President Joe Biden speaks during a Cabinet meeting Friday. Biden discussed the recently passed Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. | Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Republicans have encouraged people to vent against their 13 colleagues who voted for the bill.

If Chicago aldermen don’t do anything about potholes, they’ll hear plenty from outraged constituents.

In the upside-down world of Washington D.C., doing something to reduce potholes across the country gets you death threats.

How much more of a theater of the absurd could you ask for?

On Nov. 5, the U.S. House passed a $1 trillion infrastructure bill to fix roads and bridges, help public transit, expand internet access, build electric vehicle charging stations, protect against power outages and upgrade infrastructure in other ways. Most people agree the nation’s infrastructure badly needs fixing. President Joe Biden is scheduled to sign the bill on Monday.

But most Republican House members, who have been calling for that kind of spending for years, decided to vote against it just because President Biden wanted it. Since then, they have turned against their 13 colleagues who thought keeping bridges from falling down was a good idea.

Among their targets were Rep. Adam Kinzinger, of Illinois, and Rep. Fred Upton, of Michigan, who over his long career has done much to help the Great Lakes, including Lake Michigan. Maybe Republicans think restoring the Great Lakes is un-American because they are partly in Canada.

After receiving threats, Upton had to close two offices for a day and then beef up security.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., called the bill “socialism.” Everyone knows fixing potholes is socialism. True patriots cheerfully break their cars’ axles in gaping holes on the streets.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., called the 13 representatives who voted for the bill “traitors” and tweeted out their phone numbers. Good thing she wasn’t around when Benedict, er, Dwight Eisenhower built the interstate highways.

Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., thinks the bill is “garbage,” which makes her sound confused about what garbage really is. Luckily, she isn’t the one you have to call to get your trash picked up.

After the calls for average Americans to vent at the 13 Republicans, they and their staffs received vicious calls, including death threats, against themselves and family members.

The House Republican leaders who lobbied against the legislation didn’t really have policy arguments against the infrastructure bill. The top House Republican, Kevin McCarthy, could have put a quick end to the threats, but he went AWOL because he doesn’t want to alienate any Republicans in case he has a chance to be the House speaker.

Encouraging threats is shameful. Staying silent is shameful. Those who do it ought to be sent out to fill potholes.

Send letters to [email protected].

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Chicago Police Supt. David Brown announces murder charges against Alton Spann, 18, in relation to the homicide of University of Chicago graduate Shaoxiong Zheng, at Chicago Police Headquarters, Friday, Nov. 12, 2021. | Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Alton Spann has been charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

An 18-year-old man has been charged with fatally shooting University of Chicago graduate Shaoxiong “Dennis” Zheng during a robbery near the Hyde Park campus.

Alton Spann faces charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon, Chicago police announced Friday night.

Deputy Chief of Detectives Rahman Muhammad said Zheng was walking home from class Tuesday when Spann walked up to him in the 900 block of East 54th Place and “announced the robbery.”

Spann allegedly shot Zheng once in the torso and ran off with several of Zheng’s belongings.

Witnesses initially told officers Zheng struggled with the robber and a shot went off. Zheng was taken to the nearby University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Muhammad said surveillance videos and license plate readers gave detectives a clear track of Spann’s movements.

Moments after the shooting, Spann was caught on camera jumping into an idling Ford Mustang that took off west on 54th Place, Muhammad said. Police were able to track nearly every movement of the car, which was reported stolen from Markham earlier this month.

Then, Spann allegedly drove to a cellphone store, where he sold some of Zheng’s electronic devices for $100, police said. Those belongs were recovered.

“Let that sink in,” police Supt. David Brown said. “A hundred dollars for Mr. Zheng and his family’s grief. It just shows the brazenness and really highlights what must be the consequences to these violent offenders.”

Spann was arrested Wednesday in front of the Marshall Field Garden Apartments in the 1400 block of North Sedgwick. The keys for the Mustang were found in his pockets, Muhammad said, along with two firearms.

One of those guns was tested “and confirmed to be 100% the firearm that was used in the shooting of Mr. Zheng,” Muhammad said.

Police said they’re still investigating whether anyone else was involved in the robbery.

“The victim did nothing at all to deserve being shot or killed — at all,” Brown said. “Whether he struggled or was startled or said something back, he did nothing to provoke this heinous crime.”

Zheng graduated from the University of Hong Kong in 2019 and got his master’s degree in statistics at the University of Chicago this past summer.

“He was motivated, independent, and intellectually curious,” said Mei Wang, director of the statistics master’s program. “He aspired to be a data scientist who could solve important problems facing our society, and who could help people to help more people.”

The Chinese American Association at Greater Chicago started an online fundraiser for Zheng’s family, which had raised more than $47,000 as of Friday night.

Contributing: David Struett

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You asked, we listened. To complete our Ultimate Chicago Thanksgiving Dinner Guide, we’ve rounded up the best Thanksgiving takeout in Chicago this year for those of you who’d rather stay home. Bring the dishes from Chicago’s all-time favorite chefs and local spots home to your family and friends within a few taps. Get that phone ready. Let’s go!

2542 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Andros Taverna is set to kick off Fall Bakery Boxes with Thanksgiving Pies this holiday. Pastry Chef Hsing Chen’s mastery is on full display (literally) with each box and choices like her Apple Pie Galaktoboureko, Pumpkin Phyllo Pie or her Traditional Baklava Pie. Each pie serves 8-10 people and orders are guaranteed if ordered by 12 pm on Tuesday, November 23 for pickup on Wednesday, November 24. Make orders now by visiting https://bit.ly/3pMSlbQ.

1300 W Wellington Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Tucked away in the quiet streets of Lakeview, Farm Bar is offering diners an at-home Thanksgiving Family Meal Package to feed groups of 2 to 4 or 6 to 8. Groups ordering the package will receive Herb Roasted Turkey, Farm Bar Thanksgiving Stuffing, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Autumn Vegetables, Farm Green Salad, Homemade Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls and Pumpkin Pie. Orders can be made here and must be placed by November 17th at 5 p.m. Pickups will be held on November 24th between 12 to 5 p.m. and reheating instructions will be given with each order.

703 Church St, Evanston, IL 60201

Known for its hearty Midwestern comfort food, Farmhouse Evanston is bringing its farm-to-table fare this Turkey Day with a special Thanksgiving Buffet. Priced at $44 per person and $21 per child, the buffet will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and offer diners classic Thanksgiving dishes like Turkey, Ham, Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Maple Candied Yams and plenty more. Reservations are required and can be made here.

Those looking to stay in on the holiday can also pre-order the at-home package for one for $25. The plate consists of Sliced Turkey with Mushroom Gravy, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Turkey Confit Stuffing, Roasted Carrots and Brussels Sprouts and is available for pickup.

123 N Jefferson St, Chicago, IL 60661

On sale beginning November 1 and lasting through November 20, Sepia in Chicago is offering incredible takeout meals for Thanksgiving and Friendsgiving. Chef Andrew Zimmerman has prepared a feast for the ages with a Cider Brined Turkey Breast and Confit Leg, “Waldorf Salad” Stuffing with Rye Bread, Roasted Apple, Celery Root, Apple and Spiced Bourbon Butter and the best Sweet Potato and Pecan Pie available in Chicago. Find even more incredible items in Sepia’s to-go package for Thanksgiving by visiting Sepia on Tock.

565 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60661

Chef Andrew Zimmerman’s PROXI is a global experience for tastebuds and the Thanksgiving package for takeout is no exception to the rule. The menu items exemplify the idea of a worldly Thanksgiving:

Tandoori Style Turkey Breast

Braised Turkey Leg Biryani with Apricots and Pistachios

Stir-fried Brussels Sprouts with Coconut and Black Mustard Seed

Sweet Potato Puree with Jaggery Butter

Creamy Black Lentils

Riata

Cranberry Chutney

Garam Masala Spiced Gravy

Cashew and Jaggery Pie with Cardamom

Orders for Thanksgiving are being accepted from November 1 through November 20 through PROXI’s Tock.

2700 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar is offering to-go packages for Thanksgiving to feed parties as small as two or up to six people. Choose from “The Classic” package or “The Baller”, which includes an 18-pound turkey, a Manhattan kit, and Polanco Caviar. Alternatively, you can also go a la carte and just order your favorite sides like whipped mashed potatoes, Heritage apple pie, and smoked oyster and kimchi sausage stuffing. Simply heat and serve anytime you like.

Your order will be available for pickup 3pm-5:30pm on November 23rd + 24th. Book early by calling direct at 773-661-9577 to order via Tock.

534 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Brindille is offering Thanksgiving packages for two ($200) and an la carte options to round out your celebration. In addition to the food, there will also be cocktail packages available.

Reserve your Thanksgiving package for two featuring a locally raised turkey, pumpkin soup, autumn salad and traditional French inspired sides like potato mousseline, pear almond galette, pumpkin delice and more. To order a la carte sides for the family, select from Thanksgiving staples like crispy Brussel sprouts, lacquered sweet potatoes, and gratin of trofie noodles, goat cheese, and brioche.

Put your order in via Tock before Tuesday, November 16th, 12:00 pm! All orders will be available for pickup on Wednesday, November 24th from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

817 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

Throw in the apron this year and let BLVD Steakhouse in Chicago do all the cooking for you. Whether it’s a family gathering or a Friendsgiving for you and nine of your closest friends, BLVD’s got your back this year.

Chef Johnny Besch has prepared a special menu full of Thanksgiving favorites for pickup Nov. 24-25 with offerings like Confit Turkey Legs, Brussel Sprouts, and Pumpkin Pie featuring Pumpkin Custard, Gingersnap Crumble, Chai Spiced Chantilly Cream, and Cranberry Shrub.

Furthermore, for an additional charge, BLVD is also offering high-end Boxed Wine options because no Friendsgiving is complete without it. BLVD’s Friendsgiving Special is a family-style served meal and requires a 10-person minimum. Make orders now by visiting BLVD on Tock at www.exploretock.com/blvd.

205 N Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607

This Thanksgiving, grab your friends and family and head to West Loop hotspot, PB&J! Priced at $25.00 a person, PB&J is offering guests a three-course dinner featuring Butternut Squash Soup, Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Corn, Cranberry, Gravy, and a Apple or Pumpkin Pie dessert. Dinner rolls will also be available and served after drinks! Looking to kick it up a notch? PB&J is offering bottles of wine for $25.00 each!

820 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607

Momotaro challenges you to skip your traditional Thanksgiving meal this year and try something different but equally, if not more, delicious. Indeed. Bring Momotaro home for a Japanese twist on Holiday dinner with Chef Gene Kato’s Turkey Breast Lettuce Wraps, Crispy Pork Belly Lettuce Wraps, or a cornucopia of sushi! Don’t forget about dessert! Chef Jess’s Okinawa Sweet Potato Pie and Cookie Box are also back!

You can explore the full menu or order yours here.

145 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60602

Available for pre-orders beginning November 1st through November 22nd, The Dearborn’s Pastry Chef, Julianna Westgor, is offering diners the ultimate holiday sweet treat of her specialty pies. Available for pick up on November 22nd through December 31st, diners can choose from the Crispy Phyllo Apple Pie, Bourbon Pecan Pie, or the Black Forest Meringue Pie for $48.00 each! Orders can be made on The Dearborn’s website. The pies will also be available until December 31st and can be picked up anytime as long as the team has 48 hours to prepare the pie.

109 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

For $95, you can get Miki’s Friendsgiving basket featuring Seoul Sliders, K-Pop Chicken, and a ton of Omma’s Dumplingss. If these items aren’t enough to get you put your order in, below is the full list of items included in this mega Friendsgiving feast:

10 Seoul Sliders | Seoul Sliders feature a Double Patty** with Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste,) Sweet Glaze and Housemade Pickles, served on a Butter Bun. **Choice of Beef or Vegetarian
K-Pop Chicken | House-breaded Popcorn Chicken dusted with Miki’s Spice and served with Chef Gene Frondoso’s Signature Sweet & Sticky Sauce and Gochu Aioli.
20 Omma’s Dumplings | Tasty pan-seared dumplings filled with Glass Noodles, Garlic, Chives & Soybean.
RAD Salad | Mixed Greens, Pickled Watermelon Radish, Carrots, Kimchi Cucumber, Purple Cabbage. This fresh, flavorful salad is tossed in a tangy Housemade Dressing and finished with a sprinkling of Sesame Seeds.
Housemade Fried Rice
Banchans: House-Pickled Cucumbers and Kimchi Cucumbers | Classic Korean side dishes.
Sweet, Swirl Pop Beignets | Nutella-stuffed little donuts topped with Powdered Sugar and Gochugaru Crème Anglaise.

Orders can be placed in advance for pre-order by calling (312) 526-3511 online vita Door Dash, Caviar or GrubHub. 24 hours advance is requested but not required.

1177 N Elston Ave, Chicago, IL 60642

For those who want to add a little spice to their Thanksgiving celebration this year, Azul Mariscos has several large format shared plates and party trays ideal for feeding groups of 4 – 30+. Highlights include:

Chipotle Lobster Mac & Cheese | Cavatappi Pasta, Housemade Chipotle Cream Sauce, Chihuahua Cheese — $75 per half tray

Snow Crab | Your choice of preparation: Azul (Nayarit-style Hot Sauce, Garlic, Signature 9-Spice Blend,) Diablo (Spicy,) Mojo de Ajo (Garlic,) A La Parilla (simply Grilled) — $37 per kilo / $72 per kilo

Ceviche de Camaron (Shrimp Ceviche) | Lime-cured Shrimp, Freshly Diced Cucumber, Onion, Tomato, Cilantro; served with Lime, Hot Sauce and Corn Tostadas — $75 per half tray

Mariscada (Seafood Platter) – served hot | Alaskan King Crab Leg, Lobster, Langoustino Jumbo Shrimp, Roasted Corn with Rice & Garlic Bread + your choice of Azul Sauce or Mojo de Ajo Sauce — $300 per half tray (serves 3-5) / $450 per full tray (serves 6-8)

Catering orders can be placed via Tock or by emailing [email protected].  Guests can pick up their carryout items beginning at 2:00 pm on Thanksgiving Day. Azul will also be open for regular dinner service from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm on Thanksgiving night.

110 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60654

Sunda New Asian is offering their take on turkey day eats that are perfect for a Friendsgiving / Thanksgiving Dinner At-Home. Serving 4 guests, the Thanksgiving menu features dishes like  Roasted Turkey, Confit Turkey Legs, Shishito Mashed Potatoes, Street Corn Stuffing, Biscuits, Gravy, and more! Easy-to-follow reheating instructions are included with each package. Please note, Sunda New Asian will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. The package will be available for pickup between 12 pm to 3 pm on Monday, Nov 22, Tuesday, Nov 23, or Wednesday, Nov 24.

*ordering cut-off date is Nov 18. 

East Meets West Thanksgiving Dinner

$180 / Serves 4 guests

Shishito Mashed Potatoes

Buttered Rolls

Pork Belly Adobo

Turkey breast and confit legs with gravy

Street Corn Stuffing

Roasted Vegetables

Cranberry Sauce

Apple Pie

Is your mouth watering yet? Better put your order in here!

All locations

The Goddess and Grocer offers a Thanksgiving catering menu that is an excellent option for hosts who want to give their small group a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, but want to relax and enjoy the day. This year, the Goddess and Grocer is featuring natural, range-free and antibiotic-free turkeys from Ferndale Farms.

Meal options include Turkey for Two (serves 2) $75, Family Matters (serves six) $195, All In The Family (serves 12) $395, and a la carte food, wine, cocktail, and decorative offerings. Furthermore, those wanting to set the dessert table with The Goddess and Grocer’s signature pies can choose from Pecan, Pumpkin, Traditional Apple, Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Tart, and more. The menu also offers options for those in need of vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options!

The Thanksgiving catering menu is available for shipment across the country (some restrictions apply) and can be ordered via 773.292.7100 or visit goddessandgrocer.com/thanksgiving. Those in Chicago are welcome to pick their orders FREE at the River North, Gold Coast, Bucktown locations between 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Orders must be submitted by Wednesday, November 17 at Noon. Delivery is available for an additional charge with a three-hour drop-off window.

PS: Order your dinner early this year and The Goddess and Grocer will give you a bottle of their best-selling Santome Prosecco. Order minimum $100, while supplies last.

400 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Located in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, The Smith is offering diners the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner experience. This Thanksgiving Day, diners can indulge in a special three-course prix fixe menu featuring a choice of turkey three ways — roasted breast, braised leg, or turkey pot pie, along with other options for non-turkey lovers. Priced at $72.00 a person, reservations and the full menu is now available on their website here. Additionally, for those looking to dine at their own home, diners can order their special menu for delivery.

3335 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657

The Six-Time Michelin Bib Gourmand Winner in Chicago’s Northalsted neighborhood is offering diners an at-home package for $50.00 per person. This premium, delicious package includes:

Maple smoked turkey breast
house pork sausage stuffed turkey thigh
confit turkey leg and wing
country-style stuffing
garlic smashed potatoes
wood-roasted local root vegetables and brussels sprouts
turkey gravy with hefeweizen beer
ginger cranberry sauce with orange and star anise
Klug farm baked apple & sweet potato gratin.

Re-heating instructions will be provided. Available for pre-order beginning today through November 18th. Diners can pick up their meal on November 24th or on November 25th.

Image Credit: Buck Russell’s

Save yourself the stress this holiday season, Buck Russell’s Bakery and Sandwich Shop is offering a pop-up and sneak preview of everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving dessert — pie! The bakery is offering four different pie variations that are sure to please every family member without having to bake it yourself:

Dutch Apple Pie ($28): A fan-favorite pie made with a variety of cinnamon-scented granny smith and cortland apples baked to perfection and topped with buttery strudel goodness and a smell that is sure to captivate that dessert table.

Pumpkin ($28): Missed out on picking your own pumpkins this fall? Don’t worry because this pumpkin pie is sure to satisfy your cravings made with roasted sugar pumpkins and topped with all your favorite spices and everything nice!

Chocolate-Pecan ($32): Looking to try something new, while still satisfying that chocolate sweet tooth? This Chocolate-Pecan pie combines the seasonal favorite toasty pecans with bittersweet chocolate, a shot of bourbon and baked in a traditional pie crust we all know and love.

Mrs. Russell’s Blueberry ($32): If you’re someone like me who is still wishing it was summertime, try Mrs. Russell’s Blueberry pie this Thanksgiving made the sweetest summer blueberries handpicked by Mrs. Russell herself all nestled under a flakey lattice crust. A homemade pie made with love perfect for your table! These pies are available to order from November 1 to November 19 and can be picked up at Sophia Steak or Pomeroy on Wednesday, November 24. Come get a homemade pie that will please every family member this holiday season without the hassle of cooking your own!

221 N Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Experience farm-to-table dining this Thanksgiving in the heart of Downtown Chicago at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar or enjoy Executive Chef Leonard Ventura’s delicious meal in the comfort of your own home. The acclaimed American grill concept, known for its wood-fired cooking, offers a special menu both inside the restaurant and to go.

At FireLake diners can enjoy a holiday menu featuring your choice of three different mains which include cider cured roasted farm turkey, brown sugar cured ham with pineapple glaze or prime rib slow roasted, rubbed with garlic and sage, mushroom jus and creamy horseradish.

Included in the $59 for adults and $22 for kids ages four to 12 menu are roasted butternut squash soup with crème fraiche and sage olive oil, cranberry stuffing, cheddar herb mashed potatoes, cranberry orange relish, cider gravy, maple glazed yams and apples, green beans, crimini mushrooms and crispy shallots and a choice of either chocolate cream pie with orange and cardamom or pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream for dessert.

Menwhile, Executive Chef Leonard Ventura’s to go menu includes:

Cider cured roasted farm turkey and sliced ham with brown sugar, roasted butternut squash soup, cranberry stuffing, cheddar herb mashed potatoes, cranberry orange relish, cider gravy, maple glazed yams and apples, green beans, crimini mushrooms and crispy shallots and pumpkin pie with cinnamon whipped cream for dessert.

There are three options available: $175 (serves 4), $340 (serves 8), and $510 (serves 12).

845 W Washington Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607

We all know that one of the best parts of Thanksgiving is the copious amounts of wine to be drank throughout the day! El Che Meat & Provisions, Chef John Manion’s retail market inside of El Che Steakhouse & Bar, has prepared a specialty wine box featuring three delicious bottles of South American vino to enjoy this Turkey Day. With a bottle to drink before dinner, during dinner, and after dinner there is sure to be plenty of wine to go around. I’ve included the details of each bottle below:

Pet Nat Criolla by Alpamanta, a Natural Sparkling Pais from Mendoza

Estival by Vinedo de los Vientos, a really refreshing & aromatic white blend from Uruguay

El Burro by Bodega Santa Julia, a natural and organic Malbec from Mendoza

The Thanksgiving Wine Kit is available for purchase at $80 and can be ordered online for in-person pickup here or it can be purchased directly in-store at the restaurant located at 845 W Washington Blvd.

Featured Image Credit: Lettuce Entertain You

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Andrew Garfield plays composer Jonathan Larson in “tick, tick … BOOM!,” based on Larson’s autobiographical stage musical. | Netflix

Exuberant and big-hearted, the film directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda stars Andrew Garfield as the late composer of “Rent.”

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s affectionate, well-crafted adaptation of “tick, tick … BOOM!,” a “rock monologue” by Jonathan Larson, captures all that’s grand and beautiful about musical theater, and a little of what can make it insufferable, too.

Miranda’s film, his accomplished directorial debut, is a portrait of the artist as a deeply passionate, overwhelmingly self-involved young man. As played by Andrew Garfield, Larson is a paragon of artistic struggle. He lives in a dilapidated downtown apartment with a revolving door of roommates; he casually crafts songs at late-night parties; he daydreams while waiting tables at a diner.

If the Jonathan of “tick, tick … BOOM!” seems mythologized, that’s appropriate. Larson, himself, never got to see his success. He died from an undiagnosed heart defect at the age of 35, the day his opus, “Rent,” began previews off-Broadway. Before “Rent,” Larson spent years developing a futuristic musical, “Superbia.” When it failed to get produced, he turned the story of making that musical into a one-man show about his all-consuming pressure to succeed as an artist before he turned 30. The prospect of being not a playwright with a side-hustle to pay the bills but a waiter with a hobby looms for Larson like a terrifying purgatory. The show’s title, “tick, tick … BOOM!” suggests a make-or-break countdown.

Miranda’s movie is exuberant and big-hearted — maybe too much so. It’s easy to aggrandize young artistic ambitions, and easier still when the dreamer in question died far too early. “tick, tick … BOOM!” is a tender ode to Larson, just as it is a tribute to all Broadway pursuit. And coming from Miranda, whose own New York-set breakthrough, “In the Heights,” was inspired by Larson’s “Rent,” the film is in some broad sense autobiographical, too. Miranda’s journey isn’t Larson’s, but as two of the most essential American composers and playwrights of the last 30 years, they share a bond of city and quest.

With screenwriter Steven Levenson, Miranda has turned Larson’s show into something that stretches further into his life and widened its scope. It’s 1990 and Larson is fully devoted to prepping a workshop of “Superbia,” and his single-mindedness has already elicited plenty of eyerolls from his dancer girlfriend (Alexandra Shipp, lovely) and best friend Michael (Robin De Jesus), a former actor who has turned instead to a high-paying gig in advertising.

The movie isn’t unaware of Larson’s myopia but it’s also on his side. When he shouts to the power company, which has just cut off his electricity after unpaid bills, “You don’t understand! I have a workshop!” — the scene isn’t played for comedy. The film, and Garfield’s head-to-toe performance, believes just as strongly in Larson’s pursuit. Along the way, there are fine supporting performances (Bradley Whitford as Stephen Sondheim, Judith Light as Larson’s veteran agent) and a number of well-staged musical numbers, including the lovely “Sunday,” during which Miranda drops a wall from the Moondance Diner and cameos abound in the booths.

But the tension in “tick, tick … BOOM!” isn’t really in Larson, as a protagonist. His obsessiveness is here to be celebrated, not analyzed. The film might exist to show us: This is what it takes to make it on Broadway — and, additionally, look at what fun it is once you do. Larson isn’t always great company, but he and “tick, tick … BOOM!” might be right. To bet everything on yourself, narcissism might be a prerequisite.

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Protestors march against the use of ShotSpotter in July. | Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times

The Chicago Police Department and company executives on Friday defended the gunshot detection technology amid complaints that it rarely leads to investigatory stops or evidence of gun crimes and can change the way police officers interact with residents.

The Chicago Police Department and ShotSpotter executives on Friday defended the gunshot detection technology amid complaints that it rarely leads to investigatory stops or evidence of gun crimes and can change the way police officers interact with residents.

After repeated cancellations, the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety finally held an hours-long “subject matter” hearing on the much-maligned technology contract that the city chose to extend for two additional years at the request of CPD.

The acoustic gunshot detection system has come under heavy fire in recent months, with numerous studies and reports challenging its efficacy and accuracy. One of the most scathing of those reports was released in late August by the city’s own deputy inspector general for public safety.

The report analyzed more than 50,100 ShotSpotter notifications from last January through May. Just 9.1% indicated evidence of a gun-related offense was found. Only 2.1% of the alerts were linked directly to investigative stops, although other stops were detailed in reports that referenced the technology but didn’t correlate with a specific ShotSpotter notification.

But on Friday, CPD’s Deputy Chief Larry Snelling urged City Council members to view the glass as half-full, rather than half-empty.

“We can say that 85 [or] 90% of the time, the shot detection system doesn’t render any information. What we need to look at is the 10% of the time that it does,” Snelling told committee members.

“That 10% of the time could be the difference between the officers arriving on the scene applying a tourniquet … to stop a victim from bleeding out or getting an ambulance there a lot quicker to get these victims to the hospital.”

Just because there is no evidence of a gun-related crime when police officers arrive on the scene of a ShotSpotter alert does not mean that no crime occurred, Snelling said.

“In a drive-by shooting, people are shooting from vehicles. Which means that, if they use a semi-automatic weapon, when that weapon discharges, the shell casings are probably inside the vehicle that they’re shooting from,” Snelling said.

“If someone uses a revolver, you’re not going to find evidence of shell casings. Or, if they do it from an area where there is high traffic and traffic is moving through, that traffic can also destroy that evidence.”

Despite the independent studies questioning the technology, ShotSpotter has said that its own research shows it has an efficacy rate of more than 90% in the 12 police districts covered by the technology in the city.

Ralph Clark, president and CEO of ShotSpotter, said the company’s research also shows that more than 90% of gunfire in Chicago goes unreported.

“When a gun is fired and there’s no call to 911, we’re losing opportunities to collect evidence, deter and disrupt serial shooting cycles as well as showing the community that we care. And, most importantly, most importantly, we’re losing the opportunity to potentially save lives,” Clark said.

Clark noted that 79% of the shootings and 84% of the homicides in Chicago over the last 18 months took place in one of the dozen districts.

“Which tells us the city did a very good job of determining where ShotSpotter is needed the most and where ShotSpotter can provide the highest value,” he said.

Ald. Michele Smith (43rd) pressed ShotSpotter executives for “actual evidence” of the company’s claims about its efficacy rate.

Are police officers required to file reports when there is no evidence of either gunfire or fireworks?

“We would all like to know where a gun is coming from — especially in communities in which … nobody knows where the firing is coming from. They don’t want to call. But to say that it’s 97% accurate and it’s not based on anything other than sort of negative feedback is kind of like saying that customer satisfaction with my office is very, very high based on people not complaining,” Smith said.

“I’m very uncomfortable with that 97% claim. And quite frankly, I’m assuming it’s not accurate — by a lot.”

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) pressed ShotSpotter executives on whether or not they had tested to differentiate between gunshots and fireworks.

Clark responded that, for every 5,000 gunshot alerts in Chicago, ShotSpotter officials “listen to 100,000 bangs, booms and pops” — everything from fireworks and construction noise to car engines backfiring.

“If you had an opportunity to look at the variety of bangs, booms and pops that we’re filtering out of the process — we’re making sure it does not make its way to the officer in the field — you would come away with a lot more confidence in the performance we’ve established and how effective we are in dealing with fireworks and other things that can create that false-positive scenario,” the CEO said.

Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) was not appeased.

“For $9 million, you’re sending police to get a backfire off a truck on the expressway? Two-plus-two doesn’t equal four,” she said.

“I have a four-year-old that got killed in my ward. From ShotSpotter to cameras to Ring cameras and all this and we can’t solve no crime? … Officers are there after the crime. This is supposed to be something that helps us before. And it’s just not doing that.”

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Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

After looking at these poll results, it’s almost like Fields never even had those nightmarish outings against the Browns and the Buccaneers.

Many Bears fans hadn’t even heard of Cassius Marsh before the team’s 29-27 loss Monday to the Steelers in Pittsburgh. By the end of the game, however, Marsh was trending on social media, his name on the fingertips of an army of angry posters.

On a night when the Bears were flagged for 12 penalties and left town with more laundry than a college freshman heading home for Thanksgiving, a late taunting penalty against Marsh struck many as unjustified.

In this week’s “Polling Place,” your home for Sun-Times sports polls on Twitter, we asked about Marsh taking a few steps toward — and then staring at — the Steelers’ sideline after a sack. Whom to blame: the refs, the rules or Marsh?

“Refs” won the vote — but not the comments — by a wide margin.

“The rule is stupid,” @DadsThumb wrote, “but it’s on the player for not being aware that it’s a point of emphasis for the refs.”

“The league has said the refs were correct,” @zevyr noted, “so clearly the issue is the rule or Marsh.”

On to the polls:

Poll No. 1: In hindsight, where do you place the most blame for Bears linebacker Cassius Marsh’s controversial taunting foul Monday in Pittsburgh?

Upshot: It’s always easiest to blame the stripes. They hate our team! They need new glasses! They need to be full-time employees of the NFL! Actually, they do need to be full-time employees of the NFL. Meanwhile, this from @dabigdog6: “There is a discipline problem on the team, and it starts with Matt Nagy.” Come to think of it, Nagy might be the only guy who takes more constant abuse than the refs.

Poll No. 2: How sold are you on Justin Fields as the franchise quarterback the Bears need going forward?

Upshot: Against the Steelers, Fields was magnificent. After looking at these poll results, though, it’s almost like he never even had those nightmarish outings against the Browns and the Buccaneers. Wait, are we still allowed to mention those? “Looks like a lot of Bears fans are drinking the Kool-Aid about Fields,” @kelspsych22 wrote. Come on, man. The kid is starting to look pretty dang good.

Poll No. 3: The Bears are 3-6 with eight games to go. How many more will they win?

Upshot: As @pnutfinger sees it: “The only games I feel strongly about them winning are Detroit and the Giants.” Some of us find it hard to feel strongly about the Bears winning any game against any opponent. Have you met these Bears? The lion’s share of the vote went to three to five more wins, though. Dare to dream, people!

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Tweedledee and Tweedledum, from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking-Glass” and illustrated by Sir John Tenniel. | Creative Commons/Brecht Bug

Squabbling between governor and richest man in Illinois makes them reminiscent of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” figures.

Oh, brother!

Tweedledum and Tweedledee are back!

Translation: The billionaire boys, Ken Griffin and Gov. J.B. Pritzker, are now duking it out.

And although they claim to differ politically, they certainly are acting like identical twins (like the famous characters from “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”) … but in a derogatory context.

Once again, men acting like “wealth is power.”

Ya think?

Let’s unpack this Hermes valise.

Last week, hedge fund magnate Griffin, known as the state’s richest man (worth $21 billion), pledged to go “all in” funding a challenger to beat Dem Illinois Gov. Pritzker (worth $3.6 billion).

Pritzker “doesn’t deserve to be governor of our state,” harrumphed Griffin, who financed GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign, at an event in New York.

The next day, Pritzker, who pumped $171 million from his own wallet into his own gubernatorial campaign to unseat Rauner, shot back a “nah nah nah” blasting Griffin for backing his “disastrous” predecessor — and said he spent the last three years undoing the damage Rauner did to Illinois.

Hmmm.

Grown men shaking out each other’s expensive political laundry?

Rich guys acting like they have all the answers.

Give us all a break.

Is brain power based on Bitcoin? Do dollars always mean sense?

Have they each lost a sense of adult propriety?

Whom are they trying to wheedle? Us?

Historically, Adam Smith’s 1776 published masterpiece on modern economics, titled “The Wealth of Nations,” discusses the ability of the wealthy to exercise economic and political power.

Not so surprising, then, that Griffin funded Rauner’s gubernatorial campaign; one rich man endorsing the candidacy of a wealthy kinsman, who supports his political and economic objectives.

As columnist Mike Royko once said, politics has always been full of connivers, wheeler dealers, con artists, misfits and deadbeats.

Politics also houses the wealthy givers who have a personal “net worth” outside their bank accounts.

So calm down, fellas.

Political spit is nothing compared to political grit.

Get a grip.

Your “net worth” is showing.

A random Royko thought …

Hmmm: Did you know singer Frank “Ole Blue Eyes” Sinatra once sent a hand-delivered letter to Royko, the legendary Sun-Times columnist, in 1976? Royko had ripped the singer after a 24-hour police guard was put outside his hotel while he was staying in Chicago. Wrote Sinatra: “Quite frankly, I don’t understand why people don’t spit in your eye three or four times a day.”

o Ka-ching! The angry missive from Frank to Mike sold later for $15,000 at an Antiques Roadshow auction.

Provided/Chicago Botanic Garden
The Lightscape show at the Chicago Botanic Garden continues through Jan. 2.

A botanic gift …

It was not just an evening walk, nor just a walk in the park.

And it was unexpected.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, which turns 50 next year, has flicked its holiday switch this year on extraordinary — and turned a mile-plus of their garden path into a major mojo version of Lightscape magic!

Let’s keep it simple: I went last week — and was floored. Somewhere beyond the gleaming Winter Cathedral, the singing trees, and the plant-themed installations was a landscape of poppies blooming in a tangle of trees.

“Our poppy installation had been a lightscape Christmas event at England’s Blenheim Palace where Winston Churchill was born,” said Harriet Resnick, a top Botanic Garden exec.

“It was located in an enchanting forest by a river outside the palace and the poppy red was so very red in such a dark setting. And with music in the background it made the garden come to life,” said Resnick.

“So we brought it here.”

It continues through Jan. 2. Amen.

Sneedlings …

Psst! Although the sale of memorabilia collected by former Sun-Times celeb columnist Bill Zwecker was tipped weeks ago, the “when” was missing: It goes online Nov. 19 at Hindman Auctions, and Bill’s stash of celeb stuff included letters from legendary fashion designers to his late mom, journalist Peg Zwecker. … Congrats to Mary Lou Gorno, vice chair of the UChicago Board of Trustees, on being named vice chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. … Weekend birthdays: Friday, Ryan Gosling, 41. Saturday birthdays: Whoopi Goldberg, 66; Joe Mantegna, 74; Jimmy Kimmel, 53. Sunday birthdays: Prince Charles, 73; Condoleeza Rice, 67.

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Some of the Chicago Park District IDs that Eric Fischer had over the years. He was fired Nov. 2 from his $100,000-a-year job as the district’s aquatics boss, accused of ignoring a teenage lifeguard’s complaint about abusive behavior that named his daughter among her hazers. | Brian Ernst/Sun-Times

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

This afternoon will see rain and eventually intermittent snow showers, with temperatures steady around 37 degrees. Scattered snow showers are expected tonight, mainly before 8 p.m., with a low around 33. Tomorrow will be mostly cloudy with a high near 40, and Sunday there’s a 70% chance of rain with a high near 39.

Top story

For parks aquatics boss, firing over Chicago lifeguards scandal a hard fall from the family business

The man at the center of a Chicago Park District scandal over complaints by lifeguards of abusive behavior and sexual harassment by more senior lifeguards started his career with a little lie.

The son of a popular Southwest Side lifeguard, Eric Fischer fudged his age on an application to be a lifeguard in 1983, saying he’d already finished two years at St. Laurence High School when actually he was just 13 years old.

For his first assignment, he lucked into a glamor gig, working at Oak Street Beach, where his father also had worked.

For Fischer, who rose to captain of the Oak Street lifeguards before moving up to head all park district aquatics programs, lifeguarding has been the family business. Besides his father, his children also landed coveted gigs at Oak Street Beach.

Fischer, 51, was fired Nov. 2 from his $100,000-a-year job, accused of ignoring the complaint by a teenage lifeguard, who named his daughter among her hazers and said she’d been shoved into a wall, called profane and sexually degrading names by coworkers and left alone for hours at her post for refusing to take part in their drinking parties and on-the-job drug use.

Also booted were Adam Bueling, the aquatics manager who inherited Fischer’s former post as beaches and pool manager, and Alonzo Williams, Fischer’s boss.

The high-level terminations came after the release of a 43-page report by a former federal prosecutor hired to investigate whether parks managers protected lifeguards who reported abusive treatment of lifeguards by their more senior colleagues.

Lauren FitzPatrick has more on Fischer and the toxic culture of the parks department here.

More news you need

For years, Chicago leaders turned the city’s water supply into a revenue stream. Now, tens of thousands can’t keep up with the rising costs. Read WBEZ’s investigation into Chicago’s water bill crisis and the toll it’s taken on many of the city’s homeowners here.

After finding out a California sexual abuse complaint against the Rev. Timothy Keppel was credible, a Catholic order moved Keppel next to two Chicago-area schools — without informing administrators there. The order also has had other credibly accused clerics living in Chicago, Robert Herguth reports.

A Chicago police officer is among nine people facing federal charges for defrauding a low-income food program for women and children. A 16-count indictment alleges owners and workers at several Chicago-area convenience stores accepted checks from the Women, Infants and Children program for ineligible items at the stores, often at inflated prices.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot today denounced the Civilian Office of Police Accountability’s decision to release a report recommending a three-day suspension for slain Chicago Police Officer Ella French as the “height of tone-deafness.” The COPA report accused French of failing to wear a body-worn camera when she showed up at the botched raid on the home of a social worker and failing to fill out the required form.

For “Vaccine Awareness Day,” Mayor Lightfoot and her wife, Amy Eshleman, got their COVID-19 booster shots alongside several newly vaccine-eligible children on. However, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady also confirmed that COVID-19 cases are on the rise.

A man who paid thousands of dollars in bribes to two Chicago police officers was sentenced today to one year behind bars, but a judge said he won’t have to report to prison until next spring. Richard Burton, who pleaded guilty to a bribery conspiracy in June 2019, admitted at the time that he paid the two officers for early access to information from traffic crash reports.

For decades, a large pond along the Lake Michigan shoreline on the Southeast Side has been the dumping area for massive volumes of materials — a sizable amount of it toxic — dredged from the bottom of the Calumet River. While many residents believed the area would one day be converted into a park, the Army Corps and the city of Chicago are advancing a plan to turn it into a bigger dump.

Cinespace, the studio that is home to Chicago-based film and TV productions including “Chicago Fire,” has been sold to the real estate arm of a buyout firm based in Texas and California. The deal, reportedly valued at $1 billion, means the Pissios family of Chicago will no longer control the studio space they founded in 2010 with the aid of millions of dollars in state grants.

A bright one

Now 80, Caryl Yasko restores iconic 1975 mural honoring Lemont quarries, stone-cutting past

Caryl Yasko was 34 and working as an artist in Chicago when she created the iconic mural titled “Lemont Quarry Workers” in Lemont in 1975.

The mural — also known as “The Stonecutters” — honors the labor of limestone workers in the 19th century, many of them immigrants. It became an instant artistic centerpiece in the suburb about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

The buff-colored Lemont dolomite limestone laid the foundation for Lemont — physically and economically. And it was used to build such Chicago architectural icons as the Water Tower and Pumping Station and Holy Name Cathedral.

In 1993, the mural having weathered, village officials again turned to Yasko. Then living in Wisconsin, she came back to restore the wall.

Village of Lemont
This mural, titled “Lemont Quarry Workers,” was painted in 1975 by Caryl Yasko when she was 34. She came back this year at 80 to again refurbish the mural honoring the southwest suburb’s limestone-cutting history.

She did it again in 2000. Then 59, Yasko used a pneumatic chisel to blast all of the paint off the 1,000-square-foot, concrete-block wall and recreated in acrylic paint what she’d done a quarter century earlier in enamel.

Each time, Yasko says, she stuck around for a couple of months and became involved in the life of the community.

Recently, Yasko returned for a third refresh. She and her assistants moved into an inn and started work on the wall in early September. By the time they left in early October, its once-vibrant reds, blues and yellows popped out again.

And, even at 80, she climbed the scaffolding like someone a fraction her age.

“I’m relishing this one partly because of my age,” says Yasko, wearing paint-splattered white overalls, as she took a break on a gorgeous fall afternoon. “I’ve just decided I’m going to totally enjoy this project. But I did train for it. It’s a physical job. I would not do any heroics.”

Jeff W. Huebner has more on Yasko and her mural here.

From the press box

It’s clear the Bears have a quarterback to build around in Justin Fields, but what about his supporting cast? One key for the rest of the season will be evaluating the talent around the rookie QB, Jason Lieser writes.
The new-look Bulls face a big test tonight against the Warriors, who have won 10 of 11 to open the season. The good news is that they’re finally built to do damage in the West, Joe Cowley writes.
Ahead of the IHSA state football playoff quarterfinals, Mike Clark previews some of the biggest matchups, including Lincoln-Way East-Loyola in Class 8A and Mount Carmel-Brother Rice in Class 7A.
Settlement talks between the Blackhawks and Kyle Beach are already hitting snags, Ben Pope reports.

Your daily question ?

Which of Chicago’s expressways needs improving the most? Tell us why.

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: As Chicagoans, what are some ways to support neighbors and communities who’ve experienced a tragedy?

Here’s what some of you said…

“Just being a decent human being usually goes a long way.” — Ryan K. Miller

“Prayer!” — Shell Harris

“Just listening.” — Jackie Waldhier

“Give them things they need — tangible things like food, clothes, appliances, bedding and furniture. And intangible things like information, access to resources, access to friends and people we know that can help them.” — Tanya Glover

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