chicagosuntimes--2020-03-10--Rush Medical Center raises tent in ambulance bay to test coronavirus patients

Rush University Medical Center is preparing its facilities for continued spread of coronavirus by raising a tent inside its ambulance bay to test patients in isolation .
The tent is separate from the rest of the facility and gives the hospital an extra layer of protection from the easily spread virus .
Its purpose is “ forward triage , ” which means Rush doctors will determine the priority of a patient ’ s treatments before they enter the hospital .
“ ‘ Forward triage ’ is usually reserved for mass casualty events … it is usually more of a military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an instructor of emergency medicine at Rush .
“ In this scenario , we ’ re taking out the triage process and making it relate to infectious disease — isolating at-risk patients for coronavirus so we can maintain other patients ’ safety while providing care.
” Air inside the tent and ambulance bay is sanitized before it ’ s exhausted outside to avoid cross-contamination elsewhere .
The tent was put up Monday , according to Rush spokesman Charles Jolie .
The separation of coronavirus patients and the hospital ’ s other patients is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposed to the virus .
“ If somebody [ with coronavirus ] is out in a waiting room sitting with everyone else , then there ’ s a risk to spread it to other people — that more at-risk population , elderly people with clinical health conditions we ’ re most worried about in this scenario , ” DeVries said .
The hospital has already treated one patient for coronavirus and said it ’ s uniquely qualified to treat more .
Rush is one of 35 federally designated hospitals that were created with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We had received a large amount of funding from The McCormick Foundation for advanced emergency preparedness , with roots in 9/11 and the ebola outbreak , ” DeVries said .
“ The funding provided allowed us to create an infrastructure that allows us to expand our care for the Chicagoland area in events like this.
” Despite being well equipped , patients who suspect they may have the virus should not just show up , DeVries said .
Rush is offering on-demand video visits for people concerned they may be infected .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for risk when they show up , but that overwhelms our system , ” he said .

Rush University Medical Center is preparing its facilities for continued spread of coronavirus by raising a tent inside its ambulance bay to test patients in isolation.
The tent is separate from the rest of the facility and gives the hospital an extra layer of protection from the easily spread virus.
Its purpose is “forward triage,” which means Rush doctors will determine the priority of a patient’s treatments before they enter the hospital.
“‘Forward triage’ is usually reserved for mass casualty events … it is usually more of a military term,” said James DeVries, an instructor of emergency medicine at Rush. “In this scenario, we’re taking out the triage process and making it relate to infectious disease — isolating at-risk patients for coronavirus so we can maintain other patients’ safety while providing care.”
Air inside the tent and ambulance bay is sanitized before it’s exhausted outside to avoid cross-contamination elsewhere. The tent was put up Monday, according to Rush spokesman Charles Jolie.
Chairs for patients to sit and wait to be tested, each chair is exactly 6 feet apart, at Rush University Medical Center’s forward triage center for coronavirus placed in one of the hospitals ambulance bays, Tuesday, March 10, 2020. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times
The separation of coronavirus patients and the hospital’s other patients is intended to keep already-at-risk people from being exposed to the virus.
“If somebody [with coronavirus] is out in a waiting room sitting with everyone else, then there’s a risk to spread it to other people — that more at-risk population, elderly people with clinical health conditions we’re most worried about in this scenario,” DeVries said.
The hospital has already treated one patient for coronavirus and said it’s uniquely qualified to treat more. Rush is one of 35 federally designated hospitals that were created with infectious disease treatment in mind.
“We had received a large amount of funding from The McCormick Foundation for advanced emergency preparedness, with roots in 9/11 and the ebola outbreak,” DeVries said. “The funding provided allowed us to create an infrastructure that allows us to expand our care for the Chicagoland area in events like this.”
Despite being well equipped, patients who suspect they may have the virus should not just show up, DeVries said. Rush is offering on-demand video visits for people concerned they may be infected.
“We’ll evaluate [people] for risk when they show up, but that overwhelms our system,” he said.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-10--FOP president accuses CPD’s interim superintendent of jumping gun in discipline of officers in CTA s

FOP president accuses CPD’s interim superintendent of jumping gun in discipline of officers in CTA shooting

Interim Chicago Police Supt .
Charlie Beck was accused Tuesday of jumping the gun when he stripped two officers involved in a shooting at the CTA ’ s Grand Red Line station of their police powers .
“ They should have waited until the investigation has been completed before they make any decision like that , ” Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham told the Chicago Sun-Times .
“ Once again , the city has made unilateral decisions before they have even gotten statements out of the officers.
” Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted her concerns about cellphone video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went viral on social media .
With the “ strong caveat that one perspective does not depict the entirety of the incident , ” the mayor called the video “ extremely disturbing ” and the officers ’ actions “ deeply concerning.
” Graham refused to sit in judgment of the video .
Nor would he say whether an offender seen jumping between CTA cars was worth chasing and apprehending at all , let alone in a crowded station during rush hour .
He would only say , “ The job of police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly , they were enforcing the law that day.
” Graham noted that , just hours before the shooting , Lightfoot and Beck had jointly launched a crackdown on CTA crime that called for bolstering the Mass Transit Unit by 50 officers , assigning four detectives exclusively to solving CTA crimes and building a strategic deployment center specifically for mass transit .
Officers assigned to the Mass Transit Unit , including the two involved in the shooting , were told to get tough on the little things — like car-jumping — that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robberies , Graham said .
“ They were under new orders to try and curtail the crime on the CTA , ” said Graham , who is involved in a run-off election after finishing a distant second to John Catanzara .
“ When you ’ re going to ramp up the law enforcement aspect , there certainly may be conflicts.
” Police Department spokesman Tom Ahern had no immediate comment on Graham ’ s complaints .
Beck acted to strip the two officers of their police powers at the behest of Sydney Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Police Accountability .
Citing , what she called the “ serious nature of both officers ’ actions , ” Roberts said she “ felt it was necessary to recommend the officers involved be relieved of police powers while we continue to investigate this incident.
” Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez , the attorney representing the man who was shot , urged Beck and the Police Board to “ act swiftly to facilitate the firing of these rogue officers as they clearly are not fit for duty as Chicago police officers.
” In early December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supt .
Eddie Johnson before the inspector general had heard Johnson ’ s side of the drinking and driving story to make the case for hiring an outsider as superintendent .
In that case , Graham argued that it was a matter of due process denied and an inspector general with a history of “ swaying things the way he likes to see them.
” “ If you take disciplinary action before the investigation has been complete or there has not even been a statement given , I would say that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then .
” It ’ s not about Eddie Johnson .
It ’ s about any police officer getting fair and due process .
Until you have that , you are not going to have change in this city .
There is going to be a division as to whether or not people are skeptical about the police because you ’ re not treating the police fairly.
” Last month ’ s shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at the start of the Friday evening rush .
The two officers saw a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ train .
The officers and the man — who was unarmed — got off the train at the Grand station in River North .
In the viral video , the two officers can be seen struggling to arrest the man , who was trying to free himself and ignoring their commands to stop resisting .
Two deployed stun guns could be seen on the floor , and a female officer could be seen using pepper spray on the man while her partner tries to restrain him .
Her partner , a male officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him.
” After the man wriggles free and stands up , the female officer fires a shot .
The man runs up a set of stairs and the female officer fires again .
He was hospitalized with gunshot wounds to his hip and buttocks , but has since been released .

Interim Chicago Police Supt. Charlie Beck was accused Tuesday of jumping the gun when he stripped two officers involved in a shooting at the CTA’s Grand Red Line station of their police powers.
“They should have waited until the investigation has been completed before they make any decision like that,” Fraternal Order of Police President Kevin Graham told the Chicago Sun-Times.
“Once again, the city has made unilateral decisions before they have even gotten statements out of the officers.”
Mayor Lori Lightfoot tweeted her concerns about cellphone video of the Feb. 28 shooting shortly after it went viral on social media.
With the “strong caveat that one perspective does not depict the entirety of the incident,” the mayor called the video “extremely disturbing” and the officers’ actions “deeply concerning.”
Graham refused to sit in judgment of the video. Nor would he say whether an offender seen jumping between CTA cars was worth chasing and apprehending at all, let alone in a crowded station during rush hour.
He would only say, “The job of police officers is to enforce the law. And certainly, they were enforcing the law that day.”
Graham noted that, just hours before the shooting, Lightfoot and Beck had jointly launched a crackdown on CTA crime that called for bolstering the Mass Transit Unit by 50 officers, assigning four detectives exclusively to solving CTA crimes and building a strategic deployment center specifically for mass transit.
Officers assigned to the Mass Transit Unit, including the two involved in the shooting, were told to get tough on the little things — like car-jumping — that can lead to bigger things, like cellphone robberies, Graham said.
“They were under new orders to try and curtail the crime on the CTA,” said Graham, who is involved in a run-off election after finishing a distant second to John Catanzara.
“When you’re going to ramp up the law enforcement aspect, there certainly may be conflicts.”
Police Department spokesman Tom Ahern had no immediate comment on Graham’s complaints.
Beck acted to strip the two officers of their police powers at the behest of Sydney Roberts, chief administrator of the Civilian Office of Police Accountability.
Citing, what she called the “serious nature of both officers’ actions,” Roberts said she “felt it was necessary to recommend the officers involved be relieved of police powers while we continue to investigate this incident.”
Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez, the attorney representing the man who was shot, urged Beck and the Police Board to “act swiftly to facilitate the firing of these rogue officers as they clearly are not fit for duty as Chicago police officers.”
In early December Graham similarly accused Lightfoot of firing Police Supt. Eddie Johnson before the inspector general had heard Johnson’s side of the drinking and driving story to make the case for hiring an outsider as superintendent.
In that case, Graham argued that it was a matter of due process denied and an inspector general with a history of “swaying things the way he likes to see them.”
“If you take disciplinary action before the investigation has been complete or there has not even been a statement given, I would say that’s premature,” Graham told the Sun-Times then.
”It’s not about Eddie Johnson. It’s about any police officer getting fair and due process. Until you have that, you are not going to have change in this city. There is going to be a division as to whether or not people are skeptical about the police because you’re not treating the police fairly.”
Last month’s shooting occurred shortly after 4 p.m. at the start of the Friday evening rush. The two officers saw a man passing between cars on a Red Line train.
The officers and the man — who was unarmed — got off the train at the Grand station in River North. In the viral video, the two officers can be seen struggling to arrest the man, who was trying to free himself and ignoring their commands to stop resisting.
Two deployed stun guns could be seen on the floor, and a female officer could be seen using pepper spray on the man while her partner tries to restrain him. Her partner, a male officer, repeatedly tells her to “shoot him.”
After the man wriggles free and stands up, the female officer fires a shot. The man runs up a set of stairs and the female officer fires again. He was hospitalized with gunshot wounds to his hip and buttocks, but has since been released.


chicagosuntimes--2020-03-10--Corned beef and campaigns is the special at Manny’s, South Loop deli where sometimes it’s not just l

Corned beef and campaigns is the special at Manny’s, South Loop deli where sometimes it’s not just lunch

If you ’ re planning on tucking into a corned beef sandwich or a bagel and lox at Manny ’ s over the next week or so , save room for a side order of Chicago politics Less than a week out from the March 17 primary , candidates for Cook County state ’ s attorney were already bumping into one another at the South Loop cafeteria and delicatessen , a mainstay on the campaign trail .
At his second campaign stop Tuesday , former prosecutor Bill Conway showed up for lunch and to rub elbows with would-be voters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the corned beef sandwich .
“ Do as the Romans do , right ?
” Conway , explained while in line .
His wife , Brittany handled the ordering duties as the former prosecutor played the doting dad , bouncing their three-and-a-half-month-old daughter , Bella , in his arms .
But Conway barely got to enjoy his nosh before former 2nd Ward Ald .
Bob Fioretti , a rival for the office , appeared , passing out his own campaign leaflets and taking a seat across the aisle from Conway and Co. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes later , Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza showed up , talking about her endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential primary .
Dan Raskin , Manny ’ s fourth-generation owner-operator , said he thinks politicians flock to the establishment because it offers a “ broad group of customers , it ’ s a place where you can see every type of person.
” “ It ’ s not just people who work in an office downtown , it ’ s a mix of all types of people — but people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raskin said .
“ We have all different age groups and it ’ s a meeting point for a lot of people .
People from everywhere come in here.
” And politics is often on the menu at the venerated 78-year-old Manny ’ s Cafeteria and Delicatessen .
Former Gov .
Rod Blagojevich signed a bill there , President-elect Barack Obama stopped for his first post-election slice of pie and then Cook County State ’ s Attorney Richard M. Daley ate a corned beef sandwich before beginning his record run as mayor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ means both photo ops with pols and fresh topics to hash out over lunch .
David Arthur and his daughter Kristin Fanella found themselves Tuesday at a “ divided table.
” Fanella , a lawyer , already voted for Foxx .
Dad wouldn ’ t say who he voted for , but it wasn ’ t the first-term county prosecutor .
“ Kim Foxx has a lot of assistant state ’ s attorneys who have a lot of compassion for clients with mental illness or drug issues , so we can work on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fanella said .
A few seats away , Jesse Ruben Juarez , a First Ward resident , said he ’ d vote for Conway because he wants “ something fresh.
” “ Kim Foxx isn ’ t strong enough on crime , ” Juarez said .
“ We ’ ve lived our whole lives in Wicker Park , and it doesn ’ t feel as safe as it used to .
”

If you’re planning on tucking into a corned beef sandwich or a bagel and lox at Manny’s over the next week or so, save room for a side order of Chicago politics
Less than a week out from the March 17 primary, candidates for Cook County state’s attorney were already bumping into one another at the South Loop cafeteria and delicatessen, a mainstay on the campaign trail.
At his second campaign stop Tuesday, former prosecutor Bill Conway showed up for lunch and to rub elbows with would-be voters, in some cases literally.
He opted for the corned beef sandwich.
“Do as the Romans do, right?” Conway, explained while in line.
His wife, Brittany handled the ordering duties as the former prosecutor played the doting dad, bouncing their three-and-a-half-month-old daughter, Bella, in his arms.
Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Bill Conway greets voters with wife, Brittany, and daughter Bella at Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Tuesday afternoon. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
But Conway barely got to enjoy his nosh before former 2nd Ward Ald. Bob Fioretti, a rival for the office, appeared, passing out his own campaign leaflets and taking a seat across the aisle from Conway and Co. with his matzo ball soup.
And minutes later, Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza showed up, talking about her endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential primary.
Dan Raskin, Manny’s fourth-generation owner-operator, said he thinks politicians flock to the establishment because it offers a “broad group of customers, it’s a place where you can see every type of person.”
Cook County State’s Attorney candidate Bob Fioretti greets voters at Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen, Tuesday afternoon. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
“It’s not just people who work in an office downtown, it’s a mix of all types of people — but people also come for the food,” Raskin said. “We have all different age groups and it’s a meeting point for a lot of people. People from everywhere come in here.”
And politics is often on the menu at the venerated 78-year-old Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen.
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill there, President-elect Barack Obama stopped for his first post-election slice of pie and then Cook County State’s Attorney Richard M. Daley ate a corned beef sandwich before beginning his record run as mayor.
Getty AFP/Getty Images
For Manny’s customers all that means both photo ops with pols and fresh topics to hash out over lunch.
David Arthur and his daughter Kristin Fanella found themselves Tuesday at a “divided table.”
Fanella, a lawyer, already voted for Foxx. Dad wouldn’t say who he voted for, but it wasn’t the first-term county prosecutor.
“Kim Foxx has a lot of assistant state’s attorneys who have a lot of compassion for clients with mental illness or drug issues, so we can work on alternative treatment instead of incarceration,” Fanella said.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza hugs Dan Raskin, owner of Manny’s Cafeteria and Delicatessen, where she stopped for lunch and to discuss her endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden in the presidential primary Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
A few seats away, Jesse Ruben Juarez, a First Ward resident, said he’d vote for Conway because he wants “something fresh.”
“Kim Foxx isn’t strong enough on crime,” Juarez said. “We’ve lived our whole lives in Wicker Park, and it doesn’t feel as safe as it used to.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--Dear Abby: Person on restricted diet considers bringing food to dinner parties

DEAR ABBY : I have multiple chronic health conditions .
Because my symptoms are worsened by a lot of foods , I ’ m on a highly restricted diet .
If I stay on it , I feel as well as possible .
( I never feel entirely well . )
When I go to friends ’ homes for dinner or parties , would it be rude for me to bring along something for myself that I can eat that won ’ t make me sick ?
I can have no grains , no dairy , no eggs , no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , but I could always bring extra food to share if you think that would be appropriate .
I have been eating before I go and then claiming not to be hungry , but I feel it would be rude to do this at dinner parties .
What do you suggest I do ?
I prefer that my health not be a topic of conversation .
— CAN ’ T EAT JACK DEAR CAN ’ T : Your health won ’ t be a topic of conversation at these gatherings if you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) at the time you are invited to the party .
Explain that you are on a severely restricted diet , picking at their food might be interpreted as rude and you don ’ t wish to come across that way .
Ask if you can bring your own food with you .
I ’ m sure your hosts will understand and tell you to enjoy their hospitality ( if not their food ) because they welcome your company .
DEAR ABBY : My husband and I received a worrisome email from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance away .
He wrote that he is recovering from wounds of his childhood .
( We thought we were loving , supportive parents . )
He indicated he will come home for visits only if we comply with his demands — about 10 were listed — and accused us of some things we never did .
On the advice of my counselor — I have a history of depression , which is in remission — I wrote agreeing to his demands in order to keep the lines of communication open .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is overwhelmingly hurt , angry and frustrated .
He says he “ will not walk on eggshells in his own home.
” Our son is our only child .
What can or should we do ?
— HEARTBROKEN IN OHIO DEAR HEARTBROKEN : Nobody should have to walk on eggshells .
If ever I heard of a family that could benefit from family counseling , you three are it .
Your doctor or insurance company can refer you to someone who is licensed and competent .
Please don ’ t wait .
DEAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at birth .
Her reason for doing it changes every time I ask .
I joined the Navy right out of high school and left the service at 25 .
Less than a month later , she contacted me .
It turns out that I have three half-siblings , but I have no desire to connect with them .
She waited 25 years to contact me , and I was the only one of my siblings she gave up .
Does it make me a bad person that I have no emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NO FEELINGS IN THE EAST DEAR NO FEELINGS : No , it does not .
Whatever her reason for surrendering you , you have built a good life .
Please stop feeling guilty for moving forward and living it .
Doing so does not make you a bad person , only a healthy one .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know about sex , drugs , AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “ What Every Teen Should Know.
” Send your name and mailing address , plus check or money order for $ 8 ( U.S. funds ) , to : Dear Abby , Teen Booklet , P.O .
Box 447 , Mount Morris , IL 61054-0447 .
( Shipping and handling are included in the price . )

DEAR ABBY: I have multiple chronic health conditions. Because my symptoms are worsened by a lot of foods, I’m on a highly restricted diet. If I stay on it, I feel as well as possible. (I never feel entirely well.)
When I go to friends’ homes for dinner or parties, would it be rude for me to bring along something for myself that I can eat that won’t make me sick? I can have no grains, no dairy, no eggs, no sugar, the list goes on and on, but I could always bring extra food to share if you think that would be appropriate.
I have been eating before I go and then claiming not to be hungry, but I feel it would be rude to do this at dinner parties. What do you suggest I do? I prefer that my health not be a topic of conversation. — CAN’T EAT JACK
DEAR CAN’T: Your health won’t be a topic of conversation at these gatherings if you discuss this with your host(s) at the time you are invited to the party. Explain that you are on a severely restricted diet, picking at their food might be interpreted as rude and you don’t wish to come across that way. Ask if you can bring your own food with you. I’m sure your hosts will understand and tell you to enjoy their hospitality (if not their food) because they welcome your company.
DEAR ABBY: My husband and I received a worrisome email from our 20-something-year-old son, a graduate student some distance away. He wrote that he is recovering from wounds of his childhood. (We thought we were loving, supportive parents.) He indicated he will come home for visits only if we comply with his demands — about 10 were listed — and accused us of some things we never did.
On the advice of my counselor — I have a history of depression, which is in remission — I wrote agreeing to his demands in order to keep the lines of communication open. My husband refuses to do this. He is overwhelmingly hurt, angry and frustrated. He says he “will not walk on eggshells in his own home.” Our son is our only child. What can or should we do? — HEARTBROKEN IN OHIO
DEAR HEARTBROKEN: Nobody should have to walk on eggshells. If ever I heard of a family that could benefit from family counseling, you three are it. Your doctor or insurance company can refer you to someone who is licensed and competent. Please don’t wait.
DEAR ABBY: My biological mother gave me up at birth. Her reason for doing it changes every time I ask. I joined the Navy right out of high school and left the service at 25. Less than a month later, she contacted me. It turns out that I have three half-siblings, but I have no desire to connect with them.
She waited 25 years to contact me, and I was the only one of my siblings she gave up. Does it make me a bad person that I have no emotional connection to my biological family? — NO FEELINGS IN THE EAST
DEAR NO FEELINGS: No, it does not. Whatever her reason for surrendering you, you have built a good life. Please stop feeling guilty for moving forward and living it. Doing so does not make you a bad person, only a healthy one.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--‘Gretel & Hansel’ a frightfully dull fairy tale

There ’ s a scene early on in the new film “ Gretel & Hansel ” when the two title characters accidentally scarf down psychedelic mushrooms in a forest and it produces one very strong feeling in the audience : jealousy .
Oh , if only we could all also be high for the rest of this .
If only there was something that could make bearable another hour or so of this art-film horror .
Forget the popcorn , just give us ’ shrooms , man .
“ Gretel & Hansel ” is as visually arresting as it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should have been a 3-minute music video for Marilyn Manson or Ozzy Osbourne .
It ’ s in the horror genre only loosely .
It ’ s more eerie , if that ’ s a genre .
Actually , it ’ s like dread for 90 minutes .
It ’ s dreadful .
The Brothers Grimm should really be outraged that their simple story about child abuse , malnutrition , cannibalism and witchcraft has been so twisted .
Rob Hayes ’ script centers on Gretel — hence the title ’ s name swap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coming-of-age super-heroine who outsmarts a witch .
Why this dusty , nineteenth century ditty needed to be refashioned this way is unclear .
What ’ s next ?
Will “ The Three Little Pigs ” soon be resurrected to become vigilante slayers of corporate greed ?
Pigs versus pork ?
Sophia Lillis , who made her mark in “ It , ” plays 16-year-old Gretel , while newcomer Sam Leakey stars as her 8-year-old brother .
Boosting Gretel ’ s age puts her on the cusp of womanhood and gives her dominion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realizes that — gasp !
— she has powers herself .
“ Women often know things they ’ re not supposed to , ” the witch tells her .
( If that was true , poor Lillis wouldn ’ t have wasted her considerable talent in this dreck . )
The original tale is about starving siblings who come across a house made of bread and cake — a lure built by a wicked witch who wants to cook and eat them .
She is outsmarted and the kids get home safely .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get off the path .
This retelling seems to be a lesson about corruption or maybe environmentalism — “ nothing is given without something taken away , ” Gretel intones — but it ’ s all muddled by heavily stylized sets and intended-to-be-creepy set-pieces that are visually fascinating but add up to little , all set to a knock-off “ Stranger Things ” soundtrack .
The one lesson that the filmmakers didn ’ t tell us is that carbs are clearly the devil .
Director Oz Perkins , son of Anthony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sees it — mysterious cloaked figures in the distance with odd hats in misty forests — but connecting hundreds of arty images isn ’ t making a coherent film .
Everyone is clearly very proud of turning the fairy tale ’ s yummy cottage into the film ’ s post-modern example of Deconstructivism architecture .
Bravo !
Congrats on the cool , asymmetrical roof but you forgot that the story makes no sense .
Lots of candles and denuded Irish trees isn ’ t a plot .
Alice Krige plays the scary witch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s perfectly cast , using her precise , quiet menace to excellent use , like when she ominously smells Hansel ’ s head .
She tempts Gretel with eternal life — for a price .
“ There ’ s something wrong here , ” Gretel wonders .
“ What hides behind this pleasantness ?
” There ’ s also Charles Babalola as a fleeting nice guy who kills a demon with an arrow-driven head shot , an entire sequence that seems from another movie .
But that ’ s the most real action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are bloody corpses on autopsy tables , human entrails moving about and someone gets graphically burned alive .
Why this is rated PG-13 , we have no idea .
Why it was even made in the first place is also beyond us .
At the multiplex this weekend , kids , stay on the path .

There’s a scene early on in the new film “Gretel & Hansel” when the two title characters accidentally scarf down psychedelic mushrooms in a forest and it produces one very strong feeling in the audience: jealousy.
Oh, if only we could all also be high for the rest of this. If only there was something that could make bearable another hour or so of this art-film horror. Forget the popcorn, just give us ’shrooms, man.
“Gretel & Hansel” is as visually arresting as it is tedious, a 90-minute movie that really should have been a 3-minute music video for Marilyn Manson or Ozzy Osbourne. It’s in the horror genre only loosely. It’s more eerie, if that’s a genre. Actually, it’s like dread for 90 minutes. It’s dreadful.
‘Gretel & Hansel’
Untitled Orion Pictures presents a film directed by Oz Perkins and written by Rob Hayes. Rated PG-13 (for disturbing images/thematic content, and brief drug material). Running time: 87 minutes. Now showing at local theaters.
The Brothers Grimm should really be outraged that their simple story about child abuse, malnutrition, cannibalism and witchcraft has been so twisted. Rob Hayes’ script centers on Gretel — hence the title’s name swap — and turns her into a woke, coming-of-age super-heroine who outsmarts a witch. Why this dusty, nineteenth century ditty needed to be refashioned this way is unclear. What’s next? Will “The Three Little Pigs” soon be resurrected to become vigilante slayers of corporate greed? Pigs versus pork?
Sophia Lillis, who made her mark in “It,” plays 16-year-old Gretel, while newcomer Sam Leakey stars as her 8-year-old brother. Boosting Gretel’s age puts her on the cusp of womanhood and gives her dominion over her younger brother. She soon realizes that — gasp! — she has powers herself. “Women often know things they’re not supposed to,” the witch tells her. (If that was true, poor Lillis wouldn’t have wasted her considerable talent in this dreck.)
The original tale is about starving siblings who come across a house made of bread and cake — a lure built by a wicked witch who wants to cook and eat them. She is outsmarted and the kids get home safely. The moral: Strangers suck and don’t get off the path.
This retelling seems to be a lesson about corruption or maybe environmentalism — “nothing is given without something taken away,” Gretel intones — but it’s all muddled by heavily stylized sets and intended-to-be-creepy set-pieces that are visually fascinating but add up to little, all set to a knock-off “Stranger Things” soundtrack. The one lesson that the filmmakers didn’t tell us is that carbs are clearly the devil.
Director Oz Perkins, son of Anthony, knows a well-framed shot when he sees it — mysterious cloaked figures in the distance with odd hats in misty forests — but connecting hundreds of arty images isn’t making a coherent film. Everyone is clearly very proud of turning the fairy tale’s yummy cottage into the film’s post-modern example of Deconstructivism architecture. Bravo! Congrats on the cool, asymmetrical roof but you forgot that the story makes no sense. Lots of candles and denuded Irish trees isn’t a plot.
Alice Krige plays the witch in “Gretel & Hansel.” Orion Pictures
Alice Krige plays the scary witch with an endless buffet and she’s perfectly cast, using her precise, quiet menace to excellent use, like when she ominously smells Hansel’s head. She tempts Gretel with eternal life — for a price. “There’s something wrong here,” Gretel wonders. “What hides behind this pleasantness?”
There’s also Charles Babalola as a fleeting nice guy who kills a demon with an arrow-driven head shot, an entire sequence that seems from another movie. But that’s the most real action in the film until the end when there are bloody corpses on autopsy tables, human entrails moving about and someone gets graphically burned alive. Why this is rated PG-13, we have no idea. Why it was even made in the first place is also beyond us. At the multiplex this weekend, kids, stay on the path.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--Stovetop Pheasant Pizza: What Jack Hennessy suggests for Super Bowl in “Braising the Wild”

This is the recipe that Jack Hennessy was making at Pheasant Fest last winter in Schaumburg when I first met him .
I can attest to the goodness and the wonder I felt watching him prepare it during a cooking seminar .
It brings back good memories .
Here is the recipe : The Super Bowl is either a couple days or a day away , depending on when you read this , and everyone in the Chicagoland area knows that mean extra-long wait times for pizza delivery .
So , you can either plan ahead , or take matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll be the first to admit : I initially thought stovetop pizza was a gimmick .
It ’ s actually not and the method serves a purpose .
When cooking the pizza dough atop a skillet or flat top top at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit surface temperature , the crust becomes crisp while the inside remains pillow-y and soft , a texture very similar to Neapolitan pizzas , which are cooked for less than 2 minutes inside a 900-degree wood-fire oven .
Plus it ’ s more fun to watch the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having it occur behind closed doors .
I make my stovetop pizzas on a flat top made by Steelmade which allows me to cook all my vegetables and proteins all at once on one side and the pizza dough on the other side .
You can also easily make this recipe in a cast iron skillet .
As mentioned above , 400 degrees seems to be the sweet spot for cooking the dough , in my experience .
Certainly no higher than 450 .
Below is a very tasty homemade pizza sauce , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ store-bought sauce , if you prefer .
I did cheat and buy my pizza dough from Trader Joe ’ s for this recipe .
Obviously you are welcome to switch up your toppings .
If making pizza sauce , preheat oven to 400 degrees and remove tomatoes from the vine .
Roast tomatoes until soft then remove from oven and take skin off tomatoes ( be careful not to burn yourself ) .
Add all sauce ingredients to food processor and blend thoroughly .
After blending , add to a pot and place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 hour .
Stir often and never allow to reach above a simmer .
Set aside when done .
For pizza , heat flat top or cast iron skillet to 400 degrees .
Cook vegetables until seared and slightly soft , add diced pheasant , lightly salt and pepper , and cook thoroughly .
Once pheasant is cooked , add mushrooms and cook .
After all toppings are cooked , set aside .
Roll pizza dough out to 1/2 inch and add thin layer of olive oil to skillet or flat top .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ top .
Add a thin layer of olive oil to top-side of pizza and flip once underside reaches desired crispness .
Once flipped , add sauce , followed by toppings and cheese .
You may wish to cover with an aluminum basting dome .
Pizza is done with the other side has reached desired crispness .
Allow to cool for a few minutes before cutting .

STOVETOP PHEASANT PIZZA The Super Bowl is either a couple days or a day away, depending on when you read this, and everyone in the Chicagoland area knows that mean extra-long wait times for pizza delivery. So, you can either plan ahead, or take matters into your own hands this Sunday. I’ll be the first to admit: I initially thought stovetop pizza was a gimmick. It’s actually not and the method serves a purpose. When cooking the pizza dough atop a skillet or flat top top at approximately 400 degrees Fahrenheit surface temperature, the crust becomes crisp while the inside remains pillow-y and soft, a texture very similar to Neapolitan pizzas, which are cooked for less than 2 minutes inside a 900-degree wood-fire oven. Plus it’s more fun to watch the magic happen before your eyes, versus having it occur behind closed doors. I make my stovetop pizzas on a flat top made by Steelmade which allows me to cook all my vegetables and proteins all at once on one side and the pizza dough on the other side. You can also easily make this recipe in a cast iron skillet. As mentioned above, 400 degrees seems to be the sweet spot for cooking the dough, in my experience. Certainly no higher than 450. Below is a very tasty homemade pizza sauce, but you are welcome to use a store-bought sauce, if you prefer. I did cheat and buy my pizza dough from Trader Joe’s for this recipe. Obviously you are welcome to switch up your toppings. Sauce Ingredients: 3 on-the-vine tomatoes, roasted and skinned 2 cups crushed tomatoes 3/4 cup red wine 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons fresh garlic 2 tablespoons fresh oregano 1 tablespoon fresh basil 1-1/2 tablespoons white sugar Pizza ingredients: 8 ounces pheasant, diced 1/2 red onion, diced 1/2 green bell pepper, diced 4 ounces baby portabella mushrooms, halved Italian cheese blend Cheddar cheese Olive oil If making pizza sauce, preheat oven to 400 degrees and remove tomatoes from the vine. Roast tomatoes until soft then remove from oven and take skin off tomatoes (be careful not to burn yourself). Add all sauce ingredients to food processor and blend thoroughly. After blending, add to a pot and place on stove to simmer on low for 1 hour. Stir often and never allow to reach above a simmer. Set aside when done. For pizza, heat flat top or cast iron skillet to 400 degrees. Cook vegetables until seared and slightly soft, add diced pheasant, lightly salt and pepper, and cook thoroughly. Once pheasant is cooked, add mushrooms and cook. After all toppings are cooked, set aside. Roll pizza dough out to 1/2 inch and add thin layer of olive oil to skillet or flat top. Place dough in skillet or on flat top. Add a thin layer of olive oil to top-side of pizza and flip once underside reaches desired crispness. Once flipped, add sauce, followed by toppings and cheese. You may wish to cover with an aluminum basting dome. Pizza is done with the other side has reached desired crispness. Allow to cool for a few minutes before cutting.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--Michael Cafferty, dead at 49, rebuilt his life after car crash at 18 left him paralyzed

Mike Cafferty was a kid from the Back of the Yards who knew how to take care of himself .
He worked as a lifeguard and did two-mile Lake Michigan swims .
He could throw a football , breakdance or clock somebody with a punch .
At 18 , a car crash left him paralyzed below the neck .
After that , he ’ d have dreams about swimming , running and throwing a football .
Then , he ’ d wake up .
“ I am shocked that I can ’ t move , ” he wrote in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit the pillow every paralyzed night.
” Mr. Cafferty spent two years in a rehabilitation facility .
He went on to study psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and went on to law school at DePaul University .
“ I just paid attention the first few days of class to the people who were writing the most notes , ” he said in an interview in 2000 with the Chicago Sun-Times .
He ’ d borrow their notes and study them by turning pages with a mouth stick .
When he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gave him a standing ovation .
Through determination , a breath-activated wheelchair and speech-recognition software to write legal documents , he worked for nearly 20 years for the Cook County public guardian ’ s office , helping to protect vulnerable people and their estates from scammers .
Cook County Circuit Judge Patrick T. Murphy , a former public guardian , remembers what Mr. Cafferty said during his job interview : “ I don ’ t want you to hire me because I ’ m quadriplegic .
I want you to hire me because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m tough.
” “ Mike was a very good lawyer and a tough advocate and a nice guy , ” Murphy said .
Karen Kelleher was attracted to him by a dating ad he placed on Craigslist .
“ He said he knew what was important in life , ” she said , “ and he wanted to get married and have kids one day and to be happy.
” As they emailed back and forth , he told her he had “ some paralysis ” from an accident .
Their first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West Loop home .
When she walked in , “ He ’ d already made friends with the baristas , ” she said .
He was funny and unpretentious .
“ He ’ d go down for a [ medical ] test with the transporter , ” his wife said , “ and they ’ d come back , he ’ d be best friends with the guy.
” They were married in 2009 and had two children , Rose , 5 , and Mike , now almost 3 .
“ He loved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” his wife said .
She said that when the kids were learning to walk , they used his wheelchair for balance .
“ Rose realized she could hold on to daddy ’ s feet .
Mike would move his chair backward , and she ’ d take a step forward .
They both learned how to climb up on his chair to get up to him.
” He taught the kids their A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s and the words to “ Rapper ’ s Delight.
” On a trip to Ireland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Cafferty , he visited the pubs and belted out a favorite tune , “ The Black Velvet Band.
” He was a fan of Walter Payton , Michael Jordan and Portillo ’ s Italian beef .
He ’ d sing the male part in the Human League ’ s “ Don ’ t You Want Me ” while his sister Colleen sang the female chorus .
And he never turned down a chicken wing .
“ He could put the whole thing in his mouth ” and get every last scrap , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he escaped a fire that killed six other county workers at the Cook County Administration Building , 69 W. Washington St .
He ignored advice given at fire drills — to stay put — and joined co-workers who used an elevator to escape .
After all that he survived and accomplished , it seemed especially cruel that he was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer last June .
For years , he ’ d been working on an autobiography .
“ That became his main focus , ” Karen Cafferty said .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before he died at his Chicago home .
“ He always had that will to live , even till the last day , ” said his aunt Eileen McLaughlin .
In addition to his wife and his sister Colleen , he is survived by another sister , Breedge Mills .
Services have been held .
“ All he worried about was his wife and children , ” said the Rev .
Britto Berchmans , who married the Caffertys and said the funeral Mass .
Mr. Cafferty had made a request of his closest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want us to just be there for the special occasions , ” said Bill Condon , Rose ’ s godfather .
“ He wanted us to be there for the Mondays-through-Fridays .
Check in with the kids and see how school went .
Teach them how to play catch.
” Danardo Triplett , his oldest friend , said Mr. Cafferty told him : “ ‘ Love my children .
Let them know I did everything I could to stay alive .
’ ”

Mike Cafferty was a kid from Back of the Yards who knew how to take care of himself.
He worked as a lifeguard and did two-mile Lake Michigan swims. He could throw a football, breakdance or clock somebody with a punch.
At 18, a car crash left him paralyzed below the neck. After that, he’d have dreams about swimming, running and throwing a football. Then, he’d wake up.
“I am shocked that I can’t move,” he wrote in his autobiography “Driven.” “And tears hit the pillow every paralyzed night.”
Mr. Cafferty spent two years in a rehabilitation facility. He went on to study psychology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and went on to law school at DePaul University.
“I just paid attention the first few days of class to the people who were writing the most notes,” he said in an interview in 2000 with the Chicago Sun-Times.
He’d borrow their notes and study them by turning pages with a mouth stick.
When he graduated from law school, his classmates gave him a standing ovation.
Michael Cafferty is handed his law degree in June 2000 by the Rev. John P. Minogue, who was DePaul University’s president during commencement ceremonies at Navy Pier. Al Podgorski / Sun-Times
Through determination, a breath-activated wheelchair and speech-recognition software to write legal documents, he worked for nearly 20 years for the Cook County public guardian’s office, helping to protect vulnerable people and their estates from scammers.
Cook County Circuit Judge Patrick T. Murphy, a former public guardian, remembers what Mr. Cafferty said during his job interview: “I don’t want you to hire me because I’m quadriplegic. I want you to hire me because I’m smart, and I’m tough.”
“Mike was a very good lawyer and a tough advocate and a nice guy,” Murphy said.
Karen Kelleher was attracted to him by a dating ad he placed on Craigslist.
“He said he knew what was important in life,” she said, “and he wanted to get married and have kids one day and to be happy.”
As they emailed back and forth, he told her he had “some paralysis” from an accident.
Their first date was at a Starbucks near his West Loop home. When she walked in, “He’d already made friends with the baristas,” she said.
He was funny and unpretentious. “He’d go down for a [medical] test with the transporter,” his wife said, “and they’d come back, he’d be best friends with the guy.”
Mike and Karen Cafferty on their wedding day. Edward Fox Photography
They were married in 2009 and had two children, Rose, 5, and Mike, now almost 3.
Mike and Karen Cafferty with their kids Rose and Mike. Yvonne O’Connor
“He loved it when they climbed up on him,” his wife said.
She said that when the kids were learning to walk, they used his wheelchair for balance. “Rose realized she could hold on to daddy’s feet. Mike would move his chair backward, and she’d take a step forward. They both learned how to climb up on his chair to get up to him.”
He taught the kids their A-B-Cs and 1-2-3s and the words to “Rapper’s Delight.”
Mike Cafferty visiting family in Ireland. His mother Anne was from Buncrana in County Donegal. His father Michael was from Doohoma, County Mayo. Provided photo
On a trip to Ireland, the homeland of his parents Anne and Michael Cafferty, he visited the pubs and belted out a favorite tune, “The Black Velvet Band.”
He was a fan of Walter Payton, Michael Jordan and Portillo’s Italian beef. He’d sing the male part in the Human League’s “Don’t You Want Me” while his sister Colleen sang the female chorus.
And he never turned down a chicken wing. “He could put the whole thing in his mouth” and get every last scrap, his wife said.
In 2003, he escaped a fire that killed six other county workers at the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St. He ignored advice given at fire drills — to stay put — and joined co-workers who used an elevator to escape.
After all that he survived and accomplished, it seemed especially cruel that he was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer last June.
For years, he’d been working on an autobiography. “That became his main focus,” Karen Cafferty said. It was published Jan. 16, two days before he died at his Chicago home.
“He always had that will to live, even till the last day,” said his aunt Eileen McLaughlin.
In addition to his wife and his sister Colleen, he is survived by another sister, Breedge Mills. Services have been held.
“All he worried about was his wife and children,” said the Rev. Britto Berchmans, who married the Caffertys and said the funeral Mass.
Mike Cafferty and his son Mike. Linda Schirling
Mr. Cafferty had made a request of his closest friends.
“He didn’t want us to just be there for the special occasions,” said Bill Condon, Rose’s godfather. “He wanted us to be there for the Mondays-through-Fridays. Check in with the kids and see how school went. Teach them how to play catch.”
Karen and Mike Cafferty at the United Center with friends Danardo and Aletha Triplett. Aletha Triplett died of cancer last summer. Provided photo
Danardo Triplett, his oldest friend, said Mr. Cafferty told him: “ ‘Love my children. Let them know I did everything I could to stay alive.’ ”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--Sen. Don Harmon: Don’t know why law firm’s records were seized in Martin Sandoval raid

State Sen. Don Harmon , the new Illinois Senate president , expressed bewilderment when asked why documents from his clout-heavy law firm were among the items seized by federal agents from then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval ’ s office in September .
“ I have no idea , ” Harmon said recently .
“ It ’ s no secret that former Senator Sandoval and I did not get along , and he had a habit of keeping files on his political opponents , ” the Oak Park Democrat said .
“ For all I know , that ’ s what it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective Jan. 1 and pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking payoffs to protect the interests of the red-light camera contractor SafeSpeed , LLC .
Sandoval was able to provide cover for the Chicago company because , as chairman of the state Senate Transportation Committee , the Chicago Democrat was the gatekeeper for legislation affecting the industry , court records show .
Harmon declined an interview request but answered questions by email , through a spokesman .
Asked about the Sept. 24 raid on Sandoval ’ s Springfield office , Vincent Pinelli , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law firm Burke Burns & Pinelli , said via email that “ we don ’ t know what , regarding this firm , was taken in the raid , or how it got there .
Those questions would have to be answered by Sandoval .
What I can tell you is that this firm has not been contacted about or had any involvement with Sandoval or the Sandoval investigation.
” The Sandoval search warrant doesn ’ t name the law firm .
But documents from Burke Burns & Pinelli were among the items @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , records show .
Other records show the law firm frequently has done business with Illinois state government , which Harmon now helps control .
It also has ties to the leader of the other legislative chamber , Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan , D-Chicago .
Madigan has a longstanding relationship , sources say , with one of the firm ’ s founding partners — Edward J. Burke , brother of the late Mayor Jane Byrne and a campaign contributor to the speaker .
Campaign-finance records show that Burke and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Madigan more than $ 285,000 over the past three decades .
Madigan registered with the city of Chicago in 2001 and 2002 to lobby on behalf of Burke Burns & Pinelli , though City Hall no longer has records to show what Madigan did for the firm .
“ Burke Burns & Pinelli was never a client of Mike Madigan or Mike Madigan ’ s law firm , ” according to Steve Brown , the speaker ’ s spokesman .
“ The reason he had to register as a lobbyist is because Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city for bond counsel work , which the firm never got.
” Before first being elected to the Senate in 2002 , Harmon was deputy legal counsel for Madigan in the House .
Harmon was elected Senate president by the Democratic-controlled chamber on Jan. 19 , succeeding John Cullerton , who abruptly resigned after more than four decades in office .
On Jan. 21 , Sun-Times reporters tried to contact Harmon about whether his law firm ’ s business with state government would pose conflicts of interest for him as Senate president .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he appeared the following day on WTTW-TV ’ s “ Chicago Tonight , ” where he said he would be “ stepping away ” from his law firm .
“ We ’ re working out all those details , but I ’ ve recognized that I just don ’ t have the time capacity to be a good Senate president and to practice law the way I practiced it , ” Harmon said on the TV news show .
Asked then about federal agents seizing documents related to his law firm , Harmon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of doing opposition research on people he thought were rivals .
At the same time , I have no reason to think it was anything but an empty file folder .
And , to my knowledge , the firm has no involvement whatsoever.
” In response to subsequent questions about his departure from the firm , Harmon told the Sun-Times by email : “ No salary .
No deferred compensation .
No exit package .
We are working out the details , but it will be soon .
I was always an employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the firm.
” If any state government matters related to the law firm come up in the future , Harmon wrote , “ I will work to avoid conflicts as I always have.
” In 2017 , the Sun-Times reported Harmon ’ s firm had been paid more than $ 9 million over the preceding five years for doing legal work for state agencies , government workers ’ pension funds and municipal governments whose residents he represents in the Senate .
The legal work involved more than 20 government bodies , including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the agency known as McPier that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier .
As a state senator , Harmon has voted on the budgets of some of those agencies , including the Illinois Department of Transportation .
His firm also has represented government pension funds regulated by Harmon and other legislators as well as the village of Rosemont , one of the suburbs he represents in the Senate .
Harmon said at the time that he got no “ financial benefit from state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that he didn ’ t handle government legal work himself ; other lawyers at his firm did .
In 2012 , Harmon voted on a casino bill that his law firm helped write for the city of Des Plaines , according to a news report .
Harmon ’ s wife Teresa Wilton Harmon is the managing partner of Sidley Austin LLP ’ s Chicago law office , which does “ a small amount of work ” for two state agencies , according to a source who said , “ Teresa does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be doing work for the state.
” Teresa Harmon said in a written statement : “ I am thrilled for my husband and , as an Illinois resident , excited for the work he will do as President of the Illinois Senate .
His new role will have absolutely no impact on my legal practice or my firm .
”

State Sen. Don Harmon, the new Illinois Senate president, expressed bewilderment when asked why documents from his clout-heavy law firm were among the items seized by federal agents from then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval’s office in September.
“I have no idea,” Harmon said recently.
But he offered a theory.
“It’s no secret that former Senator Sandoval and I did not get along, and he had a habit of keeping files on his political opponents,” the Oak Park Democrat said. “For all I know, that’s what it could be.”
Sandoval resigned from office effective Jan. 1 and pleaded guilty Tuesday to taking payoffs to protect the interests of the red-light camera contractor SafeSpeed, LLC.
Former state Sen. Martin Sandoval leaving federal court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to bribery and tax charges. Tyler LaRiviere / Sun-Times file
Sandoval was able to provide cover for the Chicago company because, as chairman of the state Senate Transportation Committee, the Chicago Democrat was the gatekeeper for legislation affecting the industry, court records show.
Harmon declined an interview request but answered questions by email, through a spokesman.
Asked about the Sept. 24 raid on Sandoval’s Springfield office, Vincent Pinelli, one of Harmon’s partners in the Loop law firm Burke Burns & Pinelli, said via email that “we don’t know what, regarding this firm, was taken in the raid or how it got there. Those questions would have to be answered by Sandoval. What I can tell you is that this firm has not been contacted about or had any involvement with Sandoval or the Sandoval investigation.”
The Sandoval search warrant doesn’t name the law firm.
But documents from Burke Burns & Pinelli were among the items federal agents seized from Sandoval’s office, records show.
Other records show the law firm frequently has done business with Illinois state government, which Harmon now helps control. It also has ties to the leader of the other legislative chamber, Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan, D-Chicago.
House Speaker Michael Madigan. AP
Madigan has a longstanding relationship, sources say, with one of the firm’s founding partners — Edward J. Burke, brother of the late Mayor Jane Byrne and a campaign contributor to the speaker. Campaign-finance records show Burke and other lawyers at the firm collectively have given Madigan more than $285,000 over the past three decades.
Madigan registered with the city of Chicago in 2001 and 2002 to lobby on behalf of Burke Burns & Pinelli, though City Hall no longer has records to show what Madigan did for the firm.
“Burke Burns & Pinelli was never a client of Mike Madigan or Mike Madigan’s law firm,” according to Steve Brown, the speaker’s spokesman. “The reason he had to register as a lobbyist is because Mike Madigan had recommended the firm to the city for bond counsel work, which the firm never got.”
Before he was first elected to the Senate in 2002, Harmon was deputy legal counsel for Madigan in the House.
Harmon was elected Senate president by the Democratic-controlled chamber on Jan. 19, succeeding John Cullerton, who abruptly resigned after more than four decades in office.
On Jan. 21, Sun-Times reporters tried to contact Harmon about whether his law firm’s business with state government would pose conflicts of interest for him as Senate president.
Though he didn’t respond, he appeared the following day on WTTW-TV’s “Chicago Tonight,” where he said he would be “stepping away” from his law firm.
“We’re working out all those details, but I’ve recognized that I just don’t have the time capacity to be a good Senate president and to practice law the way I practiced it,” Harmon said on the TV news show.
Asked then about federal agents seizing documents related to his law firm, Harmon said Sandoval “had a bad habit of doing opposition research on people he thought were rivals. At the same time, I have no reason to think it was anything but an empty file folder. And, to my knowledge, the firm has no involvement whatsoever.”
In response to subsequent questions about his departure from the firm, Harmon told the Sun-Times by email: “No salary. No deferred compensation. No exit package. We are working out the details, but it will be soon. I was always an employee and never had an ownership stake in the firm.”
If any state government matters related to the law firm come up in the future, Harmon wrote, “I will work to avoid conflicts as I always have.”
In 2017, the Sun-Times reported Harmon’s firm had been paid more than $9 million over the preceding five years for doing legal work for state agencies, government workers’ pension funds and municipal governments whose residents he represents in the Senate.
The legal work involved more than 20 government bodies, including the city of Chicago, Cook County, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and the agency known as McPier that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier.
As a state senator, Harmon has voted on the budgets of some of those agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation. His firm also has represented government pension funds regulated by Harmon and other legislators as well as the village of Rosemont, one of the suburbs he represents in the Senate.
Harmon said at the time that he got no “financial benefit from state or state-affiliated work done by the firm” and that he didn’t handle government legal work himself; other lawyers at his firm did.
In 2012, Harmon voted on a casino bill that his law firm helped write for the city of Des Plaines, according to a news report.
Harmon’s wife Teresa Wilton Harmon is the managing partner of Sidley Austin LLP’s Chicago law office, which does “a small amount of work” for two state agencies, according to a source who said, “Teresa does not do work for the state and will not be doing work for the state.”
Teresa Harmon said in a written statement: “I am thrilled for my husband and, as an Illinois resident, excited for the work he will do as President of the Illinois Senate. His new role will have absolutely no impact on my legal practice or my firm.”


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--Chicago-pedia: Neighborhood stuff & politics

Some call it “ Chicago-ese , ” or “ Chicago-speak.
” Whatever you call it , we ’ re capturing it here , in Chicago-pedia — highlighting our local terminology and linguistic quirks ( sometimes with humor and obvious exaggeration ) .
This story is part of a group of stories called FIRST NAMES : What we like to call Chicago politicians by ( i.e .
Rahm , Toni , Lori ) , treating them as close friends even if they ’ re hammering us with higher taxes .
TIF : “ Tax increment financing , ” a financial instrument @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money to rich people under the guise of urban renewal .
THE 606 : Popular running/riding/walking trail on an abandoned , elevated freight-train right of way ; yoga pant capital of region .
BLOCK PARTY : Festive outdoor event in which a residential block is cordoned from traffic one day a year so residents can drink to excess and crawl home , while their children play in a bounce house .
DIBS : The unwritten Chicago code that says , if you ’ re the one shoveling out a parking spot on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to park there .
Usually enforced by the presence of lawn chair or something else easily found in the garage .
Woe to those who don ’ t abide .
219 : Where political careers go to die .
The address refers to 219 S. Dearborn St. in Chicago , home of the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S .
Courthouse , where federal prosecutors drag corrupt politicians to face the music .
Mobsters don ’ t fare too well there , either .
SMOKE-FILLED ROOM : Place behind the scenes where politicians choose candidates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ old Blackstone Hotel on South Michigan Avenue , where Republican bosses in 1920 chose Warren G. Harding as candidate for president .
Increasingly archaic .
See : Smoking bans .
See : Latte-filled room .
2 .
At times prey for federal investigators and corrupt developers .
SHAME : Something most of our politicians have very little of .

Some call it “Chicago-ese,” or “Chicago-speak.” Whatever you call it, we’re capturing it here, in Chicago-pedia — highlighting our local terminology and linguistic quirks (sometimes with humor and obvious exaggeration).
FIRST NAMES: What we like to call Chicago politicians by (i.e. Rahm, Toni, Lori), treating them as close friends even if they’re hammering us with higher taxes.
TIF: “Tax increment financing,” a financial instrument used by local government to funnel taxpayer money to rich people under the guise of urban renewal.
THE 606: Popular running/riding/walking trail on an abandoned, elevated freight-train right of way; yoga pant capital of region.
BLOCK PARTY: Festive outdoor event in which a residential block is cordoned from traffic one day a year so residents can drink to excess and crawl home, while their children play in a bounce house.
Dibs. Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times
DIBS: The unwritten Chicago code that says, if you’re the one shoveling out a parking spot on the street outside your home, you get to park there. Usually enforced by the presence of lawn chair or something else easily found in the garage. Woe to those who don’t abide.
219: Where political careers go to die. The address refers to 219 S. Dearborn St. in Chicago, home of the Everett McKinley Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where federal prosecutors drag corrupt politicians to face the music. Mobsters don’t fare too well there, either.
Alderman. Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times
SMOKE-FILLED ROOM: Place behind the scenes where politicians choose candidates. Origin: Suite 804-805 of the old Blackstone Hotel on South Michigan Avenue, where Republican bosses in 1920 chose Warren G. Harding as candidate for president. Increasingly archaic. See: Smoking bans. See: Latte-filled room.
ALDERMAN: 1. Mayor of ward.
2. At times prey for federal investigators and corrupt developers.
SHAME: Something most of our politicians have very little of.
MADIGAN: 1. Michael J. Madigan, speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. South Side Democrat. Machiavellian political tactician. Longest-serving speaker of any state House in the country. Nemesis of former Gov. Bruce Rauner.
2. Politician who is connected to — but has yet to be charged with wrongdoing over — a sweeping FBI investigation into city and state government, including lobbying activities for ComEd.
3. Property tax appeals attorney whose firm has clients throughout the city and suburbs.
4. Because of all of the above, name often uttered in anger by Illinoisans fed up with soaring taxes and crummy government services.
MARIA: Maria Pappas, longtime politician who loves to twirl a baton in parades. Once declared, “Cook County is a whorehouse.”
HAROLD: Harold Washington, first black mayor of Chicago. A term of intimacy used by supporters and, on memorable occasions, the mayor himself: “You want Harold? Well, heeeere’s Harold!”
MARE: Correct pronunciation of “mayor.”
FRIDAY: The day on which local politicians love to release bad news, hoping that by doing so it’ll be forgotten by the public over the weekend.
FIGHTING JANE: Nickname for Jane Byrne, first female mayor of Chicago.
Fighting Jane. Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times
GRAVEYARD: 1. Once a popular precinct for active Cook County voters in close elections. Officials have worked to purge the names of the dead from voting rolls — but the county’s reputation of dead people voting early and often is harder to cleanse.
2. Often the longtime home of a person being blamed in a current scandal.
3. Final resting place for many, unless it’s in the way of a runway expansion project.
HACK: 1. A Chicago politician, no matter the party affiliation.
2. Bad cough.
DALEY: Richard M. Daley, city’s longest-serving mayor, eclipsing his late father, Richard J. Daley. Ushered Chicago’s economy into modern era, beautified city and put it on world stage. But presided over numerous corruption scandals, and plunged municipal finances into Hades, saddling generations of taxpayers with punishing obligations.
50: Why in God’s name are there that many aldermen in Chicago?
FIFTH FLOOR: The seat of power in Chicago. Refers to the Office of the Mayor, located on the fifth floor of City Hall. If an order comes from the Fifth Floor — previously “The Man on Five” and now “The Woman on Five” — it’s supposed to get done, e.g., “I don’t know why, but this comes from the Fifth Floor, OK? So do it.”
Fifth Floor. Susan Smith/For the Sun-Times


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--Driver arrested after SUV hits parked CTA bus near Garfield Park

A woman was arrested after a crash with a parked CTA bus Thursday along the edge of Garfield Park on @ @ @ @ @ 42-year-old was driving a Chevrolet SUV east at 11:56 p.m. in the 3400 block of @ @ @ @ @ hit the rear driver ’ s side of the bus , which was parked on @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police .
The bus driver was taken to Norwegian American Hospital , where she @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
No passengers were aboard the bus at the time .
The @ @ @ @ @ medical treatment at the scene and was taken into custody , police said .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ in the crash .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s @ @

A woman was arrested after a crash with a parked CTA bus Thursday along the edge of Garfield Park on the West Side.
The 42-year-old was driving a Chevrolet SUV east at 11:56 p.m. in the 3400 block of West Madison Street when it hit the rear driver’s side of the bus, which was parked on the street, according to Chicago police.
The bus driver was taken to Norwegian American Hospital, where she was listed in good condition, police said. No passengers were aboard the bus at the time.
The woman driving the SUV refused medical treatment at the scene and was taken into custody, police said. Investigators believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-01-31--2 dropped off at Stroger Hospital with gunshot wounds: police

Two men showed up at Stroger Hospital after being shot Friday , but told Chicago police they are unsure where @ @ @ @ @ Both men , 18 , were shot about 2:20 a.m. by someone in a passing @ @ @ @ @ said .
One was struck in the leg while the other was struck in the @ @ @ @ @ third person they were with dropped them off at the hospital , but neither victim @ @ @ @ @ they were when they were shot , police said .
Both men are in fair @ @ @ @ @ crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Two men showed up at Stroger Hospital after being shot Friday, but told Chicago police they are unsure where the shooting actually occurred.
Both men, 18, were shot about 2:20 a.m. by someone in a passing black car, Chicago police said. One was struck in the leg while the other was struck in the leg and arm.
A third person they were with dropped them off at the hospital, but neither victim could confirm to investigators where they were when they were shot, police said. Both men are in fair condition.
Area Central detectives are investigating.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--2 hurt, including 1-year-old, in Gold Coast domestic incident that prompted SWAT response; 3 arreste

2 hurt, including 1-year-old, in Gold Coast domestic incident that prompted SWAT response; 3 arrested

Three people were arrested and two others , including a 1-year-old child , were taken to hospitals after a domestic @ @ @ @ @ team response Monday at a Gold Coast apartment .
Authorities were called at 3:33 a.m. @ @ @ @ @ the 400 block of East Ohio Street , according to Chicago police .
A male @ @ @ @ @ with two other people .
It was not clear whether he had a weapon .
@ @ @ @ @ about 5 a.m. with three people taken into custody , police said .
Charges are @ @ @ @ @ was also taken to Lurie Children ’ s Hospital in good condition and a 31-year-old @ @ @ @ @ Memorial Hospital in fair condition , police said .
Read more on crime , and @ @ @ @ @ homicides .

Three people were arrested and two others, including a 1-year-old child, were taken to hospitals after a domestic incident that prompted a SWAT team response Monday at a Gold Coast apartment.
Authorities were called at 3:33 a.m. to the domestic disturbance in the 400 block of East Ohio Street, according to Chicago police. A male barricaded himself inside, possibly with two other people. It was not clear whether he had a weapon.
The scene was cleared by about 5 a.m. with three people taken into custody, police said. Charges are pending.
A 1-year-old girl was also taken to Lurie Children’s Hospital in good condition and a 31-year-old woman was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in fair condition, police said.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Chicago high school basketball scores: Monday, Feb. 3, 2020

Man on bond for attempted murder of ex-girlfriend returns to Hammond and kills her : prosecutors Sylvia Williams was found @ @ @ @ @ her mobile home with seven bullets in her body : five from the Wednesday shooting @ @ @ @ @ murder attempt .

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


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Man, 36, found fatally stabbed in Valparaiso

A 36-year-old man was stabbed to death last week in northwest Indiana .
Officers were called about 10:50 p.m. Jan. @ @ @ @ @ of Elm Street in Valparaiso , Indiana , for calls of a deceased male , @ @ @ @ @ s office said .
A preliminary investigation found Travis Thompson died from a stab wound @ @ @ @ @ the coroner ’ s office said .
He lived in Valparaiso .
Police are asking @ @ @ @ @ 219-462-2135 or text 847-411 with “ Valpo ” at the start of the message followed @ @ @ @ @ the word “ Elm ” included in the first line .
Read more on crime @ @ @ @ @ ’ s homicides .

A 36-year-old man was stabbed to death last week in northwest Indiana.
Officers were called about 10:50 p.m. Jan. 29 to the 700 block of Elm Street in Valparaiso, Indiana, for calls of a deceased male, the Porter County coroner’s office said.
A preliminary investigation found Travis Thompson died from a stab wound to the femoral artery, the coroner’s office said. He lived in Valparaiso.
Valparaiso police are conducting a homicide investigation.
Police are asking anyone with information to call 219-462-2135 or text 847-411 with “Valpo” at the start of the message followed by the tip, with the word “Elm” included in the first line.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Man, 85, found dead in Aurora apartment fire

An 85-year-old man was found dead after an apartment fire Monday in west suburban Aurora .
The incident was classified @ @ @ @ @ crews responded to initial reports of smoke at an apartment building shortly after midnight in @ @ @ @ @ Constitution Drive , according to a statement from Aurora police .
Firefighters found the man @ @ @ @ @ where the fire started , according to Aurora Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Rhodes .
@ @ @ @ @ that unit and was put out shortly after crews arrived .
The cause of the @ @ @ @ @ the Aurora fire and police departments , Rhodes said .
The investigation into the death @ @ @ @ @ police .
No displacements or other injuries were reported .

An 85-year-old man was found dead after an apartment fire Monday in west suburban Aurora.
The incident was classified as a two-alarm fire after crews responded to initial reports of smoke at an apartment building shortly after midnight in the 400 block of North Constitution Drive, according to a statement from Aurora police.
Firefighters found the man dead in the fourth-floor apartment where the fire started, according to Aurora Fire Department Battalion Chief Jim Rhodes. The blaze was contained to that unit and was put out shortly after crews arrived.
The Kane County coroner’s office identified the man as Richard Meaderdes. An autopsy conducted Monday found he died of smoke inhalation, the coroner’s office said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Aurora fire and police departments, Rhodes said.
The investigation into the death is ongoing, according to police. No displacements or other injuries were reported.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--The best and worst Super Bowl ads

The best and worst Super Bowl ads

During advertising ’ s biggest night , Super Bowl Sunday , marketers battled it out to bolster their brands and promote new products .
Advertisers paid up to $ 5.6 million for 30 seconds , and almost 100 million people tune into the big game .
This year , Hyundai and Jeep scored with whimsical humor by poking fun at Boston accents and reuniting the “ Groundhog Day ” cast , Punxsutawney Phil included .
Google struck heartstrings with a quiet message about aging and remembrance .
Cheetos and Doritos both played off exaggerated dancing to good effect .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commercial failed to connect with viewers .
The automaker released its ad early , but it still drew fans during the game .
Boston-affiliated celebrities including actor Chris Evans , John Krasinski , Saturday Night Live alum Rachel Dratch and former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz discussed a Hyundai feature that lets car owners park remotely with exaggerated accents that make “ Smart Park ” sound like “ smaht pahk.
” Super Bowl Sunday was on Groundhog Day , so someone had to do it .
Fiat Chrysler painstakingly recreated the 1993 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the town square and other locales , with original actors Bill Murray , Brian Doyle Murray and Stephen Tobolowsky .
The twist : instead of a Chevrolet truck , Murray uses a Jeep Gladiator truck .
FCA Group marketing chief Olivier Francois said the ad worked to demonstrate the versatility of the Jeep truck since Murray does something different every day .
Google ’ s 90-second ad stood out by not using humor or celebrities .
It features a man reminiscing about his wife , using the Google Assistant feature to pull up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The ad is set to an instrumental version of “ Say Something ” by Great Big World .
“ It ’ s so hard to write earnestly and not make it cheesy , ” said Julia Neumann , executive creative director at ad agency TBWA ( backslash ) Chiat ( backslash ) Day in New York .
“ This was really , really well done.
” Cheetos used nostalgia effectively , appropriating the 30 year old MC Hammer classic “ U Can ’ t Touch This ” — still an earworm after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features a man with bright orange Cheetos dust on his hands who uses it as an excuse not to move furniture and perform office tasks .
Hammer himself — “ Hammer pants ” and all — also kept popping up to utter his iconic catchphrase .
The brand added a silly danceoff to “ Old Town Road , ” the smash hit of the summer by Lil Nas X .
In the Western-themed ad , Lil Nas faced off with grizzled character actor Sam Elliott with silly , sometimes CGI-enhanced dances moves at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who features in the song ’ s remix , also made a cameo .
Planters teased its Super Bowl ad nearly two weeks before the game , releasing a teaser that showed its Mr. Peanut mascot seemingly being killed .
The “ death ” of Mr. Peanut went viral on Twitter .
But when Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash , the marketing stunt suddenly seemed insensitive , so Planters paused its pre-game advertising .
The actual Super Bowl ad was relatively inoffensive , with a baby Mr. Peanut appearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” comparisons to “ Baby Yoda ” and “ Baby Groot ” sprung up online .
Avocados from Mexico have carved out a niche with humorous ads featuring avocados , but they may have veered a little too far into “ random ” territory with this effort featuring a home shopping network with fake products such as a baby carrier-like device for avocados .
“ I thought the Avocados from Mexico spot felt like a random and gratuitous use of celebrity , ” said Steve Merino , chief creative officer of Aloysius , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Not only did it not make sense to have Molly Ringwald as your spokesperson , it was also a bit of a distraction.
” Kellogg ’ s went for quirky but ended up with a bland spot that isn ’ t likely to be remembered .
In a pseudo infomercial , Jonathan Van Ness of “ Queer Eye ” describes the new Pop Tarts pretzel snack .
The idea is that Pop Tarts adds pizazz to pretzels , but the ad itself failed to have much spark .
Winona Ryder went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is named after — to create a website for the town .
But nothing much happened in the ad , which shows Ryder in a snowdrift on her laptop being confronted by a “ Fargo ” -like cop .
There ’ s a more involved marketing campaign with Ryder , but the Super Bowl ad didn ’ t communicate much .
Hard Rock International went all in on its first Super Bowl ad , maybe too much so .
It enlisted Michael Bay for a frenetic commercial showing a frenzied heist caper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DJ Khaled , Pitbull , and Steven Van Zandt — but some found it hard to follow .

During advertising’s biggest night, Super Bowl Sunday, marketers battled it out to bolster their brands and promote new products. Advertisers paid up to $5.6 million for 30 seconds, and almost 100 million people tune into the big game.
This year, Hyundai and Jeep scored with whimsical humor by poking fun at Boston accents and reuniting the “Groundhog Day” cast, Punxsutawney Phil included. Google struck heartstrings with a quiet message about aging and remembrance. Cheetos and Doritos both played off exaggerated dancing to good effect.
But Pop Tarts and a Hard Rock action-movie commercial failed to connect with viewers.
BEST
HYUNDAI
The automaker released its ad early, but it still drew fans during the game. Boston-affiliated celebrities including actor Chris Evans, John Krasinski, Saturday Night Live alum Rachel Dratch and former Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz discussed a Hyundai feature that lets car owners park remotely with exaggerated accents that make “Smart Park” sound like “smaht pahk.”
JEEP
Super Bowl Sunday was on Groundhog Day, so someone had to do it. Fiat Chrysler painstakingly recreated the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day,” including the town square and other locales, with original actors Bill Murray, Brian Doyle Murray and Stephen Tobolowsky. The twist: instead of a Chevrolet truck, Murray uses a Jeep Gladiator truck. FCA Group marketing chief Olivier Francois said the ad worked to demonstrate the versatility of the Jeep truck since Murray does something different every day.
GOOGLE
Google’s 90-second ad stood out by not using humor or celebrities. It features a man reminiscing about his wife, using the Google Assistant feature to pull up old photos of her and past vacations. The ad is set to an instrumental version of “Say Something” by Great Big World. “It’s so hard to write earnestly and not make it cheesy,” said Julia Neumann, executive creative director at ad agency TBWA(backslash)Chiat(backslash)Day in New York. “This was really, really well done.”
CHEETOS
Cheetos used nostalgia effectively, appropriating the 30 year old MC Hammer classic “U Can’t Touch This” — still an earworm after all these years. The snack-food ad features a man with bright orange Cheetos dust on his hands who uses it as an excuse not to move furniture and perform office tasks. Hammer himself — “Hammer pants” and all — also kept popping up to utter his iconic catchphrase.
DORITOS
The brand added a silly danceoff to “Old Town Road,” the smash hit of the summer by Lil Nas X. In the Western-themed ad, Lil Nas faced off with grizzled character actor Sam Elliott with silly, sometimes CGI-enhanced dances moves at the “Cool Ranch.” Billy Cyrus, who features in the song’s remix, also made a cameo.
PLANTERS
Planters teased its Super Bowl ad nearly two weeks before the game, releasing a teaser that showed its Mr. Peanut mascot seemingly being killed. The “death” of Mr. Peanut went viral on Twitter. But when Kobe Bryant was killed in a helicopter crash, the marketing stunt suddenly seemed insensitive, so Planters paused its pre-game advertising. The actual Super Bowl ad was relatively inoffensive, with a baby Mr. Peanut appearing at the funeral. “Baby Nut” comparisons to “Baby Yoda” and “Baby Groot” sprung up online.
WORST
AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO
Avocados from Mexico have carved out a niche with humorous ads featuring avocados, but they may have veered a little too far into “random” territory with this effort featuring a home shopping network with fake products such as a baby carrier-like device for avocados. “I thought the Avocados from Mexico spot felt like a random and gratuitous use of celebrity,” said Steve Merino, chief creative officer of Aloysius, Butler & Clark in Wilmington, Delaware. “Not only did it not make sense to have Molly Ringwald as your spokesperson, it was also a bit of a distraction.”
POP TARTS
Kellogg’s went for quirky but ended up with a bland spot that isn’t likely to be remembered. In a pseudo infomercial, Jonathan Van Ness of “Queer Eye” describes the new Pop Tarts pretzel snack. The idea is that Pop Tarts adds pizazz to pretzels, but the ad itself failed to have much spark.
SQUARESPACE
Winona Ryder went back to Winona, Minnesota — which she is named after — to create a website for the town. But nothing much happened in the ad, which shows Ryder in a snowdrift on her laptop being confronted by a “Fargo”-like cop. There’s a more involved marketing campaign with Ryder, but the Super Bowl ad didn’t communicate much.
HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL
Hard Rock International went all in on its first Super Bowl ad, maybe too much so. It enlisted Michael Bay for a frenetic commercial showing a frenzied heist caper involving Jennifer Lopez, Alex Rodriguez, DJ Khaled, Pitbull, and Steven Van Zandt — but some found it hard to follow.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Halas Intrigue 83: Super Pat, Super Bowl

From Hard Rock Stadium in Miami , Jason Lieser and Patrick Finley marvel at Patrick Mahomes ’ late-game comeback , @ @ @ @ @ s performance and talk about what the Bears can learn from Super Bowl LIV .
@ @ @ @ @ Intrigue ” will be published regularly with accompanying stories collected on the podcast ’ s @ @ @ @ @ also listen to “ Halas Intrigue ” wherever you get your podcasts , including Apple @ @ @ @ @ Luminary , Spotify , and Stitcher .
Join the conversation in our Facebook group .

The conversation continues in our “Halas Intrigue” Facebook group
Join experts including Patrick Finley, Mark Potash, Jason Lieser, Rick Morrissey and Rick Telander after each game to make predictions, share insights and analyze the day’s big stories. This is insight you won’t be able to get anywhere else.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--4 killed, 19 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings

Four people were killed and 19 others , including a Chicago firefighter , were wounded in citywide shootings over the weekend .
The weekend ’ s latest fatal shooting left a 15-year-old boy dead in West Englewood on the South Side .
Marlin Gaines was in the 5600 block of South Marshfield Avenue before 4 p.m. when three males jumped out of a white SUV and attacked him , Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
One of the males then pulled out a gun and shot the boy multiple times before fleeing west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Comer Children ’ s Hospital , where he succumbed to his injuries .
Police said private video footage may have captured the incident .
Early Sunday morning , a man was killed and a woman was wounded in a shooting in Little Village on the South Side .
The pair were riding in the back seat of a southbound vehicle at 2:56 a.m. in the 3100 block of South California Avenue when a dark-colored SUV pulled alongside them at a red light , according to police .
Someone in the SUV opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street .
The driver of the victims ’ vehicle took them to Saint Anthony Hospital .
The man , 23-year-old Luis Maldonado , was shot in the side , back and leg and pronounced dead , police and the medical examiner ’ s office said .
The woman , 20 , was shot in the hip and was listed in fair condition .
Another man was shot to death several hours earlier in the same neighborhood .
Eduardo A. Garcia , 20 , was standing on the street at 11:37 p.m. Saturday when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sedan in the 2200 block of South Whipple Street , police and the medical examiner ’ s office said .
Garcia , who lived in Little Village , was hit multiple times and driven by friends to Mount Sinai Hospital , where he was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m. An autopsy conducted Sunday confirmed he died of his gunshot wounds , the medical examiner ’ s office said .
His death has been ruled a homicide .
A 21-year-old man shot Saturday in South Chicago was the victim of the weekend ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a ShotSpotter alert about 7:08 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Houston Avenue and found Hakeim Jones , 21 , with a gunshot wound to the head , officials said .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and pronounced dead just over nine hours later .
A weapon was found at the scene of the shooting .
In non-fatal shootings , a firefighter was injured early Sunday while responding to a car fire in Albany Park on the Northwest Side .
The 36-year-old firefighter was at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 3300 block of West Wilson Avenue when someone fired shots and hit him in the leg , according to Chicago police and fire officials .
He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition .
The most recent nonfatal attack left two teenage boys injured early Monday in South Chicago .
The boys , 16 and 17 , were in a gangway about 1:13 a.m. in the 7900 block of South Paxton Avenue when older black SUV drove up , police said .
Someone got out of the SUV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off .
The 17-year-old was shot in the hand and the 16-year-old was hit in the arm .
Both were taken to South Shore Hospital in good condition .
Another teen was shot Sunday night in Edgewater Beach on the North Side .
The 17-year-old was walking about 9:50 p.m. when a male approached him in the 1000 block of West Berwyn Avenue , shouted a gang slogan and opened fire , police said .
He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition , while the shooter fled on foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shooting Sunday morning on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Englewood on the South Side .
Illinois State Police troopers were called about 2:55 a.m. for reports of a crash on southbound I-94 near 63rd Street , state police said .
They arrived to find a man with a gunshot wound inside the vehicle .
He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center , but his exact age and condition were not immediately known .
Half an hour before that , a woman was shot and critically hurt while driving in West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The 35-year-old was driving a vehicle with a relative in the passenger seat about 2:25 a.m. when a silver Mercedes pulled alongside them in the 2400 block of West Granville Avenue , according to police .
A male in the Mercedes fired multiple shots , hitting the woman in the back and grazing her left arm .
The family member drove her to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston , where she was listed in critical condition .
On Saturday morning , two men were shot in East Garfield Park on the West Side @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 2:53 a.m. in the 200 block of North Pulaski Road when a male walked up and fired shots , police said .
A 39-year-old man was shot in the groin and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition .
The other man , 32 , was shot in the right foot and right hand and was also taken to Stroger in good condition .
The weekend ’ s first shooting grazed a man Friday evening in Gresham on the South Side .
The 19-year-old was walking at 5:57 p.m. in the 1100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard gunfire and felt pain , according to police .
He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with a graze wound to the back and his condition was stabilized .
Nine other people were wounded by gunfire across Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday .
Last weekend , two people were killed and 14 were injured in shootings within the city limits .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides .

Three people were killed and 19 others, including a Chicago firefighter, were wounded in citywide shootings over the weekend.
The weekend’s latest fatal shooting left a 15-year-old boy dead in West Englewood on the South Side.
Marlin Gaines was in the 5600 block of South Marshfield Avenue before 4 p.m. when three males jumped out of a white SUV and attacked him, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. One of the males then pulled out a gun and shot the boy multiple times before fleeing west on 56th Street. He was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police said private video footage may have captured the incident.
Early Sunday morning, a man was killed and a woman was wounded in a shooting in Little Village on the South Side.
The pair were riding in the back seat of a southbound vehicle at 2:56 a.m. in the 3100 block of South California Avenue when a dark-colored SUV pulled alongside them at a red light, according to police. Someone in the SUV opened fire before it fled eastbound on 31st Street.
The driver of the victims’ vehicle took them to Saint Anthony Hospital. The man, 23-year-old Luis Maldonado, was shot in the side, back and leg and pronounced dead, police and the medical examiner’s office said. The woman, 20, was shot in the hip and was listed in fair condition.
Another man was shot to death several hours earlier in the same neighborhood.
Eduardo A. Garcia, 20, was standing on the street at 11:37 p.m. Saturday when someone shot at him from a black sedan in the 2200 block of South Whipple Street, police and the medical examiner’s office said. Garcia, who lived in Little Village, was hit multiple times and driven by friends to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:50 p.m.
An autopsy conducted Sunday confirmed he died of his gunshot wounds, the medical examiner’s office said. His death has been ruled a homicide.
In non-fatal shootings, a firefighter was injured early Sunday while responding to a car fire in Albany Park on the Northwest Side.
The 36-year-old firefighter was at the scene of the car fire at 1:02 a.m. in the 3300 block of West Wilson Avenue when someone fired shots and hit him in the leg, according to Chicago police and fire officials. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in fair condition.
A Chicago firefighter was shot Feb. 2, 2020, while responding to a car fire at Wilson and Kimball avenues in Albany Park. Carly Behm/Sun-Times
The most recent nonfatal attack left two teenage boys injured early Monday in South Chicago.
The boys, 16 and 17, were in a gangway about 1:13 a.m. in the 7900 block of South Paxton Avenue when older black SUV drove up, police said. Someone got out of the SUV and shot at the teens before driving off. The 17-year-old was shot in the hand and the 16-year-old was hit in the arm. Both were taken to South Shore Hospital in good condition.
Another teen was shot Sunday night in Edgewater Beach on the North Side.
The 17-year-old was walking about 9:50 p.m. when a male approached him in the 1000 block of West Berwyn Avenue, shouted a gang slogan and opened fire, police said. He was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center in serious condition, while the shooter fled on foot.
Another man was wounded in a shooting Sunday morning on the Dan Ryan Expressway in Englewood on the South Side.
Illinois State Police troopers were called about 2:55 a.m. for reports of a crash on southbound I-94 near 63rd Street, state police said. They arrived to find a man with a gunshot wound inside the vehicle. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, but his exact age and condition were not immediately known.
Half an hour before that, a woman was shot and critically hurt while driving in West Rogers Park on the North Side.
The 35-year-old was driving a vehicle with a relative in the passenger seat about 2:25 a.m. when a silver Mercedes pulled alongside them in the 2400 block of West Granville Avenue, according to police. A male in the Mercedes fired multiple shots, hitting the woman in the back and grazing her left arm. The family member drove her to Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, where she was listed in critical condition.
On Saturday morning, two men were shot in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
They were standing on the sidewalk at 2:53 a.m. in the 200 block of North Pulaski Road when a male walked up and fired shots, police said. A 39-year-old man was shot in the groin and taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. The other man, 32, was shot in the right foot and right hand and was also taken to Stroger in good condition.
The weekend’s first shooting grazed a man Friday evening in Gresham on the South Side.
The 19-year-old was walking at 5:57 p.m. in the 1100 block of West 88th Street when he heard gunfire and felt pain, according to police. He was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn with a graze wound to the back and his condition was stabilized.
Nine other people were wounded by gunfire across Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Last weekend, two people were killed and 14 were injured in shootings within the city limits.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.


chicagosuntimes--2020-02-03--Teen boy killed in West Englewood shooting

A teenage boy was shot to death Sunday in West Englewood on the South Side .
Marlin Gaines , 15 @ @ @ @ @ block of South Marshfield Avenue before 4 p.m. when three males jumped out of a @ @ @ @ @ , Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner ’ s office said .
One @ @ @ @ @ out a gun and shot him multiple times before fleeing west on 56th Street .
@ @ @ @ @ Englewood , was taken to Comer Children ’ s Hospital , where he succumbed to @ @ @ @ @ .
Police said private video cameras may have captured the incident .
No one is @ @ @ @ @ detectives investigate .
Read more on crime , and track the city ’ s homicides @

A teenage boy was shot to death Sunday in West Englewood on the South Side.
Marlin Gaines, 15, was in the 5600 block of South Marshfield Avenue before 4 p.m. when three males jumped out of a white SUV and attacked him, Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.
One of the males then pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times before fleeing west on 56th Street, police said.
Gaines, who lived in Englewood, was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital, where he died, authorities said.
Police said private video cameras may have captured the incident.
No one is in custody as Area South detectives investigate.
Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.