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Concealed carry license holder grazed by bullet in traffic related shooting in South Shoreon July 1, 2021 at 10:35 am

A concealed carry license holder was grazed by a bullet in a traffic related shooting Thursday in South Shore on the South Side.

About 2:40 a.m., the 23-year-old was in his vehicle in the 7100 block of South Yates Boulevard, when a silver Ford Escape struck his vehicle and fled the scene, Chicago police said.

The man began following the SUV until it stopped, a man got out, and began firings shots at him, police said. The 23-year-old, who is a licensed concealed carry holder, returned fire and the man fled the scene on foot.

The 23-year-old was grazed by a bullet on his leg, and was released at the scene after refusing to go to the hospital, police said.

No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.

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Concealed carry license holder grazed by bullet in traffic related shooting in South Shoreon July 1, 2021 at 10:35 am Read More »

Woman killed, child shot, women grazed in drive-by in Roseland: policeon July 1, 2021 at 9:10 am

One woman was killed, a second woman was grazed by a bullet and a child was shot Thursday morning in Roseland on the Far South Side.

About 1:10 a.m., two women were sitting on the porch of a home in the 11300 block of South Wentworth Avenue, when a person stepped out of a white Nissan and fired multiple shots before getting back inside the vehicle and fleeing southbound, Chicago police said.

A 40-year-old woman was struck in the torso and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead, police said. She has not yet been identified.

A 30-year-old woman grazed by a bullet on her torso and taken to Roseland Hospital in good condition, police said.

One of the shots fired went through the house and struck an 8-year-old girl in the arm, police said. She was taken to Roseland Hospital and is also in good condition.

Area Two detectives are investigating.

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Woman killed, child shot, women grazed in drive-by in Roseland: policeon July 1, 2021 at 9:10 am Read More »

10 shot Wednesday in Chicagoon July 1, 2021 at 7:23 am

Ten people were shot Wednesday in Chicago, including a man who was shot Austin on the West Side.

About 11:50 p.m., the 23-year-old was standing outside in the 5200 block of West Ferdinand Street, when someone approached him on foot and fired shots, Chicago police said. He fled the area but realized he was struck in the arm. The man was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he is in critical condition.

Four teenagers, including two 15-year-olds, were hurt in a shooting in Little Village on the West Side. About 8:20 p.m., the four teens were walking outside in the 2200 block of South Millard Avenue when a dark-colored SUV approached and someone inside began firing shots at them, police said. One 15-year-old boy suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. The other 15-year-old was struck in the left thigh and taken to the same hospital in good condition. An 18-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was listed in serious condition at the same hospital. The fourth victim, another 18-year-old man, was struck in the foot and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where his condition was stabilized. The dark-colored SUV fled the scene.

Wednesday morning, a 21-year-old man was shot and critically wounded in Austin on the West Side. He was shot in his abdomen and hip around 11 a.m. in the 5900 block of West Iowa Street, police said. Paramedics took him to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition.

A man was shot while driving in Humboldt Park on the Northwest Side. About 12:40 a.m., the 35-year-old man was driving in the 800 block of North Richmond Street when he was shot in the hip, police said. He was taken to Rush University Medical Center by a bystander, then transferred to Stroger Hospital, where he was in fair condition.

Three others were wounded in shootings citywide.

One person was killed and eleven others were wounded in shootings Tuesday in Chicago.

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10 shot Wednesday in Chicagoon July 1, 2021 at 7:23 am Read More »

July 4 Weekend with Beer in Chicagoon July 1, 2021 at 3:43 am

The Beeronaut

July 4 Weekend with Beer in Chicago

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July 4 Weekend with Beer in Chicagoon July 1, 2021 at 3:43 am Read More »

On July 4, celebrate — but get vaccinated firston July 1, 2021 at 1:55 am

This year’s Fourth of July is likely to be all the more celebratory for so many now-vaccinated Americans, who will once again mark the holiday with family cookouts and beach-going with friends and fireworks.

And millions of us, having gotten our shots, are more than ready to mark an official summer “reopening.”

All the same, and not to sound like a scold, but we had better remember: There’s still plenty of work ahead to put the pandemic fully behind us.

The threat of COVID-19 continues to loom large. Pockets of Chicago, Downstate Illinois and the rest of the nation are struggling to get everyone vaccinated. Add to that the growing spread of the more contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus, which has been identified in dozens of countries and already accounts for some 20% of newly reported COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

By fall, the Delta variant could cause the same surge in cases that other nations are experiencing. We dare not risk that scenario, especially with some research suggesting that the Delta variant also causes more severe illness.

Getting vaccinated is now all the more critical. The vaccines, experts have said, are effective against coronavirus variants, and the vast majority of new COVID-19 infections are among the unvaccinated.

Everyone who is medically able to get the shot must do so, for their own and everyone else’s health and safety.

Numbers sound the alarm

Gov. J.B. Pritzker made much the same point on Monday when he urged unvaccinated Illinoisans to get their shots and to heed warnings about the new Delta variant.

“This is very real,” he said, with great understatement.

“The lessons here at home and across the world are a harbinger of what could happen here, particularly in low vaccinated areas,” the governor said, “if we don’t see a higher uptake of the vaccine across Illinois.”

“Higher uptake” is needed in a number of states, particularly in the South and Midwest. Pockets of the country where folks either have less access to shots — or stubbornly refuse to get them — already have forced the White House to concede that America will fall short of President Joe Biden’s initial goal: To get 70% of the adult population vaccinated with at least their first dose by July 4.

Opinion This Week

A weekly overview of opinions, analysis and commentary on issues affecting Chicago, Illinois and our nation by outside contributors, Sun-Times readers and the CST Editorial Board.

In Illinois overall, 71.6% of adults have gotten at least one shot and 56.3% are fully vaccinated, according to state Department of Health data. But consider the situation in Southern Illinois, where a number of counties have vaccination rates hovering at 20% to 35%. In Alexander County on the Mississippi River, just 14.4% of adults have been fully vaccinated.

Chicago is lagging behind too. Here, just 49.5% of adults are fully vaccinated and 55.7% having gotten their first shot, city Department of Health data show. The racial disparity remains stark, with just 33.1% of African Americans and 40.4% of Latinos now fully vaccinated. In some ZIP codes on the South and West sides, only about a third of residents have been fully vaccinated.

Get your shot before celebrating the Fourth.

Send letters to [email protected]

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On July 4, celebrate — but get vaccinated firston July 1, 2021 at 1:55 am Read More »

Stuart Damon, Dr. Alan Quartermaine on ‘General Hospital’ dies at 84on July 1, 2021 at 1:58 am

Stuart Damon, best known for his role as Dr. Alan Quartermaine on “General Hospital,” died Tuesday. He was 84.

“Stuart Damon played beloved patriarch Alan Quartermaine for 30 years,” Frank Valentini, “General Hospital” executive producer, said in a statement to USA TODAY. “He was a great actor and even greater man. His legacy lives on through ‘GH’ and all the lives he touched and all those who loved him. He will be missed.”

Damon’s family told ABC News 7 the actor had been “struggling with renal failure for the last several years.”

The actor landed the “General Hospital” role of Dr. Alan Quartermaine, part of the rich, dysfunctional and haughty Quartermaine family, in 1977. He was nominated for seven Daytime Emmys for his decades-long portrayal. In 1999, Damon finally won for best supporting actor for his depiction of Dr. Quartermaine’s addiction to Hydrocodone.

From 1999 to 2001, Damon reprised his Dr. Quartermaine role for the spinoff series “Port Charles.” He appeared regularly on “General Hospital” until his character’s death, from heart failure after a massive heart attack during February sweeps, in 2007. Dr. Quartermaine appeared sporadically on the daytime drama until 2013, sometimes in dreams and even as a ghost. “General Hospital” actors paid tribute to Damon on social media.

“I am so grateful to have had this wonderful man in my life. I am very sad today #StuartDamon #GH,” tweeted Genie Francis, who plays Laura Spencer on the soap opera.

Amber Tamblyn, who played Damon’s adopted daughter on “General Hospital” for seven years, tweeted she was “broken hearted” to hear the news.

“He was the most kind, wonderful, loving, supportive person. He always made me laugh and made me feel safe on set. I love you, Stewy. Rest well now, my friend,” Tamblyn wrote.

“General Hospital” actress Nancy Lee Grahnsaid Damon was “a lovely, funny, talented Prince of a man. He truly was Charming.”

“What a pleasure it was to work with his iconic self,” Grahn wrote on Twitter.

Stuart Damon landed the “General Hospital” role of Dr. Alan Quartermaine, part of the rich, dysfunctional and haughty Quartermaine family, in 1977. He was nominated for seven Daytime Emmys for his decades-long portrayal.
ABC

Eden McCoy, Josslyn John Jacks on the ABC soap opera, tweeted that Damon “makes me proud and thankful to be even a small part of this show.”

Born in New York City, February 5, 1937, Damon began his career on Broadway. He shot to prominence portraying the prince opposite Lesley Ann Warren in the 1965 CBS musical production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”

Damon in worked on London’s West End stage also starring as a secret agent on the 1968-69 TV series “The Champions.” He appeared on British shows including “The Saint,” “Steptoe and Son” and “The New Avengers.”

Read more at usatoday.com

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Stuart Damon, Dr. Alan Quartermaine on ‘General Hospital’ dies at 84on July 1, 2021 at 1:58 am Read More »

Injuries mount, but White Sox keep on winningon July 1, 2021 at 2:42 am

The White Sox got one big piece back Wednesday and lost two.

One step forward, two steps back.

Somehow, some way, they’ve managed to stay in first place for 56 days this season and every day since May 7 despite a list of injuries too long to list here.

“Just had a run of bad luck,” said right-hander Michael Kopech, who returned to the bullpen for the first time since May 26 after getting sidelined by a hamstring strain. “I really hope we can turn that corner and get everybody healthy and back to being the team we are. We’ve done well with a lot of guys down but we’re capable of a lot more. Really hoping everyone gets on the field healthy and we don’t have any more setbacks.”

There were two more setbacks before the Sox hosted the Twins Wednesday, both from the bullpen. Right-hander Evan Marshall, who exited Tuesday’s game against the Twins with soreness in his forearm, landed on the injured list with a strained right flexor pronator. That wasn’t as surprising an announcement as left-hander Aaron Bummer going on the IL with a right hamstring strain. Lefty Jace Fry was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte.

“Just have to appreciate the depth that the organization has provided us,” manager Tony La Russa said. “We still keep competing. If someone is missing for a bit, we’ve got somebody to come in and help.”

Marshall, who was struggling with a 5.60 ERA after two good seasons as a reliable, late-inning righty, to be out longer than Bummer, who sustained his injury before Tuesday’s game. If there’s a silver lining, it appears to be minor and it gives Bummer 10 days to rest his arm. That’s the only good thing about Kopech being out for a month — it seemingly keeps more bullets in his holster for late in the season.

“It does kind of help us manage that together rather than me pulling in one direction and them pulling in another,” said Kopech, whose innings were going to be watched anyway after he opted out of the 2020 season. “Maybe from here we can ride it out like a regular season and not think about it too much, but like I said it’s out of my hands.”

La Russa said Kopech would slide back into his role of one or two-inning relief guy but was probably good for one inning “against the middle of their lineup” Wednesday. He also made four spot starts.

Dylan Cease started Wednesday and allowed a first-inning homer to Josh Donaldson, booed lustily as the villain after a his war of words with Lucas Giolito and Ozzie Guillen escalated during the day. It was the second night in a row Donaldson homered in the first and the second in a row the Sox erased the lead, this time with homers by Brian Goodwin, Andrew Vaughn, Jose Abreu, Yasmani Grandal and rookie Gavin Sheets in his second game. The Sox, who had scored 18 runs in a row without a homer before Goodwin went deep, led 11-1 in the fifth.

Abreu is playing in pain after getting hit by a pitch below his left knee Sunday.

“If you’re asking me how he does it, I have no idea,” Kopech said. “But it’s inspiring to all of us, especially the many guys that we’ve had banged up this year, that he can seem to get hit by a Mack truck and be in the game the next day, and it happens week after week almost.

“The guy is relentless and it really drives the rest of the team. He knows that we’re a different team with him out there and so he does his best to make sure he’s on the field everyday. We respect that and look at him as a leader because of that.”

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Injuries mount, but White Sox keep on winningon July 1, 2021 at 2:42 am Read More »

Two 15-year-old boys among 3 hurt in Little Village shootingon July 1, 2021 at 2:32 am

Three teenagers, including two 15-year-olds, were hurt in a shooting Wednesday night in Little Village on the West Side.

One 15-year-old boy and an 18-year-old man were found about 8:20 p.m. in the 3700 block of West Cermak Road with gunshot wounds, Chicago fire officials said. The younger boy was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious to critical condition, fire officials said.

The older teen was taken to the same hospital in fair to serious condition, fire officials said.

The other 15-year-old boy was found shot about a block away in the 2200 block of South Millard Avenue, fire officials said. He was transported to the same hospital in fair to serious condition.

Police have not yet released information on the shooting.

This is a developing story. Check back for details.

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Two 15-year-old boys among 3 hurt in Little Village shootingon July 1, 2021 at 2:32 am Read More »

Lightfoot’s troubles put her under harsh spotlight — as office she holds becomes shadow of what it wason July 1, 2021 at 2:47 am

Rahm Emanuel liked to say there are five chief executive jobs in the nation worth holding: president; governor of California or New York; and mayor of New York or Chicago.

After his successor’s recent losing streak, Emanuel might want to cross mayor of Chicago off that list.

At a time when Lori Lightfoot appears most vulnerable to a potential reelection challenge, the once all-powerful job that made Richard J. Daley a kingmaker has — or is about to — become a shadow of what it was.

Chicago’s mayor will still wear the jacket for Chicago Public Schools. But a Chicago Teachers Union with expanded bargaining rights and a 21-member elected school board — both approved by the Illinois General Assembly over Lightfoot’s strenuous objections — will make it more difficult, if not impossible, for the mayor to make the changes voters demand.

The same goes for violent crime and the Chicago Police Department. There is no more stalling the civilian oversight board recommended by the Task Force on Police Accountability that Lightfoot co-chaired.

The civilian oversight board is likely to have the final say on police policy and be empowered to take a vote of no-confidence in the police superintendent that would trigger a similar City Council vote. The only question is whether Chicago voters will approve a binding referendum giving the oversight board even more power.

Adding to the mayor’s headaches are a tidal wave of police retirements and a firefighters pension bill that, Lightfoot claims, will saddle beleaguered Chicago taxpayers with $850 million in potential costs by 2055, setting the stage for a parade of future property tax increases.

Not to mention an emboldened Council that just handed the mayor her first defeat — on a 25-24 vote — on the issue that has divided Lightfoot and Council members since her inauguration: aldermanic prerogative.

Mayor Richard M. Daley heatedly presents his budget to the City Council in 2010.
Mayor Richard M. Daley heatedly presents his budget to the City Council in 2010.
Al Podgorski/Sun-Times file

“If the trend continues, there will be a period of the mayor being scapegoated for things that they’re no longer really responsible for or in charge of. It’s gonna be very difficult for anybody that is the mayor,” given those changes, said Pat O’Connor, a former 40th Ward alderman who served as Council floor leader under Emanuel and his predecessor, Richard M. Daley.

“In Chicago, we’re used to the mayor being in charge. In a lot of cities throughout the country, the mayor really isn’t in charge. They cut ribbons. They put forth ideas. But they don’t really perform the job of control.”

O’Connor pointed to the changed dynamic in Springfield after the departure of two top Chicago Democrats who were among the city’s strongest champions: longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President John Cullerton.

Madigan was forced out by the Commonwealth Edison bribery scandal that triggered the indictment of two close political operatives. He has not been charged and has denied wrongdoing.

“In the past, you could count on Springfield to help the mayor of Chicago. In the past, you could look at people to be supportive of trying to make the streets safer and trying to be supportive of police. And now, all of that is turned on its head,” O’Connor said.

Ald. Patrick J. O'Connor, center, talks with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, right, at a City Council meeting in 2016.
Ald. Patrick J. O’Connor, center, talks with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, right, at a City Council meeting in 2016.
James Foster/Sun-Times file

“So a mayor coming in … is gonna have a difficult time getting their policies in place without a Council that’s willing to work with them and without a Springfield that’s willing to go the extra mile for the city, as it pretty much always did in the past.”

Democratic political consultant Peter Giangreco said it’s still early to know just how vulnerable Lightfoot really is and what impact the diminished role of the office — what one political insider called “the incredible shrinking mayor” — will have on possible mayoral challengers.

“If the mayor eventually … will have almost no say in the schools and you’ve got a potential position where they also can’t appoint the police [superintendent], the job becomes a glorified Streets and San commissioner job,” said Giangreco, who advised Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza’s 2019 mayoral campaign.

“Everything flows from public safety and education. If the mayor’s ability to affect those things continues to be restricted or taken away, it makes the job tougher to do and less appealing to run for.”

O’Connor, who spent many years as chairman of the Council’s Education Committee, argued the teachers union has been “pretty much running” CPS for a while, forcing the seven-member board appointed by the mayor to “play defense.”

Striking Chicago Teachers Union members march outside City Hall in 2019.
Striking Chicago Teachers Union members march outside City Hall in 2019.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

That was evident when Lightfoot was forced to give away the store — at a cost of $1.5 billion over five years — to end the 11-day strike in 2019 by a union that had backed County Board President Toni Preckwinkle over Lightfoot in the mayoral election.

“It’s a tough way to run a system when, essentially, you’re trying to hold on as opposed to implement policy. But, at least you’re on the field when you’re playing defense. When you’re in the stands, it’s much harder to figure out how to impact the game,” O’Connor said of the elected, 21-member board.

Lightfoot campaigned as a staunch proponent of an elected school board, only to repeatedly block what she called an “unwieldy” bill tripling the size of the board to 21 members, with a president elected citywide.

“During the campaign, that was a very strong part of her pitch. To say, ‘Now that I’m here, I see more clearly and this is a bad idea,’ the horse was way out of the barn,” O’Connor said.

Then mayoral candidates, from left, Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Paul Vallas participate in a forum before the February 2019 election.
Then mayoral candidates, from left, Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Paul Vallas participate in a forum held by the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board before the February 2019 election.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

“But again, the relationship that previously existed between the mayor’s office and the state Legislature and the governor would pretty much have prevented those things from happening. And that relationship seems to be non-existent at this point.”

Lightfoot also campaigned on a promise to give a civilian oversight board the power to fire the police superintendent and also have the final say over police policy.

She hasn’t delivered on that promise, either — and blocked pending ordinances that would do what she said she would do. When she finally offered her own version of civilian oversight, it reserved those decision-making powers for the mayor.

“People felt double-crossed. Because of what the City Council and the Legislature thought of her, they’re sticking it to her,” the political observer said.

“Now, Chicago will have to live with the consequences of a weakened mayor. They have taken an important position and stripped it of its capacity to effect change.”

The mayor’s frayed relationship with the Council has been evident since her inauguration. But it came into sharp relief during the angry confrontation between Lightfoot and Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) last week.

Lightfoot could not contain her anger after Taylor joined Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) in a parliamentary maneuver to delay Lightfoot’s appointment of Celia Meza as corporation counsel. They did it to protest the Law Department’s treatment of Anjanette Young, the woman whose home was raided by Chicago police officers who had the wrong address.

Taylor has since likened Lightfoot to a “bully” and said she wouldn’t speak to her until she apologizes.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot exchanges heated words with Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) during a City Council meeting last week.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot exchanges heated words with Ald. Jeanette Taylor (20th) during a City Council meeting last week.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

“Who stands up to her? This is not the first time she did this to somebody. She does this all the time, and people let her get away with it,” Taylor has told the Sun-Times.

“It’s a ‘no.’ How many times do you keep letting a bully bully you? Clearly, this is bullying.”

Since that confrontation and the 25-24 vote to strip away from Lightfoot’s pandemic relief package that portion of the mayor’s ordinance that eliminates aldermanic control over sign permits, aldermen clearly smell political blood in the water.

In a letter to the mayor, 22 aldermen demanded that she “honor and consistently follow” Council rules of procedure, citing numerous occasions when Lightfoot made parliamentary rulings contradicting those rules.

Demands for the Council to hire its own legal counsel and its own parliamentarian are also gaining steam.

All that spells potential trouble when it comes to determining how $1.9 billion in federal coronavirus relief funds will be spent. That will be wrapped into Lightfoot’s unveiling of the 2022 city budget, which the mayor has moved to September — a month early.

In Round One of the 2019 mayoral election, Lightfoot finished first in a crowded field of 14 enticed by Emanuel’s decision to call it quits.

Half of the Round One 2019 mayoral candidates, from left, Gery Chico, Bob Fioretti, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Paul Vallas, meet with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in the second of two forums held before the February 2019 election.
Half of the Round One 2019 mayoral candidates, from left, Gery Chico, Bob Fioretti, state Rep. La Shawn Ford, state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, Lori Lightfoot, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Paul Vallas, meet with the Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board in the second of two forums held before the February 2019 election.
Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times file

Lightfoot had languished in the single digits until Jan. 3, 2019, when the first round of federal charges were filed against Ald. Edward Burke (14th).

Preckwinkle’s mayoral campaign acknowledged that day she had received a $10,000 campaign contribution Burke allegedly muscled from a Burger King franchise owner. The Preckwinkle campaign said she knew nothing about the alleged shakedown and returned the contribution because it exceeded legal limits.

Preckwinkle tried desperately to distance herself from Burke — returning the money she raised at his house and using her position as Cook County Democratic Party chair to strip Burke of his role as head of judicial slate-making.

It didn’t work. In Round Two, Lightfoot swept all 50 wards.

Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot celebrates after defeating Toni Preckwinkle in the Chicago mayoral election on April 2, 2019.
Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot celebrates at her election night rally at the Hilton Chicago after defeating Toni Preckwinkle in the Chicago mayoral election on April 2, 2019.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times file

This time around, the mayoral field is almost certain to be smaller — at least in part due to those soon-to-be-diminished mayoral powers.

Among the possible challengers are: former Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan; Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th); Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd); City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin; U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill.; CTU Vice President Stacy Davis Gates; and City Clerk Anna Valencia, now running for Illinois secretary of state.

“Mayor Lightfoot has been given the benefit of the doubt for a while because of COVID. As the city recovers, there’s gonna be a re-focusing on her ability to get public safety under control. To do the two things that people want: Keep them safe in their homes and reform the police so these shootings of particularly Black and Brown young people come to an end,” Giangreco said.

“It’s tough to pull off. This is not just a Chicago problem. … We’ll see it play out in mayor’s races all over the country. That trying to enact racial justice reforms in the face of a nationwide spike in homicides is really, really tough. It gets tougher if the structure of government ties the mayor’s hands.”

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Lightfoot’s troubles put her under harsh spotlight — as office she holds becomes shadow of what it wason July 1, 2021 at 2:47 am Read More »