What’s New

Over the past year, Gage Park has topped the charts when it comes to COVID-19 cases and positivity rates — not just in Chicago but across the state.

Even worse, a lack of health care infrastructure and resources on the Southwest Side left many Gage Park residents on their own.

That’s when the Gage Park Latinx Council decided it had to do something.

The grassroots organization was formed three years ago to address systemic issues facing the Gage Park community. Last year, it finished converting a vacant storefront at 2711 W. 51st St. into a new cultural center to better serve the neighborhood. With the pandemic, the council pivoted to deal with different challenges, finding a way to help Gage Park residents help each other, said Antonio Santos, co-founder and executive director.

One in seven people in Gage Park has tested positive for COVID-19. Positivity rates in the 60629 and 60632 ZIP codes, which include Gage Park, have recently been as high as 7%; the citywide average is at 5.4%.

The council recently partnered with Esperanza Health Centers to open a vaccination site in Gage Park, and Santos said the group has helped hundreds of residents sign up for appointments.

Given that 92% of the neighborhood’s population identify as Hispanic or Latino, Santos said the council, run by longtime Latino residents of Gage Park and Chicago’s Southwest Side, has become an important unifier amid the grief and loss.

“For us, community care and mutual aid means using our strengths and our identities to guide the work and trusting the folks whom we serve,” Santos said. “All of us involved in this organization are young people that grew up and still live in this community.”

Over half of Gage Park residents live at or below the poverty line. Food insecurity has always been an issue for the neighborhood, Santos said, and the pandemic has only exacerbated that situation.

That’s one reason the cultural center opened a free community market, the “mercadito,” with stacks of fresh fruit, jars of peanut butter, displays of toiletries and other items. Arriving customers are handed a red tote bag and urged to take whatever they need.

Neighborhood families also can enroll their children in the council’s summer art club or sign up for year-round programming.

“We have a unique understanding of the families that we’re serving because many of us are those families,” Santos said.

Samantha Martinez, the council’s co-founder and family outreach director, arrived in Gage Park over 10 years ago with her family. As Spanish speakers and immigrants, she said her own family didn’t know where to go for support. Now, the council tries to fill that void for others.

The council started distributing grocery boxes last year in parking lots, Martinez said. Food distribution now is done through the mercadito. Each week, 70 to 100 families visit, she said; many are regulars.

“We all grew up in Gage Park, and our parents didn’t necessarily have that support,” Martinez said. “It’s wonderful to see that there is now a Gage Park where our community can be cared for and supported.”

Planting seeds in the next generation

The council recently launched a youth co-op program, Reclaiming our Roots, to create green spaces on the Southwest Side. A handful of young Gage Park residents work in a community garden and study the effect of environmental racism on the neighborhood.

The garden is in what used to be a vacant lot a few blocks from the council’s cultural center. Gage Park resident Alberto Rodriguez, now the council’s eco-coordinator, connected with Martinez last year as he began to drum up the idea of growing a community garden in the neighborhood.

To regenerate the land so it could be cultivated again, they covered the plot in shredded cardboard and mulch and built two garden beds and a compost bin. They continue to collect extra resources like sticks and compost material, which sometimes includes scraps from the mercadito.

Rodriguez comes from a long line of farmers in Mexico. When his father lived in Mexico, he and his family cultivated food to make a living. Even though Rodriguez was born in the United States and lives in an urban area, he said working with the land is in his DNA.

“Gardening shifted the way I see life,” Rodriguez said.

Santos said he’s excited for the garden to start giving back to the community. Produce could go to the mercadito, and co-op members learn not just about sustainable practices but also about food access and racial inequity, he said.

“Why are there so many abandoned lots in our community that sit vacant for years?” Santos asked. “Now, in the time of COVID, people are really looking for outdoor spaces to connect with the community. [Reclaiming our Roots] allows these youths who have been virtual learning for a year to get outside and work with the land.”

As Gage Park residents get vaccinated, Rodriguez said they hope to slowly open the community garden, allowing more residents to gather at the garden’s fire pit to share their stories.

There’s still room to grow, Rodriguez said, in imagining ways to connect through these rare public green spaces. But for now, they said the Reclaiming our Roots initiative is a small glimpse of what healing a community can look like in Gage Park.

“This space has allowed me to orient myself in my identity and helped me teach and meet other folks who are interested in reclaiming this part of our culture,” Rodriguez said.

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A 27-year-old Chicago man is accused of shooting an Oak Park police officer during a traffic stop last week.

Enrique Rosa, who was also shot when the officer returned fire, is charged with attempted murder of a peace officer and aggravated battery with a firearm, Oak Park officials said in a statement.

The incident unfolded about 7 a.m. April 8 after Rosa was pulled over on the Harlem Avenue bridge over the Eisenhower Expressway, officials said.

Rosa’s car matched the description of a vehicle whose driver was suspected of being involved in an earlier domestic dispute in Forest Park, officials said.

After Rosa stopped his car, he allegedly got out and started shooting at the officer, striking him in the arm, officials said. The officer returned fire and shot Rosa twice in the leg.

Rosa and the officer were both taken to Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, officials said. The officer was released Saturday, while Rosa remains hospitalized.

Illinois State Police said they were investigating the officer’s use of force.

Rosa is expected to appear in court Sunday.

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Three people have been killed and sixteen others wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend.

In the most recent fatal attack, a 54-year-old man was shot to death early Sunday in South Shore.

The man was standing outside about 12:15 a.m. in the 6700 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when someone shot him, Chicago police said. He sustained nine gunshot wounds to the back and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

A witness told officers they saw the gunman fire shots from inside a gray Chrysler, according to police.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on his death.

On Saturday, a woman was killed and another wounded in a shooting in Lawndale on the West Side.

About 9:05 p.m., they were standing in the 2300 block of South Kirkland Avenue, when they heard several shots and felt a pain, police said.

One woman, 29, was struck in the back, each arm, and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released her name.

The second woman, 28, was struck in the lower right leg, and taken to the same hospital where she was stabilized.

A shooting left a 17-year-old boy dead Friday night in Bridgeport on the South Side.

The teen and two others were sitting in a parked vehicle about 9:45 p.m. in the 200 block of West 37th Street when a black Dodge Durango pulled up and two men exited and began shooting at them, police said.

Davion Ward, 17, was struck in the back and was transported to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

A 16-year-old boy suffered a graze wound to the head, and the other person, a man between 18 and 20 years old, was struck in the chest, police said. Both were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition.

In nonfatal attacks, a teenage boy was shot Saturday morning in Lawndale on the West Side.

The boy, 15, was shot in the lower leg about 5:45 a.m. in the 2100 block of South Kostner Avenue, Chicago police said. He was taken to St. Anthony Hospital in good condition.

Earlier Saturday morning, a man was shot in West Pullman on the Far South Side.

The 34-year-old was standing outside about 4 a.m. in the 100 block of East 119th Street when someone inside a red-colored vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said. He was struck five times and taken to Roseland Hospital, where he was stabilized.

In the weekend’s earliest reported shooting, a person was shot Friday night on the Eisenhower Expressway on the West Side.

The driver was shot about 9:30 p.m. near Cicero Avenue, and their injuries were not life-threatening, according to Illinois State Police.

At least ten more people have been wounded in shootings since 5 p.m. Friday in Chicago.

Thirty-four people were shot, eight fatally, last weekend in Chicago.

Read more on crime, and track the city’s homicides.

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A 54-year-old man was fatally shot early Sunday in South Shore.

The man was standing outside about 12:15 a.m. in the 6700 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when someone shot him, Chicago police said.

He sustained nine gunshot wounds to the back and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

He was identified as Harold Green by the Cook County medical examiner’s office,

A witness told officers they saw the gunman fire shots from inside a gray Chrysler, according to police.

No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.

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Most of the fan base has been hoping that the Chicago Bears move up to get a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. But, that’s just not looking as promising as it once did. Not that it was ever extremely likely, with the Bears having to move all the way up from pick no. 20 […]

Chicago Bears NFL Draft 2021: 5 scenarios trading out of the first – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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Zach LaVine’s 50-point game not enough for Chicago Bulls by Ryan Taylor

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(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Chicago Blackhawks are a team that could be pretty busy during the trade deadline. They already have been one of the most active teams as they have made two very good trades with the Florida Panthers. Now, they still have a couple of guys that they might be interested in moving within hours of Monday’s deadline. One team that might make the perfect trade partner for them is the Montreal Canadiens. These two general managers have made trades before.

The Chicago Blackhawks and Montreal Canadiens would make great trade partners.

The Montreal Canadiens aren’t an elite team but they are a pretty good team. They were the Eastern Conference’s version of the Blackhawks in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff bubble in terms of being that 12th team that snuck in. This year, they are competing in the all-Canadian North Division.

It looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets, and Montreal Canadiens are going to be the four teams that clinch playoff berths while the Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Ottawa Senators watch from home. It is really the only division that looks completely set for the playoffs. Obviously, something could change in the final weeks of the season but it seems likely that will be the case.

The Canadiens, are the fourth team of the playoff teams. If they plan on defeating the winner of the division in the playoffs, they might need some help. Depth is always key in the playoffs and the Hawks can provide them with some of that. They already acquired Eric Staal from the Buffalo Sabres so you know they are in the buyers market. These are three trades they could make with the Blackhawks:

Next: Trade One

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A 54-year-old man was fatally shot early Sunday in South Shore.

The man was standing outside about 12:15 a.m. in the 6700 block of South Jeffery Boulevard when someone shot him, Chicago police said.

He sustained nine gunshot wounds to the back and was transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

A witness told officers they saw the gunman fire shots from inside a gray Chrysler, according to police.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office hasn’t released details on his death.

No one is in custody as Area One detectives investigate.

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Beer in Chicago with trivia and game nights, weekday food pop-ups, and Pub Run season begins.Read More

MINNEAPOLIS — Former baseball star Alex Rodriguez and e-commerce mogul Marc Lore signed a letter of intent Saturday to buy the Timberwolves and keep the NBA team in Minnesota, owner Glen Taylor said.

The agreement, which also includes the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, opens a 30-day window for negotiations to be finalized. If accountants and attorneys for both sides agree, the deal would then need to be approved by the league.

The Athletic first reported the $1.5 billion sale.

Under the conditions of the deal, Taylor would keep control of the club for the next two years and bring on Rodriguez and Lore as partners until a handover in 2023. In a phone interview with The Associated Press, Taylor said their connection went “terrifically well” and that he was “happy” and excited” about what’s to come.

“They’ve asked that I would be there for any decisions that would need to be made,” Taylor said. “I would enjoy that. I love teaching people. These are a couple of very bright guys, and I think it could be helpful to the club and I think I could be helpful to them so that they feel confident once they take over 100%.”

Taylor, who put the teams on the market last year, said he was first approached by Rodriguez and Lore a week ago. The pair traveled to meet Taylor and his wife at their winter home in Naples, Florida. Taylor, who turns 80 on April 20, has spoken with numerous suitors over the years but taken a deliberate approach to finding a buyer he’s comfortable with. He said he’s done that with Rodriguez and Lore.

“I was concerned if I got ill or something happened to me what would happen to the club. This gives me a path that I know it’s going to happen. I feel confident that they’ll take care of the franchise and move it ahead,” Taylor said.

Throughout the sale process, he told interested parties that keeping the franchises in town was a prerequisite for purchase.

“There was no use talking to them if they didn’t agree to that,” Taylor said.

The Timberwolves, who entered the league in 1989 as an expansion club, were on their way to New Orleans in 1994 before Taylor, a lifelong Minnesotan who built his fortune from a small commercial printing business, bought the team for $88 million.

As part of the renovations at Target Center that were initiated in 2016, the team’s lease with the city of Minneapolis carries a $50 million penalty if it were to be broken prior to 2035.

Rodriguez and Lore are 50-50 partners in the deal, Taylor said.

The 45-year-old Rodriguez hit 696 home runs over 22 major league seasons, with the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. His last season on the field was 2016, marking the end of marvelous career that was tainted by performance enhancing drug use he later admitted to. Rodriguez was suspended for the entire 2014 season for violating Major League Baseball policy.

Lore became Walmart’s e-commerce chief in 2016, when the retail giant bought his Jet.com startup in an attempt to boost online business. Lore notified Walmart on Jan. 31 of his intent to leave the company. The 49-year-old Lore will continue to serve in a consulting role as a strategic adviser through September.

Rodriguez and Lore confirmed the agreement in a statement distributed to ESPN.

“We look forward to entering this phase of the process with Glen Taylor. Our respect for him and the legacy he has built lays an amazing foundation for what is to come. We are excited by the prospect of getting to know the Timberwolves organization,” the statement said.

Rodriguez was the headliner in a group that tried to purchase the New York Mets last year, before dropping out. Hedge fund manager Steve Cohen bought the club instead.

The background on the biggest stages of major sports that Rodriguez has was intriguing to Taylor.

“I just think he understands leadership and what it takes and the different ways that you can coach and motivate people,” Taylor said, “and I think having him around will be helpful in the selection of the right leaders for the team.”

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PITTSBURGH – Cubs first base and catcher’s coach Craig Driver has tested positive for COVID-19. Driver did not travel with the team to Pittsburgh as a precaution and remains in Chicago as he continues to recover. According to the Cubs, the club’s contact tracing determined no one on the team’s traveling party was a close contact with Driver.

All testing done Wednesday, Thursday and Friday on the Cubs’ traveling party came back negative. Quality assurance coach Mike Napoli will remain the team’s first base coach for the remainder of the road trip. The Cubs had another round of tests done on Saturday and will have one additional round of tests done on Sunday.

“I definitely think that it’s something that is an eye-opener, for sure,” manager David Ross said. “I think there have been a couple eye-openers to start the season around baseball, that it should hit home, and understand that this is still a very serious pandemic that we’re in. We have to continue to stay diligent and all that we do.”

“It’s something that’s on our minds every other day with testing and every day with masks and with social distancing,” second baseman David Bote said. “It’s obviously just another thing of like, you can do everything right, and still get it, stuff like that. It’s just been what we’re dealing with the last couple years, and it’s just part of it. So you’re just finding a way to be aware of it and move on the best you can.”

The news of Driver’s positive test comes as the Cubs still work to get 85% of their Tier 1 vaccinated. It’s been a slow process for the Cubs to reach MLB’s threshold for lessened protocols, but having a close member of the coaching staff be affected may expedite the process.

“We’re at the mercy of this thing a lot of the time, so the more guys, we can get vaccinated – I mean, really, the goal is 100%, right? Let’s be honest, the goal should be 100%. So that’s what we’re shooting for and each person has their own views and things, but we’re just continuing to try to educate and encourage them as much as we can to get vaccinated.”

Cubs connection involved in MLB’s latest no-hitter

San Diego’s Joe Musgrove tossed MLB’s latest no-hitter against the Rangers on Friday, but the Cubs have had a connection in the last two no-hitters in baseball. Former Cubs catcher Victor Caratini was behind the plate for Musgrove’s no-no and made history in the process.

Caratini also caught Alec Mills no-hitter against the Brewers last season and became the first catcher in MLB history to catch two back-to-back no-hitters.

“I did text him and he texted me back. I was super happy for him,” Ross said. “I saw the emotion on his face jumping up and hugging Joe, seemed really neat. … First one ever in San Diego. To have all those things and for Vic to be a part of that, I know how special that is as a catcher. I definitely had to fire him a text and was super happy for him.”

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