chicagotribune--2020-11-06--Counties with the worst COVID-19 surges overwhelmingly voted for Trump, analysis shows

In Wisconsin , where the virus surged just before the election , 57 % said the pandemic was not under @ @ @ @ @ , where the virus is more in control now compared to earlier in the year @ @ @ @ @ same .
Voters in New York and New Hampshire , where the virus is more @ @ @ @ @ , were roughly divided in their assessments , similar to voters nationwide .

CARLA K. JOHNSON, HANNAH FINGERHUT and PIA DESHPANDE

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U.S. voters went to the polls starkly divided on how they see President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. But in places where the virus is most rampant now, Trump enjoyed enormous support.
An Associated Press analysis reveals that in 376 counties with the highest number of new cases per capita, the overwhelming majority — 93% of those counties — went for Trump, a rate above other less severely hit areas.
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Most were rural counties in Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa and Wisconsin — the kinds of areas that often have lower rates of adherence to social distancing, mask-wearing and other public health measures, and have been a focal point for much of the latest surge in cases.
Taking note of the contrast, state health officials are pausing for a moment of introspection. Even as they worry about rising numbers of hospitalizations and deaths, they hope to reframe their messages and aim for a reset on public sentiment now that the election is over.
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“Public health officials need to step back, listen to and understand the people who aren’t taking the same stance” on mask-wearing and other control measures, said Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
“I think there’s the potential for things to get less charged and divisive,” he said, adding that there’s a chance a retooled public health message might unify Americans around lowering case counts so hospitals won’t get swamped during the winter months.
The AP’s analysis was limited to counties in which at least 95% of precincts had reported results, and grouped counties into six categories based on the rates of COVID-19 cases they’d experienced per 100,000 residents.
Polling, too, shows voters who split on Republican Trump vs. Democrat Joe Biden differed on whether the pandemic is under control.
Thirty-six percent of Trump voters described the pandemic as completely or mostly under control, and another 47% said it was somewhat under control, according to AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 110,000 voters conducted for the AP by NORC at the University of Chicago. Meanwhile, 82% of Biden voters said the pandemic is not at all under control.
The pandemic was considered at least somewhat under control by slim majorities of voters in many red states, including Alabama (60%), Missouri ( 54%), Mississippi (58%), Kentucky (55%), Texas (55%), Tennessee (56%) and South Carolina (56%).
A voter lines up in a polling place to cast a ballot for the 2020 general election in the United States in Springfield, Pa. (Matt Slocum/AP)
In Wisconsin, where the virus surged just before the election, 57% said the pandemic was not under control. In Washington state, where the virus is more in control now compared to earlier in the year, 55% said the same. Voters in New York and New Hampshire, where the virus is more controlled now after early surges, were roughly divided in their assessments, similar to voters nationwide.
Trump voters interviewed by AP reporters said they value individual freedom and believed the president was doing as well as anyone could in response to the coronavirus.
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Michaela Lane, a 25-year-old Republican, dropped her ballot off last week at a polling site at an outdoor mall in Phoenix. She cast her vote for Trump.
“I feel like the most important issue facing the country as a whole is liberty at large,” Lane said. “Infringing on people’s freedom, government overrule, government overreach, chaos in a lot of issues currently going on and just giving people back their rights.”
About half of Trump voters called the economy and jobs the top issue facing the nation, roughly twice the percentage who named the pandemic, according to VoteCast. By contrast, a majority of Biden voters — about 6 in 10 — said the pandemic was the most important issue.
In Madison, Wisconsin, Eric Engstrom, a 31-year-old investment analyst and his wife, Gwen, voted absentee by mail in early October.
Trump’s failure to control the pandemic sealed his vote for Biden, Engstrom said, calling the coronavirus the most immediate threat the nation faces. He and his wife are expecting their first child, a girl, in January and fear “the potential of one of us or both of us being sick when the baby is born,” he said.
Engstrom called Trump’s response to the virus abysmal. “If there was any chance that I was going to vote for Trump, it was eliminated because of the pandemic,” he said.
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The political temperature has added to the stress of public health officials, Plescia said. “Our biggest concern is how long can they sustain this pace?” he said.
Since the start of the pandemic, 74 state and local public health officials in 31 states have resigned, retired or been fired, according to an ongoing analysis by AP and Kaiser Health News.
As the election mood dissipates, rising hospitalizations amid colder weather create “a really pivotal moment” in the pandemic, said Sema Sgaier, executive director of the Surgo Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that worked with Harvard University-affiliated Ariadne Labs to develop a tool for estimating vaccine needs in states.
“We really need to get our act together. When I say ‘we’ I mean collectively,” Sgaier said. Finding common ground may become easier if one of more of the vaccine candidates proves safe and effective and gains government approval, she said.
“The vaccine provides the reset button,” Sgaier said.
Dr. Anthony Fauci may be another unifying force. According to VoteCast, 73% of voters nationwide approve of the way Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been handling the pandemic.
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Even among Trump voters, 53% approve of Fauci’s performance. About 9 in 10 Biden voters approve.
Johnson reported from Washington state. Deshpande reported from Chicago and Fingerhut reported from Washington, D.C. AP reporters Todd Richmond in Madison, Wisconsin, and Terry Tang in Phoenix contributed.


chicagotribune--2020-11-06--Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces $10 million grant program for bars and restaurants struggling with CO

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces $10 million grant program for bars and restaurants struggling with COVID-19 shutdown

As COVID-19 cases in Chicago continue to surge this fall , along with the rest of the country , bars @ @ @ @ @ and state have been hurt by being closed to indoor dining .
In addition , @ @ @ @ @ propose a temporary cap on the fees that third-party delivery apps can charge restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ approved by the City Council , and launch a web portal , ChiServes.com , to @ @ @ @ @ development resources , she said .

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a $10 million federally funded grant program on Thursday intended to help independent Chicago bars and restaurants struggling with shutdowns brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
As COVID-19 cases in Chicago continue to surge this fall, along with the rest of the country, bars and restaurants in the city and state have been hurt by being closed to indoor dining. In addition, the mayor said she will propose a temporary cap on the fees that third-party delivery apps can charge restaurants, which will need to be approved by the City Council, and launch a web portal, ChiServes.com, to help hospitality workers find workforce development resources, she said.
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“With the state’s recent closure of indoor dining service, our hospitality industry is facing yet another barrier to recovery from this absolutely unprecedented crisis that has hit them probably the most hard of any industry in our city,” Lightfoot said.
Server Norma Ruiz brings food to customers Imelda Caballero, center, and Guadalupe Cisneros at 5 Rabanitos restaurant on West 18th Street in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 5, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Restaurant operators contacted by the Tribune were thankful for the help but noted it’s not enough to sustain them through the coming cold weather at a time when their dining rooms will be off-limits to patrons because of coronavirus restrictions.
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In recent weeks, Lightfoot has attempted to position herself as a friend to bars and restaurants after Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker shut down indoor service due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. She criticized Pritzker’s plan and said she would try to change his mind before dropping her opposition a day later.
But Lightfoot also has faced criticism for stricter rules on liquor sales, which she’s since rescinded, and her own anti-coronavirus measures.
Under Lightfoot’s plan, eligible businesses could get up to $10,000 each in grant funds. The grant money will be funded through the city’s share of federal CARES Act money and will be distributed through a lottery, Lightfoot said.
Businesses can begin applying later this month, and the funds would be released before the end of the year, Lightfoot said.
“We will take extra effort to make sure this funding is distributed with an equity lens, just as we have done throughout this pandemic. Meaning businesses in our most underserved, underinvested communities have access to these emergency funds,” Lightfoot said.
Lightfoot also said the city will promote a contest where residents who order takeout from 10 different bars and restaurants will be entered into a contest for “VIP tours” at institutions including Soldier Field and the Art Institute.
As she laid out her relief measures on Thursday, Lightfoot also called on the federal government to pass a new round of stimulus funding with help for small businesses.
Jasmine Sims, right, and Emmanuella Carter dine outside at Can't Believe It's Not Meat restaurant on 53rd Street in Hyde Park in Chicago on Nov. 5, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
“Make no mistake, today’s announcements are by no means fixes for the many challenges that the hospitality industry currently faces,” Lightfoot said. “They’re the result of our city and our partners working together to use every last resource we have to support our businesses in the best way we can all while being guided by our values of equity and inclusion.”
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Kevin Boehm, co-founder of Boka Restaurant Group, praised the mayor’s grant program, saying “everything helps,” but noted that even $10 million will only go so far.
“Ultimately, we need substantial help from the federal government,” said Boehm, whose hospitality group is one of the largest in Chicago, operating such restaurants as Boka, Girl & The Goat and Swift & Sons. “Either a PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) with a specific carve-out for restaurants or passage of the RESTAURANTS Act.”
Boehm called Lightfoot’s proposals a good move at the right time — when restaurants are heading into the cold-weather months.
“Heading into winter, we clung to two hopes — the limited indoor seating we had and the RESTAURANTS Act,” he said. “Then we watched the RESTAURANTS Act turn into a wrestling match between (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi and (Senate majority leader Mitch) McConnell. And then the end of indoor dining.”
Which, Boehm said, spelled the end, at least temporarily, of some Boka Group restaurants.
“We haven’t closed them permanently, but we had to hibernate restaurants that didn’t make sense in delivery,” he said.
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Specifically, Bellemore, Cira, GT Fish & Oyster and Lazy Bird are shuttered until further notice.
People walk by the shuttered Bellemore restaurant in the 500 block of West Randolph Street on Nov. 5, 2020. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)
“We already knew we were going to lose money,” he said. “We kept things moving to keep our employees intact. But once they eliminated indoor dining — you know, rents stay static. We can lose this much money, but we can’t lose this much money.”
Some, such as Simo Yacobi, owner of Chez Simo Bistro, a small BYOB French restaurant in Ravenswood, view the grant program with a certain fatalism.
“I’ve tried every program; nothing works for me,” Yacobi said. “I applied to five, six different programs and never got anything. I’ve given up applying. I don’t know which is worse, not having help or waiting for months and not getting anything. I haven’t made a penny for myself in the last six months.”
Still, Yacobi said he might try the grant program Lightfoot announced.
“They shut us down, they should at least give us some help. If you’re going to shut us down, find the solution.
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“You know, in November and December, we make about 30% of our money,” he said. “If we don’t make any money, it’s over. This is the 12th round.
“I don’t know how I made it this far anyway,” he said, with a short laugh.
The bistro, which has no outdoor space available, finally turned to carryout and delivery last month, Yacobi said. From that standpoint, the chef and owner welcomes Lightfoot’s proposal to cap third-party delivery fees.
“They take 30%, that’s a big chunk,” he said. “If (the city) does that, I might be able to lower my prices.”
The mayor on Thursday did not say what number she would cap the delivery app fees at but pledged to work with Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, Ald. Tom Tunney, 44th, and Ald. Matt O’Shea, 19th, on her plan.
Waguespack introduced his own ordinance back in April to cap restaurant delivery fees at 5% of the cost of the order. It also would have required any service fees charged to customers go to the delivery drivers rather than the companies.
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Third-party delivery companies opposed the Waguespack plan, saying it would actually increase costs to customers, and the plan was shunted to the Rules Committee, where it has languished since.
Rules is where proposals opposed by the mayor’s administration are often sent to die. Lightfoot introduced her own plan to require third-party services to disclose all their fees.
At Lightfoot’s news conference, Tunney said he hopes to work with delivery app companies on the proposal.
“If the restaurants go out of business, there’s nobody to pick up from," he said.
Nevertheless, delivery companies pushed back against the notion of imposing caps, arguing they could harm businesses.
DoorDash released a statement saying, “Capping commission rates can reduce or even remove the ability for restaurants to choose the services and products that best serve them. More than ever, restaurants need flexibility to decide how they operate and market their business. We’re committed to working with the city on this issue to find a solution that supports restaurants, Dashers, and customers.”
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Uber Eats also released a statement arguing against a cap, saying it would “simply shift the costs back onto small, local restaurants who can afford it the least, while also capping the earnings of many hardworking Chicagoans who work as delivery drivers.”
A Grubhub spokesman said in a statement that “Fee caps are well-intentioned but counterproductive at a time when restaurants need more support, visibility and order volume than ever. They limit how restaurants — especially small and independent establishments — can effectively market themselves to drive demand, which severely impacts how many customers and orders we can bring to these restaurants. The caps lower pay for drivers by reducing the number of orders to be delivered; reducing restaurant orders; increasing costs for diners; disrupting an essential supply chain of meals; and costing jobs, tax revenues and important economic activity.”
Boehm, however, praised Lightfoot’s call for a city ordinance that would cap fees levied by third-party delivery services.
“I think that’s a smart provision,” he said. “Right now, everybody has to lean back into doing takeout, and a lot of those fees are exorbitant. Ultimately, I think Mayor Lightfoot cares about our industry and wants to help.”
Cases in Chicago, meanwhile, continue to spike, public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said during a Thursday webcast. The city is up to 1,395 new cases per day, up nearly 50% from a week ago, she said.
“It is rising really quickly,” she said.
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Chicago’s positivity rate is roughly 11%, more than double where the city would like to be.
gpratt@chicagotribune.com
jebyrne@chicagotribune.com
pvettel@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-11-06--UIC graduate student killed, another injured after speeding driver blows red light, stop sign in Uni

UIC graduate student killed, another injured after speeding driver blows red light, stop sign in University Village

UIC police first noticed the driver — a 32-year-old man -- and tried to stop him after they saw his @ @ @ @ @ sign .
Two officers then attempted to make a traffic stop , but instead the @ @ @ @ @ light at Roosevelt Road and was struck by another car , propelling the car onto @ @ @ @ @ Sharma and another UIC student , according to Amiridis .

A graduate student at the University of Illinois at Chicago died and another student was injured Thursday morning after a driver blew through a red light in the University Village neighborhood and struck them with his car as they walked on the sidewalk, according to school authorities.
The student who died was identified Thursday as Tushar Sharma, a 27-year-old student pursuing a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, according to a statement released Thursday by chancellor Michael Amiridis.
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“Together we mourn a student and an outstanding research assistant who was pursuing his master’s degree in mechanical engineering,” Amiridis said in the statement, addressing the UIC community. “He was known as a favorite teaching assistant among the undergraduate students.”
The crash happened about 10:25 a.m. in the 1100 block of South Morgan Street, according to a police media notification.
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UIC police first noticed the driver — a 32-year-old man — and tried to stop him after they saw his car blow through a stop sign. Two officers then attempted to make a traffic stop, but instead the driver sped through a red light at Roosevelt Road and was struck by another car, propelling the car onto the sidewalk where it struck Sharma and another UIC student, according to Amiridis.
The car then crashed into a tree, and its driver got out and ran onto the Dan Ryan Expressway before he was arrested at a public transportation location, according to a police media notification.
Both Sharma and the other student injured in the crash were taken to Stroger Hospital, where Sharma was pronounced dead. The other student — a 27-year-old man, according to the police notification — had a right shoulder injury and right chest pain but was in good condition.
“This is very difficult news to process and I hope that anyone in need of support will reach out to the many available services on campus,” Amiridis said in the statement to the UIC community.
Felony charges were pending against the driver, who was in custody, according to Amiridis.
kelsmith@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @KelliSmithNews


chicagotribune--2020-11-06--Her opponent has claimed victory in a tight contest, but Rep. Lauren Underwood optimistic as mail ba

Her opponent has claimed victory in a tight contest, but Rep. Lauren Underwood optimistic as mail ballots continue to be counted

The candidates were separated by 716 votes as of 5 p.m. Thursday , according to unofficial results compiled by The @ @ @ @ @ and election officials in the seven counties across the suburban district continue to count vote-by-mail @ @ @ @ @ by Election Day but delivered after Nov. 3 and those deposited into drop boxes in @ @ @ @ @ the polls closing .

With the vote count in the extremely tight 14th Congressional District race changing by the day as mail-in ballots continue to be counted, Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood said Thursday she is confident she will prevail over Republican Jim Oberweis.
The candidates were separated by 716 votes as of 5 p.m. Thursday, according to unofficial results compiled by The Associated Press. County clerks and election officials in the seven counties across the suburban district continue to count vote-by-mail ballots, including those postmarked by Election Day but delivered after Nov. 3 and those deposited into drop boxes in the hours leading up to the polls closing.
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“Every vote must be counted,” Underwood said during a video conference call with reporters. “Once every vote is counted, I feel confident that I will be reelected to represent this community in Congress.”
On Wednesday, Oberweis, a state senator and dairy magnate from Sugar Grove, claimed victory, saying that only a “handful” of ballots were left to be counted.
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Oberweis campaign spokesman Travis Akin responded by saying, “The numbers are going to change as more VBM (vote-by-mail) comes on but we are confident the outcome will not change.”
Illinois election officials have until Nov. 17 to complete their count of vote-by-mail ballots. Some county clerks said they may provide a count update Nov. 10, the last day a provisional voter can submit additional information to verify their registration.
The first-term congresswoman from Naperville had a significant advantage in the already counted mail-in ballots, doubling or tripling the votes cast for Oberweis among those mailed or delivered into drop boxes across the county, according to unofficial counts reported by the county clerks and election offices. In Lake County, for example, Underwood received 6,031 mail-in votes so far compared with 2,414 for Oberweis.
Oberweis is attempting to return the district to Republican hands two years after Underwood flipped the traditionally Republican territory for Democrats, helping them take control of the U.S. House in 2018. Underwood became the youngest Black women ever elected to Congress.
Asked Thursday whether President Donald Trump’s support for Oberweis boosted her opponent, Underwood said plenty of voters split their vote between political parties within the district.
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Oberweis spoke before the president appeared at a campaign rally on election eve in Kenosha. For those who were energized by the Trump-Oberweis connection, Underwood said, “that’s great for them.”
“We always knew this was going to be a competitive race,” Underwood said. “I’m not really surprised to be in this position.”
poconnell@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--The Spin: Pritzker says ‘Yes’ it’s time for Madigan to be replaced as Democratic Party Chair  | What

The Spin: Pritzker says ‘Yes’ it’s time for Madigan to be replaced as Democratic Party Chair  | What’s next for Ken Griffin?  | Oberweis launches ‘recount fund,’ Underwood confident in tight congressional race

Justice Kilbride ’ s loss could change the philosophical balance on Supreme Court : The Tribune ’ s Ray Long @ @ @ @ @ week that the retention campaign was pivotal because Republicans view the Kilbride seat as their @ @ @ @ @ Democrats out of a 4-3 majority on the state ’ s high court .
Kilbride @ @ @ @ @ month , and the court could seek an interim appointment through next year , when @ @ @ @ @ at the ballot box .
One scenario Republicans envisioned is that the six remaining justices @ @ @ @ @ ― deadlock on a temporary Kilbride replacement .
That would keep the court evenly balanced @ @ @ @ @ a race in a nonpresidential year that Republicans hope to win .

House Speaker Michael Madigan congratulates Gov. J.B. Pritzker after his first budget address at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Feb. 20, 2019. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
A day after U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin made state Democratic Party Chair Michael Madigan the fall guy for two key losses in Tuesday’s night’s election, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it’s time for someone else to run the state party.
They’re the strongest words yet from two of the state’s most powerful politicians about Madigan, whose muscle has sagged since the summer, when he was linked to a federal corruption investigation involving utility giant ComEd. Republicans worked to make hay of it in the run-up to the election, bankrolling ads tying him to Democratic causes, and candidates up and down the ballot.
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Madigan, who’s been virtually out of sight for weeks now, has not been accused of wrongdoing. But the scandal is likely to test whether he can retain his iron grip as Illinois House speaker. The chamber will hold a regularly scheduled vote in January.
Ken Griffin, the Chicago billionaire and Illinois’ wealthiest resident, put millions into sinking Pritzker’s signature graduated income tax proposal and defeating Democratic Illinois Supreme Court Justice Thomas Kilbride’s bid for another 10 years on the bench. Both could reshape the state’s political and judicial landscape, making Griffin one of the big election night winners, even if he wasn’t on the ballot.
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So what’s next for Griffin? Could there be a rematch of billionaires in the 2022 Illinois governor’s race? Griffin’s team declined to answer.
We’re still waiting on a handful of states still counting ballots to find out whether President Donald Trump will win a second term or if Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden, who’s leading right now, takes the reins. Read the latest here and updated election results here.
But this is what we do know: Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she isn’t exiting City Hall for a job in the Department of Justice if Biden wins the presidency. When asked about speculation over the matter today, she said: “I’m not going anywhere. I have the one job in public service that I want.” Earlier this week, Pritzker also was asked whether he was being courted for a job in the potential Biden administration, and he said “no.”
Welcome to The Spin.
House Speaker Michael Madigan stands behind Gov. J.B. Pritzker as Pritzker delivers his budget address to a joint session of the Illinois House and Senate at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Feb. 19, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
From the Tribune’s Dan Petrella and Rick Pearson: "After the defeat of his signature policy initiative, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday said Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan should no longer be in charge of the state Democratic Party.
“Although he’s said Madigan should answer questions about ComEd’s admission that it engaged in a yearslong bribery scheme to try to win the speaker’s favor, Pritzker previously has stopped short of questioning his role as the head of the state party.” Read the story here.
Pritzker’s comments come a day after Durbin, fresh from a reelection victory, blamed Madigan for key election losses during an appearance on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight”: “Candidates who had little or no connection with him whatsoever were being tarred as Madigan allies who are behind corruption and so forth and so on. It was really disconcerting to see the price that we paid on that. I hope he takes that to heart and understands that his presence as chairman of our party has not helped.”
Petrella and Pearson point out that Durbin didn’t directly call for Madigan to resign, Pritzker was asked at his daily coronavirus briefing today whether he agrees “with Sen. Durbin that we need new leadership at the party.”
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“Yes,” Pritzker said.
Ken Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel, in 2014. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)
Here’s what Griffin had to say in a written statement after bankrolling a successful effort to derail Pritzker’s proposed graduated income tax amendment: “The citizens of Illinois have delivered a clear message to our political leaders in Springfield. Now is the time to enact long overdue reforms to save our state from fiscal ruin. Illinois should forever be a place where people want to live, work and raise a family."
While Pritzker said his proposal to switch to a graduated rate tax system would make the state’s wealthiest residents, such as Griffin, pay more, Republicans and their benefactors balked, saying it could drive businesses and residents out of state.
Griffin, the founder and CEO of Chicago-based Citadel, a hedge fund and investment group, and worth an estimated $15 billion, also put up money to dump Kilbride.
So what’s next?
When I asked Griffin’s spokesman about whether he’ll challenge Pritzker — an heir to the Hyatt Hotels fortune and worth an estimated $3.4 billion — in the 2022 gubernatorial race, the reply back was “no further comment.”
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For now, Griffin and other Republicans' winning efforts Tuesday could have a ripple effect on the political landscape and reshape the state’s top court.
Justice Kilbride’s loss could change the philosophical balance on Supreme Court: The Tribune’s Ray Long noted in a piece this week that the retention campaign was pivotal because Republicans view the Kilbride seat as their best chance to eventually knock Democrats out of a 4-3 majority on the state’s high court. Kilbride’s term ends next month, and the court could seek an interim appointment through next year, when his replacement will be decided at the ballot box. One scenario Republicans envisioned is that the six remaining justices ― three from each party ― deadlock on a temporary Kilbride replacement. That would keep the court evenly balanced until the 2022 election, a race in a nonpresidential year that Republicans hope to win.
Kilbride, of the Third Judicial District, is the first sitting member of the state’s highest court to lose a bid for retention.
The tax amendment’s failure shows a chink in Pritzker’s armor, erodes confidence in Madigan — the state’s two top Democrats: Christopher Mooney, a political scientist at the University of Illinois at Chicago, told the Tribune’s Pearson that the election results show Pritzker is not “a dominating figure” despite pouring $58 million of his personal wealth into the pro-amendment campaign.
Related: “There may be one Republican considering a Pritzker challenge — state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington, who ran unsuccessfully in the GOP primary in 2006 and won the nomination but lost narrowly to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn in 2010,” the Tribune’s Rick Pearson writes. Yesterday, Brady announced he was stepping down as Senate Republican leader — but not from politics. Downstate ABC-TV affiliate WSIL is reporting that Republican Sens. Jason Barickman of Bloomington and Dan McConchie of suburban Lake Zurich are top candidates to fill the post.
State Sen. Jim Oberweis is challenging U.S. Rep Lauren Underwood for Congress. Oberweis photo by Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune and Underwood photo by Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune (Armando L. Sanchez and Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)
The Tribune’s Patrick O’Connell writes: “With a razor-thin lead, Republican Jim Oberweis claimed victory Wednesday in the 14th Congressional District campaign against first-term Rep. Lauren Underwood.
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“But with an undetermined number of mail-in votes still to be counted, the incumbent Democrat said it is premature for anyone to declare victory. The candidates are separated by a mere 895 votes after the tallies of the votes received and counted so far, according to unofficial results.”
Today, the Oberweis campaign announced a “recount fund” “to defend against any and all Democrat attempts to undermine the integrity of this election.”
If Underwood, a first-term Democrat who flipped a Republican seat in 2018, wins, it would underscore the west and northwest suburban and exurban district’s move to the left. An Oberweis victory might suggest 2018 was a blip.
As Republicans mount legal challenges to presidential results, hundreds march through the Loop demanding all votes be counted: Read the Tribune story here.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wears a mask during a daily news conference regarding the coronavirus pandemic and other issues Nov. 4, 2020, at the Thompson Center in Chicago. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)
The COVID-19-related death toll in Illinois surpassed 10,000 today with the daily count of new cases again hitting a new high of 9,935, as the resurgence of the virus continues to escalate. Pritzker is warning that unless we turn a corner, tighter business and other restrictions could be in the offing.
During an afternoon news conference, the governor said local elected leaders and law enforcement must ensure that businesses are adhering to regulations aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
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“When the don’t enforce them, people die,” Pritzker said.
As my colleague Jamie Munks notes in her story: With 86,015 tests conducted over a 24-hour period, the seven-day statewide positivity rate for new cases as a share of the total tests conducted was 9.1% for the period ending Wednesday, up from 7.3% a week earlier and up from 3.5% on Oct. 1.
“We’re heading down a very, very dark path toward where we were at last spring,” the governor told reporters.
From the Tribune’s Abdel Jimenez: Illinois reported the biggest weekly increase in initial claims for unemployment benefits in the country, according to the U.S. Labor Department. More than 53,000 initial claims were filed in Illinois for the week ending Oct. 24, an increase of 6,190 from the week before.
Michigan had the second largest weekly increase, with 5,442 more initial claims filed during the same time period, according to the Labor Department. Read the full story here.
Sangamon County judge dismisses lawsuits challenging Gov. Pritzker’s coronavirus restrictions and orders, the Tribune’s Jamie Munks reports.
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Mayor Lightfoot announces $10M grant program for bars, restaurants struggling with COVID-19 shutdown. Read the full story from the Tribune’s John Byrne and Gregory Pratt here.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot leaves following her budget address with the media at the Cultural Center in Chicago, Monday, Aug. 31, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
From the Tribune’s John Byrne: Summertime 2021 is a distant mirage in Chicago, but if you’re making warm weather plans to help you get through the winter, don’t put Taste of Chicago or the Air and Water Show in your calendar.
With the COVID-19 pandemic expected to continue making large public gatherings dangerous for the foreseeable future, the city has not budgeted next year to run either of the big summer events that draw huge crowds to the lakefront. Read the full story here.
Other city news: Aldermen question special downtown taxing district for Mag Mile area that suffered looting - The Tribune’s Byrne also reports that a city-sponsored special downtown business tax to help pay for security for businesses hit by summer looting ran into turbulence from aldermen who said
Mayor Lightfoot’s planning director doesn’t work with them enough on projects in their wards. Read the story here.
City fixes curbless Depression-era streets that led to Chicago alderman’s no vote on Obama Presidential Center, the Tribune’s Gregory Pratt reports.
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chicagotribune--2020-11-05--15-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting man over backpack in Buena Park, police say

The boy , who is not being identified because of his age , was cited in a juvenile petition with @ @ @ @ @ as the person who robbed and fatally shot Johnny Guaman in the 900 block of @ @ @ @ @ Chicago police said .

A judge on Friday ruled a 15-year-old Englewood neighborhood boy be held in custody after being charged with murder in the death of a 20-year-old man in the Buena Park neighborhood late last month.
The boy, who is not being identified because of his age, appeared briefly before Judge Kathryn M. Vahey during a hearing at the Juvenile Justice Center, said Cook County state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman Tandra Simonton.
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He will return to court Monday for a status hearing.
Earlier this week, the boy was cited in a juvenile petition with first-degree murder after being identified as the person who robbed and fatally shot Johnny Guaman in the 900 block of West Belle Plaine Avenue, Chicago police said.
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Guaman was on a sidewalk about 2:10 p.m. on Oct. 29 when, according to witnesses, two males confronted him and tried to grab his backpack, police said.
When Guaman refused to hand it over, one of the robbers drew a gun and shot Guaman once in the chest, killing him. The two fled east to Broadway in a Jeep Cherokee with temporary plates, police said.
Guaman, of the same neighborhood where he was shot, was pronounced dead at 2:41 p.m., according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy determined Guaman died of a gunshot wound to the chest, and his death was ruled a homicide.
It was unclear if police were still seeking the accomplice.
rsobol@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Danny’s Tavern among latest Chicago restaurants closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic toll

Danny’s Tavern among latest Chicago restaurants closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic toll. Here’s our running list.

Earlier this summer , changes to the OpenTable website for Kiki ’ s Bistro caused some confusion over whether or not the beloved River North spot had closed for good .
The restaurant shared a clarification that , for now , it would be open for business .
Sadly , however , Kiki ’ s website changed late last week , indicating that the restaurant will close permanently after the final day of service Sept. 30 .
“ We appreciate the birthdays , anniversaries , special occasions and everyday meals that you spent dining and laughing with us .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few months , as your visits did for those many years , ” read the post .
It wasn ’ t all bad news , though , mentioning that a small-time operation remains on the radar for Kiki ’ s founder Georges “ Kiki ” Cuisance : “ Kiki , 87 , is attempting retirement with an open eye for a potential petite Kiki ’ s — a tiny , cozy reboot with the potential to offer authentic French fare you love on a very intimate scale.
” See the full story here @ @ @ @

Adam Lukach, Grace Wong, Nick Kindelsperger, Josh Noel

The statewide shutdown of restaurants and bars for on-premise service took effect March 16. Since then, several restaurants and bars have reopened for dining and drinking, as Chicago and the state have rolled out gradual reopening plans. But not all of them have made it.
This article lists bars and restaurants that have been forced to close due to the financial strain of COVID-19 regulations. Note that these closures are strictly finance-related and are not due to illness among any of the business’ staff.
We will update the list, sorted alphabetically, as needed.
NEW CLOSINGS
Lagunitas taproom likely won’t reopen in 2021
Lagunitas Brewing likely won’t reopen its Chicago taproom until at least 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the brewery’s chief marketing officer said Thursday. The taproom, which opened in 2014, is situated directly above the brewery, in the center of Lagunitas’ South Side building. Lagunitas CMO Paige Guzman said she’d “be surprised” if it reopened this year due to concerns about virus spread. The taproom has been closed since the pandemic took root in the U.S. in March. Lagunitas is among the first Chicago bars or restaurants to acknowledge a 2021 reopening as unlikely. See the full story here.
— Josh Noel
FULL RESTAURANT CLOSINGS LIST
25 Degrees
The downtown restaurant and bar did not mention the pandemic shutdown specifically, but a Facebook post announcing its closure noted that it was “due to our current situation.”
Arlington Cake Box Bakery
Chicagoland residents have been celebrating special occasions with the baking of Arlington Cake Box Bakery for 71 years, but the bakery announced in a Facebook post last week that it closed Sept. 20. “We are so grateful for the level of support you have shown us, not only in these unprecedented last six months, but also in the past 71 years,” read the post. The bakery first opened in 1949 and had been on its third generation as a family business.
Bad Hunter
The dining room at Bad Hunter is reflected in a mirror on the back wall. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)
Bad Hunter — known for its vegetable-and-grains-forward menu — and its second-floor event venue, The Herbarium, closed for good because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The West Loop restaurant, which survived a fire and re-opened in 2019, was voted the Chicago restaurant with the best plant-based menu in the Chicago Tribune Readers’ Choice Dining Awards earlier this year. — Grace Wong
Band of Bohemia
Band of Bohemia, which announced in July that it was closing temporarily, first earned a Michelin star in 2016 and had retained it every year since through 2019. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Five-year-old Band of Bohemia, whose pioneering vision of brewing beer and serving creative, ambitious food was ultimately rewarded with a coveted Michelin star, is going out of business after filing for bankruptcy. The Ravenswood brewpub filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation Oct. 16 in the Northern District of Illinois. According to court records, Band of Bohemia is more than $1 million in debt. But in a statement Oct. 21, Band of Bohemia founders Michael Carroll and Craig Sindelar blamed the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic for the closure. The restaurant has been closed since July, when owners said it would be shuttering temporarily. See the full story here. — Josh Noel
Baobab BBQ
The barbecue spot, which used South African flavors to riff on traditional ‘cue, announced in May on its Facebook page that it would close permanently due to the effects of the shutdown, writing: “When a small business’s revenue is interrupted it is devastating; when it’s a restaurant, earth shattering best describes it.”
Bar Biscay
An array of "pintxos," popular small bites offered at Bar Biscay. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Bar Biscay, the restaurant that lit up West Town with coastal-Spain sunshine, has closed, for keeps, after a 2½-year run. Partner Scott Worsham said in a posting on Facebook that, “The time has come to say goodbye to our groovy, Atlantic-coast inspired French-Spanish-Basque funhouse, our Oasis of Joy. He blamed COVID-19 and “factors beyond our control.” See the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Bite Cafe
Noah Sandoval (Oriole, Kumiko/Kikko) will join with friend Bruce Finkelman, managing partner of the 16″ On Center restaurant group (Longman & Eagle, Dusek’s Board & Beer, Revival Food Hall), to create Pizza Friendly Pizza, opening later this summer in the Bite Cafe space. Finkelman said, “Once the quarantine hit, I realized that that type of restaurant wouldn’t be able to exist in the post-COVID culinary scene.” — Phil Vettel
Blackbird
Blackbird restaurant in Chicago on Monday June 29, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
The highest-profile Chicago restaurant victim of coronavirus to date has been Blackbird, closing for good after more than 22 years as one of the area’s finest restaurants. “We’ve labored long and hard over this decision,” said partner Paul Kahan. “But in an incredibly small, tight dining room — operating at only 25% capacity for who knows how long — and removing the opportunity to do private dining, it becomes incredibly difficult to manage.” — Phil Vettel
Blue Nose Brewery
Small southwest suburban Blue Nose Brewery has closed due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Blue Nose co-founder Jordan Isenberg said he made the decision in late October 2020, after the state ordered suburban Cook County bars and restaurants to close for indoor business for a second time to stem the spread of COVID-19. He kept the decision largely to himself while winding down the business, he said. See the rest of the story here. — Josh Noel
Bonci (Wicker Park)
Three different options at Bonci (Arugula, dried tomatoes and bufala mozzarella) (zucchini, ricotta, lemon zest and black pepper) and (prosciutto and fior di latte mozzarella). (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
The second Chicago location of the world famous pizzeria was located in Wicker Park, but Eater Chicago reported that Bonci’s director of U.S. operations said consolidating to one location (West Loop) was necessary in light of the pandemic.
Bonfire
The no-frills steakhouse in Homer Glen confirmed via Facebook message that it has closed for good due to the effects of the pandemic shutdown.
Bottled Blonde
Bottled Blonde has closed after years of legal drama. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
Bottled Blonde, the River North bar better known for its legal drama than pizza, closed permanently July 27, due to the coronavirus — but COVID-19 violations are not among the complaints against it. The business “surrendered their business licenses, permanently closing the River North bar after a series of serious nuisance conditions dating back to 2017,” according to a statement from the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. The bar had not received any citations related to COVID-19, wrote the department spokesperson.
The district manager of Bottled Blonde said, “It’s been an uphill battle since we came into this neighborhood. We had fights with the city, fights with the neighborhood. With the COVID thing, you need revenue to keep up those fights. We can’t stay open and operate at limited capacities.” See the full story here. — Louisa Chu
Boulangerie (Belmont Avenue)
La Boulangerie closed its location at 915 W. Belmont Ave. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
The French bakery chain La Boulangerie has closed the Lakeview location on Belmont Avenue. The Logan Square and Ravenswood bakeries remain open, but for pickup and delivery only.
Bridgeport Coffee Co. (Loop)
The Chicago coffee roaster closed its Loop location in June, confirming the shuttering as a result of COVID in a blog post. Its other three in Bridgeport, Hyde Park and the South Loop remain open.
Cactus Bar & Grill
The Cactus Bar at 404 S. Wells St. in Chicago. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
The recent closure of Cactus Bar & Grill leaves the South Loop financial district without a 31-year-old standby. Cactus confirmed the closure with a note on its website, writing that they knew in the middle of August that the bar wouldn’t make it: “With few offices in the Loop occupied, and a challenging situation with our land lord, the crisis’s financial devastation became insurmountable.” The bar was a staple for lunches and drinks in the Loop.
Cafe Marie-Jeanne
The announcement that Cafe Marie-Jeanne will close drew lines outside the Humboldt Park restaurant Friday, Nov. 20, 2020. By Saturday, owners had to close early after running out of food. The wait Sunday was four hours. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Cafe Marie-Jeanne (1001 N. California Ave.), co-owned by the husband and wife team of Michael Simmons and Val Szafranski, announced Nov. 19 on Instagram that they would close permanently: “The string has run out for CMJ. We hung in as long as we could and it’s time to let go. Everything must end. WE WILL MISS YOU ALL!” Over the following weekend, fans flocked to the Humboldt Park restaurant known for its French-influenced dishes for one last taste. Lines stretched down the block, and Simmons had to shut down early Nov. 20 because he ran out of food. On that Saturday, the wait in line took four hours. The restaurant closed Nov. 23. See the full story here. — Nick Kindelsperger
Candyality
Candyality is known for its collection of retro candies, among hundreds of other confections.
Andersonville has one less spot to sate your sweet tooth, as Candyality has announced in a Facebook post that it will be closing its location in the neighborhood at the end of September. The closing comes “with great sadness” after spending more than 5 years in that space, the post reads. The Chicago-based candy store — which has also had locations in Wicker Park and Water Tower Place during the past several years — is still open at its Lakeview location, 3737 N. Southport Ave., and offers local delivery.
Cafe Cancale
The strawberry sundae with sea salt ice cream at Cafe Cancale. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)
The One Off Hospitality property in Wicker Park was another casualty of the pandemic, closing at the same time as Blackbird.
California Clipper and coffee shop C.C. Ferns
Detail of the Vesper at California Clipper in 2017. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
Both the Clipper and attached cafe C.C. Ferns shuttered permanently due to the COVID shutdown. However, there have been conflicting accounts between Hogsalt Hospitality owner Brendan Sodikoff and landlord Gino Battaglia as to how the fallout was navigated, according to reports from Eater Chicago and Block Club Chicago, respectively.
Chicago House Of ‘Za
The North Center spot for all-vegan pizza shared an Instagram post announcing its permanent closure, citing the financial effects of the pandemic shutdown as part of the reason: “With the current pandemic, as well as the enormous cost of operating a business in Chicago, we are unable to stay open for business any longer.”
City Mouse
City Mouse restaurant in the Ace Hotel opened in 2017. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)
City Mouse, the Ace Hotel restaurant operated by the team behind Giant and Chef’s Special, is closing after three years. Sunday, Oct. 18, will be the last day, the restaurant announced Wednesday in a statement. Jason Vincent, one of the partners at Giant and Chef’s Special, declined further comment. Giant and Chef’s Special bar announced just Tuesday it was launching a food truck to get their creative cooking to a larger audience. The space is going to be occupied by the Alinea Group, starting in November; owner Nick Kokonas confirmed that Alinea has leased the space for a three-month residency, but offered no additional details. For more details, see the story here. — Phil Vettel
Conga’s
The Norwood Park restaurant, which also featured music and dancing, announced it would be closing on Facebook. The post read, “I’m deeply saddened to announce Congas Restaurant will not be opening again. Covid-19 made me realize the most important things in life.” Another post teased a return for the Congas name, but as more of a venue-esque space.
Danny’s Tavern
After rumors of a closure had persisted on social media for weeks, Danny’s Tavern has confirmed it closed permanently. The Bucktown dive was well-known for its dance floor and its popular party celebrating The Smiths. The closure comes five years after the bar nearly shuttered once before and ends the bar’s 34-year stay on Dickens Avenue.
Davanti Enoteca
Davanti Enoteca in Little Italy.
The Little Italy location of Davanti Enoteca has closed for good, and, according to a report from the Sun-Times, it appears finances were a factor: “A demand letter dated June 12 from the landlord ... said the establishment was nearly $60,000 behind on rent.” The letter was posted on the window of Francesca’s, a sister restaurant also owned by chef David Harris.
Ditka’s in Chicago
Mike Ditka lookalike Don, center, and his wife Marian Feuling eat during a birthday party dinner at Ditka's restaurant in 2019. (Camille Fine / Chicago Tribune)
The economic effects of the mandated shutdown were a contributing factor in the closure of Mike Ditka’s Chicago restaurant in May. Other locations remain open, including Ditka’s in suburban Oakbrook Terrace and Grill 89 in suburban Westmont.
Eden
People settle in for dinner at the restaurant called Eden, 1748 W. Lake St. in Chicago, on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)
Eden, a Cal-Mediterranean restaurant popular with pre- and post-event United Center crowd (among others), closed in mid-July after a run of just over 3½ years. Eden opened on west Lake Street in December 2016 and made friends quickly, both for its pretty, bright-white interiors and Devon Quinn’s skillful cooking. The owners said in a release that “While we recently reopened our doors to an immensely positive response, the larger economic impact resulting from the coronavirus pandemic has made it impossible for us to sustain operations.” Read the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Emerald City Coffee Shop (Sheridan)
The Emerald City Coffee Shop location on Sheridan Road closed permanently Oct. 31, according to a post on the cafe’s Instagram page: “The uncertainty of the pandemic and other financial stressors were too much to bear and we’re so, so bummed to see ECC Sheridan go, but it’s the tough choice we had to make.” Emerald City, which was also known for its breakfast burritos, occupied a noticeable space below the Sheridan Red Line stop for years and was a neighborhood favorite. The Emerald City Coffee in Uptown, at 1224 W. Wilson Ave., remains open.
A Go Fund Me campaign launched earlier to save the Sheridan location has been taken down. But a new Go Fund Me has been launched, this one to help laid-off baristas. “The purpose of this fundraiser is to help cushion the blow that our ECC Sheridan staff will experience in the coming days,” the campaign reads. It seeks $5,000 and by the afternoon of Nov. 4 had raised $2,100. — Adam Lukach
Fahlstrom’s Fresh Fish Market
Owner Glenn Fahlstrom confirmed that he would be closing the Lakeview seafood spot in an online post shared on the restaurant’s website and social media pages. The post, in part, read: “The new restaurant model is asking owners to put employees in harm’s way so that their business can possibly survive. That is an ‘acceptable risk’ I cannot take. The restaurant business as I know it is gone and will not return for years. It was hard enough when the playing field was supposedly level, now it is tilted beyond recognition. So, I am closing Fahlstrom’s Fresh Fish Market.”
Fat Rice / Super Fat Rice Mart
At the beginning of the pandemic shutdown, Fat Rice pivoted to become Super Fat Rice Mart, a market for meal kits and various grocery goods. Later, current and former Fat Rice employees went public with allegations of harassment and mistreatment by owner Abe Conlon, and the location has been closed ever since, with no public mention of a reopening date.
Fat Willy’s Rib Shack
Rib tips at Fat Willy's Rib Shack, 2416 W. Schubert Ave. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
The North Side is losing another barbecue spot after Fat Willy’s Rib Shack announced Thursday evening that it will close Sept. 27. The Logan Square restaurant has been in the neighborhood for more than 19 years and has a loyal following of diners who go there for baby back ribs, pulled pork, brisket and mac and cheese. See the full story here. — Grace Wong
Finom Coffee
Cream and sugar station at Finom Coffee in the Old Irving Park neighborhood of Chicago. (Louisa Chu / Chicago Tribune)
Finom Coffee — the popular two-year-old cafe in Old Irving Park known for serving Hungarian small plates, along with coffee, tea and baked goods, out of a snazzy art-deco storefront, has closed. Chef Rafa Esparza posted an upbeat message on Instagram: “It was a beautiful moment in time and the whole crew slayed from day one!” See the full story here. — Adam Lukach
Foodlife
The multi-station food concept located in Water Tower Place confirmed its closing in early June, although owner Lettuce Entertain You declined to comment exactly why. — Nick Kindelsperger
Fountainhead
Guests sit on the popular rooftop patio at Fountainhead in Ravenswood in this 2015 photo. (Lenny Gilmore / RedEye)
For the past 10 years, Fountainhead bar and restaurant has occupied the northeast corner of Damen and Montrose, one of Ravenswood’s essential intersections, bringing an enviable selection of whiskey and barrel-aged spirits to the neighborhood. In late September, the restaurant announced in social media posts that its run will come to an end Nov 14. “The past year has been difficult for everyone but pressures facing our industry at this time make it financially impossible to operate past the roof deck season. We made every effort to make adjustments to operate in this ‘new normal’ but with limitations restricting revenue and without funding to offset this condition it is impossible to continue,” read the post. Fountainhead owners are working with building ownership to find the “right concept” for the prominently situated storefront. Rhe Fountainhead Market — located next door — will remain there. — Adam Lukach
Francesca’s On Taylor
As with Taylor Street’s Davanti Enoteca — the two restaurants share ownership — the Italian restaurant in Little Italy has closed permanently, with reports indicating that rent-payment issues were at least partly to blame.
Gino’s East
The Gino’s East restaurant at 500 N. LaSalle St. has closed, a victim of a decline in business downtown, according to Jordan Himmel, chief information officer for Chicago-based Bravo Restaurants (which owns Gino’s East, Ed Debevic’s, Edwardo’s Pizza and Eduardo’s Enoteca.) The location closed in March, but other Chicago locations remain open.
Guthrie’s Tavern
Ron DeNicolo and his wife, Cynthia, take a photograph outside Guthrie's Tavern, 1300 W. Addison St., on July 21 in Chicago. DeNicolo said he and Cynthia had their first date at the bar 10 years ago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Guthrie’s Tavern, one of Chicago’s oldest and most popular neighborhood bars, announced it would be closing permanently, citing the city’s rollback of phase four rules for bars as a primary cause. Guthrie’s has occupied the corner of Addison Street and Lakewood Avenue for 34 years. It closed July 23. See the complete story here. — Adam Lukach
Habana Libre
Per a post on its website, Habana Libre closed permanently “due to the impact of coronavirus.” The Cuban restaurant had been in West Town since 2007.
Hamburger Mary’s
Hamburger Mary's opened on a key corner in Andersonville in 2006. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
Andersonville’s Hamburger Mary’s — the only remaining city location of the nationwide network of independent franchises — announced Sunday on Facebook that it would be closing Nov. 1. Ownership listed the building for sale last year, and the lease ends at the end of December, but the coronavirus pandemic expedited the closing process, according to the post. The burger-focused restaurant, an outlet of the San Francisco-based chain, opened on a high-profile in Andersonville in June 2006, featuring drag shows, karaoke and bingo, along with the burgers. The closing announcement also teased ownership interest in reopening at another location: “We feel it’s best to wait until spring before we look for a possible new space.” The restaurant will host regular business hours until its final day of service Nov. 1. — Adam Lukach
Hot “G” Dog
Duck sausage, topped with lobes of foie gras and sea salt flakes, from Hot "G" Dog (5009 N. Clark St.). (Kevin Pang / Chicago Tribune)
Andersonville lost a hot-dog joint — at least the rest of 2020 — from the former Hot Doug’s chef with the closure of Hot “G” Dog. A Facebook post from the restaurant said its owners hope to return eventually, but the COVID shutdown had made business unsustainable for now.
Imperial Lamian
After more than four and a half years of serving rainbow-colored soup dumplings, roast duck and vegan spring rolls, Imperial Lamian is closing its doors in River North. The Chinese restaurant cited pandemic-related challenges as its reason for closing. Imperial Lamian, which opened in the spring of 2016, was lauded by the Chicago Tribune as having the best xiaolongbao (or XLB for short) in the city. Dozens of people expressed how much they would miss the restaurant in the comments section of the social media posts. See the full story here. — Grace Wong
Income Tax
Income Tax brought a much-needed wine bar to Edgewater, furthering the trend of easy-drinking, non-pretentious wine lists. (Phil Velasquez / Chicago Tribune)
Ownership for the laid-back Edgewater wine bar confirmed via email that the pandemic’s effect on Income Tax’s financials led to its closing. It had been open since 2016.
Jeri’s Grill
The diner on Western Avenue was a monument to greasy spoons of yore, open for 57 years and 24 hours a day, and was cut down by COVID-19, reported Block Club Chicago in May. “If there was no COVID, we’d be open,” owner Frank Di Piero told the publication.
Katana
Katana brought its robatayaki-style restaurant to the River North neighborhood in 2017. (Katana)
A spokesperson for the parent company of the River North sushi restaurant wrote in an email: “Yes, the COVID closure was a devastating financial hit for us and the reason behind our closure … The Chicago location was very special to us, and we were sad to close.”
Kiki’s Bistro
Diners raise a toast during a wine dinner at Kiki’s Bistro, 900 N. Franklin St., May 4, 2006. The restaurant announced it would close permanently at the end of September 2020. (Wes Pope / Chicago Tribune)
Earlier this summer, changes to the OpenTable website for Kiki’s Bistro caused some confusion over whether or not the beloved River North spot had closed for good. The restaurant shared a clarification that, for now, it would be open for business. Sadly, however, Kiki’s website changed late last week, indicating that the restaurant will close permanently after the final day of service Sept. 30. “We appreciate the birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions and everyday meals that you spent dining and laughing with us. Those memories have sustained us through the last few months, as your visits did for those many years,” read the post. It wasn’t all bad news, though, mentioning that a small-time operation remains on the radar for Kiki’s founder Georges “Kiki” Cuisance: “Kiki, 87, is attempting retirement with an open eye for a potential petite Kiki’s — a tiny, cozy reboot with the potential to offer authentic French fare you love on a very intimate scale.” See the full story here. — Adam Lukach
Kroll’s South Loop
One of the South Loop’s signature sports bars, Kroll’s South Loop, announced in a Facebook post that it would be closing its doors at the end of the summer. “We fought hard,” read the announcement. “The burden of operating under the current conditions is too great and, come fall, will be impossible to continue under the current indoor capacity restrictions of 50 patrons. … We do not know whether this closure will last until next spring or forever. Only time will tell.” Kroll’s will remain open for dinner service Thursdays through Sundays until it concludes its 15-year run at the end of summer.
La Buona Vita
La Buona Vita, a Northern Italian restaurant in downtown La Grange closed its doors after a six-year run. In a message posted on the restaurant’s now-defunct website, owner Jim Barron named COVID-19 as the proximate cause of his restaurant’s demise. — Phil Vettel
La Fontanella
The owners of the longtime Italian restaurant had already planned to sell the building and restaurant prior to the pandemic, according to Block Club Chicago.
Lawry’s The Prime Rib
Lawry's, known by generations of Chicagoans for its prime rib, steaks and lush steakhouse trappings inside a former mansion, will close after service Dec. 31, 2020. (Abel Uribe / Chicago Tribune)
Lawry’s The Prime Rib, which has been a fixture on Ontario Street (just west of Michigan Avenue) for 46 years, called it quits at the end of 2020. The coronavirus, last summer’s civil unrest and an expiring lease all contributed to the decision, said Ryan Wilson, CEO of Lawry’s Inc. “In a year of incredible turmoil, this is a tough one for sure,” he said. “But with the industry in general in such a state of flux, we felt we had to push the pause button,” he added, leaving room for Lawry’s to reopen. “I think there’s a future for Lawry’s in the Chicago area,” Wilson said. See the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Links Taproom
Links Taproom. (Leigh Loftus / ThinkLeigh Photography)
Michael Quinlan, owner of the Milwaukee Avenue beer bar in Wicker Park, wrote in an email that Links was planning to move out of its storefront at some point in 2020 due to an acrimonious relationship with its landlord. Due the the COVID-19 shutdown, he decided to pull the plug on Links in March. As of late July, Quinlan indicated that ownership is “going to wait until things stabilize until we make our next move.”
Mesa Urbana
The Mexican restaurant will be consolidating operations, closing its Glenview restaurant and moving everything to its location in Portage Park, per a note on its website. The note cited the “situation” from COVID-19 as the impetus for the decision.
Mity Nice Bar & Grill
Along with Foodlife, this Water Tower Place restaurant from Lettuce Entertain You closed in early June. Ownership declined to disclose specific reasons.
Monty Gaels Tavern & Grill
The Irish tavern in Ravenswood closed permanently due to the burden of the pandemic shutdown, ownership confirmed in a Facebook message.
Passerotto
Passerotto in Andersonville in July 2018.
The Andersonville restaurant announced over Labor Day weekend that it would be closing its doors permanently, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic. Passerotto’s last day is Sept. 12. Chef Jennifer Kim said the decision to close was a result of multiple conversations with staff and investors, and ultimately they decided that “operating a restaurant safely in the midst of multiple pandemics was going to negatively affect our community in the long run.” A pop-up project was also teased on the restaurant’s profile. See the full story here. — Grace Wong
Pepper Canister
The casual River North bar announced June 15 via Facebook it would be permanently closing, although it did not specifically reference the costs of shutting down for the pandemic as a reason.
Rainforest Cafe
Rainforest Cafe at the corner of Ohio and Clark Streets in Chicago on Thursday, August, 13, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
The Rainforest Cafe in the Near North neighborhood has closed sooner than expected after it shut down during the coronavirus pandemic. The restaurant at 605 N. Clark St. was expected to close within two years, when its lease expired. That timeline was accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, which has left the Chicago restaurant closed since March, said building owner Sean Conlon. He recently negotiated an early termination of the lease with parent company Landry’s Restaurants. He plans to redevelop the site. See the full story here. — Ryan Ori
Ramen Misoya (Streeterville)
Tonkotsu ramen at Ramen Misoya. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune)
The Loop lost one of its best bets for ramen in August with the closing of Ramen Misoya’s storefront in Streeterville. “Due to a loss in business caused by the Covid-19 shutdown, we can no longer justify continuing operations at this time,” read a post on its Facebook page. On the bright side, the Mount Prospect location of Misoya remains open.
Redmond’s Ale House
Remond’s Ale House has closed due to the financial stress of the COVIID-19 restrictions. The Wrigleyville bar, which had been at the corner of Sheffield and Roscoe for years, was known for offering an abundance of drink deals and for being an area staple for game-watching due to plenty of TVs and good sightlines.
Rickshaw Republic
Owners confirmed via email that the state’s COVID-19 shutdown caused financial losses that required the Indonesian restaurant in Lincoln Park to permanently close.
Ronny’s Steakhouse
Ronny’s, a cafeteria-style “steakhouse” that had occupied two separate downtown corners for years, announced plans to close due to the coronavirus in a Facebook announcement over Labor Day weekend. “We won’t say ‘good bye’ but rather ‘until we meet again,’” read the post. The Loop staple began 63 years ago at the corner of State and Randolph and, in recent years, operated at the corner of Clark and Lake.
La Sardine
La Sardine's terrine de foie gras featured layers of creamy foie gras mixed with thinly sliced black truffle, drizzled with a tart and slightly sweet cherry sauce and crowned with slices of extra buttery brioche. (Nick Kindelsperger/Chicago Tribune)
La Sardine, which has been a fixture in the West Loop for nearly 22 years, has closed for good. “It’s sad,” said partner and executive chef Oliver Poilevey about closing La Sardine, founded by his parents, along with Le Bouchon in Bucktown. “A month, month-and-a-half ago, I thought we were going to make it.” La Sardine has no outdoor space in which to set up tables, but had eked by with meals-to-go and, eventually, indoor dining with the 25% capacity limitation. Then the weather turned warm and the unthinkable happened: The air conditioning broke down. Looking at $80,000 in repairs, Poilevey knew he could not risk taking on the cost. “There’s no way we could pay for that, heading into the fall with no rent abatement,” Poilevey said. “Throwing 80K at something and then having to close — that’s not a good plan.” Le Bouchon remains open for pickup and indoor dining, though space inside is limited. For the full story, go here. — Phil Vettel
Siam Rice
Siam Rice, 117 N. Wells St., has called it quits after 18 years. (Alex Garcia / Chicago Tribune)
Siam Rice (117 N. Wells St.) has closed after 18 years in the Loop, according to a note posted on the Thai restaurant’s window. "Unfortunately, we have come to the decision that it is no longer viable to operate our business during these uncertain times,” the note said. “This was a difficult decision for us, however, recent events and current pandemic conditions have left us concerned for the safety of our customers as well as our staff.” The note ends with an apology to customers and the hope that the restaurant will be able to return in the future. The restaurant’s last day Sept. 15.
Simply It
The Vietnamese restaurant, which had been in Lincoln Park for nearly 14 years, closed permanently in April, reported Block Club Chicago. COVID-19 restrictions and unworkable margins gave owner Tuan Nguyen “no choice” but to close, he told Block Club.
People eat and drink as others pass by Southport Lanes in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood on Sept. 17, 2020. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)
Southport Lanes
Southport Lanes has lasted nearly a century by evolving, at various times serving as a tavern, bowling alley, speak-easy, brothel and illegal off-track horse betting venue. But the Lakeview mainstay, which opened not long after another pandemic, couldn’t survive COVID-19. Read the full story here. — Ryan Ori
Step Down Cafe
The Pilsen coffee shop announced on its Facebook page that it would close permanently due to the effects of the pandemic.
Taco in a Bag
The Big Jim Reeves was a big hit at Taco in a Bag. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
Taco in a Bag has closed after five years in Lincoln Square. The shop specialized in playful versions of walking tacos, a dish where components one would normally find on a taco are instead poured into a bag of corn chips. The restaurant announced the closure on Facebook with a surprisingly irreverent, if slightly hopeful video. The owners assured fans that, “we will be back...promise!!!!” Block Club Chicago first reported the closing.
Taqueria Sabor y Sazon
The popular Pilsen taqueria closed permanently in May. The financial difficulties of trying to survive the pandemic’s hospitality restrictions were insurmountable, the owners said.
Tin Fish
The Tin Fish restaurant closed in Tinley Park. (Bob Bong / Daily Southtown)
The coronavirus claimed another high-profile restaurant victim with the permanent closure of Tin Fish, a highly regarded restaurant in south-suburban Tinley Park. A sign on the front door of the seafood restaurant and oyster bar thanked customers “for 18 great years,” and said the decision to close came “with a heavy heart.” “I’m not happy, but it’s something a lot of us are going through,” said partner Curtis Wierbicki, who launched the restaurant in September 2002 with partner Colin Turner. The restaurant closed in July. See the full story here. — Phil Vettel
Tintos & Tapas
Laura Rivera, the owner of the Spanish small plates restaurant, confirmed via email that the closing of Tintos & Tapas was due to the financial strain of the COVID-19 shutdown, as well as its effects on how it operated: “My chef and I cried the last day we were there to clean up,” she wrote. “Carryout is not a model that works for my type of operation at all. Frankly, it is demoralizing to become a fast food.”
Toast Restaurant
Owner Jeanne Roeser confirmed in a Facebook message that she had closed both the Bucktown and Lincoln Park locations of the 24-year-old breakfast favorite: “I couldn’t imagine reopening and surviving with reduced capacity and putting my staff and their families at risk of harm.” Roeser also posted a goodbye note on Facebook, which reads in part: “Nothing lasts forever in this world and it is time to move forward and see what this next phase will bring. I wish you peace and good health, my friends.”
Trattoria No. 10
A goodbye post on the reliable Italian restaurant’s website alluded to the pandemic shutdown as cause for its shuttering, reading, “With no theater and no convention/tourism business for the foreseeable future, there was just no way we could realistically reopen.”
Two Lights Seafood & Oyster
A post on the Old Town restaurant’s Facebook page confirmed that Two Lights has closed, although it did not mention whether or not the shuttering was due to the financial effects of COVID.
U.B. Dogs
U.B. Dogs served classic Chicago hot dog stand fare with serious culinary ambitions. (Nick Kindelsperger / Chicago Tribune)
U.B. Dogs (185 N. Franklin St.), a stellar hot dog joint that served a flawless fully loaded Chicago hot dog, freshly grilled burgers and great fries, has closed. With the coronavirus pandemic forcing countless downtown office workers to telecommute from home, the Loop-based U.B. Dogs decided it was time to close for good. Owner Joe Plonka announced the decision on Facebook: “While it breaks our hearts to announce our permanent closure, we wanted to take the time and properly thank our customers and family for their support over these last 10 years. Unfortunately, it’s time for us to end this chapter.” See the full story here. — Nick Kindelsperger
Unicorn Cafe
Unicorn Cafe had been serving coffee to Evanston for almost 30 years before the coffee shop closed permanently due to the financial effects of COVID-19, reported the Daily Northwestern earlier in September. According to the Daily report, ownership said the cafe was getting only 8-10 customers per day. Aside from being a local staple, Unicorn Cafe was one of only a handful of area coffee shops that offered the highly touted Sparrow Coffee.
Wells St. Market
Wells Street Market, which reopened July 6 after weathering the first three months of the coronavirus shut down (and was the first Chicago food hall to resume service) announced it will close for keeps Sept. 18. “From all of us at the Wells Street Market, it has been an honor and a joy to serve Chicagoans every day,” the company said in a release. The food hall made its debut, at 205 W. Wacker Drive, in June 2018. The food hall format had enjoyed a boom in Chicago in recent years. But most have not reopened since the coronavirus shutdown. Only Time Out Market has reopened. But a new market, Dr. Murphy’s Food Hall, launched in early August in the former Cook County Hospital. — Phil Vettel
The Whale closing indefinitely
The Whale (2427 N. Milwaukee Ave.), the glitzy Logan Square restaurant named for what casinos call an obscenely wealthy gambler, closed indefinitely last week. In a message posted on Facebook, the owners blamed the closing on the tight restrictions the state has imposed on restaurants. “Today we were forced to make the decision to lay off all our team members and close our doors to service. The restrictions that have been put on us by the elected officials are suffocating our industry and leaving us no choice. There has been no plan in place or system for relief.” The Whale opened last year, quickly amassing a strong following, though we found the food to be less than stellar. While it’s unknown how long the restaurant will be closed, the owners promise it will eventually return. “We WILL re-open and come back strong. We look forward to serving you again when that time comes.” — Nick Kindelsperger


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Watch live: President Trump delivers remarks

President Donald Trump is planning to deliver remarks at 5:30 p.m. CT. Get the latest election 2020 updates here .

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· A headline on Page 1 Thursday erroneously included Wisconsin in describing how President Donald Trump’s campaign is mounting legal challenges. The campaign is calling for a recount in Wisconsin while it has announced legal challenges in Georgia, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
The Tribune regrets the error.
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chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Campaign trail tracker: Where Trump, Biden and their running mates have traveled in presidential rac

Campaign trail tracker: Where Trump, Biden and their running mates have traveled in presidential race’s final weeks

In the final sprint ahead of the Nov. 3 election , both President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ travel despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic .
Starting in September , Biden abandoned his monthslong @ @ @ @ @ in Delaware while Trump has accelerated his travel and is once again welcoming crowds at @ @ @

In the final sprint ahead of the Nov. 3 election, both President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee Joe Biden have ramped up their campaign travel despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Starting in September, Biden abandoned his monthslong virtual campaign from his basement in Delaware while Trump has accelerated his travel and is once again welcoming crowds at some events.
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Here’s a look at the campaign trail stops made by Trump, Biden and running mates since Sept. 1.
Campaign trail tracker
Tap or click on a dot to see details of the stop.
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chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Suspect in killing of Chicago graffiti artist arrested in West Virginia a week after escaping from e

Suspect in killing of Chicago graffiti artist arrested in West Virginia a week after escaping from electronic monitoring

Torkelson revved the engine and sped off , the officers in pursuit .
He crashed into a ditch not far @ @ @ @ @ looked at the officers , then ran through a yard and into a field , @ @ @ @ @ wouldn ’ t catch up to him for about a week , when federal marshals @ @ @ @ @ jumped out a second-floor apartment window near Oak Hill , West Virginia , about 240 @ @ @ @ @ .

Chicago murder suspect Juan Torkelson was on the run for barely a day when he found himself on the side of a road in Ohio and two police officers approaching his green Honda SUV.
Inside his car was a 9 mm Smith & Wesson pistol, a knife, a box of ammo, around $2,000 in $20 bills, $58 in gold coins and 10 silver dollars, according to a police report.
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“What the (obscenity) do you want?” he yelled out the window, then grabbed the pistol, aimed it at the officers and pulled the trigger, the report says. There was a click but no shot.
Torkelson revved the engine and sped off, the officers in pursuit. He crashed into a ditch not far away, got out, looked at the officers, then ran through a yard and into a field, the report states. Authorities wouldn’t catch up to him for about a week, when federal marshals arrested him Tuesday after he jumped out a second-floor apartment window near Oak Hill, West Virginia, about 240 miles down U.S. Route 35.
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Juan Torkelson, 28, was arrested in West Virigina after fleeing to Ohio and having a confrontation with sheriff's deputies there while on electronic monitoring in a Chicago murder case. (Chicago Police Department)
He had a large knife but no injuries were reported. He remained in custody in West Virginia on Wednesday, with no word when he would be brought back to Chicago to face charges in a stabbing last year that killed Chicago graffiti artist Reinaldo Sanchez and injured three others in Portage Park.
Torkelson, 28, was charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder after he was arrested for the attack. On June 25 he was released on electronic monitoring after posting $10,000 bail.
The Cook County sheriff’s office, which oversees the electronic monitoring program, said it was notified on Oct. 27 of a “possible unauthorized leave” for Torkelson. Local authorities were unable to locate him.
The next day, Torkelson was pulled over near Columbus, Ohio, after an officer said he saw his Honda following another car too closely. The officer said he remained in his police car while waiting for another officer to arrive, in the meantime running the license plate of the Honda.
Torkelson kept looking out the window of his car and yelled to the officer, “Can I help you,” according to the police report. The second officer soon arrived and that’s when Torkelson pulled the gun and sped off. The officers chased the Honda, reaching speeds of 70 to 80 mph before Torkelson lost control and crashed into the ditch, the report says.
Police used dogs to find him but could not, authorities said.
On Tuesday, deputy U.S. marshals learned he might be at an apartment complex in the Oak Hill area, according to Mark Gregoline, deputy commander of the Marshals Service’s Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.
Gregoline would not say how the deputy marshals found Torkelson, but said their investigation led them to the area. When they arrived, Torkelson leapt through a second-floor glass window and ran off, Gregoline said. After a brief foot chase, the deputy marshals arrested Torkelson.
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Gregoline did not know why Torkelson was at the apartment complex.
While he’s being held in jail in West Virginia, authorities in Madison County say they are weighing felony charges against him for pulling a gun and allegedly trying to shoot the officers.


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Column: Memo from John McCain in heaven

Column: Memo from John McCain in heaven

There was the speech in 2017 when I received the Liberty Medal of Freedomand said this about my buddy Biden @ @ @ @ @ t always agree on the issues .
We often argued — sometimes passionately .
But @ @ @ @ @ ’ s patriotism and the sincerity of each other ’ s convictions .
We believed @ @ @ @ @ privileged to serve in .
We believed in our mutual responsibility to help make the @ @ @ @ @ in finding solutions to our country ’ s problems .
We believed in our country @ @ @ @ @ s indispensability to international peace and stability and to the progress of humanity .
”

An American flag atop a headstone at the gravesite of Sen. John McCain in 2018 at the U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery in Annapolis, Maryland. (Patrick Semansky / AP)
TO: The American People
FROM: John McCain
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DATE: Nov. 5, 2020
SUBJECT: My hope for your wondrous land
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My fellow Americans. WTF?
What is going on down there?
Yes, we have cable up here in heaven and, sheesh, that election. It looks like hell.
I keep hearing that the situation in Arizona — my old pal Joe Biden giving old Bone Spurs a run for his money — is “John McCain’s revenge” and that’s why I’m contacting you today. I have some thoughts on that.
First, a little background. I’m currently living in the Arizona Desert Wing of the heaven compound, where it’s always like Phoenix in February. Sunny but not too hot, constantly blooming cactuses, outdoor patio dining year-round. Some old political buddies join me for lunch every Friday and we talk about what’s gone wrong down there on the mortal ground we once trod as proud Republicans.
How did our beloved party come to this? How did our country come to this? After half a margarita, we laugh. After a whole one, we weep.
Sen. John McCain at a presidential campaign rally in Tampa, Florida, in 2008. (Carolyn Kaster / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Also, before I get to my main point, I may as well say what some of you are thinking: I was no saint. And some of the liberals who now praise me hated me — until I was dead. Now they turn me into whatever symbol they need in order to advance their agenda. I’m not keen on that, but hey, it’s politics. There are no saints in politics, and if only saints got to heaven, this place would be a true desert.
But here’s the thing. You don’t have to be a saint to be a patriot. You just have to be decent. Look for the basic decency in others. Don’t be a bigot. Be willing to share, at least sometimes. Willing to sacrifice, at least a little. Work for the larger good. Recognize that if you spread hate against the oppressed, you don’t love our country.
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There’s only one candidate in this year’s presidential election who meets those criteria. Which is why my wife and my daughter endorsed my old friend Joe Biden.
I’m not just saying this now that I’m up here where it’s easy to love your opponent. Not to toot my own horn, but I’d like to remind you of a few things I said before I slipped that mortal coil.
There was the speech in 2017 when I received the Liberty Medal of Freedom and said this about my buddy Biden: “We didn’t always agree on the issues. We often argued — sometimes passionately. But we believed in each other’s patriotism and the sincerity of each other’s convictions. We believed in the institution we were privileged to serve in. We believed in our mutual responsibility to help make the place work and to cooperate in finding solutions to our country’s problems. We believed in our country and in our country’s indispensability to international peace and stability and to the progress of humanity.”
There was the time I told Chuck Todd on NBC that I hate the press but then I added: “If you want to preserve — I’m very serious now — if you want to preserve democracy as we know it, you have to have a free and many times adversarial press. And without it, I am afraid that we would lose so much of our individual liberties over time. That’s how dictators get started.”
And there was the concession speech I gave when I lost to Barack Obama. Man, that hurt. I really wanted to be president. I thought I’d earned it. But I lost fair and square. And I knew what I had to do for the good of the country.
In case you don’t remember, here’s how I began my speech:
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“My friends, we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Sen. Barack Obama — to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
“In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans, who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president, is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.”
Strange to think that was a dozen years ago. Feels more like a lifetime. I still get a little choked up thinking about it.
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This election of 2020 is different. There aren’t two good men running against each other. But I take consolation in knowing that one of them is a good man, and he’s my old friend. And if I get any credit for helping him — helping the country — it is an honor.
You can call it McCain’s revenge. Or you can call it progress.
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Good luck, my fellow Americans.
For the record, there is no Mar-a-Lago wing in heaven.
mschmich@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @MarySchmich


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Man shot to death by police in west-central Illinois city

He was brandishing a weapon at officers before pointing it at them and that is when officers fired ; one @ @ @ @ @ deputy and one City of Lewistown Officer .

A man was wounded Wednesday night and died early Thursday morning at Graham Hospital in Canton in what the Fulton County sheriff confirmed was a police shooting.
While the man has yet to be identified, the confrontation started about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday night near the Broadway Arms Apartment on Broadway Street in Lewistown.
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The man was wanted on a warrant.
He was brandishing a weapon at officers before pointing it at them and that is when officers fired; one Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy and one City of Lewistown Officer.
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Neither the deputy or officer were injured.
They both began rendering aid to the man who was subsequently transferred to Graham Hospital.
While it is not yet known if the weapon was fired at police, a weapon was found at the scene.
Sheriff Jeff Standard said the man was in his mid-20s and was well known by law enforcement.
Illinois State Police arrived to take charge of the investigation and state police crime scene technicians were called to investigate the shooting.
An autopsy was slated for Thursday.
www.cantondailyledger.com via Tribune Content Agency.


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Fire at business off Stevenson Expressway near Cicero Avenue extinguished after hourslong fight

The Chicago Fire Department was requested to assist with the fire near 5001 W. Pershing Road in Stickney near Cicero @ @ @ @ @ Deputy District Chief Walter Schroeder said .

Firefighters work a fire at Citywide Disposal scrapyard near Cicero and 39th in Stickney on Nov. 5, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Several Chicago area fire departments responded early Thursday to a large blaze at a business just north of the Stevenson Expressway near Cicero Avenue that wasn’t extinguished until afternoon, fire officials said.
The Chicago Fire Department was requested to assist with the fire near 5001 W. Pershing Road in Stickney near Cicero Avenue about 7 a.m., Deputy District Chief Walter Schroeder said.
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The fire was declared under control about 2 p.m., according to a Stickney Fire Protection District official.
The Chicago Fire Department dispatched a fireboat to help fight the flames and was pumping water from the river to subdue the fire.
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Eng 2 along with BC 14 on a MABAS response to 5001 W. 40th st (Stickney) due to a fire. (Pic courtesy of T. Olk) 4-1-8. pic.twitter.com/I6tmNmfvQ0 — Chicago Fire Media (@CFDMedia) November 5, 2020
The Summit Fire Department also helped fight the fire, officials said.
There were no injuries reported.
Check back for updates.


chicagotribune--2020-11-05--Missing woman found in Midlothian-area forest preserve was strangled: Medical examiner

“ She ’ s just somebody that we believed in , that had our future in her hands , just @ @ @ @ @ here , ” said Alejandro Villegas , her uncle .
“ She was a sweet @ @ @ @ @ smiled , shy .
She was a good person .
And she just didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

A missing person flier for Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez, 22, of Harvey, whose body was found Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in a forest preserve near Midlothian. (Family flier / HANDOUT)
The death of a Harvey woman found in a forest preserve after she vanished Monday following a walk in a nature preserve with her mother and a friend was a homicide, the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined Thursday.
The body of Vanessa Ceja-Ramirez, 22, was found Wednesday afternoon at the Midlothian Meadows Forest Preserve, 15300 S. Pulaski Road near Midlothian, according to the medical examiner’s office. The cause of death was found to be ligature strangulation, the office following an autopsy Thursday.
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The Cook County sheriff’s office is conducting a death investigation.
Ceja-Ramirez disappeared Monday after she decided to return to a car midway through a walk in the nature preserve with her mother and friend. When they returned to the car, she wasn’t there and could not be located or contacted, police said.
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A missing flyer distributed by her mother said Ceja-Ramirez had been last seen near Bremen Grove, which is near 159th Street and Oak Park Avenue, about 4 miles west of where her body was found.
Ceja-Ramirez’s loved ones gathered Wednesday night for a vigil in Harvey, where they remembered her as a college student who was the light of her family and community.
Relatives said they fear she may have been the victim of foul play, WLS-TV reported.
“She’s just somebody that we believed in, that had our future in her hands, just like most of our kids here,” said Alejandro Villegas, her uncle. “She was a sweet child that was humble, smiled, shy. She was a good person. And she just didn’t deserve anything of this.”
Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark urged the public to come forward with any information they might have on what happened to Ceja-Ramirez.
“Whatever information you may have, if you just saw Vanessa at a split second, say something to someone about it,” Clark said.
Chicago Tribune staff contributed.