chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Dear Abby: My husband sees his sister more than me and our kids

DEAR ABBY : I don ’ t know how to handle this .
My husband of 29 years spends more time with his sister and her family than he does with me and our children .
If I say anything about it , he jumps all over me , defending her .
He says she doesn ’ t have anyone to help her .
But Abby , she has two grown sons and a husband she recently decided to divorce .
I think his relationship with his sister is weird , and other people have said they think so , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creepy .
When I told my husband I thought it was a weird relationship , he yelled at me .
I can no longer talk about his sister with him ; it ’ s off limits .
Please help .
— ONLY THE WIFE DEAR ONLY THE WIFE : Has your husband always been close to this sister ?
It may be the reason he is spending time with her .
I ’ m sure she wouldn ’ t be divorcing her husband if the marriage had been a bed of roses , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her brother to help her detoxify .
That said , that he spends more time with his sister than with you and the children is unusual .
It makes me wonder about the state of your own marriage .
If there is stress and tension the two of you can ’ t resolve together , you may need to consult a licensed marriage and family therapist .
DEAR ABBY : Our 47-year-old son remarried two years ago .
We have a 15-year-old grandson from his previous marriage who lives with his mom and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are not close with our new in-laws , who live out of state .
We recently found out that they have purchased a second home very close to our son .
The problem is , the home is located within a nudist colony and , therefore , we assume they are in fact nudists .
Should this be a problem for us ( we are both 70 ) , or should we not be concerned ?
— WONDERING IN THE SOUTH DEAR WONDERING : I don ’ t think there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are concerned that your grandson will “ see ” something shocking , please know that he can find whatever he is curious about on his computer or cellphone .
However , if you are worried that either of you will be forced to view or participate in nude activities when you visit your son , all you have to say is , “ I think we ’ ll stay at a nearby hotel , thank you.
” DEAR ABBY : I recently attended a wedding and was videotaped while I was dancing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a family gathering .
I ’ m not a great dancer , and I looked silly , so I asked that the video be deleted .
Instead , it was passed around and everyone laughed and made fun of me .
It was embarrassing and hurtful .
My husband says I ’ m overreacting .
Am I ?
I said nothing and don ’ t intend to , but I can ’ t get it out of my mind .
— DANCING FOOL IN OHIO DEAR DANCING FOOL : Your feelings are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made fun of .
But you have two choices : The first is to continue to stew about it .
The second is to join in the laughter , admit you don ’ t dance like a gazelle — few people do — and let it go .
If you downplay it , it will go away .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person , order “ How to Be Popular.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Popularity Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I don’t know how to handle this. My husband of 29 years spends more time with his sister and her family than he does with me and our children. If I say anything about it, he jumps all over me, defending her. He says she doesn’t have anyone to help her. But Abby, she has two grown sons and a husband she recently decided to divorce.
I think his relationship with his sister is weird, and other people have said they think so, too. One person even called it creepy. When I told my husband I thought it was a weird relationship, he yelled at me. I can no longer talk about his sister with him; it’s off limits. Please help. — ONLY THE WIFE
DEAR ONLY THE WIFE: Has your husband always been close to this sister? It may be the reason he is spending time with her. I’m sure she wouldn’t be divorcing her husband if the marriage had been a bed of roses, and she may need private time with her brother to help her detoxify.
That said, that he spends more time with his sister than with you and the children is unusual. It makes me wonder about the state of your own marriage. If there is stress and tension the two of you can’t resolve together, you may need to consult a licensed marriage and family therapist.
DEAR ABBY: Our 47-year-old son remarried two years ago. We have a 15-year-old grandson from his previous marriage who lives with his mom and who visits his dad every other weekend. We are not close with our new in-laws, who live out of state.
We recently found out that they have purchased a second home very close to our son. The problem is, the home is located within a nudist colony and, therefore, we assume they are in fact nudists. Should this be a problem for us (we are both 70), or should we not be concerned? — WONDERING IN THE SOUTH
DEAR WONDERING: I don’t think there is anything to be worried about. If you are concerned that your grandson will “see” something shocking, please know that he can find whatever he is curious about on his computer or cellphone. However, if you are worried that either of you will be forced to view or participate in nude activities when you visit your son, all you have to say is, “I think we’ll stay at a nearby hotel, thank you.”
DEAR ABBY: I recently attended a wedding and was videotaped while I was dancing. I was shown the tape later at a family gathering. I’m not a great dancer, and I looked silly, so I asked that the video be deleted. Instead, it was passed around and everyone laughed and made fun of me. It was embarrassing and hurtful.
My husband says I’m overreacting. Am I? I said nothing and don’t intend to, but I can’t get it out of my mind. — DANCING FOOL IN OHIO
DEAR DANCING FOOL: Your feelings are your feelings. Nobody wants to be made fun of. But you have two choices: The first is to continue to stew about it. The second is to join in the laughter, admit you don’t dance like a gazelle — few people do — and let it go. If you downplay it, it will go away.
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.
For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more sociable person, order “How to Be Popular.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Lake County, IN, coroner searches for family of Pamela Taylor

The Lake County , Indiana , coroner ’ s office is looking to find the family of a recently deceased @ @ @ @ @ , a 58-year-old African American woman , was found dead Sunday at her home in @ @ @ @ @ 19th Avenue , the coroner ’ s office said .
She worked at Menards .
@ @ @ @ @ is now asking for the public ’ s help in finding Taylor ’ s immediate @ @ @ @ @ with information about Taylor can call the coroner ’ s office at 219-755-3265 .

The Lake County, Indiana, coroner’s office is looking to find the family of a recently deceased Gary woman.
Pamela Taylor, a 58-year-old African American woman, was found dead Sunday at her home in the 4100 block of West 19th Avenue, the coroner’s office said. She worked at Menards.
The coroner’s office is now asking for the public’s help in finding Taylor’s immediate family or relatives.
Anyone with information about Taylor can call the coroner’s office at 219-755-3265.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Commercial airlines reroute flights amid U.S.-Iran tensions

NEW DELHI — Commercial airlines on Wednesday rerouted flights crossing the Middle East to avoid possible danger amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran .
The flight restrictions reflected fears that the conflict between the longtime foes could ratchet up following Iranian ballistic missile strikes Tuesday on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops .
Those strikes were retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad last week .
Poland ’ s national carrier , PLL LOT , said Saturday — even before Iran ’ s retaliatory strike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bypass Iran ’ s airspace .
Paris-based Air France and Dutch carrier KLM both said Wednesday they had suspended all flights over Iran and Iraq airspace indefinitely .
Australian carrier Qantas said it was altering its London to Perth , Australia , route to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice .
The longer route meant that Qantas would have to carry fewer passengers and more fuel to remain in the air for an extra 40 to 50 minutes .
Malaysia Airlines said that “ due to recent events , ” its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines also said that its flights to Europe would be re-routed to avoid Iran .
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it was barring American pilots and carriers from flying in areas of Iraqi , Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace .
The agency warned of the “ potential for miscalculation or mis-identification ” for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran .
Such restrictions are often precautionary in nature to prevent civilian aircraft from being confused for ones engaged in armed conflict .
The FAA said the restrictions were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East , which present an inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations.
” Following the FAA , India ’ s Directorate General of Civil Aviation advised Indian commercial carriers to avoid Iranian , Iraqi and Persian Gulf airspace .
German airline Lufthansa said it had canceled its flight from Frankfurt to Tehran on Wednesday and another flight Saturday in Erbil in light of the current situation .
Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines also canceled service to Erbil .
Swiss International Air Lines , another Lufthansa subsidiary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Iraqi airspace for the time being .
The Russian aviation agency , Rosaviatsia , issued an official recommendation for all Russian airlines to avoid flying over Iran , Iraq , the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman “ due to existing risks for the safety of international civil flights.
” Russia ’ s biggest private airline , S7 , said it would reroute its twice-a-week flight from the Siberian city of Novosibirsk to Dubai .
Russian carrier Ural Airlines was working up alternative routes for its flights to Bahrain , Dubai @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Iranian airspace , the carrier ’ s spokeswoman said Wednesday .
At least two Kazakh airlines — Air Astana and SCAT — were considering rerouting or canceling their flights over Iran following the crash of a Ukrainian airliner that killed 176 people .
The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian capital when a fire struck one of its engines , said Qassem Biniaz , a spokesman for Iran ’ s Road and Transportation Ministry .
Kazakh officials said that Air Astana , the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a meeting on whether to reroute or ban ” flights .
SCAT , one of the largest airlines in Kazakhstan , told Russia ’ s Interfax news agency that it was also considering rerouting flights .
United Arab Emirates-owned budget airline flydubai said it had canceled a scheduled flight Wednesday from Dubai to Baghdad but was continuing flights to Basra and Najaf .
Emirates airline flights between Dubai and Baghdad were canceled .
“ The safety of our passengers , crew and aircraft is our number one priority and will not be compromised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Qatar Airways , however , said its flights to Iraq were operating normally .
“ The safety of our passengers and employees is of the highest importance , and we continue to closely monitor developments in Iraq , ” the airline said in a statement .
And Buta Airways , an Azerbaijani low-cost carrier , said Wednesday it was not planning to suspend or reroute daily flights between Baku , the country ’ s capital , and Tehran .
Associated Press writers Daria Litvinova in Moscow ; Angela Charlton in Paris ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rod McGuirk in Canberra , Australia ; Frank Jordans in Berlin and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , contributed to this report .

NEW DELHI — Commercial airlines on Wednesday rerouted flights crossing the Middle East to avoid possible danger amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
The flight restrictions reflected fears that the conflict between the longtime foes could ratchet up following Iranian ballistic missile strikes Tuesday on two Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops. Those strikes were retaliation for the U.S. killing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani in a drone strike near Baghdad last week.
Poland’s national carrier, PLL LOT, said Saturday — even before Iran’s retaliatory strike — that it was changing routes to bypass Iran’s airspace.
Paris-based Air France and Dutch carrier KLM both said Wednesday they had suspended all flights over Iran and Iraq airspace indefinitely.
Australian carrier Qantas said it was altering its London to Perth, Australia, route to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice. The longer route meant that Qantas would have to carry fewer passengers and more fuel to remain in the air for an extra 40 to 50 minutes.
Malaysia Airlines said that “due to recent events,” its planes would avoid Iranian airspace.
Singapore Airlines also said that its flights to Europe would be re-routed to avoid Iran.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said it was barring American pilots and carriers from flying in areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace. The agency warned of the “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Such restrictions are often precautionary in nature to prevent civilian aircraft from being confused for ones engaged in armed conflict. The FAA said the restrictions were being issued due to “heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the Middle East, which present an inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations.”
Following the FAA, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation advised Indian commercial carriers to avoid Iranian, Iraqi and Persian Gulf airspace.
German airline Lufthansa said it had canceled its flight from Frankfurt to Tehran on Wednesday and another flight Saturday in Erbil in light of the current situation. Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines also canceled service to Erbil.
Swiss International Air Lines, another Lufthansa subsidiary, also said it was avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace for the time being.
The Russian aviation agency, Rosaviatsia, issued an official recommendation for all Russian airlines to avoid flying over Iran, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman “due to existing risks for the safety of international civil flights.”
Russia’s biggest private airline, S7, said it would reroute its twice-a-week flight from the Siberian city of Novosibirsk to Dubai.
Russian carrier Ural Airlines was working up alternative routes for its flights to Bahrain, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah to avoid flying over Iranian airspace, the carrier’s spokeswoman said Wednesday.
At least two Kazakh airlines — Air Astana and SCAT — were considering rerouting or canceling their flights over Iran following the crash of a Ukrainian airliner that killed 176 people.
The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport in the Iranian capital when a fire struck one of its engines, said Qassem Biniaz, a spokesman for Iran’s Road and Transportation Ministry.
Kazakh officials said that Air Astana, the country’s flagship carrier, “is currently holding a meeting on whether to reroute or ban” flights. SCAT, one of the largest airlines in Kazakhstan, told Russia’s Interfax news agency that it was also considering rerouting flights.
United Arab Emirates-owned budget airline flydubai said it had canceled a scheduled flight Wednesday from Dubai to Baghdad but was continuing flights to Basra and Najaf.
Emirates airline flights between Dubai and Baghdad were canceled.
“The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft is our number one priority and will not be compromised,” Emirates said in a statement.
Qatar Airways, however, said its flights to Iraq were operating normally. “The safety of our passengers and employees is of the highest importance, and we continue to closely monitor developments in Iraq,” the airline said in a statement.
And Buta Airways, an Azerbaijani low-cost carrier, said Wednesday it was not planning to suspend or reroute daily flights between Baku, the country’s capital, and Tehran.
___
Associated Press writers Daria Litvinova in Moscow; Angela Charlton in Paris; Monika Scislowska in Warsaw, Poland; Rod McGuirk in Canberra, Australia; Frank Jordans in Berlin and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, contributed to this report.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Person shot on ramp from Stevenson to Dan Ryan Expressway

A person was shot Wednesday on the ramp from the Stevenson Expressway to the Dan Ryan Expressway .
Three people @ @ @ @ @ 1:10 a.m. when shots rang out as they were driving on the ramp from northbound @ @ @ @ @ 94 , Illinois State Police said .
One person was struck in the back and @ @ @ @ @ treatment , police said .
They are expected to survive their injuries .
Both the @ @ @ @ @ the Stevenson to the northbound Dan Ryan were closed for over three hours as Illinois @ @ @ @ @ ramps were reopened about 4:45 a.m. , state police said .
No one is in @ @

A person was shot Wednesday on the ramp from the Stevenson Expressway to the Dan Ryan Expressway.
Three males were in a vehicle about 1:10 a.m. when shots rang out as they were driving on the ramp from northbound Interstate 55 to northbound Interstate 94, Illinois State Police said.
The driver was shot in the back and taken to the hospital for treatment, state police said.
The front seat passenger was treated for injuries from shattered glass, and a third passenger refused medical treatment, state police said.
Both the southbound and northbound ramps from the Stevenson to the northbound Dan Ryan were closed for over three hours as Illinois State Police investigated.
The ramps were reopened about 4:45 a.m., state police said.
No one is in custody.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Convenience store robbed at gunpoint in Albany Park: police

A convenience store was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
About 2:35 p.m. , @ @ @ @ @ clothing and a hoodie walked into a convenience store in the 4400 block of North @ @ @ @ @ handgun , Chicago police said .
The male forced the clerk to empty the cash @ @ @ @ @ one was injured and no one is in custody , police said .

A convenience store was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
About 2:35 p.m., a male wearing all black clothing and a hoodie walked into a convenience store in the 4400 block of North Pulaski Road armed with a handgun, Chicago police said. The male forced the clerk to empty the cash drawers before fleeing.
No one was injured and no one is in custody, police said.
Area North detectives are investigating.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Tuesday marks first day of 2020 without any reported shootings in Chicago

No one was shot Tuesday in Chicago , marking the first time that Chicago has gone a full day without a reported shooting since November .
The respite in gun violence last nearly 27 hours , between 10:10 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Wednesday , according to Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago police records .
Six people were wounded Monday in shootings across Chicago , the latest of which happened inside a home in Austin on the West Side .
That incident , about 10:10 p.m. in the 4800 block of West Quincy Street , left a 33-year-old man seriously wounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person was shot in Chicago .
The streak was broken when two men were shot about 1 a.m. Wednesday as they drove down Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast .
The men , 24 and 25 , were stabilized at Stroger Hospital .
The last time Chicago went a full day without a shooting was Nov. 18 , 2019 , when the gun violence stopped for over 26 hours .
Last year , Chicago didn ’ t see its first day without a reported shooting until Jan. 14 .
So far in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago , according to Sun-Times records .
Six of those people were killed .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

No one was shot Tuesday in Chicago, marking the first time that Chicago has gone a full day without a reported shooting since November.
The respite in gun violence last nearly 27 hours, between 10:10 p.m. Monday and 1 a.m. Wednesday, according to Sun-Times and Chicago police records.
Six people were wounded Monday in shootings across Chicago, the latest of which happened inside a home in Austin on the West Side. That incident, about 10:10 p.m. in the 4800 block of West Quincy Street, left a 33-year-old man seriously wounded.
Nearly 27 hours passed before another person was shot in Chicago.
The streak was broken when two men were shot about 1 a.m. Wednesday as they drove down Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast. The men, 24 and 25, were stabilized at Stroger Hospital.
The last time Chicago went a full day without a shooting was Nov. 18, 2019, when the gun violence stopped for over 26 hours.
Last year, Chicago didn’t see its first day without a reported shooting until Jan. 14.
So far in 2020, 36 people have shot in Chicago, according to Sun-Times records. Six of those people were killed.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Iran state TV says Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 airplane crashes near Tehran

SHAHEDSHAHR , Iran — A Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people crashed on Wednesday , just minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital ’ s main airport , turning farmland on the outskirts of Tehran into fields of flaming debris and killing all on board .
The crash of Ukraine International Airlines came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. soldiers , but both Ukrainian and Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft .
The plane carried 167 passengers and nine crew members from different nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vadim Prystaiko , said that there were 82 Iranians , 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians on board — the Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and the nine crew .
There were also 10 Swedish , four Afghan , three German and three British nationals .
Airline officials said most of the passengers were en route to the Ukrainian capital , Kyiv , transiting through there to other destinations .
Ukraine ’ s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy extended his condolences to the families of the victims .
His office said he had cut his visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kyiv because of the crash .
The country ’ s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk confirmed the casualty toll .
” Our task is to establish the cause of the crash of the Boeing and provide all necessary help to the families of the victims , ” said parliament speaker , Dmytro Razumkov , in a Facebook statement .
Ukraine International Airlines said it had indefinitely suspended flights to Tehran after the crash .
“ It was one of the best planes we had , with an amazing , reliable crew , ” Yevhen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airlines , said at a briefing following the crash .
Zelenskiy , the Ukrainian president , ordered a sweeping inspection of all civil airplanes in the country , “ no matter the conclusions about the crash in Iran.
” The plane had been delayed from taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport by almost an hour .
It took off to the west , but never made it above 8,000 feet in the air , according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 .
It remains unclear what happened .
Qassem Biniaz , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Transportation Ministry , said it appeared a fire struck one of its engines .
The pilot of the aircraft then lost control of the plane , sending it crashing into the ground , Biniaz said , according to the state-run IRNA news agency .
Hassan Razaeifar , the head of air crash investigation committee , said it appeared the pilot couldn ’ t communicate with air-traffic controllers in Tehran in the last moments of the flight .
He did not elaborate .
Ukrainian authorities have offered to help with the investigation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re preparing a group of specialists in order to help with the search operation and the investigation of the cause of the crash , ” Honcharuk said .
The plane , fully loaded with fuel for its 2,300-kilometer ( 1,430-mile ) flight , slammed into farmland near the town of Shahedshahr on the outskirts of Tehran .
Videos taken immediately after the crash show blazes lighting up the darkened fields before dawn .
Resident Din Mohammad Qassemi said he had been watching the news about the Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani when he heard the crash .
“ I heard a massive explosion and all the houses started to shake .
There was fire everywhere , ” he told The Associated Press .
“ At first I thought ( the Americans ) have hit here with missiles and went in the basement as a shelter .
After a while , I went out and saw a plane has crashed over there .
Body parts were lying around everywhere.
” The majority of the passengers were Iranian nationals , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , citing Iranian authorities .
Staff at the Boryspil airport in Kyiv , told the AP that passengers on this flight are usually Iranian students coming back to Ukraine after winter holidays AP journalists who reached the crash site saw a wide field of field of debris scattered across farmland , the dead laying among shattered pieces of the aircraft .
Their possessions , a child ’ s cartoon-covered electric toothbrush , a stuffed animal , luggage and electronics , stretched everywhere .
Rescuers in masks shouted over the noise of hovering helicopters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there would be no survivors .
“ The only thing that the pilot managed to do was steer the plane towards a soccer field near here instead of a residential area back there , ” witness Aref Geravand said .
“ It crashed near the field and in a water canal.
” The Boeing 737-800 is a very common single-aisle , twin-engine jetliner used for short to medium-range flights .
Thousands of the planes are used by airlines around the world .
Introduced in the late 1990s , it is an older model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been grounded for nearly 10 months following two deadly crashes .
Boeing built the aircraft that crashed Wednesday in 2016 and it last underwent routine maintenance on Monday , Ukraine International Airlines said .
A number of 737-800 aircraft have been involved in deadly accidents over the years .
In March 2016 , a FlyDubai 737-800 from Dubai crashed while trying to land at Rostov-on-Don airport in Russia , killing 62 onboard .
Another 737-800 flight from Dubai , operated by Air India Express , crashed in May 2010 while trying to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 150 onboard .
Chicago-based Boeing Co. was “ aware of the media reports out of Iran and we are gathering more information , ” spokesman Michael Friedman told the AP .
Boeing , like other airline manufacturers , typically assists in crash investigations .
However , that effort in this case could be affected by the U.S. sanctions campaign in place on Iran since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018 .
Both Airbus and Boeing had been in line to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran over the deal , which saw Tehran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions .
But Trump ’ s decision halted the sales .
Under decades of international sanctions , Iran ’ s commercial passenger aircraft fleet has aged , with air accidents occurring regularly for domestic carriers in recent years , resulting in hundreds of casualties .
Karimi reported from Tehran , Iran , and Gambrell from Dubai , United Arab Emirates .
Associated Press writers Adam Schreck in Bangkok ; Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Inna Varenytsia and Dmytro Vlasov in Kyiv , Ukraine , contributed to this report .

SHAHEDSHAHR, Iran — A Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people crashed on Wednesday, just minutes after taking off from the Iranian capital’s main airport, turning farmland on the outskirts of Tehran into fields of flaming debris and killing all on board.
The crash of Ukraine International Airlines came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing U.S. soldiers, but both Ukrainian and Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
The plane carried 167 passengers and nine crew members from different nations. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Vadim Prystaiko, said that there were 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians and 11 Ukrainians on board — the Ukrainian nationals included two passengers and the nine crew. There were also 10 Swedish, four Afghan, three German and three British nationals.
Airline officials said most of the passengers were en route to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, transiting through there to other destinations.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy extended his condolences to the families of the victims. His office said he had cut his visit to Oman short and was returning to Kyiv because of the crash. The country’s Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk confirmed the casualty toll.
”Our task is to establish the cause of the crash of the Boeing and provide all necessary help to the families of the victims,” said parliament speaker, Dmytro Razumkov, in a Facebook statement.
Ukraine International Airlines said it had indefinitely suspended flights to Tehran after the crash. “It was one of the best planes we had, with an amazing, reliable crew,” Yevhen Dykhne, president of the Ukraine International Airlines, said at a briefing following the crash.
Zelenskiy, the Ukrainian president, ordered a sweeping inspection of all civil airplanes in the country, “no matter the conclusions about the crash in Iran.”
The plane had been delayed from taking off from Imam Khomeini International Airport by almost an hour. It took off to the west, but never made it above 8,000 feet in the air, according to data from the flight-tracking website FlightRadar24.
It remains unclear what happened. Qassem Biniaz, a spokesman for Iran’s Road and Transportation Ministry, said it appeared a fire struck one of its engines. The pilot of the aircraft then lost control of the plane, sending it crashing into the ground, Biniaz said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
Hassan Razaeifar, the head of air crash investigation committee, said it appeared the pilot couldn’t communicate with air-traffic controllers in Tehran in the last moments of the flight. He did not elaborate.
Ukrainian authorities have offered to help with the investigation of the plane crash. “We’re preparing a group of specialists in order to help with the search operation and the investigation of the cause of the crash,” Honcharuk said.
The plane, fully loaded with fuel for its 2,300-kilometer (1,430-mile) flight, slammed into farmland near the town of Shahedshahr on the outskirts of Tehran. Videos taken immediately after the crash show blazes lighting up the darkened fields before dawn.
Resident Din Mohammad Qassemi said he had been watching the news about the Iranian ballistic missile attack on U.S. forces in Iraq in revenge for the killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani when he heard the crash.
“I heard a massive explosion and all the houses started to shake. There was fire everywhere,” he told The Associated Press. “At first I thought (the Americans) have hit here with missiles and went in the basement as a shelter. After a while, I went out and saw a plane has crashed over there. Body parts were lying around everywhere.”
The majority of the passengers were Iranian nationals, Russia’s RIA Novosti agency reported, citing Iranian authorities. Staff at the Boryspil airport in Kyiv, told the AP that passengers on this flight are usually Iranian students coming back to Ukraine after winter holidays
AP journalists who reached the crash site saw a wide field of field of debris scattered across farmland, the dead laying among shattered pieces of the aircraft. Their possessions, a child’s cartoon-covered electric toothbrush, a stuffed animal, luggage and electronics, stretched everywhere.
Rescuers in masks shouted over the noise of hovering helicopters as they worked. They quickly realized there would be no survivors.
“The only thing that the pilot managed to do was steer the plane towards a soccer field near here instead of a residential area back there,” witness Aref Geravand said. “It crashed near the field and in a water canal.”
The Boeing 737-800 is a very common single-aisle, twin-engine jetliner used for short to medium-range flights. Thousands of the planes are used by airlines around the world.
Introduced in the late 1990s, it is an older model than the Boeing 737 MAX, which has been grounded for nearly 10 months following two deadly crashes. Boeing built the aircraft that crashed Wednesday in 2016 and it last underwent routine maintenance on Monday, Ukraine International Airlines said.
A number of 737-800 aircraft have been involved in deadly accidents over the years.
In March 2016, a FlyDubai 737-800 from Dubai crashed while trying to land at Rostov-on-Don airport in Russia, killing 62 onboard. Another 737-800 flight from Dubai, operated by Air India Express, crashed in May 2010 while trying to land in Mangalore, India, killing more than 150 onboard.
Chicago-based Boeing Co. was “aware of the media reports out of Iran and we are gathering more information,” spokesman Michael Friedman told the AP.
Boeing, like other airline manufacturers, typically assists in crash investigations. However, that effort in this case could be affected by the U.S. sanctions campaign in place on Iran since President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers in May 2018.
Both Airbus and Boeing had been in line to sell billions of dollars of aircraft to Iran over the deal, which saw Tehran limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. But Trump’s decision halted the sales.
Under decades of international sanctions, Iran’s commercial passenger aircraft fleet has aged, with air accidents occurring regularly for domestic carriers in recent years, resulting in hundreds of casualties.
___
Karimi reported from Tehran, Iran, and Gambrell from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Associated Press writers Adam Schreck in Bangkok; Mehdi Fattahi in Tehran; Daria Litvinova in Moscow, and Inna Varenytsia and Dmytro Vlasov in Kyiv, Ukraine, contributed to this report.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--2 wounded in shooting on Lake Shore Drive in Gold Coast

Two men were wounded Wednesday in a shooting on Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast .
About 1 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ and 25 , were traveling south in a Pontiac Grand Prix when a silver sedan @ @ @ @ @ 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive and fired shots , Chicago police said .
@ @ @ @ @ the left side and the 25-year-old was struck in the left leg , police said @ @ @ @ @ drive to Stroger Hospital , where they were stabilized .
No one is in custody @ @ @ @ @ .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Two men were wounded Wednesday in a shooting on Lake Shore Drive in the Gold Coast.
About 1 a.m., the men, 24 and 25, were traveling south in a Pontiac Grand Prix when a silver sedan pulled alongside them in the 1000 block of North Lake Shore Drive and fired shots, Chicago police said.
The 24-year-old was struck in the left side and the 25-year-old was struck in the left leg, police said. They were able to drive to Stroger Hospital, where they were stabilized.
No one is in custody as Area Central detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Iran launches airstrikes at US bases in Iraq; Trump tweets ‘All is well’

TEHRAN , Iran — Iran struck back at the United States for the killing of a top Iranian general early Wednesday , firing a series of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in a major escalation that brought the two longtime foes closer to war .
It was Iran ’ s most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran , and Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani , whose death last week in an American drone strike near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slaying .
U.S. and Iraqi officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties , though buildings were still being searched .
The Iraqi government later confirmed there were no casualties among Iraqi forces .
A presenter on Iranian state television later claimed , without offering evidence , that the strikes killed “ at least 80 terrorist U.S soldiers ” and also damaged helicopters , drones and other equipment at the Ain al-Asad air base .
The strikes , which came as Iran buried Soleimani , raised fears that the two longtime foes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were some indications that there would not be further retaliation on either side , at least in the short term .
‘ All is well !
’ President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks , adding , ‘ So far , so good ’ regarding casualties .
Moments earlier , Iran ’ s foreign minister tweeted that Tehran had taken “ & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense , ” adding that Tehran did “ not seek escalation ” but would defend itself against further aggression .
In Tehran , Supreme Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the U.S. bases in Iraq a “ slap in the face ” of the Americans , adding that military retaliation is not sufficient .
“ The corrupt presence of the U.S. in the region should come to end , ” he said .
The killing of Soleimani — a national hero to many in Iran — and strikes by Tehran came as tensions have been rising steadily across the Mideast after Trump ’ s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran ’ s nuclear deal with world powers .
They also marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region .
It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two enemies , who have been at odds since Iran ’ s 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis .
Adding to the chaos and overall jitters , a Ukrainian airplane carrying at least 170 people crashed outside Tehran on Wednesday morning , state TV reported .
The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport , and authorities initially blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report said .
Everyone onboard was killed , according to an emergency official .
Iran initially announced only one strike , but U.S. officials confirmed both .
U.S. defense officials were at the White House , likely to discuss options with Trump , who launched the strike on Soleimani while facing an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate .
Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq ’ s western Anbar province .
The Guard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Iran ’ s state-run IRNA news agency .
“ We are warning all American allies , who gave their bases to its terrorist army , that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted , ” The Guard said .
It also threatened Israel .
After the strikes , a former Iranian nuclear negotiator posted a picture of the Islamic Republic ’ s flag on Twitter , appearing to mimic Trump who posted an American flag following the killing of Soleimani and others Friday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein , and later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria .
It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces .
Two Iraqi security officials said at least one of the missiles appeared to have struck a plane at the base , igniting a fire .
It was not immediately clear whether it was an Iraqi or U.S. jet .
There were no immediate reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the officials , who spoke on condition of anonymity as they had no permission to brief journalists .
About 70 Norwegian troops also were on the air base but no injuries were reported , Brynjar Stordal , a spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces told The Associated Press .
Trump visited the sprawling Ain al-Asad air base , about 100 miles or 60 kilometers west of Baghdad , in December 2018 , making his first presidential visit to troops in the region .
He did not meet with any Iraqi officials at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sensitivities about the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq .
Vice President Mike Pence also has visited the base .
Iranian state TV said the Guard ’ s aerospace division that controls Iran ’ s missile program launched the attack , which it said was part of an operation dubbed “ Martyr Soleimani.
” Iran said it would release more information later .
The U.S. also acknowledged another missile attack on a base in Irbil in Iraq ’ s semiautonomous Kurdish region .
“ As we evaluate the situation and our response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect and defend U.S. personnel , partners and allies in the region , ” said Jonathan Hoffman , an assistant to the U.S. defense secretary .
Wednesday ’ s revenge attack happened a mere few hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani at his funeral .
It also came the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region ’ s waterways , crucial routes for global energy supplies .
U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The FAA also warned of a “ potential for miscalculation or mis-identification ” for civilian aircraft in the Persian Gulf amid in an emergency flight restriction .
A stampede broke out Tuesday at Soleimani ’ s funeral for a top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike , and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession , Iranian news reports said .
Tuesday ’ s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani ’ s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Pirhossein Koulivand , head of Iran ’ s emergency medical services .
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets , and online videos showed only its aftermath : people lying apparently lifeless , their faces covered by clothing , emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen , and onlookers wailing and crying out to God .
“ Unfortunately as a result of the stampede , some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions , ” Koulivand said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured .
Soleimani ’ s burial was delayed , with no new time given , because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery , the semi-official ISNA news agency said .
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital , crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran .
Such mass crowds can prove dangerous .
A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard , addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan .
He vowed to avenge Soleimani , who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad ’ s airport .
“ We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about , ” Salami said .
“ Death to Israel !
” the crowd shouted in response , referring to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foes .
Salami praised Soleimani ’ s work , describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups , Yemen ’ s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria .
As a martyr , Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran ’ s enemies , Salami said .
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi , two former Guard comrades killed in Iran ’ s 1980s war with Iraq .
They died in Operation Dawn 8 , in which Soleimani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million .
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani , seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard ’ s expeditionary Quds Force .
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed .
Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq , Lebanon and Yemen .
Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran .
Soleimani ’ s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge .
In Iraq , pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani ’ s killing .
Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries .
The FAA warning barred U.S. pilots and carriers from flying over areas of Iraqi , Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace .
The region is a major East-West travel hub and home to Emirates airline and Dubai International Airport , the world ’ s busiest for international travel .
It earlier issued warnings after Iran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone last year that saw airlines plan new routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz .
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The Iranian response to this action , if any , is unknown , but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region , ” it said .
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran .
Tehran denied responsibility , although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz , the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20 % of the world ’ s crude oil travels .
The U.S. Navy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat .
The 5th Fleet “ has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region , ” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr .
Joshua Frey told The Associated Press .
Iran ’ s parliament , meanwhile , has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military ’ s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani ’ s killing as “ terrorists , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “ terrorist organization.
” The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani .

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran struck back at the United States for the killing of a top Iranian general early Wednesday, firing a series of ballistic missiles at two Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops in a major escalation that brought the two longtime foes closer to war.
It was Iran’s most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizing of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and Iranian state TV said it was in revenge for the U.S. killing of Revolutionary Guard Gen. Qassem Soleimani, whose death last week in an American drone strike near Baghdad prompted angry calls to avenge his slaying. U.S. and Iraqi officials said there were no immediate reports of casualties, though buildings were still being searched. The Iraqi government later confirmed there were no casualties among Iraqi forces.
A presenter on Iranian state television later claimed, without offering evidence, that the strikes killed “at least 80 terrorist U.S soldiers” and also damaged helicopters, drones and other equipment at the Ain al-Asad air base.
The strikes, which came as Iran buried Soleimani, raised fears that the two longtime foes were closer to war. But there were some indications that there would not be further retaliation on either side, at least in the short term.
‘All is well!’ President Donald Trump tweeted shortly after the missile attacks, adding, ‘So far, so good’ regarding casualties. Moments earlier, Iran’s foreign minister tweeted that Tehran had taken “& concluded proportionate measures in self-defense,” adding that Tehran did “not seek escalation” but would defend itself against further aggression.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
In Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the missile strike on the U.S. bases in Iraq a “slap in the face” of the Americans, adding that military retaliation is not sufficient. “The corrupt presence of the U.S. in the region should come to end,” he said.
The killing of Soleimani — a national hero to many in Iran — and strikes by Tehran came as tensions have been rising steadily across the Mideast after Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers. They also marked the first time in recent years that Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region. It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two enemies, who have been at odds since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis.
Adding to the chaos and overall jitters, a Ukrainian airplane carrying at least 170 people crashed outside Tehran on Wednesday morning, state TV reported. The plane had taken off from Imam Khomeini International Airport, and authorities initially blamed mechanical problems for the crash, the report said. Everyone onboard was killed, according to an emergency official.
Iran initially announced only one strike, but U.S. officials confirmed both. U.S. defense officials were at the White House, likely to discuss options with Trump, who launched the strike on Soleimani while facing an upcoming impeachment trial in the Senate.
Related Iran abandons nuclear deal limits after US kills general
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned the U.S. and its regional allies against retaliating over the missile attack against the Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq’s western Anbar province. The Guard issued the warning via a statement carried by Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency.
“We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,” The Guard said. It also threatened Israel.
After the strikes, a former Iranian nuclear negotiator posted a picture of the Islamic Republic’s flag on Twitter, appearing to mimic Trump who posted an American flag following the killing of Soleimani and others Friday in a drone strike in Baghdad.
Ain al-Asad air base was first used by American forces after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, and later saw American troops stationed there amid the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. It houses about 1,500 U.S. and coalition forces.
Two Iraqi security officials said at least one of the missiles appeared to have struck a plane at the base, igniting a fire. It was not immediately clear whether it was an Iraqi or U.S. jet. There were no immediate reports of casualties from the attacks, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they had no permission to brief journalists.
About 70 Norwegian troops also were on the air base but no injuries were reported, Brynjar Stordal, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Armed Forces told The Associated Press.
Chart shows estimated missile ranges for Iranian weapons. Iran has launched a missile strike against two bases in Iraq housing US troops; 2c; with BC-ML--Iran-Soleimani; ETA 7 p.m. AP
Trump visited the sprawling Ain al-Asad air base, about 100 miles or 60 kilometers west of Baghdad, in December 2018, making his first presidential visit to troops in the region. He did not meet with any Iraqi officials at the time, and his visit inflamed sensitivities about the continued presence of U.S. forces in Iraq. Vice President Mike Pence also has visited the base.
Iranian state TV said the Guard’s aerospace division that controls Iran’s missile program launched the attack, which it said was part of an operation dubbed “Martyr Soleimani.” Iran said it would release more information later.
The U.S. also acknowledged another missile attack on a base in Irbil in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region.
“As we evaluate the situation and our response, we will take all necessary measures to protect and defend U.S. personnel, partners and allies in the region,” said Jonathan Hoffman, an assistant to the U.S. defense secretary.
Wednesday’s revenge attack happened a mere few hours after crowds in Iran mourned Soleimani at his funeral. It also came the U.S. continued to reinforce its own positions in the region and warned of an unspecified threat to shipping from Iran in the region’s waterways, crucial routes for global energy supplies. U.S. embassies and consulates from Asia to Africa and Europe issued security alerts for Americans. The FAA also warned of a “potential for miscalculation or mis-identification” for civilian aircraft in the Persian Gulf amid in an emergency flight restriction.
A stampede broke out Tuesday at Soleimani’s funeral for a top Iranian general slain in a U.S. airstrike, and at least 56 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as thousands thronged the procession, Iranian news reports said.
A stampede at a funeral procession for a top Iranian general killed in a U.S. airstrike last week has killed 40 people. AP
Tuesday’s deadly stampede took place in Soleimani’s hometown of Kerman as his coffin was being borne through the city in southeastern Iran, said Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency medical services.
There was no information about what set off the crush in the packed streets, and online videos showed only its aftermath: people lying apparently lifeless, their faces covered by clothing, emergency crews performing CPR on the fallen, and onlookers wailing and crying out to God.
“Unfortunately as a result of the stampede, some of our compatriots have been injured and some have been killed during the funeral processions,” Koulivand said, and state TV quoted him as saying that 56 had died and 213 had been injured.
Soleimani’s burial was delayed, with no new time given, because of concerns about the huge crowd at the cemetery, the semi-official ISNA news agency said.
A procession in Tehran on Monday drew over 1 million people in the Iranian capital, crowding both main avenues and side streets in Tehran. Such mass crowds can prove dangerous. A smaller stampede at the 1989 funeral for Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini killed at least eight people and injured hundreds.
Hossein Salami, Soleimani’s successor as leader of the Revolutionary Guard, addressed a crowd of supporters gathered at the coffin in a central square in Kernan. He vowed to avenge Soleimani, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike Friday near Baghdad’s airport.
“We tell our enemies that we will retaliate but if they take another action we will set ablaze the places that they like and are passionate about,” Salami said.
“Death to Israel!” the crowd shouted in response, referring to one of Iran’s longtime regional foes.
Salami praised Soleimani’s work, describing him as essential to backing Palestinian groups, Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria. As a martyr, Soleimani represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies, Salami said.
Soleimani will ultimately be laid to rest between the graves of Enayatollah Talebizadeh and Mohammad Hossein Yousef Elahi, two former Guard comrades killed in Iran’s 1980s war with Iraq. They died in Operation Dawn 8, in which Soleimani also took part. It was a 1986 amphibious assault that cut Iraq off from the Persian Gulf and led to the end of the war that killed 1 million.
The funeral processions in major cities over three days have been an unprecedented honor for Soleimani, seen by Iranians as a national hero for his work leading the Guard’s expeditionary Quds Force.
The U.S. blames him for killing U.S. troops in Iraq and accused him of plotting new attacks just before he was killed. Soleimani also led forces supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad in that country’s civil war, and he also served as the point man for Iranian proxies in countries like Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Assad in Syria on Tuesday amid the tensions between Washington and Tehran.
Soleimani’s slaying already has led Tehran to abandon the remaining limits of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers as his successor and others vow to take revenge.
In Iraq, pro-Iranian factions in parliament have pushed to oust American troops from Iraqi soil following Soleimani’s killing. Germany and Canada announced plans to move some of their soldiers in Iraq to neighboring countries.
The FAA warning barred U.S. pilots and carriers from flying over areas of Iraqi, Iranian and some Persian Gulf airspace. The region is a major East-West travel hub and home to Emirates airline and Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel. It earlier issued warnings after Iran shot down a U.S. military surveillance drone last year that saw airlines plan new routes to avoid the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. Maritime Administration warned ships across the Mideast, citing the rising threats. “The Iranian response to this action, if any, is unknown, but there remains the possibility of Iranian action against U.S. maritime interests in the region,” it said.
Oil tankers were targeted in mine attacks last year that the U.S. blamed on Iran. Tehran denied responsibility, although it did seize oil tankers around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of the world’s crude oil travels.
The U.S. Navy’s Bahrain-based 5th Fleet said it would work with shippers in the region to minimize any possible threat.
The 5th Fleet “has and will continue to provide advice to merchant shipping as appropriate regarding recommended security precautions in light of the heightened tensions and threats in the region,” 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Joshua Frey told The Associated Press.
Iran’s parliament, meanwhile, has passed an urgent bill declaring the U.S. military’s command at the Pentagon and those acting on its behalf in Soleimani’s killing as “terrorists,” subject to Iranian sanctions. The measure appears to be in response to a decision by Trump in April to declare the Revolutionary Guard a “terrorist organization.”
The U.S. Defense Department used that terror designation to support the strike that killed Soleimani.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Shedd Aquarium announces free days for 2020

Chicagoans seeking a break from the winter cold and looking to visit some of the new residents at the Shedd Aquarium — including sea otter pups , a beluga whale calf and penguin chicks — can do so for free on select days in 2020 .
On Wednesday , the aquarium announced the 2020 schedule of free days for Illinois residents , and it includes several days over the next two months and many more throughout the year .
• Monday-Friday for all of February That admission includes access to aquatic presentations of the aquarium ’ s white-sided dolphins and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Underwater Beauty , ” a special exhibit of angelfish .
Admission can also be upgraded to include a 4-D experience for $ 4.95 per ticket or a VR experience for $ 9 per ticket .
The 4-D experience lets visitors feel as if they are swimming with sharks , and the VR experience simulates swimming with a humpback whale and her calf off the Islands of Tonga , according to the aquarium ’ s website .
The Shedd will be closed for routine maintenance and cleaning Jan. 14 and 15 , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ admission immediately following the closure from Jan. 16-20 .
Many of the free days also include extended evening hours .
The Shedd will be open until 9 p.m. on Martin Luther King , Jr. Day on Jan. 20 , Feb. 17 and Oct. 6 .
Specific operating hours for each day can be found on the aquarium ’ s website at sheddaquarium.org .
Two Magellanic penguins hatched at the aquarium in May , two sea otter pups were rescued and brought to aquarium in July and a beluga whale calf was born in @ @

Chicagoans seeking a break from the winter cold and looking to visit some of the new residents at the Shedd Aquarium — including sea otter pups, a beluga whale calf and penguin chicks — can do so for free on select days in 2020.
On Wednesday, the aquarium announced the 2020 schedule of free days for Illinois residents, and it includes several days over the next two months and many more throughout the year.
This year’s free days are:
Jan. 16-20
Monday-Friday for all of February
June 15, 16, 22 and 23
Aug. 24 and 25
Sept. 8, 9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30
Oct. 5-7
That admission includes access to aquatic presentations of the aquarium’s white-sided dolphins and beluga whales, daily animal chats and “Underwater Beauty,” a special exhibit of angelfish. Admission can also be upgraded to include a 4-D experience for $4.95 per ticket or a VR experience for $9 per ticket.
The 4-D experience lets visitors feel as if they are swimming with sharks, and the VR experience simulates swimming with a humpback whale and her calf off the Islands of Tonga, according to the aquarium’s website.
The Shedd will be closed for routine maintenance and cleaning Jan. 14 and 15, but Illinois residents will receive free, all-inclusive admission immediately following the closure from Jan. 16-20.
Many of the free days also include extended evening hours. The Shedd will be open until 9 p.m. on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 20, Feb. 17 and Oct. 6. Specific operating hours for each day can be found on the aquarium’s website at sheddaquarium.org.
Two Magellanic penguins hatched at the aquarium in May, two sea otter pups were rescued and brought to aquarium in July and a beluga whale calf was born in July.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Madigan says he had ‘no knowledge’ of rape mentioned in email by confidant, Pritzker moves to invest

Madigan says he had ‘no knowledge’ of rape mentioned in email by confidant, Pritzker moves to investigate

Gov .
J.B. Pritzker is “ appalled and disgusted ” by a reference to a state employee keeping “ his mouth shut ” about an alleged “ rape in Champaign ” and ghost payrollers in newly uncovered emails between House Speaker Mike Madigan confidant Mike McClain and members of Gov .
Pat Quinn ’ s administration in 2012 .
Madigan issued his own statement on Wednesday , saying he knew nothing of the “ incident.
” “ These are extremely serious and troubling allegations , ” Madigan said .
“ I had no knowledge of the incident referenced in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A WBEZ report on Tuesday revealed McClain sent the email to two senior Quinn aides in a bid to win leniency for a worker in a disciplinary case .
In it , McClain argued the man “ has kept his mouth shut on Jones ’ ghost workers , the rape in Champaign and other items.
” “ He is loyal to the Administration , ” McClain wrote in the email obtained by WBEZ .
In his statement on Wednesday , Madigan encouraged “ those with any information to come forward .
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor has taken steps to have the allegations investigated .
“ The administration ’ s general counsel referred this email to the appropriate investigatory authority , who will make a determination about what next steps can be taken , ” Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in a statement .
That investigative entity is the Office of the Executive Inspector General .
McClain , a former top lobbyist and confidant to Madigan , is under federal scrutiny as part of an ongoing investigation into ComEd ’ s lobbying practices in Illinois , a source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McClain have been charged with any wrongdoing The email in question was about a state employee who worked as an administrator at the Illinois Department of Human Services facility in Downstate Rushville .
It was sent to Quinn ’ s legislative affairs liasion and Quinn ’ s then chief-of-staff .
Pritzker ’ s office on Tuesday released the emails to the Sun-Times after the WBEZ story was posted online .
No other details were disclosed about the alleged rape referenced in the email or the identity of “ Jones ” in the mention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WBEZ he knew nothing of the incidents McClain included in his email or any disciplinary case against the state worker .
On Wednesday , numerous state officials were calling for an investigation , including state Sen. Linda Holmes , D-Aurora , who co-chairs the Senate Women ’ s Caucus , along with state Sen. Sue Rezin , R-Morris .
Both urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward .
Others took to Twitter to voice their disgust : “ If the reports are even partially true , this represents a conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest levels of state government , ” state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and # MeToo whistleblowers Sherri Garrett and Alaina Hampton said in a joint statement .
They urged the Champaign County state ’ s attorney and the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office to open an investigation , and “ if necessary , to impanel a grand jury .
”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is “appalled and disgusted” by a reference to a state employee keeping “his mouth shut” about an alleged “rape in Champaign” and ghost payrollers in newly uncovered emails between House Speaker Mike Madigan’s confidant, Mike McClain, and members of Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration in 2012.
Madigan issued his own statement on Wednesday, saying he knew nothing of the “incident.”
“These are extremely serious and troubling allegations,” Madigan said. “I had no knowledge of the incident referenced in the story and only learned of this today.”
A WBEZ report on Tuesday revealed McClain sent the email to two senior Quinn aides in a bid to win leniency for a worker in a disciplinary case. In it, McClain argued the man “has kept his mouth shut on Jones’ ghost workers, the rape in Champaign and other items.”
“He is loyal to the Administration,” McClain wrote in the email obtained by WBEZ.
In his statement on Wednesday, Madigan encouraged “those with any information to come forward. ”
And Pritzker’s office said the governor has taken steps to have the allegations investigated.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks during a press conference in December. File Photo. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
“The administration’s general counsel referred this email to the appropriate investigatory authority, who will make a determination about what next steps can be taken,” Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner said in a statement. That investigative entity is the Office of the Executive Inspector General.
McClain, a former top lobbyist and confidant to Madigan, is under federal scrutiny as part of an ongoing investigation into ComEd’s lobbying practices in Illinois, a source told the Sun-Times. Neither Madigan or McClain have been charged with any wrongdoing
The email in question was about a state employee who worked as an administrator at the Illinois Department of Human Services facility in Downstate Rushville. It was sent to Quinn’s legislative affairs liasion and Quinn’s then chief-of-staff.
Pritzker’s office on Tuesday released the emails to the Sun-Times after the WBEZ story was posted online.
No other details were disclosed about the alleged rape referenced in the email or the identity of “Jones” in the mention of the ghost payrollers.
Quinn told WBEZ he knew nothing of the incidents McClain included in his email or any disciplinary case against the state worker.
“First I’ve heard of it,” Quinn told WBEZ.
Then Gov. Pat Quinn speaks at the 48th Annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast in Springfield in 2010. File Photo. AP
On Wednesday, numerous state officials were calling for an investigation, including state Sen. Linda Holmes, D-Aurora, who co-chairs the Senate Women’s Caucus, along with state Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris. Both urged anyone with information about the crime to come forward.
Others took to Twitter to voice their disgust: “If the reports are even partially true, this represents a conspiracy to conceal a criminal sexual assault at the highest levels of state government,” state Rep. Kelly Cassidy and #MeToo whistleblowers Sherri Garrett and Alaina Hampton said in a joint statement.
They urged the Champaign County state’s attorney and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to open an investigation, and “if necessary, to impanel a grand jury.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Bomb threats reported at Block 37, Water Tower Place

Authorities are investigating multiple reports of bomb threats Wednesday in the Loop and Gold Coast .
Threats were reported about @ @ @ @ @ Place , 835 N. Michigan Ave. , and Block 37 , 105 N. Michigan , @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
Another threat was reported about the same time at a location in @ @ @ @ @ Delaware Place , police said .
Authorities cleared the building on Delaware by 5:38 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ cleared about 10 minutes later , police said .
“ At this time there is @ @ @ @ @ these calls are credible and no locations are being evacuated , ” CPD spokesman Anthony @ @ @ @ @ a developing story .
Check back for updates .

Authorities investigated multiple reports of bomb threats Wednesday in the Loop and Gold Coast.
Threats were reported about 4:30 p.m. at Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., and Block 37, 105 N. Michigan, according to Chicago police.
Another threat was reported about the same time at a location in the 100 block of East Delaware Place, police said.
Authorities cleared the building on Delaware by 5:38 p.m., and Block 37 was cleared about 10 minutes later, police said.
Water Tower Place was cleared about 6:30 p.m., police said.
CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Twitter that there was no information to suggest the calls were credible.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--‘Like a Boss’: Charms of Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne can’t conceal crass comedy’s blemishes

“ It ’ s karaoke night !
” – A line we pretty much expected to hear in “ Like a Boss , ” which never fails to meet our lowest expectations .
Imagine how great it would be to see a vehicle worthy of the respective likability , comedic chops , intelligence , onscreen charisma and beauty of Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne .
No , I mean you ’ re really going to have to imagine that , because “ Like a Boss ” is not that movie .
The first comedy of the new decade is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comedies of the new year .
Even at a mercifully short 83 minutes , “ Like a Boss ” overstays its welcome by about … 60 minutes .
This is a slick , condescending , formulaic , one-dimensional and utterly forgettable comedy that seems to think a steady parade ( more like onslaught ) of genitalia-based humor makes for an edgy , R-rated , female-drive comedy a la “ Bridesmaids , ” when in fact it ’ s just a crass and dumbed-down buddy movie in lipstick and eye shadow .
Mia ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Byrne ) have been best friends since middle school , when Mel was taken in by Mia ’ s family because her own mother was never around because she cooked meth .
( No really .
That ’ s what we ’ re told . )
Mia and Mel have stuck together through good times and bad , as evidenced in a scene when Mia says to Mel , “ Remember when my mother died ?
” Yes .
She probably does remember that , Mia .
So … Mel and Mia have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s mom being dead and Mel ’ s mom cooking the meth , and their respective fathers apparently ghosts , as they ’ re never so much as mentioned .
They still live together in the house in which they grew up — and they ’ ve built a seemingly successful boutique/online cosmetics company called Mel & Mia ’ s .
( Their most popular product is a makeup travel kit called “ One Night Stand , ” perfect for those mornings after , well , a one-night stand , when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before heading out the door . )
I say “ seemingly ” because it turns out Mel & Mia ’ s is nearly a half-million dollars in debt and about to go out of business , in large part because the no-filter , trash-talking , live-your-best-life-with-no-apologies Mia ( the creative one ) is constantly ditching work and giving out discounts to customers , and Mel ( who handles the business end ) is too timid to say anything to Mia about her irresponsible practices .
Remember that .
Mia is a wild and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people pleaser who never speaks her mind .
We are reminded of those respective character traits again and again and AGAIN in “ Like a Boss.
” Why , it almost seems like we ’ re heading for a big confrontational moment when they finally rip into one another and speak truths they ’ ve been dying to say for 20 years !
Just when it seems it ’ s lights out for Mel & Mia ’ s , in swoops the mega-successful cosmetics legend Claire Luna ( Salma Hayek ) , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s debt and invest nearly $ 2 million in their business in exchange for 49 % ownership of the company — which will increase to 51 % if either Mia or Mel ever quit .
Why , it almost seems like the evil , scheming Claire intends to drive a wedge between Mia and Mel , just so she can gain control of their company !
Insert a full row of facepalm emoji guys right here .
Nearly every scene in “ Like a Boss ” has the air of desperation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a home into the swimming pool below , for no good reason .
Mia steps onto a ledge and threatens to kill herself if Claire won ’ t meet with her and Mel — and nearly plunges to her death when she loses her balance .
Mia inadvertently consumes hot peppers , which results in her consuming and projectile spitting out goat milk ( don ’ t ask ) , and of course winding up on the toilet .
There are a LOT of penis jokes .
Just as many vagina jokes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common : thuddingly unfunny .
Salma Hayek is a train wreck as the villainous Claire Luna , who makes ridiculous proclamations and walks around her insanely expansive , multi-storied headquarters with a golf club — the better to smash things when she loses her temper .
Billy Porter as Mel & Mia ’ s co-worker Barrett plays to the back row in a self-indulgent , wildly over-the-top performance better suited to Improv Night than legitimately reacting to situations .
To the very end , “ Like a Boss ” has a cheap and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the script for some dated and crummy 1990s comedy , applied a coat of putatively fresh paint and dumped it into theaters , hoping we wouldn ’ t notice the stench .

“It’s karaoke night!” – A line we pretty much expected to hear in “Like a Boss,” which never fails to meet our lowest expectations.
Imagine how great it would be to see a vehicle worthy of the respective likability, comedic chops, intelligence, onscreen charisma and beauty of Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne.
No, I mean you’re really going to have to imagine that, because “Like a Boss” is not that movie.
‘Like a Boss’
Untitled Paramount Pictures presents a film directed by Miguel Arteta and written by Sam Pitman and Adam Cole-Kelly. Rated R (for language, crude sexual material, and drug use). Running time: 83 minutes. Opens Thursday at local theaters.
The first comedy of the new decade is an instant contender for one of the worst comedies of the new year. Even at a mercifully short 83 minutes, “Like a Boss” overstays its welcome by about … 60 minutes.
And that’s being generous.
This is a slick, condescending, formulaic, one-dimensional and utterly forgettable comedy that seems to think a steady parade (more like onslaught) of genitalia-based humor makes for an edgy, R-rated, female-drive comedy a la “Bridesmaids,” when in fact it’s just a crass and dumbed-down buddy movie in lipstick and eye shadow.
Literally.
Mia (Tiffany Haddish) and Mel (Rose Byrne) have been best friends since middle school, when Mel was taken in by Mia’s family because her own mother was never around because she cooked meth. (No really. That’s what we’re told.) Mia and Mel have stuck together through good times and bad, as evidenced in a scene when Mia says to Mel, “Remember when my mother died?”
Yes. She probably does remember that, Mia.
So … Mel and Mia have only each other, what with Mia’s mom being dead and Mel’s mom cooking the meth, and their respective fathers apparently ghosts, as they’re never so much as mentioned.
They still live together in the house in which they grew up — and they’ve built a seemingly successful boutique/online cosmetics company called Mel & Mia’s. (Their most popular product is a makeup travel kit called “One Night Stand,” perfect for those mornings after, well, a one-night stand, when you need to give yourself a little touch-up before heading out the door.)
I say “seemingly” because it turns out Mel & Mia’s is nearly a half-million dollars in debt and about to go out of business, in large part because the no-filter, trash-talking, live-your-best-life-with-no-apologies Mia (the creative one) is constantly ditching work and giving out discounts to customers, and Mel (who handles the business end) is too timid to say anything to Mia about her irresponsible practices.
Remember that. Mia is a wild and crazy free spirit. Mel is a people pleaser who never speaks her mind. We are reminded of those respective character traits again and again and AGAIN in “Like a Boss.”
Why, it almost seems like we’re heading for a big confrontational moment when they finally rip into one another and speak truths they’ve been dying to say for 20 years!
Just when it seems it’s lights out for Mel & Mia’s, in swoops the mega-successful cosmetics legend Claire Luna (Salma Hayek), who offers to pay off Mia & Mel’s debt and invest nearly $2 million in their business in exchange for 49% ownership of the company — which will increase to 51% if either Mia or Mel ever quit.
Why, it almost seems like the evil, scheming Claire intends to drive a wedge between Mia and Mel, just so she can gain control of their company!
Insert a full row of facepalm emoji guys right here.
Nearly every scene in “Like a Boss” has the air of desperation. Mia and Mel jump from the roof of a home into the swimming pool below, for no good reason. Mia steps onto a ledge and threatens to kill herself if Claire won’t meet with her and Mel — and nearly plunges to her death when she loses her balance. Mia inadvertently consumes hot peppers, which results in her consuming and projectile spitting out goat milk (don’t ask), and of course winding up on the toilet.
Claire Luna (Salma Hayek, foreground) offers to bail out the company run by Mia (Tiffany Haddish, left) and Mel (Rose Byrne) in “Like a Boss.” Paramount Pictures
There are a LOT of penis jokes. Just as many vagina jokes. The one thing they have in common: thuddingly unfunny.
Salma Hayek is a train wreck as the villainous Claire Luna, who makes ridiculous proclamations and walks around her insanely expansive, multi-storied headquarters with a golf club — the better to smash things when she loses her temper. Billy Porter as Mel & Mia’s co-worker Barrett plays to the back row in a self-indulgent, wildly over-the-top performance better suited to Improv Night than legitimately reacting to situations.
To the very end, “Like a Boss” has a cheap and sticky veneer — as if they dusted off the script for some dated and crummy 1990s comedy, applied a coat of putatively fresh paint and dumped it into theaters, hoping we wouldn’t notice the stench.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--If you care about clean air and water in the Midwest, let Trump hear about it

For anyone who cares about the environment of the Great Lakes and the Midwest , now is the time to speak up .
In 2017 , the decidedly eco-unfriendly Trump administration hired Cathy Stepp as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ’ s Region 5 , which covers Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , Minnesota , Ohio and Wisconsin .
In the job , Stepp should have taken the lead in making sure our air and water are safe , but she proved to be no more than an active co-conspirator in Trump ’ s war on the environment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jan. 17 .
The White House and EPA Administrator Andrew R. Wheeler , left to their own devices , probably would be happy to replace Stepp with someone who shares their see-no-pollution mindset .
They need to hear from as many people as possible , especially members of Congress , that Region 5 needs a real steward of the environment .
Under Trump , the staffing level at Region 5 has dropped to the lowest level since 1985 , according to the union that represents workers at the agency .
Fewer penalties are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facilities are being forced to comply with federal law .
The number of inspections has plummeted from 3,599 in 2015 to 799 last year .
Instead , Stepp has said , the agency is relying more on self-reporting from industry .
The risk of that approach was highlighted just this week when Indiana officials said ArcelorMittal ’ s steel plant in Burns Harbor , site of a toxic spill that killed 3,000 fish last summer , has been manipulating test results in its self-disclosure reports .
Clean water , clean air and environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Great Lakes region .
Yet the EPA ’ s Region 5 office has become less vigilant even as its mission has grown more pressing .
Many state environmental agencies in the Midwest have lost funding .
We rely on Region 5 to send trained experts into the field to identify new sources of environmental risks and put a stop to them .
The Chicago-based agency also runs the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative , which is vital to protecting the lakes from pollution , invasive species and other threats .
With Stepp ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been presented with an opportunity to finally take environmental protections seriously in the Great Lakes region .
Every senator , congressman , governor and mayor — whether a Democrat or Republican — should get on the phone and make that happen .

For anyone who cares about the environment of the Great Lakes and the Midwest, now is the time to speak up.
Editorials bug Editorials
In 2017, the decidedly eco-unfriendly Trump administration hired Cathy Stepp as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Region 5, which covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. In the job, Stepp should have taken the lead in making sure our air and water are safe, but she proved to be no more than an active co-conspirator in Trump’s war on the environment.
Now Stepp has resigned, effective Jan. 17. The White House and EPA Administrator Andrew R. Wheeler, left to their own devices, probably would be happy to replace Stepp with someone who shares their see-no-pollution mindset. They need to hear from as many people as possible, especially members of Congress, that Region 5 needs a real steward of the environment.
Under Trump, the staffing level at Region 5 has dropped to the lowest level since 1985, according to the union that represents workers at the agency. Fewer penalties are being imposed for environmental violations and fewer facilities are being forced to comply with federal law. The number of inspections has plummeted from 3,599 in 2015 to 799 last year.
Instead, Stepp has said, the agency is relying more on self-reporting from industry.
The risk of that approach was highlighted just this week when Indiana officials said ArcelorMittal’s steel plant in Burns Harbor, site of a toxic spill that killed 3,000 fish last summer, has been manipulating test results in its self-disclosure reports.
Chicago Sun-Times. SOURCE: American Federation of Government Employees, Local 704
Clean water, clean air and environmental protection are nonpartisan priorities for people across the Great Lakes region. Yet the EPA’s Region 5 office has become less vigilant even as its mission has grown more pressing. Many state environmental agencies in the Midwest have lost funding.
We rely on Region 5 to send trained experts into the field to identify new sources of environmental risks and put a stop to them. The Chicago-based agency also runs the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, which is vital to protecting the lakes from pollution, invasive species and other threats.
With Stepp’s resignation, the Trump administration has been presented with an opportunity to finally take environmental protections seriously in the Great Lakes region.
Every senator, congressman, governor and mayor — whether a Democrat or Republican — should get on the phone and make that happen.
Send letters to letters@suntimes.com.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-08--Plan to license recreational marijuana consumption sites stalls

Mayor Lori Lightfoot ’ s plan to create licensed places for on-site consumption of recreational marijuana stalled in a City Council committee Wednesday after aldermen from across the city complained about rigid state rules that tied the city ’ s hands .
It was the second time in a month that Lightfoot had suffered a legislative embarrassment on the issue of recreational marijuana .
In December , the City Council ’ s Committee on Contract Oversight and Equity voted 10 to 9 to delay recreational marijuana sales until July 1 to give African American and Hispanic entrepreneurs shut out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The following day , Lightfoot killed the six-month delay by a vote of 29 to 19 in a tense test of her City Council muscle that uncomfortably pitted her against members of the Black Caucus .
This time , the License Committee recessed , sparing the rookie mayor the embarrassment of another defeat .
Paul Stewart , the mayor ’ s point-person on recreational marijuana issues , was asked to explain the false start as he hustled out of the License Committee meeting chased by a crowd of reporters shouting questions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ m not certain ” why the meeting was recessed , Stewart said .
“ We anticipated a vote .
I don ’ t know [ why it didn ’ t happen ] .
I didn ’ t call for the adjournment.
” License Committee Vice-Chair Brian Hopkins ( 2nd ) said he recessed the meeting after the mayor ’ s City Council floor leader left early to attend a civics class at a school in his ward .
Asked if the mayor had the votes , Hopkins said , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ floor leader , it didn ’ t seem appropriate.
” Ald .
Gilbert Villegas ( 36th ) insisted that he did have the votes , but it didn ’ t make sense to hustle back to City Hall to re-convene the meeting .
Villegas , the mayor ’ s floor leader , said the widespread disenchantment with the consumption ordinance is no surprise .
“ The state pre-empted a lot of things .
A lot of the concerns are related to the state .
These will be things on the agenda for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fix when the new Illinois General Assembly is sworn in , Villegas said .
The Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier this week that the mayor ’ s consumption ordinance had run into a buzz-kill of opposition during closed-door aldermanic briefings .
African American aldermen were concerned it will pave the way for a new wave of drug arrests because there are no free-standing smoke shops on the South and West sides and , even if there were , cigar-smokers and recreational marijuana users don ’ t mix .
Ald .
Roderick Sawyer ( 6th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to limit consumption-on-premises licenses to retail tobacco stores that derive 80 % of their revenue from the sale of tobacco-related products is ill-conceived because there ’ s not enough money to make it worthwhile .
“ My biggest fear is re-arresting those who just got expunged some weeks ago or days ago .
Re-criminalizing activity that we are trying to get away from .
And it ’ s gon na be primarily black people that get arrested and charged , ” he said .
On Wednesday , downtown Ald .
Brendan Reilly ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Noting that smoke shops would be asked to invest in expensive , “ high-tech ventilation systems , ” he wondered aloud how they could possibly turn a profit .
Hopkins agreed that the state “ seems to have handcuffed ” the City Council by allowing consumption licenses and dispensaries in the same building .
His constituents don ’ t want that .
“ If we tell them we ’ re gon na allow this dispensary , but next year , they might come back and seek a consumption-on-premises license , people would not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a shell game , ” Hopkins said .
“ People … look at it more as a pharmacy when you ’ re purchasing the product and you ’ re going elsewhere to use it .
You ’ re using it in the privacy of your own home .
It ’ s no one else ’ s business .
That ’ s a different environment than using the product in a location .
Then , it becomes a party magnet .
Then , it spills out onto the street .
Then it becomes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishment would be.
” Under Lightfoot ’ s plan , smoke shops would be required to purchase a two-year , $ 4,400 license , be the sole occupant of a freestanding building and prevent smoke from escaping into areas where smoking is prohibited .
That includes patios and other enclosed outdoor areas not visible to the public .
Smoke shops that don ’ t meet those standards could allow customers to consume cannabis products that don ’ t require smoking , like edibles .
But those licensed smoke shops would not be allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cannabis is limited to dispensaries , which will be licensed to allow on-site consumption at a later date .
The mayor ’ s office later Wednesday blamed the setback on the absence of “ key ” committee members .
“ Despite the lack of a vote based on today ’ s attendance , we are confident that we had and still do have the votes to pass this ordinance , ” the mayor ’ s office said in a statement .
Nevertheless , the consumption ordinance will be held in committee for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we heard today , we will continue working with City Council members to refine the ordinance by working within the confines of the state statute , ” the statement said .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s plan to create licensed places for on-site consumption of recreational marijuana stalled in a City Council committee Wednesday after aldermen from across the city complained about rigid state rules that tied the city’s hands.
It was the second time in a month that Lightfoot had suffered a legislative embarrassment on the issue of recreational marijuana.
In December, the City Council’s Committee on Contract Oversight and Equity voted 10 to 9 to delay recreational marijuana sales until July 1 over concerns that there were no African American or Hispanic dispensary owners. The following day, however, Lightfoot was able to convince the council to kill the six-month delay by a vote of 29 to 19.
Although the mayor ultimately won, it was a tense test of her City Council muscle that uncomfortably pitted her against members of the Black Caucus.
This time, the License Committee recessed, sparing the rookie mayor more embarrassment.
Paul Stewart, the mayor’s point-person on recreational marijuana issues, was asked to explain the false start as he hustled out of the License Committee meeting chased by a crowd of reporters shouting questions.
“You can speak to the chair. I’m not certain” why the meeting was recessed, Stewart said.
“We anticipated a vote. I don’t know [why it didn’t happen]. I didn’t call for the adjournment.”
License Committee Vice-Chair Brian Hopkins (2nd) said he recessed the meeting after the mayor’s City Council floor leader left early to attend a civics class at a school in his ward.
Asked if the mayor had the votes, Hopkins said, “I think so. But without the floor leader, it didn’t seem appropriate.”
Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) insisted that he did have the votes, but it didn’t make sense to hustle back to City Hall to re-convene the meeting.
Villegas, the mayor’s floor leader, said the widespread disenchantment with the consumption ordinance is no surprise.
“The state pre-empted a lot of things. A lot of the concerns are related to the state. These will be things on the agenda for the state along with the casino” gambling fix when the new Illinois General Assembly is sworn in, Villegas said.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier this week that the mayor’s consumption ordinance had run into a buzz-kill of opposition during closed-door aldermanic briefings.
African American aldermen were concerned it will pave the way for a new wave of drug arrests because there are no free-standing smoke shops on the South and West sides and, even if there were, cigar-smokers and recreational marijuana users don’t mix.
Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th) argued that Lightfoot’s plan to limit consumption-on-premises licenses to retail tobacco stores that derive 80% of their revenue from the sale of tobacco-related products is ill-conceived because there’s not enough money to make it worthwhile.
“My biggest fear is re-arresting those who just got expunged some weeks ago or days ago. Re-criminalizing activity that we are trying to get away from. And it’s gonna be primarily black people that get arrested and charged,” he said.
On Wednesday, downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) made a similar argument. Noting that smoke shops would be asked to invest in expensive, “high-tech ventilation systems,” he wondered aloud how they could possibly turn a profit.
Hopkins agreed that the state “seems to have handcuffed” the City Council by allowing consumption licenses and dispensaries in the same building. His constituents don’t want that.
“If we tell them we’re gonna allow this dispensary, but next year, they might come back and seek a consumption-on-premises license, people would not really trust us. It would sound like a shell game,” Hopkins said.
“People … look at it more as a pharmacy when you’re purchasing the product and you’re going elsewhere to use it. You’re using it in the privacy of your own home. It’s no one else’s business. That’s a different environment than using the product in a location. Then, it becomes a party magnet. Then, it spills out onto the street. Then it becomes a problem just like a problem liquor establishment would be.”
Under Lightfoot’s plan, smoke shops would be required to purchase a two-year, $4,400 license, be the sole occupant of a freestanding building and prevent smoke from escaping into areas where smoking is prohibited. That includes patios and other enclosed outdoor areas not visible to the public.
Smoke shops that don’t meet those standards could allow customers to consume cannabis products that don’t require smoking, like edibles. But those licensed smoke shops would not be allowed to sell marijuana products. The sale of cannabis is limited to dispensaries, which will be licensed to allow on-site consumption at a later date.
The mayor’s office later Wednesday blamed the setback on the absence of “key” committee members.
“Despite the lack of a vote based on today’s attendance, we are confident that we had and still do have the votes to pass this ordinance,” the mayor’s office said in a statement.
Nevertheless, the consumption ordinance will be held in committee for more fine-tuning.
“Based on what we heard today, we will continue working with City Council members to refine the ordinance by working within the confines of the state statute,” the statement said.