chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Cigar, hookah lounge owners say if they can’t sell weed, new smoking license makes no sense

Ever since legal weed became the law of the land in Illinois , hookah lounge owner Mounir Zekkari said he ’ s been getting phone calls from customers curious about whether his BYOB policy applies to their weed , as well as their wine .
“ They are wondering if they can bring it to smoke here and we tell them no , ” said Zekkari , who owns Arabia Cafe Hookah Lounge at 1046 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Noble Square .
Zekkari said the vast majority of his customers , most of whom are in their 20s or 30s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they gather in small groups to share a hookah pipe .
He charges the imbibers a $ 5 corkage fee and said he could foresee doing something similar with marijuana — but the fee would have to be higher .
“ I think $ 30 , ” he said .
“ Because of the smell .
I ’ d have to deal with the smell .
I ’ m not sure all of our customers would like that.
” Zekkari said he has a basement that he would consider converting to a marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who only want to smoke a hookah , but the expense of converting the new space and paying the $ 4,400 two-year license the city has proposed doesn ’ t make financial sense .
“ If they were to give us a license to sell it that would be better , ” he said .
Like other owners , Zekkari said he would be open to a license that would restrict him to selling smaller amounts or individual sized portions of edible products .
That , however , would require a change in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is unlikely .
The city ’ s proposed ordinance , before it was met with a wall of aldermanic opposition , would also require the businesses to have a ventilation system and make 80 % of their revenue from tobacco sales .
Those requirements mirrored what was written into the amendment to the Smoke Free Illinois Act approved last year allowing cannabis consumption in a very limited number of places .
The law grandfathers existing shops but requires new ones to be the sole occupant of a standalone building .
The state restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new licenses unworkable .
The aldermen also complained that of the more than 42 smoke shops in the city , very few are located on the South or West sides , leaving residents few places to smoke if they live in buildings where a landlord prohibits it .
The proposed fees and ban on selling pot are frustrating to Anthony Powell , owner of Windy City Cigar Lounge in Bronzeville , which occupies two storefronts at 4310 and 4312 S. Prairie Ave .
He would like an opportunity to cater to both types @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend hours in the shop after making a selection from his humidor and often enjoy their cigar while watching sports on one of the lounge ’ s televisions , ordering in food or bringing their own drinks .
” We definitely thought about it , ” Powell said when he first learned of the ordinance .
” But just having someone walk in off the street with their own product , even if I charged $ 10 , I still have to pay for the heat and the electricity and the fees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ storefront as overflow space when his store ’ s main cigar lounge gets full .
“ I thought I could open a new place in the second space , but if we can ’ t sell [ marijuana ] , it doesn ’ t make financial sense for us .
” I ’ m sure some of our clients smoke [ marijuana ] too , but we have others that don ’ t , and for their job or something , they aren ’ t going to want to be around it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t have enough capital to invest in a dispensary license , but would also be open to getting a limited license that would allow him to only sell certain marijuana products , such as pre-rolled joints .
” Since there are so few of these stores , we ’ d like to be able to give our input , ” Powell said .
Downtown , Billy O ’ Hara , owner of Jack Schawartz Importer — the nearly century-old cigar shop in the lobby of the Chicago Board of Trade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has no interest in getting into the marijuana business .
” I don ’ t really see it for my clientele , ” O ’ Hara said in a deep , gruff voice when reached by phone last week .
“ They don ’ t want to go back to work smelling like pot.
” For O ’ Hara , more than money , it ’ s about atmosphere and providing customers who like cigar culture a place to enjoy a premium product .

Ever since legal weed became the law of the land in Illinois, hookah lounge owner Mounir Zekkari said he’s been getting phone calls from customers curious about whether his BYOB policy applies to their weed, as well as their wine.
“They are wondering if they can bring it to smoke here, and we tell them no,” said Zekkari, who owns Arabia Cafe Hookah Lounge at 1046 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Noble Square.
Zekkari said the vast majority of his customers, most of whom are in their 20s or 30s, bring their own alcoholic drinks when they gather in small groups to share a hookah pipe. He charges the imbibers a $5 corkage fee and said he could foresee doing something similar with marijuana — but the fee would have to be higher.
“I think $30,” he said. “Because of the smell. I’d have to deal with the smell. I’m not sure all of our customers would like that.”
On Wednesday Jan. 15, 2020, Arabia Cafe Hookah Lounge owner Mounir Zekkari smokes a hookah. Matthew Hendrickson/Sun-Times
Zekkari said he has a basement that he would consider converting to a marijuana lounge, separating pot smokers from those who only want to smoke a hookah, but the expense of converting the new space and paying the $4,400 two-year license the city has proposed doesn’t make financial sense.
“If they were to give us a license to sell it that would be better,” he said.
Like other owners, Zekkari said he would be open to a license that would restrict him to selling smaller amounts or individual sized portions of edible products. That, however, would require a change in state law — which lawmakers have said is unlikely.
The city’s proposed ordinance, before it was met with a wall of aldermanic opposition, would also require the businesses to have a ventilation system and make 80% of their revenue from tobacco sales.
Those requirements mirrored what was written into the amendment to the Smoke Free Illinois Act approved last year allowing cannabis consumption in a very limited number of places. The law grandfathers existing shops but requires new ones to be the sole occupant of a standalone building.
The state restrictions, some aldermen said, made the new licenses unworkable. The aldermen also complained that of the more than 42 smoke shops in the city, very few are located on the South or West sides, leaving residents few places to smoke if they live in buildings where a landlord prohibits it.
Ron Hammond, 42, of Aurora enjoys a cigar Wednesday at Windy City Cigar Lounge in Bronzeville while talking with friends. Matthew Hendrickson/Sun-Times
The proposed fees and ban on selling pot are frustrating to Anthony Powell, owner of Windy City Cigar Lounge in Bronzeville, which occupies two storefronts at 4310 and 4312 S. Prairie Ave.
He would like an opportunity to cater to both types of customers.
His current clientele can spend hours in the shop after making a selection from his humidor and often enjoy their cigar while watching sports on one of the lounge’s televisions, ordering in food or bringing their own drinks.
“We definitely thought about it,” Powell said when he first learned of the ordinance. “But just having someone walk in off the street with their own product, even if I charged $10, I still have to pay for the heat and the electricity and the fees.
“It doesn’t add up.”
Powell said he currently uses his second storefront as overflow space when his store’s main cigar lounge gets full.
“I thought I could open a new place in the second space, but if we can’t sell [marijuana], it doesn’t make financial sense for us.
Would pot smokers and cigar smokers mix?
“I’m sure some of our clients smoke [marijuana] too, but we have others that don’t, and for their job or something, they aren’t going to want to be around it,” he said.
Windy City Cigar Lounge owner Anthony Powell stands in his store’s humidor Wednesday in Bronzeville. Matthew Hendrickson/Sun-Times
Powell said he doesn’t have enough capital to invest in a dispensary license, but would also be open to getting a limited license that would allow him to only sell certain marijuana products, such as pre-rolled joints.
“Since there are so few of these stores, we’d like to be able to give our input,” Powell said.
Downtown, Billy O’Hara, owner of Jack Schwartz Importer — the nearly century-old cigar shop in the lobby of the Chicago Board of Trade, 141 W. Jackson Blvd. — said he has no interest in getting into the marijuana business.
“I don’t really see it for my clientele,” O’Hara said in a deep, gruff voice when reached by phone last week. “They don’t want to go back to work smelling like pot.”
For O’Hara, more than money, it’s about atmosphere and providing customers who like cigar culture a place to enjoy a premium product.
“It’s a branding thing,” he said simply.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Are coach houses the answer to Chicago’s  affordable housing problem?

They go by names such as coach houses , carriage houses , granny flats and in-law apartments .
The more formal name is accessory dwelling unit , or ADU , and some people think they can help Chicago boost its supply of affordable housing .
These are living quarters that are separate from the main home on a property .
They might be in a separate building , or in the basement or attic of the primary residence .
They are found all over Chicago but are frowned upon by city zoning rules , which generally forbid new construction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a topic expected to get more discussion this year .
The Urban Land Institute Chicago , an association of professionals in real estate and allied fields , has a task force studying ADUs .
The goal , said Swasti Shah , director of community engagement at ULI Chicago , is to produce recommendations for the city on how to do the job right .
She said the task force has been meeting since August and hopes to issue a report in May that will include ideas for homeowners and lenders interested in what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local residential market .
A task force member , Steven Vance , said the group hopes to have a draft ordinance this month to circulate to Ald .
Harry Osterman ( 48th ) , chairman of the Chicago City Council ’ s Committee on Housing and Real Estate .
Vance , director of urban planning at the consulting firm MAP Strategies , said ADUs address the affordable housing issue only at its margin , but it ’ s an important margin .
He said it ’ s a way for the private market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask for government subsidies .
The task force also will need to speak to possible pitfalls of ADUs , of which there are many .
Does it promote the influx of substandard housing or noisy neighbors on a block that ’ s used to quiet ?
Is it a back-door way to let developers build expensive housing in already desirable neighborhoods ?
Will it promote too many new rooftops and asphalt when some people still like open space , even if the yards belong to somebody else ?
“ Consider street parking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said Joseph Schwieterman , a professor at DePaul University and author of The Politics of Place : A History of Zoning in Chicago .
He said the city ’ s general anti-ADU stance dates at least from its 1957 zoning ordinance .
Those in power then were more concerned about uniformity and order than about affordable housing .
“ Coach houses always have been seen as a big can of worms , ” Schwieterman said .
He said loosening the rules for them could relieve the upward pressure on prices in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a challenge .
What ’ s to prevent large families from being crammed into a couple of rooms ?
Vance said accessory housing will draw popular support .
“ It ’ s doesn ’ t change the visible character of the block , ” he said .
Also , he said the same people who might protest more density on their block instead might like the ability to add a rental unit for income or a place where an in-law or grown son or daughter can live .
It appears nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On his Chicago Cityscape blog , Vance and others used a necessarily rough method to estimate about 2,400 coach or rear houses exist here .
They ’ re all grandfathered under city zoning , except that a unit that hasn ’ t been occupied by a renter or family member for at least a year legally can ’ t be used that way again .
How many might be added is anybody ’ s guess .
Vance said when Los Angeles liberalized rules for the new units , it got thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expense of a stand-alone house means few will get built .
If the rules change , the early adopters might be the wealthy who employ costly architects and designers , confirming some of the suspicions about accessory housing , Vance said .
But he said over time , the activity will shift to adding basement or attic units that would carry cheap rents .
A word here about zoning .
The subject makes people ’ s eyes glaze .
But along with police arrest powers , it is among the most weighty responsibilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property owners rich , or deprive them of riches .
With so much at stake , Chicago aldermen guard their zoning authority zealously , and some have gone to the pokey for abusing their influence .
Imperfect as it is , zoning is still an expression of popular will .
Anybody who wants a fundamental zoning change in Chicago will enter a fight that ’ s about politics , not urban planning .

They go by names such as coach houses, carriage houses, granny flats and in-law apartments. The more formal name is accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, and some people think they can help Chicago boost its supply of affordable housing.
These are living quarters that are separate from the main home on a property. They might be in a separate building, or in the basement or attic of the primary residence. They are found all over Chicago but are frowned upon by city zoning rules, which generally forbid new construction of ADUs. Whether that should change is a topic expected to get more discussion this year.
The Urban Land Institute Chicago, an association of professionals in real estate and allied fields, has a task force studying ADUs. The goal, said Swasti Shah, director of community engagement at ULI Chicago, is to produce recommendations for the city on how to do the job right. She said the task force has been meeting since August and hopes to issue a report in May that will include ideas for homeowners and lenders interested in what amounts to a new option in the local residential market.
A task force member, Steven Vance, said the group hopes to have a draft ordinance this month to circulate to Ald. Harry Osterman (48th), chairman of the Chicago City Council’s Committee on Housing and Real Estate. Vance, director of urban planning at the consulting firm MAP Strategies, said ADUs address the affordable housing issue only at its margin, but it’s an important margin. He said it’s a way for the private market to increase the supply without having to ask for government subsidies.
Chicago Enterprise bug Chicago Enterprise
The task force also will need to speak to possible pitfalls of ADUs, of which there are many. Does it promote the influx of substandard housing or noisy neighbors on a block that’s used to quiet? Is it a back-door way to let developers build expensive housing in already desirable neighborhoods? Will it promote too many new rooftops and asphalt when some people still like open space, even if the yards belong to somebody else?
“Consider street parking in a neighborhood. People guard it jealously,” said Joseph Schwieterman, a professor at DePaul University and author of The Politics of Place: A History of Zoning in Chicago. He said the city’s general anti-ADU stance dates at least from its 1957 zoning ordinance. Those in power then were more concerned about uniformity and order than about affordable housing. “Coach houses always have been seen as a big can of worms,” Schwieterman said.
He said loosening the rules for them could relieve the upward pressure on prices in some neighborhoods, but enforcing common-sense standards will be a challenge. What’s to prevent large families from being crammed into a couple of rooms?
Vance said accessory housing will draw popular support. “It’s doesn’t change the visible character of the block,” he said. Also, he said the same people who might protest more density on their block instead might like the ability to add a rental unit for income or a place where an in-law or grown son or daughter can live.
It appears nobody counts this type of housing in Chicago. On his Chicago Cityscape blog, Vance and others used a necessarily rough method to estimate about 2,400 coach or rear houses exist here. They’re all grandfathered under city zoning, except that a unit that hasn’t been occupied by a renter or family member for at least a year legally can’t be used that way again. How many might be added is anybody’s guess. Vance said when Los Angeles liberalized rules for the new units, it got thousands of permit applications.
But Vance said the expense of a stand-alone house means few will get built. If the rules change, the early adopters might be the wealthy who employ costly architects and designers, confirming some of the suspicions about accessory housing, Vance said. But he said over time, the activity will shift to adding basement or attic units that would carry cheap rents.
A word here about zoning. The subject makes people’s eyes glaze. But along with police arrest powers, it is among the most weighty responsibilities of local government. It can make property owners rich, or deprive them of riches. With so much at stake, Chicago aldermen guard their zoning authority zealously, and some have gone to the pokey for abusing their influence.
Imperfect as it is, zoning is still an expression of popular will. Anybody who wants a fundamental zoning change in Chicago will enter a fight that’s about politics, not urban planning.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Metra MD-N train hits car in West Town

Metra MD-N train hits car in West Town

A woman suffered a minor cut when a Metra train hit a car Saturday in West Town on the Near @ @ @ @ @ woman was driving a Honda Civic when it got stuck while trying to cross the @ @ @ @ @ the 300 block of North Green Street , according to Chicago police .
Inbound Metra @ @ @ @ @ , scheduled to arrive at Union Station at 11:58 p.m. , hit the car , @ @ @ @ @ alerts from Metra .
The woman suffered a minor cut to her nose and refused @ @ @ @ @ .
No other injuries were reported .
Train 2622 is operating 40-50 minutes behind schedule @ @ @ @ @ to arrive in Fox Lake at 1:57 a.m. ran 50-60 minutes behind schedule , according @ @ @ @ @ delays were reported on the line as of 5 a.m. Monday .

A woman suffered a minor cut when a Metra train hit a car Saturday in West Town on the Near West Side.
The 22-year-old woman was driving a Honda Civic when it got stuck while trying to cross the tracks about 11:50 p.m. in the 300 block of North Green Street, according to Chicago police.
Inbound Metra Milwaukee District North train 2622, scheduled to arrive at Union Station at 11:58 p.m., hit the car, according to police and service alerts from Metra.
The woman suffered a minor cut to her nose and refused medical treatment, police said. No other injuries were reported.
Train 2622 is operating 40-50 minutes behind schedule and an outbound train scheduled to arrive in Fox Lake at 1:57 a.m. ran 50-60 minutes behind schedule, according to Metra. No further delays were reported on the line as of 5 a.m. Monday.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--3 killed, 13 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings

Sixteen people were shot across Chicago this weekend , three of them fatally , including a 17-year-old girl killed Friday in Englewood on the South Side .
Camerie K. Crawford was standing in a vacant lot about 6:30 p.m. in the 6700 block of South Parnell Avenue when three males in a silver-colored sedan pulled up , Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
They got out , and one of them fired shots , striking her in the head , neck and back .
Crawford , who lived in Bronzeville , was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical condition , authorities said .
She was pronounced dead at 7:55 p.m. On Saturday , two men were killed in separate shootings five minutes apart .
The later shooting happened at a convenience store in Austin on the West Side .
Eugene Burns , 40 , was inside of a store about 12:50 p.m. in the 400 block of South Laramie Avenue when he was approached by two males , who each pulled out a gun and opened fire , officials said .
He was struck multiple times in the back and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes earlier , a 23-year-old man was fatally shot in Avondale on the Northwest Side .
About 12:45 p.m. , Johnathan Barajas was inside a vehicle in an alley in the 2800 block of North Rockwell Street , when someone approached him and fired shots , authorities said .
Barajas was struck in the neck , chest and abdomen and pronounced dead at the scene .
The latest nonfatal shooting wounded a man Sunday in Garfield Park on the West Side .
The 23-year-old was walking about 7:15 p.m. when a vehicle pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress Parkway and someone inside opened fire , police said .
He was struck in the back and arm and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition .
Two men were shot early Saturday in Austin .
They were standing on the sidewalk about 12:33 a.m. in the 200 block of North LaPorte Avenue when someone in a red sedan opened fire , police said .
The men , 24 and 19 , were both taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition , each with a gunshot wound to the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was injured in a shooting in Fifth City on the West Side .
The 21-year-old was walking on the sidewalk about 12:30 a.m. in the first block of South Homan Avenue when someone in a silver sedan fired gunshots , according to police .
He was hit in the abdomen and driven by a family member to Stroger Hospital , where he was listed in good condition .
Less than 20 minutes before that , a 22-year-old man was hurt in a drive-by in Fuller Park on the South Side .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at him from a passing black SUV in the 200 block of West Pershing Road , police said .
He was hit in the arm and a friend drove him to the University of Chicago Medical Center , where he was in good condition .
On Friday night , a teenage boy was wounded in Bronzeville on the South Side .
The 17-year-old was about to walk into a home when he heard gunshots and felt pain at 10:37 p.m. in the 3500 block of South Giles Avenue , according to police .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ see the shooter or know where the shots came from .
He suffered a graze wound to his hip and a relative drove him to Comer Children ’ s Hospital , where he was in good condition .
The weekend ’ s earliest nonfatal shooting injured a 28-year-old man Friday in Austin on the West Side .
He was walking on the sidewalk about 7:15 p.m. in the 200 block of North La Crosse Avenue when someone in a dark-colored Dodge pickup truck opened fire , police said .
The man was taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gunshot wound to the buttock .
Six other people were hurt in citywide gun violence between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
Last weekend , shootings across the city killed three people and wounded eight others .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Sixteen people were shot across Chicago this weekend, three of them fatally, including a 17-year-old girl killed Friday in Englewood on the South Side.
Camerie K. Crawford was standing in a vacant lot about 6:30 p.m. in the 6700 block of South Parnell Avenue when three males in a silver-colored sedan pulled up, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. They got out, and one of them fired shots, striking her in the head, neck and back.
Crawford, who lived in Bronzeville, was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in critical condition, authorities said. She was pronounced dead at 7:55 p.m.
On Saturday, two men were killed in separate shootings five minutes apart.
The later shooting happened at a convenience store in Austin on the West Side.
Eugene Burns, 40, was inside of a store about 12:50 p.m. in the 400 block of South Laramie Avenue when he was approached by two males, who each pulled out a gun and opened fire, officials said. He was struck multiple times in the back and pronounced dead at the scene.
Five minutes earlier, a 23-year-old man was fatally shot in Avondale on the Northwest Side.
About 12:45 p.m., Johnathan Barajas was inside a vehicle in an alley in the 2800 block of North Rockwell Street, when someone approached him and fired shots, authorities said. Barajas was struck in the neck, chest and abdomen and pronounced dead at the scene.
The latest nonfatal shooting wounded a man Sunday in Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 23-year-old was walking about 7:15 p.m. when a vehicle pulled up in the 3900 block of West Congress Parkway and someone inside opened fire, police said. He was struck in the back and arm and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition.
Two men were shot early Saturday in Austin.
They were standing on the sidewalk about 12:33 a.m. in the 200 block of North LaPorte Avenue when someone in a red sedan opened fire, police said. The men, 24 and 19, were both taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in fair condition, each with a gunshot wound to the right leg.
Minutes earlier, a man was injured in a shooting in Fifth City on the West Side.
The 21-year-old was walking on the sidewalk about 12:30 a.m. in the first block of South Homan Avenue when someone in a silver sedan fired gunshots, according to police. He was hit in the abdomen and driven by a family member to Stroger Hospital, where he was listed in good condition.
Less than 20 minutes before that, a 22-year-old man was hurt in a drive-by in Fuller Park on the South Side.
He was walking at 12:14 a.m. when someone shot at him from a passing black SUV in the 200 block of West Pershing Road, police said. He was hit in the arm and a friend drove him to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was in good condition.
On Friday night, a teenage boy was wounded in Bronzeville on the South Side.
The 17-year-old was about to walk into a home when he heard gunshots and felt pain at 10:37 p.m. in the 3500 block of South Giles Avenue, according to police. He told investigators he didn’t see the shooter or know where the shots came from. He suffered a graze wound to his hip and a relative drove him to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he was in good condition.
The weekend’s earliest nonfatal shooting injured a 28-year-old man Friday in Austin on the West Side.
He was walking on the sidewalk about 7:15 p.m. in the 200 block of North La Crosse Avenue when someone in a dark-colored Dodge pickup truck opened fire, police said. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition with a gunshot wound to the buttock.
Six other people were hurt in citywide gun violence between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend, shootings across the city killed three people and wounded eight others.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Carjackers target female victims on South Side: police

Police are warning residents about a series of South Side carjackings this month in Bronzeville , Kenwood , Washington Park @ @ @ @ @ each case , two or three male suspects approached a lone female victim who was @ @ @ @ @ just outside a vehicle , according to a community alert from Chicago police .
They @ @ @ @ @ her vehicle and driving away .
In two of the cases , the suspects pointed @ @ @ @ @ before taking the vehicle , police said .
• About 6 p.m. Jan. 11 in @ @ @ @ @ 49th Street ; • About 2:30 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 900 block of East @ @ @ @ @ 3:45 p.m. Jan. 19 in the 5600 block of South Michigan Avenue ; and • @ @ @ @ @ in the 5400 block of South Dorchester Avenue .
The suspects were between 15 and @ @ @ @ @ said .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380 .
@ @ @ @ @ and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning residents about a series of South Side carjackings this month in Bronzeville, Kenwood, Washington Park and Hyde Park.
In each case, two or three male suspects approached a lone female victim who was either sitting in or standing just outside a vehicle, according to a community alert from Chicago police. They threatened the victim before taking her vehicle and driving away.
In two of the cases, the suspects pointed a handgun at the victim before taking the vehicle, police said.
The hold-ups occurred:
About 6 p.m. Jan. 11 in the 500 block of East 49th Street;
About 2:30 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 900 block of East 49th Street;
About 3:45 p.m. Jan. 19 in the 5600 block of South Michigan Avenue; and
About 6:30 p.m. Jan. 19 in the 5400 block of South Dorchester Avenue.
The suspects were between 15 and 20 years old, police said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives at 312-747-8380.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--$500K bail for Aurora gang member facing multiple gun charges

An Aurora gang member faces multiple gun charges after he tried to flee a traffic stop and get rid of a handgun .
Terrance D. Boyd , 27 , faces 11 felony charges including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon , possession of a firearm without a FOID card , possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting a police officer .
Officers in Aurora began to pursue a vehicle for an alleged traffic offense Jan. 14 , the Kane County state ’ s attorney ’ s office said .
Police caught up to it , and Boyd ran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boyd allegedly fled the scene and put a handgun on top of a nearby garbage can , prosecutors said .
Officers caught him and took him into custody a short time later .
Boyd is a “ known gang member ” and isn ’ t allowed to own a gun due to previous felony convictions , the state ’ s attorney ’ s office said .
At the time of his arrest , he was free on bond for misdemeanor charges between June and December last year .
He is being held on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear in court Jan. 30 , prosecutors said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

An Aurora gang member faces multiple gun charges after he tried to flee a traffic stop and get rid of a handgun.
Terrance D. Boyd, 27, faces 11 felony charges including aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm without a FOID card, possession of a firearm by a felon and resisting a police officer.
Terrance D. Boyd Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office
Officers in Aurora began to pursue a vehicle for an alleged traffic offense Jan. 14, the Kane County state’s attorney’s office said. Police caught up to it, and Boyd ran out.
When he saw police, Boyd allegedly fled the scene and put a handgun on top of a nearby garbage can, prosecutors said. Officers caught him and took him into custody a short time later.
Boyd is a “known gang member” and isn’t allowed to own a gun due to previous felony convictions, the state’s attorney’s office said. At the time of his arrest, he was free on bond for misdemeanor charges between June and December last year.
He is being held on $200,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 30, prosecutors said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--2 dead, 5 injured after shooting in San Antonio club : police

SAN ANTONIO — The search for a suspect continued Sunday night after two people were killed and five others were injured following a shooting during a concert at a San Antonio club , Texas authorities said .
Police said officers were called shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday to the Ventura , a music venue and bar located along the Museum Reach portion of the San Antonio River Walk .
An argument broke out inside of the club and one person pulled out a gun and started shooting , San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said .
One victim died at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transported to a hospital , where one was pronounced dead shortly after arrival .
The victims have not been identified .
McManus said the victim who died at the club was a 21-year-old man .
He said preliminary information indicated the people shot were all “ patrons , ” not staff .
McManus said he is confident that a suspect will be soon identified and apprehended .
No further information was immediately available .
A since-deleted Facebook event indicated Sunday night ’ s concert at the Ventura was “ Living the DREAM , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Advertisements for the concert were also posted to websites advertising local events and listed performers ’ social media pages .
An email to the apparent promoters wasn ’ t immediately returned .

SAN ANTONIO — The search for a suspect continued Sunday night after two people were killed and five others were injured following a shooting during a concert at a San Antonio club, Texas authorities said.
Police said officers were called shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday to the Ventura, a music venue and bar located along the Museum Reach portion of the San Antonio River Walk.
An argument broke out inside of the club and one person pulled out a gun and started shooting, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said. One victim died at the scene, and another six were transported to a hospital, where one was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The victims have not been identified. McManus said the victim who died at the club was a 21-year-old man. He said preliminary information indicated the people shot were all “patrons,” not staff.
McManus said he is confident that a suspect will be soon identified and apprehended. No further information was immediately available.
A since-deleted Facebook event indicated Sunday night’s concert at the Ventura was “Living the DREAM,” a showcase featuring multiple performers. Advertisements for the concert were also posted to websites advertising local events and listed performers’ social media pages. An email to the apparent promoters wasn’t immediately returned.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Police seek driver in Albany Park hit-and-run

Authorities are looking for a driver who injured an 86-year-old man in a hit-and-run last month in Albany Park on @ @ @ @ @ man was crossing the street about 8:15 p.m. Dec. 29 , 2019 , when a @ @ @ @ @ hit him in the 3500 block of West Lawrence Avenue , according to a community @ @ @ @ @ He was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital to be treated for his injuries , police @ @ @ @ @ off after hitting him and the driver did not provide his information to the victim @ @ @ @ @ the car and the driver and are asking anyone with information to call the Major @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Authorities are looking for a driver who injured an 86-year-old man in a hit-and-run last month in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
The man was crossing the street about 8:15 p.m. Dec. 29, 2019, when a black, four-door Honda Civic hit him in the 3500 block of West Lawrence Avenue, according to a community alert from Chicago police.
He was taken to Swedish Covenant Hospital to be treated for his injuries, police said. The Civic drove off after hitting him and the driver did not provide his information to the victim.
Police released photos of the car and the driver and are asking anyone with information to call the Major Accident Investigation Unit at 312-745-4521.
Surveillance image of a man wanted in a hit-and-run that left an 86-year-old man injured Dec. 29, 2019, in the 3500 block of West Lawrence Avenue. Chicago police
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Don’t let up, CPS, on hiring more school social workers and nurses

In August , we urged the Chicago Public Schools and City Hall to make good on a pledge to hire hundreds more school social workers and nurses .
Like lots of parents , we were skeptical of the public commitment made by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson to do just that .
Two months later , in October , that hiring pledge became a rallying cry for striking Chicago Teachers Union members , who demanded that Lightfoot and Jackson “ put it in writing ” in a new contract .
Fast forward a few months to January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show progress .
CPS employs 91 more social workers and 57 more nurses compared to a year ago , according to CPS data first reported by WBEZ .
Overall , CPS now has 332 nurses and 428 social workers districtwide , still short of the goal of having at least one of both for 500-plus schools .
Whether the progress is due to public pressure , to city officials with the right priorities , or a combination of both — it ’ s worth calling attention to .
Children who are coping with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help provide a caring , supportive learning environment for them .
Children with disabilities and special medical needs must , by law , have nurses to provide care for them at school .
A child who has nothing worse than a case of the sniffles ought to be able to go see a school nurse .
And a child with more significant health or disability issues should never be shortchanged .
It ’ s actually required by law .
To repeat a quote we ’ ve published before from the late Marca Bristo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago : “ When we fully understand , as a society , that school nurses are not ‘ extras ’ — because kids with disabilities are not ‘ extras ’ — we predict this chronic shortage of nurses will magically disappear.
” Let ’ s keep pushing to get those hiring numbers up .

In August, we urged the Chicago Public Schools and City Hall to make good on a pledge to hire hundreds more school social workers and nurses.
Like lots of parents, we were skeptical of the public commitment made by Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Janice Jackson to do just that.
Two months later, in October, that hiring pledge became a rallying cry for striking Chicago Teachers Union members, who demanded that Lightfoot and Jackson “put it in writing” in a new contract.
Editorials bug Editorials
Fast forward a few months to January 2020, and the latest numbers actually show progress. CPS employs 91 more social workers and 57 more nurses compared to a year ago, according to CPS data first reported by WBEZ.
Overall, CPS now has 332 nurses and 428 social workers districtwide, still short of the goal of having at least one of both for 500-plus schools.
Whether the progress is due to public pressure, to city officials with the right priorities, or a combination of both — it’s worth calling attention to.
Children who are coping with trauma and poverty need social workers to help provide a caring, supportive learning environment for them. Children with disabilities and special medical needs must, by law, have nurses to provide care for them at school.
A child who has nothing worse than a case of the sniffles ought to be able to go see a school nurse. And a child with more significant health or disability issues should never be shortchanged. It’s actually required by law.
To repeat a quote we’ve published before from the late Marca Bristo, founder of Access Living of Metropolitan Chicago: “When we fully understand, as a society, that school nurses are not ‘extras’ — because kids with disabilities are not ‘extras’ — we predict this chronic shortage of nurses will magically disappear.”
Let’s keep pushing to get those hiring numbers up.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Burglars steal iPads, video game consoles from apartments in Gresham

Police are warning South Siders of a series of burglaries to apartments reported in recent weeks in Gresham .
In @ @ @ @ @ the apartment though a window or back door , Chicago police said .
Once inside @ @ @ @ @ including wallets , purses , televisions , jewelry , cellphones , iPads and video game @ @ @ @ @ a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Jan. 6 in the 1300 block of West 83rd Street • @ @ @ @ @ in the 1300 block of West 83rd Street • Between 4:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ block of West 81st Street • At 12:45 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 8400 block @ @ @ @ @ Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 1400 block of West 81st @ @ @ @ @ any suspects was not available .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area South @ @ @ @ @ more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning South Siders of a series of burglaries to apartments reported in recent weeks in Gresham.
In each case, someone entered the apartment though a window or back door, Chicago police said. Once inside, the burglars took items including wallets, purses, televisions, jewelry, cellphones, iPads and video game consoles.
The burglaries happened:
Between 6:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. Jan. 6 in the 1300 block of West 83rd Street
At 2 p.m. Jan. 10 in the 1300 block of West 83rd Street
Between 4:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. Jan. 15 in the 1400 block of West 81st Street
At 12:45 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 8400 block of South Throop Street
Between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 1400 block of West 81st Street.
A description of any suspects was not available.
Anyone with information is asked to call Area South detectives at 312-747-8273.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Get out of the way, Senators, and let journalists cover the impeachment trial right

Any Chicago reporter who has ever covered a “ building beat , ” such as City Hall , can tell you how to go about getting answers from a media-phobic public official .
You approach the alderman or city department chief in the hallway as they head to or from a meeting .
You get to them before they can duck and hide in an office or waiting limousine .
If that approach to gathering the news strikes you as a little overly aggressive , we respectfully have to disagree .
These are public officials , paid by you , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building .
It ’ s their job to be accountable to the public , and that includes answering the questions that reporters ask on the public ’ s behalf .
The U.S. Senate apparently does not see things that way .
At least not when it comes to full and transparent news coverage of the biggest political and government story of our time , President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
In a complete rewrite of the usual rules of engagement , reporters covering the trial , which begins in earnest on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senators in hallways and corridors as they enter or leave the Senate chambers .
Reporters will be restricted , instead , to nearby roped-off areas .
Additionally , only a few Senate-controlled video cameras will be allowed in the chambers to record the trial .
There will be no network or cable cameras .
Possibly not even a C-Span camera .
Like in some kind of Soviet-era show trial , you ’ ll be able to see and hear whomever is speaking , but quite possibly nothing and nobody else — no reaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentially will be Senate President Mitch McConnell ’ s call .
You have to wonder what the Senate ’ s Republican majority , which sets the rules , is afraid you might see and hear .
The Reporter ’ s Committee for Freedom of the Press and 57 news organizations have sent a letter to Senate leaders to protest the rules , noting that they are far more restrictive than those imposed during President Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment .
“ To deny journalists their constitutional right to document the historical events occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American people , ” Patricia Gallagher Newberry , president of the Society of Professional Journalists , told NPR .
The president of the United States is on trial .
The American people have a right to see it all — and to full and independent coverage by professional journalists .

Any Chicago reporter who has ever covered a “building beat,” such as City Hall, can tell you how to go about getting answers from a media-phobic public official.
You approach the alderman or city department chief in the hallway as they head to or from a meeting. You get to them before they can duck and hide in an office or waiting limousine.
If that approach to gathering the news strikes you as a little overly aggressive, we respectfully have to disagree. These are public officials, paid by you, going about public business in a public building. It’s their job to be accountable to the public, and that includes answering the questions that reporters ask on the public’s behalf.
Editorials bug Editorials
The U.S. Senate apparently does not see things that way. At least not when it comes to full and transparent news coverage of the biggest political and government story of our time, President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
In a complete rewrite of the usual rules of engagement, reporters covering the trial, which begins in earnest on Tuesday, will be prohibited from approaching senators in hallways and corridors as they enter or leave the Senate chambers. Reporters will be restricted, instead, to nearby roped-off areas.
Additionally, only a few Senate-controlled video cameras will be allowed in the chambers to record the trial. There will be no network or cable cameras. Possibly not even a C-Span camera.
Like in some kind of Soviet-era show trial, you’ll be able to see and hear whomever is speaking, but quite possibly nothing and nobody else — no reaction shots, no empty chairs. It essentially will be Senate President Mitch McConnell’s call.
You have to wonder what the Senate’s Republican majority, which sets the rules, is afraid you might see and hear.
The Reporter’s Committee for Freedom of the Press and 57 news organizations have sent a letter to Senate leaders to protest the rules, noting that they are far more restrictive than those imposed during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment.
“To deny journalists their constitutional right to document the historical events occurring now is a gross injustice to the American people,” Patricia Gallagher Newberry, president of the Society of Professional Journalists, told NPR.
The president of the United States is on trial.
The American people have a right to see it all — and to full and independent coverage by professional journalists.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Bulls guard Zach LaVine wants All-Star selection first, contests second

MILWAUKEE – Zach LaVine is still not shy about showing yet another card .
Not happening for the Bulls guard .
At least not yet .
The latest reveal came on Monday , when LaVine was again pressed about the upcoming NBA Dunk Contest over the All-Star Weekend in Chicago , and what – if any – his participation level would be .
Like he told the Sun-Times last week , LaVine sounds more and more like his stance is if he ’ s voted an Eastern Conference reserve and makes the big-boy game , both the Dunk Contest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If he ’ s not , well , it could very well be a take-his-ball-and-go-home situation , with the Three-Point Contest still a slight possibility .
“ Like I said , I ’ d rather be in the game than be in the dunk contest , ’ ’ LaVine said .
“ I think I ’ ve shown everything I can dunking .
I think I ’ ve shown I can win that pretty easily , but if I ’ m in the game , yeah , I ’ ll think about doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do the three-point contest , but obviously where I ’ m at now I think my sights are something bigger than just doing contests .
I want to be in that group where you ’ re playing in the game , and obviously once you start winning you can be considered for All-NBA and things like that.
’ ’ LaVine is definitely proud of his two dunk titles , but his point remained that it was long ago , and he doesn ’ t want to be known for just dunking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t need long to prepare for it , and has admitted on several occasions that he ’ s secretly found a few moments to seemingly defy the laws of gravity and work on some new material .
So it ’ s still very possible even if he joins it late .
“ Obviously , I know I ’ ll be in town , ’ ’ LaVine said laughing .
“ I want to be a part of the festivities , especially in Chicago so we ’ ll see what happens.
’ ’ Ideally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ play out is being selected to the All-Star Game , and doing whatever he can to steal the show for the hometown crowd .
The sixth-year player , however , is also a realist .
What he wants and feels he deserves is very different from the reality of the situation .
He knows how the game is played , and All-Star reserves are often selected if they are coming from a winning situation .
LaVine is obviously not .
“ I understand it , ’ ’ LaVine said .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like I said I think everything comes with winning .
Everybody on the team succeeds with winning and I think that ’ s where it ’ s got to come from first .
I ’ m going out here just trying to do my part.
’ ’ Coach Jim Boylen went back to his “ Death Lineup ’ ’ late in the first half against Milwaukee , rolling LaVine , Kris Dunn , Lauri Markkanen , Tomas Satoransky and Chandler Hutchison out on the floor .
The Bulls were up one with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the time both teams went into the locker room they were only down one , so call it a wash. Boylen used that small lineup in the fourth-quarter comeback against Cleveland , and obviously wants to see it more often .
It gives him a defensive presence with Dunn and Hutchison , and also forces Markkanen to play the five , which he struggled doing early on this season when given the opportunity .
According to Boylen , they will continue using it , but only in certain spots .
“ Depending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a lineup that we ’ ve talked about , ’ ’ Boylen said .

MILWAUKEE — Bulls guard Zach LaVine is willing to show another card.
But the whole hand?
That’s not happening. At least not yet.
The latest reveal came Monday, when LaVine again was pressed about the upcoming NBA dunk contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago and his possible participation.
LaVine’s stance continues to be: If he’s voted an Eastern Conference reserve for the All-Star Game, the dunk contest and the three-point contest would be in play.
If he’s not, it could very well be a take-his-ball-and-go-home situation, with the three-point contest still a slight possibility.
“Like I said, I’d rather be in the game than be in the dunk contest,” LaVine said. “I think I’ve shown everything I can dunking. I think I’ve shown I can win that pretty easily, but if I’m in the game, yeah, I’ll think about doing it.
“I’d like to do the three-point contest, but obviously where I’m at now, I think my sights are set on something bigger than just doing contests.
“I want to be in that group where you’re playing in the game, and obviously once you start winning, you can be considered for All-NBA and things like that.”
LaVine is proud of his two dunk titles, but his point is, he doesn’t want to be known solely for his dunking skills.
In his estimation, he won’t need long to prepare for the contest and has admitted on several occasions that he has found time to work on some new material. So it’s still a possibility even if he makes a late entrance.
“Obviously, I know I’ll be in town,” LaVine said, laughing. “I want to be a part of the festivities, especially in Chicago, so we’ll see what happens.”
Ideally, he would like to be picked for the All-Star Game and steal the show for the hometown crowd.
LaVine, however, is also a realist. What he wants and thinks he deserves is different from the reality of the situation. He knows how the game is played, and All-Star reserves are often selected from teams with winning records.
“I understand it,” LaVine said. “It’s been like that for a while. Like I said, I think everything comes with winning. Everybody on the team succeeds with winning, and I think that’s where it’s got to come from first. I’m going out here just trying to do my part.”
‘Death Lineup’ sequel
Coach Jim Boylen went back to his “Death Lineup” late in the first half against the Bucks, putting LaVine, Kris Dunn, Lauri Markkanen, Tomas Satoransky and Chandler Hutchison on the floor together.
The Bulls were up by one with 5:40 left in the half, and by halftime, they were only down one, so call it a wash.
Boylen used that small lineup in the fourth-quarter comeback against the Cavaliers on Saturday and wants to see it more often.
It gives him a defensive presence with Dunn and Hutchison and also forces Markkanen to play center, which he struggled doing early in the season when given the opportunity.
According to Boylen, they will continue using it but only in certain spots.
“Depending on time, score, situation, that’s a lineup that we’ve talked about,” Boylen said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Deflecting questions about Madigan, Pritzker talks about goals for the legislative session

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker regularly deflects questions about House Speaker Michael Madigan ’ s future by saying he wants to let the investigative process work .
But during an interview with me to mark his one-year anniversary in office , the governor pointed to his reaction after Sen. Tom Cullerton , D-Villa Park , was indicted , now-former Sen. Martin Sandoval ’ s , D-Chicago , Statehouse office was raided and now-former Rep. Luis Arroyo , D-Chicago , was arrested .
In every instance , he said , he called on the legislators to step aside or resign .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of targeting by criminal investigators , the governor said , “ that ’ s the point at which folks should step aside.
” The questions aren ’ t new .
During the sexual harassment scandals of 2018 , candidate Pritzker was often asked if Madigan should relinquish at least one or both of his roles as House speaker and state party chairman .
He ’ d always defer , pretty much just like he ’ s done during the sweeping federal probe .
Pritzker ’ s latest answer , however , is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar for any showdown with Madigan , who surely seems to be on the federal government ’ s radar screen , but for what nobody knows for sure .
No crimes have yet been alleged .
We know that some of his pals have been raided ( including Mike McClain ) , but it ’ s still unclear what , exactly , the feds are looking at other than hiring Democratic cronies by the private company ComEd .
The governor also claimed that the constant drumbeat of scandal and corruption surrounding Madigan would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income tax constitutional amendment referendum this November .
One of the arguments the opposition has already used boils down to : “ Do you trust these Madigan people to do the right thing with the new tax and the new revenue ?
” Pritzker said he didn ’ t think the two issues were related , prefacing his remarks by saying “ we need to make sure we ’ re passing legislation ” on ethics and reform and “ rooting out these folks ” with investigations .
” I think it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a fairer tax system , and so do a significant majority of people in the state , ” Pritzker said .
“ So I don ’ t think it ’ ll have a deleterious effect in that regard.
” I guess we ’ ll find out .
I also asked Pritzker if he planned to reopen the cannabis legalization law to expand it to other things , like , for instance , home grow licenses for recreational consumers .
” From my perspective , ” Pritzker said , “ we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve got a lot of things we ’ ve got to monitor and keep track of to determine what other technical changes may need to take place.
” One thing he wants looked at , Pritzker said , is setting up some sort of cash deposit program after reading of a recent burglary at a Chicago cannabis dispensary .
Over $ 100,000 was stolen , and police suspect it was an “ inside job.
” What to do with all that cash has dogged the industry for years because banks fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also talked about what he is doing to help Downstate in the wake of a report the region lost almost 120,000 people between 2010 and 2018 .
The previous decade was very hard on Cook County , which lost over 200,000 residents in that period , but now it ’ s Downstate ’ s turn .
Pritzker pointed to $ 420 million in the 2019 capital bill for high-speed broadband .
Matt Schmitt led Minnesota ’ s much-lauded broadband build-out after passing the legislation as a state senator and was recruited by Pritzker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notices of Funding Opportunities will be issued within the next six months “ so that we can get money out the door to start expanding broadband.
” ” That ’ s a big thing because you can ’ t create jobs in cities or towns where there isn ’ t high-speed Internet , ” Pritzker said .
“ It ’ s in every business.
” He also said the state will help bring “ tele-health ” centers to areas with broadband service so that people can obtain video-conferencing health services like counseling and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t normally live in those areas .
“ People who have mental health challenges who require therapy , sometimes there aren ’ t qualified therapists in their area , so that ’ s an example of something that really does work , it ’ s got a proven history.
” Pritzker also said he was working to recruit jobs to the region and talked about incentives from last year , including the data center tax credit pushed by Republicans .
“ We ’ ve created a bunch of incentives for people to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re going to do more , ” the governor said .
“ Downstate revitalization is a very important program for me .
”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker regularly deflects questions about House Speaker Michael Madigan’s future by saying he wants to let the investigative process work.
But during an interview with me to mark his one-year anniversary in office, the governor pointed to his reaction after Sen. Tom Cullerton, D-Villa Park, was indicted, now-former Sen. Martin Sandoval’s, D-Chicago, Statehouse office was raided and now-former Rep. Luis Arroyo, D-Chicago, was arrested. In every instance, he said, he called on the legislators to step aside or resign.
When there’s “clear” evidence of targeting by criminal investigators, the governor said, “that’s the point at which folks should step aside.”
The questions aren’t new. During the sexual harassment scandals of 2018, candidate Pritzker was often asked if Madigan should relinquish at least one or both of his roles as House speaker and state party chairman. He’d always defer, pretty much just like he’s done during the sweeping federal probe.
Columnists bug Columnists In-depth political coverage, sports analysis, entertainment reviews and cultural commentary.
Pritzker’s latest answer, however, is more specific and allows him to set the bar for any showdown with Madigan, who surely seems to be on the federal government’s radar screen, but for what nobody knows for sure. No crimes have yet been alleged. We know that some of his pals have been raided (including Mike McClain), but it’s still unclear what, exactly, the feds are looking at other than hiring Democratic cronies by the private company ComEd.
The governor also claimed that the constant drumbeat of scandal and corruption surrounding Madigan would not damage the prospects for his graduated income tax constitutional amendment referendum this November. One of the arguments the opposition has already used boils down to: “Do you trust these Madigan people to do the right thing with the new tax and the new revenue?”
Pritzker said he didn’t think the two issues were related, prefacing his remarks by saying “we need to make sure we’re passing legislation” on ethics and reform and “rooting out these folks” with investigations.
”I think it’s fairly straightforward to people that I believe in a fairer tax system, and so do a significant majority of people in the state,” Pritzker said. “So I don’t think it’ll have a deleterious effect in that regard.” I guess we’ll find out.
I also asked Pritzker if he planned to reopen the cannabis legalization law to expand it to other things, like, for instance, home grow licenses for recreational consumers.
”From my perspective,” Pritzker said, “we need to let this law settle in.
”We’ve got a lot of things we’ve got to monitor and keep track of to determine what other technical changes may need to take place.”
One thing he wants looked at, Pritzker said, is setting up some sort of cash deposit program after reading of a recent burglary at a Chicago cannabis dispensary. Over $100,000 was stolen, and police suspect it was an “inside job.” What to do with all that cash has dogged the industry for years because banks fear a federal government crackdown.
The governor also talked about what he is doing to help Downstate in the wake of a report the region lost almost 120,000 people between 2010 and 2018. The previous decade was very hard on Cook County, which lost over 200,000 residents in that period, but now it’s Downstate’s turn.
Pritzker pointed to $420 million in the 2019 capital bill for high-speed broadband. Matt Schmitt led Minnesota’s much-lauded broadband build-out after passing the legislation as a state senator and was recruited by Pritzker to come here. The governor said Notices of Funding Opportunities will be issued within the next six months “so that we can get money out the door to start expanding broadband.”
”That’s a big thing because you can’t create jobs in cities or towns where there isn’t high-speed Internet,” Pritzker said. “It’s in every business.”
He also said the state will help bring “tele-health” centers to areas with broadband service so that people can obtain video-conferencing health services like counseling and diagnostic care from providers who wouldn’t normally live in those areas. “People who have mental health challenges who require therapy, sometimes there aren’t qualified therapists in their area, so that’s an example of something that really does work, it’s got a proven history.”
Pritzker also said he was working to recruit jobs to the region and talked about incentives from last year, including the data center tax credit pushed by Republicans. “We’ve created a bunch of incentives for people to come to the state.”
”We’re going to do more,” the governor said. “Downstate revitalization is a very important program for me.”
Rich Miller also publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--2 children wounded in barbershop shooting released from hospital

Two young brothers wounded in a shooting last week at an East Garfield Park barbershop have been released from the hospital .
Lorenzo Matthews , 11 , and his brother , 12-year-old Michael Smith , were released Saturday from Stroger Hospital , according to family spokeswoman Dawn Valenti .
Matthews is recovering from gunshot wounds to his back , abdomen and arm , Valenti said .
He ’ s already undergone at least two surgeries .
Michael still needs rehabilitation for a gunshot wound to his knee .
“ It ’ s going to be a long mental and physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boys were among five people shot Thursday at Gotcha Faded barbershop , 234 N. Pulaski Rd.
, when two gunmen sprayed gunfire from outside .
About 30 people , including a toddler , were inside .
Three other people in the barbershop were also hit by gunfire .
A 16-year-old boy was shot in the hip , a 30-year-old man was hit in the arm and a 40-year-old was shot in the thigh , police said .
Their conditions were stabilized .
The barbershop owner , Ike Trenell , told the Sun-Time he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guys walked in , glanced toward the back with hard looks on their faces before walking out .
He said the most disturbing part was reviewing the security footage of the shooting .
“ They had nerve enough to be shooting and laughing ... that ’ s just crazy , ” Trenell said Friday .
Chicago police said Monday that no arrests have been made .
The family has also authorized an online fundraiser to pay for medical expenses , Valenti said .

Two young brothers wounded in a shooting last week at an East Garfield Park barbershop have been released from the hospital.
Lorenzo Matthews, 11, and his brother, 12-year-old Michael Smith, were released Saturday from Stroger Hospital, according to family spokeswoman Dawn Valenti.
Matthews is recovering from gunshot wounds to his back, abdomen and arm, Valenti said. He’s already undergone at least two surgeries.
Michael still needs rehabilitation for a gunshot wound to his knee.
“It’s going to be a long mental and physical recovery,” Valenti said.
Michael Smith (left) and Lorenzo Matthews were released from the hospital Saturday after being shot in Lawndale. GoFundMe
The boys were among five people shot Thursday at Gotcha Faded barbershop, 234 N. Pulaski Rd., when two gunmen sprayed gunfire from outside. About 30 people, including a toddler, were inside.
Three other people in the barbershop were also hit by gunfire.
A 16-year-old boy was shot in the hip, a 30-year-old man was hit in the arm and a 40-year-old was shot in the thigh, police said. Their conditions were stabilized.
The barbershop owner, Ike Trenell, told the Sun-Time he had a bad feeling when the two guys walked in, glanced toward the back with hard looks on their faces before walking out.
He said the most disturbing part was reviewing the security footage of the shooting.
“They had nerve enough to be shooting and laughing ... that’s just crazy,” Trenell said Friday.
Chicago police said Monday that no arrests have been made.
The family has also authorized an online fundraiser to pay for medical expenses, Valenti said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Man charged with making false 911 call in Wheaton ‘swatting’

A man is accused of making 911 calls to report a fake crime in progress that prompted a major police response — also known as “ swatting ” — last year in west suburban Wheaton .
Timothy Jackson , 27 , is charged with one felony count of making a false 911 call in connection with the Oct. 19 , 2019 incident , according to Wheaton police .
He allegedly called 911 about 4:30 a.m. and claimed there was a domestic disturbance involving a shooting at an apartment building in the 700 block of Childs Street but did not give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Officers from Wheaton , Glen Ellyn , Carol Stream and Winfield responded , along with members of DuPage County ’ s SWAT team , police said .
Roads were shut down and residents living nearby were evacuated as authorities searched for the location of the incident .
Jackson allegedly called 911 again and gave dispatchers a specific apartment number , police said .
Officers spoke with the people inside and determined the 911 call had been false .
Jackson , of Villa Park , was identified as a suspect and taken into custody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Exxon 7-Eleven at 625 W. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton , police said .
He was charged with aggravated driving on a revoked license , unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the arrest .
He is being held at the DuPage County Jail on $ 20,000 bail in the swatting incident , and $ 75,000 bail on the unrelated charges , police said .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man is accused of making 911 calls to report a fake crime in progress that prompted a major police response — also known as “swatting”— last year in west suburban Wheaton.
Timothy Jackson, 27, is charged with one felony count of making a false 911 call in connection with the Oct. 19, 2019 incident, according to Wheaton police.
He allegedly called 911 about 4:30 a.m. and claimed there was a domestic disturbance involving a shooting at an apartment building in the 700 block of Childs Street but did not give an apartment number, police said.
Timothy Jackson Wheaton police
Officers from Wheaton, Glen Ellyn, Carol Stream and Winfield responded, along with members of DuPage County’s SWAT team, police said. Roads were shut down and residents living nearby were evacuated as authorities searched for the location of the incident.
Jackson allegedly called 911 again and gave dispatchers a specific apartment number, police said. Officers spoke with the people inside and determined the 911 call had been false.
Jackson, of Villa Park, was identified as a suspect and taken into custody in an unrelated incident on Jan. 8 at the Exxon 7-Eleven at 625 W. Roosevelt Road in Wheaton, police said. He was charged with aggravated driving on a revoked license, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in connection with the arrest.
He is being held at the DuPage County Jail on $20,000 bail in the swatting incident, and $75,000 bail on the unrelated charges, police said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Switch to right-side defense has sparked Slater Koekkoek’s excellent recent stretch

The Blackhawks ’ preseason game against the Red Wings on Sept. 17 was as irrelevant as every other preseason game .
But for Slater Koekkoek , it marked what may turn out to be a watershed moment in his career : the first time he played right-side defense .
“ The coaches came up to me before the preseason [ game ] and said , ‘ We know you ’ ve never really played the right side , we ’ re just going to test you in case something happens during the season , ’ ” Koekkoek said Sunday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happy to have that experience.
” Koekkoek , who obviously plays left-handed , manned the right side that night next to short-lived Philip Holm .
The pairing was not exactly a smash hit in the Hawks ’ 5-3 loss .
Koekkoek suffered a 20-11 shot attempt deficit and 8-4 scoring chance deficit and did not register a point .
Yet months later , that first toe-dip into right-side defense has given way to a multi-week stint on the right side — during the Hawks ’ hottest streak of the season — and Koekkoek @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constant playing time in a year .
“ That was the only experience I had , and now to be there and feel super comfortable ... [ it ’ s ] funny , ” he said .
After playing in just 16 of the Hawks ’ first 44 games , and just two of 14 between Dec. 10 and Jan. 7 , Koekkoek has been in the lineup for six straight games — and five straight wins — and averaged a sizable 17 minutes , 36 seconds of ice time in them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least temporary ) switch to the right side that Koekkoek has been able to bump Dennis Gilbert from the Hawks ’ lineup and form a surprisingly dominant pair recently with left-handed Olli Maatta , who also struggled somewhat in December .
While alongside Maatta over the past six games , Koekkoek ( at 5-on-5 ) has enjoyed a 59.9 percent on-ice shot attempt ratio and 66.0 percent scoring chance ratio , two off-the-charts percentages .
Even though Patrick Kane , Jonathan Toews and Dominik Kubalik have received the lions ’ shares of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Koekkoek actually owns significantly better underlying stats over this stretch than any of them .
“ This latest opportunity that he ’ s had , he ’ s found another level to his performance and he ’ s made it impossible for us to take him out , ” coach Jeremy Colliton said Sunday .
“ Him and Maatta , since they ’ ve been reinsterted , they ’ ve been great and really added some depth to our group and [ become ] a big part of why we ’ re having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-game point streak with assists in all three games of the Hawks ’ Eastern Canada road swing , perhaps not-so-coincidentally jumpstarted by the presence of “ a ton of Koekkoeks ” in his hometown of Ottawa .
In Montreal the next night , he was even better , making a number of noticeable plays and beautifully assisting on Zack Smith ’ s second goal .
In the two games combined , Koekkoek was on the ice for 16 Hawks chances and only four against .
Making this recent success even more notable is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out for the entire first half of the season .
Yet it only took a switch to his off-side — with just one preseason game ’ s worth of prior experience — and a well-suited ‘ D ’ pairing to bring out his untapped stability .
“ [ I ] love the way that Olli and I are moving on the ice , ” he said .
“ Whether it be neutral zone regroup or in the defensive zone , we ’ re moving well together and that ’ s what it takes @ @

The Blackhawks’ preseason game against the Red Wings on Sept. 17 was as irrelevant as every other preseason game.
But for Slater Koekkoek, it marked what might turn out to be a watershed moment in his career: It was the first time he played right-side defense.
“The coaches came up to me before the preseason [game] and said, ‘We know you’ve never really played the right side, we’re just going to test you in case something happens during the season,’ ” Koekkoek said Sunday, thinking back. “So I was happy to have that experience.”
Koekkoek, who plays left-handed, manned the right side that night next to short-lived Philip Holm. The pairing wasn’t exactly a smash hit in the Hawks’ 5-3 loss. Koekkoek suffered a 20-11 shot-attempt deficit and 8-4 scoring-chance deficit and didn’t register a point.
Yet, months later, that first toe-dip into right-side defense has given way to a multiweek stint on the right side — during the Hawks’ hottest stretch of the season — and Koekkoek’s most impressive results and most consistent playing time in a year.
“That was the only experience I had, and now to be there and feel super comfortable . . . [it’s] funny,” he said.
After playing in just 16 of the Hawks’ first 44 games, and just two of 14 between Dec. 10 and Jan. 7, Koekkoek has been in the lineup for six consecutive games — and five straight wins — and averaged a sizable 17 minutes, 36 seconds of ice time in them.
It’s because of his (at least temporary) switch to the right side that Koekkoek has been able to bump Dennis Gilbert from the Hawks’ lineup and form a surprisingly dominant pair with left-handed Olli Maatta, who also struggled somewhat in December.
While alongside Maatta in the last six games, Koekkoek (at five-on-five) has enjoyed a 59.9 percent shot-attempt ratio and 66.0 percent scoring-chance ratio, two off-the-charts percentages.
“This latest opportunity that he’s had, he’s found another level to his performance and he’s made it impossible for us to take him out,” coach Jeremy Colliton said Sunday. “Him and Maatta, since they’ve been reinserted, they’ve been great and really added some depth to our group and [become] a big part of why we’re having success lately.”
Koekkoek even recorded a three-game points streak, with assists in all three games of the Hawks’ Eastern Canada road swing, perhaps not-so-coincidentally jump-started by the presence of “a ton of Koekkoeks” in his hometown of Ottawa.
Making this recent success even more notable is that Koekkoek seemed like an odd man out for the entire first half of the season. Yet it only took a switch to his off side — with just one preseason game of experience — and a well-suited “D” pairing to bring out his untapped stability.
“[I] love the way that Olli and I are moving on the ice,” he said. “Whether it be neutral-zone regroup or in the defensive zone, we’re moving well together, and that’s what it takes.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--John Cullerton resigns from Illinois Senate

John Cullerton ’ s political career , which spanned seven governors , including two who went to prison , has officially ended .
After more than four decades in office , Cullerton , who served as the 38th president of the Illinois Senate , resigned form his Senate seat Monday .
In November , Cullerton surprised many when he announced he would be stepping down and leaving the chamber .
Sunday , Sen. Don Harmon , D-Oak Park , was elected unanimously to replace Cullerton as Senate president after hours of negotiations .
As for Cullerton ’ s vacant seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously worked as Cullerton ’ s district chief of staff — is eyeing the job and has contacted Democratic ward committeemen who will eventually vote to appoint Cullerton ’ s replacement .
“ Thank you to my family , friends , staff , and constituents , whose support and encouragement will always be the backbone of my efforts , ” Cullerton wrote in the resignation letter he submitted Monday .
Cullerton , a Democrat from the North Side , was first elected to the General Assembly in 1978 .
In 1991 , Cullerton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fill the vacancy left by Dawn Clark Netsch .
In 2009 , Cullerton took over as Senate president , succeeding Emil Jones Jr. Cullerton began his tenure as Senate president in 2009 overseeing the impeachment trial of then Gov .
Rod Blagojevich , which led to the Senate voting unanimously to remove the embattled governor from office .
During his legislative career , Cullerton became known for pushing for several major pieces of legislation such as the ban of smoking in public places and a law requiring children to buckle up .
Cullerton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , marriage equality , school funding reform and two capital bills while leading the Senate .
Cullerton ’ s surprise resignation announcement came after a year of scandal in the General Assembly .
In August , state Sen. Tom Cullerton , a distant cousin of Cullerton ’ s , was indicted for charges related to allegedly being a ghost payroller for the Teamsters In October , former state Rep. Luis Arroyo was charged with bribery , for allegedly attempting to bribe a state lawmaker in exchange for support for legislation that would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lobbying work for .
Then state Sen. Martin Sandoval resigned in November after federal officials raided his Springfield and Cicero offices as part of a corruption investigation .
Sandoval has not been charged with a crime .

John Cullerton’s political career, which spanned seven governors, including two who went to prison, has officially ended.
After more than four decades in office, Cullerton, who served as the 38th president of the Illinois Senate, resigned from his Senate seat Monday.
In November, Cullerton surprised many when he announced he would be stepping down and leaving the chamber. Sunday, Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, was elected unanimously to replace Cullerton as Senate president after hours of negotiations.
As for Cullerton’s vacant seat, State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz — who previously worked as Cullerton’s district chief of staff — is eyeing the job and has contacted Democratic ward committeemen who will eventually vote to appoint Cullerton’s replacement.
“Thank you to my family, friends, staff, and constituents, whose support and encouragement will always be the backbone of my efforts,” Cullerton wrote in the resignation letter he submitted Monday.
Cullerton, a Democrat from the North Side, was first elected to the General Assembly in 1978. In 1991, Cullerton was appointed to the Illinois Senate to fill the vacancy left by Dawn Clark Netsch. In 2009, Cullerton took over as Senate president, succeeding Emil Jones Jr.
Cullerton began his tenure as Senate president in 2009 overseeing the impeachment trial of then Gov. Rod Blagojevich, which led to the Senate voting unanimously to remove the embattled governor from office.
During his legislative career, Cullerton became known for pushing for several major pieces of legislation such as the ban of smoking in public places and a law requiring children to buckle up. Cullerton also pushed for abolishing the death penalty, marriage equality, school funding reform and two capital bills while leading the Senate.
Cullerton’s surprise resignation announcement came after a year of scandal in the General Assembly.
In August, state Sen. Tom Cullerton, a distant cousin of Cullerton’s, was indicted for charges related to allegedly being a ghost payroller for the Teamsters
In October, former state Rep. Luis Arroyo was charged with bribery, for allegedly attempting to bribe a state lawmaker in exchange for support for legislation that would have benefited one of the clients Arroyo did lobbying work for.
Then state Sen. Martin Sandoval resigned in November after federal officials raided his Springfield and Cicero offices as part of a corruption investigation. Sandoval has not been charged with a crime.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-20--Woman wounded in Lawndale shooting

Woman wounded in Lawndale shooting

A 22-year-old woman was wounded in a shooting Monday afternoon in Lawndale on the West Side .
She was shot @ @ @ @ @ p.m. in the 3200 block of West Douglas Boulevard , Chicago police said .
She @ @ @ @ @ Sinai Hospital with two gunshot wounds to her shoulder , police said .
No arrests @ @ @ @ @ the weekend , three people were killed and 13 others wounded in citywide gun violence @ @ @ @ @ , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 22-year-old woman was wounded in a shooting Monday afternoon in Lawndale on the West Side.
She was shot inside a vehicle about 1:15 p.m. in the 3200 block of West Douglas Boulevard, Chicago police said.
She took herself to Mt. Sinai Hospital with two gunshot wounds to her shoulder, police said. No arrests have been made.
Over the weekend, three people were killed and 13 others wounded in citywide gun violence.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-21--Dear Abby: I love my boyfriend but worry about his lack of ambition

DEAR ABBY : I have been dating a great guy for a year and a half .
He ’ s funny and smart , and when he comes to my house , he washes my dishes and plays with my son .
He is attentive , and he cooks for me .
He is always buying me little things like a desk coffee heater because he knows I love hot coffee , or smart bulbs that create cool colors in the living room .
He ’ s a super fun guy , and he often leaves sweet little notes around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , he has zero ambition , zero motivation and no life goals .
We are in our early 30s , and I ’ m a professional with my own home .
He lives in a small room in a house with two housemates .
His job pays very little , but although he has few responsibilities , he has been very slow to look for other jobs .
Abby , I have talked to him about our future .
We both want to be together , but I told him I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to move in together , but he needs to be more financially stable .
He needs to be my equal .
When we spoke , he agreed with me and the fact that he can do better .
He promised he would be looking , but I have been waiting months to see a change in him and — nothing .
Should I wait for him ?
Should I talk to him again ?
I want so much more , and I am not sure he can deliver .
I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son loves him so much .
What should I do ?
— HOPELESSLY VEXED DEAR HOPELESSLY : I understand your position .
You seem to want the whole package , and from what you have written , this person is not it .
You should not have to support him , and he shouldn ’ t expect it .
It appears that while the two of you care for each other , he simply can not summon up the motivation to make the effort to better himself financially .
Could you accept this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status quo what you want forever ?
Bear in mind , if this man moves in , it will prevent you from finding a partner who is your equal in all ways .
DEAR ABBY : My son got married eight months ago .
I recently found out he and his wife haven ’ t sent thank-you notes to anyone .
Some of our friends and family took time off work , traveled across the country , spent a lot of money on airfare , hotels , meals , as well as wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there were only 60 guests , so there were fewer than 30 thank-you notes to send .
When I asked my son about it last week , he said they hadn ’ t sent them because so much time had passed and it was too late .
I told him it was inexcusable , and they need to get those notes written now because this is definitely a case of better late than never .
If they don ’ t do it within the next week , I intend to contact my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and apologize for their rudeness .
My son was not raised to be ungrateful and rude .
What do you think ?
— FURIOUS IN ARIZONA DEAR FURIOUS : What you have in mind may be well-intentioned , but it won ’ t make up for your son and daughter-in-law ’ s lack of courtesy .
If they fail to contact the guests who made such an effort to attend their wedding , do not speak up on their behalf because it will only make them look worse .
Dear Abby is written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
What teens need to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I have been dating a great guy for a year and a half. He’s funny and smart, and when he comes to my house, he washes my dishes and plays with my son. He is attentive, and he cooks for me. He is always buying me little things like a desk coffee heater because he knows I love hot coffee, or smart bulbs that create cool colors in the living room. He’s a super fun guy, and he often leaves sweet little notes around the house for me.
The downside is, he has zero ambition, zero motivation and no life goals. We are in our early 30s, and I’m a professional with my own home. He lives in a small room in a house with two housemates. His job pays very little, but although he has few responsibilities, he has been very slow to look for other jobs.
Abby, I have talked to him about our future. We both want to be together, but I told him I am not going to support him. We want to move in together, but he needs to be more financially stable. He needs to be my equal.
When we spoke, he agreed with me and the fact that he can do better. He promised he would be looking, but I have been waiting months to see a change in him and — nothing. Should I wait for him? Should I talk to him again? I want so much more, and I am not sure he can deliver. I don’t want to stay just because my son loves him so much. What should I do? — HOPELESSLY VEXED
DEAR HOPELESSLY: I understand your position. You seem to want the whole package, and from what you have written, this person is not it. You should not have to support him, and he shouldn’t expect it.
It appears that while the two of you care for each other, he simply cannot summon up the motivation to make the effort to better himself financially. Could you accept this in the long run? Is the status quo what you want forever? Bear in mind, if this man moves in, it will prevent you from finding a partner who is your equal in all ways.
DEAR ABBY: My son got married eight months ago. I recently found out he and his wife haven’t sent thank-you notes to anyone. Some of our friends and family took time off work, traveled across the country, spent a lot of money on airfare, hotels, meals, as well as wedding gifts. I am mortified.
Abby, there were only 60 guests, so there were fewer than 30 thank-you notes to send. When I asked my son about it last week, he said they hadn’t sent them because so much time had passed and it was too late. I told him it was inexcusable, and they need to get those notes written now because this is definitely a case of better late than never.
If they don’t do it within the next week, I intend to contact my friends and family and thank them myself and apologize for their rudeness. My son was not raised to be ungrateful and rude. What do you think? — FURIOUS IN ARIZONA
DEAR FURIOUS: What you have in mind may be well-intentioned, but it won’t make up for your son and daughter-in-law’s lack of courtesy. If they fail to contact the guests who made such an effort to attend their wedding, do not speak up on their behalf because it will only make them look worse.
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.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)