What’s New

After holding virtual events last year, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and ISU, among others, plan limited events on campus this year.

Annie Czerwinski is eagerly awaiting a chance to walk the stage in a cap and gown in a commencement ceremony at the University of Illinois next month — something that she has been anticipating for years.

Czerwinski, however, has been waiting longer than most students taking part in such events this spring: She actually got her degree in molecular and cellular biology last May. But because the pandemic canceled last year’s in-person commencement, the state’s flagship school is allowing any 2020 graduate to come to the campus in Urbana-Champaign and be recognized along with 2021 grads.

“Honestly, it was really sad,” Czerwinski said of missing out on a formal in-person program last year. “I had been looking forward to commencement for so long.”

But the new plans mean Czerwinski, who plans to go to optometry school in August, will be able to travel to Urbana-Champaign from her home in suburban Homer Glen “with my parents and sisters and my boyfriend and they will watch me walk across the stage. Even if it is just for 15 minutes, I am really excited.”

Schools open up football stadiums

In addition to UIUC, some of the state’s other large public universities — including Illinois State, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Northern, Southern and Eastern — have invited the class of 2020 to return to their campuses to graduate this year. Although most schools are offering a scaled down program from years past, the move is a small step toward normalcy as the pandemic stretches into its second year.

At EIU, which will be holding graduation in the football stadium May 8, officials are limiting attendance to 20% of capacity. Students participating will receive four to six tickets for guests depending on which EIU college they attend. All participants and guests are required to wear masks and seating will be socially distanced. They are nixing traditions like shaking the dean’s hand to minimize contact as well.

“It’s a big accomplishment, and they’ve worked hard for this day,” said Amber May, associate director for alumni services at EIU. “Just the fact that we are able to give it to them, I think everyone is appreciative and excited about it.”

Southern Illinois University will livestream its in-person graduation on the school’s YouTube channel. SIU spokesman Kim Rendfeld said the school decided to hold in-person events after getting overwhelming feedback from students in favor of it.

Officials plan to host multiple graduation ceremonies to reduce risks to participants from May 7-9. Each graduate will have access to up to four guest tickets. Social distancing and masks will also be required for all students and guests.

“Based on the information we have now, we believe that we can offer a safe in-person ceremony,” Rendfeld said. “We’re hosting more ceremonies to allow for that proper social distancing and to keep attendance at a safe level.”

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Students petition U. of I.

At UIUC, the decision to allow last year’s graduates to walk this year stemmed from a petition — signed by nearly 10,000 members of the class of 2020 — imploring the school to reschedule their graduation until in-person events could be held safely.

“We deserve a commencement for the class of 2020,” the petition penned last year states. “Virtual celebrations or a full cancellation is an insult to a class that’s worked [so] hard to get here in the face of such adversity. Wait until the pandemic slows down and things get better, then have our commencement. Regalia, ceremony and all. We deserve it, whenever it may be.”

The school’s main event for its 5,600 2021 graduates will still be virtual, on May 15. But 2020 and 2021 grads can bring up to four guests to a private, 15-minute “stage crossing experience” at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, scheduled by appointment May 10-17. Graduates will wear caps, gowns and tassels and have their names read aloud as they cross the stage. Professional photographers will be on site for portraits.

The school says that 850 2020 grads have signed up.

One of them, Paulina Maczuga, who majored in management and information systems, is now a graduate student at Roosevelt University in Chicago. Even though it won’t be the same as the full-scale commencements that took place before the pandemic, she’s eager to go back to campus from her home in Crystal Lake to take part in at least some of the traditions.

“It’s important to stay grateful and to stay happy that there is some opportunity there,” said Maczuga. “To be honest, there are some parts that would make it really special that we will not be able to get.”

For students like 23-year-old Taskeen Khan, who graduated with a degree in integrated biology last year, an in-person event did not seem like a big deal until she left and realized what she had missed.

“A year out, I realized that I don’t have any of those graduation photos in front of any of the buildings on campus or pictures of my cap and gown on campus, and I realized that I wanted that,” Khan said. “So that’s what made me sign up for the new graduation, even though that is not something I had originally felt disappointed I was missing.”

Khan said she is excited to bring her family to see her cross the stage.

“I feel like it is a milestone that is nice to have something to mark it,” Khan said. “It’s nice to have just a day oriented around it and have photos with your family from that special occasion.”

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Fourteen people were shot, one fatally, Monday in Chicago including a 17-year-old boy who was killed in a shooting in Little Village on the Southwest Side.

The teen was walking with a female about 10:15 a.m. in the 2700 block of South Drake Avenue, when someone opened fire, striking him in the head, Chicago police said. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Jorge Cruz, and said he lived in Little Village. The companion saw a small white car speed off immediately after the shooting. She did not get a good look at the driver.

In non-fatal shootings, two men were critically wounded in a shooting at a Lawndale convenience store on the West Side. About 9:45 p.m., four men entered a convenience store in the 3600 block of West 16th Street, and opened fire, police said. Two men, 33 and 62, were shot multiple times in the body and transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. Police sources said the 33-year-old was an employee of the store and may have been the target of the shooting.

About five minutes prior, a man was wounded in a shooting in Morgan Park on the Far South Side. About 9:40 a.m., the 25-year-old was in the 1100 block of West 112th Street when someone he knew shot him in the thigh, police said. The man was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where his condition was stabilized.

Minutes prior two teenage boys were critically hurt in a shooting in South Chicago. The 13-year-old and 14-year-old were walking on the sidewalk about 9:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue, when someone in a red Cherokee Jeep fired shots and fled, police said. The 13-year-old suffered gunshot wounds to the back and abdomen and was transported to Comers Children’s Hospital in critical condition. The 14-year-old was struck in the chest and abdomen and taken to the same hospital, also in critical condition.

At the same time a man was shot in the East Side neighborhood. The man, 18, was standing outside with a group of males about 9:30 p.m. in the 10300 block of South Avenue H when someone opened fire, police said. The man was struck in the leg and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.

A 69-year-old man was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side. Someone in a black sedan fired shots toward a group of males about 9:05 p.m. as they stood outside in the 100 block of East 120th Street, police said. The man, who was standing with the group, was struck in the ankle and taken to Roseland Hospital in good condition.

Moments prior a 21-year-old man was shot in Brighton Park on the Southwest Side. He was sitting in a parked vehicle about 9 p.m. in the 2700 block of West 37th Place when someone in a white Ford sedan fired shots, police said. The man was struck in the neck and collarbone area. He was taken to Stroger Hospital in fair condition.

An 18-year-old man was in critical condition after being shot in Bronzeville on the South Side. He was near an alley about 4:20 p.m. in the 200 block of East 38th Street when someone opened fire, striking him in the head and chest, police said. The man was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

A man was grazed in a shooting in the South Loop. The man, 20, got into an argument with someone about 3:45 p.m. as they left a building in the 800 block of South Wabash Avenue, police said. The other person then pulled out a gun and opened fire, grazing the man on the foot. The man was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition.

At least four others were shot citywide. Four people were killed, twenty-one others wounded in shootings last weekend.

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Four men entered a convenience store in the 3600 block of West 16th Street and opened fire, Chicago police said.

Two men were critically wounded in a shooting Monday night at a Lawndale convenience store on the West Side.

About 9:45 p.m., four men entered a convenience store in the 3600 block of West 16th Street and opened fire, Chicago police said.

Two men, 33 and 62, were shot multiple times in the body and transported to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said.

Police sources said the 33-year-old was an employee of the store and may have been the target of the shooting.

Area Four detectives are investigating the attack.

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Someone in a red Jeep Cherokee fired shots at the boys about 9:30 p.m. as they walked in the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue.

Two teenage boys were critically hurt in a shooting Monday night in South Chicago.

The 13-year-old and 14-year-old were walking on the sidewalk about 9:30 p.m. in the 8200 block of South Coles Avenue when someone in a red Cherokee Jeep fired shots and fled, Chicago police said.

The 13-year-old suffered gunshot wounds to the back and abdomen and was transported to Comers Children’s Hospital in critical condition, police said.

The 14-year-old was struck in the chest and abdomen and taken to the same hospital, also in critical condition, according to police.

No one is in custody, police said.

Area Two detectives are investigating the shooting.

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The blueprint showed itself in the fourth quarter in Saturday’s loss to Miami, and on Monday it was executed much more efficiently, as the Bulls used the frontcourt size to outlast the Heat 110-102.

There would be no sugar-coating from Thad Young.

There seldom is.

The Bulls veteran forward was asked about the current position the Bulls have put themselves in with just 11 regular-season games left on the schedule and some serious work to do.

Specifically, what if this roster can’t capture a playoff spot or play-in game, and that big-stage game or series doesn’t happen this season?

“It definitely would be a big smack in the face if we made all these changes and adjustments to our team, and we can’t follow through or push through into the playoffs,’’ Young said.

There still might be a “big smack’’ coming, but not on Monday.

Thanks to a very simple game plan of doing all they could to use their size against a smaller Miami team, the Bulls (26-35) avenged the Saturday loss on South Beach, outlasting the Heat in the 110-102 win.

That’s why center Nikola Vucevic finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while fellow big man Daniel Theis had 23 points and 12 rebounds.

“We felt the last game in the second half against Miami that we could play defense, so it was a good step for us,’’ Theis said. “If the first side wasn’t there [Monday] we swung it to the other side. We just moved the ball.

I want to be physical. It’s about defense. I don’t care about stats. I just want to win the game.’’

In doing just that the Bulls have closed the lead Washington had for the final play-in game in the Eastern Conference, now cutting it to just one game after the Wizards lost to San Antonio in overtime.

Toronto did win, so the Raptors are tied with the Bulls, with the two teams still schedule to play once more this season.

“We’re definitely aware of where we are and what’s going on,’’ Young said. “[Washington is] playing really good basketball, and we’ve got to figure out ways to win basketball games. Our approach to every game has to be the same: Win at all costs because everything is on the line from this day forward.

“It’s been on the line.’’

It was for most of the game against the Heat.

The Bulls seemed to be in a game of chase with Miami (32-30) all evening, staying close, but having trouble breaking through.

That finally changed with 4:46 left in the game when Garrett Temple made a layup to put the Bulls up two. That lead became four 40 seconds later when Vucevic hit in the paint, but Jimmy Butler cut the lead in half with a short jumper of his own.

Butler, who started his career off with the Bulls, finished with a game-high 33 points.

That led to Billy Donovan calling timeout with 3:09 left, which led to a Lauri Markkanen three-pointer, giving the Bulls their largest lead of the game. After Trevor Ariza had a three-pointer of his own, Theis continued the paint dominance, scoring on the tip-in.

“I thought there were a lot of plays that [Theis] made that were real physical plays,’’ Donovan said. “Those are energy, momentum changing plays because it kinds of energizes your team. You can see the guys always pointing to him, appreciating that he’s in those kinds of positions to help.

“What I said from Day 1 [about Theis] is you can always feel his presence.’’

The Heat seemed to feel it, as they kept missing shots in those final minutes, while the Bulls did well enough at the free throw line to keep widening the lead.

In finishing with 22 free throws, the Bulls actually ended a streak of 12-straight games with less than 20 free throws per contest, tying them with the Kings (2018) and 76ers (2012).

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An officer fired his weapon while responding to an incident in the 7800 block of South Loomis Boulevard but did not strike the person, according to police.

Chicago’s police oversight agency is investigating a SWAT incident in which an officer fired shots Monday evening, though no one was injured.

Officers responded to a “domestic call” involving a person with a gun about 8 p.m. in the 7800 block of South Loomis Boulevard, Chicago police said.

An officer fired his weapon but did not strike the person, according to police.

The person was taken into custody and a weapon was recovered, police said.

Police did not provide any additional details.

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability is investigating the incident, including the officer’s use of force.

The officer will be placed on desk duty for 30 days.

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The suspect was taken into custody about 6:50 p.m. after he left a home in the 1500 block of South Springfield Avenue, Chicago police said.

A person was arrested Monday in Lawndale in connection with the investigation of 7-year-old Jaslyn Adams’ fatal shooting earlier this month at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Homan Square.

The suspect was taken into custody about 6:50 p.m. after he left a home alone in the 1500 block of South Springfield Avenue, Chicago police said.

A SWAT team was called to the scene to “assist” in the arrest, police said. The suspect was taken to Area Four headquarters for questioning, and formal charges are pending.

Last week, a man who was shot by police while allegedly trying to carjack a family on the Eisenhower Expressway was charged in connection with Adams’ killing. Prosecutors said that Marion Lewis, 18, was the getaway driver but did not fire any of the shots that killed Jaslyn or wounded her father, 28-year-old Jontae Adams.

Police would not say whether the suspect arrested Monday was believed to be one of the shooters.

Jaslyn, who was nicknamed “Pinky,” was fatally shot April 18 after two gunmen fired at least 45 shots at her father’s car in the drive-thru of a McDonald’s at Kedzie Avenue and Roosevelt Road. One shooter was seen on surveillance cameras holding an AK-47-style assault rifle with a “banana clip,” prosecutors said.

The next day, hundreds of people gathered to release balloons for a vigil at the McDonald’s where Jaslyn was killed.

“We love you Pinky” — her family said in unison at the vigil.

Contributing: Tom Schuba, Mitch Dudek, Frank Main

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News

6 p.m. Walk-ins now welcome at all six COVID-19 mass vaccination sites in suburban Cook County

Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times

Starting Monday, all six COVID-19 mass vaccination sites in suburban Cook County will start accepting walk-in appointments.

While scheduling appointments in advance are still encouraged, walk-ins will be welcomed at the county’s mass vaccination sites Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For help finding an appointment in Chicago, visit zocdoc.com or call (312) 746-4835.

For suburban Cook County sites, visit vaccine.cookcountyil.gov or call (833) 308-1988.

To find providers elsewhere, visit coronavirus.illinois.gov or call (833) 621-1284.

Read Madeline Kenney’s full story here.

3:37 p.m. Pritzker announces $60 million state program to help combat vaccine hesitancy

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and health care leaders announced a new program Monday aimed at dispelling myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine in vulnerable communities and get resources into the hands of people who are still being infected by the virus.

“This program is about one-on-one connections involving established, trusted members of the community,” Pritzker said at the news conference. “Whether that is a federally qualified health center or a church, an LGBTQ+ center, a senior center or a local branch of the NAACP.”

The Pandemic Health Navigator program will help residents in over 100 counties statewide get vaccinated or answer any concerns have about the vaccine. It will also help those who have contracted the coronavirus by getting resources directly to them. Those resources include connecting families to food, educational resources, rental assistance and utility assistance.

Pritzker said his administration has worked hard to make the vaccine easily accessible with about 9 million people already receiving doses of COVID-19 vaccine, but the state needs to do more than make shots available to people.

Reporter Manny Ramos has more.

1:43 p.m. 2021 Chosen Few picnic postponed; online event scheduled for July 4 weekend

Chicagoans craving a semblance of live summer musicin the city are taking yet another hit to their plans as a popular local event rebrands as a virtual festival due to COVID-19 concerns.

The Chosen Few Picnic & House Music Festival, which takes place annually in Jackson Park, has postponed their usual slate of in-person activities in favor of a July 3, online event according to an official announcement Monday.

Last spring, the group consisting of DJs Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Alan King, Andre Hatchett, Mike Dunn and Terry Hatcher, made a similar announcement, and despite ideas to hold an in-person socially-distanced show, the group wants to wait for an actual picnic and festival — a popular event on the social calendar of many Black Chicagoans — local house heads know and love.

Read the full story from Evan Moore here.

12:32 p.m. With graduations virtual, Chicago college students dream of in-person, multi-school ceremony at Soldier Field

With only weeks before Chicago colleges face yet another graduation period during the pandemic, many schools have again made plans for virtual ceremonies this spring.

That’s led some students to take matters into their own hands.

Three Columbia College Chicago students have launched a campaign called #CommenceAnyways to hold an in-person ceremony at Soldier Field — which would not involve campus administration in any way.

“I’ve learned and grown so much during my time being a college student, and it’s really this moment to be celebrated,” said organizer Nathan Branch.

Branch, along with classmates Jahmelah Miller and Alice Scharf, started the initiative as an event for CCC students, but have since opened up their Eventbrite ticket page for all Chicago-area graduating students.

According to the organizers, this would be the first in-person citywide graduation event in Chicago for college students, although last year, the city hosted a citywide virtual graduation for high school seniors.

“We set out to be the change we wanted to see,” Miller said. “After a few weeks of getting feedback we decided not only Columbia students deserved this effort but all college students. We have all worked so hard and deserve this moment.”

The campaign involves a social media push for donations on their gofundme page. In a video, several Chicago students expressed why they find the campaign important.

“As a first generation immigrant, graduation means a lot to me and my family,” said Bichoy Boutros, fashion design major at CCC,. “So thank you to #commenceanyways for making that happen.”

Read the full story here.

11:23 a.m. EU launches legal action against vaccine-maker AstraZeneca

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s executive branch said Monday that it has launched legal action against coronavirus vaccine-maker AstraZeneca for failing to respect the terms of its contract with the 27-nation bloc.

The AstraZeneca vaccine has been central to Europe’s immunization campaign, and a linchpin in the global strategy to get vaccines to poorer countries. But the slow pace of deliveries has frustrated the Europeans and they have held the company responsible for partly delaying their vaccine rollout.

European Commission spokesman Stefan De Keersmaecker said that Brussels launched the legal action against AstraZeneca last Friday “on the basis of breaches of the advance purchase agreement.”

He said the reason for the legal action was that “some terms of the contract have not been respected” and that “the company has not been in a position to come up with a reliable strategy to ensure a timely delivery of doses.”

AstraZeneca’s contract with the EU, which was signed by the Commission on behalf of the member countries last August, foresaw an initial 300 million doses for distribution among member countries, with an option for a further 100 million.

The British-Swedish drugmaker had hoped to deliver 80 million doses of that in the first quarter of 2021, but only 30 million were sent. According to the Commission, the company is now set to provide 70 million doses in the second quarter, rather than the 180 million it had promised.

AstraZeneca said in a statement that it “regrets” the Commission’s decision to take legal action and that it will “strongly defend” itself in court.

“We believe any litigation is without merit and we welcome this opportunity to resolve this dispute as soon as possible,” AstraZeneca said. It said deliveries are improving “following an unprecedented year of scientific discovery, very complex negotiations, and manufacturing challenges.”

“We are making progress addressing the technical challenges and our output is improving, but the production cycle of a vaccine is very long which means these improvements take time to result in increased finished vaccine doses,” it said.

Read the full story here.

10:09 a.m. From rotten teeth to advanced cancer, patients feeling effects of pandemic-era treatment delays

With medical visits picking up again among patients vaccinated against covid-19, health providers are starting to see the consequences of a year of pandemic-delayed preventive and emergency care as they find more advanced cancer and rotting and damaged teeth, among other ailments.

Dr. Brian Rah, chair of the cardiology department at Montana’s Billings Clinic, was confused in the early days of the covid pandemic. Why the sudden drop in heart attack patients at the Billings Clinic? And why did some who did come arrive hours after first feeling chest pains?

Two patients, both of whom suffered greater heart damage by delaying care, provided what came to be typical answers. One said he was afraid of contracting covid by going to the hospital. The other patient went to the emergency room in the morning, left after finding it too crowded, and then returned that night when he figured there would be fewer patients — and a lower risk of catching covid.

“For a heart attack patient, the first hour is known as the golden hour,” Rah said. After that, the likelihood of death or a lifelong reduction in activities and health increases, he said.

Read the full story here.

8:52 a.m. Community colleges hope to bring students back to campus this fall

Community colleges across Illinois are cautiously optimistic they will be able to bring back students for in-person classes this fall.

And while a few four-year schools in the Chicago area — including Loyola University Chicago, Columbia College and DePaul University — have announced that students will be required to be vaccinated before returning to campus, most community colleges do not plan to make vaccines mandatory.

After more than a year of nearly all remote coursework, most community colleges said they plan to offer classes four different ways this fall: fully in-person; a hybrid format involving a combination of both in-person and online instruction; virtual classes that involve online synchronous meetings; and fully asynchronous, online classes.

City Colleges of Chicago will offer a range of in-person and remote options for students to take classes this summer and fall, officials said.

“While we strongly encourage all Chicagoans who are eligible to get vaccinated, students will not be required to be vaccinated. We are currently running a COVID-19 testing pilot at three City Colleges of Chicago locations,” said a City Colleges spokeswoman.

Read the full story from Zinya Salfiti here.

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New cases and vaccination rates

• State health officials on Sunday reported 2,035 new coronavirus cases and an additional 24 virus-related deaths. That brings the state’s pandemic totals to 1,321,033 cases and 21,826 deaths. The Chicago area accounted for 16 of Sunday’s fatalities, which included a Cook County woman in her 20s.
• The new cases were diagnosed among the 61,299 tests processed by the Illinois Department of Public Health in the last day. That kept the statewide seven-day positivity rate at 3.5%, the lowest its been since the beginning of this month.
• More than 8.8 million COVID-19 vaccine shots have now gone into the arms of Illinoisans since mid-December, including an additional 74,461 doses doled out Saturday, officials said.
• As of Saturday night, 3,769,787 people in Illinois were fully vaccinated, meaning two weeks removed from their final dose, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health’s website. That’s about 29.6% of the state’s populations — still well under 80% needed for herd immunity.

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Rose and Monty, Chicago’s much loved piping plover pair whose presence on one of the city’s busy beaches made headlines, may have reunited once again on Montrose Beach Dunes.

Rose, who made an 1,100-mile journey to Montrose Beach from Key Preserve State Park in Florida where she spent winter, was spotted back on the lakefront Sunday morning.

Monty may have been spotted back in Montrose on Monday.

Though the number coordinates on the piping plovers could not yet be confirmed, the plover that was sighted wore a green band, as Monty does, explained Louise Clemency, field supervisor for the Chicago office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Monty was last sighted on Galveston Island’s East Beach in Texas last Thursday.

Last May, Monty and Rose were spotted as having returned on the same day, said Clemency.

“But still, one day after the other is still amazingly close when you consider that Rose winters in Florida and Monty winters in Texas,” she added.

The endangered pair have mated on Montrose Beach Dunes for the past two years, a strong indication that Rose could nest there again this year. If Monty really is back, this would mark the pair’s third year returning to Chicago.

Earlier this month, the Chicago Park Distract expanded the Montrose Beach Dunes Natural Area an additional 3.1 acres to provide more permanent protection for the piping plovers and other endangered wildlife. The natural area is a prime bird watching spot covered daily by birders.

Piping plovers who have nesting success at one site tend to come back to the same place to nest again, explained Tamima Itani, vice president and treasurer of the Illinois Ornithological Society.

Because the plovers don’t have tracking devices, wildlife conservation groups rely on other bird watching communities across the country to report band color and number combinations that are wrapped around birds’ legs to identify them.

“We get these reports in the wintering grounds from citizens, scientists, or people who are really passionate about birds in general,” said Jillian Farkas, the Great Lakes piping plover coordinator with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“It’s really crucial that people are sending their observations… to any place that can help protect the birds, because there’s still a lot that is a mystery about their migration patterns,” she said.

Two out of Rose and Monty’s three chicks that hatched in Chicago last June were also recently seen.

“Esperanza was sighted in Georgia on Friday and Nish was sighted in Florida last Wednesday,” said Clemency.

The hatching site of these three chicks prompted major debate when conservationists successfully canceled a major music festival that was scheduled to take place on the beach in 2019.

Though dogs are not allowed on the public beach or the protected area, the Illinois Ornithological Society requests that pedestrians obey the signs and keep their dogs off the beach, because of growing concerns about the safety of the plovers and other shore birds.

“People love these piping plovers. Frankly, we get very attached to them,” said Itani.

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