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3 shot in Humboldt ParkSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 11:12 pm

A woman and two men were wounded in a shooting Saturday afternoon in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side.

They were in the 1100 block of North Kildare Avenue about 4:15 p.m. when someone opened fire, Chicago police said.

The woman, 29, was shot in the neck and was taken to Stroger Hospital, police said. Her condition wasn’t immediately known.

A A 32-year-old man was struck in the back and was also taken to Stroger Hospital in an unknown condition, police said. Another man, 53, was shot in the hand and was transported to Humboldt Park Health Hospital. His condition wasn’t known.

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3 shot in Humboldt ParkSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 11:12 pm Read More »

Hyde Park shuts out LindblomMike Clarkon September 12, 2021 at 12:16 am

At a solid 5-10 and 220 pounds, Hyde Park’s Quentin Harris looks like the linebacker and defensive end he used to be.

But when Harris showcases his strong and accurate arm the way he did on Saturday afternoon, he looks every bit the quarterback he is now.

The senior threw for 163 yards and one touchdown, and ran for another score as Hyde Park opened Illini Big Shoulders play with a 42-0 shutout of Lindblom at Eckersall.

Harris played quarterback with many of his current teammates at Parker Community Academy, but he spent most of his high school career on defense.

Then in the spring, the Thunderbirds found themselves without a quarterback.

“I saw [Harris] throwing the ball around in practice and then I was like, ‘Huh. Interesting,'” Hyde Park coach Keenan Phillips-Riley said. “We really didn’t have anyone else and he stepped up to the plate.”

Harris is notable not just for his ability to give his receivers a chance to catch every pass, but for his calm presence in the pocket.

“I’ve been through it,” he said. “I know how it goes.”

Harris’ passing, to receivers like 6-3 Omari Hankins (five catches, 106 yards) is one element of Hyde Park’s balanced offense. Another is a ground game featuring speedy freshman Marquis Harlan, who ran 12 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns.

“They expect, our running back, he’s a freshman so he can’t do that,” Harris said.

But the Thunderbirds (3-0, 1-0) have a diversified offense and a defense that held Lindbom (1-2, 0-1) to minus-25 yards of total offense.

It’s a combination that could help Hyde Park get back to the IHSA playoffs for the third straight season and boost their profile on the South Side, where Kenwood, Simeon, Morgan Park and Phillips get most of the attention.

“We’re the underdogs,” Harris said. “They’re going to find out about us.”

Just reaching the postseason won’t be enough this fall, though.

“What we want to do now, we want to win one [playoff game],” Phillips-Riley said. “We keep going out in the first round, so the goal is to at least win a first-round game.”

Hyde Park running back Marquis Harlan rushes for a touchdown in the first half.Quinn Harris/For the Sun-Times

That’s also a long-term goal for Lindblom, which last reached the IHSA playoffs in 2017. Right now, the Eagles are in building mode with just three seniors on a roster dominated by sophomores.

“Sometimes they play well, sometimes they look like sophomores,” Lindblom coach Tyrice Jackson said. “[Saturday] they looked like sophomores. [But] they’re going to be good.”

The goal is to get to Hyde Park’s level.

“They’re a great team, well-coached, really disciplined,” Jackson said. “They’re who we’re emulating. That’s what we want to be when we grow up.”

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Hyde Park shuts out LindblomMike Clarkon September 12, 2021 at 12:16 am Read More »

Bartees Strange, Horsegirl and Faye Webster kick off sweltering Day 2 of PitchforkMatt Mooreon September 12, 2021 at 12:12 am

Day Two of Pitchfork Music Festival came with unrelenting sunshine and high temperatures, as some festival-goers laid out blankets in the shade and others opted to stand in the sun while watching the day’s first performances at Union Park.

Scorching sets from Bartees Strange and local act Horsegirl made the afternoon feel even hotter, with both groups performing their own high-energy interpretations of indie rock.

Near the intersection of Ashland and W. Washington, two public transportation vessels sat repurposed — a CTA bus parked as a cooling station in anticipation of the day’s heat, and an L train car, converted into a Goose Island Beer Co. stand, where an exclusive festival collaboration beer with Saturday act Faye Webster was being poured.

Just as it had Friday, Pitchforkpushed a mobile notification about an hour before gates opened reminding fans of COVID-19 protocols, including recommendation for masks — which were present on attendees, but far from ubiquitous.

The festival also announced via its app that hip-hop heavyweight Jay Electronica had been dropped from the bill, without explanation. Scheduled to perform in his time slot was producer RP Boo, adding another local Chicago act to this year’s lineup.

But when fans weren’t packed in to see acts like Maxo Kream (who went shirtless in response to the sweltering heat), chilling in the shade or exploring the park, they were waiting in lines. Lines for the water refill station and stands selling alcohol, food and merch could be seen stretching fairly far back. During the dinner rush Friday night, wait times were long for a taste of local vendors like Cevapcici Chicago and Beat Kitchen.

Here’s a look at some of Saturday’s top acts:

Backed by a four-piece band featuring what might have been the only pedal steel heard this weekend, Faye Webster gently rocked the sizable crowd gathered at the Blue Stage to see her Saturday.

The Atlanta-based singer-songwriter and guitarist eased into her evening set with mid-tempo selections from this summer’s “I Know I’m Funny haha” — a breezy, alternative-indie folk album infused with elements of rock and country.

Songs like the album’s title track encapsulated Webster’s ability as a lyricist and singer to balance themes of affection coupled with vulnerability, while cheekily cooing lines like, “I think your sisters are so pretty, got drunk and they forgot they met me.” On Saturday she dedicated the song to “all the sh—y men out there.”

Faye Webster performs at the Blue Saga at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

As Webster’s tight, laid-back set moved along steadily, rock artist Ty Segall was ripping into his set on the Red Stage at full volume, sometimes drowning out Webster’s slightly subdued vocals.

“Right Side of my Neck,” arguably Webster’s most upbeat track, was a crowd-pleaser, with fans swaying and singing along to every word. The same was true when she and her band covered a song from the Nintendo Switch game, “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”

One of the biggest responses from the crowd came during her final song “Kingston,” one of her most well-known singles, off 2019’s “Atlanta Millionaires Club.” As she does in the recording, Webster uttered the lines, “The day that I met you I started dreaming,” acapella, followed by her band kicking in. Live, the drop hit even harder, as fans cheered — moved by the subtle dynamics that make Webster’s sound so catchy.

Check back soon for more from Saturday’s Pitchfork sets.

Festival-goers sit in the grass and listen as Waxahatchee performs on the Green Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

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Bartees Strange, Horsegirl and Faye Webster kick off sweltering Day 2 of PitchforkMatt Mooreon September 12, 2021 at 12:12 am Read More »

1 killed, 3 shot, in Grand Crossing drive-bySun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 11:56 pm

A man was killed and three others were hurt in a drive-by shooting Saturday afternoon in Grand Crossing on the South Side.

The men were standing outside about 4:55 p.m. in the 900 block of East 79th Street when a dark-colored SUV drove by and someone from inside fired shots, Chicago police said.

A 24-year-old was shot in the head and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said. He hasn’t been identified.

Another man, 28, was shot in the leg and was taken in good condition to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said.

A 26-year-old was struck in the ankle and another, 27, was shot in the leg, police said. They were both taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in good condition.

Area Two detectives are investigating.

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1 killed, 3 shot, in Grand Crossing drive-bySun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 11:56 pm Read More »

Nick Madrigal visits Wrigley Field for first time as a CubJared Wyllyson September 11, 2021 at 11:17 pm

Second baseman Nick Madrigal followed this year’s trade deadline proceedings the same way most baseball fans do: watching the scroll on his TV. Except, unlike fans, he was on the lookout for his name.

On July 30, Madrigal was at the White Sox’ complex in Glendale, Arizona, recovering from surgery to his right hamstring. That afternoon, he was sitting on the couch with his girlfriend watching the trade updates on TV.

A few minutes before news that he had been traded to the other side of town came up on the screen, Madrigal got a phone call from Sox general manager Rick Hahn.

Not long after that, Madrigal got a text from his friend Nico Hoerner: “If the rumors are true, welcome!”

Madrigal and Hoerner grew up in California playing against each other at nearly every level, from high school to travel ball to college, and a friendship formed between them.

“He was always one of the best players growing up,” Madrigal said. “He was the bigger kid, he threw hard on the mound.”

As Madrigal moves forward in his rehab — he said he’s expecting to be back to full baseball activities by November and ready for spring training in 2022 — he and Hoerner will finally be teammates.

“We have similar styles of play, and I think we complement each other really well,” Madrigal said.

Interim manager Andy Green is looking forward to the high-contact, low-strikeout approach that both players will bring to the lineup next season, especially Madrigal, who earned the nickname “Nicky Two Strikes” on the south side for his ability to put the ball in play behind in the count or not.

“He doesn’t punch out in a world where everybody and their brother punches out all the time,” Green said. “Having that skill set in the lineup, especially with Nico in there as well, that changes our offensive dynamic quite a bit. Couple guys who put balls in play, and the game is starved for those types of hitters right now.

“He’s clearly really good at getting two-strike hits. In a world where most people hit about .150 with two strikes, he’s way beyond that. The nickname’s well earned.”

Madrigal knows the balance he and Hoerner can bring to the Cubs lineup. In 324 plate appearances across 2020 and 2021, Madrigal has a 7.4% strikeout rate, and Hoerner’s is 15.1% this season. The league average is around 24%, and the Cubs were sitting at 26.9% entering Saturday’s game.

“You need power guys, but you also need guys that get on base for when the power guys aren’t hitting every game,” he said. “In a lineup you need someone who gets on base and puts the ball in play.”

The injury to his right hamstring that required season-ending surgery on June 15 had been a lingering one, Madrigal said. He spent a few weeks still playing despite it not feeling right because Madrigal is not one to take himself out of a lineup. But in hindsight, Madrigal believes he would have been better off in the long term by taking a few days off back in late May or early June.

“Big picture, I probably learned a couple things from that,” Madrigal said.

Madrigal is spending the weekend series in Chicago and getting his first taste of Wrigley Field with fans in the stands. When he came as a visiting player with the Sox last season, the seats were empty.

After Sunday’s game, Madrigal will fly back to Arizona to continue rehabbing. There was talk of staying with the team for the last few weeks of the season, but Madrigal is focused on being ready in 2022.

“We have so much time,” Madrigal said. “I could be back before then, but there’s really no rush. The ultimate goal is to be as strong and as ready as possible in spring training.”

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Nick Madrigal visits Wrigley Field for first time as a CubJared Wyllyson September 11, 2021 at 11:17 pm Read More »

White Sox’ Luis Robert showing ‘veteran stuff’ at the plateBrian Sandalowon September 11, 2021 at 11:16 pm

Defensively, White Sox center fielder Luis Robert didn’t need much time to acclimate himself to the major leagues. As a rookie last season, Robert impressed with his speed and athleticism and earned a Gold Glove.

”He was evidently ready to play defensively, got the Gold Glove,” Sox manager Tony La Russa said. ”He’s got that knack of concentration reading balls, and he’s got the physical abilities.”

Things were a little different for Robert at the plate. In September of the shortened 2020 season, Robert hit only .136 in 23 games and homered only once in 81 at-bats in a cold spell that might have cost him the American League Rookie of the Year award.

In 2021, however, Robert has taken a step forward offensively. Entering the game Saturday against the Red Sox, Robert was hitting .349 with a .946 OPS since returning from a hip-flexor injury that cost him most of May and all of June and July. His approach, which was raw at times last season, seems to have evolved.

”What he’s done at the plate has been impressive, as far as cutting down the chasing and really hitting strikes, being more aggressive when he’s got the count in his favor and shortening up a little bit to put the ball in play,” La Russa said. ”That’s veteran stuff. The fact he’s doing it this early is very impressive.”

Robert looked refined when his single to right brought in Gavin Sheets to give the Sox a 4-0 lead Friday. Instead of attempting to pull a 94.1 mph sinker that was outside, Robert went with the pitch and drove in the run that turned out to be the difference in the Sox’ 4-3 victory.

”I was trying to make good contact with the ball,” Robert said Friday through a translator. ”I was able to make good contact in that situation, and I was able to drive that run in.”

What about Vaughn?

Rookie Andrew Vaughn wasn’t in the lineup for the second consecutive day, but it wasn’t so he could recalibrate his swing.

”He’s got some soreness in his legs, so we’re trying not to push him,” La Russa said.

Entering play Saturday, Vaughn was 0-for-13 in his last three games and 4-for-50 in his last 13. In the 54 games before that, he was slashing .303/.367/.528 with 10 homers.

Instead of Vaughn in left, where he has started 86 games this season, it was Romy Gonzalez, who made his third career start.

This and that

Right-hander Nick Pivetta is expected to be activated off the COVID-19 injured list to start Sunday for the Red Sox. Former Sox left-hander Chris Sale had been scheduled to pitch but was scratched after testing positive for COVID-19.

o On the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Chicago police officer Kenyatta Gaines sang the national anthem and retired New York firefighter Scott Schrimpe threw out a ceremonial first pitch.

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White Sox’ Luis Robert showing ‘veteran stuff’ at the plateBrian Sandalowon September 11, 2021 at 11:16 pm Read More »

Pitchfork Music Festival 2021: Day 2 photo highlightsSun-Times staffon September 12, 2021 at 12:33 am

Pitchfork Music Festival 2021 entered its second day Saturday afternoon in Union Park, as the West Loop staple returned from its COVID-19 hiatus in 2020.

The Day 2 lineup included another eclectic mix of hip-hop, R&B, indie rock and more. Horsegirl, Bartees Strange, Amaarae, Waxahatchee, Ty Segall & Freedom Band and more were among the afternoon acts. Saturday’s headliners include Jamila Woods and Angel Olsen, with St. Vincent closing out the night.

Hot on the heels of Lollapalooza last month, the music festival has strict COVID-19 safety protocols in place, requiring proof of full vaccination or a negative test within 24 hours for each day of the fest in order to gain entry.

In addition to the music, a popup art fair featuring the work of local artists make for perfect summertime shopping and browsing.

Here’s a look at the sights and sounds of Saturday’s shows:

Georgia Anne Muldrow performs at the Blue Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Georgia Anne Muldrow performs at the Blue Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park on Saturday.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Georgia Anne Muldrow performs at the Blue Stage at Pitchfork music festival on Day 2 at Union Park.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Festivalgoers jam out to Kim Gordon as she performs at the Blue Stage at Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Kim Gordon performs at the Blue Stage at Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park on Saturday.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Kim Gordon performs at the Blue Stage at Pitchfork on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Waxahatchee performs on the Green Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Waxahatchee performs on the Green Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Waxahatchee performs on the Green Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Festival-goers slowly sway and sing along as Waxahatchee performs on the Green Stage at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Faye Webster performs at the Blue Saga at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Faye Webster performs at the Blue Saga at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Faye Webster performs at the Blue Saga at Pitchfork music festival at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

A CTA cooling bus sits parked at Pitchfork music festival grounds at Union Park, Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Check back soon for more from Saturday’s sets.

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Pitchfork Music Festival 2021: Day 2 photo highlightsSun-Times staffon September 12, 2021 at 12:33 am Read More »

Boy, 17, shot in Princeton ParkSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 8:57 pm

A 17-year-old boy was shot Sept. 11, 2021, in Princeton Park. | Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

He was inside of a home about 2:50 p.m. in the 9100 block of South Wentworth Avenue when someone he knew fired shots, striking him in the foot, Chicago police said.

A 17-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting Saturday in Princeton Park.

He was inside of a home about 2:50 p.m. in the 9100 block of South Wentworth Avenue when someone he knew fired shots, striking him in the foot, Chicago police said.

The teen was taken to Roseland Community Hospital in good condition, police said.

Detectives were questioning a person of interest.

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Boy, 17, shot in Princeton ParkSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 8:57 pm Read More »

Man dies days after South Shore shootingSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 8:51 pm

A man who was wounded in a shooting Sunday in South Shore has died.

Kelly Mitchem, 32, was pronounced dead Thursday at the University of Chicago Medical Center, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said.

On Sunday, Mitchem was in a vehicle about 5:20 p.m. in the 7000 block of South South Shore Drive when someone fired shots at him from another vehicle, Chicago police said.

Mitchem was struck and then crashed his vehicle. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition at the time, police said.

An autopsy released Saturday ruled his death a homicide, saying he died of multiple gunshot wounds, the medical examiner’s office said.

No arrests have been reported.

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Man dies days after South Shore shootingSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 8:51 pm Read More »

3 killed, 16 wounded Chicago shootings since Friday eveningSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 8:19 pm

At least 19 people have been wounded, three fatally, in citywide gun violence since Friday evening.

In the latest fatal shooting, a 12-year-old boy was found dead Saturday morning in the South Chicago neighborhood.

A witness found the boy unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the head about 10:30 a.m. in the 8000 block of South Bennett Avenue, according to preliminary information from Chicago police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 36-year-old woman was taken into custody in connection with the shooting, police said,

Hours earlier, woman was killed while sitting in a vehicle in Chatham on the South Side.

The 34-year-old was sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle with a group of people in a parking lot about 1:25 a.m. in the 8700 block of South Lafayette Avenue when she was shot in the head, Chicago police said. She died at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

On Friday, a person was shot dead in Englewood.

A male, whose age wasn’t immediately known, was near the sidewalk about 5:30 p.m. in the 7200 block of South Yale Avenue when someone opened fire, striking him in the armpit and hand, police said.

He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

In nonfatal attacks, two boys were shot while they were standing on a porch in Austin on the West Side.

They were on the porch about 10:30 p.m. Friday in the 5800 block of West Augusta Boulevard when someone inside a silver-colored SUV fired shots, police said. The boys, 12 and 13 years old, were struck in the leg and taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.

Hours later, a 16-year-old boy was wounded when someone shot him in Gresham on the South Side.

The teen was walking through a gas station about 12:55 a.m. Saturday in the 7600 block of South Green Street when he was shot in the leg, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition.

At least 11 other people have been wounded in incidents of gun violence in Chicago since 5 p.m. Friday.

Last weekend, six people were killed and at least 61 others were wounded in citywide shootings over the holiday weekend.

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3 killed, 16 wounded Chicago shootings since Friday eveningSun-Times Wireon September 11, 2021 at 8:19 pm Read More »