chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--How can we trust Trump on Iran?

How can we trust Trump on Iran?

WASHINGTON — In March , 2003 , I wrote a column about the imminent U.S. attack on Iraq .
History shows I could not have been more wrong .
I was only as good as my source — who was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff .
I looked up this piece as President Donald Trump brought us to the brink of a wider conflict after he ordered a drone attack in Iraq killing Qassem Soleimani , the leader of Iran ’ s Quds Force .
In retaliation , Iran sent missiles to air bases in Iraq with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump , in remarks from the White House , said there were no American casualties , “ minimal ” damage to the military bases and — most important if this holds — he said , “ Iran appears to be standing down.
” There is agreement between Democrats and Republicans that Soleimani was an enemy of the U.S. and he has American blood on his hands .
That alone may not justify killing him in Iraq , given how fast things have already escalated .
Trump defended his actions by saying Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , “ In recent days , he was planning new attacks on American targets .
But we stopped him.
” Trump ’ s remarks echoed claims made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , who said Soleimani was involved in some “ imminent ” attack .
If that is true , it helps explain why Trump risked escalating tensions between Iran and its proxies , Iraq and the U.S. Richard Goldberg just left the Trump White House as the National Security Council ’ s director for countering Iran .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goldberg as one of ex-Gov .
Bruce Rauner ’ s chiefs-of-staff .
An intelligence officer in the Naval Reserves , he said with Trump told the “ leading state sponsor of terrorism is actively organizing plots plots to kill Americans , I expect the commander-in-chief to act on that intelligence and protect Americans and American interests.
” Our problem now is it ’ s hard to trust Trump on anything , especially since he has been openly hostile and suspicious of the U.S. intelligence community .
Now he believes them ?
Trump lies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
He disdains facts .
But what if he was right this time ?
Like the boy who cried wolf in the Aesop ’ s Fable , Trump ’ s lack of credibility at this perilous time makes it reasonable to be skeptical of any of his claims .
That ’ s why it is important for the Trump administration to tell the public more .
Sen. Tammy Duckworth , D-Ill. , is a wounded Iraq war vet .
She lost her legs and partial use of her right arm after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her Black Hawk helicopter flying over Iraq on Nov. 12 , 2004 .
On the Senate floor Wednesday , Duckworth said in a speech , Trump , “ in one fell swoop , he somehow managed to villainize the United States and victimize Iran … isolating us from our long-term partner in Iraq and amping up Iran ’ s influence in a country everyone knows is vital to our security interests throughout the Middle East.
” Rep. Adam Kinzinger , R-Ill. , an Air National Guard lieutenant colonel who has served two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Fox and Friends , ” “ I think the president — whatever he does — he will have the information .
He ’ ll make the right decision .
Hopefully , we are walking back from Iran ’ s escalation , but we can finish any fight.
” After a breakfast briefing with other reporters , I wrote on March 4 , 2003 : ” War will start in Iraq with an overwhelming display of force — a “ shock and awe ” battle strategy — designed to quickly crush Iraqi resistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chemical and biological weapons , the nation ’ s top general said Tuesday .
The United States wants “ a short conflict , ” said Air Force Gen. Richard Myers , chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
” He was wrong .
No WMD were found and in 2020 we ’ re still in Iraq .
It proved impossible in 2003 to get it right .
With Trump at the helm , it ’ s even harder .
Let us pray .

WASHINGTON — In March, 2003, I wrote a column about the imminent U.S. attack on Iraq. History shows I could not have been more wrong.
I was only as good as my source — who was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
I looked up this piece as President Donald Trump brought us to the brink of a wider conflict after he ordered a drone attack in Iraq killing Qassem Soleimani, the leader of Iran’s Quds Force.
In retaliation, Iran sent missiles to air bases in Iraq with U.S. troops on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Trump, in remarks from the White House, said there were no American casualties, “minimal” damage to the military bases and — most important if this holds — he said, “Iran appears to be standing down.”
There is agreement between Democrats and Republicans that Soleimani was an enemy of the U.S. and he has American blood on his hands.
That alone may not justify killing him in Iraq, given how fast things have already escalated. Trump defended his actions by saying Soleimani needed to be taken out right away because, “In recent days, he was planning new attacks on American targets. But we stopped him.”
Trump’s remarks echoed claims made by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said Soleimani was involved in some “imminent” attack. If that is true, it helps explain why Trump risked escalating tensions between Iran and its proxies, Iraq and the U.S.
Richard Goldberg just left the Trump White House as the National Security Council’s director for countering Iran. He’s back in Chicago. We also remember Goldberg as one of ex-Gov. Bruce Rauner’s chiefs-of-staff. An intelligence officer in the Naval Reserves, he said with Trump told the “leading state sponsor of terrorism is actively organizing plots to kill Americans, I expect the commander-in-chief to act on that intelligence and protect Americans and American interests.”
Our problem now is it’s hard to trust Trump on anything, especially since he has been openly hostile and suspicious of the U.S. intelligence community. Now he believes them?
Trump lies, distorts and makes things up all the time. He disdains facts. But what if he was right this time? Like the boy who cried wolf in the Aesop’s Fable, Trump’s lack of credibility at this perilous time makes it reasonable to be skeptical of any of his claims. That’s why it is important for the Trump administration to tell the public more.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., is a wounded Iraq war vet. She lost her legs and partial use of her right arm after a rocket-propelled grenade ripped through the cockpit of her Black Hawk helicopter flying over Iraq on Nov. 12, 2004.
On the Senate floor Wednesday, Duckworth said in a speech, Trump, “in one fell swoop, he somehow managed to villainize the United States and victimize Iran … isolating us from our long-term partner in Iraq and amping up Iran’s influence in a country everyone knows is vital to our security interests throughout the Middle East.”
Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., an Air National Guard lieutenant colonel who has served two missions in Iraq, said Wednesday on “Fox and Friends,” “I think the president — whatever he does — he will have the information. He’ll make the right decision. Hopefully, we are walking back from Iran’s escalation, but we can finish any fight.”
After a breakfast briefing with other reporters, I wrote on March 4, 2003:
”War will start in Iraq with an overwhelming display of force — a “shock and awe” battle strategy — designed to quickly crush Iraqi resistance and yield intelligence about the location of chemical and biological weapons, the nation’s top general said Tuesday. The United States wants “a short conflict,” said Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”
He was wrong. No WMD were found and in 2020 we’re still in Iraq. It proved impossible in 2003 to get it right. With Trump at the helm, it’s even harder. Let us pray.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--UIC hospital plans $191 million outpatient center

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System has proposed building a $ 191 million outpatient care center adjacent to the main hospital on the West Side .
The six-story building would be built at the southeast corner of Taylor and Wood streets and be connected to the main hospital via a bridge , according to an application filed with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board .
The application said a public-private partnership would fund the building and would involve a tax-exempt nonprofit called Provident Resources Group .
The review board has scheduled a hearing on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state agency ’ s website .
Mike Zenn , CEO of University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics , said the 200,000-square-foot building could be started in August , pending state approval , and be finished in 2022 .
While there is already a large outpatient building connected to the hospital at the southwest corner of Taylor and Wood , the application said the facility is needed because of an increase in demand for outpatient services .
It said its space will include clinics , a pharmacy and places for patients awaiting or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an estimated $ 160 million in bonds .
“ This new facility represents the extraordinary momentum of our clinical care delivery for our communities locally , across the state and beyond , ” said Dr. Robert Barish , vice chancellor of health affairs for the University of Illinois at Chicago .
“ As UIC ’ s academic health enterprise , UI Health continues to leverage the excellence of seven health sciences colleges and a robust research portfolio to have direct impact on the lives of our patients.
’ ’ Zenn said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annual growth in outpatient surgeries across many surgical service lines .
The new outpatient surgery and multispecialty procedure floors are designed to meet this demand in a much more efficient and patient friendly setting .
“ It will also allow for expanding the number of complex inpatient surgeries being performed in the main hospital ’ s surgery facility , for which there is also a growing demand .
UI Health has experienced record growth in kidney transplants and remains a leader in combined kidney/pancreas and small bowel transplantation.
” The 462-bed hospital reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2018 .
Outpatients do not require an overnight stay and represent a growing trend in health care .
Similarly , Rush University Medical Center is building a $ 450 million outpatient care center at the northeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Harrison Street .
It is due to open in 2022 .

The University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System has proposed building a $191 million outpatient care center adjacent to the main hospital on the West Side.
The six-story building would be built at the southeast corner of Taylor and Wood streets and be connected to the main hospital via a bridge, according to an application filed with the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board. The application said a public-private partnership would fund the building and would involve a tax-exempt nonprofit called Provident Resources Group.
The review board has scheduled a hearing on the proposal on April 7, according to the state agency’s website. Mike Zenn, CEO of University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics, said the 200,000-square-foot building could be started in August, pending state approval, and be finished in 2022.
While there is already a large outpatient building connected to the hospital at the southwest corner of Taylor and Wood, the application said the facility is needed because of an increase in demand for outpatient services. It said its space will include clinics, a pharmacy and places for patients awaiting or recovering from surgery. Funding would include an estimated $160 million in bonds.
“This new facility represents the extraordinary momentum of our clinical care delivery for our communities locally, across the state and beyond,” said Dr. Robert Barish, vice chancellor of health affairs for the University of Illinois at Chicago. “As UIC’s academic health enterprise, UI Health continues to leverage the excellence of seven health sciences colleges and a robust research portfolio to have direct impact on the lives of our patients.’’
Zenn said, “UI Health continues to see 5% annual growth in outpatient surgeries across many surgical service lines. The new outpatient surgery and multispecialty procedure floors are designed to meet this demand in a much more efficient and patient friendly setting.
“It will also allow for expanding the number of complex inpatient surgeries being performed in the main hospital’s surgery facility, for which there is also a growing demand. UI Health has experienced record growth in kidney transplants and remains a leader in combined kidney/pancreas and small bowel transplantation.”
The 462-bed hospital reported seeing nearly 127,000 people needing outpatient services in 2018. Outpatients do not require an overnight stay and represent a growing trend in health care.
Similarly, Rush University Medical Center is building a $450 million outpatient care center at the northeast corner of Ashland Avenue and Harrison Street. It is due to open in 2022.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Foxx’s defense in Smollett case is a waste of money

I would like to know if anyone is keeping a count on how much money Cook County State ’ s Attorney Kim Foxx is costing the taxpayers of Cook County in the blundering of the Jussie Smollett case .
With a special prosecutor being appointed and now her hiring a law firm to defend her office , what is the running tab that we the taxpayers have paid out ?
She has already admitted that she screwed up this case .
so why is she spending more of the taxpayers money to defend herself ?
She surely isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She must feel that there is a bottomless pit of money that she can put the taxpayers on the hook for .
If she would have only done the ethical thing and refused the phone call from Michelle Obama ’ s former chief of staff , the taxpayers wouldn ’ t be shelling out the money for her big screw-up .
It is a waste of taxpayers ’ money to defend her over what she already has admitted to .
The thing almost as disturbing as Trump reveling in his assassination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , even among those who feel the murder was not politically expedient , that the Iranian leader ” got what he deserved ” and “ had it coming to him.
” Really ?
Considering all the havoc the United States military has wreaked in the Middle East for many years now , the self-righteous people of this country are in no position to feel morally superior to the citizens of that region who resent American interference in their governance .
I applaud S.E .
Cupp ’ s attempt to focus a spotlight on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ present .
The unfortunate result , however , is that in an attempt to be as objective as possible , her attempt will be lost on most , particularly those on the right .
Anyone who has tried to engage the die-hard Trump supporters quickly learns that they refuse to acknowledge facts or reasonably discuss issues and immediately resort to bitter insults , anger and belligerence .
Cupp tries to soft-pedal the cause of the rise of hatred and its subsequent acts .
It ’ s no coincidence that they coincide with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , Trump has done nothing but launch Twitter insults about anyone who offers even the least hint of criticism of him , from political opponents to a young teen activist .
Trump ’ s refusal to outright condemn acts of violence has served to give validity to the horrible tragedies that have been inflicted on this nation since .
A great leader does so by example .
It appears that a bad one does so as well .

I would like to know if anyone is keeping a count on how much money Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx is costing the taxpayers of Cook County in the blundering of the Jussie Smollett case.
With a special prosecutor being appointed and now her hiring a law firm to defend her office, what is the running tab that we the taxpayers have paid out? She has already admitted that she screwed up this case. so why is she spending more of the taxpayers money to defend herself?
She surely isn’t defending the taxpayers since she botched it. She must feel that there is a bottomless pit of money that she can put the taxpayers on the hook for. If she would have only done the ethical thing and refused the phone call from Michelle Obama’s former chief of staff, the taxpayers wouldn’t be shelling out the money for her big screw-up. It is a waste of taxpayers’ money to defend her over what she already has admitted to.
Gerald Bernson, Tinley Park
SEND LETTERS TO: letters@suntimes.com. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes.
Disturbing view
The thing almost as disturbing as Trump reveling in his assassination of Gen. Qassem Soleimani is the widespread view, even among those who feel the murder was not politically expedient, that the Iranian leader ”got what he deserved” and “had it coming to him.”
Really? Considering all the havoc the United States military has wreaked in the Middle East for many years now, the self-righteous people of this country are in no position to feel morally superior to the citizens of that region who resent American interference in their governance.
Samuel C. Small, Roseland
Refusing to face facts
I applaud S.E. Cupp’s attempt to focus a spotlight on the bitterness in our society at the present. The unfortunate result, however, is that in an attempt to be as objective as possible, her attempt will be lost on most, particularly those on the right.
Anyone who has tried to engage the die-hard Trump supporters quickly learns that they refuse to acknowledge facts or reasonably discuss issues and immediately resort to bitter insults, anger and belligerence.
Cupp tries to soft-pedal the cause of the rise of hatred and its subsequent acts. It’s no coincidence that they coincide with the election of Donald Trump. Since taking office, Trump has done nothing but launch Twitter insults about anyone who offers even the least hint of criticism of him, from political opponents to a young teen activist. Trump’s refusal to outright condemn acts of violence has served to give validity to the horrible tragedies that have been inflicted on this nation since.
A great leader does so by example. It appears that a bad one does so as well.
Dan Pupo, Orland Park


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Dear Abby: Girlfriend crushed that I’ve remained friends with my ex

DEAR ABBY : My girlfriend recently discovered that I am still talking to another girl I used to date .
I ’ ll call her Kyra .
Kyra and I had agreed we would remain strictly friends , and the breakup was before I started dating my current girlfriend , “ Jan. ” Jan is devastated by this , and I can somewhat understand why .
She got cheated on multiple times in her last relationship .
Do you think I was crossing a boundary by wanting to maintain the friendship with Kyra ?
Or should I have dropped it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m asking you because everyone I talk to agrees with me , and everyone Jan talks to agrees with her .
I assume it ’ s because people agree with whoever is telling the story .
You are unbiased , and your opinion would be greatly appreciated .
— DOING THE RIGHT THING IN UTAH DEAR DOING : There ’ s nothing wrong with remaining friends after a breakup .
Jan is insecure because her last boyfriend cheated on her , and who can blame her ?
However , that is her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make it yours .
Your mistake was not telling Jan when you first started dating that you are still in touch with Kyra — and that she ’ s a platonic friend , nothing more .
Jan does not have the right to control your friendships , and you shouldn ’ t let it happen .
DEAR ABBY : We need advice about how to respond to friends and family who poke fun or show disdain because of our healthy lifestyle .
We are in our 60s .
We rarely eat out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast food .
We cook most of our meals with an emphasis on vegetables , fruits , fish and chicken .
We exercise regularly and have occasional treats .
We have no chronic illnesses and aren ’ t on any medications .
For some reason , our food choices rub people the wrong way .
If we are asked why we are in good health , we answer , “ Over the years , we ’ ve learned not to consume foods or beverages that make us feel bad.
” If we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the baked salmon with broccoli instead of the burger and fries , we hear , “ Your diet is so BORING.
” We usually laugh and shrug it off , but we don ’ t think our diet is boring .
We simply enjoy being healthy and know that food is “ medicine.
” Should we continue to keep our mouths shut ?
— HEALTHY LIVING DEAR HEALTHY : YEP !
Your friends and family react the way they do because seeing you eat the way you do makes them feel self-conscious about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and shrugging to age 100 .
The others may not be as fortunate as you .
DEAR ABBY : How do you cut off a person who talks constantly without a break ?
By the time there ’ s a lull in her speech , I have forgotten what I wanted to add to the conversation .
— WORD IN EDGEWISE IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR WORD : I have encountered compulsive talkers like her .
They are exhausting .
Remember , she has to breathe SOMETIME .
The minute she starts to inhale , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend recently discovered that I am still talking to another girl I used to date. I’ll call her Kyra.
Kyra and I had agreed we would remain strictly friends, and the breakup was before I started dating my current girlfriend, “Jan.” Jan is devastated by this, and I can somewhat understand why. She got cheated on multiple times in her last relationship.
Do you think I was crossing a boundary by wanting to maintain the friendship with Kyra? Or should I have dropped it when I started dating Jan? I’m asking you because everyone I talk to agrees with me, and everyone Jan talks to agrees with her. I assume it’s because people agree with whoever is telling the story. You are unbiased, and your opinion would be greatly appreciated. — DOING THE RIGHT THING IN UTAH
DEAR DOING: There’s nothing wrong with remaining friends after a breakup. Jan is insecure because her last boyfriend cheated on her, and who can blame her? However, that is her problem, and you shouldn’t make it yours. Your mistake was not telling Jan when you first started dating that you are still in touch with Kyra — and that she’s a platonic friend, nothing more. Jan does not have the right to control your friendships, and you shouldn’t let it happen.
DEAR ABBY: We need advice about how to respond to friends and family who poke fun or show disdain because of our healthy lifestyle. We are in our 60s. We rarely eat out, and when we do, we avoid fast food. We cook most of our meals with an emphasis on vegetables, fruits, fish and chicken. We exercise regularly and have occasional treats. We have no chronic illnesses and aren’t on any medications.
For some reason, our food choices rub people the wrong way. If we are asked why we are in good health, we answer, “Over the years, we’ve learned not to consume foods or beverages that make us feel bad.” If we’re invited out to eat and order the baked salmon with broccoli instead of the burger and fries, we hear, “Your diet is so BORING.” We usually laugh and shrug it off, but we don’t think our diet is boring. We simply enjoy being healthy and know that food is “medicine.” Should we continue to keep our mouths shut? — HEALTHY LIVING
DEAR HEALTHY: YEP! Your friends and family react the way they do because seeing you eat the way you do makes them feel self-conscious about their own food choices. Continue laughing and shrugging to age 100. The others may not be as fortunate as you.
DEAR ABBY: How do you cut off a person who talks constantly without a break? By the time there’s a lull in her speech, I have forgotten what I wanted to add to the conversation. — WORD IN EDGEWISE IN PENNSYLVANIA
DEAR WORD: I have encountered compulsive talkers like her. They are exhausting. Remember, she has to breathe SOMETIME. The minute she starts to inhale, start talkin’!
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--2020-01-09--Boat Show: Check in on coming  Navy Pier Marina, pontoons, RVs and yachts

Casey Polk got a gleam in his eye when I asked how fast the one South Bay Pontoon at Munson Marine display would go .
`` Go as fast as you want to go , ’ ’ he said .
`` It will throw you back in the seat .
Push the joystick , it goes .
It is fun.
’ ’ The 20-foot pontoon , with a 300hp Mercury , came in at a show price of $ 99,995 .
In my lifetime , the revolution in electronics for boating is probably the most notable ; second would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utilitarian boxes to high-end go-fast boats .
Such are the stuff of dreams at the Chicago Boat , RV & Sail Show .
The 90th Boat Show , by far the most venerable of Chicago outdoor shows , opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday at McCormick Place South .
While I enjoyed the cool pontoons , the coolest boat for my tastes on opening day was the `` Rare Bird ’ ’ at the Arrow Marine booth .
It was from Streblow Custom Boats and had a brown , red , white and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by its red interior .
Beside dreams , I also came to the Boat Show this year and made a quick trip to find the booth for the Navy Pier Marina .
It is booth A527 .
Once you get close , you know you are there because of the big artist ’ s rendering of NPM , slated to open in the spring of 2021 on the north side of Navy Pier .
Here ’ s the problem , the north side of Navy Pier is one of the best shore fishing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago .
There ’ s been a lot of rumors flying ever since Randy Podolsky started pitching the idea several years ago .
I happened to get lucky and caught Podolsky at the booth and did a quick video interview on the prospects for fishing access .
I was encouraged by his responses , there will be fishing .
During the busy summer season , it will obviously be limited .
We will have to see if it comes to pass but , in the off season and before it freezes up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pier level , if anglers are able to keep it in good condition .
I want to work up something fuller on this , because , while words are nice , actions and commitments on paper are better .
At the Timber View R.V .
Center of Frankfort spread , I was struck by the 41-foot Cedar Creek Silverback Edition .
It comes in just under 400 square feet , the maximum allowed for RVs .
It ’ s show priced at $ 55,000 .
Service tech Chris Clarke said they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ union workers , such as pipeline workers , to those who have a permanent camping spot .
He recommends a 3/4-ton diesel pickup to tow it .
As I was getting ready for the show to open , lines of several hundred stretched back before 2 p.m. opening , I noticed there were six listings for kayaks and six for hunting boats .
Kayaks are another growth industry , especially in fishing .
The odd thing is , in all the decades I ’ ve gone to the Boat Show , I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boat .
This year I noticed them .
OK , so one of my favorite stops had little to do with boating .
At `` The Original Dave ’ s Coffee Cake , Handcrafted in Rock Falls , Illinois , ’ ’ I was given a sample in place of a business card .
That ’ s getting it done .
I was solo this year , so my wife didn ’ t have a chance to drag me into the biggest yachts , that Chicago winter ritual of taking off your shoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yacht .
All the same , I remain stunned by the big yachts .
Queens of the Show are Skipper Bud ’ s new 2020 46 Cantius and the new 2020 Prestige 460 , a 46-foot , luxurious yacht from Springbrook Marina .
Instead of yacht dreaming , I did such things as stop by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary spread .
That ’ s where Ron Dziagwa pulled me into a game of guessing how fast things break down in nature .
You have to match 12 numbers with 12 items .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ace it , but ended up going 4-and-8 , embarrassingly bad .
One way to look at it .
The show has draws for the whole family , including a Huck Finn Trout Pond , Remote Control Sailboat Racing , which looked pretty cool but I didn ’ t try it , and a chance to learn tool and boat-building skills at the Chicago Maritime Arts Center .
New options include the Discover Boating Experience ( DBX ) .
There ’ s the usual hours of seminars on boating and sailing .
RV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the RVs .

Casey Polk got a gleam in his eye when I asked how fast the one South Bay Pontoon at the Munson Marine display would go.
“Go as fast as you want to go,’’ he said. “It will throw you back in the seat. Push the joystick. It is fun.’’
The 20-foot pontoon came in at a show price of $99,995. In my lifetime, the revolution in electronics for boating is probably the most notable; second would be the evolution of pontoons from slow putt-putt utilitarian boxes to high-end go-fast boats.
Such are the stuff of dreams at the Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show.
The 90th Boat Show, by far the most venerable of Chicago outdoor shows, opened Wednesday and runs through Sunday at McCormick Place South.
While I enjoyed the cool pontoons, the coolest boat for my tastes on opening day was the “Rare Bird’’ at the Arrow Marine booth. It was from Streblow Custom Boats and had a brown, red, white and blue paint job, which was out-gaudied by its red interior.
The Navy Pier Marina booth at the Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show. Dale Bowman
Besides dreams, I also came to the show this year and made a quick trip to find the booth for the Navy Pier Marina. It is booth A527. Once you get close, you know you’re there because of the big artist’s rendering of NPM, slated to open in the spring of 2021 on the north side of Navy Pier.
Here’s the problem, the north side of Navy Pier is one of the best shore fishing spots, especially in winter, in Chicago. There have been a lot of rumors flying ever since Randy Podolsky started pitching the idea several years ago.
I happened to get lucky and caught Podolsky at the booth and did a quick video interview on the prospects for fishing access.
I was encouraged by his responses; there will be fishing. During the busy summer season, it obviously will be limited. We will have to see if it comes to pass but, in the offseason and before it freezes up, he talked of even allowing access on the pier level if anglers are able to keep it in good condition.
I want to work up something fuller on this because, while words are nice, actions and commitments on paper are better.
At the Timber View R.V. Center of Frankfort spread, I was struck by the 41-foot Cedar Creek Silverback Edition. It comes in just under 400 square feet, the maximum allowed for RVs. It’s show-priced at $55,000.
Service tech Chris Clarke said they’re bought by everyone from retired couples to union workers, such as pipeline workers, to those who have a permanent camping spot. He recommends a 3/4-ton diesel pickup to tow it.
The Cedar Creek Silverback Edition goes 41 feet and has nearly 400 square feet at the Timber View R.V. Center space at the Chicago Boat, RV & Sail Show. Dale Bowman
As I was getting ready for the show to open, lines of several hundred stretched back before the 2 p.m. opening, I noticed there were six listings for kayaks and six for hunting boats. Kayaks are another growth industry, especially in fishing. The odd thing is, in all the decades I’ve gone to the show, I don’t often remember seeing a hunting boat. This year, I noticed them.
OK, so one of my favorite stops had little to do with boating. At ‘‘The Original Dave’s Coffee Cake, Handcrafted in Rock Falls, Illinois,’’ I was given a sample in place of a business card.
That’s getting it done.
I was solo this year, so my wife didn’t have a chance to drag me into the biggest yachts, that Chicago winter ritual of taking off your shoes and trekking through the cabin of a yacht.
All the same, I remain stunned by the big yachts. Queens of the Show are Skipper Bud’s new 2020 46 Cantius and the new 2020 Prestige 460, a 46-foot luxurious yacht from Springbrook Marina.
Instead of yacht dreaming, I did such things as stop by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary spread.
That’s where Ron Dziagwa pulled me into a game of guessing how fast things break down in nature. You have to match 12 numbers with 12 items. I thought I might be able to ace it but ended up going 4-and-8.
Embarrassingly bad.
“Don’t be embarrassed; it’s educational,’’ Dziagwa said.
One way to look at it.
The show has draws for the whole family, including a Huck Finn Trout Pond, Remote Control Sailboat Racing, which looked pretty cool but I didn’t try it, and a chance to learn tool and boat-building skills at the Chicago Maritime Arts Center. New options include the Discover Boating Experience (DBX). There are the usual hours of seminars on boating and sailing. RV expert David Solberg covers many topics for the RVs.
Show information is at ChicagoBoatShow.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Man fatally shot while driving in Aurora

A 19-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday while driving in west suburban Aurora .
About 10:10 p.m. , police responded @ @ @ @ @ Avenue and Beckwith Street and found Salvadore Sciascia , of Aurora , in the wreckage @ @ @ @ @ gunshot wound to the chest , the Kane County coroner ’ s office said .
@ @ @ @ @ was shot while driving , causing a “ motor vehicle mishap , ” the coroner @ @ @ @ @ He was pronounced dead at the scene .
Preliminary autopsy findings Wednesday ruled that Sciascia @ @ @ @ @ , the coroner ’ s office said .

A 19-year-old man was fatally shot Sunday while driving in west suburban Aurora.
About 10:10 p.m., police responded to the area of Dearborn Avenue and Beckwith Street and found Salvadore Sciascia, of Aurora, in the wreckage of a crash with a gunshot wound to the chest, the Kane County coroner’s office said.
An investigation found that Sciascia was shot while driving, causing a “motor vehicle mishap,” the coroner’s office said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary autopsy findings Wednesday ruled that Sciascia died of the gunshot wound, the coroner’s office said.
The Kane County Major Crimes Task Force is investigating.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--2 more cold-related deaths reported in Cook County, total at 17 for season

Two more people were confirmed dead of cold-related causes Wednesday , bringing the total in Cook County to 17 so far this season .
One man , 33 , was found dead Nov. 28 in the 8100 block of Knox Avenue in Skokie , the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
An autopsy ruled his death an accident , saying he died of combined drug toxicity with cold exposure as a contributing factor .
The man was not identified .
Skokie police did not immediately provide details about the investigation .
Nearly a month later , Virginia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 1400 block of North Lotus Avenue in Chicago , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
She died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease with diabetes mellitus , obesity and cold exposure all contributing .
Her death was ruled an accident .
Chicago police did not immediately return a request for details .
Fifteen people in Cook County have died of cold-related causes this season , the first confirmed case happening Nov. 1 in Avondale .
Last season , 60 people died of cold-related causes in Cook County between Sept. 14 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Two more people were confirmed dead of cold-related causes Wednesday, bringing the total in Cook County to 17 so far this season.
Anthony Tomassetti, 33, was found dead Nov. 28 lying between buildings in the 8100 block of Knox Avenue in Skokie, the Cook County medical examiner’s office and Skokie police said.
An autopsy ruled his death an accident, saying he died of combined drug toxicity with cold exposure as a contributing factor, the medical examiner’s office said.
Nearly a month later, Virginia Tallie, 75, died Dec. 21 in the 1400 block of North Lotus Avenue in Chicago, the medical examiner’s office said. She died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease with diabetes mellitus, obesity and cold exposure all contributing. Her death was ruled an accident.
Chicago police did not immediately return a request for details.
Fifteen people in Cook County have died of cold-related causes this season, the first confirmed case happening Nov. 1 in Avondale.
Last season, 60 people died of cold-related causes in Cook County between Sept. 14, 2018 and May 23, 2019.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Robberies reported in Gold Coast: police

Chicago police are warning residents of a string of robberies reported in December and January in the Gold Coast on @ @ @ @ @ In each incident , victims were attacked and robbed by two males , according to @ @ @ @ @ police .
Victims or witnesses described seeing the robbers flee in a white SUV .
@ @ @ @ @ evening hours : • Dec. 24 in the 900 block of North Dewitt Place ; @ @ @ @ @ 200 block of East Pearson Street ; • Jan. 2 in the 800 block of @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 3 in the 900 block of North Dewitt Place ; and • Jan. 6 @ @ @ @ @ East Chestnut Street .
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Chicago police are warning residents of a string of robberies reported in December and January in the Gold Coast on the Near North Side.
In each incident, victims were attacked and robbed by two males, according to a community alert from Chicago police. Victims or witnesses described seeing the robbers flee in a white SUV.
The robberies happened during the evening hours:
Dec. 24 in the 900 block of North Dewitt Place;
Dec. 30 in the 200 block of East Pearson Street;
Jan. 2 in the 800 block of North Dewitt Place;
Jan. 3 in the 900 block of North Dewitt Place;
Jan. 6 in the 200 block of East Chestnut Street;
Jan. 7 in the 600 block of North La Salle Drive; and
Jan. 8 in the 200 block of East Delaware Place.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--5 shot Wednesday in Chicago

5 shot Wednesday in Chicago

Five people were shot Wednesday in Chicago , including a 33-year-old man who was shot after getting into a confrontation with another man in Fuller Park on the South Side .
The man and a 28-year-old were arguing about 5:10 p.m. on the sidewalk in the 4200 block of South Wells Street when the younger man pulled out a handgun and opened fire , Chicago police said .
The older man was hit in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition , police said .
The 28-year-old retreated to a home , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a weapon , police said .
Charges are pending .
A 30-year-old man was shot Wednesday morning in West Pullman on the Far South Side .
About 3:30 a.m. , he was walking on the sidewalk in the 11900 block of South Princeton Avenue when someone in a dark-colored sedan fired shots at him , police said .
He was taken to Roseland Hospital with wounds to the right arm and buttocks , police said .
He was stabilized .
Three people were shot Wednesday on roadways in Chicago , the latest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ramp from the Stevenson Expressway to the Dan Ryan Expressway .
Three males were in a vehicle about 1:10 a.m. when shots rang out as they were driving on the ramp from northbound Interstate 55 to northbound Interstate 94 , Illinois State Police said .
The driver was shot in the back and taken to the hospital for treatment , state police said .
The front seat passenger was treated for injuries from shattered glass , and a third passenger refused medical treatment , state police said .
Ten minutes prior , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast .
About 1 a.m. , the men , 24 and 25 , were traveling south in a Pontiac Grand Prix when a silver sedan pulled alongside them in the 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive and fired shots , police said .
The 24-year-old was struck in the left side and the 25-year-old was struck in the left leg , police said .
They were able to drive to Stroger Hospital , where they were stabilized .
Tuesday was the first day of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Five people were shot Wednesday in Chicago, including a 33-year-old man who was shot after getting into a confrontation with another man in Fuller Park on the South Side.
The man and a 28-year-old were arguing about 5:10 p.m. on the sidewalk in the 4200 block of South Wells Street when the younger man pulled out a handgun and opened fire, Chicago police said.
The older man was hit in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition, police said.
The 28-year-old retreated to a home, where officers took him into custody and recovered a weapon, police said. Charges are pending.
A 30-year-old man was shot Wednesday morning in West Pullman on the Far South Side.
About 3:30 a.m., he was walking on the sidewalk in the 11900 block of South Princeton Avenue when someone in a dark-colored sedan fired shots at him, police said.
He was taken to Roseland Hospital with wounds to the right arm and buttocks, police said. He was stabilized.
Three people were shot Wednesday on roadways in Chicago, the latest of which was person who was wounded on the ramp from the Stevenson Expressway to the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Three males were in a vehicle about 1:10 a.m. when shots rang out as they were driving on the ramp from northbound Interstate 55 to northbound Interstate 94, Illinois State Police said.
The driver was shot in the back and taken to the hospital for treatment, state police said.
The front seat passenger was treated for injuries from shattered glass, and a third passenger refused medical treatment, state police said.
Ten minutes prior, two men were wounded in a shooting on Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast.
About 1 a.m., the men, 24 and 25, were traveling south in a Pontiac Grand Prix when a silver sedan pulled alongside them in the 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive and fired shots, police said.
The 24-year-old was struck in the left side and the 25-year-old was struck in the left leg, police said. They were able to drive to Stroger Hospital, where they were stabilized.
Tuesday was the first day of the year without any reported shootings in Chicago.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Robberies reported on CTA trains in Lincoln Park, Near North Side: police

At least four people were robbed on CTA trains in December and January in Lincoln Park and on the Near @ @ @ @ @ incident , someone either snatched the victim ’ s property or used force to take @ @ @ @ @ police said .
The robberies happened at all hours of the day between Dec. 18 @ @ @ @ @ said .
Three of them happened on the Red Line , near the North/Clybourn , @ @ @ @ @ The other robbery happened on a Brown or Purple Line train near the Chicago station @ @ @ @ @ North Franklin Street , police said .
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked @ @ @ @ @ at 312-747-8380 .

At least four people were robbed on CTA trains in December and January in Lincoln Park and on the Near North Side.
In each incident, someone either snatched the victim’s property or used force to take it from them, Chicago police said.
The robberies happened at all hours of the day between Dec. 18 and Jan. 4, police said. Three of them happened on the Red Line, near the North/Clybourn, Grand and Chicago stations.
The other robbery happened on a Brown or Purple Line train near the Chicago station in the 700 block of North Franklin Street, police said.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--1 of R. Kelly’s girlfriends charged after fight at Trump Tower

One of R. Kelly ’ s girlfriends turned herself into police after the two got into a fight — broadcast live to social media — inside the embattled singer ’ s Trump Tower condo Wednesday afternoon , with one proclaiming that “ Rob has been lying to all y ’ all…and he has people like me lying for him.
” In a series of videos posted to Instagram , the 22-year-old woman could be seen angrily confronting Joycelyn Savage , 24 , before a scuffle broke out between the two .
Chicago police officers responded and the 22-year-old was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was listed in good condition .
The 22-year-old said several times that she wanted charges filed against Savage for the alleged attack .
She also accused Savage of other criminal conduct .
Savage turned herself into police Wednesday evening and was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery causing bodily harm , Chicago police said .
She is due in court Feb. 6 .
In one video , the 22-year-old can be seen talking with CPD officers , who were called to Trump Tower about 2:10 p.m. for a report of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department spokesman .
The 22-year-old told them that she was in the unit with a few other people when Savage and another woman — a “ handler ” for Kelly — arrived to pick up Kelly ’ s “ awards and his Grammys and stuff.
” “ After that , she started saying that I ’ m so wrong about this and that , ” the 22-year-old said , adding that Savage soon after “ started attacking me.
” “ She came to me and attacked me and I had to defend myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleging that Savage hit her with her hands and her phone and tried to kick her , as well .
Steve Greenberg , Kelly ’ s defense attorney , declined to comment on the videos .
Kelly remains held without bond at the Metropolitan Correctional Center downtown while he faces a litany of criminal charges in four jurisdictions in three states .
In February 2019 , prosecutors in Cook County charged Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse .
Three of the four alleged victims in that case were under 18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s office in Chicago charged him with nine counts of enticing a minor , three counts of child pornography and one count of obstruction of justice the following July .
The obstruction charge stemmed from alleged efforts to illegally secure his acquittal in his 2008 child pornography case .
In Brooklyn , prosecutors charged Kelly and two associates with acting as a criminal enterprise to “ promote R. Kelly ’ s music and the R. Kelly brand and to recruit women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with Kelly.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleged that Kelly bribed an official in Illinois in 1994 in order to get a fake ID that was used secure a marriage license with the late singer Aaliyah , who was 15 at the time .

One of R. Kelly’s girlfriends turned herself into police after the two got into a fight — broadcast live to social media — inside the embattled singer’s Trump Tower condo Wednesday afternoon, with one proclaiming that “Rob has been lying to all y’all…and he has people like me lying for him.”
In a series of videos posted to Instagram, the 22-year-old woman could be seen angrily confronting Joycelyn Savage, 24, before a scuffle broke out between the two. Chicago police officers responded and the 22-year-old was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she was listed in good condition.
The 22-year-old said several times that she wanted charges filed against Savage for the alleged attack. She also accused Savage of other criminal conduct.
Savage turned herself into police Wednesday evening and was charged with one count of misdemeanor domestic battery causing bodily harm, Chicago police said. She is due in court Feb. 6.
In one video, the 22-year-old can be seen talking with CPD officers, who were called to Trump Tower about 2:10 p.m. for a report of a battery in progress, according to a department spokesman.
The 22-year-old told them that she was in the unit with a few other people when Savage and another woman — a “handler” for Kelly — arrived to pick up Kelly’s “awards and his Grammys and stuff.”
“After that, she started saying that I’m so wrong about this and that,” the 22-year-old said, adding that Savage soon after “started attacking me.”
“She came to me and attacked me and I had to defend myself,” the 22-year-old told police, alleging that Savage hit her with her hands and her phone and tried to kick her, as well.
Steve Greenberg, Kelly’s defense attorney, declined to comment on the videos.
The fight occurred on Kelly’s 53rd birthday.
Kelly remains held without bond at the Metropolitan Correctional Center downtown while he faces a litany of criminal charges in four jurisdictions in three states.
In February 2019, prosecutors in Cook County charged Kelly with 10 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Three of the four alleged victims in that case were under 18 at the time.
The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago charged him with nine counts of enticing a minor, three counts of child pornography and one count of obstruction of justice the following July. The obstruction charge stemmed from alleged efforts to illegally secure his acquittal in his 2008 child pornography case.
In Brooklyn, prosecutors charged Kelly and two associates with acting as a criminal enterprise to “promote R. Kelly’s music and the R. Kelly brand and to recruit women and girls to engage in illegal sexual activity with Kelly.”
Last month, prosecutors in New York alleged that Kelly bribed an official in Illinois in 1994 in order to get a fake ID that was used secure a marriage license with the late singer Aaliyah, who was 15 at the time.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Missing man, 43, last seen in Hyde Park found safe

Was the killing of Iranian general Soleimani a success for American foreign policy ?
On the positive side of the @ @ @ @ @ action rid the world of an effective terror master .
But Soleimani ’ s death @ @ @ @ @ short-term setback for Iran .
For good or ill , it is unlikely that this @ @ @ @

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


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Watchdog: 123 children died despite DCFS intervention, up from previous year

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is charged with protecting endangered children , but 123 of them died within a 12-month period despite the agency ’ s intervention within the preceding year — more than two thirds after DCFS returned the children to families with a history of domestic violence , mental health or substance abuse problems .
In the last fiscal year , 24 of the endangered children who came into contact with DCFS wound up dying from homicide , seven from suicide , 37 accidentally , 34 from natural causes and 21 from undetermined causes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agency ’ s own inspector general .
“ The default procedure is to leave children in their homes when that might not be the most appropriate intervention , ” said state Rep. Anna Moeller ( D-Elgin ) , who serves on a bipartisan General Assembly DCFS working group .
Concluding that DCFS staffers were taking “ shortcuts that lead to tragedy , ” DCFS ’ s Office of the Inspector General found during the fiscal year that ended June 30 , the agency investigated 123 cases in which children died despite DCFS contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 20 % increase from the previous fiscal year .
“ As I submit this report , I am disheartened that many of the problems I identify here have been identified before , both by me and my predecessor , ” Meryl Paniak , acting inspector general for DCFS , wrote in her report .
The report found children died because overworked DCFS investigators and returned children with abusive parents or caretakers .
An example Paniak cited in her report was the case of Andrew ‘ AJ ” Freund , a five-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DCFS let him return to the custody of his abusive mother .
AJ.
’ s mother , JoAnn Cunningham , pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after authorities found his body in a shallow grave in April .
AJ ’ s father , Andrew Freund Sr. , has been indicted on murder charges for his son ’ s death and is awaiting trial .
In AJ Freund ’ s case , Paniak found DCFS investigators “ ignored the parents ’ long history of addiction , the mother ’ s recent relapse , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caring relatives and day care providers.
” DCFS fired the two child welfare investigators in December , Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin , over their handling of the case .
In her report , Paniak said AJ ’ s case is emblematic of practices by DCFS that allow children to return to families with a history of violent abuse or addiction .
“ The death of any child in Illinois is a tragedy and this department is deeply committed to protecting vulnerable children in this state , ” said Jassen Strokosch , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Over the past several years , that mission became increasingly challenging as funding cuts and staff reductions left the agency under-resourced and without the staff needed to give vulnerable children the care they deserve.
” Of the 123 children who died after coming into contact with the agency during the period covered in the report , DCFS returned 87 of them to families with a history of domestic violence , mental health or substance abuse problems .
The bipartisan General Assembly working group will meet again in February , Moeller said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agency .
“ The department has been under-resourced for a long time and we need to make sure we are supporting the agency so it can do its job , ” the Elgin legislator said .

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is charged with protecting endangered children, but 123 of them died within a 12-month period despite the agency’s intervention within the preceding year — more than two-thirds after DCFS returned the children to families with a history of domestic violence, mental health or substance-abuse problems.
In the last fiscal year, 24 of the endangered children who came into contact with DCFS wound up dying from homicide, seven from suicide, 37 accidentally, 34 from natural causes and 21 from undetermined causes, according to a new report by the agency’s own inspector general.
“The default procedure is to leave children in their homes when that might not be the most appropriate intervention,” said state Rep. Anna Moeller, D-Elgin, who serves on a bipartisan General Assembly DCFS working group.
Concluding that DCFS staffers were taking “shortcuts that lead to tragedy,” DCFS’ Office of the Inspector General found during the fiscal year that ended June 30, the agency investigated 123 cases in which children died despite DCFS contact with the family in the preceding year, a 20% increase from the previous fiscal year.
“As I submit this report, I am disheartened that many of the problems I identify here have been identified before, both by me and my predecessor,” Meryl Paniak, acting inspector general for DCFS, wrote in her report.
The report found children died because overworked DCFS investigators returned children with abusive parents or caretakers.
An example Paniak cited in her report was the case of Andrew ‘AJ” Freund, a 5-year-old boy from Crystal Lake who died after DCFS let him return to the custody of his abusive mother.
AJ’s mother, JoAnn Cunningham, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder after authorities found his body in a shallow grave in April. AJ’s father, Andrew Freund Sr., has been indicted on murder charges for his son’s death and is awaiting trial.
Andrew Freund and JoAnn Cunningham werre both charged with murder in the death of their son, Andrew “AJ” Freund. File photos. Crystal Lake Police Department
In AJ Freund’s case, Paniak found DCFS investigators “ignored the parents’ long history of addiction, the mother’s recent relapse, and the parents’ isolation of the children from caring relatives and day care providers.”
DCFS fired the two child welfare investigators in December, Carlos Acosta and Andrew Polovin, over their handling of the case.
In her report, Paniak said AJ’s case is emblematic of practices by DCFS that allow children to return to families with a history of violent abuse or addiction.
“The death of any child in Illinois is a tragedy and this department is deeply committed to protecting vulnerable children in this state,” said Jassen Strokosch, a spokesperson for DCFS, in a statement. “Over the past several years, that mission became increasingly challenging as funding cuts and staff reductions left the agency under-resourced and without the staff needed to give vulnerable children the care they deserve.”
Of the 123 children who died after coming into contact with the agency during the period covered in the report, DCFS returned 87 of them to families with a history of domestic violence, mental health or substance abuse problems.
The bipartisan General Assembly working group will meet again in February, Moeller said, and will likely suggest legislative fixes for the agency.
“The department has been under-resourced for a long time, and we need to make sure we are supporting the agency so it can do its job,” the Elgin legislator said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--New Year’s tragedy exposes big gap in mental health care

The silence surrounding the unspeakable horror in a quiet stretch of South Shore Drive speaks volumes about the city ’ s tattered safety net .
I know this net is sturdy enough for the folks who have access to minute clinics .
But how do we put our faith in a system that sends a 20-year-old suicidal mother of two home ( after an apparent mental breakdown ) with a “ diagnosis of a mood disorder and a prescription.
” You don ’ t have to be a psychiatrist or preacher to know that isn ’ t right .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take care of two babies ?
Still , it seems like most of us don ’ t have a problem with it .
That is what struck me on Monday morning as I passed by the high-rise building where the tragedy happened .
It was as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred there .
There was the Monday morning drone of buses and cars ; the knot of people waiting at the bus shelter ; a young man walking briskly down the sidewalk .
But just a few days ago , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deranged woman crashed from 11-stories after allegedly killing her own children .
In a court hearing Saturday , prosecutors charged Aleah Newell with stabbing her 70-year-old grandfather nearly a dozen times ; stabbing and fatally scalding her 7-month-old son in a bathtub ; and hurling her 2-year-old from the 11th floor apartment before leaping to what she hoped would be her death .
It was a miracle that a scaffold broke her fall and she survived with a broken wrist and ankle .
Her grandfather is still in critical condition , though he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dead .
Newell is charged with two murders and an attempted murder and is facing a possible life sentence behind bars .
At the South Shore address , on Monday , where this unspeakable tragedy occurred , workers prepared to scale the building using one of the other scaffolds hanging from the high-rise , and a garbage truck idled loudly as workers piled on their routine haul .
You could walk right by without knowing that such a diabolical act had taken place .
There were no banners with loving messages tied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bunches ; no stuffed teddy bears or action figures ; no marchers or protesters demanding more be done to help save women suffering from mental illness .
Most people will only see Newell as a monster .
But apparently there were moments when Newell tried to shoulder her responsibilities and cried out for help .
For instance , according to prosecutors , two days before the tragedy Newell had taken the 2-year-old to Comer Children ’ s Hospital for treatment for his asthma .
Prosecutors said the distraught woman had asked her mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick up her boys so she could “ get her life together.
” But when Newell ’ s mother , Zera Newell , got there last Wednesday , her daughter and the boys weren ’ t home , according to prosecutors .
The distraught mother had spent New Year ’ s Eve and the day before in Humboldt Park at Shield of Hope , a homeless shelter run by the Salvation Army .
Shield of Hope is an emergency homeless assessment and rapid-response center , according to a statement the agency put out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Despite reports in recent days , no family has been , nor will be turned away .
Our doors are open to all who seek respite , ” the statement said , according to WGN .
The shelter verified that Newell checked out of the facility on New Year ’ s Day .
“ We continue to pray for the family and those impacted by this tragedy , ” the statement added .
But shouldn ’ t they have put some “ rapid-response action ” behind those prayers , especially since Newell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ I can ’ t do this .
I can ’ t take care of them ?
” Additionally , Zera Newell told the Chicago Sun-Times her daughter had asked staff at the shelter to take the children away from her .
But under these circumstances , how could an agency that is supposed to serve people in a crisis situation let such a troubled woman walk out of the shelter on New Year ’ s Day with two toddlers in tow ?
Jassen Strokosch , a spokesman for the Illinois Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ A parent attempting suicide does not automatically mean a child is removed from a home .
“ Every family is different .
DCFS would assess the entirety of the situation .
For example , does the parent who attempted suicide have other family supports they can rely on ?
Are their two parents involved or one ?
Are their grandparents or an aunt or uncle involved that can step in to care for the children ?
DCFS would assess many of these options before a judge would remove a child from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
According to FBI Statistics , 450 children are murdered by their parents each year in the US .
Last month , Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a plan for public agencies to “ coordinate with one another as well as mental health providers when responding to emergency calls , ” the Chicago Sun-Times reported .
Hopefully , this new effort will help save other desperate women and their children .

The silence surrounding the unspeakable horror in a quiet stretch of South Shore Drive speaks volumes about the city’s tattered safety net.
I know this net is sturdy enough for the folks who have access to minute clinics.
But how do we put our faith in a system that sends a 20-year-old suicidal mother of two home (after an apparent mental breakdown) with a “diagnosis of a mood disorder and a prescription.”
You don’t have to be a psychiatrist or preacher to know that isn’t right. How could a person in that condition possibly take care of two babies?
Still, it seems like most of us don’t have a problem with it.
That is what struck me on Monday morning as I passed by the high-rise building where the tragedy happened.
It was as if nothing out of the ordinary had occurred there.
There was the Monday morning drone of buses and cars; the knot of people waiting at the bus shelter; a young man walking briskly down the sidewalk.
But just a few days ago, on this very sidewalk, an obviously deranged woman crashed from 11-stories after allegedly killing her own children.
In a court hearing Saturday, prosecutors charged Aleah Newell with stabbing her 70-year-old grandfather nearly a dozen times; stabbing and fatally scalding her 7-month-old son in a bathtub; and hurling her 2-year-old from the 11th floor apartment before leaping to what she hoped would be her death.
It was a miracle that a scaffold broke her fall and she survived with a broken wrist and ankle. Her grandfather had been in critical condition, though he was expected to live. Her babies are dead.
Newell is charged with two murders and an attempted murder and is facing a possible life sentence behind bars.
At the South Shore address, on Monday, where this unspeakable tragedy occurred, workers prepared to scale the building using one of the other scaffolds hanging from the high-rise, and a garbage truck idled loudly as workers piled on their routine haul.
You could walk right by without knowing that such a diabolical act had taken place.
There were no banners with loving messages tied to poles or flowers piled up in bunches; no stuffed teddy bears or action figures; no marchers or protesters demanding more be done to help save women suffering from mental illness.
Most people will only see Newell as a monster.
But apparently there were moments when Newell tried to shoulder her responsibilities and cried out for help.
For instance, according to prosecutors, two days before the tragedy Newell had taken the 2-year-old to Comer Children’s Hospital for treatment for his asthma.
Prosecutors said the distraught woman had asked her mother on New Year’s Eve to pick up her boys so she could “get her life together.”
But when Newell’s mother, Zera Newell, got there last Wednesday, her daughter and the boys weren’t home, according to prosecutors.
The distraught mother had spent New Year’s Eve and the day before in Humboldt Park at Shield of Hope, a homeless shelter run by the Salvation Army.
Shield of Hope is an emergency homeless assessment and rapid-response center, according to a statement the agency put out in the wake of this tragedy.
“Despite reports in recent days, no family has been, nor will be turned away. Our doors are open to all who seek respite,” the statement said, according to WGN.
The shelter verified that Newell checked out of the facility on New Year’s Day.
“We continue to pray for the family and those impacted by this tragedy,” the statement added.
But shouldn’t they have put some “rapid-response action” behind those prayers, especially since Newell allegedly told another woman at the shelter, “I can’t do this. I can’t take care of them”?
Additionally, Zera Newell told the Chicago Sun-Times her daughter had asked staff at the shelter to take the children away from her.
But under these circumstances, how could an agency that is supposed to serve people in a crisis situation let such a troubled woman walk out of the shelter on New Year’s Day with two toddlers in tow?
Jassen Strokosch, a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services said, “A parent attempting suicide does not automatically mean a child is removed from a home.
“Every family is different. DCFS would assess the entirety of the situation. For example, does the parent who attempted suicide have other family supports they can rely on? Are there two parents involved or one? Are there grandparents or an aunt or uncle involved that can step in to care for the children? DCFS would assess many of these options before a judge would remove a child from a home,” he said in an email.
According to FBI Statistics, 450 children are murdered by their parents each year in the US.
Last month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a plan for public agencies to “coordinate with one another as well as mental health providers when responding to emergency calls,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
Hopefully, this new effort will help save other desperate women and their children.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Was the killing of Iranian general Soleimani a success for American foreign policy?

There ’ s an old story — apocryphal , as the best stories always seem to be — that Richard Nixon asked Chinese premier Zhou Enlai what he thought about the French Revolution , and Zhou said , “ It ’ s too soon to tell.
” At first blush , the mini-crisis between Iran and the United States appears to have ended well for the U.S. , but it may be too soon to tell .
On the positive side of the ledger , Trump ’ s action rid the world of an effective terror master .
Qassem Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jerusalem ” ) force , was instrumental in creating Hezbollah , which has been responsible for attacks around the globe and has specifically targeted the United States and Israel .
Hezbollah was behind the 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut , as well as the embassy annex the following year .
They kidnapped CIA station chief William Buckley and tortured him to death .
In 1985 , Hezbollah hijacked a TWA airliner and killed a U.S. Navy diver , dropping his body onto the airport tarmac .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hamas and al-Qaida ( though it fought ISIS ) and has carried out multiple terror attacks against Israel .
During the Iraq War , Soleimani was “ credited ” with developing the IEDs that took the lives of at least 600 Americans .
U.S. General David Petraeus recounted a message he once received from the terror leader : “ Gen .
Petraeus , you should know that I , Qassem Soleimani , control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq , Lebanon , Gaza and Afghanistan.
” He didn ’ t mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit later , but Iran was behind the Houthis as well .
Most devastating , in terms of body count , has been Soleimani ’ s participation in the Syrian civil war on behalf of Bashar al-Assad .
That bloodbath has taken the lives of more than 500,000 Syrians and displaced more than 11 million more ( 6 million internally and 5.6 million external refugees ) .
Soleimani ’ s death is likely to be a short-term setback for Iran ’ s imperial ambitions .
Also on the positive side of the ledger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to lying to the Iranian people about its retaliation .
Rather than risk killing Americans and thereby inviting further conflict , Iran chose to fire ( misfire ? )
missiles at a couple of Iraqi bases while claiming on state media that 80 Americans had died .
That was about as clear a climb-down as you get in an international crisis .
On the negative side of the ledger , Iran has now withdrawn from abiding by the limitations of the nuclear agreement , and whatever the flaws of that pact ( I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still better to have Iran in compliance than not .
Nor would it be crazy for Iran to conclude , after this humiliation at America ’ s hands , that nuclear weapons are more desirable than ever .
Further , if our goal was to weaken internal support for the Iranian regime , we may not have succeeded .
A month ago , Iran ’ s cities were rocked by mass protests over the government ’ s decision to raise gasoline prices by 300 % .
Up to 600 protesters were killed and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have triggered a nationalistic reflex , and the streets are thronged by mourners for the “ martyr ” Soleimani .
It was not necessarily in our interest to have alienated Iraqis to the point where a resolution was passed in parliament demanding the withdrawal of all U.S. forces .
While it ’ s true that the Kurds and Sunnis did not participate in that non-binding vote , it is nevertheless some measure of the animosity we ’ ve engendered .
Nor was the situation improved by presidential tweets threatening severe sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s fondest wish for America to leave — or even better — to be chased out of Iraq .
If we know anything about the clerics in Tehran , it ’ s that they nurse long grudges , and they are happy to take revenge on innocent civilians as well as military targets .
In 1988 , the U.S. destroyed half of the Iranian navy in Operation Praying Mantis .
Eight years later , Hezbollah detonated a bomb at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia , which housed American Marines .
Twenty were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Israel assassinated an Iranian nuclear scientist , Iran ’ s retaliation took the form of targeting Israeli tourists in Bulgaria , and Israeli diplomats in Georgia , India and Thailand .
Frequently , Iran disclaims responsibility , as it did regarding the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires .
For good or ill , it is unlikely that this chapter is closed .
Mona Charen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center .

There’s an old story — apocryphal, as the best stories always seem to be — that Richard Nixon asked Chinese premier Zhou Enlai what he thought about the French Revolution, and Zhou said, “It’s too soon to tell.” At first blush, the mini-crisis between Iran and the United States appears to have ended well for the U.S., but it may be too soon to tell.
On the positive side of the ledger, Trump’s action rid the world of an effective terror master. Qassem Soleimani, head of the Quds (“Jerusalem”) force, was instrumental in creating Hezbollah, which has been responsible for attacks around the globe and has specifically targeted the United States and Israel. Hezbollah was behind the 1983 bombings of the U.S. embassy and Marine barracks in Beirut, as well as the embassy annex the following year. They kidnapped CIA station chief William Buckley and tortured him to death. In 1985, Hezbollah hijacked a TWA airliner and killed a U.S. Navy diver, dropping his body onto the airport tarmac.
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The Quds force also supports Sunni terrorists like Hamas and al-Qaida (though it fought ISIS) and has carried out multiple terror attacks against Israel. During the Iraq War, Soleimani was “credited” with developing the IEDs that took the lives of at least 600 Americans. U.S. General David Petraeus recounted a message he once received from the terror leader: “Gen. Petraeus, you should know that I, Qassem Soleimani, control the policy for Iran with respect to Iraq, Lebanon, Gaza and Afghanistan.” He didn’t mention Yemen, as that war came a bit later, but Iran was behind the Houthis as well. Most devastating, in terms of body count, has been Soleimani’s participation in the Syrian civil war on behalf of Bashar al-Assad. That bloodbath has taken the lives of more than 500,000 Syrians and displaced more than 11 million more (6 million internally and 5.6 million external refugees).
Soleimani’s death is likely to be a short-term setback for Iran’s imperial ambitions. Also on the positive side of the ledger is the fact that Iran was reduced to lying to the Iranian people about its retaliation. Rather than risk killing Americans and thereby inviting further conflict, Iran chose to fire (misfire?) missiles at a couple of Iraqi bases while claiming on state media that 80 Americans had died. That was about as clear a climb-down as you get in an international crisis.
On the negative side of the ledger, Iran has now withdrawn from abiding by the limitations of the nuclear agreement, and whatever the flaws of that pact (I strenuously opposed it), it was still better to have Iran in compliance than not. Nor would it be crazy for Iran to conclude, after this humiliation at America’s hands, that nuclear weapons are more desirable than ever.
Further, if our goal was to weaken internal support for the Iranian regime, we may not have succeeded. A month ago, Iran’s cities were rocked by mass protests over the government’s decision to raise gasoline prices by 300%. Up to 600 protesters were killed and as many as 7,000 arrested. Now, we have triggered a nationalistic reflex, and the streets are thronged by mourners for the “martyr” Soleimani.
It was not necessarily in our interest to have alienated Iraqis to the point where a resolution was passed in parliament demanding the withdrawal of all U.S. forces. While it’s true that the Kurds and Sunnis did not participate in that non-binding vote, it is nevertheless some measure of the animosity we’ve engendered. Nor was the situation improved by presidential tweets threatening severe sanctions on Iraq. It would be Iran’s fondest wish for America to leave — or even better — to be chased out of Iraq.
If we know anything about the clerics in Tehran, it’s that they nurse long grudges, and they are happy to take revenge on innocent civilians as well as military targets. In 1988, the U.S. destroyed half of the Iranian navy in Operation Praying Mantis. Eight years later, Hezbollah detonated a bomb at Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia, which housed American Marines. Twenty were killed and nearly 500 wounded.
After Israel assassinated an Iranian nuclear scientist, Iran’s retaliation took the form of targeting Israeli tourists in Bulgaria, and Israeli diplomats in Georgia, India and Thailand. Frequently, Iran disclaims responsibility, as it did regarding the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires.
For good or ill, it is unlikely that this chapter is closed.
Mona Charen is a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
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chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--$300,000 settlement to settle sexual harassment claim against retired Chicago cop

Chicago taxpayers will spend $ 300,000 to compensate a police officer who claims she had sex with a boss who threatened to torpedo her career if she refused his advances .
The $ 300,000 settlement goes to Chicago Police Officer Kelly Hespe , who remains on leave .
Her now-six-year-old sexual misconduct lawsuit against retired Chicago Police Lt. Gerald Breimon lifted the veil on a sordid array of alleged sex-capades involving Breimon and his former colleagues at the Shakespeare District that covers Wicker Park and Bucktown .
Those allegations include : sex between cops during work hours ; sex acts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ masturbating in his squad car ; and married cops having foursomes with other cop couples during their off-duty hours .
The Chicago Sun-Times reported in August 2018 that it ’ s all laid out in lengthy depositions taken by city attorneys who have defended Breimon against Hespe ’ s sex claims .
Breimon , who retired last summer , was once indicted on aggravated sexual assault and official misconduct charges after being accused of pulling over a young woman , ordering her out of the car , frisking her under her clothing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was stripped of his police powers and placed on desk duty , where he remained for nearly five years until the woman dropped her lawsuit and prosecutors dropped the charges .
He was reinstated without punishment and assigned to the Shakespeare District in 2008 .
About a year later , Breimon , who was married , began having sex with Hespe , a subordinate whose husband also was a Chicago cop , court records show .
Hespe says in court records they had sex in squad cars , in the station house and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when she tried to break things off , Breimon threatened to use his mother ’ s connections to ruin Hespe ’ s career .
In his deposition , Breimon insisted the sexual relationship was consensual and said he had no supervisory authority over her .
He acknowledged having sex with her in the police station parking lot “ in her van before work ” multiple times and having sexually charged conversations on the phone and via text .
In their depositions , both Breimon and Hespe talked about on-duty sexual activity by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A male officer who once partnered with Hespe masturbated in front of her as they sat in their squad car on duty , according to her sworn statement .
While Hespe was assigned to the summer bicycle patrol unit , Breimon testified that she told him she had performed oral sex on two male officers also working bike patrol .
Breimon , who in some cases named names , said Hespe had sex with other officers in the police station and had a foursome with other cops .
Breimon also said Shakespeare District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s locker room and the station ’ s supply room .
Hespe went on medical leave in March 2013 , later seeking disability payments , saying she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder because of her treatment by Breimon .
Her disability claim was denied .
A month later , Hespe filed a complaint with the U.S .
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission , setting the stage for her sexual harassment suit against the city and Breimon .
Around the same time , she filed a complaint against Breimon with the police department .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which he appealed .
In her federal lawsuit , Hespe alleged the Chicago Police Department “ directly encourages , and fails to adequately discipline , supervise and control its officers ” and “ facilitates the very type of misconduct at issue here by failing to adequately punish and discipline prior instances of similar misconduct.
” A federal judge dismissed much of Hespe ’ s lawsuit , arguing it was “ undisputed that , during the course of the relationship , [ Hespe ] and Sgt .
Breimon went on dates to movies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other ’ s children .
.
.
Plaintiff told Sgt .
Breimon she loved and missed him .
.
.
and sometimes initiated sex .
.
.
and described to Sgt .
Breimon what she wanted to do to him sexually.
” The settlement of Hespe ’ s sexual harassment claims comes at a time when Inspector General Joe Ferguson continues to investigate allegations that fired CPD Supt .
Eddie Johnson spent three hours drinking with a woman whom he promoted to his security detail shortly after becoming superintendent on the October night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wheel of his police vehicle .
Sources said the woman , who has since been reassigned , was seen on restaurant video repeatedly kissing Johnson .
Hespe remains on a leave of absence from the Chicago Police Department .
The police pension board has denied her application for disability benefits .

Chicago taxpayers will pay $300,000 to a police officer who said she had sex with a boss who threatened to torpedo her career if she refused his advances.
The $300,000 settlement is going to Chicago police Officer Kelly Hespe, who remains on leave.
Her 6-year-old sexual misconduct lawsuit against retired Lt. Gerald Breimon lifted the veil on sordid sexcapade allegations involving Breimon and his former colleagues at the Shakespeare District that covers Wicker Park and Bucktown.
Those included: sex between cops during work hours; sex acts in squad cars; a police officer masturbating in his squad car; and married cops having foursomes with other cop couples during their off-duty hours.
The Chicago Sun-Times revealed the allegations in August 2018, citing lengthy depositions taken by city attorneys who have been defending Breimon against Hespe’s sex claims.
Breimon, who retired last summer, was once indicted on aggravated sexual assault and official misconduct charges after being accused of pulling over a young woman, ordering her out of the car, frisking her under her clothing and touching her breasts and vagina.
He was stripped of his police powers and placed on desk duty, where he remained for nearly five years until the woman dropped her lawsuit and prosecutors dropped the charges.
He was reinstated without punishment and assigned to the Shakespeare District in 2008.
About a year later, Breimon, who was married, began having sex with Hespe, a subordinate whose husband also was a Chicago cop, court records show.
Hespe says in court records they had sex in squad cars, in the station house and in the police parking lot and that, when she tried to break things off, Breimon threatened to use his mother’s connections to ruin Hespe’s career.
In his deposition, Breimon insisted the sexual relationship was consensual and said he had no supervisory authority over her.
He acknowledged having sex with her in the police station parking lot “in her van before work” multiple times and having sexually charged conversations on the phone and via text.
In their depositions, both Breimon and Hespe talked about on-duty sexual activity by other officers at the Shakespeare District.
A male officer who once partnered with Hespe masturbated in front of her as they sat in their squad car on duty, according to her sworn statement.
While Hespe was assigned to the summer bicycle patrol unit, Breimon testified that she told him she had performed oral sex on two male officers also working bike patrol.
Breimon, who in some cases named names, said Hespe had sex with other officers in the police station and had a foursome with other cops.
Breimon also said Shakespeare District cops had sex in the supervisor’s locker room and the station’s supply room.
Hespe went on medical leave in March 2013, later seeking disability payments, saying she was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder because of her treatment by Breimon. Her disability claim was denied.
A month later, Hespe filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, setting the stage for her sexual harassment suit against the city and Breimon.
Around the same time, she filed a complaint against Breimon with the police department. Breimon was slapped with a 30-day suspension, which he appealed.
In her federal lawsuit, Hespe alleged the Chicago Police Department “directly encourages, and fails to adequately discipline, supervise and control its officers” and “facilitates the very type of misconduct at issue here by failing to adequately punish and discipline prior instances of similar misconduct.”
A federal judge dismissed much of Hespe’s lawsuit, arguing it was “undisputed that, during the course of the relationship, [Hespe] and Sgt. Breimon went on dates to movies, restaurants and concerts and met each other’s children . . . Plaintiff told Sgt. Breimon she loved and missed him . . . and sometimes initiated sex . . . and described to Sgt. Breimon what she wanted to do to him sexually.”
The settlement of Hespe’s sexual harassment claims comes at a time when Inspector General Joe Ferguson continues to investigate allegations that fired CPD Supt. Eddie Johnson spent three hours drinking with a woman whom he promoted to his security detail shortly after becoming superintendent on the October night when he was found slumped over the wheel of his police vehicle.
Sources said the woman, who has since been reassigned, was seen on restaurant video repeatedly kissing Johnson.
Hespe remains on a leave of absence from the Chicago Police Department. The police pension board has denied her application for disability benefits.
Contributing: Tim Novak, Robert Herguth


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-09--Another $500,000 settlement tied to allegations of police abuse

Throw another $ 500,000 on the mountain of costly settlements tied to allegations of Chicago Police abuse .
On Monday , the City Council ’ s Finance Committee will be asked to sign off on the settlement for Andy Jardinas , who claims he was physically abused by Police Officers Rodrigo Corona and Manuel Arroyo after an arrest in November 2016 .
Arroyo and Corona arrested Jardinas in the 3600 block of South Hoyne during the early morning hours of Nov. 5 , 2016 , records show .
He was charged with criminal damage to property and assault .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brought to the Deering District station at 31st and Halsted and placed in a processing cell alone with his handcuffs still on .
“ Not long after Plaintiff was placed in a cell , Defendant Corona returned to the cell , unlocked the door and violently and intentionally used both of his hands to shove Plaintiff ” while he was still handcuffed , the suit alleged .
Jardinas said he suffered severe head injuries as a result of the alleged abuse and that the shove was captured on the station ’ s security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used by Defendant Corona caused Plaintiff to fall backwards and strike his head on the hard cell floor , ultimately causing a subdural hematoma and a brain bleed , ” the lawsuit states .
Jardinas further claimed that , prior to the shove , Corona had an “ extensive history of violent and disturbing behavior against civilians within the City of Chicago.
” “ Upon information and belief , Defendant Corona , while on duty as a Chicago Police officer , has been involved in at least three separate incidents where three individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restraint and/or detention of them , ” Jardinas alleged .
One of those deaths , Jardinas said , was that of Heriberto Godinez .
Last month , the City Council authorized a settlement to the family of Godinez , who died in police custody in July 2015 .
Godinez had been arrested while burglarizing a Brighton Park garage .
While the medical examiner ’ s office found evidence of cocaine and ethanol toxicity in Godinez ’ s system , “ physical stress associated with restraint ” was a “ significant contributing factor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corporation Counsel Renai Rodney told aldermen in December that the Godinez family ’ s original demand was for $ 7 million and the case was unwinnable because one of the officers had his foot on Godinez ’ s upper body for 90 seconds .
None of that had been enough to persuade Ald .
Ray Lopez ( 15th ) to go along with the settlement two days after his opposition helped stall it in committee .
Lopez , who represents gang-plagued Brighton Park , Back of the Yards and parts of Englewood , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes .
The others were cast by Aldermen Marty Quinn ( 13th ) , Matt O ’ Shea ( 19th ) and Brendan Reilly ( 42nd ) .
“ It is disgusting to me as an alderman .
It is disgusting to me as a member of the Brighton Park community — and more so as a [ resident of ] the city of Chicago that we would even consider paying a family that has so terrorized the neighborhood a single dollar — let alone $ 1.2 million.
” In Jardinas ’ case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not sustain his allegations of excessive force .
However , they noted , while Jardinas was in the cell handcuffed , he was able to contort himself so that his arms were in front of him .
After that , he started banging on the cell window and cracked it .
That ’ s when Corona came over and shoved him .
The Jardinas settlement is the largest of three new police-related settlements on Monday ’ s Finance Committee agenda .
The others are : • A $ 300,000 settlement in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she had sex with a boss who threatened to torpedo her career if she refused his advances .
• And a $ 150,000 settlement to Travon and Treonia Garner , who claimed they were subject to excessive force and unlawful seizure during an unjustified traffic stop .

Throw another $500,000 on the mountain of costly settlements tied to allegations of Chicago Police abuse.
On Monday, the City Council’s Finance Committee will be asked to sign off on the settlement for Andy Jardinas, who claims he was physically abused by Police Officers Rodrigo Corona and Manuel Arroyo after an arrest in November 2016.
Arroyo and Corona arrested Jardinas in the 3600 block of South Hoyne during the early morning hours of Nov. 5, 2016, records show. He was charged with criminal damage to property and assault.
In his lawsuit, Jardinas alleged he was brought to the Deering District station at 31st and Halsted and placed in a processing cell alone with his handcuffs still on.
“Not long after Plaintiff was placed in a cell, Defendant Corona returned to the cell, unlocked the door and violently and intentionally used both of his hands to shove Plaintiff” while he was still handcuffed, the suit alleged.
Jardinas said he suffered severe head injuries as a result of the alleged abuse and that the shove was captured on the station’s security cameras.
“The amount of force used by Defendant Corona caused Plaintiff to fall backwards and strike his head on the hard cell floor, ultimately causing a subdural hematoma and a brain bleed,” the lawsuit states.
Jardinas further claimed that, prior to the shove, Corona had an “extensive history of violent and disturbing behavior against civilians within the City of Chicago.”
“Upon information and belief, Defendant Corona, while on duty as a Chicago Police officer, has been involved in at least three separate incidents where three individuals died during either his pursuit, arrest, restraint and/or detention of them,” Jardinas alleged.
One of those deaths, Jardinas said, was that of Heriberto Godinez.
Last month, the City Council authorized a settlement to the family of Godinez, who died in police custody in July 2015. Godinez had been arrested while burglarizing a Brighton Park garage. While the medical examiner’s office found evidence of cocaine and ethanol toxicity in Godinez’s system, “physical stress associated with restraint” was a “significant contributing factor” to his death.
First Deputy Corporation Counsel Renai Rodney told aldermen in December that the Godinez family’s original demand was for $7 million and the case was unwinnable because one of the officers had his foot on Godinez’s upper body for 90 seconds.
None of that had been enough to persuade Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) to go along with the settlement two days after his opposition helped stall it in committee.
Lopez, who represents gang-plagued Brighton Park, Back of the Yards and parts of Englewood, cast one of four “no” votes. The others were cast by Aldermen Marty Quinn (13th), Matt O’Shea (19th) and Brendan Reilly (42nd).
“It is disgusting to me as an alderman. It is disgusting to me as a member of the Brighton Park community — and more so as a [resident of] the city of Chicago that we would even consider paying a family that has so terrorized the neighborhood a single dollar — let alone $1.2 million.”
In Jardinas’ case, the Civilian Office of Police Accountabilty did not sustain his allegations of excessive force. However, they noted, while Jardinas was in the cell handcuffed, he was able to contort himself so that his arms were in front of him. After that, he started banging on the cell window and cracked it. That’s when Corona came over and shoved him.
The Jardinas settlement is the largest of three new police-related settlements on Monday’s Finance Committee agenda. The others are:
• A $300,000 settlement in the case of a police officer who claims she had sex with a boss who threatened to torpedo her career if she refused his advances.
• And a $150,000 settlement to Travon and Treonia Garner, who claimed they were subject to excessive force and unlawful seizure during an unjustified traffic stop.