chicagosuntimes--2020-02-05--Horoscope for Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020

Horoscope for Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020

We have the all clear to shop and do business .
The moon is in Cancer .
This is a feel-good day ; nevertheless , you might want to cocoon at home or seek out some privacy for yourself .
Many of you will have an important conversation with a female family member , perhaps mom .
A family gathering might also take place .
This is a positive day because you are in a positive frame of mind .
This is a good thing .
Did you know that studies have shown that people who pretended to feel happy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s true !
Fake it till you make it !
You feel happier about your finances .
In fact , you might feel a bit rich .
( It ’ s nice to have bucks in jeans . )
Today favors business and commerce ; however , there is a slight possibility that something will look better than it actually is .
Forewarned is forearmed .
This is a feel-good day !
The moon is in your sign dancing with lucky Jupiter !
This gives you a strong drive for personal freedom .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially with respect to relationships .
However , you also feel benevolent and generous .
( Spare change ? )
You have been focused on partners and close friends lately .
You have also been focused on entertaining diversions , socializing and being busy with your kids .
Actually , many of you will seek out ways to be generous to kids , especially those in need .
( The sign of Leo is related to children in astrology . )
This is a marvelous day to schmooze with friends and members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialize .
Not only do you want to socialize , you want to interact with clubs and gatherings of people because this energy will lift your spirits .
“ Hail fellow , well met !
” This is a good day to make your pitch to bosses , parents and VIPs because they see you in positive terms .
For starters , you appear affluent and successful in the eyes of others , and hey , appearances are everything .
This will help you to persuade someone in power to go along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exciting .
In fact , if you ’ re making travel plans you ’ ll be ambitious and think big !
“ Let ’ s go to Greece !
” Likewise , some of you might apply this same enthusiastic optimism to plans for getting further education or training .
This is an upbeat day !
This is a strong time for you because fiery Mars is in your sign pumping your energy , making you confident and proactive in everything you do .
Today you will be successful in concluding financial deals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the wealth of others .
This is a lovely day to socialize and schmooze with others .
In fact , one of the things that will please you is the discovery of how much beauty there is in your daily surroundings as well as the affection you feel from others .
Who knew ?
( So easy to take life for granted . )
Work-related travel will please you .
This is also an excellent day to deal with foreign countries and people from other cultures .
Meetings with groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You might take a position of leadership when dealing with others .
Lucky you !
This is a playful , fun-loving day for your sign .
Enjoy socializing with others .
Meet friends for lunch or have fun at Happy Hour .
Sports events and activities with kids will appeal .
Great date day !
If Your Birthday Is Today Singer Rick Astley ( 1966 ) shares your birthday .
You are a multitalented dreamer .
Many people underestimate your confidence and ability .
A fun-loving year !
Expect to be popular and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be more grateful for your life and will appreciate the happiness and beauty around you in a daily way .
It might be time for an important choice .
Choose wisely .

Moon Alert
We have the all clear to shop and do business. The moon is in Cancer.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
This is a feel-good day; nevertheless, you might want to cocoon at home or seek out some privacy for yourself. Many of you will have an important conversation with a female family member, perhaps mom. A family gathering might also take place.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
This is a positive day because you are in a positive frame of mind. This is a good thing. Did you know that studies have shown that people who pretended to feel happy ended up being happy? It’s true! Fake it till you make it!
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
You feel happier about your finances. In fact, you might feel a bit rich. (It’s nice to have bucks in jeans.) Today favors business and commerce; however, there is a slight possibility that something will look better than it actually is. Forewarned is forearmed.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
This is a feel-good day! The moon is in your sign dancing with lucky Jupiter! This gives you a strong drive for personal freedom. You want to do your own thing, especially with respect to relationships. However, you also feel benevolent and generous. (Spare change?)
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
You have been focused on partners and close friends lately. You have also been focused on entertaining diversions, socializing and being busy with your kids. Actually, many of you will seek out ways to be generous to kids, especially those in need. (The sign of Leo is related to children in astrology.)
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
This is a marvelous day to schmooze with friends and members of groups because you actually want to socialize. Not only do you want to socialize, you want to interact with clubs and gatherings of people because this energy will lift your spirits. “Hail fellow, well met!”
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
This is a good day to make your pitch to bosses, parents and VIPs because they see you in positive terms. For starters, you appear affluent and successful in the eyes of others, and hey, appearances are everything. This will help you to persuade someone in power to go along with your ideas.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Travel plans might look exciting. In fact, if you’re making travel plans you’ll be ambitious and think big! “Let’s go to Greece!” Likewise, some of you might apply this same enthusiastic optimism to plans for getting further education or training. This is an upbeat day!
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
This is a strong time for you because fiery Mars is in your sign pumping your energy, making you confident and proactive in everything you do. Today you will be successful in concluding financial deals or arrangements about shared property and how to deal with the wealth of others.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
This is a lovely day to socialize and schmooze with others. In fact, one of the things that will please you is the discovery of how much beauty there is in your daily surroundings as well as the affection you feel from others. Who knew? (So easy to take life for granted.)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Work-related travel will please you. This is also an excellent day to deal with foreign countries and people from other cultures. Meetings with groups and professional associations will go well. You might take a position of leadership when dealing with others.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Lucky you! This is a playful, fun-loving day for your sign. Enjoy socializing with others. Meet friends for lunch or have fun at Happy Hour. Sports events and activities with kids will appeal. Great date day!
If Your Birthday Is Today
Singer Rick Astley (1966) shares your birthday. You are a multitalented dreamer. Many people underestimate your confidence and ability. A fun-loving year! Expect to be popular and enjoy warm friendships. This year you will be more grateful for your life and will appreciate the happiness and beauty around you in a daily way. It might be time for an important choice. Choose wisely.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Bringing greater fairness to who gets TIF money in Chicago

If you need proof of how well tax increment financing can serve Chicago , check out virtually any movie filmed here before 1995 .
You ’ ll see a faded and aged city with decayed streets and ragged sections downtown .
And it would have grown only worse .
The increase use of TIF in the 1990s revived the Loop and sparked redevelopment across the city .
Having watched a lot of those movies , we ’ re inclined to offer at least our tentative support for Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s plans to reform — but by no means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program .
The city ’ s 138 TIF districts churned out $ 841 million in tax revenue in 2018 .
And that was a $ 181 million bump up from 2017 .
That ’ s a big pot of money .
Lightfoot wants to continue the program while making it fairer and less oblique , distributing its funds more equitably .
We couldn ’ t agree more .
Under Lightfoot ’ s plan , the city ’ s TIF Investment Committee and the city ’ s chief equity officer , Candace Moore , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — basically a better deal for truly distressed neighborhoods — a stronger focus of the TIF program .
Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar , who chairs the committee , told the Chicago Sun-Times the group will ask “ pretty tough questions ” to make sure proposed TIF-funded projects spur economic development across a whole stretch of the city , rather than result in just an isolated new structure that leads to nothing larger .
“ TIF can play a very important role in catalyzing economic development .
The key is that it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high degree of accountability around how the money is spent , ” Mayekar said .
“ That is what the mayor is doing here with these sweeping reforms.
” We also like that Lightfoot promises to take a harder look at the “ but for ” factor before granting TIF funds .
But for the TIF funds , that is to say , would the project get off the ground ?
That kind of skeptical vetting could go a long way toward allaying public perceptions that City Hall just doles out TIF money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lightfoot ’ s new plan for the use of TIF funds is a far cry from where she appeared to be last April when , as mayor-elect , she took a stand against ramrodding through the City Council two huge TIF-laden developments — Lincoln Yards , and The 78 — only to change her mind hours later .
The Council awarded $ 900 million to Lincoln Yards and $ 700 million to The 78 .
We supported both projects , and we still do , but not the hurried way in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter so large , striking to the heart of economic fairness in Chicago , we wrote , should not decided in “ a flurry of phone calls and closed-door bargaining over just 48 hours.
” Lightfoot now wants to throw a lot more sunlight on the process .
She intends to release monthly TIF spending reports , with reviews of the progress in each TIF district .
She wants the city to draft comprehensive neighborhood plans before granting TIF funds .
None of this goes far enough for some critics .
The Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — two groups that also strongly criticized former Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his handling of the TIF program — want Lightfoot to reduce TIF funding for downtown projects .
“ Those dollars shouldn ’ t be spent for economic development downtown , ” Grassroots Collaborative Executive Director Amisha Patel said .
“ That is a violation of TIF statute and the goals and intention of the program .
Money should be spend in low-income communities.
” Patel is right about the need for TIF funds to be spent in disinvested areas .
Designed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program has indeed poured hundreds of millions dollars into projects downtown and on the North Side while redevelopment on the traditionally disinvested South and West sides has languished .
Lightfoot says she ’ s every bit as committed as her critics to greater equity in the allocation of TIF funds , and her administration can point to recent TIF projects that move in that direction .
A 100 % affordable housing project is going up alongside the Logan Square Blue Line stop , and there is the planned renovation of the long-idle Ramova @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a difficult balance , and no mayor has ever been praised for getting it right .
Because there is no one objective definition of “ right.
” But when in doubt , an every greater emphasis on economic equity — lifting up old neighborhoods before investing in another North Side playground or downtown skyscraper — is the only way to go .

If you need proof of how well tax increment financing can serve Chicago, check out virtually any movie filmed here before 1995.
You’ll see a faded and aged city with decayed streets and ragged sections downtown. And it would have grown only worse. The increase use of TIF in the 1990s revived the Loop and sparked redevelopment across the city.
Having watched a lot of those movies, we’re inclined to offer at least our tentative support for Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plans to reform — but by no means end — the city’s TIF program.
Editorials bug Editorials
The city’s 138 TIF districts churned out $841 million in tax revenue in 2018. And that was a $181 million bump up from 2017.
That’s a big pot of money. Lightfoot wants to continue the program while making it fairer and less oblique, distributing its funds more equitably. We couldn’t agree more.
Changes to TIF
Under Lightfoot’s plan, the city’s TIF Investment Committee and the city’s chief equity officer, Candace Moore, are to work together to make equity — basically a better deal for truly distressed neighborhoods — a stronger focus of the TIF program. Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar, who chairs the committee, told the Chicago Sun-Times the group will ask “pretty tough questions” to make sure proposed TIF-funded projects spur economic development across a whole stretch of the city, rather than result in just an isolated new structure that leads to nothing larger.
“TIF can play a very important role in catalyzing economic development. The key is that it’s transparent and that there’s a high degree of accountability around how the money is spent,” Mayekar said. “That is what the mayor is doing here with these sweeping reforms.”
We also like that Lightfoot promises to take a harder look at the “but for” factor before granting TIF funds. But for the TIF funds, that is to say, would the project get off the ground? That kind of skeptical vetting could go a long way toward allaying public perceptions that City Hall just doles out TIF money to any fat-cat developer who comes along.
Lightfoot’s new plan for the use of TIF funds is a far cry from where she appeared to be last April when, as mayor-elect, she took a stand against ramrodding through the City Council two huge TIF-laden developments — Lincoln Yards, and The 78 — only to change her mind hours later.
The Council awarded $900 million to Lincoln Yards and $700 million to The 78. We supported both projects, and we still do, but not the hurried way in which the TIF provisions were reviewed. A matter so large, striking to the heart of economic fairness in Chicago, we wrote, should not decided in “a flurry of phone calls and closed-door bargaining over just 48 hours.”
A equitable TIF program is good for Chicago
Lightfoot now wants to throw a lot more sunlight on the process. She intends to release monthly TIF spending reports, with reviews of the progress in each TIF district. She wants the city to draft comprehensive neighborhood plans before granting TIF funds.
None of this goes far enough for some critics.
The Chicago Teachers Union and the organization Grassroots Collaborative — two groups that also strongly criticized former Mayor Rahm Emanuel for his handling of the TIF program — want Lightfoot to reduce TIF funding for downtown projects.
“Those dollars shouldn’t be spent for economic development downtown,” Grassroots Collaborative Executive Director Amisha Patel said. “That is a violation of TIF statute and the goals and intention of the program. Money should be spend in low-income communities.”
Patel is right about the need for TIF funds to be spent in disinvested areas. Designed to rebuild blighted areas, the TIF program has indeed poured hundreds of millions dollars into projects downtown and on the North Side while redevelopment on the traditionally disinvested South and West sides has languished.
What’s “right?”
Lightfoot says she’s every bit as committed as her critics to greater equity in the allocation of TIF funds, and her administration can point to recent TIF projects that move in that direction. A 100% affordable housing project is going up alongside the Logan Square Blue Line stop, and there is the planned renovation of the long-idle Ramova Theater at 35th and Halsted.
It’s a difficult balance, and no mayor has ever been praised for getting it right. Because there is no one objective definition of “right.”
But when in doubt, an every greater emphasis on economic equity — lifting up old neighborhoods before investing in another North Side playground or downtown skyscraper — is the only way to go.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Golden Knights buy AHL team, cementing end of Wolves relationship after season

The Vegas Golden Knights bought the San Antonio Rampage on Thursday and plan on moving them to Nevada for the 2020-21 season .
Pending the expected AHL approval , Vegas will make the Rampage their affiliate , officially ending the Wolves ’ three-year relationship with the Golden Knights .
San Antonio is currently the affiliate of the St. Louis Blues , who were the Wolves ’ parent club from 2013-17 ( and sent a handful of players to Rosemont during the 2017-18 campaign ) .
But even though the Blues don ’ t have an affiliate set for next season @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a parent club , it doesn ’ t mean a reunion is guaranteed .
For one , it ’ s always possible more teams shift , leaving different opportunities for both sides .
And when the franchises split , the breakup was not lamented by either side .
“ We are aware of the news regarding Vegas purchasing the San Antonio organization , ” Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement .
“ The Blues will finish the remainder of the 2019-20 season with San Antonio as our AHL @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuit of a new minor league affiliate will begin immediately .
We will have no further comment on this topic at this time.
” The Wolves and Vegas breaking up is not a surprise .
On Saturday , Wolves chairman Don Levin told the Sun-Times there was “ no scenario at all ” where his franchise would continue with Vegas for next season .
In a statement Thursday , Golden Knights president of hockey operations George McPhee said the move will “ effectively centralize our hockey operations and streamline our processes in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and staffing.
” ” It ’ s been a goal of the Vegas Golden Knights to have our AHL team located in our market since our team ’ s inception , ” McPhee said in the news release .
“ We are now closer to realizing this goal than we have ever been before .
”

The Vegas Golden Knights bought the San Antonio Rampage on Thursday and plan on moving them to Nevada for the 2020-21 season. Pending the expected AHL approval, Vegas will make the Rampage their affiliate, officially ending the Wolves’ three-year relationship with the team.
San Antonio is the affiliate of the St. Louis Blues, who were the Wolves’ parent club from 2013 to ’17 (and sent a handful of players to Rosemont during the 2017-18 campaign). But even though the Blues don’t have an affiliate set for next season and the Wolves are in need of a parent club, it doesn’t mean a reunion is guaranteed.
“We are aware of the news regarding Vegas purchasing the San Antonio organization,” Blues president and general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement. “The Blues will finish the remainder of the 2019-20 season with San Antonio as our AHL affiliate. In the meantime, our pursuit of a new minor-league affiliate will begin immediately.”
On Saturday, Wolves chairman Don Levin told the Sun-Times there was “no scenario at all” where his franchise would continue with Vegas for next season.
In a statement Thursday, Golden Knights president of hockey operations George McPhee said the move will “effectively centralize our hockey operations and streamline our processes in terms of player development, scouting, transfers and staffing.”
“It’s been a goal of the Vegas Golden Knights to have our AHL team located in our market since our team’s inception,” McPhee said in the news release. “We are now closer to realizing this goal than we have ever been before.”
Later Thursday, the Wolves suffered a 3-2 loss to the Manitoba Moose in Winnipeg. Forward Lucas Elvenes and defenseman Nic Hague scored for the Wolves (22-21-3-2), who had a 2-1 lead midway through the second period.
But Wolves defenseman Jake Bischoff was assessed a tripping penalty with 4:06 to play — and Manitoba needed just 20 seconds to take advantage. Kristian Vesalainen’s centering pass was redirected by C.J. Suess’ goal as the forward surged through the slot to seal the game with 3:46 left.
Goaltender Oscar Dansk (16-7-2), who made 28 saves, suffered his first regulation loss since Nov. 29.
The Moose (22-27-0-0) took the early lead on forward Danny Moynihan’s rebound goal at 15:43 of the first period. Elvenes tied it at 1-1 on the Wolves’ only power play of the game at 1:24 in the second period. With Ben Jones blocking goaltender Eric Comrie’s vision, Elvenes whistled a low shot that squirted past Comrie.
The Wolves seized the lead on Hague’s first goal of the year at 4:55 of the second. Hague collected an Elvenes pass in the defensive zone and raced past two Moose players and shot a wrister into the top corner of the net.
The Moose tied it at 2-2 on Michael Spacek’s rebound goal at 14:00 of the second.
Contributing: Sun-Times wires


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Associated Press cannot declare Iowa winner

DES MOINES , Iowa — The Associated Press said Thursday that it is unable to declare a winner of Iowa ’ s Democratic caucuses .
With 97 % of precincts reporting from Monday ’ s caucuses , former South Bend , Indiana , Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by three state delegate equivalents out of 2,098 counted .
That is a margin of 0.14 percentage points .
However , even as the Iowa Democratic Party ’ s effort to complete its tabulation of the caucus results continues , Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez on Thursday asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recanvass .
That is not a recount , but rather a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly .
Perez sought the recanvass following days of uncertainty about the results reported by the Iowa Democratic Party , which includes technology problems with the mobile phone app used by the party to collect results from caucus sites , an overwhelming number of calls to the party ’ s backup phone system and a subsequent delay of several days of reporting the results .
The Iowa Democratic Party suggested it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ request , issuing a statement that said it would conduct a recanvass if one was requested by one of the candidates .
Further , the party has yet to report results from some satellite caucus sites , from which there are still an unknown number of state delegate equivalents to be won .
“ The Associated Press calls a race when there is a clear indication of a winner .
Because of a tight margin between former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders and the irregularities in this year ’ s caucus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ determine a winner at this point , ” said Sally Buzbee , AP ’ s senior vice president and executive editor .
The AP will continue to report and review the results from the Iowa Democratic Party as it completes its tabulation , as well as the results of any potential recanvass or recount .

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Associated Press said Thursday that it is unable to declare a winner of Iowa’s Democratic caucuses.
Following the Iowa Democratic Party’s release of new results late Thursday night, former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg leads Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders by two state delegate equivalents out of 2,152 counted. That is a margin of 0.09 percentage points.
However, there is evidence the party has not accurately tabulated some of its results, including those released late Thursday that the party reported as complete.
Further, even as the Iowa Democratic Party’s effort to complete its tabulation of the caucus results continued Thursday, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez asked the Iowa Democratic Party to conduct a recanvass. That is not a recount, but rather a check of the vote count to ensure the results were added correctly.
Perez sought the recanvass following days of uncertainty about the results reported by the Iowa Democratic Party, which includes technology problems with the mobile phone app used by the party to collect results from caucus sites, an overwhelming number of calls to the party’s backup phone system and a subsequent delay of several days of reporting the results.
The Iowa Democratic Party suggested it may not comply with Perez’s request, issuing a statement that said it would conduct a recanvass if one was requested by one of the candidates.
“The Associated Press calls a race when there is a clear indication of a winner. Because of a tight margin between former Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Bernie Sanders and the irregularities in this year’s caucus process, it is not possible to determine a winner at this point,” said Sally Buzbee, AP’s senior vice president and executive editor.
The AP will continue to monitor the race, as well as the results of any potential recanvass or recount.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--High school basketball scores

High school basketball scores

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

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


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Lightfoot gets unlikely assist with potential end-run around City Council on aldermanic prerogative

Is Mayor Lori Lightfoot quietly plotting an end-run around the City Council to deliver on her signature campaign promise to end aldermanic prerogative over zoning ?
Or is a DuPage County Republican state lawmaker acting on her own to target the unwritten rule at the heart of the racketeering indictment against Ald .
Edward Burke ( 14th ) and virtually every other aldermanic indictment over the years ?
That ’ s the question Chicago aldermen have been asking themselves after learning about the Chicago-only bill introduced this week by state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi ( R-Westmont ) .
It states : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a property owner , or a developer or contractor having the written permission of the property owner , shall not have any approvals under the Zoning Division denied because of an aldermanic hold , objection , extra-judicial or extra-legal request , or for any law or ordinance enacted or adopted after ” development plans are presented and approved with permits issued .
The mayor ’ s office says it had nothing to do with the sneak attack on the longstanding tradition and that Mazzochi ’ s bill “ came out of left field.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to introduce the legislation by Lightfoot or anyone close to her administration .
She said she has her own reasons for ending aldermanic prerogative in Chicago .
She and her husband own rental properties .
They did development and renovation work in Chicago .
They know first-hand the chilling effect of giving local aldermen iron-fisted control over zoning in their wards .
“ There ’ s a lot of people that , when the allegations came out about Alderman Burke , were not surprised because this sort of thing happens behind the scenes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually divested most of my interests in the city of Chicago because of that toxic climate , ” she said .
Hours after taking office , Lightfoot signed an executive order stripping aldermen of their unbridled control over licensing and permitting in their wards .
She has promised to do the same for aldermanic prerogative over zoning .
But that will require a City Council vote — no sure thing in a Council that has been feeling its oats and pushing back .
In fact , the mayor ’ s own Finance Committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threat to abolish aldermanic prerogative over zoning because it ’ s a fight she is destined to lose .
Mazzochi said she appreciates Lightfoot ’ s efforts to crack down on corruption in Chicago , but she “ can ’ t do it alone.
” “ If her state legislators aren ’ t gon na step up and help her , then I ’ m perfectly willing to .
There ’ s a lot of people who fear retaliation if they don ’ t ’ go along with this .
Well , guess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ touched here in the suburbs by what a city of Chicago councilman wants to do , ” Mazzochi said .
“ If the City Council for decades has resisted surrendering aldermanic privilege and used that as an opportunity for corruption and pay-to-play , why wouldn ’ t we be interested in ending that process ?
” Ald .
Gilbert Villegas ( 36th ) , the mayor ’ s City Council floor leader , called the bill a publicity stunt tailor-made to capitalize on the burgeoning corruption scandal that has spread from City Hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I don ’ t see that bill getting out of the Rules Committee , ” he said .
Villegas is certain Lightfoot is not the heavy hand behind the bill .
“ The approach of having dialogue with the aldermen is a lot more effective than having a bill introduced in Springfield , ” Villegas said .
Ald .
Tom Tunney ( 44th ) , chairman of the City Council ’ s Zoning Committee , said Lightfoot “ doesn ’ t need a Republican from DuPage to carry her water.
” Nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as a city , have a lot of work to do down in Springfield — whether it ’ s cannabis , real estate transfer tax or casinos .
Clouding the issue about this in Springfield takes away from the focus of what our legislative team needs to do in Springfield in short order , ” he said .
Tunney predicted that Lightfoot will have a tough time winning a City Council showdown over aldermanic prerogative over zoning .
“ It sounds like good optics .
But in reality , it would take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tunney said .
“ I just don ’ t think there ’ s enough bandwidth at City Hall to deal with all of the nuances of zoning applications that come in from neighborhoods .
… For an alderman to lose that authority or delegate it to some planning board at City Hall — I don ’ t think residents of the city are gon na like that .
”

Is Mayor Lori Lightfoot quietly plotting an end-run around the City Council to deliver on her signature campaign promise to end aldermanic prerogative over zoning?
Or is a DuPage County Republican state lawmaker acting on her own to target the unwritten rule at the heart of the racketeering indictment against Ald. Edward Burke (14th) and virtually every other aldermanic indictment over the years?
That’s the question Chicago aldermen have been asking themselves after learning about the Chicago-only bill introduced this week by state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Westmont).
It states: “In the City of Chicago, a property owner, or a developer or contractor having the written permission of the property owner, shall not have any approvals under the Zoning Division denied because of an aldermanic hold, objection, extra-judicial or extra-legal request, or for any law or ordinance enacted or adopted after” development plans are presented and approved with permits issued.
The mayor’s office issued a statement distancing itself from the bill.
”While we are committed to working with the state on broad issues concerning all of our Illinois communities, we did not ask Rep. Mazzochi to file this bill, and respectfully, a state statute is not necessary or appropriate to address a uniquely local issue,” the statement said.
Mazzochi categorically denied she was asked to introduce the legislation by Lightfoot or anyone close to her administration. She said she has her own reasons for ending aldermanic prerogative in Chicago.
She and her husband own rental properties. They did development and renovation work in Chicago. They know first-hand the chilling effect of giving local aldermen iron-fisted control over zoning in their wards.
“There’s a lot of people that, when the allegations came out about Alderman Burke, were not surprised because this sort of thing happens behind the scenes all the time. I’ve actually divested most of my interests in the city of Chicago because of that toxic climate,” she said.
Hours after taking office, Lightfoot signed an executive order stripping aldermen of their unbridled control over licensing and permitting in their wards.
She has promised to do the same for aldermanic prerogative over zoning. But that will require a City Council vote — no sure thing in a Council that has been feeling its oats and pushing back.
In fact, the mayor’s own Finance Committee chairman has advised Lightfoot to abandon her threat to abolish aldermanic prerogative over zoning because it’s a fight she is destined to lose.
Mazzochi said she appreciates Lightfoot’s efforts to crack down on corruption in Chicago, but she “can’t do it alone.”
“If her state legislators aren’t gonna step up and help her, then I’m perfectly willing to. There’s a lot of people who fear retaliation if they don’t’ go along with this. Well, guess what? I can’t be touched here in the suburbs by what a city of Chicago councilman wants to do,” Mazzochi said.
“If the City Council for decades has resisted surrendering aldermanic privilege and used that as an opportunity for corruption and pay-to-play, why wouldn’t we be interested in ending that process?”
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), the mayor’s City Council floor leader, called the bill a publicity stunt tailor-made to capitalize on the burgeoning corruption scandal that has spread from City Hall and the south suburbs to Springfield.
“I don’t see that bill getting out of the Rules Committee,” he said.
Villegas is certain Lightfoot is not the heavy hand behind the bill.
“The approach of having dialogue with the aldermen is a lot more effective than having a bill introduced in Springfield,” Villegas said.
Ald. Tom Tunney (44th), chairman of the City Council’s Zoning Committee, said Lightfoot “doesn’t need a Republican from DuPage to carry her water.” Nor would that be wise.
“We, as a city, have a lot of work to do down in Springfield — whether it’s cannabis, real estate transfer tax or casinos. Clouding the issue about this in Springfield takes away from the focus of what our legislative team needs to do in Springfield in short order,” he said.
Tunney predicted that Lightfoot will have a tough time winning a City Council showdown over aldermanic prerogative over zoning.
“It sounds like good optics. But in reality, it would take control out of the neighborhoods,” Tunney said.
“I just don’t think there’s enough bandwidth at City Hall to deal with all of the nuances of zoning applications that come in from neighborhoods. … For an alderman to lose that authority or delegate it to some planning board at City Hall — I don’t think residents of the city are gonna like that.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Parolee held without bond in CTA Blue Line shooting

A headshot — including a “ large , distinguishing neck tattoo ” — posted on social media helped police quickly nab a man suspected in a robbery-related shooting on a CTA Blue Line train , police said Thursday .
” Once his picture is pushed out over social media , detectives received several anonymous tips identifying the name of the offender from the community , ” Brendan Deenihan , CPD chief of detectives , told reporters at police headquarters .
Patrick Waldon , 31 , has been “ preying on the people of Chicago for years , ” said interim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested Wednesday night with a revolver in his pocket , Cook County prosecutors said at a bond hearing several hours after police held their news conference .
Waldon , of the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue , has felony convictions for theft , robbery , armed robbery and for being a felony in possession of a gun , and was on parole for a 2013 armed robbery .
Judge Susana Ortiz ordered Waldon held without bail Thursday , citing purported evidence that included CTA surveillance video that showed Waldon standing behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firing a single shot before exiting the train with the victim ’ s backpack .
Assistant State ’ s Attorney Catherine Howlett said Waldon and the victim boarded the train at the Jackson stop Wednesday morning , and that Waldon took a seat beside the victim , then demanded the victim give him his backpack .
The victim tried to ignore Waldon , and rose to get off at the next stop .
Waldon then got up , stood behind the man , pressed a gun into the man ’ s back , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the bag , Howlett said .
A witness who was standing behind Waldon also saw him holding the gun and fire the shot , Howlett said .
Investigators say Waldon shot the man while the victim was exiting a westbound train at the UIC-Halsted stop .
The shooting temporarily shut down the UIC-Halsted station as police searched for the assailant .
Detectives tracked Waldon to a nearby Target store , where he was seen on video surveillance dumping items from the victim ’ s backpack , police said .
Police then used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that was posted on social media .
That led to Waldon ’ s arrest in the 3000 block of West Harrison Street , police said .
Both the victim and a “ very cooperative ” witness on the Blue Line train identified Waldon in photo lineups , police said .
“ Thank goodness ( the victim ) is in stable condition at this point , ” Beck said .
Court records show Waldon was charged in 2013 in a home invasion case in suburban Maywood .
Waldon pleaded guilty to armed robbery and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was paroled in 2018 , and was expected to be discharged in 2021 , according to the Illinois Department of Corrections .
The Blue Line shooting was the second incident of serious violence on CTA property in as many days .
A musician was stabbed on the platform of the Jackson Red Line station about 1:35 p.m. Tuesday .
Police records show in the past 10 years there have been nearly 6,200 robberies and attempted robberies on CTA property .
Of those , 835 have ended in arrests .

A headshot — including a “large, distinguishing neck tattoo” — posted on social media helped police quickly arrest a man suspected in a robbery-related shooting on a CTA Blue Line train.
”Once his picture is pushed out over social media, detectives received several anonymous tips identifying the name of the offender from the community,” Brendan Deenihan, the Chicago Police Department’s chief of detectives, told reporters at a news conference Thursday at police headquarters.
Patrick Waldon, 31, has been “preying on the people of Chicago for years,” Interim Supt. Charlie Beck said.
Waldon was arrested Wednesday night with a revolver in his pocket, Cook County prosecutors said at a bail hearing.
Waldon, of the 8000 block of South Ingleside Avenue, has felony convictions for theft, robbery, armed robbery and for being a felony in possession of a gun and was on parole for a 2013 armed robbery.
Judge Susana Ortiz ordered Waldon held without bail Thursday, citing evidence that included CTA surveillance video that authorities said showed Waldon standing behind the 30-year-old victim by the train doors and firing a single shot before exiting the train with the victim’s backpack.
Assistant State’s Attorney Catherine Howlett said Waldon and the victim boarded the train at the Jackson stop Wednesday morning, and that Waldon took a seat beside the victim, then demanded the victim give him his backpack.
The victim tried to ignore Waldon, and rose to get off at the next stop. Waldon then got up, stood behind the man, pressed a gun into the man’s back, fired once and got off the train with the bag, Howlett said. A witness who was standing behind Waldon also saw him holding the gun and fire the shot, Howlett said.
Investigators say Waldon shot the man while the victim was exiting a westbound train at the UIC-Halsted stop. The shooting temporarily shut down the UIC-Halsted station as police searched for the assailant.
Detectives tracked Waldon to a nearby Target store, where he was seen on video surveillance dumping items from the victim’s backpack, police said. Police then used the video surveillance to generate the photograph that was posted on social media.
That led to Waldon’s arrest in the 3000 block of West Harrison Street, police said. Both the victim and a “very cooperative” witness on the Blue Line train identified Waldon in photo lineups, police said.
“Thank goodness (the victim) is in stable condition at this point,” Beck said.
Court records show Waldon was charged in 2013 in a home invasion case in Maywood. Waldon pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. He was paroled in 2018 and was expected to be discharged in 2021, according to the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Waldon also served prison time for a 2010 robbery case, records show.
The Blue Line shooting was the second incident of serious violence on CTA property in as many days.
A musician was stabbed on the platform of the Jackson Red Line station around 1:35 p.m. Tuesday.
Police records show in the past 10 years there have been nearly 6,200 robberies and attempted robberies on CTA property. Arrests have been made in 835 of those cases.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--This week in history: First televised State of the Union address debuts at prime-time hour

As reported by the Chicago Daily News , sister paper of the Chicago Sun-Times : Chicagoans watching President Trump ’ s prime-time State of the Union address Tuesday might take such a time slot for granted .
To those in 1965 , a televised prime-time State of the Union address was unprecedented , according to a Jan. 4 , 1965 report in the Chicago Daily News .
“ In a departure from the usual noon hour spectacle , ” Washington Bureau Chief Peter Lisago wrote , “ [ President Lyndon B. Johnson ] will deliver his State of the Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 89th Congress at prime television viewing time ( 8 p.m. Chicago time ) .
” Lisago said viewers could expect a peek at Johnson ’ s “ Great Society ” plan , which he cheekily described as an attempt at “ making the fewest possible people unhappy and the most as reasonably satisfied as majorities can be.
” Americans today might recognize contemporary issues that were addressed in Johnson ’ s plan , such as “ federal aid to schools that will not run afoul the old public v. parochial issue ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and attack air and water pollution , ” according to Lisago .

As reported by the Chicago Daily News, sister paper of the Chicago Sun-Times:
Chicagoans watching President Trump’s prime-time State of the Union address Tuesday might take such a time slot for granted.
To those in 1965, a televised prime-time State of the Union address was unprecedented, according to a Jan. 4, 1965 report in the Chicago Daily News.
“In a departure from the usual noon hour spectacle,” Washington Bureau Chief Peter Lisagor wrote, “[President Lyndon B. Johnson] will deliver his State of the Union message to a joint session of the 89th Congress at prime television viewing time (8 p.m. Chicago time).”
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Lisagor said viewers could expect a peek at Johnson’s “Great Society” plan, which he cheekily described as an attempt at “making the fewest possible people unhappy and the most as reasonably satisfied as majorities can be.”
Americans today might recognize contemporary issues that were addressed in Johnson’s plan, such as “federal aid to schools that will not run afoul the old public v. parochial issue” and “programs to clean up the countryside and attack air and water pollution,” according to Lisagor.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Hectic end to the NBA’s trade window, but some teams sat out

MIAMI — Most of the top NBA playoff contenders stayed out of the down-to-the-wire frenzy at the trade deadline .
Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers beefed up instead .
And a slew of other teams — including the Golden State Warriors — made moves with short-term finances and long-term ramifications in mind .
The NBA ’ s 2 p.m. CST deadline Thursday for trades to be consummated did not arrive quietly , with a flurry of deals getting struck in the final hour .
Deals that included at least 41 players and 15 future draft picks were struck on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move likely being the one Thursday that saw Andrew Wiggins going from Minnesota to the Warriors so D ’ Angelo Russell could leave Golden State finally be paired with his good friend Karl-Anthony Towns with the Timberwolves .
Marcus Morris leaves New York for Los Angeles , going from the woebegone Knicks to the title-hoping Clippers — who added a piece many teams wanted .
Three-time champion Andre Iguodala is ending his exile and going to join the Heat along with Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill , with Miami sending three players who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 254 points this season to Memphis for that trio .
And NBA rebounding leader Andre Drummond got moved by Detroit to Cleveland , then took to Twitter to express his dismay with the trade process .
“ If there ’ s one thing I learned about the NBA , there ’ s no friends or loyalty , ” Drummond wrote .
“ I ’ ve given my heart and soul to the Pistons , and to be have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... ” The Warriors decided to make the Russell-for-Wiggins move , giving Wiggins a fresh start that he likely needs — the former No .
1 overall pick will get to reap the benefits of playing alongside a healthy and rejuvenated Stephen Curry , Klay Thompson and Draymond Green starting next season .
And by throwing in a couple extra players , the Warriors also will likely escape the luxury tax this season .
That ’ s not an insignificant point for a team that will go from five straight NBA Finals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season and , it hopes , back to title contention starting next year .
Miami ’ s trade with Memphis also lowered the Heat potential tax bill , and Portland made a minor trade with Atlanta with a lower tax in mind as well .
Most of the trades were still getting finalized Thursday afternoon .
The only one from this week that got NBA approval before the deadline was a four-team , 12-player , three-pick swapping between Atlanta , Houston ( which notably sent Clint Capela to the Hawks ) , Denver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams in the East — Milwaukee , Toronto and Boston — as well as the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers all remained out of the trade mix .
It remains possible , and probably even likely , that at least some of those teams could look to bolster their rosters by adding free agents or when players become available through buyouts in the coming weeks .

MIAMI — Most of the top NBA playoff contenders stayed out of the down-to-the-wire frenzy at the trade deadline.
Miami and the Los Angeles Clippers beefed up instead.
And a slew of other teams — including the Golden State Warriors — made moves with short-term finances and long-term ramifications in mind.
The NBA’s 2 p.m. CST deadline Thursday for trades to be consummated did not arrive quietly, with a flurry of deals getting struck in the final hour. Deals that included at least 41 players and 15 future draft picks were struck on either Wednesday or Thursday — the biggest move likely being the one Thursday that saw Andrew Wiggins going from Minnesota to the Warriors so D’Angelo Russell could leave Golden State finally be paired with his good friend Karl-Anthony Towns with the Timberwolves.
Marcus Morris leaves New York for Los Angeles, going from the woebegone Knicks to the title-hoping Clippers — who added a piece many teams wanted. Three-time champion Andre Iguodala is ending his exile and going to join the Heat along with Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill, with Miami sending three players who’ve combined to score a mere 254 points this season to Memphis for that trio. And NBA rebounding leader Andre Drummond got moved by Detroit to Cleveland, then took to Twitter to express his dismay with the trade process.
“If there’s one thing I learned about the NBA, there’s no friends or loyalty,” Drummond wrote. “I’ve given my heart and soul to the Pistons, and to be have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just a business! I love you Detroit...”
If there’s one thing I learned about the NBA, there’s no friends or loyalty. I’ve given my heart and soul to the Pistons , and to be have this happen with no heads up makes me realize even more that this is just a business! I love you Detroit... — Andre Drummond (@AndreDrummond) February 6, 2020
The Warriors decided to make the Russell-for-Wiggins move, giving Wiggins a fresh start that he likely needs — the former No. 1 overall pick will get to reap the benefits of playing alongside a healthy and rejuvenated Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green starting next season. And by throwing in a couple extra players, the Warriors also will likely escape the luxury tax this season. That’s not an insignificant point for a team that will go from five straight NBA Finals to the bottom of the Western Conference this season and, it hopes, back to title contention starting next year.
Miami’s trade with Memphis also lowered the Heat potential tax bill, and Portland made a minor trade with Atlanta with a lower tax in mind as well.
Most of the trades were still getting finalized Thursday afternoon. The only one from this week that got NBA approval before the deadline was a four-team, 12-player, three-pick swapping between Atlanta, Houston (which notably sent Clint Capela to the Hawks), Denver and Minnesota.
But the three top teams in the East — Milwaukee, Toronto and Boston — as well as the West-leading Los Angeles Lakers all remained out of the trade mix. It remains possible, and probably even likely, that at least some of those teams could look to bolster their rosters by adding free agents or when players become available through buyouts in the coming weeks.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-06--Save the Thompson Center, says its architect

Chicago architect Helmut Jahn has issued an impassioned plea for the preservation of his James R. Thompson Center , the Chicago seat of state government that lawmakers have said should be sold , which may mean a date with the wrecking ball .
Jahn sent to the Chicago Sun-Times a 10-page document with renderings outlining his proposal to adapt the building for offices , a hotel or perhaps “ coliving ” apartments .
He also proposed removing the doors and making its atrium outdoor but sheltered space .
The Thompson Center , 100 W. Randolph St. , opened in 1985 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ James Thompson , who backed Jahn ’ s modernist design as an expression of government transparency and connection to citizens .
But it has suffered from years of deferred maintenance and state workers have reported continued trouble with noise and temperature control .
“ A demolition and replacement would not only take a long time but seeks high density without considering public benefits , ” Jahn said .
“ We need not more bigger buildings but buildings which improve the public space .
Examples in many cities show that sensitive repurposing of buildings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I am making this plea , not only because I want the Thompson Center preserved .
I am convinced that in the profit-focused real estate market of today , there isn ’ t any hope of replacing the building which Governor Jim Thompson called his own .
By choosing the right design , he opened government to the public.
” His plans would thwart Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s desire to get top dollar for the building and its full-block site in the Loop .
He has said moving state offices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a year .
Officials in former Gov .
Bruce Rauner ’ s administration estimated the state could get $ 200 million for the property , but it would command less if a buyer couldn ’ t knock it down for a new high-rise .
An aide to Jahn said he has circulated about 20 copies of his proposal , and the architect was traveling and unavailable for immediate comment .
The public ’ s feelings about the building have often been divided , but preservationists have worked to build support for saving it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the building .
“ The governor is committed to selling the Thompson Center to provide the best value to taxpayers , ” Pritzker ’ s office said in a statement .
It said deferred maintenance would cost more than $ 320 million to fix .
“ For the state ’ s purposes , the facility is larger than necessary , and the Department of Central Management Services is working expeditiously to identify a developer by the end of the year , ” the governor ’ s office said .
His administration in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Young Infrastructure Advisors to manage a sale .
Last month , Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s commissioner of planning and development , Maurice Cox , voiced intrigue with the idea of preserving the building but made no promises .
“ I ’ m absolutely fascinated by the Thompson Center question and the idea that a post-modern icon is now considered historic , ” he said on the Sun-Times podcast “ The Fran Spielman Show.
” “ We ’ re going to work with the governor ’ s office to make sure the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The city has zoning authority over the property .
Jahn said , “ Governor Pritzker has the opportunity , after years of neglect by his predecessors , to lead through the sale of the Thompson Center by giving it new life .
Repurposing the building the right way could go beyond what the building ever was , making it better , more public and a place where you want to work , stay overnight , live or just visit and feel good .
”

Chicago architect Helmut Jahn has issued an impassioned plea for the preservation of his James R. Thompson Center, the Chicago seat of state government that lawmakers have said should be sold, which may mean a date with the wrecking ball.
Jahn sent to the Chicago Sun-Times a 10-page document with renderings outlining his proposal to adapt the building for offices, a hotel or perhaps “coliving” apartments. He also proposed removing the doors and making its atrium outdoor but sheltered space.
The Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph St., opened in 1985 and is named for former Gov. James Thompson, who backed Jahn’s modernist design as an expression of government transparency and connection to citizens. But it has suffered from years of deferred maintenance and state workers have reported continued trouble with noise and temperature control.
“A demolition and replacement would not only take a long time but seeks high density without considering public benefits,” Jahn said. “We need not more bigger buildings but buildings which improve the public space. Examples in many cities show that sensitive repurposing of buildings has produced better results than replacing them. I am making this plea, not only because I want the Thompson Center preserved. I am convinced that in the profit-focused real estate market of today, there isn’t any hope of replacing the building which Governor Jim Thompson called his own. By choosing the right design, he opened government to the public.”
His plans would thwart Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desire to get top dollar for the building and its full-block site in the Loop. He has said moving state offices in Chicago would save $17 million a year. Officials in former Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration estimated the state could get $200 million for the property, but it would command less if a buyer couldn’t knock it down for a new high-rise.
An aide to Jahn said he has circulated about 20 copies of his proposal, and the architect was traveling and unavailable for immediate comment. The public’s feelings about the building have often been divided, but preservationists have worked to build support for saving it. Some have led public tours of the building.
“The governor is committed to selling the Thompson Center to provide the best value to taxpayers,” Pritzker’s office said in a statement. It said deferred maintenance would cost more than $320 million to fix.
“For the state’s purposes, the facility is larger than necessary, and the Department of Central Management Services is working expeditiously to identify a developer by the end of the year,” the governor’s office said.
His administration in December hired a team led by Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors to manage a sale.
Last month, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s commissioner of planning and development, Maurice Cox, voiced intrigue with the idea of preserving the building but made no promises. “I’m absolutely fascinated by the Thompson Center question and the idea that a post-modern icon is now considered historic,” he said on the Sun-Times podcast “The Fran Spielman Show.”
“We’re going to work with the governor’s office to make sure the best thing happens there,” Cox added. The city has zoning authority over the property.
Jahn said, “Governor Pritzker has the opportunity, after years of neglect by his predecessors, to lead through the sale of the Thompson Center by giving it new life. Repurposing the building the right way could go beyond what the building ever was, making it better, more public and a place where you want to work, stay overnight, live or just visit and feel good.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Venison: How to do inner loins right in “Braising the Wild”

Deer season ended , but the eating goes on .
Jack Hennessy tells how to do the cooking better this week in “ Braising the Wild.
” In particular , he takes on inner loins .
As usual , there are tidbits of wild-game cooking embedded .
Here is “ Braising the Wild ” for this week : ON THE SUBJECT OF INNER LOINS It was on a Facebook hunting forum—which shall remain nameless—where one member solicited venison inner-loin recipes from the group .
In return , he received what could be described as nothing other than god-awful advice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Worcestershire sauce overnight , pat-dry and grill.
” I threw in the towel years ago when it comes to influencing anyone ’ s opinion on social media and if one enjoys Worcestershire-marinated venison , I am not one to judge , but it ’ s not the proper advice to give someone new to the wild-game cooking .
Nevertheless , from this online culinary bedlam came inspiration for this article .
And I know deer season is a couple hundred days away or so , but perhaps you still have some inner loins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the very least , you ’ ll know what to do when you punch your tag this fall .
Unless you ’ re planning to smoke your inner loins , I recommend pulling the meat ( fully thawed ) from the fridge and letting it come to room temp for 30 minutes or longer .
During this time , I also like to liberally salt and pepper all sides , allowing that flavor to soak in ahead of cooking .
Meat at room temp will cook more evenly .
Don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under-salt , and use kosher salt , not table salt , along with fresh ground black pepper , if possible .
Or use your favorite seasoning or marinade to coat your inner loins .
Just don ’ t ’ soak in only Worcestershire sauce for Pete ’ s sake .
If smoking your inner loins , put them in the smoker straight from the fridge , as colder meat will have more time to absorb that delicious smoky flavor before hitting medium rare .
Perhaps one for the greatest techniques for venison or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the reverse sear .
According to food scientists , searing meat does not seal in juices , so there is no real reason to sear before indirectly cooking .
However , searing caramelizes the skin , builds a delicious crust and overall just improves flavor , so it ’ s a step we don ’ t want to skip .
In addition , it ’ s a known fact that low heat cooks meat more evenly versus high heat on the exterior .
Confession : I often grill my inner loins in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is near medium rare .
However , when doing so , there is a gray , closer-to-well-done layer surrounding that perfect pink center .
NOT SO with the reverse sear method .
By cooking low and slow , the entire chunk of venison loin comes close to medium rare at an even pace and then is seared for that ideal crust .
How it works : Place inner loins in 225-degree oven and check internal temp every 20 minutes or sooner , depending on size of inner loin .
Remove once center is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a VERY hot skillet to get that whiskey-color delicious crust .
Let rest 5 minutes before carving ( do not cover ) .
Benefits : Easier to hit the desired internal temperature with low-and-slow temperature cooking , and you ’ ll see a far-more uniform pink color in your meat , which equates to a more juicy , tender , amazing-tasting cut of venison .

ON THE SUBJECT OF INNER LOINS It was on a Facebook hunting forum—which shall remain nameless—where one member solicited venison inner-loin recipes from the group. In return, he received what could be described as nothing other than god-awful advice, the worst perhaps being soak in Worcestershire sauce overnight, pat-dry and grill. I threw in the towel years ago when it comes to influencing anyone’s opinion on social media and if one enjoys Worcestershire-marinated venison, I am not one to judge, but it’s not the proper advice to give someone new to the wild-game cooking. Nevertheless, from this online culinary bedlam came inspiration for this article. And I know deer season is a couple hundred days away or so, but perhaps you still have some inner loins sitting in your freezer, or, at the very least, you’ll know what to do when you punch your tag this fall. BRINGING TO ROOM TEMP Unless you’re planning to smoke your inner loins, I recommend pulling the meat (fully thawed) from the fridge and letting it come to room temp for 30 minutes or longer. During this time, I also like to liberally salt and pepper all sides, allowing that flavor to soak in ahead of cooking. Meat at room temp will cook more evenly. SEASONING Don’t over-salt, but certainly don’t under-salt, and use kosher salt, not table salt, along with fresh ground black pepper, if possible. Or use your favorite seasoning or marinade to coat your inner loins. Just don’t’ soak in only Worcestershire sauce for Pete’s sake. SMOKING If smoking your inner loins, put them in the smoker straight from the fridge, as colder meat will have more time to absorb that delicious smoky flavor before hitting medium rare. REVERSE SEAR Perhaps one for the greatest techniques for venison or any steak cut thicker than 1 inch is the reverse sear. According to food scientists, searing meat does not seal in juices, so there is no real reason to sear before indirectly cooking. However, searing caramelizes the skin, builds a delicious crust and overall just improves flavor, so it’s a step we don’t want to skip. In addition, it’s a known fact that low heat cooks meat more evenly versus high heat on the exterior. Confession: I often grill my inner loins in a piping-hot skillet and remove when center is near medium rare. However, when doing so, there is a gray, closer-to-well-done layer surrounding that perfect pink center. NOT SO with the reverse sear method. By cooking low and slow, the entire chunk of venison loin comes close to medium rare at an even pace and then is seared for that ideal crust. How it works: Place inner loins in 225-degree oven and check internal temp every 20 minutes or sooner, depending on size of inner loin. Remove once center is 110 and quickly sear all sides in a VERY hot skillet to get that whiskey-color delicious crust. Let rest 5 minutes before carving (do not cover). Benefits: Easier to hit the desired internal temperature with low-and-slow temperature cooking, and you’ll see a far-more uniform pink color in your meat, which equates to a more juicy, tender, amazing-tasting cut of venison.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Fascinating foosball documentary puts a thoughtful spin on tabletop soccer

Back in the 1970s , in a few of the nicer homes in my neighborhood that had “ finished basements , ” you might see a pool table , a Ping-Pong table — or a foosball table .
Aka table soccer .
That addictive , competitive game in which you ’ d furiously jostle those stick-person players , trying some fancy passes , lining up your defense — but mostly just spinning and pushing and pulling on those handles like a crazy person .
At least , that ’ s how I played foosball from time to time through high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And I was quite terrible at it .
After that , I never really thought much about foosball — and until I saw the fascinating and engrossing new documentary “ Foosballers , ” I knew nothing about the world of top-level foosball .
The competitive sports/gaming world has long extended beyond the traditional team and individual sports to include video gamers and Texas Hold ’ em poker players , cornhole specialists and axe-throwing greats .
It stands to reason a generationally familiar home and pub table game — even something as old-school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as foosball — would have a professional circuit .
“ Foosball ” follows the storylines of six top pros — including Tony Spredeman , the Michael Jordan of foosball — in the month and a half leading to “ The Tornado World Championship , ” which is basically the Super Bowl of foosball .
One player , Ryan Moore , lives in Colorado Springs , Colorado , and operates a marijuana dispensary called Herbal Healing .
Then , there ’ s Terry Rue , an anesthetist who was once a backup dancer for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cindy Head , has had a career in law enforcement .
It ’ s great to meet these colorful and likable characters and learn their stories .
As is the case with any memorable sports film , documentary or fiction , the more we know and care about the players , the more we ’ re invested in the outcome of the big game .
Still , foosball IS a fringe sport .
Director Joe Heslinga and writer Mike Wagstaffe acknowledge most of us are at best casually familiar with the game , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of foosball , from its origins in Europe in the early 20th century to its growing popularity in the United States in the 1970s .
( Cue a clip from “ Dazed and Confused.
” ) And they walk us through the progression of the Foosball World Championships , starting with a tournament in Denver in 1974 featuring hundreds of players and a total of $ 50,000 in prize money .
Throughout the rest of the 1970s , the foosball tour included stops across the United States , with champions taking home five-figure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foosball was riding high !
Until Atari , etc.
, came along , and video arcade games pushed the old-fashioned table game to the back of the pub or the alley garbage bin .
“ Foosballers ” loses some momentum midway through , as the filmmakers spend a bit too much time chronicling the ups and downs of the sport .
But our interest picks up again when we return to the present-day buildup to the world championship .
Even though only a small handful of players make a living at the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the aforementioned doctor and dispensary shop owner ) , there ’ s no denying their collective passion and dedication as they gear up for a run at the title at the Tornado World Championships in Lexington , Kentucky .
As for the matches : It ’ s a challenge to capture the essence of the competition when the players are so quick and the action so fast .
But , thanks to overhead shots and helpful graphics , we can follow along .
The real drama , though , comes from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they ’ re eliminated or move on .
Once in a while , as when a play-by-play announcer exclaims , “ If you can block the unblockable , you can beat the unbeatable !
” ( whatever that means ) after one big match , “ Foosballers ” has an almost absurdist quality , like a nonfiction “ Dodgeball.
” But the filmmakers never condescend to their subjects or make light of how much the game has meant to them and their families .
Millions of us have fond memories of playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s commonly connected to relatively carefree early adulthood .
( On “ Friends , ” Chandler and Joey clung to their foosball table like a Peter Pan syndrome liferaft . )
For a tiny percentage of talented and dedicated enthusiasts , foosball became something much more than a biographical footnote .
They are “ Foosballers , ” and this is their story , and it ’ s pretty cool .

Back in the 1970s, in a few of the nicer homes in my neighborhood that had “finished basements,” you might see a pool table, a Ping-Pong table — or a foosball table.
Foosball!
Aka table soccer. That addictive, competitive game in which you’d furiously jostle those stick-person players, trying some fancy passes, lining up your defense — but mostly just spinning and pushing and pulling on those handles like a crazy person.
Often with a red Solo cup nearby.
At least, that’s how I played foosball from time to time through high school and college and my early 20s. And I was quite terrible at it.
‘Foosballers’
Untitled Pull Shot Productions and Cascia Films present a documentary directed by Joe Heslinga. No MPAA rating. Running time: 96 minutes. 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Music Box Theatre, followed by a Q&A with Heslinga and foosball champ Tony Spredeman; available Wednesday on iTunes and Vimeo.
After that, I never really thought much about foosball — and until I saw the fascinating and engrossing new documentary “Foosballers,” I knew nothing about the world of top-level foosball.
The competitive sports/gaming world has long extended beyond the traditional team and individual sports to include video gamers and Texas Hold ’em poker players, cornhole specialists and axe-throwing greats. It stands to reason a generationally familiar home and pub table game — even something as old-school, no-tech and long past its prime as foosball — would have a professional circuit.
“Foosball” follows the storylines of six top pros — including Tony Spredeman, the Michael Jordan of foosball — in the month and a half leading to “The Tornado World Championship,” which is basically the Super Bowl of foosball.
One player, Ryan Moore, lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and operates a marijuana dispensary called Herbal Healing.
Then, there’s Terry Rue, an anesthetist who was once a backup dancer for Marky Mark.
A third contender, Cindy Head, has had a career in law enforcement.
It’s great to meet these colorful and likable characters and learn their stories. As is the case with any memorable sports film, documentary or fiction, the more we know and care about the players, the more we’re invested in the outcome of the big game.
Still, foosball IS a fringe sport. Director Joe Heslinga and writer Mike Wagstaffe acknowledge most of us are at best casually familiar with the game, so they wisely include a brief history of foosball, from its origins in Europe in the early 20th century to its growing popularity in the United States in the 1970s. (Cue a clip from “Dazed and Confused.”)
And they walk us through the progression of the Foosball World Championships, starting with a tournament in Denver in 1974 featuring hundreds of players and a total of $50,000 in prize money.
Throughout the rest of the 1970s, the foosball tour included stops across the United States, with champions taking home five-figure cash prizes and Corvettes and Porsches. Foosball was riding high!
Until Atari, etc., came along, and video arcade games pushed the old-fashioned table game to the back of the pub or the alley garbage bin.
“Foosballers” loses some momentum midway through, as the filmmakers spend a bit too much time chronicling the ups and downs of the sport. But our interest picks up again when we return to the present-day buildup to the world championship.
Even though only a small handful of players make a living at the game (as evidenced by the full-time careers of the aforementioned doctor and dispensary shop owner), there’s no denying their collective passion and dedication as they gear up for a run at the title at the Tornado World Championships in Lexington, Kentucky.
As for the matches: It’s a challenge to capture the essence of the competition when the players are so quick and the action so fast. But, thanks to overhead shots and helpful graphics, we can follow along.
The real drama, though, comes from the reactions of players and their loved ones as they’re eliminated or move on.
Once in a while, as when a play-by-play announcer exclaims, “If you can block the unblockable, you can beat the unbeatable!” (whatever that means) after one big match, “Foosballers” has an almost absurdist quality, like a nonfiction “Dodgeball.” But the filmmakers never condescend to their subjects or make light of how much the game has meant to them and their families.
Millions of us have fond memories of playing foosball, in large part because it’s commonly connected to relatively carefree early adulthood. (On “Friends,” Chandler and Joey clung to their foosball table like a Peter Pan syndrome liferaft.)
For a tiny percentage of talented and dedicated enthusiasts, foosball became something much more than a biographical footnote.
They are “Foosballers,” and this is their story, and it’s pretty cool.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Dear Abby: Should my ex and I get together for outings with our child?

DEAR ABBY : My ex-fiance decided to leave our relationship and our 10-month-old son , “ Nicky , ” about a month ago .
He sees Nicky regularly and is a good father .
I know our relationship is over and that it ’ s not going to be fixed .
To be honest , when he left , I was relieved .
The other day , I suggested to my ex that maybe once a month we take our son out together to do something , like go to the park or the zoo .
My reasoning is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his mom and dad are no longer together , we can still get along .
His response was he didn ’ t think it was a good idea .
He doesn ’ t want our son to get the wrong impression .
I just said “ OK ” and left it alone .
Is he right ?
Would it confuse our son , or is he being selfish ?
It seems unrealistic to me that we will never do anything together .
My son is my No .
1 priority , and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that I can for him .
Please help me .
— CONFUSED IN SANTA MARIA , CALIF. DEAR CONFUSED : Your ex may have said what he did because he doesn ’ t understand that you have accepted that the romance is really over .
Don ’ t accuse him of being selfish .
Be patient .
In the future , Nicky will understand that , although Mom and Dad are not together , they get along , if you truly DO get along .
As Nicky grows older , there will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , graduations , etc.
, you will probably wind up enjoying together — or eventually with significant others or spouses included .
DEAR ABBY : My 15-year-old granddaughter has lived for the past several years in an environment with adults who have done drugs , can ’ t or won ’ t keep a job and are in and out of jail .
I want her to have a better life , and I try to explain what a responsible adult life looks like .
But when I do , she accuses me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are “ nice.
” How can I get her to understand that the lifestyle she ’ s exposed to isn ’ t good without coming off as judgmental ?
— AT A LOSS FOR WORDS DEAR AT A LOSS : The lessons we teach others don ’ t always have to be verbal .
One way would be to expose your granddaughter — as often as possible — to people who have chosen a different way of life and are reaping the rewards for it .
Perhaps then she will begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she can have a different life if she ’ s willing to work toward it .
DEAR ABBY : I am a 13-year-old dancer , and I recently had a recital .
The mothers came backstage to help their children change in the dressing rooms .
A girl my age who has two lesbian mothers was near me while I changed .
It made me feel self-conscious .
I ’ m normally not like this , but it felt awkward , to say the least .
I ’ m not against same-sex couples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I overreacting ?
— MIDWEST DANCER DEAR MIDWEST DANCER : I think so .
Those two mothers were more interested in what was going on with their daughter than with you .
If you plan to become a professional dancer — or part of any branch of the performing arts — you will be changing costumes under all kinds of conditions .
This means you will be around straight males and females , gay people of both genders and , occasionally , trans people .
It ’ s a fact of life because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren , also known as Jeanne Phillips , and was founded by her mother , Pauline Phillips .
Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O .
Box 69440 , Los Angeles , CA 90069 .
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “ The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.
” To order , send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: My ex-fiance decided to leave our relationship and our 10-month-old son, “Nicky,” about a month ago. He sees Nicky regularly and is a good father. I know our relationship is over and that it’s not going to be fixed. To be honest, when he left, I was relieved.
The other day, I suggested to my ex that maybe once a month we take our son out together to do something, like go to the park or the zoo. My reasoning is that Nicky needs to know that even though his mom and dad are no longer together, we can still get along. His response was he didn’t think it was a good idea. He doesn’t want our son to get the wrong impression. I just said “OK” and left it alone.
Is he right? Would it confuse our son, or is he being selfish? It seems unrealistic to me that we will never do anything together. My son is my No. 1 priority, and I just want to handle it the best that I can for him. Please help me. — CONFUSED IN SANTA MARIA, CALIF.
DEAR CONFUSED: Your ex may have said what he did because he doesn’t understand that you have accepted that the romance is really over. Don’t accuse him of being selfish. Be patient. In the future, Nicky will understand that, although Mom and Dad are not together, they get along, if you truly DO get along. As Nicky grows older, there will be events such as birthdays, sporting events, graduations, etc., you will probably wind up enjoying together — or eventually with significant others or spouses included.
DEAR ABBY: My 15-year-old granddaughter has lived for the past several years in an environment with adults who have done drugs, can’t or won’t keep a job and are in and out of jail. I want her to have a better life, and I try to explain what a responsible adult life looks like. But when I do, she accuses me of being judgmental and nonaccepting because these people are “nice.” How can I get her to understand that the lifestyle she’s exposed to isn’t good without coming off as judgmental? — AT A LOSS FOR WORDS
DEAR AT A LOSS: The lessons we teach others don’t always have to be verbal. One way would be to expose your granddaughter — as often as possible — to people who have chosen a different way of life and are reaping the rewards for it. Perhaps then she will begin to draw her own conclusions and realize that she can have a different life if she’s willing to work toward it.
DEAR ABBY: I am a 13-year-old dancer, and I recently had a recital. The mothers came backstage to help their children change in the dressing rooms.
A girl my age who has two lesbian mothers was near me while I changed. It made me feel self-conscious. I’m normally not like this, but it felt awkward, to say the least. I’m not against same-sex couples, but it felt weird. Am I overreacting? — MIDWEST DANCER
DEAR MIDWEST DANCER: I think so. Those two mothers were more interested in what was going on with their daughter than with you. If you plan to become a professional dancer — or part of any branch of the performing arts — you will be changing costumes under all kinds of conditions. This means you will be around straight males and females, gay people of both genders and, occasionally, trans people. It’s a fact of life because separate dressing rooms may not be available.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Good advice for everyone — teens to seniors — is in “The Anger in All of Us and How to Deal With It.” To order, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Anger Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--President’s Chicago tax appeal on Trump Tower is under investigation

Mired in delays for seven years , President Donald Trump ’ s appeal for a refund of at least $ 1 million on his Chicago skyscraper is now the subject of two state of Illinois investigations that center on whether a Republican state official pressured his staff to cut the president a break .
Trump ’ s appeal of the 2012 property taxes he paid for Trump International Hotel & Tower has come under scrutiny by the state ’ s executive inspector general ’ s office and then Gov .
J.B. Pritzker ’ s administration , the Chicago Sun-Times has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an anonymous complaint the inspector general ’ s office received last fall that Mauro Glorioso , the executive director of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board , pressured his staff to rule in the president ’ s favor , rejecting the staff ’ s decision to deny Trump any refund .
Glorioso is a Republican attorney from Westchester the Democratic governor appointed as the state property tax agency ’ s executive director last summer .
Pritzker ’ s staff wouldn ’ t confirm that a complaint has been filed against Glorioso and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the governor ’ s office has opened its own inquiry regarding Trump ’ s appeal .
“ The administration is determined to get to the bottom of what happened in this situation and will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted , ” Pritzker ’ s communications director Emily Bittner says .
“ PTAB should take no action until an investigation is complete , ” Bittner says .
“ In general , it would be entirely inappropriate for a legal decision on a property tax appeal to be impacted by any of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the allegations of political motivations improperly driving the decision-making.
” Pritzker himself came under fire for getting a total of $ 330,000 in property tax cuts by claiming the historic mansion he bought next door to his home on the city ’ s Gold Coast was “ uninhabitable.
” That was after he let it fall into disrepair and disconnected all of the toilets , the Sun-Times revealed in 2017 .
He has been a member of the state board since 2008 , rising to chairman under Republican former Gov .
Bruce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritzker appointed him last summer as PTAB ’ s executive director and general counsel , overseeing property tax appeals from across the state .
Glorioso is paid $ 115,020 a year .
The state Office of the Executive Inspector General wouldn ’ t confirm that it received a complaint regarding Glorioso and Trump ’ s appeal .
The Sun-Times filed a public records request with PTAB for correspondence among the inspector general , Glorioso , chief PTAB administrative law judge Steven Waggoner and hearing officer Simeon Nockov .
According to the complaint , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his hotel and retail space had been overvalued by the Cook County Board of Review , a three-member , elected panel .
After Trump appealed , the county agency had reduced the original property assessment made by former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios but not as much as Trump wanted .
Trump then appealed to the state .
Glorioso and his staff rejected the records request , saying , “ The requested documents appear to be confidential and exempt from provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.
” PTAB also refused to release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trump appeal is still unresolved .
Waggoner didn ’ t respond to questions regarding the allegation before the inspector general but says the state board , not PTAB ’ s staff , will determine whether Trump ’ s assessment is reduced , which would trigger a tax refund .
“ The written decision that is ultimately issued will include the board ’ s findings and rationale for making its determination of the correct assessment , ” Waggoner says .
“ The board ’ s decisions are then subject to administrative review.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 , 2012 , by Ald .
Edward M. Burke and his law firm Klafter & Burke .
Burke challenged the $ 62.4 million value Cook County officials placed on the skyscraper ’ s hotel and retail space , much of which has never been occupied .
The Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ s office , which is fighting the appeal , argued the tax cuts Burke sought for Trump could cost taxpayers $ 1 million of the $ 2.5 million Trump paid in 2012 for the hotel room ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would come from the Chicago Public Schools and about 20 percent from the city of Chicago .
City Hall and the school system could have intervened in Trump ’ s appeal but didn ’ t .
The county hasn ’ t produced any evidence to counter an estimate presented by Burke from appraiser Arthur Murphy , who argued at a public hearing on Dec. 12 , 2017 , that the skyscraper ’ s vacant and never-leased retail space along the Chicago River downtown had a “ negative value , so it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nockov , the PTAB hearing officer , issued his decision on Trump ’ s appeal .
Nockov ’ s decision has never been made public .
No further hearings are scheduled .
Burke , whose law firm has won more than $ 14 million in property tax refunds for Trump ’ s skyscraper over the years , couldn ’ t be reached .
Burke ’ s law firm stopped representing Trump in May 2018 .
Burke announced that decision after his brother , then-state Rep. Dan Burke , lost a Democratic primary election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alderman ’ s legal work for a president pushing to build a wall along the Mexican border in a crackdown on illegal immigration .
Burke turned over his Trump cases to Patrick McNerney , an attorney with the law firm of Mayer Brown .
McNerney is representing Trump in three other cases now before PTAB , including one filed in December , and five other cases pending in Cook County circuit court .

Mired in delays for seven years, President Donald Trump’s appeal for a refund of at least $1 million on his Chicago skyscraper is now the subject of two state of Illinois investigations that center on whether a Republican state official pressured his staff to cut the president a break.
Trump’s appeal of the 2012 property taxes he paid for Trump International Hotel & Tower has come under scrutiny by the state’s executive inspector general’s office and then Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.
Those are the result of an anonymous complaint the inspector general’s office received last fall that Mauro Glorioso, the executive director of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board, pressured his staff to rule in the president’s favor, rejecting the staff’s decision to deny Trump any refund.
Glorioso is a Republican attorney from Westchester the Democratic governor appointed as the state property tax agency’s executive director last summer.
Trump International Hotel & Tower. Trump International Hotel & Tower.
Pritzker’s staff wouldn’t confirm that a complaint has been filed against Glorioso and four members of Glorioso’s staff. But the governor’s office has opened its own inquiry regarding Trump’s appeal.
“The administration is determined to get to the bottom of what happened in this situation and will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted,” Pritzker’s communications director Emily Bittner says.
“PTAB should take no action until an investigation is complete,” Bittner says. “In general, it would be entirely inappropriate for a legal decision on a property tax appeal to be impacted by any of the conduct alleged in this complaint, including the allegations of political motivations improperly driving the decision-making.”
Pritzker himself came under fire for getting a total of $330,000 in property tax cuts by claiming the historic mansion he bought next door to his home on the city’s Gold Coast was “uninhabitable.” That was after he let it fall into disrepair and disconnected all of the toilets, the Sun-Times revealed in 2017.
Mauro Glorioso, the $115,020-a-year executive director and general counsel of the Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board. Illinois Property Tax Appeal Board
Glorioso didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.
He has been a member of the state board since 2008, rising to chairman under Republican former Gov. Bruce Rauner. Glorioso held that post until Pritzker appointed him last summer as PTAB’s executive director and general counsel, overseeing property tax appeals from across the state. Glorioso is paid $115,020 a year.
The state Office of the Executive Inspector General wouldn’t confirm that it received a complaint regarding Glorioso and Trump’s appeal.
The Sun-Times filed a public records request with PTAB for correspondence among the inspector general, Glorioso, chief PTAB administrative law judge Steven Waggoner and hearing officer Simeon Nockov. According to the complaint, Nockov decided Trump didn’t prove his hotel and retail space had been overvalued by the Cook County Board of Review, a three-member, elected panel. After Trump appealed, the county agency had reduced the original property assessment made by former Cook County Assessor Joseph Berrios but not as much as Trump wanted. Trump then appealed to the state.
Glorioso and his staff rejected the records request, saying, “The requested documents appear to be confidential and exempt from provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.”
PTAB also refused to release Nockov’s reports or drafts because the Trump appeal is still unresolved.
Waggoner didn’t respond to questions regarding the allegation before the inspector general but says the state board, not PTAB’s staff, will determine whether Trump’s assessment is reduced, which would trigger a tax refund.
“The written decision that is ultimately issued will include the board’s findings and rationale for making its determination of the correct assessment,” Waggoner says. “The board’s decisions are then subject to administrative review.”
Trump’s appeal was filed May 11, 2012, by Ald. Edward M. Burke and his law firm Klafter & Burke. Burke challenged the $62.4 million value Cook County officials placed on the skyscraper’s hotel and retail space, much of which has never been occupied.
Ald. Edward Burke (left) with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump at the City Club of Chicago in 2015. AP
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office, which is fighting the appeal, argued the tax cuts Burke sought for Trump could cost taxpayers $1 million of the $2.5 million Trump paid in 2012 for the hotel room’s and retail space.
Half of that would come from the Chicago Public Schools and about 20 percent from the city of Chicago. City Hall and the school system could have intervened in Trump’s appeal but didn’t.
The county hasn’t produced any evidence to counter an estimate presented by Burke from appraiser Arthur Murphy, who argued at a public hearing on Dec. 12, 2017, that the skyscraper’s vacant and never-leased retail space along the Chicago River downtown had a “negative value, so it’s no value.”
A month later, Nockov, the PTAB hearing officer, issued his decision on Trump’s appeal.
Nockov’s decision has never been made public. No further hearings are scheduled.
Nockov won’t comment.
Burke, whose law firm has won more than $14 million in property tax refunds for Trump’s skyscraper over the years, couldn’t be reached.
Burke’s law firm stopped representing Trump in May 2018. Burke announced that decision after his brother, then-state Rep. Dan Burke, lost a Democratic primary election amid outrage from Hispanic voters over the alderman’s legal work for a president pushing to build a wall along the Mexican border in a crackdown on illegal immigration.
Burke turned over his Trump cases to Patrick McNerney, an attorney with the law firm of Mayer Brown. McNerney is representing Trump in three other cases now before PTAB, including one filed in December, and five other cases pending in Cook County circuit court.
McNerney didn’t respond to messages seeking comment.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--Man charged with shooting buyer during drug deal near Huntley

A man has been charged with robbing and shooting another man during a drug deal earlier this week near northwest suburban Huntley .
Kyle Anthony Campbell , 22 , is charged with attempted murder , armed robbery with a firearm and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm , all felonies , according to a statement from the Kane County sheriff ’ s office .
About 6 p.m. Monday , the 22-year-old victim and another person went to a home on Powers Road in an unincorporated area near Huntley to buy about $ 200 worth of marijuana , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home , Campbell took the man ’ s money and told him to leave without giving him the pot , authorities said .
They got into a fight , which ended with Campbell shooting the man twice in his lower extremities .
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Campbell and the U.S. Marshalls Great Lakes Region Task Force took him into custody about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday near I-90 and Randall Road in Elgin , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
He remains in custody at the Kane County Adult Justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the sheriff ’ s office .
His next court date was scheduled for Feb. 14 .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

A man has been charged with robbing and shooting another man during a drug deal earlier this week near northwest suburban Huntley.
Kyle Anthony Campbell, 22, is charged with attempted murder, armed robbery with a firearm and two counts of aggravated battery with a firearm, all felonies, according to a statement from the Kane County sheriff’s office.
Kyle Campbell Kane County sheriff’s office
About 6 p.m. Monday, the 22-year-old victim and another person went to a home on Powers Road in an unincorporated area near Huntley to buy about $200 worth of marijuana, the sheriff’s office said.
Inside the home, Campbell took the man’s money and told him to leave without giving him the pot, authorities said. They got into a fight, which ended with Campbell shooting the man twice.
Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Campbell and the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Region Task Force took him into custody about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday near I-90 and Randall Road in Elgin, according to the sheriff’s office.
He remains in custody at the Kane County Adult Justice Center on $500,000 bail, according to the sheriff’s office. He is due back in court Feb. 14.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


Chicago-pedia: Commuting

Some call it “ Chicago-ese , ” or “ Chicago-speak.
” Whatever you call it , we ’ re capturing @ @ @ @ @ — highlighting our local terminology and linguistic quirks ( sometimes with humor and obvious exaggeration @ @ @ @ @ part of a group of stories called THE L : Short for “ elevated , @ @ @ @ @ ’ s elevated commuter rail system ; also oddly refers to that system when it @ @ @ @ @ at street level or a subway .
THE THIRD RAIL : 1 .
High-voltage electrified @ @ @ @ @ .
2 .
A topic fraught with peril if discussed in public , such as @ @ @ @ @ BUS : Mass transit vehicle that does not contain a public bathroom , though many @ @ @ @ @ does .

Some call it “Chicago-ese,” or “Chicago-speak.” Whatever you call it, we’re capturing it here, in Chicago-pedia — highlighting our local terminology and linguistic quirks (sometimes with humor and obvious exaggeration).
THE L: Short for “elevated,” as in the CTA’s elevated commuter rail system; also oddly refers to that system when it’s not elevated — at street level or a subway.
THE THIRD RAIL: 1. High-voltage electrified track that powers L trains.
2. A topic fraught with peril if discussed in public, such as race and religion.
CTA BUS: Mass transit vehicle that does not contain a public bathroom, though many riders seem to think it does.
CTA Bus. Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times
GREEN LIMOUSINE: Longtime nickname for CTA buses, so called not because they were environmentally friendly but because they used to be colored green.
STANK: That unpleasant, hard-to-define smell inside a CTA bus.
EYE CONTACT: Something you should never make with other passengers while riding the L or a CTA bus.
UBER: 1. Word used universally to describe any ride-share company, including competitor Lyft.
2. Godsend if you’ve had a few too many drinks.
3. The drivers that you conjure hell upon as they cut you off, block fire lanes and idle over crosswalks throughout the city.
4. Killer of taxi companies, public transit.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-07--2 flee after crash with police car in Austin: police

Authorities are looking for two people who ran from a car after it crashed into a police car Friday in @ @ @ @ @ .
A 2007 Pontiac sedan ran a stop sign and nearly hit a marked squad @ @ @ @ @ the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue , according to Chicago police .
Officers pursued @ @ @ @ @ block of North Mayfield Avenue , where it crashed into a squad car , police @ @ @ @ @ female got out of the Pontiac and ran away on foot .
No injuries were @ @ @ @ @ No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

Authorities are looking for two people who ran from a car after it crashed into a police car Friday in Austin on the West Side.
A 2007 Pontiac sedan ran a stop sign and nearly hit a marked squad car at 2:06 a.m. in the 800 block of North Parkside Avenue, according to Chicago police.
Officers pursued the car to the 1400 block of North Mayfield Avenue, where it crashed into a squad car, police said. A male and female got out of the Pontiac and ran away on foot.
No injuries were reported, police said. No one is in custody as Area North detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.