Former Swissotel employee Maria Ruiz speaks during a press conference outside the Swissotel, 323 E. Wacker Dr. on Tuesday. | Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

Swissotel didn’t respond to a request for comment, but sent a letter to the women’s attorney in August, arguing the ordinance doesn’t apply to the three women because they were “terminated,” not “laid off.”

Maria Ruiz was a banquet server at Swissotel Chicago nearly 24 years, putting her job before her family, sometimes sleeping in a hotel room for just a few hours between shifts when there wasn’t enough time to go home.

“I was at the hotel for 36 hours straight,” Ruiz said Tuesday afternoon at a news conference outside the hotel. “I wasn’t able to kiss my babies good night or hug them in the morning. My brother was killed two years ago and it was so hard — but even then I didn’t miss a day or work.”

Ruiz, 51, was one of hundreds of hotel workers who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The uncertainty of their future was scary, but the Chicago City Council sought to alleviate that anxiety by passing the “right-to-return-to-work” ordinance to make sure hotel workers could get their jobs back instead of being replaced.

But a lawsuit filed Tuesday accuses Swissotel of violating that ordinance by not rehiring Ruiz and two other banquet servers, each of whom had worked at the hospital at least 20 years.

“I dedicated my life to this job, to this hotel. I was so proud to work there,” Ruiz said. “Since being fired last year, my life is like a nightmare that I haven’t been able to wake up from.”

Unable to find new work or pay her mortgage, Ruiz said she’s on the verge of losing her house, The situation is just as dire for the other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Marie Lourdie Pierre-Jacques and Maria Teresa Hernandez.

The ordinance had been pushed by union leaders and laid-off hotel workers. It called for Chicago hotels to prioritize seniority when deciding which former employees to rehire. The women involved in the lawsuit advocated for the ordinance, speaking out publicly in favor of it.

That original version, however, was opposed by the hotel industry as a logistical nightmare that would slow the pace of rehiring. It made no sense, they argued, to rehire someone based only on seniority if it meant having to hire a dishwasher to do an accounting job.

Eventually, a compromise version passed the Council. It narrowed the scope, requiring seniority be considered, but only within the same job categories.

But in their lawsuit, the women claim Swissotel offered positions to banquet servers with less seniority than the three women.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Terminated Swissotel employees Maria Teresa Hernandez, Maria Ruiz and Maria Lourdie Pierre-Jacques walk out of Swissotel, 323 E. Wacker Dr., with their attorney, Stephen Yokich, on Tuesday after delivering a copy of the lawsuit they filed against the hotel.

Swissotel didn’t respond to a request for comment, but in a letter sent to the women’s attorney in August, it argued the ordinance doesn’t apply to the three women because they were “terminated,” not “laid off” — an important distinction, the hotel’s lawyers argued in the letter.

Stephen Yokich, an attorney for the women, said they anticipated this problem when they lobbied for the bill, but even so, “most responsible hotels in the city are following the law,” he said.

“Swissotel passed over the women who helped pass the law in the first place,” Yokich said. “Our message to the court will be the same as our message today: Swissotel should follow the law.”

Pierre-Jacques stood behind her colleagues during Tuesday’s news conference, often breaking down in tears as she remembered working while pregnant. Her co-workers often joked she would go into labor at the hotel because of the long hours she worked.

When she did gave birth to her son, she returned to work in just six weeks. She would drop the baby off at her sister’s house on her way back to the downtown hotel.

“I left him with my sister and for a long time he thought my sister was his mother. It broke my heart every time he called her ‘Mommy.'” Pierre-Jacques said through tears. “No one can understand that feeling unless you have been through it. I sacrificed that time with my son because I thought I was being a good worker. I thought if I worked had and give my all, my job would respect me back.”

Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter joined the women and their supporters outside the hotel to show his support in the lawsuit which calls for the women to be reinstated and for them to receive back pay from the date of when they “should have been reinstated.”

“We believe that as guests return to Chicago and hotels increase staffing, hotels should recall the workers who have dedicated their lives to Chicago’s tourism industry,” Reiter said. “These women were fired by Swissotel Chicago during the pandemic, they’ve also been on the front line of advocating for Chicago’s hotel worker’s rights. … We are here to support these workers who are seeking to enforce their rights.”

The Federation of Labor has an ownership stake in Sun-Times Media.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Terminated Swissotel employee Maria Lourdie Pierre-Jacques gets emotional as she speaks during a press conference outside Swissotel, 323 E. Wacker Dr.Read More

Jonathan Toews missed practice Tuesday due to COVID-19 protocol. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

The Hawks now have five players, including Toews and Patrick Kane, and three assistant coaches on the COVID list.

The Blackhawks’ apparent COVID-19 outbreak keeps getting worse.

Jonathan Toews and Henrik Borgstrom were added to the NHL’s COVID protocols Tuesday and missed practice.

Although the news has been drastically overshadowed by general manager Stan Bowman’s departure in the wake of sexual assault cover-up findings, the fully vaccinated Hawks are somehow now missing five players and three assistant coaches due to COVID.

Toews, Borgstrom, Patrick Kane, Jujhar Khaira and Riley Stillman are the absent players; Tomas Mitell, Marc Crawford and Jimmy Waite are the absent coaches.

Sheldon Brookbank was the only typical assistant at practice Monday and Tuesday, with player development advisor Chris Kunitz and AHL goalie coach Peter Aubry filling in underneath coach Jeremy Colliton.

Placement on the COVID list doesn’t necessarily mean one tested positive, but if all five players remain unavailable Wednesday, the Hawks will face the Maple Leafs with only 20 players on the roster and neither of their two star veteran forwards among them.

And if Mike Hardman — who missed the last two games with a concussion but returned to practice Monday — can’t play, the Hawks will be shorthanded, able to dress only 11 forwards.

Toews’ placement on the COVID list comes just six regular-season games into his return. On Sunday, he finally registered his first NHL points since August 2020, tallying two assists.

His medical absence last season was partially due to long-haul COVID symptoms, he has said previously.

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The Hawks’ 2010 glory: tarnished forever. | Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

A cover-up, despicable in its own right, will linger in an alleged sexual predator’s foul wake.

It’s right there, engraved on the Stanley Cup:

Brad Aldrich.

Two words that, now, only begin to define the signature period in the history of the Blackhawks. The name of Aldrich — alleged sexual predator — is there along with 51 others representing the Cup-winning Hawks of 2010. Like cards in the same sordid deck, the 52 names share more than winning, more than blood, sweat and tears and the glorious ending of a 49-year title drought in common.

Fair or not, they’re all part of the same indelibly tarnished legacy.

That legacy belongs to the Cup-winning Hawks of 2013 and 2015, too. Aldrich, the former video coach alleged to have assaulted a player in 2010 — and later a high school player in 2013 — was gone from the organization years before the second and third title runs. But a cover-up, despicable in its own right, lingered in his foul wake.

An independent investigation, the details of which were revealed Tuesday, determined that then-president John McDonough and executives including Al MacIsaac, Jay Blunk, general manager Stan Bowman and assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff — as well as then-star coach Joel Quenneville — all were informed and aware of allegations against Aldrich by a Hawks prospect and did far less than acceptable in response. In some cases, they did nothing at all.

All their names are on the Cup, too.

“It is clear that in 2010, the executives of this organization put team performance above all else,” Hawks CEO Danny Wirtz said during a virtual press briefing after which no questions were taken.

McDonough, the iron-fisted boss, was found to have taken no action for at least three weeks after meeting with the men above to discuss strategy. In that time, the Hawks went from winning the Western Conference finals — with a private meeting beginning less than an hour after the clinching Game 4 — to hoisting the Cup in Philadelphia. On June 10, 2010, one day after the season ended, Aldrich is alleged to have made an unwanted sexual advance toward a Hawks intern. Not until days after that did McDonough meet with the organization’s director of human resources.

“As a result,” said lead investigator Reid Schar of the firm Jenner & Block, “the Blackhawks’ own sexual-harassment policy, which required investigation of all reports of sexual harassment to be conducted prompty and thoroughly, was violated.”

Common sense and common decency were violated, too, easy to see in the public unraveling of a cover-up.

Quenneville — an all-time great now coaching the Panthers — is characterized in the report as having been, like McDonough, against taking any immediate action that might distract the Hawks from their mission to win the Cup. Others, including Bowman, then a first-year GM, come off no less poorly for their reticence and complicity.

After resigning Tuesday, Bowman offered in a careful, scanty statement: “I relied on the direction of my superior that he would take appropriate action. Looking back, now knowing he did not handle the matter properly, I regret assuming he would do so.”

The words of a leader? No. Actions speak louder, and Bowman, Quenneville et al. should all be ashamed of their spineless roles in the tarnishing of a championship legacy. But that’s not enough. The Panthers should part ways with Quenneville if he doesn’t have the integrity to step away on his own. Cheveldayoff, now the GM in Winnipeg, should be gone with Wednesday’s outgoing mail. And so on.

Where does this leave the Hawks? Organizationally, they’ll work on picking up the pieces. While, incidentally, putting a terrible 2021-22 team on the ice with a perhaps in-over-his-head coach who’s being booed nightly. And with a sellout streak that is no longer. And with a name and logo that is, let’s face it, outdated and offensive to many.

Meanwhile, many members of the 2010 Cup run — current star players included — should consider saying more than they have about what they knew and when they knew it, what they felt they could do about it and what they felt they couldn’t. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do.

Even if it’s too late for the Hawks player known as John Doe. And for that intern. And for the high school player in Houghton, Michigan, where Aldrich was able to work in 2013 because of a despicable cover-up.

Most damning of all: Before turning him loose in 2010, the Hawks gave Aldrich a choice. He could undergo an investigation, or he could resign. Aldrich resigned. And so the Hawks did nothing. That’s what they tried to get away with, anyway, until — a decade later — it was no longer possible.

The first question we ask about people in power who let something like this fester on their watch: What did they know? And the second: How could they fail to do the right thing? The second question stays engraved in our minds forever.

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Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., is of Polish descent. | Tony Avelar/Bloomberg

We recognize and are grateful for the contributions of those who share our Polish heritage.

The latest census data tells us Cook County has 900,000 residents of Polish heritage in Cook County. about one in seven. Each October, America observes Polish Heritage Month, a time when Polish Americans and Poles around the world take time to reflect on the contributions to our daily lives made by Poles throughout history.

Starting in 1619, Polish immigrants to Capt. John Smith’s Colony of Virginia brought the principle of human dignity to these shores when they held a nonviolent work stoppage to achieve the right to vote and own land. Dr. Alexander Kurcyusz founded the first university in New Amsterdam (now New York) in 1659.

Our independence was helped greatly by the contributions of two Polish warriors: Tadeusz Kosciuszko was critical to the success in the Battles of Saratoga and West Point, where he is honored with a statue in his honor. More significant, perhaps, was his will in which he left money for the education of freed slaves. Gen. Casimir Pulaski, the father of the American Cavalry proudly proclaimed: “I come to hazard all for the freedom of America.”

And whenever we look to the skies, we cannot help but see our solar system, first described by Polish astronomer, Nicolai Copernicus.

Frederic Chopin gave us compositions that still evoke the beauty of complex music,and which were the inspiration for countless popular songs, including “Till the End of Time,” “Could it be Magic?” and “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.”

Ralph Modjeski, known as the greatest American bridge builder, gave us the San Francisco Bay Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Bridge.

During World War II, it was Polish mathematicians Marian Rejewski, Jerzy Rosycki and Henryk Zygalski who first broke the German Enigma code; Henry Magnuski, while working for Motorola invented the first “mobile walkie-talkie” the forerunner of our ubiquitous cell phones; Lt. Col. Matt Urban was the most decorated American soldier in World War II.

We are all inspired by the commitment of Irena Sendler, honored at Yad Vashem, for her work helping to save Jews from Nazis during World War II.

Those X-rays you get are the result of Marie Sklodowska Curie, a Polish physicist and chemist who discovered radium.

More recent Poles have also contributed to the lives we live.

Martha Stewart continues to give us great recipes, cooking and decorating tips.

A. J. Pierzynski was a fan favorite catching for the World Series White Sox.

Stephanie Kwolek developed Kevlar, which to this day serves and protects police and military personnel around the world.

Paul Baran was an internet pioneer, who developed the earliest version of the internet. Edward Rosinski was the co-inventor of our modern gasoline. Thaddeus Sendzimer is known as the inventor of modern steel.

Steve Wozniak, a brilliant mathematician, was a co-founder of Apple, developing with his friend, Steve Jobs, the first modern personal computers.

Pope John Paul II, Karol Wojtyla, provided leadership in demanding the fall of the Iron Curtain, thus freeing millions from the tyranny of Communism. Lech Walesa showed that an ordinary electrician with courage could give human dignity to millions of people.

Andrew Pietowski, a math teacher from Carmel, New York, identified the source of the Amazon River.

And, my own personal favorite (and my father), former U.S. Rep. and Chicago Ald. Roman Pucinski, without whom we would not have those “black boxes” in every commercial airplane.

We are entertained by men and women of Polish Heritage, including Billy Wilder, Stephanie Powers, Lauren Bacall, Nina Siemaszko, Casey Siemaszko, Jonathan Lipnicki, Samuel Goldwyn, Bobby Vinton, Marilu Henner, Loretta Swit, John Krasinski, Leelee Sobieski, Christine Baranski, Jerry O’Connell, Jared Padaleckiand the Wachowski Brothers (“The Matrix”) who have all brought us stories worth telling.

This October we recognize and are grateful for the contributions of those who share our Polish heritage.

Aurelia Pucinski is a justice of the Illinois Appellate Court and a lifelong Chicagoan.

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Ozzie Guillen managed the White Sox from 2004 to 2011, guiding them to a World Series sweep over the Houston Astros in 2005. | Getty Images

Guillen started his professional playing career as a Padres minor-leaguer in 1981.

Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen recently interviewed for the San Diego Padres’ vacant managerial job, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported Tuesday.

Guillen, 57, hasn’t managed since 2012, when he was fired by the Marlins. He managed the White Sox from 2004 to 2011, guiding them to a World Series sweep over the Houston Astros in 2005. He then managed the Marlins for the 2012 season and currently serves as an analyst for Sox broadcasts.

The Padres entered the 2021 season as strong contenders in the National League West but went 79-83 before firing Jayce Tingler on Oct. 6. The Padres reportedly also have interest in former Cardinals manager Mike Schildt, who was also fired this month, and former Mets manager Luis Rojas.

The Union-Tribune reports the Padres are seeking a manager with a strong Latin American influence who can connect with star Fernando Tatis Jr. Rojas is a fellow Dominican and Guillen is from Venezuela.

Guillen is 747-710 as a manager, taking the Sox to the postseason in 2005 and 2008. He has made no secret of his desire to return to managing and admitted he was hurt the Sox didn’t give him a serious look before hiring Tony La Russa last offseason.

Earlier this month, Guillen told the Sun-Times: “To me, there wasn’t a better manager to hire, including myself. The second man? Ozzie [expletive] Guillen. I don’t give a [expletive] what people think.”

Guillen, a former All-Star shortstop, signed his first professional contract with the Padres in December 1980 and was traded to the Sox in the December 1984 LaMarr Hoyt deal.

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Chicago Bears fans filled Soldier Field earlier this month to watch their team defeat the Detroit Lions. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

As the head of Chicago’s foremost taxpayer watchdog group, Laurence Msall might be expected to urge fiscal caution. But Msall said losing the Bears would be a blow the city should try hard to avoid.

Civic Federation President Laurence Msall urged Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday to pull out all stops to keep the Bears in Chicago — and not necessarily at Soldier Field.

As the head of Chicago’s foremost taxpayer watchdog group, Msall might be expected to urge fiscal caution or even tell the Bears, “So long. Good luck in Arlington Heights.”

But on Tuesday, Msall said the Bears are a “jewel in the crown of tourism attraction” for Chicago — “in spite of last Sunday,” he added, when the team was flattened by the defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Losing the Bears would be a blow the city should try hard to avoid — not “just reputationally, but also economically,” he said.

“Whether that can be done inside the [Soldier Field] stadium that Mayor Richard M. Daley insisted be rebuilt for the Bears is a question mark. If that’s not able to be done into a modern stadium with the capacity to host … mega-sporting events like the Final Four or the Super Bowl, then the city should be coming forward with alternative sites,” Msall told the Sun-Times.

AFP/Getty Images
A full renovation of Soldier Field was completed in 2003. It gave the team more suites and pricey sideline seats to sell, but reduced overall capacity.

Msall said there is “enough land in Chicago in various places that might be attractive” to the Bears, provided the team has “control over parking and other ancillary benefits” at the designated site.

“It doesn’t have to be that the city pays for the financing and construction of the stadium. Arlington Heights is not offering to finance construction of a potential Bears stadium” either, Msall noted. “But they do offer a lot of land. With that comes control.”

Last month, the Bears signed an agreement to purchase the 326-acre site of the now-shuttered Arlington International Racecourse for $197.2 million.

Since then, the primary focus has been on Soldier Field and the constraints of a lakefront seating bowl already towering over historic colonnades at a stadium that’s also a war memorial.

With those limitations in mind, Msall shifted the focus away from Soldier Field and toward other sites.

If the Bears are “willing to travel to Arlington Park,” they would surely be willing to “willing to look at other sites” in Chicago, he said.

“We have a very long shoreline. We also have a lot of land in former industrial areas. The Southeast Side of Chicago has much open land. There are spots on the West Side that are under-developed,” Msall said.

“They’re buying the land in Arlington Heights. … They would probably be willing to buy the land [in Chicago] if you helped assemble it. If you made sure it was adequate for their needs … Make it easy for them to consider alternatives. If it was connected to public transit in a way superior to the other sites they’re looking at. Soldier Field is not an easy place for most fans to get to. An improvement in that regard could be very significant.”

Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Arlington International Racecourse, shown in late September after its last race.

Planning and Development Commissioner Maurice Cox is helping to spearhead the city’s efforts to keep the Bears.

Last week, Cox told Sun-Times business and labor columnist David Roeder he is “not willing to give up on” Soldier Field.

“Show me the studies that say it can’t be done. There is a whole history of retrofitting historic stadiums to get the size, to get the coverage,” Cox told Roeder.

Pressed on whether the city was offering the Bears alternative sites, Cox said: “No, no. We’re not able to talk about that. … We have an amazing facility at Soldier Field. … We would be remiss not to stay focused on it.”

Msall has his doubts about whether the Bears would even accept a renovated or domed lakefront stadium they do not own and control.

If and when the focus shifts to other sites, Msall said at least some consideration should be given to tearing down McCormick Place East and building a new stadium there.

Sun-Times file
McCormick Place East, also called the Lakeside Center, is along the east side of Lake Shore Drive. It is a possible site for a new stadium for the Chicago Bears.

That’s even though that would run into trouble in Springfield as well as lakefront protection issues similar to those that killed the Lucas Museum.

“You have to negotiate — not just with the Chicago, but state officials. And some official from Downstate Illinois will be looking for something totally unrelated in exchange for their support of that,” Msall said.

“That’s not impossible. It’s worth taking a look at. Everything should be on the table because there is enough time for the city to come forward with proposals to keep them in Chicago. Is it the end of the world if the Bears leave Chicago? No. But is it a missed economic opportunity? Is it a loss for the city of Chicago? Yes. So having a proposal that competes with the Arlington Park proposal is something, at a minimum, I would hope the city would do.”

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A man who was shot Oct. 13 on the Dan Ryan Expressway has died. | Sun-Times file photo

On Oct. 13, Daryl Ware was in a vehicle on Interstate 94 about 10:30 p.m. near 69th Street when someone fired shots from another vehicle, Illinois State Police said.

A man who was wounded in a shooting on the Dan Ryan Expressway earlier this month has died.

Daryl Ware, 19, was pronounced dead at 12:14 a.m. Saturday at Stroger Hospital, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. An autopsy ruled his death a homicide.

On Oct. 13, Ware was in a vehicle on Interstate 94 about 10:30 p.m. near 69th Street when someone fired shots from another vehicle, Illinois State Police said.

He was struck in the head and taken to a hospital in critical condition at the time, officials said.

No arrests have been reported.

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Immigrant rights supporters rally in Grant Park following a march through downtown May 1, 2006 in Chicago. | Getty

Currently, those applying for asylum need to wait a year until they receive their work permit. Because of this wait, many immigrants end up working in unsafe conditions to support themselves and their families.

In response to the editorial “New immigration policy aims to protect undocumented immigrants against work exploitation,” it is very clear employers should take responsibility for the environment they create, and for immigrants to feel comfortable in coming forward to speak about unsafe workplace practices.

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.

However, more pathways are needed for immigrants to obtain work authorization. Currently, those applying for asylum need to wait a year until they receive their work permits. Because of this wait, many immigrants end up working in unsafe conditions to support themselves and their families. If this is changed, then asylum seekers could start working in safer conditions and employers could have more workers.

Karina Donayre, director of communications, Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, Forest Park

They showed up and died

Seven hundred and fifty police officers across the United States have died of COVID-19. While most of the nation and critics stayed safe at home, they showed up and died while serving. Now it seems they are being called selfish monsters. The city is trying to fire or take away paychecks from those very people who stayed the course even in the face of serious illness or death. What could possibly go wrong in a city racked with escalating violence? Seven hundred eighty-seven police officers have retired so far this year. There are over 987 vacancies. Soon there will be none left to serve and protect. Then what?

Bob Angone, Austin, Texas

Drinking GOP’s Kool-Aid

As I read about people who threaten to leave their jobs because they are mandated to get a vaccine against COVID-19, I thought about my experience. “Anytime you’re ready,” I told the nurse. “It’s already done,” she said. I didn’t even feel the needle go in. And I experienced no side effects that day or the following day. The only thing I “suffered” from my vaccination was the 20-minute drive to and from my appointment, and the one minute sitting in a chair.

For that, people will throw away their jobs. And why? “Personal freedom,” they loudly chant. You have to ask, “Why do you always use your seat belt or wear a heavy coat in the frigid winter?” They may respond, “I don’t want to die.” It would be proper to point out that is exactly why they need the shot — but I’d advise saying it from a distance.

There is no mystery as to why people are citing “personal freedom” for not getting the vaccine: The Republicans ginned up this just to torpedo President Joe Biden’s effort to defeat the virus, solely for political gain, and thousands of gullible people have bought this despite the reality that they are endangering their lives.

For the Republicans, political power is more important than human life. Knowing where their true motivations lie, can we ever feel secure in allowing this group to control the direction of our country?

Lee Knohl, Evanston

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Guide Mike Norris, as he shows, focuses on trophy smallmouth bass on Big Green Lake this time of the year. | Provided

With fall finally setting in, trophy time is here, the crappie bite is picking up, and anglers are antsy for perch bite on southern Lake Michigan to start; those threads lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

With fall finally setting in, trophy time is here, the crappie bite is picking up, and anglers are antsy for perch bite on southern Lake Michigan to start; those threads lead this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report.

As Mike Norris shows in the top photo, the time for hunting trophy fish is on, right now.

TROUT SEASON

Jason “Special One” Le texted the YouTube video above and this:

We still smoke em stocked trout lol

That surprises me a little, a week and a half into the fall season, but he is the “Special One.”

For Illinois’ inland trout season, daily bag is five; those 16 and older need a fishing license and an inland trout stamp. Nearby sites include in Cook County (Axehead, Belleau, Busse North, Green, Horsetail, Sag Quarry East, Wolf), DuPage (Grove, Pickerel, Silver); Kankakee (Bird Park Quarry, Rock Creek); Kendall (Big Lake at Silver Springs SFWA); Lake (Sand Lake at Illinois Beach SP); McHenry (Spring Grove Hatchery Pond); Will (Lake Strini, Van Horn Woods).

Click here for the statewide release.

LAKEFRONT PARKING

Chicago Park District’s parking passes for the fisherman’s parking lots at DuSable and Burnham harbors are on sale at Henry’s Sports and Bait in Bridgeport and Park Bait at Montrose Harbor.

Readers suggest SpotHero app downtown. Otherwise, here are some basics: Foster (free street parking or pay lot); Montrose (now a mix of metered and free street parking); Belmont (pay lots on north and south sides); Diversey (pay lot or street parking); DuSable Harbor (pay lot or fisherman’s lot); Northerly Island/Burnham Harbor (meters, pay lot or fisherman’s lot); 31st/Burnham (meter parking between McCormick Place and 31st Street Harbor); Oakwood/39th (meters); 63rd Street/Casino Pier (pay lot); Steelworkers Park (free street parking at east end of 87th); Cal Park (free parking).

AREA LAKES

Provided
Ken “Husker” O’Malley caught this fall largemouth bass.

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed the photos above and below, and this:

Hey Dale,

Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing.

Area lakes-unseasonably warm temps have had fish in a holding pattern. Floating moss has made presentations difficult on some lakes. The recent rains will help water levels on many lakes as they have been down. Water temps need to get into the 50’s for the fall bite to take off. The upcoming forecast will do that.

The most consistent bait has been a twitch minnow. A few bass, bluegill, and crappie can be taken working it over weed flats.

. . .

Here is the nature pic of the week. Closing time.

—

Ken “Husker” O’Malley

Husker Outdoors
Waterwerks fishing team

Ken “Husker” O’Malley
A fall photo at the end of fishing.

Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait said that crappie are picking up pretty nicely, all around the area. “That is the bright side, especially Wolf Lake and a lot of the forest preserve lakes.” . . . “Good time to fish.”

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Roger Jackson emailed the photo below and this:

Dale,

So many yellow bass on the chain, Arden Katz is catching two at a time, we were trying for walleye, way too many yellows!

Katz said that they probably caught 200 yellow and white bass in 10-14 feet near the mouths of Marie and Bluff with either minnow rigs or Rippin’ Raps.

Provided by Roger Jackson
Arden Katz with a double on yellow bass from the Chain O’Lakes on a Rippin’ Rap.

Art Frisell at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said white bass and yellow bass are “striperlicious” on small minnows or Mepps spinners, Marie and Bluff best; walleye good, better on minnows recently or try trolling; bluegill fair, try in 8-12 feet with waxies and small ice jigs under a slip-bobber; muskie fair, try suckers on Fox or Pistakee on points; crappie fair, look in 8-15.

NOTE: Check updates on water conditions at foxwaterway.com or (847) 587-8540.

NOTE 2: The Stratton Lock and Dam is closed from Monday, Nov. 1, on. Through Sunday, Oct. 31, it is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

CHICAGO RIVER

Provided
Jeffrey Williams with a good perch from the Chicago River.

Jeffrey Williams messaged the photo above and this:

Slab alert

More like “Jumbo alert.”

He also added the photo below and this:

also caught this big beauty 1 lb 6 oz 15 in

Provided
Jeffrey Williams with a largemouth bass from the Chicago River.

COOLING LAKES/STRIP PITS

Braidwood, Heidecke, Mazonia (except Monster stays open all year) and LaSalle are closed for the season.

DES PLAINES RIVER

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed:

Hey Dale,

Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing.

. . .

DesPlaines River-bass have been good on slower baits as they seem not to be chasing faster moving baits. Senkos, skakey head, and jigs with a craw trailer have been best. Water temps are still in the lower 60’s.

. . .

—

Ken “Husker” O’Malley

Husker Outdoors
Waterwerks fishing team

DOWNSTATE

Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait said that there are lots of report Downstate of crappie on Sara and Rend. “Good time to fish.”

POWERTON: Winter hours–8 a.m.-4 p.m.–are back. Boat fishing is closed. Bank fishing runs through Friday, Oct. 29.

SPRING LAKE: Boat fishing is closed on the main lake; boat fishing is allowed from the Sky Ranch Road ramp to Maple Island buoy during waterfowl seasons. Bank fishing along South Lake Road is not allowed until after 1 p.m. during waterfowl season.

EMIQUON PRESERVE: During waterfowl seasons (Emiquon is in the central zone, where duck and Canada goose seasons open Saturday, Oct. 30), non-waterfowl hunting boating (which includes fishing) is not allowed until noon. Access permits and liability waivers are required. They are available Tuesday to Saturday at Dickson Mounts Museum, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SHELBYVILLE: Check with Ken Wilson of Lithia Guide Service. SOUTHERN ILLINOIS: Check with Jason Johns of Boneyard Fishing. HENNEPIN-HOPPER: Closed for the season. Check regulations at http://www.wetlands-initiative.org/dixon-paddling-fishing.

FOX RIVER

Dicky’s Bait Shop in Montgomery reported good reports of crappie on the river, especially in fallen trees and other cover, such as bridge pilings, with fathead minnows.

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Norris emailed the photo at the very top and this report:

Fishing Report – 10/25/2021

Mike Norris

Big Green Lake – Nighttime temperatures finally fell into the low thirties and the surface temperature of Big Green is dropping about a degree a day. Last Saturday I recorded a surface temperature of 59 degrees as expected, smallmouth bass are starting to group up. Last week I caught smallies anywhere from 7 to 24 feet deep. My bait of choice is a sucker minnow dragged behind a Lindy sinker. I am also finding packs of bluegills under piers in Big Green’s shallow bays. Perch running up to eleven inches are biting red worms beneath a float in 1 to 2 feet of water where gravel shorelines exist. Northern pike are also on the move. I am catching them in the same areas I am catching smallmouth bass.

Fox Lake – Water temperature is dropping, but bass fishing is still good in shallow areas like The Jug and Government Area. With most sportsmen hunting right now it like a ghost town on the water. Try fishing around rocky shorelines and shallow bays with Senko’s or Bitsy Bug jigs with a trailer.

I am focusing on guiding for trophy smallmouth bass right now. To book a guide trip reach out to me via my Facebook page at mike.norris.7773 or email me through my website at www.comecatchsmallmouth.com

GREEN/STURGEON BAYS, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR weekly report.

ILLINOIS RIVER

The river is forecast to be in flood stage around Starved Rock until early next week.

KANKAKEE RIVER

The river crested at Momence and Wilmington under flood stage; the Iroquois is forecast to crest under flood stage Wednesday/Thursday at Chebanse.

Provided
Bob Johnson with a big fall smallmouth bass caught and released on the Kankakee River.

Bob Johnson emailed the photo above and this (note, this came before the heavy rains hit the basin):

Hi Dale – Fall fishing has picked up and the Smallmouth are getting fat for winter! Had a day to remember for sure. Several baits worked including jerk baits, bladed jigs (White) and finesse in dark colors. Water temp was 59 and water clarity was good to clouded in some areas. The morning bite is always good however the Bass continue to feed later in day this time of year. I did try surface lures but quickly found out this bite is done. Nothing to report about Walleye yet. Walleye fishing was slow.

LAKE ERIE

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

LAKEFRONT

Provided by Jason “Special One” Le
At least it wasn’t a skunk on the lakefront.

Jason “Special One” Le sent the photo above and this:

Just one lol

No skunk

Yes, one better than skunk.

Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait said, “Guys are looking for perch earlier and earlier.” (That would be nice if some showed up already.) There’s trout fishing in the harbors with tube jigs or spawn. . . . “Good time to fish.”

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted:

Good morning Dale,

Few reports of a lot of salmon swimming in the harbor but not hitting. Steelhead starting to be caught around the area. Wax worms and tinsel jigs are flies, larger minnows, nightcrawlers Etc. Those winds were pretty wicked yesterday lake got all stirred up so it may take a few days to come back to normal. A few Northerns have been caught by guys casting spoons or crankbaits. No reports on anything else.

Our hours now are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 7 days a week.

Have a great week..

Capt. Dan Leslie at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan said things are continuing as was; snaggers are doing best for Chinook (a 35-pounder weighed last week).

SALMON SNAGGING: Here are the details from the IDNR:

4) Snagging for chinook and coho salmon only is permitted from the following Lake Michigan shoreline areas from October 1 through December 31; however, no snagging is allowed at any time within 200 feet of a moored watercraft or as posted: A) Lincoln Park Lagoon from the Fullerton Avenue Bridge to the southern end of the Lagoon. B) Waukegan Harbor (in North Harbor basin only). C) Winnetka Power Plant discharge area. D) Jackson Harbor (Inner and Outer Harbors).

d) Disposition of Snagged Salmon and Paddlefish. All snagged salmon and paddlefish must be removed from the area from which they are taken and disposed of properly, in accordance with Article 5, Section 5-5 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code.

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait.

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

Kurt Justice at Kurt’s Island Sport Shop in Minocqua emailed:

Cold temps have pushed many area lakes into the dreaded “Turn Over” period (insert spooky sound effects). Surface temps on most lakes running 51 – 56 degrees. Fishing reports have been off by the weekend with lots of grumbling from anglers finding fishing tough.

Smallmouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Thanks to a recent report (didn’t get your name) anglers finding Smallies stacking up along gravel/mud transitions in 22-26′. Live black chubs were this angler’s choice for lots of nice Smallies. Asking around, other anglers are finding similar success using drop-shot rigs to present 3″ Gulp-Alive minnows and Walleye suckers. Larger lakes that haven’t experienced turn-over best!

Walleye: Good-Fair – Finding the right group of fish willing to bite has been tough. Even the deep fish have been tight lipped. Locating smaller lakes that have turned (under 600 acres, but at least 30′ depth) and slow dragging 1/2 crawlers on 1/8 oz jigs in 17-22′ worked for our boat on Sunday. Most anglers using chubs and large fats with success.

Musky: Fair – Luckily, most of my hair is gone, so unlike some of the more well-maned guides, I know I have little left to pull out. Mid-week was good with anglers scoring very well on Smity Jerks working green weeds, some in as little as 3-5′. But as weekend came, things got tough and little action, the best on suckers. With continued cold mornings (upper 20’s to low 30’s) and high barely cresting 50 most days, look for post turn-over action on gliders, jerks and live suckers to be best from here on out.

Northern Pike: Fair – No reports from targeted fish, just incidentals.

Largemouth Bass, Crappies, Perch & Gills – No Reports

Kurt Justice
Kurt’s Island Sport Shop – Like us on Facebook

NORTHWEST INDIANA

Capt. Rich Sleziak at Slez’s Bait in Lake Station texted:

Been kinda quiet last few days with all the rain.

Lots of groups waiting on the perch bite to start in the cal park area.

Christina Petrites at Stan’s Bait & Tackle Center in Hammond emailed:

Hi, Dale! Here’s what we have for the week:

Fishing has slowed down on Lake Michigan due to rough seas; pier guys are starting to pick up some Steelhead when they are able to get out on the piers.

River fishing for Steelhead was good until all the rains blew out the rivers.

Inland lakes for Bluegill remains good on beemoth & red worms.

The Perch bite has begun. It’s had a slow start, but is getting better every day, with the consistently cooler weather. Smaller minnows & spinners are working best.

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

Click here for the Wisconsin DNR’s report, usually on Tuesday or Wednesday.

SHABBONA LAKE

Final day for concessions is Sunday, Oct. 31.

Site hours through Sunday, Oct. 31 are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. On Monday, Nov. 1, site hours go to 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT

Click here for the southern Lake Michigan reports from the Wisconsin DNR.

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Between the heavy rains and high water on the rivers, and the blow on Lake Michigan, not much.

Paddle and Pole hosts the Berrien Springs Fish Ladder Camera.

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont texted on Tuesday:

Water temp was 48 degrees yesterday. White bass were biting good near the Rat River all week, and up river sand bars. Walleye action is picking up with limits coming in. Bluegill and crappie in the backwaters, on crawlers and minnows

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Ube isn’t a new food trend by any means. The purple yam has always been a staple in Filipino desserts, but its popularity outside the Philippines rose in the past few years. Indeed, the distinctive purple color and mildly sweet and nutty flavor of ube have made it a favorite on our Instagram feeds and in our bellies alike. If you didn’t stock up on ube treats from Trader Joe’s this summer, here’s where you can get a quick but delicious ube fix right in the city:

3301 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Jennivee’s Bakery is an LGBTQ+ owned and operated sweets spot in East Lakeview. The beloved neighborhood staple was created with the goal of being a safe and welcoming space for everyone. It was founded by Jenni Vee, whose passion for baking traveled with her from the Philippines to the U.S.

The patisserie has a wide variety of cakes by the slice, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and other pastries. It’s a favorite for custom order cakes, sometimes with a humorous twist.

The Purple Velvet is a best seller and is available as a cake or cupcake. For even more decadence, try the Ube Cheesecake or Ube Overload Cheesecake-cake!

931 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

Stepping into Sundae Stop, you’d wonder if it was a wild and amazing extension of the Belmont Red/Brown/Purple line. Resembling a CTA station, complete with a replica train but without the signature, CTA smells, Sundae Stop has your ice cream cravings satisfied.

The shop serves homemade ice cream, sorbet, shakes, vegan ice cream, and other treats. Waffle cones are made in-house, filling the shop with a drool-inducing scent. Try the ube ice cream in an ube waffle cone for the ultimate treat!

1159 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607

1632 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

Available at UIC and Wicker Park, Kurimu offers sweet treats like bubble teas, coffee, and their most popular indulgence, soft-serve ice cream. 

Kurimu’s ice cream menu has classic flavors as well as more unique options, like Black Sesame, Lychee Pearl, Durian, and Very Avocado. Try the Purple Yam w/ Oreo for a delicious ube twist on cookies and cream!

The cone selection is also mouthwatering and just as unique, with flavors like Toasted Coconut, Orange Creamsicle, Lavender, Matcha, and Gingerbread. 

2211 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Indulge in modern regional Filipino fare at Cebu, from brunch and dessert to happy hour and dinner. After dining on traditional dishes like Lumpia and Sisig, treat your sweet tooth to another Filipino tradition: Halo Halo. 

The dessert has layers of shaved condensed and evaporated milk, red beans, ube jam, Kaong, Nata de Cocoa, Rice Crispies, jackfruit, and housemade ice cream or sorbet.

For something more savory, try the Ube Chicken Waffle Sandwich.

420 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657

This Lakeview brunch spot is known for its amazing floral-filled ceiling and specialized menu with American, Asian, and Latin flavors. Try the Ube Flap Jack Stack, which has bacon, sunny-side-up eggs, cheddar cheese, spiced maple syrup, and garnished with spicy pickled peppers and green onions.

For your drink, don’t sleep on the Purple Haze, an ube coffee for your caffeine fix, with the option of adding CBD.

131 N Clinton St, Chicago, IL 60661

Located inside the Chicago French Market in the West Loop, A Taste of the Philippines specializes in authentic Filipino cuisine. The restaurant started as a food truck in Denver before making its way to Chicago in 2018 in the farmers market scene.

Dig into the Chicken Adobo to start and finish with delicious ube-flavored desserts like chocolate chip cookies, donuts, and cheesecake bites. The menu also has an Ube Waffle and on occasion, a special Longanzia Ube Waffle Sandwich.

Featured Image: Cebu Chicago

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