chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Horoscope for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020

Horoscope for Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020

We have the all clear to shop and do business .
The moon is in Gemini .
You ’ re keen to talk to others .
You want to enlighten someone about something or get something off your chest .
This is why you want to be heard .
This is also why you don ’ t want to waste time in superficial chitchat that you find boring .
Money is on your mind .
If shopping , you ’ ll be tempted to do therapy shopping and buy what you emotionally want rather than what you need in practical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Hmmm , do they have Pamplemousse ? )
The moon is in your sign .
This happens for two days every month and when it occurs , it gives you a bit of extra good luck over all the other signs .
This means you should ask for what you want because you might get it !
However , it also makes you more emotional than usual .
You will prefer to work alone or behind the scenes because you feel the need to withdraw from the daily pressure of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your breath .
You want to feel safe in familiar surroundings and take it easy .
( Sounds good to me . )
A conversation with a female friend will be important .
Perhaps you will share your hopes for the future about something and in doing so , get valuable feedback ?
It ’ s a good day to think about goals .
What do you want to achieve in 2020 ?
The moon is crossing the top of your chart , which means you are more high visibility than usual in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your private life might be public for some reason .
Be aware of this in case you have something you want to hide .
Today you want to expand your world in some way .
Ideally , you want to travel .
At the very least , you want to explore your own city or your own neighborhood .
You might also expand your world to study , film , movies or talking to people from different backgrounds .
Ideas ?
Today you can ’ t ignore practical details related to banking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues and anything to do with shared property .
Yeah , yeah — all that fun stuff .
Nevertheless , it won ’ t go away on its own .
“ A stitch in time saves nine.
” For two days every month , the moon will be in the sign that is directly opposite from your sign .
That ’ s what ’ s happening today .
When this occurs , it means you have to cooperate — perhaps more than usual when dealing with others .
Be prepared to cross the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get the results you want .
This is a practical , productive day because you want to do little things ( or big things ) so that you feel you are more organized .
Clean up the back seat of your car .
Organize your workstation .
Tidy up your coffee table at home .
Whatever you do will make you feel better !
This is a playful , fun-loving day , which means you should do something that makes you feel happy !
Play hooky if you can .
Take a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day for happy hour .
Sports events and playful activities with kids will appeal .
Home and family are your focus today .
In fact , a conversation with a female family member could be significant .
You will also welcome a chance to cocoon at home .
“ Ah , home at last.
” If Your Birthday Is Today Journalist/author Nicolle Wallace ( 1972 ) shares your birthday .
You are modern , creative and ahead of your time .
You ’ re an excellent problem solve.r This year it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re entering a year of exciting new beginnings !
What do you want for yourself in the next several years ?
Be pro-active about going after what you want .
This year you will be physically energetic !

Moon Alert
We have the all clear to shop and do business. The moon is in Gemini.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
You’re keen to talk to others. You want to enlighten someone about something or get something off your chest. This is why you want to be heard. This is also why you don’t want to waste time in superficial chitchat that you find boring.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Money is on your mind. If shopping, you’ll be tempted to do therapy shopping and buy what you emotionally want rather than what you need in practical terms. Hammer? Scented candles? (Hmmm, do they have Pamplemousse?)
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The moon is in your sign. This happens for two days every month and when it occurs, it gives you a bit of extra good luck over all the other signs. This means you should ask for what you want because you might get it! However, it also makes you more emotional than usual.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
You will prefer to work alone or behind the scenes because you feel the need to withdraw from the daily pressure of the world around you. You want to catch your breath. You want to feel safe in familiar surroundings and take it easy. (Sounds good to me.)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
A conversation with a female friend will be important. Perhaps you will share your hopes for the future about something and in doing so, get valuable feedback? It’s a good day to think about goals. What do you want to achieve in 2020?
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
The moon is crossing the top of your chart, which means you are more high visibility than usual in your social circle. Personal details about your private life might be public for some reason. Be aware of this in case you have something you want to hide.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today you want to expand your world in some way. Ideally, you want to travel. At the very least, you want to explore your own city or your own neighborhood. You might also expand your world to study, film, movies or talking to people from different backgrounds. Ideas?
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today you can’t ignore practical details related to banking, taxes, debt, inheritances, insurance issues and anything to do with shared property. Yeah, yeah — all that fun stuff. Nevertheless, it won’t go away on its own. “A stitch in time saves nine.”
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
For two days every month, the moon will be in the sign that is directly opposite from your sign. That’s what’s happening today. When this occurs, it means you have to cooperate — perhaps more than usual when dealing with others. Be prepared to cross the aisle or go more than halfway to get the results you want.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This is a practical, productive day because you want to do little things (or big things) so that you feel you are more organized. Clean up the back seat of your car. Organize your workstation. Tidy up your coffee table at home. Whatever you do will make you feel better!
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
This is a playful, fun-loving day, which means you should do something that makes you feel happy! Play hooky if you can. Take a long lunch. Meet friends at the end of the day for happy hour. Sports events and playful activities with kids will appeal.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Home and family are your focus today. In fact, a conversation with a female family member could be significant. You will also welcome a chance to cocoon at home. “Ah, home at last.”
If Your Birthday Is Today
Journalist/author Nicolle Wallace (1972) shares your birthday. You are modern, creative and ahead of your time. You’re an excellent problem solve.r This year it is time to identify goals because you’re entering a year of exciting new beginnings! What do you want for yourself in the next several years? Be pro-active about going after what you want. This year you will be physically energetic!


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--From indecision to confusion:  Iowa Democratic caucus results delayed

DES MOINES , Iowa — The Iowa Democratic Party said Monday night that results from the state ’ s first-in-the-nation caucus were greatly delayed due to “ quality checks ” and new reporting rules , an embarrassing complication that added a new layer of doubt to an already uncertain presidential primary season .
The party said the problem was not a result of a “ hack or an intrusion.
” The statement came after Iowa voters packed caucus sites across the state with at least four leading candidates battling to win the opening contest of the 2020 campaign , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Donald Trump this fall .
Long before any significant results were released , the candidates pressed ahead with post-election rallies claiming momentum .
“ It looks like it ’ s going to be a long night , but we ’ re feeling good , ” former Vice President Joe Biden said , suggesting the final results would “ be close.
” “ We ’ re in this for the long haul.
” Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said he had “ a good feeling we ’ re going to be doing very , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results were posted .
“ Today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump , ” he predicted .
Democrats hoped that Iowa ’ s caucuses would provide some clarity for what has been a muddled nomination fight for much of the past year .
But apparent technology issues delayed the results as the state party suggested turnout was on track to match 2016 numbers .
Party officials held a call with campaigns as concerns were growing over the delays .
Spokeswoman Mandy McClure said the party “ found inconsistencies in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results , we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report , ” she said .
“ This is simply a reporting issue , the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion .
The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results.
” Des Moines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues in his county , relaying precinct reports that the app created for caucus organizers to report results was “ a mess.
” As a result , Courtney said precinct leaders were phoning in results to the state party headquarters , which was too busy to answer their calls in some cases .
Meanwhile , Iowa voters were balancing a strong preference for fundamental change with an overwhelming desire to defeat Trump as they sorted through nearly a dozen candidates in a contest that offered the opening test of who and what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump .
It ’ s just the first in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories , ending only at the party ’ s national convention in mid-July .
For Democrats , the moment was thick with promise for a party that has seized major gains in states since Trump won the White House in 2016 .
But instead of clear optimism , a cloud of uncertainty and intraparty resentment hung over Monday ’ s election as the prospect of an unclear result raised fears of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the months ahead .
One unsurprising development : Trump won the Republican caucus , a largely symbolic victory given that he faced no significant opposition .
The president ’ s allies also seized on the Democrat ’ s problems .
Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale eagerly floated an unsupported conspiracy theory .
The president had already been seeking to sow divisions in the crowded Democratic field and incite Sanders supporters , who believe the Democratic National Committee worked against him in 2016 .
Pre-caucus polls suggested that Sanders might have a narrow lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates — Sanders , Biden , Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg — could score a victory in Iowa ’ s unpredictable and quirky caucus system as organizers prepared for record turnout .
Sen. Amy Klobuchar , who represents neighboring Minnesota , was also claiming momentum , while outsider candidates including entrepreneur Andrew Yang , billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard could be factors .
About one quarter of all voters reported that they were caucusing for the first time , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters who said they planned to take part in Monday ’ s Democratic caucuses .
The first-timers were slightly more likely to support Sanders , Warren or Buttigieg , compared with other candidates .
At the same time , VoteCast found that roughly two-thirds of caucusgoers said supporting a candidate who would fundamentally change how the system in Washington works was important to their vote .
That compared to about a third of caucusgoers who said it was more important to support a candidate who would restore the political system to how it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
Not surprisingly , nearly every Iowa Democrat said the ability to beat Trump was an important quality for a presidential nominee .
VoteCast found that measure outranked others as the most important quality for a nominee .
In Iowa , some 200,000 voters were expected .
Three senators in the field left Iowa late Sunday to return to the U.S. Capitol for Trump ’ s impeachment trial , but did what they could to keep their campaigns going from Washington .
While Warren held her telephone town hall , Klobuchar ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ canvass launch in Des Moines .
In suburban Des Moines , Buttigieg delivered about 100 volunteers a last shot of encouragement before they stepped out into the chill to knock on doors for him around midday Monday .
“ We are exactly where we need to be to astonish the political world , ” he said , igniting cheers for the 38-year-old former midsize-city mayor , who was an asterisk a year ago and is now among the top candidates .
Meanwhile , Biden and his wife , Jill , delivered pizza Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phones at his south Des Moines field office .
“ I feel good , ” he said as he walked in , sporting his signature aviator sunglasses .
Iowa offers just a tiny percentage of the delegates needed to win the nomination but plays an outsize role in culling primary fields .
A poor showing in Iowa could cause a front-runner ’ s fundraising to slow and support in later states to dwindle , while a strong result can give a candidate much needed momentum .
The past several Democrats who won the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party ’ s nomination .
The 2020 fight has played out over myriad distractions , particularly congressional Democrats ’ push to impeach Trump , which has often overshadowed the primary and effectively pinned several leading candidates to Washington at the pinnacle of the early campaign season .
Meanwhile , ultrabillionaire Mike Bloomberg , the former mayor of New York City , is running a parallel campaign that ignores Iowa as he prepares to pounce on any perceived weaknesses in the field come March .
The amalgam of oddities , including new rules for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was building toward what could be a murky Iowa finale before the race pivots quickly to New Hampshire , which votes just eight days later .
New party rules may give more than one candidate an opportunity to claim victory in Iowa , even if they aren ’ t the official winner .
For the first time , the Iowa Democratic Party reported three sets of results at the end of the state ’ s first-in-the-nation caucuses : a tally of caucus-goers ’ initial candidate preference ; vote totals from the “ final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were able to make a second choice , and the total number of State Delegate Equivalents each candidate receives .
There is no guarantee that all three will show the same winner .
The Associated Press will declare a winner based on the number of state delegates each candidate wins , which has been the traditional standard .
Many of the Democratic presidential candidates have possible weaknesses when challenging Trump , VoteCast found .
Some 4 in 10 Iowa voters said it would be harder for a woman to unseat the president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate would have more difficulty defeating Trump , a potential risk for Buttigieg .
Roughly the same share said a nominee with “ strongly liberal views ” would also face a harder time , while close to half said a nominee older than 75 — Biden and Sanders — would have a tougher time versus Trump .

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Democratic Party said Monday night that results from the state’s first-in-the-nation caucus were greatly delayed due to “quality checks” and new reporting rules, an embarrassing complication that added a new layer of doubt to an already uncertain presidential primary season.
The party said the problem was not a result of a “hack or an intrusion.”
The statement came after Iowa voters packed caucus sites across the state with at least four leading candidates battling to win the opening contest of the 2020 campaign, and ultimately, the opportunity to take on President Donald Trump this fall.
Long before any significant results were released, the candidates pressed ahead with post-election rallies claiming momentum.
“It looks like it’s going to be a long night, but we’re feeling good,” former Vice President Joe Biden said, suggesting the final results would “be close.” “We’re in this for the long haul.”
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said he had “a good feeling we’re going to be doing very, very well here in Iowa” once results were posted.
“Today marks the beginning of the end for Donald Trump,” he predicted.
Democrats hoped that Iowa’s caucuses would provide some clarity for what has been a muddled nomination fight for much of the past year. But apparent technology issues delayed the results as the state party suggested turnout was on track to match 2016 numbers.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., with his wife Jane O’Meara Sanders, speaks to supporters at a caucus night campaign rally in Des Moines, Iowa Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP
Party officials held a call with campaigns as concerns were growing over the delays.
Spokeswoman Mandy McClure said the party “found inconsistencies in the reporting of three sets of results.”
“In addition to the tech systems being used to tabulate results, we are also using photos of results and a paper trail to validate that all results match and ensure that we have confidence and accuracy in the numbers we report,” she said. “This is simply a reporting issue, the app did not go down and this is not a hack or an intrusion. The underlying data and paper trail is sound and will simply take time to further report the results.”
Des Moines County Democratic Chair Tom Courtney blamed technology issues in his county, relaying precinct reports that the app created for caucus organizers to report results was “a mess.” As a result, Courtney said precinct leaders were phoning in results to the state party headquarters, which was too busy to answer their calls in some cases.
Meanwhile, Iowa voters were balancing a strong preference for fundamental change with an overwhelming desire to defeat Trump as they sorted through nearly a dozen candidates in a contest that offered the opening test of who and what the party stands for in the turbulent age of Trump. It’s just the first in a primary season that will span all 50 states and several U.S. territories, ending only at the party’s national convention in mid-July.
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) addresses supporters during her caucus night watch party on February 03, 2020 in Des Moines, Iowa. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
For Democrats, the moment was thick with promise for a party that has seized major gains in states since Trump won the White House in 2016. But instead of clear optimism, a cloud of uncertainty and intraparty resentment hung over Monday’s election as the prospect of an unclear result raised fears of a long and divisive primary fight in the months ahead.
One unsurprising development: Trump won the Republican caucus, a largely symbolic victory given that he faced no significant opposition.
The president’s allies also seized on the Democrat’s problems. Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale eagerly floated an unsupported conspiracy theory.
“Quality control = rigged?” Parscale tweeted, adding a emoji with furrowed brows.
The president had already been seeking to sow divisions in the crowded Democratic field and incite Sanders supporters, who believe the Democratic National Committee worked against him in 2016.
Pre-caucus polls suggested that Sanders might have a narrow lead, but any of the top four candidates — Sanders, Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg — could score a victory in Iowa’s unpredictable and quirky caucus system as organizers prepared for record turnout. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who represents neighboring Minnesota, was also claiming momentum, while outsider candidates including entrepreneur Andrew Yang, billionaire activist Tom Steyer and Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard could be factors.
New voters played a significant role in shaping Iowa’s election.
Seven month old Emerson Buckman grabs the nose of Democratic presidential candidate former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg during a canvassing launch event on February 03, 2020 in West Des Moines, Iowa. Win McNamee/Getty Images
About one quarter of all voters reported that they were caucusing for the first time, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of voters who said they planned to take part in Monday’s Democratic caucuses. The first-timers were slightly more likely to support Sanders, Warren or Buttigieg, compared with other candidates.
At the same time, VoteCast found that roughly two-thirds of caucusgoers said supporting a candidate who would fundamentally change how the system in Washington works was important to their vote. That compared to about a third of caucusgoers who said it was more important to support a candidate who would restore the political system to how it was before Trump’s election in 2016.
Not surprisingly, nearly every Iowa Democrat said the ability to beat Trump was an important quality for a presidential nominee. VoteCast found that measure outranked others as the most important quality for a nominee.
In Iowa, some 200,000 voters were expected.
Three senators in the field left Iowa late Sunday to return to the U.S. Capitol for Trump’s impeachment trial, but did what they could to keep their campaigns going from Washington. While Warren held her telephone town hall, Klobuchar’s husband and daughter appeared at a canvass launch in Des Moines.
In suburban Des Moines, Buttigieg delivered about 100 volunteers a last shot of encouragement before they stepped out into the chill to knock on doors for him around midday Monday.
“We are exactly where we need to be to astonish the political world,” he said, igniting cheers for the 38-year-old former midsize-city mayor, who was an asterisk a year ago and is now among the top candidates.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden at a caucus night campaign rally on Monday, Feb. 3, 2020, in Des Moines, Iowa, with Jill Biden. John Locher/AP
Meanwhile, Biden and his wife, Jill, delivered pizza Monday to a few dozen volunteers working the phones at his south Des Moines field office.
“I feel good,” he said as he walked in, sporting his signature aviator sunglasses.
Iowa offers just a tiny percentage of the delegates needed to win the nomination but plays an outsize role in culling primary fields. A poor showing in Iowa could cause a front-runner’s fundraising to slow and support in later states to dwindle, while a strong result can give a candidate much needed momentum.
The past several Democrats who won the Iowa caucuses went on to clinch the party’s nomination.
The 2020 fight has played out over myriad distractions, particularly congressional Democrats’ push to impeach Trump, which has often overshadowed the primary and effectively pinned several leading candidates to Washington at the pinnacle of the early campaign season.
Meanwhile, ultrabillionaire Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City, is running a parallel campaign that ignores Iowa as he prepares to pounce on any perceived weaknesses in the field come March.
The amalgam of oddities, including new rules for reporting the already complicated caucus results, was building toward what could be a murky Iowa finale before the race pivots quickly to New Hampshire, which votes just eight days later.
New party rules may give more than one candidate an opportunity to claim victory in Iowa, even if they aren’t the official winner.
For the first time, the Iowa Democratic Party reported three sets of results at the end of the state’s first-in-the-nation caucuses: a tally of caucus-goers’ initial candidate preference; vote totals from the “final alignment” after supporters of lower-ranking candidates were able to make a second choice, and the total number of State Delegate Equivalents each candidate receives.
There is no guarantee that all three will show the same winner.
The Associated Press will declare a winner based on the number of state delegates each candidate wins, which has been the traditional standard.
Many of the Democratic presidential candidates have possible weaknesses when challenging Trump, VoteCast found.
Some 4 in 10 Iowa voters said it would be harder for a woman to unseat the president. Almost 6 in 10 said a gay candidate would have more difficulty defeating Trump, a potential risk for Buttigieg. Roughly the same share said a nominee with “strongly liberal views” would also face a harder time, while close to half said a nominee older than 75 — Biden and Sanders — would have a tougher time versus Trump.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Iowa town named ‘Clinton’ went for Trump in 2016, but Democrats now banking on change,  ‘cult person

Iowa town named ‘Clinton’ went for Trump in 2016, but Democrats now banking on change,  ‘cult personality’ – and cookies

CLINTON , Iowa — In a county under the magnifying glass — one of many President Donald Trump turned red four years ago — caucusgoers gathered Monday night at a middle school in east-central Iowa to make pitches for the minimum wage , free child care and mint chocolate chip cookies .
Over the sounds of dribbling basketballs from a nearby gymnasium , caucus chair Andrew Kelley kicked off Clinton Middle School ’ s part of the state ’ s first-in-the-nation winnowing of the presidential field .
“ Go with your heart , who you like , ” Andrew Kelley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the count .
“ You might be surprised who you get.
” It was just one of the nearly 1,700 precinct caucuses across the state .
And ultimately , the 118 Democrats in a Clinton Middle School common room chose Sen. Bernie Sanders , former Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend , Ind .
Mayor Pete Buttigieg — the three being the only candidates to meet a 15 % threshold of support from those present to receive delegates .
Sanders supporters wound up outnumbering the others — at 43 — after poaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Yang supporter .
Three supporters for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar walked away after the first round after not making the cut .
The cookies helped sweeten the bitter taste of defeat .
“ Here .
Take a sad Elizabeth Warren mint chocolate chip cookie even though you didn ’ t come to our side , ” Julie Raab , 58 , a precinct captain for Elizabeth Warren said as she handed a tupperware container of cookies to a Yang supporter who had already declined to join the Warren crowd .
Clinton County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that flipped from going for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 , to Donald Trump in 2016 .
The city of Clinton ’ s population was about 25,480 in 2017 .
It ’ s the largest city in Clinton County , where the total population is about 47,000 — or roughly the size of west suburban Elmhurst .
Clinton is a blue-collar micropolitan , once called the “ sawmill capital of the nation.
” In 2016 , Clinton County voters voted 48.88 % for Trump , and 43.76 % for Hillary Clinton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats than Republicans in the county , according to county election records .
There were more than 31,000 registered voters in that contest .
Clinton Middle School was one of eight caucus sites in the city .
Logan Vo , 30 , told other Precinct 42 caucusgoers he ’ s seen his community afflicted by poverty , with good-paying jobs hard to find and people fleeing elsewhere to find better work .
“ The people here are desperate for change and that is why Trump won our county , ” Logan Vo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pitch for supporters .
“ The reason I support Yang is he ’ s given me hope , not only for my loved ones , but for my community , ” he said .
Yang supporters numbered nine — only half the minimum for viability .
But Vo ultimately went to the Sanders side .
“ Bernie is a cult personality , ” and I think you need a cult personality to beat Trump , ” Vo said .
Tension was limited in the room .
Raab ’ s cookies helped .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to offer the baked goods to the Sanders team .
Supporters of each campaign applauded each other , even if they didn ’ t agree with one another .
“ It ’ s much different than it was four years ago , ” Raab , 58 , of Clinton , said .
“ I am very impressed by the camaraderie .
Everybody that you talk to has very similar feelings .
We ’ re all going to vote blue .
We have to.
” While multiple polls — and a CNN entrance poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders as the top four – not everyone entered the caucus with their heart set .
Julie Walwer , 65 , of Clinton brought her own research — a questionnaire that covered candidates ’ stances on various issues , such as health insurance and climate change .
She studied it for about 20 minutes before the caucus began .
But it was Sanders ’ support for declaring climate change a national emergency that led her to walk over to the Sanders tables .
“ My deciding thing is I feel Bernie is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Walwer said .
“ And I think if we don ’ t address it , nothing else is going to matter.
” Melissa Franzen , 31 , of Clinton , is a precinct captain for Yang .
She said the Sanders campaign pitched her team about a $ 15 minimum wage , the Warren team about daycare .
“ I ’ m Yang or bust , ” Franzen said .
“ The Yang supporters are really passionate about only Yang .
I feel like he ’ s the only one who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automation .
A $ 15 minimum wage doesn ’ t really help me as a stay at home parent.
” Franzen said she found meaning in Yang ’ s campaign — volunteering for about a year .
“ When Yang speaks at events , he speaks for all of us .
He looks at us like we all have a value and like we all have potential , ” Franzen said .
“ He ’ s genuine .
He ’ s raw.
” While many of the campaigns spoke of unity , Franzen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supporting a Democrat in November .
“ It depends on who it is , ” she said .
“ I ’ m not blue only .
It depends on who it is .
”

CLINTON, Iowa — In a county under the magnifying glass — one of many President Donald Trump turned red four years ago — caucusgoers gathered Monday night at a middle school in east-central Iowa to make pitches for the minimum wage, free child care and mint chocolate chip cookies.
Over the sounds of dribbling basketballs from a nearby gymnasium, caucus chair Andrew Kelley kicked off Clinton Middle School’s part of the state’s first-in-the-nation winnowing of the presidential field.
“Go with your heart, who you like,” Andrew Kelley, told caucus-goers at the beginning of the count. “You might be surprised who you get.”
It was just one of the nearly 1,700 precinct caucuses across the state.
And ultimately, the 118 Democrats in a Clinton Middle School common room chose Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend, Ind. Mayor Pete Buttigieg — the three being the only candidates to meet a 15% threshold of support from those present to receive delegates.
Sanders supporters wound up outnumbering the others — at 43 — after poaching some undecided voters, and even an Andrew Yang supporter. Three supporters for Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar walked away after the first round after not making the cut.
The cookies helped sweeten the bitter taste of defeat.
“Here. Take a sad Elizabeth Warren mint chocolate chip cookie even though you didn’t come to our side,” Julie Raab, 58, a precinct captain for Elizabeth Warren said as she handed a plastic container of cookies to a Yang supporter who had already declined to join the Warren crowd.
Steve Wehling, a precinct captain for Bernie Sanders, counts his preference cards in Clinton, Iowa. The Sanders, Joe Biden, Pete Buttigieg and Elizabeth Warren supporters outnumbered others at the caucus site for Precinct 42 at Clinton Middle School. Tina Sfondeles/Chicago Sun-Times
Clinton County is one of nine eastern Iowa counties that flipped from going for President Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, to Donald Trump in 2016. The city of Clinton’s population was about 25,480 in 2017. It’s the largest city in Clinton County, where the total population is about 47,000 — or roughly the size of west suburban Elmhurst.
Clinton is a blue-collar micropolitan, once called the “sawmill capital of the nation.”
In 2016, Clinton County voters voted 48.88% for Trump, and 43.76% for Hillary Clinton, even though there were more registered Democrats than Republicans in the county, according to county election records. There were more than 31,000 registered voters in that contest.
Clinton Middle School was one of eight caucus sites in the city.
Logan Vo, 30, told other Precinct 42 caucusgoers he’s seen his community afflicted by poverty, with good-paying jobs hard to find and people fleeing elsewhere to find better work.
“The people here are desperate for change and that is why Trump won our county,” Logan Vo, a Yang supporter, said in his pitch for supporters.
“The reason I support Yang is he’s given me hope, not only for my loved ones, but for my community,” he said.
Yang supporters numbered nine — only half the minimum for viability. But Vo ultimately went to the Sanders side.
“Bernie is a cult personality,” and I think you need a cult personality to beat Trump,” Vo said.
Tension was limited in the room. Raab’s cookies helped. After visiting the Yang supporters, she went to offer the baked goods to the Sanders team.
Supporters of each campaign applauded each other, even if they didn’t agree with one another.
“It’s much different than it was four years ago,” Raab, 58, of Clinton, said. “I am very impressed by the camaraderie. Everybody that you talk to has very similar feelings. We’re all going to vote blue. We have to.”
First time caucus-goer Larry Fogg hands a Pete Buttigieg sticker to an Amy Klobuchar supporter in his efforts to get her support at Clinton Middle School in Clinton, Iowa. Klobuchar failed to get the support of 18 caucus-goers, required to meet the 15% threshold to be considered viable in Precinct 42. Tina Sfondeles/Chicago Sun-Times
While multiple polls — and a CNN entrance poll showed Biden, Buttigieg, Warren and Sanders as the top four – not everyone entered the caucus with their heart set.
Julie Walwer, 65, of Clinton brought her own research — a questionnaire that covered candidates’ stances on various issues, such as health insurance and climate change. She studied it for about 20 minutes before the caucus began.
But it was Sanders’ support for declaring climate change a national emergency that led her to walk over to the Sanders tables.
“My deciding thing is I feel Bernie is the most aggressive on the environmental issues,” Walwer said. “And I think if we don’t address it, nothing else is going to matter.”
Melissa Franzen, 31, of Clinton, is a precinct captain for Yang. She said the Sanders campaign pitched her team about a $15 minimum wage, the Warren team about daycare.
“I’m Yang or bust,” Franzen said. “The Yang supporters are really passionate about only Yang. I feel like he’s the only one who’s progressive during this time, with automation. A $15 minimum wage doesn’t really help me as a stay at home parent.”
Andrew Yang precinct captain Melissa Franzen says although her candidate isn’t viable at the Clinton caucus, she’s “Yang or bust” and won’t support another nominee. Tina Sfondeles/Chicago Sun-Times
Franzen said she found meaning in Yang’s campaign — volunteering for about a year.
“When Yang speaks at events, he speaks for all of us. He looks at us like we all have a value and like we all have potential,” Franzen said. “He’s genuine. He’s raw.”
While many of the campaigns spoke of unity, Franzen said she can’t commit to supporting a Democrat in November.
“It depends on who it is,” she said. “I’m not blue only. It depends on who it is.”
But she won’t vote Trump.
“No. No, never,” Franzen said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--St. Barnabas School to be closed Tuesday after more than 130 students home sick

St. Barnabas School in Beverly will be closed Tuesday after more than 25 % of its students were home sick Monday .
At least 137 students were sent home with influenza A/B , strep and stomach flu , school officials said in an email Monday to parents .
Several employees were also out with the same illnesses .
An “ E-learning ” day is scheduled for Tuesday in lieu of in-person class instruction , the email said .
Students in kindergarten through 8th grade will have to complete assignments through their teacher ’ s Google site .
Students will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because E-learning days count as official school days , the email said .
The school , 10121 S. Longwood Dr. , recommends anyone with the flu not return to class or work for at least four to five days , the email said .
“ Our concern is that infected persons have been coming back to school before this timeline which we believe has been causing the viruses to spread at an increased rate , ” the email said .
Officials said both school buildings were deep-cleaned last month , and will undergo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barnabas posted a guide on Facebook when someone sick should stay home .

St. Barnabas School in Beverly will be closed Tuesday after more than 25% of its students were home sick Monday.
At least 137 students were sent home with influenza A/B, strep and stomach flu, school officials said in an email Monday to parents. Several employees were also out with the same illnesses.
An “E-learning” day is scheduled for Tuesday in lieu of in-person class instruction, the email said. Students in kindergarten through 8th grade will have to complete assignments through their teacher’s Google site.
Students will not have to make up the lost day because E-learning days count as official school days, the email said.
The school, 10121 S. Longwood Dr., recommends anyone with the flu not return to class or work for at least four to five days, the email said.
“Our concern is that infected persons have been coming back to school before this timeline which we believe has been causing the viruses to spread at an increased rate,” the email said.
Officials said both school buildings were deep-cleaned last month, and will undergo another round of sanitizing Tuesday.
St. Barnabas posted a guide on Facebook when someone sick should stay home.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Man fatally shot in Englewood: police

Man fatally shot in Englewood: police

A man was shot dead in Englewood Tuesday on the South Side , police said .
He was standing in @ @ @ @ @ in the 6000 block of South Wolcott Avenue when someone approached him and opened fire @ @ @ @ @ The 40-year-old was hit multiple times , and taken to the University of Chicago Medical @ @ @ @ @ dead , police said .
The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office hasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ fatality .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A 40-year-old man was shot dead in Englewood Tuesday on the South Side.
Issac Brown was standing in the street about 3 p.m. in the 6000 block of South Wolcott Avenue when someone approached him and opened fire, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
He was hit multiple times, and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he died, police said.
He lived in Bronzeville, the medical examiner’s office said.
Area South detectives were investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--EDITORIAL: CPS had no choice but to crack down — Lincoln Park High is in a serious mess

Chicago Public Schools made the entirely right call in its hard-line response to a burgeoning scandal at Lincoln Park High School .
The district , in our view , had no choice but to remove top school leaders and coaches at the North Side school , given the gravity of the allegations , as reported by the Sun-Times .
Some 300 students walked out Monday to protest the removals and the suspension of the boys basketball program , which was on the cusp of the city playoffs .
But there was no acceptable alternative to swift and decisive action if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect every student — did indeed turn a blind eye to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct , including misconduct involving students and adults .
A long list of other serious allegations has now come to light , as well , and if even half of them hold up under investigation , Lincoln Park High is in a serious mess .
CPS officials last week removed Interim Principal John Thuet and Assistant Principal Michelle Brumfield , suspended the boys basketball program and reassigned interim basketball coach Donovan Robinson .
Meanwhile , head basketball @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , amid allegations that he knew about sexual activity by a student on an out-of-town team trip to Detroit in December .
( Gordon himself is not accused of any improper contact with a student . )
Gordon has denied any wrongdoing .
The list of allegations was unveiled to the Lincoln Park school community at a packed meeting Monday night .
And as CPS Chief Schools Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova told the audience , more than one student was harmed “ physically ” and “ emotionally.
” Reading the list , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Student Protections and Title IX and the Office of Inspector General are warranted .
CPS also has notified the police “ where it is appropriate , ” a district spokesperson told us .
• Repeated and ongoing retaliation against witnesses and complainants .
• Interference with an official investigation by school leadership and staff .
• Financial misconduct with respect to athletic program accounts That ’ s only part of it .
Some of the allegations do not involve the basketball team .
If there ’ s any doubt CPS did the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPS , with the same evidence in hand , maintains the status quo while a quiet investigation is carried out under the radar .
What a message that would send : That the district puts greater value on appearances and not rocking the boat than on protecting students ’ safety and emotional well-being .
In the end , CPS has no margin for error , given its history of mishandling reports of sexual abuse and misconduct .
We feel for the basketball players who had nothing to do with any of this but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is possibly over , and that ’ s unfortunate .
But a basketball game is a basketball game .
CPS suspended the program “ due to the severity of the allegations and the adverse culture that was created.
” We feel , too , for the students who had forged a bond with school leaders who , it now appears , let them down .
Members of the local school council , too , were “ shocked ” and “ blindsided ” by the ousters , one LSC member told the Sun-Times .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Why would we take these actions if we didn ’ t think they were absolutely necessary to keep students safe ?
” To be clear : None of the allegations has yet been proven .
The public won ’ t know the full truth until the investigations are complete .
In the end , we hope every student will come to know and appreciate this : Chicago school officials at the highest level , at least in this instance , have made student safety their highest priority — and they will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect it .
That ’ s one of those good lessons for all of life .

Chicago Public Schools made the entirely right call in its hard-line response to a burgeoning scandal at Lincoln Park High School.
The district, in our view, had no choice but to remove top school leaders and coaches at the North Side school, given the gravity of the allegations, as reported by the Sun-Times.
Some 300 students walked out Monday to protest the removals and the suspension of the boys basketball program, which was on the cusp of the city playoffs.
But there was no acceptable alternative to swift and decisive action if school leaders — whose first job is to protect every student — did indeed turn a blind eye to multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including misconduct involving students and adults.
Editorials bug Editorials
A long list of other serious allegations has now come to light, as well, and if even half of them hold up under investigation, Lincoln Park High is in a serious mess.
CPS officials last week removed Interim Principal John Thuet and Assistant Principal Michelle Brumfield, suspended the boys basketball program and reassigned interim basketball coach Donovan Robinson.
Meanwhile, head basketball coach Pat Gordon already had been suspended, amid allegations that he knew about sexual activity by a student on an out-of-town team trip to Detroit in December. (Gordon himself is not accused of any improper contact with a student.) Gordon has denied any wrongdoing.
The list of allegations was unveiled to the Lincoln Park school community at a packed meeting Monday night. And as CPS Chief Schools Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova told the audience, more than one student was harmed “physically” and “emotionally.”
Reading the list, it’s clear why investigations by the Office of Student Protections and Title IX and the Office of Inspector General are warranted. CPS also has notified the police “where it is appropriate,” a district spokesperson told us.
The allegations include:
Repeated and ongoing retaliation against witnesses and complainants.
Interference with an official investigation by school leadership and staff.
Withholding evidence from investigative bodies.
Improper student discipline.
Improper evidence gathering and re-traumatizing interviews of students.
Allowing suspended employees to continue to work.
Financial misconduct with respect to athletic program accounts
That’s only part of it. Some of the allegations do not involve the basketball team.
If there’s any doubt CPS did the right thing, consider the alternative: CPS, with the same evidence in hand, maintains the status quo while a quiet investigation is carried out under the radar.
What a message that would send: That the district puts greater value on appearances and not rocking the boat than on protecting students’ safety and emotional well-being.
In the end, CPS has no margin for error, given its history of mishandling reports of sexual abuse and misconduct.
We feel for the basketball players who had nothing to do with any of this but are paying a price. Their season is possibly over, and that’s unfortunate. But a basketball game is a basketball game. CPS suspended the program “due to the severity of the allegations and the adverse culture that was created.”
We feel, too, for the students who had forged a bond with school leaders who, it now appears, let them down. Members of the local school council, too, were “shocked” and “blindsided” by the ousters, one LSC member told the Sun-Times.
But as a CPS spokesperson told us, “Why would we take these actions if we didn’t think they were absolutely necessary to keep students safe?”
To be clear: None of the allegations has yet been proven. The public won’t know the full truth until the investigations are complete.
In the end, we hope every student will come to know and appreciate this:
Chicago school officials at the highest level, at least in this instance, have made student safety their highest priority — and they will hold other adults accountable who fail to protect it.
That’s one of those good lessons for all of life.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Thefts from vehicles reported in West Town, Near West Side: police

Police are warning Near West Side and West Town residents of thefts from vehicles reported in recent weeks .
In @ @ @ @ @ either opened unlocked doors of unattended vehicles or broke the back seat windows and took @ @ @ @ @ said in a community alert .
• About 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 in the 1400 @ @ @ @ @ ; • Between 2 p.m. Jan. 19 and 8 a.m. Jan. 21 in the 1300 @ @ @ @ @ ; • About 7 p.m. Jan. 20 in the first block of North Morgan Street @ @ @ @ @ p.m. and 1 p.m. Jan. 22 in the 1000 block of West Randolph Street .
@ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t available .
Anyone with information is asked to call Area Central detectives @ @ @ @ @ on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Police are warning Near West Side and West Town residents of thefts from vehicles reported in recent weeks.
In each case, the suspect either opened unlocked doors of unattended vehicles or broke the back seat windows and took personal items, Chicago police said in a community alert.
The thefts happened:
About 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9 in the 1400 block of West Madison Street;
Between 2 p.m. Jan. 19 and 8 a.m. Jan. 21 in the 1300 block of West Washington Street;
About 7 p.m. Jan. 20 in the first block of North Morgan Street; and
Between 12:45 p.m. and 1 p.m. Jan. 22 in the 1000 block of West Randolph Street.
A description of any suspects wasn’t available.
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--2020-02-04--Winter weather cools idea of Illinois as bellwether

Would you rather come out in January and February to vote or wait until March , April or May ?
Most people would rather wait until after the spring thaw , I ’ m pretty sure .
They ’ d also rather see a shorter time gap between the primary and November general election , thereby shortening the overall campaign season .
That ’ s why I say “ no thanks ” to Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s suggestion to move Illinois up to first on the primary election calendar in 2024 ahead of Iowa , New Hampshire and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggestion Tuesday evening via Twitter before the full extent of the Iowa caucus debacle renewed questions about whether our neighbor to the west deserves its pre-eminent spot in the presidential nominating process .
Pritzker was poking at Iowa ’ s relative lack of diversity and offering Illinois as the solution , using an NPR story as evidence .
“ If you ’ re looking for a state whose people represent the diversity of America , look no further than Illinois .
It ’ s time for the most representative state in the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Pritzker tweeted .
By Wednesday morning , perhaps sensing an opening in the wake of the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s vote-counting collapse , Pritzker followed up with a statement indicating he meant to be taken seriously .
“ I look forward to working with other elected officials and the party to change the calendar so that Illinois ’ primary comes first in the nominating process in the 2024 presidential election , ” Pritzker said .
It occurs to me the Republican Party might have its own thoughts about setting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mind at least one reason why our state might not be quite the political bellwether Pritzker and NPR say it is .
The notion that Democrats alone will decide the matter says plenty about a once middle-of-the-road state that now leans strongly Democratic .
What causes me concern is any election process that doesn ’ t prioritize voter participation and fairness above all else or one that fails to acknowledge the importance of the other offices that must be filled , even in a presidential election year .
This year in Cook County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Congress , the state Supreme Court , state ’ s attorney , Circuit Court clerk and more .
You start tinkering with the date of the primary for purposes of presidential politics , and you affect all those races as well with sometimes unforeseeable consequences .
We got a taste of that in 2008 and 2010 after the Legislature moved up the primary to the first week in February to help boost Barack Obama ’ s chances for the Democratic nomination .
It worked fine for Obama , but the overall result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heels of the holidays with candidates who had not been properly vetted .
Then we crossed our fingers and hoped to avoid a blizzard .
Sure , voting in person isn ’ t as important as it once was , given the movement towards voting by mail and other forms of early voting .
But I think we ’ re still a ways off in Illinois from entrusting our elections entirely to the vagaries of the U.S .
Postal Service or to some new system of online voting .
That leaves voters showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ballot , the prospects for which are dicier the earlier we are on the calendar .
The counter-argument from Pritzker seems to be that it would be good for the country to have a state such as Illinois getting first shot at picking the president , and it would be good for the state to have all the attention and exposure that comes with having the presidential candidates roaming the state for a year .
Setting aside the whole problem of whether New Hampshire or Iowa would even let somebody else go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sure the rest of the country is going to see our special brand of corrupt , transactional politics as the ideal blueprint .
Yes , it ’ s nice to have a real impact on picking the nominee , which has been hit or miss in Illinois in the past with our normal March primary slot .
But a January primary would offer no guarantees .
Others may suggest detaching the presidential primary from the rest of the offices to be contested , leaving us with two primaries .
The problem with that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A statewide election can cost taxpayers $ 30 million to $ 40 million .
That ’ s not an added cost that local governments , which administer elections in Illinois , are ready to finance .

Let’s make this simple.
Would you rather come out in January and February to vote or wait until March, April or May?
Most people would rather wait until after the spring thaw, I’m pretty sure. They’d also rather see a shorter time gap between the primary and November general election, thereby shortening the overall campaign season.
Opinion bug Opinion
That’s why I say “no thanks” to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s suggestion to move Illinois up to first on the primary election calendar in 2024 ahead of Iowa, New Hampshire and all the rest.
Pritzker made the suggestion Monday evening via Twitter before the full extent of the Iowa caucus debacle renewed questions about whether our neighbor to the west deserves its pre-eminent spot in the presidential nominating process.
Pritzker was poking at Iowa’s relative lack of diversity and offering Illinois as the solution, using an NPR story as evidence.
“If you’re looking for a state whose people represent the diversity of America, look no further than Illinois. It’s time for the most representative state in the country to be the first in the nation,” Pritzker tweeted.
By Tuesday morning, perhaps sensing an opening in the wake of the Iowa Democratic Party’s vote-counting collapse, Pritzker followed up with a statement indicating he meant to be taken seriously.
“I look forward to working with other elected officials and the party to change the calendar so that Illinois’ primary comes first in the nominating process in the 2024 presidential election,” Pritzker said.
Then gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker and his running mate, State Rep. Juliana Stratton, celebrate their win in the Democratic primary in 2018. File Photo. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
It occurs to me the Republican Party might have its own thoughts about setting the Illinois primary date, which brings to mind at least one reason why our state might not be quite the political bellwether Pritzker and NPR say it is. The notion that Democrats alone will decide the matter says plenty about a once middle-of-the-road state that now leans strongly Democratic.
Those leanings don’t bother me.
What causes me concern is any election process that doesn’t prioritize voter participation and fairness above all else or one that fails to acknowledge the importance of the other offices that must be filled, even in a presidential election year.
This year in Cook County we’re looking at contested races for Congress, the state Supreme Court, state’s attorney, Circuit Court clerk and more.
You start tinkering with the date of the primary for purposes of presidential politics, and you affect all those races as well with sometimes unforeseeable consequences.
We got a taste of that in 2008 and 2010 after the Legislature moved up the primary to the first week in February to help boost Barack Obama’s chances for the Democratic nomination.
It worked fine for Obama, but the overall result was an election coming right on the heels of the holidays with candidates who had not been properly vetted.
Then we crossed our fingers and hoped to avoid a blizzard.
Sure, voting in person isn’t as important as it once was, given the movement towards voting by mail and other forms of early voting.
But I think we’re still a ways off in Illinois from entrusting our elections entirely to the vagaries of the U.S. Postal Service or to some new system of online voting.
That leaves voters showing up at a polling place to cast a ballot, the prospects for which are dicier the earlier we are on the calendar.
The counter-argument from Pritzker seems to be that it would be good for the country to have a state such as Illinois getting first shot at picking the president, and it would be good for the state to have all the attention and exposure that comes with having the presidential candidates roaming the state for a year.
Setting aside the whole problem of whether New Hampshire or Iowa would even let somebody else go first, I’m not so sure the rest of the country is going to see our special brand of corrupt, transactional politics as the ideal blueprint.
Yes, it’s nice to have a real impact on picking the nominee, which has been hit or miss in Illinois in the past with our normal March primary slot. But a January primary would offer no guarantees.
Others may suggest detaching the presidential primary from the rest of the offices to be contested, leaving us with two primaries.
The problem with that idea is elections are expensive to conduct. A statewide election can cost taxpayers $30 million to $40 million. That’s not an added cost that local governments, which administer elections in Illinois, are ready to finance.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--‘We needed different leadership,’ Lightfoot says after school watchdog resigns amid workplace compla

‘We needed different leadership,’ Lightfoot says after school watchdog resigns amid workplace complaints

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday that she accepted the abrupt resignation of the inspector general of the Chicago Public Schools because “ we needed to go in a different direction.
” Inspector General Nicholas Schuler has not publicly said why he stepped down as the schools watchdog with two years left in his term .
But his resignation Monday came amid an investigation by an outside law firm the previous Board of Education president hired to look into anonymous complaints of a “ toxic workplace ” under Schuler ’ s command .
Lightfoot said she spoke directly with Schuler but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything wrong , nor would she say what ’ s in the report the law firm presented to the board in December .
CPS spokesman Michael Passman has also declined to release those findings .
“ It ’ s not a question of wrongdoing , ” the mayor said in Washington D.C. , where she was slated to be the guest of an Illinois legislator at President Donald Trump ’ s State of the Union address .
“ But it became clear that there was an environment there both in terms of personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basic infrastructure of running an office that size that we needed different leadership .
“ I mean , he ’ s worked tirelessly there .
His heart and soul was clearly into the work and the mission but it was time to move in a different direction , ” Lightfoot continued .
Schuler , 52 , has not responded to requests for comment except to release a statement Monday saying that he was “ proud of the work we have accomplished here over the past five years.
” A former Chicago Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office he was appointed to in 2014 by then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel , adding a new data analysis unit to hunt for troubling patterns within CPS , and releasing his findings more frequently than the annual report required by state law .
His investigations led to the ouster of two of Emanuel ’ s handpicked CPS CEOs — Barbara Byrd-Bennett , who steered millions in no-bid contracts for promised kickbacks and remains in federal prison , and Forrest Claypool , who was caught lying to Schuler during a probe into ethical lapses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPS .
And his office more than doubled in 2018 from 19 to 49 after he was tasked with taking over all investigations of sexual abuse or misconduct accusations lodged against adults within CPS — a job previously done by CPS ’ internal lawyers , who also defended the schools system against lawsuits by victims .
But at least one undated complaint , obtained by the Sun-Times , alleged of Schuler : “ He is verbally abusive to employees and yells at people so loud that the entire office can hear him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ them .
He also throws ‘ temper tantrums ’ and becomes physically threatening by slamming doors and other things.
” It still isn ’ t clear who ’ s tasked with policing the schools watchdog .
State law governing the CPS IG doesn ’ t address who would handle complaints about anyone in the IG ’ s office .
Nor does CPS have any protocol — as the City of Chicago ’ s inspector general ’ s office has had since 2009 — spelling out how to how to handle grievances .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday that she accepted the abrupt resignation of the inspector general of the Chicago Public Schools because “we needed to go in a different direction.”
Inspector General Nicholas Schuler has not publicly said why he stepped down as the schools watchdog with two years left in his term. But his resignation Monday came amid an investigation by an outside law firm the previous Board of Education president hired to look into anonymous complaints of a “toxic workplace” under Schuler’s command.
Lightfoot said she spoke directly with Schuler but would not say whether he had done anything wrong, nor would she say what’s in the report the law firm presented to the board in December. CPS spokesman Michael Passman has also declined to release those findings.
“It’s not a question of wrongdoing,” the mayor said in Washington D.C., where she was slated to be the guest of an Illinois legislator at President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. “But it became clear that there was an environment there both in terms of personnel issues but also just in terms of the basic infrastructure of running an office that size that we needed different leadership.
Related CPS Inspector General Nicholas Schuler under investigation
“I mean, he’s worked tirelessly there. His heart and soul was clearly into the work and the mission but it was time to move in a different direction,” Lightfoot continued.
In a resignation letter to the mayor dated Jan. 16, Schuler wrote that “I have decided to move on.”
”It has been an honor to serve the people of Chicago and their schools, and I am proud of the accomplishments of the office and its dedicated employees,” Schuler wrote in the letter obtained Tuesday by the Sun-Times.
Schuler, 52, did not respond to a request for comment.
A former Chicago Police sergeant, Schuler raised the profile of the office he was appointed to in 2014 by then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, adding a new data analysis unit to hunt for troubling patterns within CPS, and releasing his findings more frequently than the annual report required by state law.
His investigations led to the ouster of two of Emanuel’s handpicked CPS CEOs — Barbara Byrd-Bennett, who steered millions in no-bid contracts for promised kickbacks and remains in federal prison, and Forrest Claypool, who was caught lying to Schuler during a probe into ethical lapses of Claypool’s chosen general counsel at CPS. And his office more than doubled in 2018 from 19 to 49 after he was tasked with taking over all investigations of sexual abuse or misconduct accusations lodged against adults within CPS — a job previously done by CPS’ internal lawyers, who also defended the schools system against lawsuits by victims.
But at least one undated complaint, obtained by the Sun-Times, alleged of Schuler: “He is verbally abusive to employees and yells at people so loud that the entire office can hear him. He made people cry when yelling at them. He also throws ‘temper tantrums’ and becomes physically threatening by slamming doors and other things.”
It still isn’t clear who’s tasked with policing the schools watchdog. State law governing the CPS IG doesn’t address who would handle complaints about anyone in the IG’s office. Nor does CPS have any protocol — as the City of Chicago’s inspector general’s office has had since 2009 — spelling out how to how to handle grievances.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Uber makes nice with City Hall

Uber makes nice with City Hall

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Uber were at each other ’ s throats during the battle over Chicago ’ s new congestion fee , but the two combatants have apparently reached a cease fire .
Three months after Lightfoot accused the ride-hailing giant of offering black ministers a $ 54 million “ payoff ” to kill the $ 40 million fee , Uber has agreed to contribute $ 100,000 to help bolster participation in the 2020 U.S. Census .
Lightfoot has been urging business leaders to match the $ 500,000 the city has earmarked to bankroll community organizations charged with reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population identified as hard to count .
“ With your help , we can double our impact , awarding $ 1 million worth of grants to organizations on the ground in Chicago to support this effort , ” Lightfoot told business leaders recently at the Harold Washington Library .
Now , Uber is answering the call , putting aside any lingering animosity .
The ride-hailing giant , whose investors include former Mayor Rahm Emanuel ’ s brother , will contribute $ 100,000 “ to be distributed to community organizations assisting in educating hard-to-count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ importance of their participation , ” according to the mayor ’ s office .
Roughly 48 % of Chicago ’ s population of 2.7 million is categorized by the U.S. Census Bureau as “ hard to count.
” They include immigrants ; refugees ; renters ; the homeless ; people with disabilities ; non-English speakers ; children under five ; senior citizens ; and college students .
Uber spokesperson Kelley Quinn , a former Emanuel press secretary who worked briefly for Lightfoot ’ s mayoral campaign , refused to comment on the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ City Hall .
It ’ s a marked contrast to the bitter exchange between Lightfoot and Uber last fall .
That ’ s when Lightfoot dropped a political bombshell when asked about a counter-proposal that , Uber claimed , would have raised $ 21 million more than Lightfoot ’ s congestion fee , in part , because it would have applied to taxis as well as ride-hailing .
“ Is this the one where they ’ re paying off black ministers by $ 54 million ?
That one ?
Or is this a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on that day .
“ They offered up black ministers $ 54 million —a one-time deal— if they would convince the mayor to do away with any other kind of regulation .
And as we walked these ministers through the realities of what ’ s actually at stake here , I think they realized that , frankly , they ’ d been hoodwinked.
” Pressed for proof , Lightfoot said , “ I ’ ve had a number of ministers who ’ ve met with us and said , ‘ Uber promised us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor to ] back off.
’ ... We ’ ll get those names to you.
” The mayor ’ s office refused to release the ministers ’ names “ out of deference to them.
” The following day , Lightfoot substituted the word “ payoff ” for “ investments ” in , what appeared to be a calculated attempt to extract herself from a political controversy of her own making .
Not only did the remark risk offending black ministers who are a powerful political force .
The payoff charge had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publicly-owned company .
If the former federal prosecutor was truly accusing Uber of attempted bribery and had evidence of such a crime , she had an obligation to report that charge to the Securities and Exchange Commission .
Uber ’ s director of public policy Josh Gold branded the payoff charge “ categorically false ” and accused the mayor of “ confusing the $ 54 million in revenue that revenue that one of our proposals would have raised for her own budget.
” The ride-sharing fee was the most controversial element of Lightfoot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply because of the back-and-forth between the mayor and Uber .
It more than tripled the tax on passengers riding solo to and from downtown and slap a 74 % increase on ride-hailing trips in Chicago neighborhoods that go nowhere near downtown .
Uber has filed a lawsuit challenging a similar congestion fee in Skokie .
Depending on the outcome of that litigation , a similar fight is possible in Chicago .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Uber were at each other’s throats during the battle over Chicago’s new congestion fee, but the two combatants have apparently reached a cease fire.
Three months after Lightfoot accused the ride-hailing giant of offering black ministers a $54 million “payoff” to kill the $40 million fee, Uber has agreed to contribute $100,000 to help bolster participation in the 2020 U.S. Census.
Lightfoot has been urging business leaders to match the $500,000 the city has earmarked to bankroll community organizations charged with reaching the 48% of Chicago’s population identified as hard to count.
“With your help, we can double our impact, awarding $1 million worth of grants to organizations on the ground in Chicago to support this effort,” Lightfoot told business leaders recently at the Harold Washington Library.
Now, Uber is answering the call, putting aside any lingering animosity.
The ride-hailing giant, whose investors include former Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s brother, will contribute $100,000 “to be distributed to community organizations assisting in educating hard-to-count residents and ensuring that they understand the importance of their participation,” according to the mayor’s office.
Roughly 48% of Chicago’s population of 2.7 million is categorized by the U.S. Census Bureau as “hard to count.”
They include immigrants; refugees; renters; the homeless; people with disabilities; non-English speakers; children under five; senior citizens; and college students.
Uber spokesperson Kelley Quinn, a former Emanuel press secretary who worked briefly for Lightfoot’s mayoral campaign, refused to comment on the company’s decision to make nice with City Hall.
It’s a marked contrast to the bitter exchange between Lightfoot and Uber last fall.
That’s when Lightfoot dropped a political bombshell when asked about a counter-proposal that, Uber claimed, would have raised $21 million more than Lightfoot’s congestion fee, in part, because it would have applied to taxis as well as ride-hailing.
“Is this the one where they’re paying off black ministers by $54 million? That one? Or is this a new one?” the mayor said on that day.
“They offered up black ministers $54 million —a one-time deal— if they would convince the mayor to do away with any other kind of regulation. And as we walked these ministers through the realities of what’s actually at stake here, I think they realized that, frankly, they’d been hoodwinked.”
Pressed for proof, Lightfoot said, “I’ve had a number of ministers who’ve met with us and said, ‘Uber promised us $54 million if you [convince the mayor to] back off.’ ... We’ll get those names to you.”
The mayor’s office refused to release the ministers’ names “out of deference to them.”
The following day, Lightfoot substituted the word “payoff” for “investments” in, what appeared to be a calculated attempt to extract herself from a political controversy of her own making.
Not only did the remark risk offending black ministers who are a powerful political force.
The payoff charge had the potential to impact the stock of a publicly-owned company. If the former federal prosecutor was truly accusing Uber of attempted bribery and had evidence of such a crime, she had an obligation to report that charge to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Uber’s director of public policy Josh Gold branded the payoff charge “categorically false” and accused the mayor of “confusing the $54 million in revenue that revenue that one of our proposals would have raised for her own budget.”
The ride-sharing fee was the most controversial element of Lightfoot’s first budget — and not simply because of the back-and-forth between the mayor and Uber.
It more than tripled the tax on passengers riding solo to and from downtown and slapped a 74% increase on ride-hailing trips in Chicago neighborhoods that go nowhere near downtown.
Uber has filed a lawsuit challenging a similar congestion fee in Skokie. Depending on the outcome of that litigation, a similar fight is possible in Chicago.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Macy’s to close 125 department stores, cut thousands of jobs over next three years

Macy ’ s plans to close 125 of its department stores over the next three years , the company announced Tuesday .
The closures , which make up nearly one fifth of all Macy ’ s , are a part of what the company ’ s says is a new strategy to stabilize profit and grow .
The stores that will be closing account for about $ 1.4 billion in sales and were deemed the company ’ s “ least productive stores , ” according to a statement from Macy ’ s .
The 30 stores currently in the process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced Tuesday , the statement said .
Macy ’ s did not identify which locations will be closing .
But officials said the corporate headquarters in Cincinnati , Ohio will close , too , along with headquarters in San Francisco and Lorain , Ohio .
The sole corporate headquarters will be in New York City .
The company will eliminate 2,000 corporate jobs — 9 % of its corporate and support staff , the statement also said .
“ This will be a tough week for our team as we say goodbye to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Macy ’ s CEO Jeff Gennette in the statement .
“ The changes we are making are deep and impact every area of the business , but they are necessary.
” A smaller store format , Market by Macy ’ s , will be tested outside of malls and will feature both local goods and Macy ’ s merchandise .
The first of these is slated to open in Dallas later this week .
The company ’ s new strategy is expected to generate about $ 1.5 billion in savings by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million by the end of this year .

Macy’s plans to close 125 of its department stores over the next three years, the company announced Tuesday.
The closures, which make up nearly one fifth of all Macy’s, are a part of what the company’s says is a new strategy to stabilize profit and grow.
The stores that will be closing account for about $1.4 billion in sales and were deemed the company’s “least productive stores,” according to a statement from Macy’s. The 30 stores currently in the process of closing are included in the 125 announced Tuesday, the statement said.
Macy’s did not identify which locations will be closing.
But officials said the corporate headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio will close, too, along with headquarters in San Francisco and Lorain, Ohio. The sole corporate headquarters will be in New York City.
The company will eliminate 2,000 corporate jobs — 9% of its corporate and support staff, the statement also said.
“This will be a tough week for our team as we say goodbye to great colleagues and good friends,” said Macy’s CEO Jeff Gennette in the statement. “The changes we are making are deep and impact every area of the business, but they are necessary.”
A smaller store format, Market by Macy’s, will be tested outside of malls and will feature both local goods and Macy’s merchandise. The first of these is slated to open in Dallas later this week.
The company’s new strategy is expected to generate about $1.5 billion in savings by the end of 2022 and about $600 million by the end of this year.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Illinois the new Iowa? Pritzker to push for first-in-nation mantle, Lightfoot calls it ‘worthwhile q

Illinois the new Iowa? Pritzker to push for first-in-nation mantle, Lightfoot calls it ‘worthwhile question to pursue’

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker plans to launch a bid for the state to overtake Iowa ’ s first-in-the-nation presidential nominating status .
And with the demand for diversity in the process growing even before the Iowa vote counting debacle , Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday told the Chicago Sun-Times it ’ s time for the Democratic party to “ give serious consideration to starting with a state that ’ s diverse.
” Making that Illinois is a “ worthwhile question to pursue , ” the mayor said .
Pritzker ’ s chief-of-staff Anne Caprara said when it comes time for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary voting structure , a very real push will be made to make Illinois the lead the nation in the nominating process .
“ We would absolutely make the case that Illinois should be first , ” said Caprara , who also ran Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 super PAC .
As Iowans gathered to caucus on Monday night , Pritzker tweeted his support for Illinois to become an early voting state .
The Chicago Democrat ’ s tweet was posted at 8:17 p.m. — before the caucuses had concluded , and before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and no results , from the Iowa Democratic Party .
“ If you ’ re looking for a state whose people represent the diversity of America , look no further than Illinois , ” Pritzker tweeted on his political account .
“ It ’ s time for the most representative state in the country to be the first in the nation.
” The Illinois governor tweeted that message along with a link to an NPR story about a “ Perfect State Index ” of which states should go first if New Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go first.
” The Democratic governor has been mum about early support for any of his party ’ s presidential candidates .
But Pritzker and his wife , M.K .
Pritzker , contributed at least $ 14.7 million to Hillary Clinton ’ s 2016 presidential campaign .
Lighfoot — in Washington on Tuesday for the State of the Union address — said whether Illinois should become the first primary state is a “ worthwhile question to pursue.
” “ The dynamics of the Democratic electorate and the dynamics of the people who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been changed , ” Lightfoot told the Sun-Times .
“ And I think we have to think , give serious consideration to starting with a state that ’ s diverse.
” With New Hampshire and Iowa taking the lead , Lightfoot said minority candidates in this cycle were at a disadvantage , specifically mentioning former candidates Sen. Kamala Harris , Sen. Corey Booker and Julian Castro .
Lightfoot said it ’ s an issue Democrats , including the governor , “ need to press the DNC on to consider.
” “ This is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa and New Hampshire have an outsize role in selecting Democratic nominees in an era now when we have very diverse groups of people that are running for president , ” Lightfoot said .
Pushing Illinois to be the new Iowa would mean when the Democratic National Committee gathers its committees to discuss the 2024 primary calendar , especially in light of the Iowa caucus mess , Pritzker and his team will be making a pitch .
Pritzker would have to be willing to back moving up the Illinois primary ahead of mid-March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primary date in order to help then U.S. Sen. Barack Obama clinch the Democratic presidential nomination .
This year , Illinois ’ primary is on March 17 , along with Arizona , Florida and Ohio .
“ We feel that we have a really strong case to make about Illinois .
That it is geographically , ethnically and economically very diverse .
We sit in the Midwest in the middle of a lot of states that are important to the presidential election calendar .
That if you come to this state , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in urban areas and rural areas , and all different types of communities , ” Caprara said .
“ And that ’ s really a great proving ground for a presidential election.
” Asked if Pritzker had reached out to the Illinois Democratic Party and its chair , Mike Madigan , Caprara said Pritzker ’ s team has been “ talking to a bunch of people about it.
” The Illinois Democratic Party on Tuesday opted not to weigh in on the matter , according to a spokeswoman .
The push , Caprara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making — but is already gaining some muscle .
“ We certainly saw a lot of support last night when the governor tweeted , ” Caprara said .
“ I think overall we feel pretty strongly that , you know , Illinois sent Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama to the White House .
If you can win here , you can win pretty much anywhere .
”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to launch a bid for the state to overtake Iowa’s first-in-the-nation presidential nominating status.
And with the demand for diversity in the process growing stronger even before the Iowa caucus debacle, Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday told the Chicago Sun-Times it’s time for the Democratic party to “give serious consideration to starting with a state that’s diverse.”
Making that state Illinois is a “worthwhile question to pursue,” the mayor said.
Pritzker’s chief-of-staff Anne Caprara said when it comes time for the Democratic National Committee to discuss its primary voting structure, a very real push will be made to make Illinois the lead the nation in the nominating process.
“We would absolutely make the case that Illinois should be first,” said Caprara, who also ran Hillary Clinton’s 2016 super PAC.
As Iowans gathered to caucus on Monday night, Pritzker tweeted his support for Illinois to become an early voting state. The Chicago Democrat’s tweet was posted at 8:17 p.m. — before the caucuses had concluded, and before technical problems led to a big embarrassment, and no results, from the Iowa Democratic Party.
“If you’re looking for a state whose people represent the diversity of America, look no further than Illinois,” Pritzker tweeted on his political account. “It’s time for the most representative state in the country to be the first in the nation.”
The Illinois governor tweeted that message along with a link to an NPR story about a “Perfect State Index” of which states should go first if New Hampshire and Iowa are “too white to go first.”
If you’re looking for a state whose people represent the diversity of America, look no further than Illinois. It’s time for the most representative state in the country to be the first in the nation. https://t.co/2BeB4MQIcD — JB Pritzker (@JBPritzker) February 4, 2020
Pritzker’s message was retweeted by hundreds, including Lightfoot.
The Democratic governor has been mum about early support for any of his party’s presidential candidates. But Pritzker and his wife, M.K. Pritzker, contributed at least $14.7 million to Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
Lighfoot — in Washington on Tuesday for the State of the Union address — said whether Illinois should become the first primary state is a “worthwhile question to pursue.”
“The dynamics of the Democratic electorate and the dynamics of the people who are going to run for president have forever been changed,” Lightfoot told the Sun-Times. “And I think we have to think, give serious consideration to starting with a state that’s diverse.”
Then Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot shakes hands with Gov. J.B. Pritzker after a meeting in his offices at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield last year. File Photo. Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP)
With New Hampshire and Iowa taking the lead, Lightfoot said minority candidates in this cycle were at a disadvantage, specifically mentioning former candidates Sen. Kamala Harris, Sen. Cory Booker and Julian Castro.
Lightfoot said it’s an issue Democrats, including the governor, “need to press the DNC on to consider.”
“This is a longer conversation about whether or not Iowa and New Hampshire have an outsize role in selecting Democratic nominees in an era now when we have very diverse groups of people that are running for president,” Lightfoot said.
Related Winter weather cools idea of Illinois as bellwether
Pushing Illinois to be the new Iowa would mean when the Democratic National Committee gathers its committees to discuss the 2024 primary calendar, especially in light of the Iowa caucus mess, Pritzker and his team will be making a pitch.
Pritzker would have to be willing to back moving up the Illinois primary ahead of mid-March. Illinois in 2008 moved up the primary date in order to help then U.S. Sen. Barack Obama clinch the Democratic presidential nomination. This year, Illinois’ primary is on March 17, along with Arizona, Florida and Ohio.
Then Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle take the stage for a Super Tuesday post-primary rally at the Hyatt Hotel February 5, 2008 in Chicago. Scott Olson/Getty Images
“We feel that we have a really strong case to make about Illinois. That it is geographically, ethnically and economically very diverse. We sit in the Midwest in the middle of a lot of states that are important to the presidential election calendar. That if you come to this state, you’re going to have to campaign in urban areas and rural areas, and all different types of communities,” Caprara said. “And that’s really a great proving ground for a presidential election.”
But even as Iowa is caught in the glare of the national spotlight for its massive caucus night mess, Illinois is no stranger to its own election-related embarrassments.
Just this week, the Illinois State Board of Elections said 774 former Illinois prison inmates had their registrations mistakenly canceled. Last month, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White’s office said it allowed at least 4,700 16-year-olds to begin the voter registration process — before those applications were terminated.
Also in January, the state Board of Elections said as many as 14 non-citizens appeared to have cast ballots in elections, after White’s office admitted 545 self-identified non-U.S. citizens were mistakenly registered to vote through the state’s new automatic registration system. Pritzker joined those calling for an investigation into the snafu.
Asked if Pritzker had reached out to the Illinois Democratic Party and its chair, Mike Madigan, about moving up the Illinois primary, Caprara said Pritzker’s team has been “talking to a bunch of people about it.”
The Illinois Democratic Party on Tuesday opted not to weigh in on the matter, according to a spokeswoman.
The push, Caprara said, will be years in the making — but is already gaining some muscle.
“We certainly saw a lot of support last night when the governor tweeted,” Caprara said. “I think overall we feel pretty strongly that, you know, Illinois sent Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama to the White House. If you can win here, you can win pretty much anywhere.”
Tina Sfondeles reported from Chicago; Lynn Sweet reported from Washington, D.C.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-04--Chicago has 3 of nation’s top hotels,  U.S. News & World Report says

Two Chicago hotels rank among the three best hotels in the country , according to the U.S. News & World Report ’ s annual ranking .
The Langham , Chicago came in at No .
2 and The Peninsula Chicago at No .
3 .
“ These hotels rank highly due to consistent stellar service , memorable onsite amenities and extraordinary accommodations , ” U.S. News & World Report said in a news release .
Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii came in at number one because of “ its countless amenities , ranging from sunset yoga to a world-class @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hotel “ encourages guests to explore the property ’ s idyllic setting , ” according to the magazine ’ s news release .
The Langham , Chicago ’ s ranking is a near return to the top of the chart ; it ranked No .
1 in 2017 but only at No .
7 last year .
The hotel occupies the first 13 floors of what is now known as AMA Plaza at 330 N. Wabash Ave .
The Peninsula Chicago , at 108 E. Superior St. , kept its No .
2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also snagged a spot in the Top 10 this year , coming in at No .
9 .
Other U.S. hotels in the Top 10 , in order of ranking , are : Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach , Florida ; Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney in Orlando , Florida ; Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe , California ; Montage Kapalua Bay in Lahaina , Hawaii ; Four Seasons Hotel Washington , D.C. and Hotel Emma in San Antonio , Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News and World Report has put out rankings for hotels .

Two Chicago hotels rank among the three best hotels in the country, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s annual ranking.
The Langham, Chicago came in at No. 2 and The Peninsula Chicago at No. 3.
“These hotels rank highly due to consistent stellar service, memorable onsite amenities and extraordinary accommodations,” U.S. News & World Report said in a news release.
Four Seasons Resort Lanai in Hawaii came in at number one because of “its countless amenities, ranging from sunset yoga to a world-class golf course,” and because the hotel “encourages guests to explore the property’s idyllic setting,” according to the magazine’s news release.
The Langham, Chicago’s ranking is a near return to the top of the chart; it ranked No. 1 in 2017 but only at No. 7 last year. The hotel occupies the first 13 floors of what is now known as AMA Plaza at 330 N. Wabash Ave.
The Peninsula Chicago, at 108 E. Superior St., kept its No. 2 spot last year.
Four Seasons Chicago also snagged a spot in the Top 10 this year, coming in at No. 9.
Other U.S. hotels in the Top 10, in order of ranking, are: Acqualina Resort & Residences on the Beach in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida; Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney in Orlando, Florida; Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa in Rancho Santa Fe, California; Montage Kapalua Bay in Lahaina, Hawaii; Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. and Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas.
This is the 10th year U.S. News and World Report has put out rankings for hotels.