Avli to Offer Grilled Meat and Seafood Platters for Pick-up This 4th of Julyon June 28, 2021 at 8:41 pm

Even though the 4th of July is widely known as the grilling outside on the deck holiday, that isn’t always the easiest options for everyone. Every now and then you want to worry less about the cooking and more about the relaxing. And for those looking to take advantage of just that with a little twist this season, Avli, Chicago’s contemporary Greek dining destinations, will offer grilled meat and seafood platters to-go for prepaid pick-up via Tock or to enjoy in the restaurant this Independence Day. The festive platters will be available at restaurant locations in River North, Lincoln Park and Winnetka.

Platter options available include

Grilled Meat Platter ($85)

Feeds three to five people

Lamb chops
Pork souvlaki
Beef tenderloin
Loukaniko (Greek sausage)
Crispy Greek fries
Tzatziki sauce

Grilled Seafood Platter ($85)

Feeds three to five people

Lavraki
Octopus
Calamari
Scallops
Prawns
Brussel sprouts
Spicy aioli

Pick-up available— as well as in-restaurant reservations—via Tock at the following locations:

Avli Taverna (Lincoln Park), 1335 W Wrightwood Ave., Chicago, IL 60614

Avli River North, 702 N. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60654

Avli Winnetka, 566 Chestnut St., Winnetka, IL 60093

Grilled platters are currently available to order for prepaid pick-up on 4^th of July and will be available for dine-in on the holiday.

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In addition to the newest venue, Avli on The Park in Lakeshore East (now open), Chicagoland-based Avli Foods, LLC includes three additional properties: Inspired Greek dining destination Avli River North, the 2019 and 2021 Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient Avli Taverna in Lincoln Park and Greek family-dining institution Avli Estiatorio in Winnetka. Paying homage to Greek traditions and mythology, the restaurants evoke philoxenia, a welcoming of strangers and an eagerness to show hospitality; present meraki, putting the best of one’s self into cooking and work; and offer the experience of kefi, living life joyfully. Each location features creative and inspired dishes, a lively beverage program including a curated Greek wine list, craft cocktails and traditional spirits, and an ambiance and warm service that reflects life in the Mediterranean. The group’s founding partners are veteran Greek restaurateur Louie Alexakis, celebrated Chicago sportscaster Lou Canellis and seasoned investor William V. Glastris, Jr. For more information, visit their website.

Featured Image Credit: Avli

Avli to Offer Grilled Meat and Seafood Platters for Pick-up This 4th of Julyon June 28, 2021 at 8:41 pm Read More »

F9 IS FAST, FARFETCHED, AND SO MUCH FUNon June 28, 2021 at 8:26 pm

Bonnie’s EYE On…!

F9 IS FAST, FARFETCHED, AND SO MUCH FUN

F9 IS FAST, FARFETCHED, AND SO MUCH FUNon June 28, 2021 at 8:26 pm Read More »

Chicago cop who shot and killed Anthony Alvarez during chase stripped of police powerson June 28, 2021 at 7:00 pm

The Chicago police officer who shot and killed Anthony Alvarez during a foot chase earlier this year in Portage Park has been stripped of his police powers — an action that had been recommended by a civilian oversight board back in April.

Officer Evan Solano was relieved of his duties for the duration of an ongoing investigation into the shooting by the Civilian Office of Police Accountability. COPA had recommended that the department take such action but Mayor Lori Lightfoot initially balked at the idea.

A police department spokeswoman declined to answer questions about Solano’s status or exactly when he was stripped of his powers.

Police said the 22-year-old Alvarez was approached by tactical officers at a gas station, and the encounter escalated to a foot pursuit that began in the 3500 block of North Laramie Avenue. He was shot several times from behind by Solano.

It remains unclear why the officers confronted Alvarez.

COPA released a series of video from police-worn body cameras, as well as cameras from a nearby home. It shows Solano yelling, “Drop the gun! Drop the gun!” before firing five shots from close range at Alvarez.

Video shows Alvarez with a gun in his right hand, but the gun drops from his hand as he falls to the pavement.

The shooting happened two days after 13-year-old Adam Toledo was killed by a police officer during a foot chase in Little Village. Both deaths sparked outrage over police use-of -force and the department policy on foot chases.

Todd Pugh, an attorney for the Alvarez family, told the Sun-Times the removal of Solano’s power is long overdue but they are grateful it was finally done.

“We thought after the Logan Square incident he would’ve had his powers removed right away, but we are glad it’s finally being done,” Pugh said.

Solano was the subject of an additional internal police probe that showed him pulling a gun during a road rage incident in Logan Square. In a viral video recorded in May by bystanders, Solano is seen in police uniform exiting a red Ford Mustang with a backwards baseball cap.

After a heated argument, Solano confronts a man with a gun as bystanders shout at him to put it away.

Chicago cop who shot and killed Anthony Alvarez during chase stripped of police powerson June 28, 2021 at 7:00 pm Read More »

Former WNBA Most Valuable Player Maya Moore will receive Arthur Ashe Award at The ESPYSon June 28, 2021 at 7:31 pm

NEW YORK — Maya Moore will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The ESPYS for her work on criminal justice reform.

The four-time WNBA champion will receive the honor from “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts on July 10 in New York. It’s the same day that the late tennis champion would have turned 78.

Moore stepped away from her basketball career in 2019 to seek justice for Jonathan Irons, who was serving a 50-year prison sentence after being wrongly convicted of burglary and assault. Irons’ conviction was overturned last year and he was freed. The couple later married.

Moore formed a “Win With Justice” campaign to educate the public on the power of prosecutors and organize for Irons’ freedom.

Moore has won two Olympic gold medals and been the WNBA’s MVP and a three-time MVP at the league’s All-Star Game. She is the subject of the film “Breakaway,” which will debut July 13 on ESPN and re-air Aug. 8 on ABC.

The Ashe Award is given to individuals whose contributions transcend sports. Among the previous honorees are Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King and Pat Summitt.

Former WNBA Most Valuable Player Maya Moore will receive Arthur Ashe Award at The ESPYSon June 28, 2021 at 7:31 pm Read More »

Murder charge filed in St. Charles nightclub shootingon June 28, 2021 at 7:29 pm

An Aurora man has been charged with opening fire in the parking lot of a St. Charles nightclub early Sunday, killing a man and wounding three others.

Michael D.V. Carwell, 22, faces counts of murder, attempted murder and aggravated battery with a firearm in the attack at Trilogy Nightclub, 2051 Lincoln Hwy.

Carwell approached and fired upon Khalief McCallister as he left the business around 2 a.m., Kane County prosecutors said. The gunfire struck and killed McCallister, 23, and injured three others.

Carwell was arrested Sunday and ordered held on $3 million bail, prosecutors said.

He was expected in court again July 16.

Murder charge filed in St. Charles nightclub shootingon June 28, 2021 at 7:29 pm Read More »

78 people shot in weekend gun violence in Chicago, a third of them from four mass shootingson June 28, 2021 at 7:10 pm

Seven people were killed and 71 others were wounded in weekend shootings in Chicago as the city reaches the halfway point of what could be one of its most violent years in decades.

Four of the attacks were mass shootings with four or more people wounded. The attacks accounted for nearly a third of all the shooting victims between Friday evening and early Monday morning.

Chicago has seen at least 331 homicides so far this year, compared to 319 at this point last year and 247 in 2019. That’s an almost 4 percent increase over last year and a 34 percent increase compared to 2019.

There have been at least 1,842 shootings this year, compared to 1,625 at this time in 2020 and 1,171 in 2019. This year has seen a more than 13 percent increase compared to 2020, and 57 percent compared to 2019.

City Hall and police officials have stressed that the increase in violence from last year to this year has been slowing, with this June seeing fewer homicides and shootings than last June. Still, last year was one of the worst for gun violence since the mid-1990s, and this year is on track for even more shootings and homicides.

Over the weekend, people were shot in 17 of the city’s 22 police districts. The most violent was the Grand Crossing district on the South Side, where six were shot in one attack, four in another and a 14-year-old boy was shot in a third attack.

The most serious attack in the district was in the South Shore neighborhood, where a gunman in a black SUV sprayed bullets at a group of people around 8:45 p.m. Sunday, killing one woman and wounding five other people, according to Chicago police.

Hours later, a woman was killed and at least 10 people were shot in Marquette Park when gunmen stepped from an alley, police said. The neighborhood is in the Chicago Lawn police district which surrounds Midway Airport.

No one was in custody in either shooting. There have been at least eight other mass shootings in Chicago this month.

Police Supt. David Brown blamed the cluster of mass shootings on a surplus of illegal guns on the streets and a court system he complained was too slow to reopen and too lenient in sentencing.

“The answer is too many guns, too many illegal guns in too many hands, and too little consequences,” Brown said in a news conference Monday, a theme he has repeatedly hit during his tenure as Chicago’s top cop.

Chicago is on pace to recover 12,000 illegal guns by the end of the year, which would be a record, surpassing last year’s 11,300 guns, he said.

Brown said the Cook County court system has been too slow to resume criminal trials, and also singled out what he called light consequences for emboldened criminals.

“We have strong advocacy in courts for offenders and very little for victims,” Brown said.

Brown also noted that officers are being shot at in higher numbers than last year. Thirty-one officers have been shot or shot at this year, he said. By the end of 2020, 79 officers had been shot or shot at, he said.

West Pullman homicide

Early Sunday, a man was fatally shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side. Officers responded to a Shot Spotter alert and found the 24-year-old in the 11700 block of South Laflin Street, police said.

He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not released and no arrest was reported.

Englewood murder

Before dawn on Saturday, a 54-year-old man was shot and killed in Englewood on the South Side. Darryl Griffin was standing outside around 3 a.m. in the 600 block of West 61st Place when someone inside a passing SUV opened fire, police said. Griffin was shot in his torso and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he died, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. Police reported no arrests.

Humboldt Park homicide

Early Saturday, 25-year-old Niko Davis was shot and killed around 4:35 a.m. in the 2600 block of West Thomas Street in Humboldt Park, Chicago police said. Shot in his chest, he was taken to Stroger Hospital and pronounced dead.

Man killed, 3 wounded in West Rogers Park

An hour later, a man was killed and three others wounded after getting into an argument in West Rogers Park on the North Side.

About 5:30 a.m., the group was in the 6100 block of North McCormick Boulevard when they got into an argument with a man who pulled out a gun and began firing shots, police said.

Joseph Darnell Johnson, 35, was shot in his chest and leg, and died at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston, the Cook County medical examiner’s office said. Three other wounded men were hospitalized with injuries that weren’t life-threatening, police said.

Man allegedly kills girlfriend in Chatham apartment

A Calumet City man allegedly shot his girlfriend and the mother of his young son “execution style” at the beginning of the weekend in Chatham.

Jeaneen Walters, 30, was found in the early morning hours Saturday in her apartment in the 700 block of East 79th Street lying face down with a bullet wound in the back of her head, prosecutors said Monday.

Karim Hunter, 27, who is charged with first-degree murder, originally told investigators he had nothing to do with his girlfriend’s death, but then changed his story multiple times, prosecutors said, including saying she’d committed suicide. Hunter eventually said the couple had been in an argument and that the gun had gone off “accidentally,” prosecutors said.

A witness, Walters’ cousin, told investigators Walters had said on June 19 that she was unhappy in her relationship and was planning to end it.

Hunter also allegedly told investigators that he’d wrapped up the gun and had thrown it in the Calumet River, prosecutors said.

Hunter’s phone records show that he called his brother about 3:30 a.m. June 26 and asked for a ride, prosecutors said. Video surveillance from a nearby business allegedly shows Hunter leaving his girlfriend’s apartment and then returning a little while later to pick up a phone.

Other shootings

A woman was wounded Friday in Austin on the West Side. She was walking about 9:10 p.m. in the 200 block of South Cicero Avenue when someone opened fire, striking her in the leg, police said. The 56-year-old was taken to Stroger Hospital, where her condition was stabilized.
Another woman was wounded in a shooting late Friday in Bridgeport on the South Side. The 28-year-old was traveling in a vehicle as a passenger about 11:25 p.m. in the 2800 block of South Wallace Avenue when three males who were standing outside fired shots at the vehicle, police said. A bullet struck her in the elbow, and she was taken to Mercy Hospital in good condition, police said.
Minutes later, four people were hurt, two critically, in a shooting in Park Manor on the South Side. A group was standing outside about 11:50 p.m. when a person drove past in a red moped and fired shots in the 7000 block of South Indiana Avenue, police said.
One woman was shot three times on the body and was taken in critical condition to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said. The other was struck in the thigh and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where her condition was stable.

One man was also critically hurt with a gunshot wound to the head, police said. He was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, police said. The other man was shot in the thigh and taken to the same hospital, where his condition was stable.

At least 46 other people were wounded in shootings in Chicago between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.

78 people shot in weekend gun violence in Chicago, a third of them from four mass shootingson June 28, 2021 at 7:10 pm Read More »

Face Foundrie Ruleson June 28, 2021 at 7:04 pm

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

The Visit FACE FOUNDRIÉ Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) starts at 12:30 p.m. CT on June 28, 2021, and ends at 11:59 p.m. CT on July 12, 2021 (“Sweepstakes Period”). This Sweepstakes will be subject to these Official Rules, and by entering, all entrants agree to abide and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges and Sponsors. The Sweepstakes is intended for play in the United States only, and is void where prohibited and outside the Sweepstakes area set forth below. Do not participate if you are not eligible and not located in the United States at the time of entry.

1) Eligibility: This Sweepstakes is open to legal U.S. residents residing in the Illinois counties of Cook, Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, or Will; who are 21 years and older as of the first day of the Sweepstakes Period. Employees (and their immediate household or family members) of Chicagoland Publishing Company, LLC, publisher of Chicago magazine, FACE FOUNDRIÉ (collectively, Chicagoland Publishing Company and FACE FOUNDRIÉ will be referred to as “Sponsors”) and any of their respective parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries, and any of the advertising agencies, prize providers, promotion and delivery contractors and/or public relations companies associated with this Sweepstakes, are not eligible to participate. Immediate family members include spouse, parents, siblings, and children and their respective spouses. Potential winners may be requested to provide proof that all eligibility requirements are met as well as proof of ownership of the email address associated with the winning entry. Void where prohibited and outside the above-listed area.

2) How to Enter: To enter, visit Chicago magazine’s Instagram feed at https://www.instagram.com/chicagomag/ and find the Sweepstakes post, which will include #giveaway, then “like” the photo in the post and tag a friend. The “Photos are Private” option in your Instagram account settings must be set to “OFF” so that your Instagram profile is public and thus viewable by the Sponsors. The entrant is the person who “likes” the photo, not the friend who is tagged in the post. If there is a dispute over who submitted an entry, the entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the Instagram account used to enter. The authorized account holder of an Instagram account is deemed to be the natural person who is assigned to an Instagram account by Instagram. Potential winners may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder. Incomplete entries will be disqualified, and Sponsors are not responsible for entries that are lost, late, deleted, garbled, corrupted, misdelivered, or misdirected as a result of technical, internet or other online difficulties or errors. All entries must be received by the close of the Sweepstakes Period. Limit one entry per person; multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified if discovered by Sponsors.

3) Winner & Notification: On or about the first business day after the close of the Sweepstakes Period, Sponsors will select potential winners in a random drawing from among all eligible entries. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries. Sponsors will make all decisions in any and all issues related to this Sweepstakes, and their decisions will be final and binding in all respects. Sponsors will attempt to contact potential winners by email or telephone. Winners will be disqualified and an alternate winner may be selected by random drawing from among all remaining entries, time permitting, if: (a) winners do not claim his or her prize within 12 hours of first notification attempt; (b) winners do not fulfill the eligibility requirements; (c) winners do not adhere to the Official Rules; (d) winners do not provide required identification or documents by the deadlines set by Sponsor; and/or (e) if the prize notification is returned as undeliverable, refused, or declined.

4) Prize and Delivery: There is one grand prize. The grand prize is a sneak peek face party plus a year’s ⁠supply of Collagen Spritz. One winner and three of their guests will each ⁠

receive a sneak peek at the new Chicago ⁠FACE FOUNDRIÉ (1721 N. Damen Ave.) the week before the ⁠Grand Opening and be treated to a face party (any facial + enhancement for each guest). VALUE: $844.00

Sponsor will not be responsible for any cancellations, delays or substitutions or any acts or omissions whatsoever by the venue or any other person or entities providing any of the prize services. All prize details will be at Sponsors’ sole discretion. Winners assume sole responsibility for all expenses and incidental costs associated with the prize not explicitly outlined above, including without limitation, all federal, state and local income, sales and use taxes (if any), or any other taxes, fees, and surcharges, gratuities, tips, transportation, parking, souvenirs, concessions, upgrades, personal items, and incidentals. There are no refunds. Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash and may not be sold, bartered or auctioned. Prize may not be substituted except that Sponsor in its discretion may substitute a prize, or portion thereof, with a prize or portion of equal or greater value if it deems necessary. Any such changes will be announced by Sponsor. Any portion of the prize not used by winners is forfeit and no cash substitute will be offered or permitted. If winners are unable to use the gift card, prize will be forfeited. Prize offered is provided “as is” with no warranty or guarantee either express or implied by Sponsors.

Prize voucher will be e-mailed to winner. Sponsor not responsible for loss, delay, or damage in delivery. Prize substitutions are not allowed, and prize is not transferable. Only Sponsor may elect, at their discretion, to substitute a prize of greater or equal value because of lack of availability. Prize is awarded “as is” with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Sponsor. Properly claimed prize will be awarded, but in no event will Sponsor award more prizes than are provided for in these Official Rules.

5) Other Conditions: By entering this Sweepstakes, each entrant agrees to release, waive and hold harmless Sponsors, Tribune Publishing, Instagram, and their affiliates, subsidiaries, parent corporations and advertising and promotional agencies, and all of their officers, directors, shareholders, employees and agents from any and all injuries, claims, damages, losses, costs, or expenses of any kind (including without limitation attorney’s fees) resulting from accessing the Sweepstakes website; submitting an entry or otherwise participating in any aspect of the Sweepstakes; the receipt, ownership or use of any prize awarded; preparing for, participating in or traveling to and/or from any prize-related activity, or; any printing, typographical or other error in these Official Rules or the announcement of offering of any prize. Neither the failure of Sponsors to insist upon or enforce strict performance of any provision of these Official Rules nor the failure, delay or omission by Sponsors in exercising any right with respect to any term of these Official Rules, will be construed as a waiver or relinquishment to any extent of Sponsors’ right to assert or rely upon any such provision or right in that or any other instance. Sponsors also reserve the right, in their sole discretion, to modify these Official Rules for clarification purposes without materially affecting the terms and conditions of the Sweepstakes. If there is any discrepancy between any term of these Official Rules and marketing or entry materials used in connection with the Sweepstakes, the Official Rules will govern.

By accepting the prize, winners agree, where legal, to allow Sponsor and its agents and licensees to use winner’s name, voice, photograph, likeness, any statement provided by winners, and any information provided on the entry form, in any medium of communication, including advertising, promotional or other purposes in connection with the Sweepstakes, without additional compensation.

6) Internet/Fraud/Tampering: If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, or if this Sweepstakes or any website associated therewith (or any portion thereof) becomes corrupted or does not allow the proper playing of the Sweepstakes and processing of entries in accordance with these Official Rules, or if infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, actions by entrants, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes, in the Sponsors’ sole opinion, corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, the Sponsors reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual implicated in such action and/or to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend this Sweepstakes or any portion thereof. If this Sweepstakes is canceled, the Sponsors will conduct a random drawing to award prize from among all eligible, non-suspect entries received prior to the time of the action or event warranting such cancellation, provided Sponsors are able to do so. If such cancellation, termination, modification, or suspension occurs, notification will be posted on Chicago magazine’s Instagram feed. Sponsors reserve the right to prohibit any entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes if, at their sole discretion, Sponsors find such entrant shows a disregard for, or attempts to circumvent, these Official Rules, or acts: (a) in a manner the Sponsors determine to be not fair or equitable; (b) in an annoying, threatening or harassing manner; or (c) in any other disruptive manner. If a dispute arises regarding compliance with these Official Rules, Sponsor may consider, in its sole discretion, data reasonably available to Sponsor through information technology systems in Sponsor’s control, but Sponsor will not be obligated to consider any data or other information collected from any other source. Sponsors assume no liability for: (a) any incorrect or inaccurate entry information, or for any faulty, failed, garbled or jumbled electronic data transmissions; (b) any unauthorized access to, or theft, destruction or alteration of entries at any point in the operation of this Sweepstakes; (c) any technical malfunction, failure, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or communications line failure, regardless of cause, with regard to any equipment, systems, networks, lines, satellites, servers, computers or providers utilized in any aspect of the operation of the Sweepstakes; or (d) inaccessibility or unavailability of the Internet or the Sweepstakes website or any combination thereof.

7) In Case of Dispute: By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants agree that: (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes, or prize awarded, will be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (b) any and all claims, judgments and awards will be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses. This Sweepstakes will be governed and enforced pursuant to Illinois law, excluding choice of law provisions. The federal and state courts located in Cook County, Illinois will be the exclusive forum for any dispute regarding any Official Rule or activity associated with the Sweepstakes. All entrants agree, by participation in the Sweepstakes, to submit to the personal jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located in Cook County, Illinois.

8) Official Rules/Winner List: For an Official Winner List (available after the end of the Sweepstakes Period), or a copy of these Official Rules, send a request and a self-addressed, stamped envelope to FACE FOUNDRIÉ Sweepstakes Winner List, Chicago magazine, 560 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL, 60654. Official Rules are also available at http://chicagomag.com/instarules. All requests for Official Rules or Winner List must be received within 60 days of the end of the Sweepstakes Period.

9) Sponsors: Chicagoland Publishing Company, LLC, 560 W. Grand Ave. , Chicago, IL, 60654; FACE FOUNDRIÉ, 1721 N. Damen Ave., Chicago, IL 60647

This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. Any questions, comments or complaints regarding the Sweepstakes should be directed to Sponsors, not Instagram.

Face Foundrie Ruleson June 28, 2021 at 7:04 pm Read More »

6 Tips To Sell Your House NOW!on June 28, 2021 at 7:35 pm

Six Brown Chicks Media

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6 Tips To Sell Your House NOW!on June 28, 2021 at 7:35 pm Read More »

Opting out of 2021 season could pay off for Packers QB Aaron Rodgerson June 28, 2021 at 5:50 pm

GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers could find out just how serious Aaron Rodgers is about never taking a snap for them again by the end of this week.

The most likely outcome in the standoff between team and quarterback might be a long, drawn-out process, but there’s a way Rodgers can send a definitive message about his future to the Packers in the near term. NFL players have until Friday to opt out of the 2021 season because of COVID-19, an option they also had in 2020. The opt-out is available only for players whose contracts went into effect before Oct. 1, 2020.

That group includes Rodgers.

If he opts out, he would retain the $11.5 million proration of his signing bonus as well as a $6.8 million roster bonus paid in March. He risks forfeiting that $18.3 million if he instead holds out from training camp, which starts in late July. Rodgers held out from the team’s mandatory minicamp earlier this month. It’s unclear whether the Packers excused his absence.

Rodgers would not be the first Packers player to opt out because of COVID-19. A year ago, receiver Devin Funchess opted out of the 2020 season. Funchess’ one-year, $2.5 million contract carried over to this year.

The same would theoretically happen for Rodgers, who is 37, with the remaining three years left on his contract. However, Rodgers pushing the opt-out button would be a clear signal to the Packers’ front office that he is unwilling to compromise. It could force general manager Brian Gutekunst’s hand.

Gutekunst has been steadfast through this offseason that he will not trade Rodgers under any circumstances, hoping the three-time MVP quarterback will return this fall.

“Our desire,” Gutekunst said after the draft in late April, “is to have Aaron as our quarterback and leading this team and competing for championships. So it’s a little bit of a hypothetical. So we’ll get to that. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”

Rodgers has a chance to force the Packers into crossing that bridge much earlier than they would like. Soon, the team could know if there is any chance in reconciling with its franchise quarterback.

Read more at usatoday.com

Opting out of 2021 season could pay off for Packers QB Aaron Rodgerson June 28, 2021 at 5:50 pm Read More »

77 people shot in weekend gun violence in Chicago, a third of them from four mass shootingson June 28, 2021 at 5:51 pm

Six people were killed and 71 others were wounded in weekend shootings in Chicago as the city reaches the halfway point of what could be one of its most violent years in decades.

Four of the attacks were mass shootings with four or more people wounded. The attacks accounted for about a third of all the shooting victims between Friday evening and early Monday morning.

No one was in custody in either shooting. There have been at least eight other mass shootings in Chicago this month.

Police Supt. David Brown blamed the cluster of mass shootings on a surplus of illegal guns on the streets and a court system he complained was too slow to reopen and too lenient in sentencing.

Chicago is on pace to recover 12,000 illegal guns by the end of the year, which would be a record, surpassing last year’s 11,300 guns, he said.

Brown said the Cook County court system has been too slow to resume criminal trials, and also singled out what he called light consequences for emboldened criminals.

“We have strong advocacy in courts for offenders and very little for victims,” Brown said.