the highlights from this year ’ s Oscar @ @ @ @ @ Spike Lee ’ s tribute to the late Kobe Bryant :

As iconic as those golden Oscar statues are, a good chunk of the excitement surrounding the annual Academy Awards telecast is the fashion.
Although the “who are you wearing” question has long been jettisoned from red carpet chit-chat, we still like to check out what Hollywood’s A-listers are wearing on Hollywood’s biggest night.
So here’s a look at some of the highlights from this year’s Oscar red carpet arrivals, including Spike Lee’s tribute to the late Kobe Bryant:
Spike Lee arrives at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, wearing a purple and gold tribute to No. 24, the late NBA star Kobe Bryant. Getty
Spike Lee arrives at the Academy Awards on Sunday night, wearing a purple and gold tribute to No. 24, the late NBA star Kobe Bryant. Getty
Renée Zellweger attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards. Getty
Billie Eilish wears Chanel for her red carpet arrival at the Oscars on Sunday night. AP
Brad Pitt attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards. Getty
Margot Robbie wears vintage Chanel for her red carpet arrival Sunday night at the Oscars. AP
Greta Gerwig wears Dior Haute Couture at the Oscars on Sunday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
Laura Dern attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards wearing a pale pink Armani Prive gown. Getty
Janelle Monae glitters in a Ralph Lauren gown that features nearly 170,000 Swarovski crystals as she arrives on the red carpet at the Oscars on Sunday night. Getty
Scarlett Johansson attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards wearing an Oscar de la Renta custom gown. Getty
Cynthia Erivo wears an Atelier Versace ballgown on the red carpet at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday night. Getty
Charlize Theron arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, night wearing Dior Haute Couture. AP
Ten-year-old Julia Butters, currently featured in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” arrives at the Oscars on Sunday in Los Angeles. Butters collaborated with designer Christian Siriano on her pink gown and accessories. AP
Robert De Niro and Al Pacino attend the 92nd Annual Academy Awards. Getty
Billy Porter arrives at the Oscars on Sunday night, wearing Giles Deacon Couture. AP
Penélope Cruz wears Chanel as she attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on Sunday night. Getty
Beanie Feldstein arrives at the Oscars on Sunday night. AP Photos
Mindy Kaling attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in a yellow Dolce & Gabbana gown. Getty
Julia Louis-Dreyfus wears Vera Wang couture on the Oscars red carpet. AP
Kelly Marie Tran arrives at the Oscars on Sunday night. AP
Regina King, wearing Versace couture, arrives at the Oscars on Sunday night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. AP
America Ferrera arrives at the Oscars on Sunday. Getty
Rebel Wilson arrives at the Oscars. AP
Florence Pugh attends the 92nd Annual Academy Awards in a teal Louis Vuitton dress. Getty
George MacKay (left) and Dean-Charles Chapman, currently starring in the Oscar-nominated “1917” arrive at the Oscars on Sunday night. AP
Zazie Beetz, co-star in the Oscar-nominated “Joker,” arrives at the Oscars on Sunday wearing Tom Ford couture. AP
Kaitlyn Dever arrives at the Oscars wearing a scarlet Louis Vuitton couture gown designed with fuchsia glass beads and more than 14,000 Swarovski crystals. AP
Kristin Cavallari arrives at the Oscars on Sunday. AP


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--Michael O’Brien’s Super 25 high school basketball rankings for Feb. 9, 2020

Rolling Meadows junior Max Christie has turned in some terrific games in his career but the signature performance of his career , so far , came on Friday against Buffalo Grove .
Christie led the Mustangs to a 93-83 double-overtime win against the Bison .
He finished with 42 points , 17 rebounds , five blocks and four assists .
Christie made two free throws with nine seconds left to send the game to overtime .
It can be difficult for Christie ’ s performances to crack through to Chicago basketball fans since the Mustangs aren ’ t ranked and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearances .
But it is impossible to ignore 42 points in a huge double-overtime conference win .
Buffalo Grove sophomore Kam Craft , who has already surpassed 1,000 career points , actually outscored Christie with 46 points .
He drained seven three-pointers .
The game deadlocked Buffalo Grove ( 20-6 ) and Rolling Meadows ( 15-7 ) at 7-1 in the Mid-Suburban League East .
New to the Super 25 Orr ( 17-6 ) : All the new players this season meant it was going to be a work in progress for Lou @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all cylinders right now .
Reggie Strong is becoming a force and helped lead the team to wins against Corliss and St. Rita this past week .
Up next is Curie in the Public League quarterfinals .
Waubonsie Valley ( 22-4 ) : No real shame in the narrow loss to Neuqua Valley but Ben Schwieger is out with an injury for awhile so those two factors knock the Warriors out for now .
The four quarterfinal games will all take place at the higher seeded school .
The final four is Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is on Sunday at 2 p.m .
Early indications are that the final four and title games will be played at the Jones Armory at 5200 S. Cottage Grove .
It won ’ t be a normal event .
Expect a shoe company extravaganza with special lighting and a DJ and who knows what else .
It will likely be something along the lines of the shootout put on two years at the Navy Pier ballroom .
Fenwick at DePaul Prep , Friday : The Friars aren ’ t currently in the rankings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simeon and are clearly one of the more talented ( but still very young ) teams in the area .
Junior Bryce Hopkins is already a Player of the Year contender but a big performance in this one would boost his stock even more .
Notre Dame at Benet , Friday : Things have been quiet around the Redwings lately but this is a dangerous team , especially in Lisle .
Expect Benet coach Gene Heidkamp to have a solid game plan and if senior Jack Prock is hot from three-point range anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday : The rematch is here .
Stevenson won the first game at home .
The Patriots dominated until a late Mundelein run in the final few minutes .
The Mustangs need this win to prove they can be a force in the playoffs .
With record and last week ’ s ranking

Rolling Meadows junior Max Christie has turned in some terrific games in his career but the signature performance of his career, so far, came on Friday against Buffalo Grove.
Christie led the Mustangs to a 93-83 double-overtime win against the Bison. He finished with 42 points, 17 rebounds, five blocks and four assists. Christie made two free throws with nine seconds left to send the game to overtime.
It can be difficult for Christie’s performances to crack through to Chicago basketball fans since the Mustangs aren’t ranked and have only made a handful of shootout-type appearances. But it is impossible to ignore 42 points in a huge double-overtime conference win.
Buffalo Grove sophomore Kam Craft, who has already surpassed 1,000 career points, actually outscored Christie with 46 points. He drained seven three-pointers.
The game deadlocked Buffalo Grove (20-6) and Rolling Meadows (15-7) at 7-1 in the Mid-Suburban League East.
New to the Super 25
Orr (17-6): All the new players this season meant it was going to be a work in progress for Lou Adams. The Spartans are firing on all cylinders right now. Reggie Strong is becoming a force and helped lead the team to wins against Corliss and St. Rita this past week. Up next is Curie in the Public League quarterfinals.
Dropping out
Waubonsie Valley (22-4): No real shame in the narrow loss to Neuqua Valley but Ben Schwieger is out with an injury for awhile so those two factors knock the Warriors out for now.
Public League playoff update
The four quarterfinal games will all take place at the higher seeded school. The final four is Friday at 6 p.m. and the championship game is on Sunday at 2 p.m. Early indications are that the final four and title games will be played at the Jones Armory at 5200 S. Cottage Grove.
It won’t be a normal event. Expect a shoe company extravaganza with special lighting and a DJ and who knows what else. It will likely be something along the lines of the shootout put on two years at the Navy Pier ballroom.
The week ahead
Fenwick at DePaul Prep, Friday: The Friars aren’t currently in the rankings but they’ve already knocked off Simeon and are clearly one of the more talented (but still very young) teams in the area. Junior Bryce Hopkins is already a Player of the Year contender but a big performance in this one would boost his stock even more.
Notre Dame at Benet, Friday: Things have been quiet around the Redwings lately but this is a dangerous team, especially in Lisle. Expect Benet coach Gene Heidkamp to have a solid game plan and if senior Jack Prock is hot from three-point range anything could happen.
Stevenson at Mundelein, Friday: The rematch is here. Stevenson won the first game at home. The Patriots dominated until a late Mundelein run in the final few minutes. The Mustangs need this win to prove they can be a force in the playoffs.
With record and last week’s ranking
1. Curie (23-1) 1
Winning without Mike Oliver
2. Bloom (22-5) 2
Martice Mitchell heating up
3. Thornton (25-1) 3
Took down Cardinal Ritter
4. Notre Dame (25-3) 4
Survived the rivalry game
5. Evanston (23-3) 5
Beat Pat Baldwin in a thriller
6. Bogan (22-2) 6
Hosts Crane in quarterfinals
7. Young (18-8) 7
Tyler Beard is a highlight reel
8. Homewood-Flossmoor (20-3) 8
Knocked off Bolingbrook
9. Simeon (19-8) 9
Beat Collinsville in O’Fallon
10. Marian Catholic (20-7) 10
Three big wins last week
11. DePaul Prep (20-3) 11
Cruised past St. Joseph
12. Joliet West (22-4) 14
Young players stepping up
13. Oak Forest (23-1) 13
Added a game against Curie
14. Stevenson (18-4) 20
Beat Loyola
15. Morgan Park (17-8) 15
At Young in quarterfinals Tuesday
16. Glenbrook South (23-3) 17
Took down Hinsdale Central
17. Loyola (23-3) 12
At Brother Rice on Tuesday
18. Bolingbrook (21-5) 16
At Lincoln-Way East on Tuesday
19. Kankakee (19-4) 18
Lost to Bloom, Thornton
20. Mundelein (21-3) 19
Beat Lake Forest in OT
21. York (23-3) 21
Nate Shockey is clutch again
22. Orr (17-6) NR
Reggie Strong rounding into form
23. Hillcrest (17-8) 22
Lost to Joliet West
24. Cary-Grove (23-3) 24
Still tops in Fox Valley
25. Hinsdale South (25-2) 25
Three-win week


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--Dear Abby: Wife distraught as man refuses to meet his son’s boyfriend

DEAR ABBY : Our son “ Greg ” has come out as gay .
My husband can ’ t accept it and refuses to meet Greg ’ s boyfriend .
Our other son is getting married ( to a girl ) , and Greg will be bringing his boyfriend .
My husband says he won ’ t come to the wedding because our son ’ s boyfriend will be there .
He says it would “ make a mockery ” of the wedding .
He has not told them yet .
I have tried everything I can to convince my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this will destroy our family and marriage .
He said he doesn ’ t care !
I told him this has nothing to do with the wedding .
He will embarrass both sides of the family .
He finally admitted he just doesn ’ t want to see Greg ’ s boyfriend .
I told him he doesn ’ t have to talk to him , but no argument works .
I know our children will never speak to him again .
I can not stay married to him if he does this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do .
— SUPPORTIVE MOM IN NEW YORK DEAR MOM : Tell your husband , as calmly as possible , that the wedding isn ’ t the only milestone in his sons ’ lives he will miss unless he has an attitude adjustment .
Skipping the wedding will be just the beginning of his isolation because he will be absent from other important family milestones — celebrations , christenings , birthdays , sporting events , recitals and graduations .
If that doesn ’ t wake him up , nothing will .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether you should end your marriage isn ’ t something you should decide on impulse or out of anger .
A licensed marriage and family therapist should be consulted .
DEAR ABBY : My sister , who is estranged from our siblings , has been diagnosed with cancer .
The more-than-three-year estrangement wasn ’ t her choice , and she was devastated by it .
She has requested that they be kept ignorant about her medical condition .
We are all ( six of us ) in our 60s , and I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us has left .
I would hate for my siblings to regret not having time with her , or to disown me for keeping this secret .
Do I betray her trust and tell them ?
— SIBLING DILEMMA IN NEVADA DEAR SIBLING DILEMMA : Do not betray your sister ’ s trust and reveal her diagnosis to the siblings who ostracized her .
The news is hers and hers alone to convey .
You are assuming they would rush to her side to support her , which isn ’ t necessarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her recovery , so do not risk it .
DEAR ABBY : My daughter expects that her children always receive a “ gift ” from their four grandparents on Valentine ’ s Day .
My wife and I are OK with this , yet WE receive no cards , gifts or phone calls from the grandchildren or our children .
Are we old-fashioned , or is my daughter ’ s expectation inappropriate ?
— OLD-FASHIONED DEAR OLD-FASHIONED : Your daughter ’ s expectations are inappropriate .
They are also nervy .
Your daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holiday greetings is a reciprocal endeavor .
If your daughter doesn ’ t want to buy Valentine cards for her children to give to you , the kids should MAKE them for Grandma and Grandpa .
( They would make precious keepsakes , framed individually or as a collage . )
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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) to : Dear Abby , Anger Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: Our son “Greg” has come out as gay. My husband can’t accept it and refuses to meet Greg’s boyfriend. Our other son is getting married (to a girl), and Greg will be bringing his boyfriend. My husband says he won’t come to the wedding because our son’s boyfriend will be there. He says it would “make a mockery” of the wedding. He has not told them yet.
I have tried everything I can to convince my husband to come. I told him this will destroy our family and marriage. He said he doesn’t care! I told him this has nothing to do with the wedding. He will embarrass both sides of the family. He finally admitted he just doesn’t want to see Greg’s boyfriend. I told him he doesn’t have to talk to him, but no argument works. I know our children will never speak to him again. I cannot stay married to him if he does this. I have no idea what to do. — SUPPORTIVE MOM IN NEW YORK
DEAR MOM: Tell your husband, as calmly as possible, that the wedding isn’t the only milestone in his sons’ lives he will miss unless he has an attitude adjustment. Skipping the wedding will be just the beginning of his isolation because he will be absent from other important family milestones — celebrations, christenings, birthdays, sporting events, recitals and graduations. If that doesn’t wake him up, nothing will.
However, if he still cannot relent, whether you should end your marriage isn’t something you should decide on impulse or out of anger. A licensed marriage and family therapist should be consulted.
DEAR ABBY: My sister, who is estranged from our siblings, has been diagnosed with cancer. The more-than-three-year estrangement wasn’t her choice, and she was devastated by it. She has requested that they be kept ignorant about her medical condition.
We are all (six of us) in our 60s, and I don’t know how much time any of us has left. I would hate for my siblings to regret not having time with her, or to disown me for keeping this secret. Do I betray her trust and tell them? — SIBLING DILEMMA IN NEVADA
DEAR SIBLING DILEMMA: Do not betray your sister’s trust and reveal her diagnosis to the siblings who ostracized her. The news is hers and hers alone to convey. You are assuming they would rush to her side to support her, which isn’t necessarily true. This could be detrimental to her recovery, so do not risk it.
DEAR ABBY: My daughter expects that her children always receive a “gift” from their four grandparents on Valentine’s Day. My wife and I are OK with this, yet WE receive no cards, gifts or phone calls from the grandchildren or our children. Are we old-fashioned, or is my daughter’s expectation inappropriate? — OLD-FASHIONED
DEAR OLD-FASHIONED: Your daughter’s expectations are inappropriate. They are also nervy. Your daughter should be teaching her children that exchanging holiday greetings is a reciprocal endeavor. If your daughter doesn’t want to buy Valentine cards for her children to give to you, the kids should MAKE them for Grandma and Grandpa. (They would make precious keepsakes, framed individually or as a collage.)
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.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--Plans hold promise for old Wrigley gum site in Bridgeport

“ It ’ s clean .
It ’ s big .
It ’ s empty.
” That ’ s how a real estate broker in 2009 described the old Wrigley gum factory at 3535 S. Ashland Ave. when it hit the market .
In 2017 , Sun-Times investigative reporter Tim Novak provided an updated take : “ The abandoned factory that the Wm .
Wrigley Jr. Co. left behind in Bridgeport has been like a wad of gum stuck to the shoes of Chicagoans.
” In classic Chicago fashion , the empty factory stood for misspent tax incentives for Wrigley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property taxes on the factory after the company sold it .
But now , 14 years since Wrigley stopped making Chicago originals such as Juicy Fruit and Spearmint at the property , something positive is finally happening there .
The factory is being demolished and in its place will be new industrial construction providing a jolt of fresh jobs .
The real estate firm NAI Hiffman said it has been hired by new owners to find users for what it calls the South Branch Commerce Center , a 260,000-square-foot building on more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president at NAI Hiffman , said construction should begin in the summer and be finished around year end .
He said the project represents about $ 23 million in spending .
It ’ s a straightforward appeal to the hottest trend in warehousing and shipping — a site that ’ s within heavily populated areas that can help with the “ last mile ” challenge of getting items to homes and businesses .
So yes , the site has Amazon written all over it , but its fate might be better than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambitions to do a deal with Amazon , ” Basile said .
“ We ’ ve spoken with all logical parties.
” There is no deal to announce yet , but the project ’ s speculative nature — construction is proceeding without a committed tenant — is a sign of confidence .
Amazon has been gobbling sites around Chicago — the old Maywood Park racetrack in Melrose Park , Skokie , Channahon , and it is said to be considering a site in Pullman .
A company spokeswoman had no comment on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an Amazon site , you imagine big-box construction for lots of little boxes , with employees struggling to raise families on what they earn .
Basile said the Wrigley site could go beyond pure shipping , with light manufacturing involved .
One possibility , he said , could be food processing .
Manufacturers could provide jobs that pay higher wages .
In a sign of the site ’ s jobs potential , Basile said the final site plan could provide parking for up to 630 cars .
CTA buses serve the site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Orange Line .
“ E-commerce is heavily dependent on the local labor force and on access to public transit , ” he said .
Chris Gary , also representing the property as executive vice president for NAI Hiffman , said , “ This large site allows the developer to include the truck-maneuvering capabilities found in suburban sites but at a city location only 10 minutes from downtown , the thriving West Loop and the Fulton Market District.
” The brokerage identified the owners as Karis Industrial and Stonemont Financial Group .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ around late October , although a check of deed records showed no recent transaction .
A representative of the owners was not immediately available .
The old gum factory , which employed 1,700 people in the 1960s , became an embarrassment to the administration of former Mayor Richard M. Daley .
In 2002 , Daley told the Sun-Times he ’ d gotten assurances from Wrigley that the plant would stay open .
It was part of the horse-trading when Wrigley sought tax increment financing help to build a research center on Goose Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to writing and Wrigley , then part of the Mars candy empire , ended 95 years of Bridgeport production in 2006 .
It also downsized its Goose Island project .
It finally sold the property in 2012 to a Lombard group that paid nearly $ 4.9 million .
The buyers later hired Daley ’ s nephew , Patrick Daley Thompson , to help cut the property taxes .
Thompson is now 11th Ward alderman with authority over the property .
He did not reply to a message last week .
There was talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ center at the site , so at least the city stuck to its plan to keep it industrial .
It needs those jobs .
Speaking of “ stuck , ” maybe taxpayers can finally scrape that gooey stuff off their soles .
Basile said the new owners are seeking no tax subsidies for the construction .

“It’s clean. It’s big. It’s empty.” That’s how a real estate broker in 2009 described the old Wrigley gum factory at 3535 S. Ashland Ave. when it hit the market.
In 2017, Sun-Times investigative reporter Tim Novak provided an updated take: “The abandoned factory that the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. left behind in Bridgeport has been like a wad of gum stuck to the shoes of Chicagoans.” In classic Chicago fashion, the empty factory stood for misspent tax incentives for Wrigley and an insider deal to cut the property taxes on the factory after the company sold it.
But now, 14 years since Wrigley stopped making Chicago originals such as Juicy Fruit and Spearmint at the property, something positive is finally happening there. The factory is being demolished and in its place will be new industrial construction providing a jolt of fresh jobs.
The real estate firm NAI Hiffman said it has been hired by new owners to find users for what it calls the South Branch Commerce Center, a 260,000-square-foot building on more than 16 acres. John Basile, senior vice president at NAI Hiffman, said construction should begin in the summer and be finished around year end. He said the project represents about $23 million in spending.
Chicago Enterprise bug Chicago Enterprise
It’s a straightforward appeal to the hottest trend in warehousing and shipping — a site that’s within heavily populated areas that can help with the “last mile” challenge of getting items to homes and businesses. So yes, the site has Amazon written all over it, but its fate might be better than that.
“Every industrial developer has ambitions to do a deal with Amazon,” Basile said. “We’ve spoken with all logical parties.” There is no deal to announce yet, but the project’s speculative nature — construction is proceeding without a committed tenant — is a sign of confidence.
Amazon has been gobbling sites around Chicago — the old Maywood Park racetrack in Melrose Park, Skokie, Channahon, and it is said to be considering a site in Pullman. A company spokeswoman had no comment on the Bridgeport site.
The old Wrigley gum factory in 2017. Sun-Times file
But when you think of an Amazon site, you imagine big-box construction for lots of little boxes, with employees struggling to raise families on what they earn. Basile said the Wrigley site could go beyond pure shipping, with light manufacturing involved. One possibility, he said, could be food processing. Manufacturers could provide jobs that pay higher wages.
In a sign of the site’s jobs potential, Basile said the final site plan could provide parking for up to 630 cars. CTA buses serve the site directly, and it’s close to the Orange Line. “E-commerce is heavily dependent on the local labor force and on access to public transit,” he said.
Chris Gary, also representing the property as executive vice president for NAI Hiffman, said, “This large site allows the developer to include the truck-maneuvering capabilities found in suburban sites but at a city location only 10 minutes from downtown, the thriving West Loop and the Fulton Market District.”
The brokerage identified the owners as Karis Industrial and Stonemont Financial Group. Basile said they closed on the sale around late October, although a check of deed records showed no recent transaction. A representative of the owners was not immediately available.
The old gum factory, which employed 1,700 people in the 1960s, became an embarrassment to the administration of former Mayor Richard M. Daley. In 2002, Daley told the Sun-Times he’d gotten assurances from Wrigley that the plant would stay open. It was part of the horse-trading when Wrigley sought tax increment financing help to build a research center on Goose Island. But the assurances were never committed to writing and Wrigley, then part of the Mars candy empire, ended 95 years of Bridgeport production in 2006. It also downsized its Goose Island project.
It finally sold the property in 2012 to a Lombard group that paid nearly $4.9 million. The buyers later hired Daley’s nephew, Patrick Daley Thompson, to help cut the property taxes. Thompson is now 11th Ward alderman with authority over the property. He did not reply to a message last week.
There was talk the last few years about a shopping center at the site, so at least the city stuck to its plan to keep it industrial. It needs those jobs. Speaking of “stuck,” maybe taxpayers can finally scrape that gooey stuff off their soles. Basile said the new owners are seeking no tax subsidies for the construction.
A rendering of the proposed South Branch Commerce Center in Bridgeport. NAI Hiffman


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--9 killed, 14 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings

Twenty-three people were shot in Chicago this weekend , nine of them fatally , according to Chicago police .
Four of the deadly shootings happened within a 12-hour period Saturday , while three others occurred in under an hour early Sunday .
The weekend ’ s latest fatal shooting left one man dead and another in police custody Sunday morning in South Shore .
A 27-year-old man was in his parked vehicle about 4:35 a.m. in the 7200 block of South Bennett Avenue when he shot a 33-year-old man who was outside , Chicago police said .
The 33-year-old was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he succumbed to his injuries , police said .
The alleged shooter was taken into custody without incident .
Earlier in the morning , man was shot dead and a 7-year-old girl was wounded in Humboldt Park on the West Side .
Fermin Cisneros , 36 , was driving a car with the child and several other adults inside at 3:04 a.m. when they heard gunshots from behind them in the 1300 block of North Rockwell Street , officials said .
Cisneros was hit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the back .
The car came to a stop in the 1500 block of North Rockwell and they were both taken to Stroger Hospital , where Cisneros was pronounced dead , authorities said .
The girl , who is related to him , is listed in good condition .
Less than an hour before that , two men were shot to death during a robbery in Chinatown on the South Side .
The men , ages 38 and 39 , were standing in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 2:13 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ walked up and tried to rob them in the 2000 block of South Wells Street , police said .
The woman complied with the robber but the men resisted , at which point the suspect shot them both in the head .
They were pronounced dead at the scene .
The woman was not injured .
The shooter ran away but was caught and taken into custody a short time later in the 2200 block of South Princeton Avenue , police said .
Charges are pending .
Another man was killed Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The man , 29 , 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 , police said .
He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Less than two hours earlier , a 19-year-old man was shot to death in Oakland on the South Side .
Jabari Pittman was walking about 5:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of South Cottage Grove Avenue when someone got out of a green BMW @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire , police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
Pittman , who lived in Oakland , was struck in the head , leg and hand .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was pronounced dead minutes later .
Saturday morning , a 26-year-old man was fatally shot in Heart of Chicago on the Near West Side .
He was in the 2200 block of West Cullerton Street about 9:15 a.m. when someone opened fire , striking him multiple times , police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sinai Hospital , where he later died .
A triple shooting 15 minutes earlier left a man dead in Lawndale on the West Side .
The three men were in the 2800 block of West Congress Parkway when they were approached by someone who pulled out two guns and opened fire , police said .
All three were taken to Mount Sinai Hospital for treatment .
One man , 29 , was struck in the chest and abdomen and later died , police said .
A second man , also 29 , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thigh and was listed in serious condition .
The third man , 28 , was in fair condition with a leg wound .
Friday evening , a 39-year-old man was shot dead in a vehicle in East Garfield Park on the West Side .
Travis Thompson was in a parked vehicle about 10:15 p.m. in the 3300 block of West Monroe Street when someone got out of a red or maroon four-door car and opened fire , police and the medical examiner ’ s office said .
Thompson , who lived in Humboldt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead at the scene .
The suspected shooter drove off west on Monroe Street .
In non-fatal shootings , a man was critically injured early Sunday outside a bar in Lake View by a male who was fatally shot by police moments later .
About 5:15 a.m. , officers in the area responded to calls of a disturbance outside of Tai ’ s Til 4 , 3611 N. Ashland Ave. , and as officers arrived , an armed male shot a person outside of the bar and attempted to run from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at a press conference .
Police shot the suspect to death after he allegedly fired shots at officers during the chase , police said .
The person who was shot outside the bar was struck in the neck and cheek and hospitalized in critical condition .
Earlier in the morning , woman was wounded in the Heart of Chicago on the South Side .
The 25-year-old was riding in a vehicle with two other people at 3:48 a.m. when someone started shooting from a passing silver four-door sedan in the 2200 block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to police .
Someone in a second passing vehicle may also have fired shots .
The woman was hit in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition .
Investigators think she may not have been the intended target .
On Saturday afternoon , a 20-year-old woman was wounded in Hermosa on the Northwest Side .
She was in the 1900 block of North Keeler Avenue about 2:20 p.m. when an unknown person shot her in the head , police said .
She was rushed to Stroger Hospital where she was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in citywide shootings from 5 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday .
Last weekend , three people were killed and 19 more were wounded in shootings across the city .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--ENDORSEMENT: Kim Foxx for state’s attorney in Cook County Democratic primary

Chances are , you ’ ve never heard of the Gun Crimes Strategies Unit .
We think you should before you vote on March 17 .
Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx launched the unit shortly after she won election in 2016 , a bloody year in which Chicago racked up 3,550 shootings , 764 of them fatal .
What was the most-prosecuted felony at that time ?
Retail theft .
Foxx had promised to pour more resources into fighting violent crime , and she did , sending prosecutors to work alongside police in Chicago neighborhoods with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in New York City , San Francisco and elsewhere , she assigned assistant state ’ s attorneys to work directly with law enforcement — local and federal — to target and charge the repeat gun offenders who are behind so much of Chicago and Cook County ’ s violence .
For the first time in decades , the state ’ s attorney ’ s office was employing an overarching and data-tested crime fighting strategy , rather than just racking up convictions .
And it was a strategy built on principles of social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mindlessly filling up jails .
It was exactly what Foxx had promised .
According to preliminary data from the University of Chicago Crime Lab , the strategy is working .
Our streets are in fact safer , and that is likely in part because more repeat gun offenders are being charged as “ armed habitual criminals , ” a Class X felony that carries stiff penalties .
In the 11th Police District on the West Side , arrests of gun suspects charged as armed habitual criminals rose from just nine in 2015 to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District in Englewood , arrests rose from 10 in 2015 to 37 in 2018 .
Shootings in the unit districts decreased by 35 % from 2016 to 2018 , more than the 31 % decrease elsewhere in the city .
At the same time , Foxx declined to prosecute more than 5,000 low-level criminal cases that her predecessor , Anita Alvarez , likely would have pursued , a 2019 report from The Marshall Project found .
To us , this looks like justice .
Every hour a prosecutor spends building a case against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not wasted prosecuting , let ’ s say , a homeless drug addict who steals $ 33 worth of underwear .
During Foxx ’ s tenure , the guiding philosophy of the state ’ s attorney ’ s office has undergone a sea change , and it ’ s a change that must continue .
Today , we strongly endorse Foxx in the Democratic primary for another term as Cook County state ’ s attorney .
Foxx has proven to be thoughtful , committed and effective .
She is the candidate who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women , giving us hope that Chicago finally can shed its image as the “ false confession capital of the U.S. ” She is the candidate who expunged thousands of low-level pot convictions after the state legalized the use of recreational marijuana .
She is the candidate who has increased , by 25 % , the use of alternatives to prosecution for nonviolent offenders , giving them the chance to avoid prison — and when did prison ever help a young and foolish petty criminal turn his life around ?
We know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thinking two words : Jussie Smollett .
As well you might .
Foxx bungled that case .
She really messed up .
And we ’ re not convinced her only mistake was , as she contends , a “ lack of transparency.
” From the moment Smollett was charged with lying to the Chicago police about some faked-up mugging outside his Near North Side apartment , Foxx should have hung up the phone on any politically connected attorney trying to plead the actor ’ s case .
And Foxx ’ s office should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he did the bare minimum — admit in writing that he had made it all up .
The police deserved better than that .
We ’ ll have to wait on a report by a special prosecutor , Dan Webb , to learn all that transpired .
There is no doubt the Smollett case was the one great pratfall of Foxx ’ s first term .
We endorse her all the same .
It would be an injustice to allow a single high-profile mistake to overshadow her accomplishments .
For too long in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soared even as we have filled our jails and prisons with nonviolent offenders .
For too long , a kid from Wilmette who screwed up could catch a break that a kid from the West Side couldn ’ t .
The first young man might pull a stint in rehab while the second gets swatted down with a felony conviction .
Foxx faces three credible challengers : former assistant state ’ s attorneys Bill Conway and Donna More and former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti .
But we see nothing in their policy positions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would do a better job than Foxx in pushing the state ’ s attorney office toward greater effectiveness — making us safer — even as it advances the cause of social justice .
Kim Foxx has kept her promises .
She has , once again , earned your vote .
For more information about this race and others , including candidate questionnaires , go to our Illinois primary voting guide .
Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and , in some cases , politically active investors ; for details , @ @ @ @ @ @

Chances are, you’ve never heard of the Gun Crimes Strategies Unit. We think you should before you vote on March 17.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx launched the unit shortly after she won election in 2016, a bloody year in which Chicago racked up 3,550 shootings, 764 of them fatal.
What was the most-prosecuted felony at that time? Retail theft.
Editorials bug Editorials
Foxx had promised to pour more resources into fighting violent crime, and she did, sending prosecutors to work alongside police in Chicago neighborhoods with the worst gun violence. Following similar models used in New York City, San Francisco and elsewhere, she assigned assistant state’s attorneys to work directly with law enforcement — local and federal — to target and charge the repeat gun offenders who are behind so much of Chicago and Cook County’s violence.
For the first time in decades, the state’s attorney’s office was employing an overarching and data-tested crime fighting strategy, rather than just racking up convictions. And it was a strategy built on principles of social justice — making our streets safer without mindlessly filling up jails.
It was exactly what Foxx had promised.
A strategy that’s working
According to preliminary data from the University of Chicago Crime Lab, the strategy is working. Our streets are in fact safer, and that is likely in part because more repeat gun offenders are being charged as “armed habitual criminals,” a Class X felony that carries stiff penalties.
In the 11th Police District on the West Side, arrests of gun suspects charged as armed habitual criminals rose from just nine in 2015 to 48 in 2018. In the 7th District in Englewood, arrests rose from 10 in 2015 to 37 in 2018. Shootings in the unit districts decreased by 35% from 2016 to 2018, more than the 31% decrease elsewhere in the city.
At the same time, Foxx declined to prosecute more than 5,000 low-level criminal cases that her predecessor, Anita Alvarez, likely would have pursued, a 2019 report from The Marshall Project found.
To us, this looks like justice. Every hour a prosecutor spends building a case against a repeat gun offender is an hour not wasted prosecuting, let’s say, a homeless drug addict who steals $33 worth of underwear.
During Foxx’s tenure, the guiding philosophy of the state’s attorney’s office has undergone a sea change, and it’s a change that must continue.
Thoughtful, committed and effective
Today, we strongly endorse Foxx in the Democratic primary for another term as Cook County state’s attorney.
Foxx has proven to be thoughtful, committed and effective. She is the candidate who has freed more than 80 wrongfully convicted men and women, giving us hope that Chicago finally can shed its image as the “false confession capital of the U.S.”
She is the candidate who expunged thousands of low-level pot convictions after the state legalized the use of recreational marijuana.
She is the candidate who has increased, by 25%, the use of alternatives to prosecution for nonviolent offenders, giving them the chance to avoid prison — and when did prison ever help a young and foolish petty criminal turn his life around?
Smollett case shouldn’t overshadow accomplishments
We know. You are reading this now and thinking two words: Jussie Smollett.
As well you might.
Foxx bungled that case. She really messed up. And we’re not convinced her only mistake was, as she contends, a “lack of transparency.”
From the moment Smollett was charged with lying to the Chicago police about some faked-up mugging outside his Near North Side apartment, Foxx should have hung up the phone on any politically connected attorney trying to plead the actor’s case.
And Foxx’s office should not have allowed Smollett to walk until he did the bare minimum — admit in writing that he had made it all up. The police deserved better than that.
We’ll have to wait on a report by a special prosecutor, Dan Webb, to learn all that transpired. There is no doubt the Smollett case was the one great pratfall of Foxx’s first term.
We endorse her all the same. It would be an injustice to allow a single high-profile mistake to overshadow her accomplishments.
For too long in Cook County, violent crime rates have soared even as we have filled our jails and prisons with nonviolent offenders. For too long, a kid from Wilmette who screwed up could catch a break that a kid from the West Side couldn’t. The first young man might pull a stint in rehab while the second gets swatted down with a felony conviction.
Foxx faces three credible challengers: former assistant state’s attorneys Bill Conway and Donna More and former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti.
But we see nothing in their policy positions or resumes to make us believe they would do a better job than Foxx in pushing the state’s attorney office toward greater effectiveness — making us safer — even as it advances the cause of social justice.
Kim Foxx has kept her promises. She has, once again, earned your vote.
For more information about this race and others, including candidate questionnaires, go to our Illinois primary voting guide. Our newspaper is owned by a group of civic-minded and, in some cases, politically active investors; for details, see our owner information page.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--Menu planner: Make Valentine’s Day special with Asian barbecue steaks for two

Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl .
Cover and refrigerate 1/4 cup marinade .
Place steak and remaining marinade in a resealable plastic bag ; turn to coat .
Refrigerate 6 hours to overnight .
Remove steak from marinade ; discard marinade .
Grill , covered , on 145-degree preheated gas grill 12 to 14 minutes for medium-rare doneness , turning once .
( Do not overcook . )
Serve with warmed reserved marinade .
Per serving : 187 calories , 24 grams protein , 6 grams fat ( 32 percent calories from fat ) , 2 grams saturated fat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cholesterol , 291 milligrams sodium , no fiber .
Carb count : 0.5 .
In a medium nonstick skillet , heat oil on medium .
Add onions and cook 8 minutes or until softened ; stir occasionally .
Add escarole , garlic , salt and pepper ; cook 3 minutes or until escarole is wilted .
Stir in beans and tomatoes ; bring to a boil .
Cover , reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes or until flavors are blended .
Per serving : 162 calories , 6 grams protein , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from fat ) , 0.3 gram saturated fat , 28 grams carbohydrate , no cholesterol , 470 milligrams sodium , 8 grams fiber .
Carb count : 2 .
Heat oven to 350 degrees .
In a large bowl , combine eggs , bread crumbs , onion , salt and Italian seasoning ; mix well .
Add beef ; mix well .
Shape into 48 meatballs .
Arrange them on a rimmed 10-by-15-inch baking pan .
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees ; drain well .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sauce and cooked meatballs .
Heat through .
Split buns ; spoon hot meatball mixture into buns .
Spoon remaining sauce over meatballs .
Sprinkle with parmesan cheese .
Let stand 1 to 2 minutes before serving .
Heat oven to 400 degrees .
Season a 2-pound boneless pork loin roast with coarse salt and pepper to taste .
Place in a shallow pan and roast for 30 minutes .
Remove from oven and spread with 2 tablespoons spicy mustard ; sprinkle with 1 cup crushed garlic-flavored croutons .
Return to oven ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees .
Remove from oven , tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes before slicing Heat oven to 425 degrees .
Spread a thin whole-grain pizza crust with 1 ( 9- or 10-ounce ) package chopped cooked chicken .
Top with 1 cup shredded part-skim Monterey Jack cheese mixed with 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh spinach .
Bake about 10 minutes or until hot .
Accompany your prize recipe with rice pilaf : Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium ; add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slivered almonds .
Cook 7 minutes or until onion is softened and almonds are golden .
Stir in 1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice , 1/2 cup golden raisins , 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric , 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt ; cook 2 minutes .
Add 3 cups unsalted chicken broth and bring to a boil ; cover , reduce heat to low , and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender .

Asian barbecue steaks
Servings: 2
Preparation time: 15 minutes; marinating time: 6 hours
Cooking time: 12 to 14 minutes
INGREDIENTS
For the marinade:
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
The steak:
1 beef sirloin tip side steak, cut 1 inch thick (about 8 ounces)
Combine marinade ingredients in small bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1/4 cup marinade. Place steak and remaining marinade in a resealable plastic bag; turn to coat. Refrigerate 6 hours to overnight. Remove steak from marinade; discard marinade. Grill, covered, on 145-degree preheated gas grill 12 to 14 minutes for medium-rare doneness, turning once. (Do not overcook.) Serve with warmed reserved marinade.
Per serving: 187 calories, 24 grams protein, 6 grams fat (32 percent calories from fat), 2 grams saturated fat, 7 grams carbohydrate, 69 milligrams cholesterol, 291 milligrams sodium, no fiber. Carb count: 0.5.
Cannellini bean and escarole stew
Servings: 4
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: less than 25 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
1 bunch escarole, coarsely chopped (about 12 ounces)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 (15- to 19-ounce) can reduced sodium cannellini beans, rinsed
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced no-salt-added tomatoes with liquid
In a medium nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium. Add onions and cook 8 minutes or until softened; stir occasionally. Add escarole, garlic, salt and pepper; cook 3 minutes or until escarole is wilted. Stir in beans and tomatoes; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 10 minutes or until flavors are blended.
Per serving: 162 calories, 6 grams protein, 2.8 grams fat (15 percent calories from fat), 0.3 gram saturated fat, 28 grams carbohydrate, no cholesterol, 470 milligrams sodium, 8 grams fiber. Carb count: 2.
Saucy meatball subs
Servings: 12
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 to 20 minutes; standing time: 1 to 2 minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 cups whole-grain soft bread crumbs (about 2 slices)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 pounds 95% lean ground beef
1 (26- to 28-ounce) jar no-salt-added or regular red pasta sauce
12 hoagie or other sandwich buns
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine eggs, bread crumbs, onion, salt and Italian seasoning; mix well. Add beef; mix well. Shape into 48 meatballs. Arrange them on a rimmed 10-by-15-inch baking pan. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 160 degrees; drain well. In a Dutch oven, combine the pasta sauce and cooked meatballs. Heat through. Split buns; spoon hot meatball mixture into buns. Spoon remaining sauce over meatballs. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Let stand 1 to 2 minutes before serving.
Per serving: 362 calories, 27 grams protein, 11 grams fat (28 percent calories from fat), 3.9 grams saturated fat, 40 grams carbohydrate, 76 milligrams cholesterol, 596 milligrams sodium, 3 grams fiber. Carb count: 2.5.
Mustard-crusted pork roast
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Season a 2-pound boneless pork loin roast with coarse salt and pepper to taste. Place in a shallow pan and roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and spread with 2 tablespoons spicy mustard; sprinkle with 1 cup crushed garlic-flavored croutons. Return to oven; continue to roast 10 to 15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Remove from oven, tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes before slicing
Chopped chicken pizza
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spread a thin whole-grain pizza crust with 1 (9- or 10-ounce) package chopped cooked chicken. Top with 1 cup shredded part-skim Monterey Jack cheese mixed with 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh spinach. Bake about 10 minutes or until hot.
Lamb chops
Accompany your prize recipe with rice pilaf: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick skillet on medium; add 1 small chopped onion and 1/2 cup slivered almonds. Cook 7 minutes or until onion is softened and almonds are golden. Stir in 1 1/2 cups uncooked basmati rice, 1/2 cup golden raisins, 1 1/2 teaspoons turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt; cook 2 minutes. Add 3 cups unsalted chicken broth and bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--3 home burglaries reported in West Pullman on same day

Police are warning West Pullman residents after three home burglaries were reported in the same day last week .
In @ @ @ @ @ broke in through side or rear doors and windows , Chicago police said .
The @ @ @ @ @ 4 : • At 3:20 p.m. in the 900 block of West Vermont Street ; @ @ @ @ @ the 800 block of West Vermont Street ; and • Between noon and 5 p.m @ @ @ @ @ South Eggleston Avenue .
No suspect description was available , according to police .
Anyone @ @ @ @ @ contact Area South detectives at 312-747-8273 .
Read more on crime , and track the @ @ @ @ @

Police are warning West Pullman residents after three home burglaries were reported in the same day last week.
In each case, the suspect broke in through side or rear doors and windows, Chicago police said.
The burglaries all took place Feb. 4:
At 3:20 p.m. in the 900 block of West Vermont Street;
About 6:25 p.m. in the 800 block of West Vermont Street; and
Between noon and 5 p.m in the 12800 block of South Eggleston Avenue.
No suspect description was available, according to police.
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--2020-02-10--Man, 64, missing from East Garfield Park

Police are looking for a 64-year-old man reported missing since Saturday from East Garfield Park on the West Side .
@ @ @ @ @ is missing from the 3200 block of West Walnut Street , according to a missing @ @ @ @ @ .
Johnson is a 5-foot-5 , 120-pound man with brown eyes , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ a tan sweater and tan pants .
Anyone with information is asked to call the @ @ @ @ @ at 312-744-8266 .

Police are looking for a 64-year-old man reported missing since Saturday from East Garfield Park on the West Side.
Shelton Johnson, 64, is missing from the 3200 block of West Walnut Street, according to a missing person alert from Chicago police.
Johnson is a 5-foot-5, 120-pound man with brown eyes, police said. He was last seen wearing a tan sweater and tan pants.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Area North Special Victims Unit at 312-744-8266.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--Pizza delivery drivers robbed in Morgan Park: police

Police are warning delivery drivers of two armed robberies since last month in Morgan Park on the South Side .
@ @ @ @ @ and when the driver approached them at the door , they displayed a handgun and @ @ @ @ @ property , Chicago police said in a community alert .
The delivery drivers were called @ @ @ @ @ .
The first robbery happened at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in the 11300 block of @ @ @ @ @ said .
The other occurred at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 in the 1300 block of @ @ @ @ @ with information is asked to contact Area South detectives at 312-747-8273 .
Read more on @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning delivery drivers of two armed robberies in Morgan Park on the South Side.
The male suspects ordered pizza to vacant homes and when the driver approached them at the door, they showed a gun and took food, cash and property, Chicago police said in a community alert.
The first robbery happened at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in the 11300 block of South Aberdeen Street, police said. The other occurred at 8 p.m. Feb. 7 in the 1300 block of West 112th Street.
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--2020-02-10--2 men shot in Woodlawn drive-by

2 men shot in Woodlawn drive-by

Two men were wounded in a drive-by Monday in Woodlawn on the South Side .
The men , 21 and @ @ @ @ @ at 12:51 a.m. when someone fired shots from an orange SUV in the 6300 block @ @ @ @ @ according to Chicago police .
The younger man was shot in the head while the @ @ @ @ @ the arm and back , police said .
They were taken to the University of @ @ @ @ @ the 21-year-old was in fair condition and the 49-year-old was in good condition .
No @ @ @ @ @ Area Central detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ @ @ @

Two men were wounded in a drive-by Monday in Woodlawn on the South Side.
The men, 21 and 49, were walking together at 12:51 a.m. when someone fired shots from an orange SUV in the 6300 block of South Eberhart Avenue, according to Chicago police.
The younger man was shot in the head while the older man was hit in the arm and back, police said. They were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where the 21-year-old was in fair condition and the 49-year-old was in good condition.
No one is in custody as Area Central detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-09--2 robberies reported near Pulaski Blue Line station

Two people were robbed recently near the Pulaski Blue Line station in Garfield Park on the West Side .
In @ @ @ @ @ approached someone as they walked near or from the Pulaski station , 530 S. Pulaski @ @ @ @ @ property by force , Chicago police said .
The robberies happened about 3:20 a.m. Feb. @ @ @ @ @ 7 , police said .
Police described the suspect as a man in his 20s @ @ @ @ @ black jacket and a white surgical mask .
Anyone with information is asked to call @ @ @ @ @ .

Two people were robbed recently near the Pulaski Blue Line station in Garfield Park on the West Side.
In both incidents, the suspect approached someone as they walked near or from the Pulaski station, 530 S. Pulaski Rd., and took their property, Chicago police said.
The robberies happened about 3:20 a.m. Feb. 3 and 2:22 p.m. Feb. 7, police said.
Police described the suspect as a man in his 20s wearing gray sweatpants, a black jacket and a white surgical mask.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area North detectives at 312-744-8263.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--Chicago aldermen declare ‘state of climate emergency’

Citing “ catastrophic lakefront erosion , ” citywide flooding and severe weather events that have suddenly become commonplace , Chicago aldermen on Monday declared a “ state of climate emergency.
” The non-binding resolution approved by the City Council ’ s Committee on Health and Environmental Protection sounds the alarm but does not mandate specific action .
Instead , Health Committee Chairman George Cardenas ( 12th ) and his co-sponsor , Ald .
Matt Martin ( 47th ) , vowed to move a half-dozen “ shovel-ready ” ordinances that will push the agenda forward .
That includes holding a subject @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 % recycling rate — a hearing that holds private recycling contractors accountable and at least explores the possibility of , as Cardenas put it , offering residents and businesses “ incentives ” to recycle .
“ We need to figure out what the next steps will be there because 9 % is way too low , ” Martin said .
“ Another one would be partnering with the state to get more green alleys in place to reduce flooding .
Another thing would be electrifying our bus fleet .
Re-establishing a Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including menu funds , in wards like mine where it makes sense to plant more trees.
” Cardenas said it ’ s realistic to set a 2030 target date for : converting city buildings to renewable energy ; converting the city fleet , including snow plows and garbage trucks , to electric vehicles ; and requiring private fleets , like Amazon trucks , to follow suit .
The mayor ’ s office said a full-blown Department of Environment was “ not financially practical ” given the “ historic ” budget shortfall .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ proactive environmental agenda that puts equity at its center ” and is in the process of hiring a “ Chief Sustainability Officer ” with a “ dedicated focus on climate and environmental issues.
” In the meantime , the city is already taking concrete steps by purchasing renewable energy credits and doing “ energy benchmarking ” of Chicago buildings .
The chairman acknowledged former Mayor Richard M. Daley established similarly lofty goals in a 2008 Climate Action Plan that pretty much gathered dust .
But , he said : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data tells you that [ the day of reckoning ] is coming sooner than we expected .
... As early as 2040 , cities are gon na be under water.
” Martin has already joined forces with Downtown Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) on a pending ordinance requiring new parking garages and most new multi-unit residential buildings to be wired to support charging stations for electric vehicles .
Their ordinance would apply to new construction projects submitted to the city after June 30 , 2020 .
It would require developers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that provide parking to include wiring for the charging stations for 20 percent of the spaces .
The same 20 percent rule would apply for any new development with at least 30 parking spaces not set aside for residents , such as a public parking garage .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to do just that .
So far , however , she has only created a $ 150,000-a-year Office of Environment — one that still lacks a permanent chief —after inheriting an $ 838 million budget shortfall .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Spreading those responsibilities between the mayor ’ s office , Public Health , the Department of Transportation — that ’ s not sufficient .
We need a dedicated aspect of our city bureaucracy that ’ s focused exclusively on that , ” Martin said .
“ We need to walk and chew gum at the same time .
We know we have a public safety , public health crisis .
Our finances are in tatters .
We need to have more equitable development .
Put a Department of Environment place as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise to the level of where a lot of the other critical initiatives that the mayor has been pushing forward.
” Among those testifying at Monday ’ s hearing was Tom Balanoff , president of SEIU Local 1 and the SEIU Illinois State Council .
SEIU Local 1 is among a coalition of unions that owns the Sun-Times .
Balanoff argued that the “ biggest contributor to the climate crisis ” is the fossil fuel industry.
” He put in a pitch for passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to eventually power the state entirely on renewable energy .
That ’ s where we need to get.
” “ While profitable companies dump toxic pollution in our communities and cut and run on Illinois workers , CEJA creates new jobs in a clean energy industry and ensures that these jobs are created in communities that have seen the worst impact of climate change , ” Balanoff said .
Last fall , Inspector General Joe Ferguson gave Lightfoot all of the evidence she needed to bring back the Department of Environment .
Ferguson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Department of Public Health of endangering Chicagoans by abdicating its responsibility to enforce air pollution standards .
From 2015 through 2017 , the Health Department met its own internal goals for the frequency of air quality inspections less than half the time , the audit states .

Citing “catastrophic lakefront erosion,” citywide flooding and severe weather events that have suddenly become commonplace, Chicago aldermen on Monday declared a “state of climate emergency.”
The non-binding resolution approved by the City Council’s Committee on Health and Environmental Protection sounds the alarm but does not mandate specific action.
Instead, Health Committee Chairman George Cardenas (12th) and his co-sponsor, Ald. Matt Martin (47th), vowed to move a half-dozen “shovel-ready” ordinances that will push the agenda forward.
That includes holding a subject matter hearing on Chicago’s dismal 9% recycling rate — a hearing that holds private recycling contractors accountable and at least explores the possibility of, as Cardenas put it, offering residents and businesses “incentives” to recycle.
“We need to figure out what the next steps will be there because 9% is way too low,” Martin said.
“Another one would be partnering with the state to get more green alleys in place to reduce flooding. Another thing would be electrifying our bus fleet. Re-establishing a Department of Environment. Using more funds, including menu funds, in wards like mine where it makes sense to plant more trees.”
Cardenas said it’s realistic to set a 2030 target date for: converting city buildings to renewable energy; converting the city fleet, including snow plows and garbage trucks, to electric vehicles; and requiring private fleets, like Amazon trucks, to follow suit.
“Those are meaningful goals,” Cardenas said.
In the meantime, the city is already taking concrete steps by purchasing renewable energy credits and doing “energy benchmarking” of Chicago buildings.
The chairman acknowledged former Mayor Richard M. Daley established similarly lofty goals in a 2008 Climate Action Plan that pretty much gathered dust.
But, he said: “The urgency has changed, right? The data tells you that [the day of reckoning] is coming sooner than we expected. ... As early as 2040, cities are gonna be under water.”
Martin has already joined forces with Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) on a pending ordinance requiring new parking garages and most new multi-unit residential buildings to be wired to support charging stations for electric vehicles.
Their ordinance would apply to new construction projects submitted to the city after June 30, 2020. It would require developers of residential buildings of at least five units that provide parking to include wiring for the charging stations for 20 percent of the spaces.
The same 20 percent rule would apply for any new development with at least 30 parking spaces not set aside for residents, such as a public parking garage.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot campaigned on a promise to re-establish the city’s Department of Environment. But so far, she has only created a $150,000-a-year Office of Environment - one that still lacks a permanent chief -after inheriting an $838 million budget shortfall.
That’s not good enough to satisfy Martin.
“Spreading those responsibilities between the mayor’s office, Public Health, the Department of Transportation — that’s not sufficient. We need a dedicated aspect of our city bureaucracy that’s focused exclusively on that,” Martin said.
“We need to walk and chew gum at the same time. We know we have a public safety, public health crisis. Our finances are in tatters. We need to have more equitable development. Put a Department of Environment place as well, and then, it starts to rise to the level of where a lot of the other critical initiatives that the mayor has been pushing forward.”
The mayor’s office said a full-blown Department of Environment was “not financially practical” given the “historic” budget shortfall.
But Lightfoot is committed to a “proactive environmental agenda that puts equity at its center” and is in the process of hiring a “Chief Sustainability Officer” with a “dedicated focus on climate and environmental issues.”
Among those testifying at Monday’s hearing was Tom Balanoff, president of SEIU Local 1 and the SEIU Illinois State Council. SEIU Local 1 is among a coalition of unions that owns the Sun-Times.
Balanoff argued that the “biggest contributor to the climate crisis is the fossil fuel industry.” He put in a pitch for passage of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which “addresses climate change and reduces pollution to eventually power the state entirely on renewable energy. That’s where we need to get.”
“While profitable companies dump toxic pollution in our communities and cut and run on Illinois workers, CEJA creates new jobs in a clean energy industry and ensures that these jobs are created in communities that have seen the worst impact of climate change,” Balanoff said.
Last fall, Inspector General Joe Ferguson gave Lightfoot all of the evidence she needed to bring back the Department of Environment.
Ferguson released an audit essentially accusing the city’s Department of Public Health of endangering Chicagoans by abdicating its responsibility to enforce air pollution standards.
From 2015 through 2017, the Health Department met its own internal goals for the frequency of air quality inspections less than half the time, the audit states.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-10--Residents, politicians decry poor treatment of Latinos at Pilsen post office

After residents aired complaints that workers at the U.S. Post Office in Pilsen discriminated against non-English speakers , a spokesman for the postal service took the microphone at a press conference Monday and offered to show reporters a “ translation friendly ” sign inside .
The post office has been under scrutiny after a viral Facebook post from last week claimed a retail clerk disrespected several patrons because they couldn ’ t speak English — a problem many residents has been happening for years .
The “ translation friendly ” sign is designed to make it easy for patrons to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into their preferred language “ using their favorite translator app ” on their smartphones , according to Tim Norman , the USPS spokesman in the Chicago area .
But Norman , with TV cameras rolling , couldn ’ t find the sign anywhere inside .
“ It ’ s supposed to be here , ” Norman said before leaving the post office , 1859 S. Ashland Ave. Norman was summoned to the post office in Pilsen on Monday after activists and elected officials called a news conference there to echo allegations made by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives in the neighborhood and wrote the viral Facebook post .
According to Gonzalez , a retail clerk at the post office told several customers , “ I do not speak Spanish , I can not help you.
” Gonzalez also said the clerk threatened to call the police on her after stepping in to help those customers .
Norman told reporters Monday that USPS is “ actively pursuing bilingual employees ” and is investigating Gonzalez ’ s allegations .
But his failure to find the supposed “ translation friendly ” sign is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pilsen is unable to properly serve the predominantly immigrant and Latino neighborhood , Ald .
Byron Sigcho-Lopez ( 25th ) said .
“ It doesn ’ t sit well with residents when they hear there ’ s a sign that can help them and then it ’ s not there , ” Sigcho-Lopez said .
The post office in Pilsen is named after late Mexican-American labor leader Cesar Chavez — an ironic and hurtful twist , said Rev .
Emma Lozano of Lincoln United Methodist Church .
“ The post office that bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leaders has no one that speaks Spanish , ” Lozano said at the news conference .
Lozano blames the lack of Spanish speakers at Pilsen ’ s post office on entrenched discrimination against Latinos .
“ We don ’ t blame the workers here that don ’ t know Spanish .
We blame the systemic racism that ’ s kept us out of representing ourselves in our true numbers in the city of Chicago.
” Latinos make up nearly a third of Chicago ’ s population and one in four residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Census Bureau .
In a letter to U.S. Rep. Jesus “ Chuy ” Garcia dated Feb. 9 , Sigcho-Lopez called on USPS to immediately replace “ any employee from the Cesar Chavez post office who has been accused of discrimination while an investigation takes place.
” A spokesperson for Garcia said Monday the congressman doesn ’ t support replacing the employee until USPS concludes its investigation .
Garcia sent a letter Monday to a USPS representative in Chicago asking for the agency ’ s policies on servicing non-English speakers .
“ Government offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should accommodate and be responsive to the communities they serve , ” the letter reads .
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 .

After residents aired complaints that workers at the post office in Pilsen discriminated against non-English speakers, a spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service took the microphone at a press conference Monday and offered to show reporters a “translation friendly” sign inside.
The post office has been under scrutiny after a viral Facebook post from last week claimed a retail clerk disrespected several patrons because they couldn’t speak English — a problem many residents has been happening for years.
The “translation friendly” sign is designed to make it easy for patrons to translate retail signage at the post office into their preferred language “using their favorite translator app” on their smartphones, according to Tim Norman, the USPS spokesman in the Chicago area.
But Norman, with TV cameras rolling, couldn’t find the sign anywhere inside.
“It’s supposed to be here,” Norman said before leaving the post office, 1859 S. Ashland Ave.
Norman was summoned to the post office in Pilsen on Monday after activists and elected officials called a news conference there to echo allegations made by Evelyn Gonzalez, an eyelash technician who lives in the neighborhood and wrote the viral Facebook post.
Tim Norman, United States Postal Service Corporate Communications Representative, attempts to look for translation friendly signs at the Pilsen Post Office. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
According to Gonzalez, a retail clerk at the post office told several customers, “I do not speak Spanish, I cannot help you.” Gonzalez also said the clerk threatened to call the police on her after stepping in to help those customers.
Norman told reporters Monday that USPS is “actively pursuing bilingual employees” and is investigating Gonzalez’s allegations.
But his failure to find the supposed “translation friendly” sign is indicative of how the post office in Pilsen is unable to properly serve the predominantly immigrant and Latino neighborhood, Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) said.
“It doesn’t sit well with residents when they hear there’s a sign that can help them and then it’s not there,” said Sigcho-Lopez, who was joined at the press conference by state Rep. Theresa Mah, a Democrat who represents the area in the Illinois Assembly.
Evelyn Gonzalez (center), flanked by Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (left) and state Rep. Theresa Mah (right), speaks to reporters about alleged discriminating against non-English speaking customers at the Pilsen post office. Feb. 10, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The post office in Pilsen is named after late Mexican-American labor leader Cesar Chavez — an ironic and hurtful twist, said Rev. Emma Lozano of Lincoln United Methodist Church.
“The post office that bears the name of one of our community’s leaders has no one that speaks Spanish,” Lozano said at the news conference.
Lozano blames the lack of Spanish speakers at Pilsen’s post office on entrenched discrimination against Latinos.
“We don’t blame the workers here that don’t know Spanish. We blame the systemic racism that’s kept us out of representing ourselves in our true numbers in the city of Chicago.”
Latinos make up nearly a third of Chicago’s population and one in four residents are Spanish speakers, according to the Census Bureau.
In a letter to U.S. Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia dated Feb. 9, Sigcho-Lopez called on USPS to immediately replace “any employee from the Cesar Chavez post office who has been accused of discrimination while an investigation takes place.”
A spokesperson for Garcia said Monday the congressman doesn’t support replacing the employee until USPS concludes its investigation.
Garcia sent a letter Monday to a USPS representative in Chicago asking for the agency’s policies on servicing non-English speakers.
“Government offices and agencies, including post offices, should accommodate and be responsive to the communities they serve,” the letter reads.
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--2020-02-10--Man shot near Josiah Pickard Elementary School: police

A 38-year-old man is in serious condition after he was shot Monday on the Lower West Side near an elementary @ @ @ @ @ about 3:52 p.m. in the 2200 block of South Oakley Avenue when a dark-colored vehicle @ @ @ @ @ said .
Someone inside the vehicle fired shots , striking the man in the arm @ @ @ @ @ The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ shell casings were found on the scene , which was across the street from Josiah @ @ @ @ @ West 21st Place ) .
It wasn ’ t clear if the investigation affected any @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 38-year-old man is in serious condition after he was shot Monday on the Lower West Side near an elementary school.
He was walking about 3:52 p.m. in the 2200 block of South Oakley Avenue when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up, Chicago police said. Someone inside the vehicle fired shots, striking the man in the arm, shoulder and abdomen.
The man was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in serious condition, police said.
At least half a dozen shell casings were found on the scene, which was across the street from Josiah Pickard Elementary School (2301 West 21st Place). It wasn’t clear if the investigation affected any after-school activities.
Chicago Public Schools didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Police on scene for a person shot on Cermak and Oakley. #Chicago #ChicagoScanner pic.twitter.com/ADyhQgKqL0 — Tyler LaRiviere (@TylerLaRiviere) February 10, 2020
Area Central detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.