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A Chicago police officer exchanged gunfire with a suspect during a traffic stop Wednesday in West Garfield Park, but no one was injured.

Officers pulled over a car in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue about 8:30 p.m. after they saw the occupants weren’t wearing seatbelts, Chicago police said.

While the officers were walking towards the car, one of the occupants fired shots in their direction, police said, and an officer returned fire.

No one was hurt, according to police.

Officers took one person into custody and recovered a weapon at the scene, police said.

Another person fled the scene on foot, police said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability was investigating the shooting.

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Chicago Bears: 5 dark horse candidates to make the final roster by Ryan Heckman

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy has done a media tour since the team traded up in the 2021 NFL Draft and selected quarterback Justin Fields with the 11th overall selection. Fields is undoubtedly the long-term answer for the Bears at the quarterback position but Nagy has maintained that the rookie quarterback may not be the answer for the team during the 2021 NFL season.

Since the draft, Nagy has insisted that the Bears will open the season with veteran quarterback Andy Dalton as their starting quarterback. Despite the potential instant upgrade that Fields may be for the Bears at the quarterback position, Nagy wants to ensure Fields is not rushed into being that guy.

Nagy was once again pressed on the idea of Fields potentially unseating Dalton as the team’s starting quarterback prior to Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. In response, Nagy told NBC Sunday Football color commentator Chris Collinsworth that there is no possible way that happens.

“No. Andy is our starter,” Nagy told Collinsworth. “Again, I can’t predict anything. You know how it goes. There’s so many things that can happen between today and that Week 1, but Andy is our starter and Justin’s our No. 2. And we’re going to stick to this plan.”

-Matt Nagy via NFL.com

Nagy’s insistence that Dalton will be the Week 1 starting quarterback for the Bears has drawn the ire of Bears’ fans on social media. A word of advice to Bears’ fans, the calendar reads June. While the Bears have had voluntary OTAs the past couple of weeks and are currently in a mandatory mini-camp, none of the players are in pads and the plays being practiced now are only via seven-on-seven drills.

Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy is handling the Justin Fields conversation perfectly.

Even with the selection of Fields, the Bears are operating with the idea, not fact, that Dalton is going to be the starting quarterback when the regular season starts. The reason why that is an idea and not a fact is because what occurs during training camp in July and the pre-season in August will be the ultimate factor regarding who will be the Bears’ starting quarterback when the regular season starts in September.

Related Story: Nick Foles to the Jets?

As high of potential as Fields has of being the franchise quarterback for the Bears, it’s important to realize that he has yet to practice at full speed or play in an NFL game. Training camp and pre-season will be the determining factor in whether or not Fields is ready to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

If the Bears reach September and the determination is made that Fields is indeed ready to be the starting quarterback, then him replacing Dalton will indeed be one of the things that Nagy could not have predicted at the time when his comments with Chris Collinsworth are revisited.

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From the Byrds to Cheap Trick to Green Day to the Killers to My Chemical Romance, there’s a long tradition of American rock and pop bands that often sound quite British — and perhaps the most British-sounding American group of all is Sparks.

You know: Sparks! The enigmatic duo that was worshiped by fans in Germany, won over music aficionados in Great Britain, became a pretty big deal in Australia — and has become something of a cult legend in their homeland of America. They’ve been almost famous for a half-century now, ever since they burst on the scene in the mid-1960s with their dreamy, edgy, complex and grand art-pop sound and an arresting stage presence that included a teen idol-handsome lead singer with a beautiful voice, and a sideman/keyboardist who looked like he recently escaped from a place with padded walls and no sharp objects allowed.

Sparks is one of the most influential and beloved acts in modern music history, yet never achieved the success and fame many thought the band deserved. Director Edgar Wright (“Shaun of the Dead,” “Baby Driver”), who is of course British, aims to rectify that with “The Sparks Brothers,” a sprawling and comprehensive and cheeky film that documents the rise and fall and rise again and fall again and the leveling out and all the other peaks and valleys the group has experienced over the last 50 years.

Sparks has had a number of band members through the years, but it’s essentially a duo consisting of brothers Ron and Russell Mael, who grew up in California and created a few waves with their unique sound in the late 1960s but didn’t really make a dent on the charts until they moved to Great Britain in the 1970s. Lead singer Russell looked like a glam star with his poofy hair and snazzy outfits, while Ron dressed like the dad in a 1950s sitcom and had slicked-back hair, a glassy-eyed look and an alarming, “toothbrush” style mustache reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin, or, unfortunately, Hitler. (A French TV station banned the group because of Ron’s mustache.) They were … different. In a great way.

“The Sparks Brothers” features a treasure trove of concert footage and TV appearances, as well as tributes from musicians who were influenced by them, including Todd Rundgren, Beck, Flea and members of Duran Duran. We also hear from fans such as Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen and Jason Schwartzman — and most interestingly, we catch up with the Mael brothers in present day. They’re in their 70s and they’re as charming and self-deprecating and lovely as they’ve always been, and they’re still making music. (As one observer notes, if they had been a huge success, they probably would have broken up 30 years ago and wouldn’t be talking to each other.) In fact, Sparks is on the verge of what could be its biggest mainstream achievement ever. Ron and Russell wrote the story, music and lyrics for the upcoming musical film “Annette,” which stars Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard and will be the opening-night feature at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

Looks like the boys are getting the encore they deserve.

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Three people were shot Wednesday in Chicago, including a man who was wounded in a drive-by in Marquette Park on the Southwest Side.

About 11:45 p.m., the 25-year-old was standing on the sidewalk in the 2600 block of West 69th Street, when someone in a passing black sedan fired shots at him, Chicago police said. He was struck in the leg and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital in fair condition.

Minutes prior, a 31-year-old man was wounded in a drive-by in Canaryville on the South Side. About 11:30 p.m., he was driving his black Chevy Impala in the first block of West Pershing Road, when someone in a passing vehicle fired shots at him, striking him in the neck, back, and arm, police said. The man drove to the 3600 block of South Federal Street, and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

In the day’s first reported shooting, a 33-year-old woman was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side. About 8:55 p.m., she was standing on the street with a group of people in the 12400 block of South Emerald Avenue, when someone is a passing dark-green sedan fired shots, police said. She was struck in the left cheek, and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn by her boyfriend, where she is in fair condition.

Tuesday was the deadliest day in Chicago so far, with eight people fatally shot citywide.

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Moon Alert

There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions until 11 p.m. Chicago time. The moon is in Virgo.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Today you are aware of your health. Or perhaps, your pet? (Woof!) More likely, you will have to work for the benefit of someone else; furthermore, you might not get credit for what you’re doing. (Whaaat?) Bummer.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

This is a relatively easygoing day. If you can, schmooze with others. You’re also interested in the arts, music, movies and fun outings. Romance will be more passionate and involved today. You also feel protective of someone.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

You want to retire by yourself in a private place because it feels good. It’s the perfect day for some navel gazing or pleasant relaxation in a private way. (You might realize how much your habits dictate your life.)

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

In conversations with others today, you feel the need to establish an emotional bond. You want the real thing. The nitty-gritty. You don’t want superficial chitchat. You need a meaningful conversation. Anyone? Anyone? Buehler? Anyone?

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

You might identify with your possessions, which is why you might want to show something off. Or perhaps you won’t lend something to someone because it’s too precious. You’re focused on your money, which is why you are also more aware of your spending habits. This is good.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Today you feel more emotional than usual — no question. You are emotionally giving and also emotionally demanding. This is because you feel a strong need to relate to others. Note: It’s good to know that your luck is slightly better today, which is why you can ask the universe for a favor.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Your pace is been a tad hectic and busy lately, which is why today, you will welcome solitude in beautiful surroundings. Preferably with a nice snack — something tasty. (Then you will feel comforted.) You will also have a chance to collect yourself and pull your act together before you take it on the road.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

A conversation with a friend, possibly a female, will be meaningful for you. No doubt you will feel a bonding with this person that is reassuring to you. In fact, this increased trust or closeness will encourage you to share your dreams for the future with them. Why not?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

You should be aware of the fact that people notice you more than usual today. Do you need to do some damage control? Check your zipper? This is the kind of day where you might have a public argument with a loved one. (People can hear you hissing.) Relax — just be aware of this.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Because you long for some stimulation and adventure today, you want something to happen! You don’t want same old, same old. Obviously, if you want a different result, you have to do something different to make this happen. Go someplace you’ve never been before. Meet people from different backgrounds. Do something.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Although this is a playful, fun-loving time for you, you can’t ignore business. Not forever. What’s happening with your bank account and with other red-tape matters? Take care of loose details, or at least check them out so that you know what’s happening.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Today you have to be cooperative with others, especially those who are closest to you. Make nice with them. That’s because the moon is opposite your sign. In two weeks, when the moon is in your sign, they have to make nice with you.

If Your Birthday Is Today

Actor Thomas Haden Church (1960) shares your birthday. You are witty, entertaining, creative and adaptable. You have a debonair, outgoing style, and yet, you are a serious person with serious concerns. You can be impulsive. In a nine-year cycle, you are now in a one year, which means this a time of fresh beginnings and new starts. Be receptive to all possibilities. Open any door!

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About 8:30 p.m., officers pulled over a car after they saw the occupants weren’t wearing a seatbelt in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue, police said.

A Chicago police officer fired their weapon and a person was arrested during a traffic stop Wednesday in West Garfield Park.

About 8:30 p.m., officers pulled over a car after they saw the occupants weren’t wearing a seatbelt in the 300 block of South Kilbourn Avenue, Chicago police said.

While the officers were walking towards the car, one of the suspects fired shots in their direction, police said, and an officer returned fire.

No one was hurt, according to police.

Officers took one male suspect into custody and recovered a weapon at the scene, police said.

Another suspect fled the scene on foot, police said.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is ivestigating the shooting.

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Off Square turns 4, Burn ‘Em is 6. A beer fest at Empirical on Father’s Day weekend.Read More

Imagine narrator Patton Oswalt in his familiar, comfort-food, expressive voice welcoming us to Netflix’s eight-part docuseries “Penguin Town”:

“There are a LOT of movies about penguins. Penguins on ice, penguins in the snow, tons of marching. Then … there’s these birds. They boldly go where no penguins have gone before. Meet the endangered African penguins.”

That’s right: African penguins. With little pink patches around their eyes, smallish physiques compared to some of the more robust members of their species and a distinctive braying sound that sounds like a perturbed jackass, a colony of African penguins returns each year to Simon’s Town, South Africa, as longtime monogamous couples seek to breed once again, while the younger birds seek out their lifetime partners — all while waddling among the humans at the beach, in the parking lots and in nearby neighborhoods.

“Penguin Town” is a featherweight documentary about this amazing species, with Oswalt providing light and humorous narration, some penguin couples getting names, bouncy pop music and graphics straight out of a reality dating show: “Six hot months! One wild colony! No rules!” It’s filled with facts, but they’re always draped in the conceit of the penguins pretty much taking over the town, while the “giants,” a.k.a. humans, are seen mostly from the PPOV (Penguins’ Point of View) and then disappear from the series when the pandemic hits and Simon’s Town sadly becomes a ghost town.

As awesome as these penguins are, the adults all look pretty much the same, so we have to rely on the filmmakers (and narrator Oswalt) to remind us which story we’re following from scene to scene. Even though assigning names to penguin couples is awfully cutesy, it’s actually an invaluable device as we meet the Bougainvilleas, who have been together for years and zone in immediately on their regular spot under a large bush offering comfort and protection; the Courtyards, a couple who set up camp in a garden on a posh estate, and the Culverts, who are new at this and find the struggle is real to find a safe spot for their eggs to hatch, especially with the elements, some unfriendly members of their own colony and the local wildlife presenting threats. (Wild animals, including the lynx-like caracal, were emboldened by the lack of humans in Simon’s Town, and we follow one such wildcat as she stalks her penguin prey.)

For all its sweetness and upbeat nature, “Penguin Town” doesn’t ignore the realities of life for this endangered species. A junior penguin suffers life-threatening bites from a fur seal. One of the featured penguins never returns to its home nest. This series is about as far as you can get from one of those documentaries where we see nature’s violence in all its necessary brutality, but amid all the joy and sweetness, we see and hear reminders that the life of the African penguin is often harsh, and in large part it’s up to this small but hearty and steadfast band of travelers to keep the species going. How can you not root for them to have a successful and (re)productive stay in Penguin Town?

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Chicago will soon have an elected school board thanks to a bill passed by members of the Illinois House Wednesday over objections from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The House voted 70 to 41 to advance the bill, handing another loss to Lightfoot who has been vocal in her opposition to the prospect of an elected board. The bill will soon head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has voiced support for an elected board and is expected to sign the legislation.

The measure was just one piece of legislation state representatives debated and passed during their one-day special session Wednesday.

House Bill 2908 as amended would create a 21-seat board in January 2025, initially split between 11 mayoral appointees — including the board president — and 10 elected members.

Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said the bill isn’t perfect but “this is a down payment on democracy.

“This is a practical, common-sense bill,” Buckner said. “This is not revolution — this is reform.”

“Today is that long-awaited first step” in creating an elected board, said Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, although lawmakers still may “refine” the elected school board through followup legislation to make sure it “works the way the children of Chicago need it to.”

In a statement, the Chicago Teachers Union said the vote “represents the will of the people, and after more than a quarter of a century, moves our district forward in providing democracy and voice to students and their families.”

But critics, like Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said “this bill is not ready to go.” He pointed to the size of the board, which Lightfoot has said is “unwieldy,” and campaign financing issues for the board’s elections as issues that still need to be resolved.

Shortly after the bill passed the House, sponsor of the bill Rep. Delia Ramirez filed a motion to reconsider, which would keep the bill in that chamber likely only temporarily. That move is likely strategic to ensure an opponent of the measure doesn’t try to hold up the bill. Ramirez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Senate voted to approve the measure earlier this month.

Once signed, the legislation mandates that the first elected members would run in the November 2024 general election for a four-year term. Though the mayor would continue picking the board president, the City Council would need to confirm that pick.

The mayor currently appoints a seven-member board, including the president, without an approval process.

After two years, the seats of the board president and the 10 appointees would become elected ones in January 2027 through a November 2026 election. Those members would also serve four-year terms.

The city would initially be divided into 10 districts for the 2024 school board elections, then expand to 20 districts for the 2026 ballot. That map would need to be drawn by February 2022.

All elected board members would run in a particular district other than the board president, who would run at large. The vice president would be a member elected by the rest of the board.

The bill also sets a moratorium on school closings, consolidations or phase-outs until the new board members take office in early 2025, and it would move appointment of the CPS inspector general from the mayor’s purview onto the elected board’s plate.

House OKs gov’s budget changes

The House also voted along party lines, 71 to 44 with one voting present, to accept Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s changes to the budget, Senate Bill 2800, after allowing some members to participate in Wednesday’s session remotely.

Those changes set effective dates for pieces of the budget — some dates of implementation were missing or incorrect in earlier versions of the bill.

Republicans urged a no vote on accepting the changes and fixing Democrats’ mistakes and knocked the majority party for the lack of transparency around the budget process at the end of session last month.

“This is what happens when you have an unaccountable majority power who doesn’t really care about the public, they just care about checking off the boxes,” Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, said. “This is a budget that was passed after midnight because the majority party hoped the world wasn’t watching. … You screwed it up, you shouldn’t be doing it this way, you shouldn’t be cutting people out of the process.”

The budget now heads back to Pritzker for final approval ahead of the July 1 start to the state’s next fiscal year.

Firearm Owners ID card modernization passes

Lawmakers in the House also voted 75 to 40 on a bill Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said would modernize the state’s Firearm Owners Identification card process. The bill, House Bill 562, doesn’t require fingerprinting for the gun license, but does create a path for the state to digitize the firearm ID system and sets up a process for state law enforcement agencies to take guns from those whose cards were revoked.

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The first days of veteran mini-camp have been like the last day of school for the Bears’ defense. Every play is celebrated, whether it’s a simple pass break-up or a an interception. They look like they can’t wait to hit someone — and on a couple of occasions already have come close.

The defense’s enthusiasm set the tone for another spirited practice Wednesday. Linebacker Khalil Mack had one interception and cornerback Kindle Vildor had two — the first one off Andy Dalton punctuated by a raucous celebration by defensive players that ended with Vildor dunking the ball in a blue bin on the sideline.

Its a clear indication — of nothing, at this point. It’s June. The Bears are in shorts and shells. It’s fake football that is more about installation, fundamentals, developing chemistry and building practice habits than anything else. But having fun is often a good start.

All we know for sure is that the Bears’ defense is glad to be back on the field and is making a good first impression under rookie coordinator Sean Desai. The Bears have a lot to prove on defense after an uneven 2020 season that wasn’t bad — 11th in yards, 14th in points allowed — but failed to approach the lofty standards set in the glorious 2018 season.

Since reaching a level of dominance with 50 sacks, 36 takeaways and six touchdowns, the Bears’ defense lost its bite in two seasons under Chuck Pagano in 2019 and 2020 — 32 and 35 sacks; 19 and 18 takeaways; and one touchdown each season.

When every returning starter except linebacker Roquan Smith skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason program, it was seen by some as an insult to Desai, who in theory needed every second he could get with his entire defense to mold the defense his way. But if the first two days are any indication, the defense is making up for lost time.

“We’re off to a hot start,” safety Tashuan Gipson said after Wednesday’s practice. “The offense definitely has some new toys and new tools, so they’re challenging us. Sean definitely [has] his work cut out for him.

“For us to be having the success we’re having — and so many weren’t here, for us to gel the way we have, it’s a testament to what Sean is doing right now. So many guys [have] been doing their own thing — [Tuesday] was really our first day being back as a group … for us to be performing that way — man, it’s just scary.”

With a veteran defense in place but in need of a boost, coach Matt Nagy could have gone for a proven veteran coordinator to replace Pagano. Instead he chose the 38-year-old Desai, who has been on the Bears coaching staff since 2013, including a quality control coach under Vic Fangio from 2015-18 and the safeties coach under Pagano in 2019-20.

It was a leap of faith for Nagy. But Desai’s experience in the defensive system, his knowledge of the current players and his intelligence could be a boon for a defense that needs some fresh, new ideas. With all due respect to Pagano, sometimes change is good.

“You guys know how much respect I have for coach Pagano and what he’s done for the league and for this game and who he is as a person and a coach,” Nagy said. “Being able to retire on his own and doing what he wants to do is pretty awesome. But at the same time, coach Chuck would tell you that him leaving also presents an unbelievable opportunity for Sean.”

Desai still has a lot to prove — particularly calling plays on game-day. But this has been a smooth transition. The enthusiasm alone is a sign these players believe in him and what he can do for them.

“When you have a defense that’s rich in talent like the Bears defense … having a guy like Sean is huge because you have a guy who can truly put every guy in position to make a game-changing play,” Gipson said.

“Having him calling the plays and at the helm is going to be an awesome opportunity for everybody on this defense. I think everybody [was] excited once we heard that Sean was going to get that opportunity and it’s starting to show. We’re getting our hands on a lot of footballs out there and the defense is making plays, flying around and having fun. It’s a fun time to be a Chicago Bear right now.”

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