State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, reads her proposed changes to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act on the House floor Wednesday night. | Blue Room Stream

Members of the House engaged in a heated debate on changes to the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act late Wednesday night before voting to adopt the changes 64 to 52 with two voting present.

Legislators in the state House on Wednesday advanced a measure barring the use of moral beliefs for refusing to comply with workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a move one Republican in that chamber called “atrocious.”

Members of the House engaged in a heated debate on changes to the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act late Wednesday night before voting to adopt the changes 64 to 52 with two voting present.

The measure now heads to the state Senate for debate.

Democrats contend that the act, which has been on the books since 1998, was originally designed to protect doctors, nurses and other health care providers who refused to perform medical procedures — such as abortions — that they’re opposed to.

But House Democrats and members of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration argue the act is being misused by Illinois residents to refuse to comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Still, seven Democrats broke ranks on the measure to vote no, and another two Democrats voted present.

The proposed changes to that law, sponsored by state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, are intended to make clear that public officials and private companies can impose COVID-19 requirements as part of conditions of employment.

Previous language in her amendment said those who don’t comply with the requirements could be fired, but that language was eliminated in a new amendment filed Wednesday — though officials and companies would still be able to “enforce” the COVID-19 measures or requirements and would not be considered in violation of the act.

Gabel said the removal of that language came from “feedback in committee.”

On Wednesday, Gabel said the law exists “to preserve” the ability of health care providers to refuse to perform some medical procedures that violate their conscience.

Blue Room Stream
State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, reads her proposed changes to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act on the House floor Wednesday night.

“We also know with certainty that the act is being intentionally distorted by those who favor misinformation over fact, and those who are using this act to justify their desire to some thumb their noses at the mitigation efforts imposed,” Gabel said. “According to the attorney general, clarifying the statute will help to ensure that the original legislative intent is preserved.”

Gabel sought to make clear that the changes don’t constitute a vaccine mandate, and people can still request exemptions from vaccinations for medical or religious reasons.

State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, said the measure closes a loophole that’s “being exploited to try and end COVID mitigations.” He urged his colleagues to vote yes “to continue protecting our most vulnerable from COVID-19.”

Republicans lambasted the proposed changes.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dietrich, called the measure “atrocious.”

“This is unbelievable that we’re considering this on the House floor,” Niemerg said. “This is not about the Health Care Right of Conscience. This is about the last 18 months of unilateral authority from the governor. Now he’s asking us to remove the only opposition … so they can force vaccinations on us.”

The Health Care Right of Conscience Act has been cited by some looking to sidestep vaccine mandates.

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, who is battling Mayor Lori Lightfoot over the city’s vaccine mandate, told ABC7 “at face value, it’s usable.”

Also Wednesday, follow up legislation to a bill creating an elected school board in Chicago was sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.

That legislation got the final thumbs up from the Senate Wednesday evening. The bill clarifies that board members will not be compensated, removes a requirement that the mayor seek the advice, and consent, of the City Council for her picks for a hybrid board before the fully elected board is in place.

The bill also moves up a moratorium on school closings from June 2022 to the day the governor signs the legislation. The moratorium would still end the day the first elected members of the board take their seats in 2025.

State Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, said some stakeholders asked for the start of the moratorium to be moved up out of fear that, with an effective date of 2022, it signaled officials could “‘close as many schools as you want, but after June of 2022 you can’t.’ And as you can imagine, the people who are concerned about school closings, that gave them pause.”

In exchange for moving up the moratorium, Martwick and others removed the advice and consent requirement.

That legislation passed the Senate 43 to 14 with two not voting. It now heads to the governor’s desk.

A new proposal for redrawn boundaries for the state’s congressional districts based on the latest Census figures also came out Wednesday night.

Wednesday night’s map is the third iteration of proposed congressional boundaries released by the state’s Democratic mapmakers. It keeps the expected split between 14 Democratic seats and three Republican seat seen in a map released over the weekend.

Lawmakers will likely take up the map on Thursday, during their final slated day of veto session.

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State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, reads her proposed changes to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act on the House floor Wednesday night. | Blue Room Stream

House Democrats and members of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration argue the Health Care Right of Conscience Act needs to be clarified because it is being misused by Illinois residents to refuse to comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Many Republicans disagreed.

Legislators in the state House on Wednesday were poised to take action on a measure barring the use of moral beliefs for refusing to comply with workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a move one Republican in that chamber called “atrocious.”

The House began a heated debate on changes to the state’s Health Care Right of Conscience Act late Wednesday night ahead of an expected vote on the measure.

The act, which has been on the books since 1998, was originally designed to protect doctors, nurses and other health care providers who refused to perform medical procedures — such as abortions — that they’re opposed to.

But House Democrats and members of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration argue the act is being used by Illinois residents to refuse to comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

The proposed changes to that law, sponsored by state Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, are intended to make clear that public officials and private companies can impose COVID-19 requirements as part of conditions of employment.

Previous language said those who don’t comply with the requirements could be fired, but that language was eliminated in a new amendment filed Wednesday — though officials and companies would still be able to “enforce” the COVID-19 measures or requirements would not be considered a violation of the act, according to the bill.

On Wednesday, Gabel said the law exists “to preserve” the ability of healthcare providers to refuse to perform some medical procedures that violate their conscience.

Blue Room Stream
State Rep. Robyn Gabel, D-Evanston, reads her proposed changes to the Health Care Right of Conscience Act on the House floor Wednesday night.

“We also know with certainty that the act is being intentionally distorted by those who favor misinformation over fact, and those who are using this act to justify their desire to some thumb their noses at the mitigation efforts imposed,” Gabel said. “According to the attorney general, clarifying the statute will help to ensure that the original legislative intent is preserved.”

Gabel sought to make clear that the changes don’t constitute a vaccine mandate, and people can still request exemptions from vaccinations for medical or religious reasons.

State Rep. Bob Morgan, D-Deerfield, said the measure closes a loophole that’s “being exploited to try and end COVID mitigations.” He urged his colleagues to vote yes “to continue protecting our most vulnerable from COVID-19.”

Republicans lambasted the proposed changes.

State Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dietrich, called the measure “atrocious.”

“This is unbelievable that we’re considering this on the House floor,” Niemerg said. “This is not about the Health Care Right of Conscience. This is about the last 18 months of unilateral authority from the governor. Now he’s asking us to remove the only opposition … so they can force vaccinations on us.”

The Health Care Right of Conscience Act has been cited by some looking to sidestep vaccine mandates.

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara, who is battling Mayor Lori Lightfoot over the city’s vaccine mandate, told ABC7 “at face value, it’s usable.”

If it passes the House, Gabel’s amendment, which would go into effect next June, would be sent to the Senate.

Also Wednesday, follow up legislation to a bill creating an elected school board in Chicago was sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s desk.

That legislation got the final thumbs up from the Senate Wednesday evening. The bill clarifies that board members will not be compensated, removes a requirement that the mayor seek the advice, and consent, of the City Council for her picks for a hybrid board before the fully elected board is in place.

The bill also moves up a moratorium on school closings from June 2022 to the day the governor signs the legislation — the moratorium ends the day the first elected members of the board take their seats in 2025.

State Sen. Robert Martwick, D-Chicago, said some stakeholders asked for the start of the moratorium to be moved up out of fear that, with an effective date of 2022, it signaled “‘close as many schools as you want, but after June of 2022 you can’t’ and as you can imagine the people who are concerned about school closings, that gave them pause.”

In exchange for moving up the moratorium, Martwick and others removed the advice and consent requirement.

That legislation passed the upper legislative chamber 43 to 14 with two not voting and now heads to the governor’s desk.

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The Fire’s Federico Navarro advances the ball Wednesday against NYCFC. | Chicago Fire FC

Valentin Castellanos scored on a penalty kick for NYCFC as Fire remains winless at Yankee Stadium.

NEW YORK — Valentin Castellanos scored on a penalty kick, and New York City FC beat the Fire 1-0 on Wednesday night in New York.

The Fire (9-17-7), who had won back-to-back games, have never won at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC has won the last six meetings as the home team, including last year’s win at Red Bull Arena.

Fire goalie Gabriel Slonina (three saves) faced 19 shots, including four on target.

The Fire had nine shots on New York goaltender Sean Johnson, including five on target.

The Fire had a 57%-43% edge in possession time.

New York City (13-11-8), which has won back-to-back games, moved past Orlando City into fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with 47 points.

Castellanos was involved in a trio of scoring opportunities in about a 90-second span before the Fire’s Federico Navarro conceded a foul in the area drawn by Malte Amundsen and Castellanos converted from the spot in the 51st minute.

Castellanos has a career-high 16 goals this season. D.C. United’s Ola Kamara leads MLS with 17.

New York had a goal called back in the 34th minute as Maximiliano Moralez was ruled offside.

APNEW YORK — Valentin Castellanos scored on a penalty kick, and New York City FC beat the Fire 1-0 on Wednesday night in New York.

The Fire (9-17-7), who had won back-to-back games, have never won at Yankee Stadium. NYCFC has won the last six meetings as the home team, including last year’s win at Red Bull Arena.

Fire goalie Gabriel Slonina (three saves) faced 19 shots, including four on target.

The Fire had nine shots on New York goaltender Sean Johnson, including five on target.

The Fire had a 57%-43% edge in possession time.

New York City (13-11-8), which has won back-to-back games, moved past Orlando City into fourth in the Eastern Conference standings with 47 points.

Castellanos was involved in a trio of scoring opportunities in about a 90-second span before the Fire’s Federico Navarro conceded a foul in the area drawn by Malte Amundsen and Castellanos converted from the spot in the 51st minute.

Castellanos has a career-high 16 goals this season. D.C. United’s Ola Kamara leads MLS with 17.

New York had a goal called back in the 34th minute as Maximiliano Moralez was ruled offside.

AP

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Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews addressed Kyle Beach’s story after the Hawks loss to the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Hawks are still winless through seven games this season after blowing a two-goal lead in a 3-2 overtime loss Wednesday.

The Blackhawks played a hockey game Wednesday, losing 3-2 in overtime to the Maple Leafs — their seventh loss in as many games to start this season.

With the dark cloud of reckoning hanging over the organization, however, the game mattered little by contrast.

Captain Jonathan Toews, who was activated from NHL COVID-19 protocol shortly before warmups, and Patrick Kane, who spoke from COVID protocol at home, both addressed former Hawks forward Kyle Beach’s earth-shattering interview about his sexual assault experience.

“I knew Kyle pretty well from a couple different training camps. He seemed like a happy-go-lucky guy,” Kane said. “I wish back then we could’ve done some different things or known some different things to helped him.”

Kane said he never heard about Beach’s 2010 experience, but did recall hearing some “vague rumors” about former video coach Brad Aldrich’s departure from the organization. Toews said he learned about the incident at training camp the following year.

“Not that it was a joke, but it was something that wasn’t taken super seriously at the time,” Toews said. “I thought Brad being let go or resigning from the organization was the way it was dealt with.. Had I been more connected to the situation and known some of the more gory details of it, I’d like to say yeah, I would’ve acted differently in my role as captain.”

Toews defended disgraced general manager Stan Bowman and executive Al MacIsaac, calling them “good people” who weren’t “directly complicit in the activities that happened.”

“To me, Stan and Al, make any argument you want, they’re not directly complicit in the activities that happened,” Toews said. “Regardless of mistakes that may have been made, for someone like Stan, who has done so much for the Blackhawks — and Al as well — to lose everything they care about and their livelihoods as well… I don’t understand how that makes it go away, to just delete them from existence and [say], ‘That’s it, we’ll never hear from them again.'”

Kane took a more nuanced approach, thanking Bowman for helping his career but describing the Hawks moving on from him as “necessary” and “right.”

Kane also said he knew Beach “pretty well” from Beach’s time at various Hawks training camps; Kane, Beach and Akim Aliu would often hang out together.

“I don’t know if he wants to hear from us or not, but I’d like to reach out to him and say that I wish I knew more at that time in that situation, if I could’ve done anything to help him out,” Kane said. “Obviously he’s been living with this a long time and it takes a lot of courage by him to put his name behind the story.”

Both Toews and Kane said they didn’t witness any homophobic slurs directed toward Beach during his stints in the NHL.

On the ice Wednesday, Alex DeBrincat — who earlier in the day directly called Bowman’s resignation “a change that needed to happen” — nearly singlehandedly willed the Hawks to victory.

But the Leafs rallied from 2-0 down, tying the game on ex-Hawks forward David Kampf’s backhand and winning on a William Nylander breakaway.

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The “Once Upon Our Time Capsule,” a public art project, celebrates children and teens for overcoming the adversity they endured amid the coronavirus pandemic. Uniquely embellished time capsules — filled with pandemic mementos and letters from children describing what life was like during quarantine — will be stored around the city until 2026. | Brian Rich/Sun-Times

The bins will be scattered throughout the city at different cultural institutions and won’t be opened until 2026.

After months of reflection and decorating, about 2,000 pandemic time capsules — designed and filled by city youths — were ceremoniously sealed Wednesday evening in large bins that won’t be revealed for another five years.

About two dozen children and some adults paraded around the ninth floor of the Harold Washington Library to the beat of a drum, and one by one, they dropped uniquely embellished time capsules — filled with pandemic mementos and letters from children describing what life was like during quarantine — into larger bins, which were later slammed shut with a giant cardboard hammer.

About 40 youth organizations came together to sponsor “Once Upon Our Time Capsule,” a public art project celebrates children and teens for overcoming the adversity they endured amid the pandemic as they look forward to the future.

“It’s really cool, it’s really nice here,” 16-year-old Fannie Yu said. “I’ve never really had my artwork made into a product before so it’s a different experience.”

Yu, a high school junior and After School Matters participant, decorated the outside of a capsule with anime characters that express different emotions she experienced throughout the pandemic. Meanwhile, Max Howard, 10, drew fast cars and tall buildings on his — both things he sees happening in the future.

Others used feathers, jewels and ribbons that read, “The Sky is the limit.” Some included notes detailing their experiences throughout the pandemic.

Brian Rich/Sun-Times

Jacqueline Russell, co-founder and artistic director of the Chicago Children’s Theatre, compared the coronavirus to being “some kind of villain in a superhero story.” But the “Once Upon Our Time Capsule” project helped empower city children and teens to feel like they were the heroes of their own stories.

“A lot of people have been talking about children, but no one was talking about asking children what their stories are,” Russell said. “We brought in three teaching artists who developed a really beautiful curriculum that combined theater and storytelling and visual art to help kids process and reflect and, in the end, kind of recognize their own resiliency.”

Max was one of the roughly 5,000 people who participated in the project. He said he struggled when both school and his violin classes through People’s Music School, an organization that provides free music lessons to students through the city, were moved online.

“It was challenging for me because I didn’t get to talk to my friends as much and it was hard for me to stay focused in class because I was in my house,” the fourth grader said.

Still, Max was proud to show off his pandemic project in front of the crowd — his rendition of the song “Perpetual Motion” — which received a loud applause.

“It made me happy” to be a part of the program, Max said, “because I felt like I can tell people how it was to be COVID and how it was to be.”

The bins will be scattered throughout the city at different cultural institutions and won’t be opened until 2026.

“There’s so much negativity about Chicago in the media and nationally and this is an example of how great our city is,” Russell said. Around 40 “organizations came together… to make this happen. And I just don’t believe that this would happen in every city in this country. We’re pulling together to really do something for our children.”

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Kyle Beach #12 of the Chicago Blackhawks skates against the Detroit Red Wings during a pre season game on September 24, 2010 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. | Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

“It made me feel like I didn’t exist,” Beach told TSN about an alleged sexual assault by former Hawks video coach Brad Aldrich.

Hearing the Blackhawks executives who covered up his alleged sexual assault for 11 years finally condemned Tuesday, Kyle Beach felt overwhelmed by emotions.

“I cried, I smiled, I laughed, I cried some more,” Beach said. “Following it, [I had] just a great feeling of relief, vindication and it was no longer my word against everybody else’s.”

Beach revealed himself as the previously anonymous former Hawks player whom former video coach Brad Aldrich allegedly sexually assaulted during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run during a Canadian television interview Wednesday with TSN’s Rick Westhead.

Beach, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2008 NHL draft, was previously considered one of the larger draft busts in Hawks history. It now has become clear the immorality and irresponsibility of team executives at the time ruined Beach’s career themselves through their inaction.

“When they won [the Cup], to see [Aldrich] paraded around, lifting a Cup at the parade, at the team pictures, at the celebrations, it made me feel like nothing,” Beach said. “It made me feel like I didn’t exist. It made me feel like I wasn’t important. It made me feel like he was in the right and I was wrong.”

Beach was a Black Ace for the 2010 playoffs — a prospect called up to accompany the NHL team and gain experience. He’d never been in the NHL before and had only played 10 AHL games by that point, leaving him eager to prove himself in any way possible.

Aldrich exploited that vulnerability, the Jenner & Block investigation into the Hawks’ cover-up revealed, by giving Beach and other Black Aces inside information about lineups yet telling them he could “bury” their careers if they wronged him.

After the sexual assault — a night when Aldrich invited Beach over to supposedly watch hockey videos, then physically forced him to perform oral sex, per the investigation — Aldrich’s previous threats kept Beach quiet.

“I felt like I was alone and there was nothing I could do and nobody I could turn to for help, and I didn’t know what to do,” Beach said on TSN. “As a 20-year-old [at the time], you could never imagine being put in this situation by somebody that’s supposed to be there to help you and make you a better hockey player and continue to build your career.”

Sun-Times file photo
Kyle Beach remained an AHL player for the Blackhawks through 2014, attending community events such as this 2012 alumni softball game.

Beach told his family only once, he said, then tried to never think about the assault — using alcohol and drugs to avoid doing so — again. He played 173 career games for the AHL Rockford IceHogs through 2013-14, then moved overseas; now 31, he plays for a third-division German club.

Recently googling Aldrich’s name and learning of Aldrich’s sexual assault of a still-anonymous Michigan high schooler in 2013 shocked him into motion.

“Because of what happened to him, it gave me the power and the sense of urgency to take action — to make sure it wouldn’t happen to anybody else,” Beach said, breaking down in tears on TSN. “I hope at some point, down the road, if he’s open to it, I would love to meet him.”

Beach said he witnessed meetings discussing Aldrich’s assault in coach Joel Quenneville’s office — “There’s absolutely no way he can deny knowing it,” he added. He also said he fully believes the Hawks’ NHL roster knew about the assault because “word spread pretty quick” — he was bullied with comments about it within the locker room and on the ice.

But he’s now ready to try to recover his life after telling his story publicly.

“The healing process is just beginning,” he said on TSN. “But the one thing that I want to make sure comes from this is change… I would love to be a part of a group that comes up [with] and designs a system to make sure that there is a safe place in the sports world [for all abuse victims].”

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The cast of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre is shown in a scene from “Paradise Square.” The show begins its pre-Broadway run in Chicago on Nov. 2. | Kevin Berne

From theater and music to museums and family events, we’ve got just the ticket with our entertainment guide to some of the fun kicking off in the week ahead.

Theater

In the tenement houses of New York City’s Five Points slum in 1863, Irish immigrants and free-born Black Americans lived alongside one another, intermarried, raised families and shared their cultures. This is the setting for “Paradise Square,” the new musical that delves into conflicting notions of what it meant to be an American in this tumultuous era. In its pre-Broadway run, the show is directed by Moises Kaufman, with choreography by Bill T. Jones and a book by Christina Anderson, Marcus Gardley, Craig Lucas and Larry Kirwan, and a score by Jason Howland, Nathan Tysen and Masi Asare. From Nov. 2-Dec. 5 at the James M. Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph. Tickets: $39+. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.

“The Magic Flute” is Mozart’s final opera, in which a prince and princess triumph over obstacles in their search for wisdom, enlightenment and love. This inventive production, created by Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky and directed by Tobias Ribitzki, features eye-popping projections by animator Paul Barritt and innovative stage design and costumes by Esther Bialis. Taking its inspiration from silent films, the production foregoes the traditional spoken dialogue in between the operatic scenes. Instead, texts are projected onto the stage with musical accompaniment. From Nov. 3-37. Lyric Opera, 20 N. Wacker, $49+. Visit lyricopera.org.

Chris Tong
“Pump Boys & Dinettes” at Porchlight Music Theatre.
One of Chicago’s longest running musicals, “Pump Boys & Dinettes,” returns for a run at Porchlight Music Theatre. Set in a North Carolina dinette, it’s filled with toe-tapping music and wise downhome advice; directed by Robert Reddrick. From Oct. 30-Dec. 12 at Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn. Tickets: $45-$74. Visit porchlightmusictheatre.org.

Music Theater Works presents “Ragtime,” Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens’ musical based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel about the search for the American Dream. Set in the early years of the 20th century, it tells the stories of an upper-class wife, a determined Jewish immigrant and a young Harlem musician who desire a brighter future but must unite to achieves their dreams. Stacey Flaster directs. From Oct. 28-Nov. 7 at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie. Tickets: $20-$108 Visit musictheaterworks.com.

Joan Marcus
Kennedy Caughell stars as the title character in “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical.”The Tony- and Grammy Award-winning Broadway hit “Beautiful — The Carole King Musical” returns for a short downtown run. The musical chronicles the career of the pop singer-songwriter who fought her way into the record business and created a songbook filled with now classic tunes including “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “You’ve Got a Friend.” From Nov. 2-Nov. 7 at CIBC Theatre, 18 W. Monroe. Tickets: $31+. Visit broadwayinchicago.com.
Doren Sorell
Ronnie Marmo stars as Lenny Bruce in “I’m Not a Comedian…I’m Lenny Bruce.”Ronnie Marmo returns with his one-man show “I’m Not a Comedian … I’m Lenny Bruce.” Directed by Joe Mantegna, it’s the story of the life and early passing of the legendary comedian who, according to Marmo, “exposed many of the ‘untouchable’ subjects that are in the news again now.” Includes added content from Bruce’s repertoire not featured in the production’s previous Chicago run. The open run begins Nov. 3 at Venus Cabaret Theater, 3745 N. Southport. Tickets: $69-$79. Visit lennybruceonstage.com.
Michael Brosilow
Second City etc is presenting “The Best Decision You’ve Ever Made.”
The Second City e.t.c. returns with “The Best Decision You’ve Ever Made.” Directed by Frank Caeti, the show is performed and written by returning ensemble members Atra Asdou, EJ Cameron, Mark Campbell, Laurel Krabacher and Chuck Norment plus new cast member Alex Bellisle. Performances begin Oct. 28 in an open run. Tickets: $29+. Visit secondcity.com.
Trap Door Theatre presents Laura Ruohonen’s “Queen C” in which a queen pushes back against being defined by the obligations she was born to fulfill. Michael Mejia directs. From Oct. 28-Dec. 4 at Trap Door Theatre, 1655 W. Cortland. Tickets: $20, $25. Visit trapdoor.com.
The New Coordinates stream a radio play adaptation of Omer Abbas Salem’s drama “Love in the Time of Jonestown,” which explores the splendid ache of acceptance and the profound bliss of betrayal. Directed by Sophiyaa Nayar. Streams Oct. 28-Nov. 21. Tickets: $15. Visit thenewcoordinates.org.
Congo Square Theatre’s digital sketch comedy series, “Hit ‘Em on the Blackside,” returns Oct. 29-Dec. 10 for 12 new episodes. The cast brings back memorable characters from Season 1 and introduces new characters and storylines with nods to social themes including justice and equality, cancel culture and what it means to be a hero. Suggested donation: $10. Visit congosquaretheatre.org.
Theatre in the Dark presents a virtual audio version of H.G. Wells’ Martian invasion tale “War of the Worlds” for three performances Halloween weekend. Using a streamlined script that runs around 70 minutes, it will be recorded and available for seven days following the live performances. Streams Oct. 29-31. Tickets: pay-what-you-can. Visit atheatreinthedark.com.
Stacey Rose’s “America v.2.1: The Sad Demise & Eventual Extinction of the American Negro” is presented in a filmed virtual production by Definition Theatre. The play follows a company of actors tasked with re-telling the history of the American Negro who find themselves fighting for their survival. Directed by Tyrone Phillips. Streams from Nov. 2-21. Tickets: $15-$100. Visit definitiontheatre.org.

Visceral Dance Chicago performs two world premieres — “Madre” by Los Angeles choreographer Mike Tyus and “From Then On” by Spanish choreographer Monica Cervantes — plus three works by artistic director Nick Pupillo: “Avow,” “Ash in the Rainbow” and “Synapse.” At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 28, 30 at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport. Tickets: $21-$58. Visit athenaeumtheatre.org.

Music

Photography by Harvey Tillis
Dave SpecterDelmark Records artist Dave Specter celebrates the release of his new album, “Six String Soul: 30 Years on Delmark.” His musical journey on Delmark began in 1991 with the release of his debut album, “Bluebird Blues.” Over a dozen albums and three decades later, “Six String Soul” showcases the guitarist, singer/songwriter and producer surrounded by a stellar lineup of special guests from late greats Otis Clay and Jack McDuff to living legends like Jimmy Johnson, Billy Branch and Jorma Kaukonen. Specter’s career has been intertwined with the deepest roots of Chicago blues and Delmark’s rich musical history. Guests Jimmy Johnson and Tad Robinson join Specter at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at Space, 1245 Chicago, Evanston. Tickets: $15, $20. Visit evanstonspace.com.
B+ Photo
The Fugees have reunited for a world tour.
Ms. Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel of the legendary hip-hop group Fugees have reunited for their first world tour in 25 years and first shows in 15 years to celebrate the anniversary of 1996’s “The Score,” considered one of the greatest albums of all time (it’s No. 134 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums). “As I celebrate 25 years with the Fugees, my first memory was that we vowed, from the gate, we would not just do music we would be a movement,” Jean says. “We would be a voice for the un-heard, and in these challenging times, I am grateful once again, that God has brought us together.” At 8 p.m. Nov. 2 at United Center, 1901 W. Madison. Tickets: $59+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s contemporary music series, MusicNow, curated by Mead Composer-in-Residence Jessie Montgomery, returns at 7 p.m. Nov. 1. The first concert, “Homecoming,” celebrates composers with ties to Chicago including Ted Hearne, Elijah Daniel Smith, Nathalie Joachim and Montgomery. Performed by CSO musicians. Tickets: $20. Visit cso.org.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center — Wu Han (piano), Arnaud Sussmann (violin), Matthew Lipman (viola) and David Finckel (cello) — perform works by Dvorak, Suk and Brahms. The concert celebrates friendship and family via the music of three composers who mentored and inspired each other. At 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph. Tickets: $30-$70. Visit harristheaterchicgo.org.

Courtesy of AACM
The Great Black Music Ensemble performs for the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians 50th anniversary concert.
The Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians’ 55th Anniversary Concert features world premieres of commissioned works by three internationally renowned artists: The Honorable Elizabeth A. Baker, Grammy-nominated pianist and composer Adegoke Steve Colson, and alto saxophonist Rudresh Mahanthappa. AACM’s Great Black Music Ensemble performs the works. At 7 p.m. Oct. 30 at Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th. Admission is free but reservations are required. Visit tickets.uchicago.edu.

Museums

Aileen Bishop
“A Century of Radio” at the Museum of Broadcast Communications
“A Century of Radio,” a new exhibit at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, examines the intertwined stories of the business, the science and the culture of an industry that transformed the American experience. Artifacts on display include Larry Lujack’s famed Smith-Corona typewriter used to write “Animal Stories” for WLS Radio; Edgar Bergen’s original ventriloquist partners Charlie McCarthy, Mortimer Snerd and Effie Klinker; a 1912 Spark-gap transmitter, the first ever transmitter which generated a frequency of electromagnetic waves; WGN Radio’s original Studio A, which featured personalities Bob Collins, Roy Leonard, Spike O’Dell and Steve and Johnnie, and a rare collection of vintage radio premiums. The exhibit runs now through summer 2022 at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State. Admission is free. Visit museum.tv.

Movies

PrideArts Fall Film Festival features 32 international queer-themed shorts in four weekly programs. The festival’s first week of films (Nov. 1-8) features 11 films from Pakistan curated by the Aks International Minorities Festival, a global human rights initiative designed to facilitate socio-political and cultural dialogues. Among the films is “Four Fifty-Five ML,” about a middle-aged trans-woman who helps a critically ill boy, and “Dead Dad,” about a young man who confronts his dying father. The festival streams from Nov. 1-29. Tickets: $12 per program; $30 festival pass. Visit pridearts.org.

Family fun

For some retro fun check out The Chicago Pinball Expo, the event that salutes pinball designers and artists. Taking place since 1985 in Chicago, the home of pinball, the four-day event is filled with speakers, a game area, competitions and vendors. There also are virtual options. From Oct. 28-30 at Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel, 1551 N. Thoreau Dr., Schaumburg. Tickets: $30+. Visit pinballexpo.com.
Fun and games are on the menu at Laurie Berkner’s Halloween Party as the children’s musician invites families to a virtual event where they can sing along to original Halloween tunes and old favorites. There’s also a live chat with audience members throughout the show and a fun-filled pre-show virtual lobby with music, videos and a Halloween game. Streams at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Oct. 31. Tickets: $20 per family. Visit laurieberkner.com.

Jayme Thornton

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Southern Illinois University at Carbondale has partnerships with Chicago-area community colleges to help student earn a bachelor’s degree. | Provided photo

It’s important for colleges and universities to clear whatever hinders students from attaining their full potential.

This month, Southern Illinois University Carbondale opened more pathways to Chicagoland community college students with limited options, thanks to our new agreements with Harold Washington College (part of City Colleges of Chicago), Harper College and Oakton Community College.

The agreements vary, but they all allow place-bound students to get a bachelor’s degree in select programs from a doctoral research university. Harper and Oakton colleges are the latest to join Saluki Step Ahead, an agreement between our university and the Illinois Community College Board to provide place-bound students with a bachelor’s degree at a lower cost. If students can’t move to Southern Illinois to complete their education, we will bring SIU Carbondale to them.

These agreements are another example of the steps universities must take to improve access and remove barriers for all students. This issue is personal to me.

When I left high school over 30 years ago, I had a scholarship to play basketball at a junior college in Texas. The only idea I had was to stay for two years and get exposure, then play in Division I. When those plans didn’t work out, I knew I needed to complete my undergraduate education.

But I faced a major obstacle: I couldn’t afford a college education in my native state of New Jersey. Fortunately, I was able to earn my bachelor’s degree in Oklahoma, which was less expensive. With that degree, along with a master’s and a doctorate, I have a career I love, helping students pursue their dreams.

Broader access for students who need it most

Today, with millions of jobs lost to COVID-19 and the need for highly skilled professionals expected to grow, the issue of access to higher education becomes more urgent. All the opportunities that come from a college degree cannot benefit a student who believes college is beyond their reach. Too often, high school graduates and adult learners are deterred from even applying because they think they don’t have the right test scores or fear unmanageable debt.

At SIU Carbondale, we’re proud of the distinctive education we offer. Students receive hands-on learning and personal attention. Undergraduates can do research often reserved for graduate students. At SIU, we believe it’s our responsibility to provide access to those opportunities, whether they can take in-person classes on our beautiful campus or are place-bound.

Many SIU students do not come from privileged backgrounds. About 40% are the first in their families to attend college, and nearly 80% receive financial aid.

They might not be able to afford expensive classes to maximize their scores on standardized tests, and studies have shown GPA is a more accurate predictor of student success. So we removed an obstruction for many qualified students and no longer require SAT and ACT test scores for admission and most scholarships.

And even students without the best grades in high school have the potential to do college-level work. They deserve a chance. That is why we relaunched the Dr. Seymour Bryson Future Scholars program. Students take summer classes and receive academic coaching, advising, mentoring and tutoring. In the past, the program has assisted students from diverse races and communities.

At SIU, we are also lifting financial barriers between students and their education.

Out-of-state students pay the same tuition rate as Illinois residents. For new students from Illinois who meet the criteria, we have started two exciting initiatives: the Saluki Commitment and the Saluki Transfer Commitment. If a student’s financial aid package does not completely cover tuition and mandatory fees, we pledge to close the gap.

It’s important for colleges and universities to clear whatever hinders students from attaining their full potential. It is in the best interest of our students, our institutions and our society.

Austin A. Lane is chancellor of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Send letters to [email protected]

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