Cook County prosecutors contend a Chicago police detective asked them to reject charges against a suspect in the slaying of a 7-year-old girl when they indicated more evidence was needed in the high-profile case because the detective said he “had not seen his family and was tired and was not willing to do any more work on the case,” according to a prosecution memo obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.

Once the charges were rejected, at least one high-ranking CPD official, in an unusual move, suggested police would circumvent prosecutors and have the suspect charged directly. Police approached a judge to get additional time to do that without prosecutors’ knowledge, according to the memo and sources families with the matter.

The dispute and the memo illustrate the ongoing tensions between Chicago police and the Cook County state’s attorney’s office. Detectives privately complain prosecutors make unreasonable demands in terms of evidence needed in cases, more than they’ve been ever asked before under previous top prosecutors. Prosecutors, however, contend they are simply requesting evidence needed to meet the high burden of proof.

In early discussions about the slaying of the 7-year-old, Serenity Broughton, prosecutors wanted police to bring in a witness for an additional interview and asked police to hold off on the arrest of a potential suspect as the investigation continued, according to the memo.

But an arrest was made anyway, and detectives went to prosecutors to approve charges.

Prosecutors offered to let police further investigate rather than reject the charges.

However, the detective, who didn’t think a witnesses could be located, declined that offer, saying he wanted prosecutors to reject charges and he “did not wish to do any more work on the case,” the memo said.

Serenity was killed and her 6-year-old sister, Aubrey Broughton, wounded when shots were fired at a car they were in with their mother in the 6200 block of West Grand Avenue on Aug. 15.

The suspect was sitting in a car that two people were seen running back to after shots were fired that afternoon in Belmont Cragin, but there was no evidence they had been involved in the crime and none of the individuals were seen with weapons, the memo said.

A state’s attorney’s office spokeswoman Monday said charges were rejected because there was insufficient evidence and added, “police agreed with this decision.”

The Sun-Times is not naming the suspect because he hasn’t been charged.

The man was on parole for a 2018 attempted armed robbery conviction but has been released from CPD custody, according to a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Police official asks for ‘favor,’ cites department ‘morale problems’

After the charges were rejected, CPD Cmdr. Eric Winstrom called a prosecutor and asked her “do him a favor and charge the case” because his “team had bad morale problems and [he] will not be able to keep his team together with the rejections that have happened,” the memo said.

Prosecutors again offered to classify the case as a continuing investigation, but Winstrom also rejected that option, saying he would pursue a felony override, the memo said.

Police have a limited amount of time after an arrest before the suspect is charged by prosecutors. Felony override allows police to bypass the state’s attorney’s office and charge a suspect with a felony, but the override is only supposed to be used after police have exhausted all other options of working with prosecutors.

If police did file the charges in Serenity’s murder last week — which apparently never happened — prosecutors had planned to drop the case against the suspect if he appeared at a bond hearing, a prosecution source said.

The memo said Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan Friday also talked with a prosecutor who told Deenihan “what is happening with Area 5 is outrageous and needs to be immediately addressed,” apparently referring to detectives not being willing to continue to investigate cases that prosecutors say don’t meet their burden of proof.

Later Friday, police officials attempted to seek a judge’s order, that if approved, would allow police to hold the suspect longer without charging him and give them time to pursue a felony override, a source said.

Officials with Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans’ office weren’t able to provide additional information Tuesday.

A police spokesman declined to comment on the matter, only saying the murder investigation is ongoing.

“The Chicago Police Department is committed to holding those responsible for the murder of 7-year-old Serenity Broughton, and the wounding of her 6-year-old sister Aubrey, accountable,” the police spokesman said in a statement. “We are working closely on this investigation with the Cook County State’s Attorney to bring forward justice for Serenity, Aubrey, and their family.”

Political pressure to charge heats up

This isn’t the first time Area 5 detectives have had a disagreement over charging suspects with prosecutors from State’s Attorney’s Kim Foxx’s office.

In August, prosecutors refused to charge a suspect in the killing of Chrys Carvajal, a 19-year-old Illinois National Guard soldier shot to death about 1:30 a.m. on July 3 in the 2200 block of North Lockwood Avenue, also in Belmont Cragin.

Police said they identified the vehicle used in the shooting and obtained data putting the suspect’s cellphone in the area of the shooting. The 38-year-old man, a Milwaukee Kings gang member, jumped out of the car and randomly shot Carvajal, police said.

Prosecutors said they rejected filing charges in that case as well because of insufficient evidence.

Police had “the wrong person” identified in that case, according to the memo, which did not include additional information.

Chris Garibay, senior vice commander of American Legion Post 939, speaks during a protest Aug. 13 demanding justice for murder victim Chrys Carvajal.Pat Nabong / Sun-Times file

In both killings, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) denounced prosecutors’ decisions not to file charges.

“What else do you want? You’re not going to have the person who committed the crime say ‘I did it,'” he said last month of the Carvajal case.

And on Saturday, Villegas tweeted: “This is the 2nd murder case where my community comes forward to provide witnesses and the 2nd time the murderer is released back into the community. Why the hell should they come forward to help if all there [sic] doing is putting themselves at risk now.”

Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) has also been critical of the decision to not approve charges in the cases. In an interview with Fox News, Lopez called the decision to not bring charges “mind-boggling” and “a message telling Chicagoans that … political leadership is not there to hold criminals accountable.”

In a statement Tuesday, Foxx said her office has “an ethical obligation to review the facts, evidence, and law in each case and only bring charges when there is sufficient evidence to support a charge.

“As Cook County State Attorney, and as a mother, I am committed to ensuring justice and accountability on behalf of victims of violent crime, especially children . . . We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners as we work towards justice on behalf of the People of Cook County,” Foxx said.

Contributing: Frank Main, Tom Schuba

Read More

The hope for fall Chinook on shore around southern Lake Michigan leads this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report, but there are plenty of fish on inland waters getting prepared for fall patterns.

Brad Wooten emailed the photo above and this:

Hi, Dale.

Went out to the Fox River Labor Day evening and caught this chunky 4lb., 21.5 in. Walleye on a swimbait.

Thought I’d submit for FOTW, or if nothing else to send encouragement for the upcoming Fall bite for walleye on the Fox River.

Best Always,

Brad Wooten

LAKEFRONT SALMON/TROUT ON SOUTHERN LAKE MICHIGAN

It’s the beginnings for shoreline and tributary fishing for fall kings and some

Ralph Vulpitta Jr. posted that they saw four Chinook caught Sunday night at Belmont.

Steve Palmisano at Henry’s Sports and Bait texted: texted on Friday:

First one [king] we witnessed. Caught by Jesus Maya 13 lb chinook at montrose on a 1 oz moonshine lure at 6:30 am.

Stacey Greene at Park Bait at Montrose Harbor texted that a 14-pound king was caught Monday morning, it has been spotty before than other than the burst the previous weekend.

Dan Leslie at the Salmon Stop in Waukegan said, “Kings are in, early bite (3 a.m. to an hour after sunrise) because of warm water.” If the west winds build and bring in cooler water, it will be an all day bite. It’s a spoon bite, though a few are using live bait under a bobber. Fish color is good, though some are spawned out already. “Seems like a good year for them.” There’s fewer steelhead than recently, but worth trying for them, too.

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

Some salmon have starting moving in the tributaries. #3 spinners, spawn sacks and skein are the baits to take.

In Michigan, staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said quick run of kings came in last week for a couple days late at night at St. Joseph pier before the water warmed; a couple steelhead and a few kings ran into the river; at South Haven, a couple kings and a few steelhead were caught off the pier.

ILLINOIS FROG SEASON

Illinois’ bullfrog (only) season runs through Oct. 15. A fishing license is required. “Bullfrogs may be taken by hook and line, gig, pitchfork, spear, bow and arrow, hand, or landing net.” Daily bag limits eight, possession limit 16.

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

Ken “Husker” O’Malley with a local largemouth bass.Provided photo

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed the photo above and this:

Hey Dale,

Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing.

Area lakes-water temps are starting to decline with the cooler overnight temps. It won’t be long until the fall patterns start.

Until then, bass have been very good during morning hours. At first light, work a top water popper over the top of the weeds. Once the sun starts to rise, work a senko along the outside weedlines. A few cruising bass can also be caught close to shore with long parallel casts.

. . .

TTYL

—

Ken “Husker” O’Malley

Husker Outdoors
Waterwerks fishing team

Pete Lamar emailed:

Hi Dale,

Things changed for the better this week. The water is cooling-at least on small ponds, less so on the bigger bodies of water-and the fish seemed to like it. I was targeting bluegills and getting them, but there were some unexpected largemouths as a bonus.

. . .

Pete

The times are changing.

BRAIDWOOD LAKE

Open daily 6 a.m. to sunset.

CHAIN O’LAKES AREA

Art Frisell at Triangle Sports and Marine in Antioch said bluegill are good, running shallower in 5-8 feet, try ice jigs with waxies, spikes or red worms; catfish, as always, are good overall, best on small to medium roaches or crawlers; crappie are fair, try Bluff; walleye are fair, look across main lake flats with slip-bobber or split-shot rigs; muskie are fair on large bucktails or small jerkbait, try Fox Lake.

NOTE: The Fox Lake Youth Fishing Derby is 8 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Sept. 11 at Lakefront Park. Click here for details or call (224) 225-1404.

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

NOTE 2: The Stratton Lock and Dam is open 8 a.m. to midnight through Sept. 30.

CHICAGO RIVER

Jeffrey Williams with his heaviest-ever crappie from the Chicago River.Provided

Jeffrey Williams messaged on Monday the photo above of a 1.12-pound crappie and this:

heaviest Crappie i ever caught

crappies and LMB are stacked up, went through 4 dozen minnows in a 6 hr period

Things were so good that he kept a precise tally of all caught.

On the photos above and below, and this:

today was a adventure 14 LMB 7 Crappies A rock bass Catfish and my brother got in a 13 lb carp Also pictured if my bass thumb

Good ole bass thumb.

Jesse Gonzalez with a big Chicago River carp.Provided

DELAVAN LAKE, WISCONSIN

Dave Duwe emailed:

Delavan Lake Fishing Report 9/6/21 through 9/13/21

With the cooler nights, the water temperature is starting to drop. The fishing remains above average and the boat traffic is below average.

Largemouth bass are starting to move out of their tight summer schools and can be found throughout the weedline in 12-14 ft of water. In the early morning, the top water bite is available and you can also find them casting medium diving crankbaits. The best patterns are chrome/blue or perch for the crankbaits. The best location has been just west of the Yacht Club or by the Browns Channel weedline.

Northern pike action is starting to improve. With the cooler water, the fish are moving into the 12-14 ft depth range. They can be caught on Thill slip bobbers fished with medium suckers or casting white spinner baits. The best location is the Viewcrest Bay or the weed flat by Browns Channel. As the fall progresses, the northern pike action will continue to improve.

Walleye fishing has been slow. There is some action coming from chrome/blue jigging Rapalas in 20-22 ft of water, or lindy rigging jumbo leeches. The best location has been by the concrete point or by Willow point. The walleye bite is always best in the fall, so the cooler nights will help improve the bite in the coming weeks.

Crappie fishing has been above average in the 30-35 ft depth range. They can be caught on slip bobbers and fat head minnows. The fish are in the main lake basin. Look for them by Willow Point or in front of Assembly Park. They are typically soft this time of year, so you want to get them on ice quickly.

Bluegill fishing has been average. The best bite is in the 12-15 ft depth range. The fish are biting on small leaf worms or wax worms fished on an ice jig. The best color is chartreuse or orange. I’ve been catching most of my fish by Del Mar subdivision.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

DOWNSTATE

POWERTON: Hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Sept. 30.

EMIQUON: Access permits and liability waivers are again 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.

DUPAGE RIVER

Pete Lamar emailed:

Hi Dale,

. . .

The Fox and DuPage are about the same distance for me, but I rarely fish the DuPage. That may change. I was in the area for a social call over the long weekend and stopped to make a few casts. The water was low, crystal clear and surprisingly cold. There must be some ground water entering the river nearby. I hooked a fair number of small fish but didn’t land any. And this was in a heavily utilized area: I was always in sight of other anglers, kayaks, cyclists or hikers. The fishing would probably only improve with some more walking.

Pete

FOX RIVER

Dicky’s Bait Shop in Montgomery reported quite a few people fishing over the weekend, catfish are starting to bite better with the cooler temperatures at night on a wide variety of baits; suckers are back in stock. River remains low, but bite improved.

GENEVA LAKE, WISCONSIN

Dave Duwe emailed:

Lake Geneva Fishing Report 9/06/21 through 9/13/21

Smallmouth bass are still relating to hard bottoms in deep water. The best depth has been 21-25 ft of water. The best locations are by Fontana Beach, Conference Point or by Black Point. I’ve been using nightcrawlers and fat head minnows with equal success. The bigger fish are coming out of slightly deeper water in the 25-28 ft depth range, but the majority are a few feet shallower.

Largemouth bass fishing has been improving. The bass are starting to move into shallower water from their deep summer haunts. Look for the fish in Williams Bay or by Trinkes. The best depth currently is about 14 ft. Use drop shot rigs or Carolina rigged green pumpkin lizards.

Northern Pike action has been almost non-existent this summer and that continues. There are a few fish being caught in the 25-30 ft depth range. Lindy rigs with medium suckers have been producing the most but it’s still not that great of a bite. The northern pike will continue to move shallower as the water cools and the fishing should improve significantly.

Bluegills remain in the deep water locations. Some of the nicest fish I’ve caught in recent years are coming right now. The best depth is 22-25 ft of water. Look for the fish by Fontana Beach or by the Chicago Club. Straight lining leaf worms beneath the boat has been producing most of the fish.

Lake Trout fishing has started to slow with the cooling water. The fish aren’t suspended as much and they are laying close to the bottom making them hard to catch. There are still some people trying for them in the main lake basin.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water. For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050

GREEN LAKE AREA, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Norris texted the FOTW and emailed this:

Fishing Report – 09/03/2021

Mike Norris

Big Green Lake – Bluegills remain my favorite choice for fishing right now. This year’s crop of gills on Big Green have been phenomenal as I am finding massive schools of gills throughout the lake. I must keep moving around until I locate bigger gills, but once I find them its lights out. I am using a drop shot rig with a half of a red worm threaded onto a small Aberdeen hook. The bonus is the number of smallmouth bass I and my clients are catching while gill fishing. I am also targeting smallmouth bass with a Berkley Max Scent Flat Worm on a drop shot rig.

Fox Lake – The arrival of cooler weather here in south central Wisconsin has cooled the water down on Fox Lake and the largemouth bass and northern pike fishing has picked up. Try Senko’s around rocky shoreline areas. White chatterbaits remain the best choice for northern pike.

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.

HEIDECKE LAKE

Open 6 a.m. (6:30 bank fishing) to sunset.

KANKAKEE RIVER

Bob Johnson with an early fall smallmouth bass from the Kankakee River.Provided

Bob Johnson emailed the photos above and below, and this:

Hi Dale -Back to my favorite Midwest body of water fishing for the native smallmouth Bass. The Kankakee river is in good shape with temps falling to 73 in areas and water clarity good out of current slightly stained in other. Fishing the end of summer can be spotty. Numbers are down this time of year however quality fish can be caught by working baits shallow back to deeper water down to 9′ Soft plastics in dark colors worked along with surface lures early. The Pike busted a buzz bait, a pleasant surprise. The smallmouth was 18″ at 3lb.

Bob Johnson with a nice northern pike from the Kankakee River.Provided

Ken “Husker” O’Malley emailed:

Hey Dale,

Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing.

. . .

Kankakee River-river is in perfect wading condition with a slight stain. Smallmouth are good casting lipless crankbaits along current seams and slate flats with larger boulders in faster mover water. Key is to bump the bait off the rocks to draw strikes.

. . .

TTYL

—

Ken “Husker” O’Malley

Husker Outdoors
Waterwerks fishing team

He’s got that right about the wading conditions, at least before the storms blew through this afternoon.

LAKE ERIE

Click here for the Ohio DNR Report.

LAKEFRONT

Lakefront salmon report at the top. Whispers of boaters catching perch, but I can’t get confirmation.

Capt. Bob Poteshman of Confusion Charters said that out of Chicago, there’s lakers in 100-150 with the occasional coho and Chinook; out of North Point, fish–coho, occasional king and steelhead with lakers, here and there–scattered from 110 to 250.

Capt. Scott Wolfe of School of Fish Charters emailed:

Lake trout fishing was again outstanding with limit catches every trip. 110-140 feet using smoke Luhr-Jensen Dodgers and Jimmy Fly Green Guy Mo rigs near the bottom. Warrior spoons in green or Aqua with UV Hey Babe and Green Menace as the best on downriggers 5 – 15 feet off the bottom.

For steelhead, coho and 3 year old kings the key is locating cold currents. Early in the week we had a cold current in 70 to 95 feet. Over Labor Day weekend one was in 140-150 that was holding steelhead and coho. These fish are very inconsistent and moving as the current wanders. Long lines with lead core and coppers with purple or orange Warrior Spoons including Voodoo, Riverside and Orange Killer patterns.

In the harbor no luck for kings yet, but I heard of some steelhead caught casting glow spoons.

Capt. Scott Wolfe

School of Fish Charters/Manipulator
schooloffishcharters.com
630-341-0550

LaSALLE LAKE

Open daily 6 a.m. to sunset. Click here for the preview of prospects.

MADISON LAKES, WISCONSIN

Click here for the update from D&S Bait.

MAZONIA

Both units are open for fishing.

MENOMINEE RIVER, WISCONSIN

Guide Mike Mladenik of bigsmallmouthbass.com emailed:

The topwater bite continued on the Menominee River in August. We had only 4 days this summer that we did not catch smallmouth on topwater! This great topwater bite should continue through mid-September. Lots of quality smallmouth were also caught on Case Magic Stiks rigged with Spearpoint hooks.

The fall bite should be awesome on the river. I still have some prime late September and October dates open so if interested let me know ASAP.

MINNESOTA

Mille Lacs smallmouth bass.Provided by McQuoid’s Inn

Justin Lederer emailed from McQuoid’s Inn in Isle, Minn.:

Justin Lederer checking in from McQuoids Inn Lake Mille Lacs. Here is a report from one of guides Alan the picture is a nice double on one of his recent trips.

The last week has been fantastic on Millelacs. The leadcore bite has stayed consistent for the last week.. Not alot of big fish , but numbers.. The smallie bit has been a little slower, but consistent on big fish.(20’s , 21′ and biggest just touching 21.75″) big girls are starting too put the feed bag on, Sept and early October should be fire for big smallmouth. Not too mention the muskie fishing firing up.. Have a great and safe labor day and tight lines !!!

NORTHERN WISCONSIN

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

An abbreviated fishing report this week unfortunately.

Labor Day weekend was quieter on the water than most years with wind, rain and clouds not making for an inviting weekend.

Lake surface temps are finally dropping into the mid to upper 60’s. Not seeing a spike in activity yet, but that will be coming soon.

Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and Perch rated good-fair.

Smallmouth Bass and Crappie rated fair.

Walleye, Northern Pike and Musky fair-poor. Did get a report of a Musky on a sucker rig, but for right now top-water lures and large bladed bucktails and spinner baits best.

Will try to update report this week if time allows.

Kurt Justice

Kurt’s Island Sport Shop
Like us on Facebook

NORTHWEST INDIANA

A 27.5-pound Chinook caught on Triplecatch Lake Michigan Sportfishing Charters on Saturday.Provided from Facebook

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

Action out of burns ditch for kings and a few coho early in the am best using plugs and magnum moonshine glow spoons

Some good kings have been caught out of burns ditch last few days in 40ft of water.

Some salmon have starting moving in the tributaries. #3 spinners, spawn sacks and skein are the baits to take.

Crappie at dark on minnows fishing around the bridges on Lake George in Hobart.

Perch action spotty few being caught in Michigan city in 35 to 45ft of water.

Wolf lake both Indiana and Illinois sides giving up some walleye at night using leeches.

Slezs bait is on fall hours now 5am to 6pm everyday.

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

Hi, Dale! The cooler weather certainly feels nice after that weeks’ long heat wave. We have a couple of hotter days upcoming, including today, but mostly much milder temperatures…& onto the weather’s recent effects on fishing…

Fishing on Lake Michigan has still been consistently good. A lot of King & Coho Salmon have started staging in the river mouths to run the rivers to spawn. Trollers meeting with success are using ace high, moonshine spoons, & j-plugs.

Perch fishing was absolutely excellent last week, with 30-40 FOW being the best depth. Beemoths, smaller minnows, & red worms are all working great.

Walleye fishing remains good on the local rivers & Wolf Lake. Nightcrawlers & the last of the leeches in the area are working wonders.

Inland lakes are starting to heat up with good numbers of Bluegill & Crappie; Willow Slough & Lake George both have good reports of the panfish.

Catfishing is fair-moderate at the moment, with shad, hornworms, & stinkbait finding the largest catches.

ROOT RIVER, WISCONSIN

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

SHABBONA LAKE

Concessions are going. Site hours through Oct. 31 are 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.

SOUTHEAST WISCONSIN LAKEFRONT

Justin Breen with a Chinook 20 pounds on the button.Provided

Justin Breen of Glenview tweeted the photos above and below, and this from a trip with Jackpot Charters out of Racine:

Justin Breen king salmon near Racine on Sept 1 2021 on jackpot charters … captain Harley Goodman and co-captain Kevin Moran officially 20 pounds on the dot

He added:

Chase caught a massive sheepshead

I love that maybe even more than the big Chinook Justin caught and shown below.

Chase with a big freshwater drum.Provided

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

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN

Staff at Tackle Haven in Benton Harbor said quick run of kings came in last week for a couple days late at night at St. Joseph pier before the water warmed; a few walleye are being caught in the river; a couple steelhead and a few kings ran into the river; at South Haven, a couple kings and a few steelhead were caught off the pier.

Paddle and Pole hosts the Berrien Springs Fish Ladder Camera.

WISCONSIN DELLS

Hook-and-line sturgeon season in Wisconsin runs through Sept. 30. Click here for the details. Click here for the harvest areas. Staff at River’s Edge said no legals were registered; but lots of shorts are being caught.

There’s good smallmouth going, too.

WISCONSIN RIVER

Rob Abouchar with a Labor Day smallmouth bass from the Wisconsin River.Provided

Rob Abouchar emailed the photo above and this:

Hi Dale

Being slightly superstitious I was not talking much about moving so as not to blow the process. It has gone through and I closed on both homes and now reside in Island Lake. Just need to get the rest of my furniture and belongings moved from storage in Elmhurst. Friday night I caught a bass from the back yard as darkness set in. Some fish mean more than others and that one felt special.

I was back on the Wisconsin River Saturday and Sunday chasing after that Muskie on a Senko that got away a few weeks ago. I did not get the muskie but the Pike and Smallmouth Bass were eating the Senko pretty good. Some good bass of all sizes came on a black and blue Senko and a white Senko. All Wacky rigged. Joe got a couple on his Schatzee Chatterbait and Kaitech swim bait. There was a hint of fall in the air and the leaves are turning crimson, orange, and yellow. Already birds are grouping up. Sure signs of the season about to change. We witnessed a Coopers Hawk fly into a massive swarm of Redwing blackbirds; catch one and fly into a tree with it. A stately pair of eagles watched from a distance.

When I returned home to Island Lake in the evening there were nighthawks flying all around the lake and neighborhood. Definitely a sign of change.

Next up on the reggae front is a return to The Tighthead Brewing Company in the old hometown of Mundelein September 25th at the Hoptoberfest. This time with the full reggae band . Should be a grand homecoming of sorts.

Tight lines and good health,

Rob

Reggae update and catching fish from a new backyard? What’s not to like.

WOLF RIVER, WISCONSIN

Guide Bill Stoeger in Fremont texted this on Monday:

River levels are still high, and water temperature is in the mid 60’s. White bass and crappie can be found near current breaks. Some walleye action on crawlers in the Fremont area and near Lake Poygan. Perch are taking minnows and crawlers in Pages Slough

On Sunday, he texted the photo below and this:

Saturday, still going strong .

White bass were still going strong on Saturday on the Wolf River.Provided

Read More

It was supposed to be a joyous day in East Garfield Park, a back-to-school event for children who live in one of the deadliest neighborhoods in Chicago.

Organizers handed out backpacks, popcorn and cotton candy as kids jumped in bouncy houses and danced to local rappers on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

As things were winding down, a red car passed and the small gathering of families was sprayed by bullets. Kids and parents tripped over each as they ran for cover. An 11-year-old boy, his 14-year-old step-sister and one of the rappers were hit.

“They just started shooting and there was just a whole bunch of bullets,” said the 14-year-old, Ayonna Fleming Peterson. “I knew I got hit in the ankle and my first thing, I panicked, I was looking around, looking around for my brother and then I noticed I was hit in my leg too.”

Lamar Peterson said his children are recovering, but that hasn’t dimmed his anger. “They are all traumatized,” he said. “We were just there to spread some love to the community.”

Ayonna Fleming Peterson and her 11-year-old step-brother were among eight children shot over the holiday weekend. Provided by Lamar Fleming

The attack was part of Labor Day weekend violence that punctuated the end of summer in a year that has already seen more shootings than all of 2019.

At least 67 people were shot over the long holiday, including eight children. One of them, a 4-year-old boy named Mychal Moultry Jr., was killed when bullets smashed through a window and hit him in the head as he was getting his hair braided.

For the year, there have been more than 3,100 shooting victims and more than 500 of them have died, according to the city’s most recent data. That’s up from 2,849 shooting victims this time last year and 1,838 this time in 2019. The number for all of 2019 was 2,664.

The worst recent year for gun violence in Chicago was 2016, when there were more than 4,300 shooting victims and more 762 murders – the highest death toll since the mid-1990s.

This year has been particularly deadly for children 15 and younger. The Sun-Times reported in early summer that children were dying from gun violence at a rate three times higher than last year.

The pace continued through the summer, according to a Sun-Times analysis. At least 16 children 15 and younger – 11 boys and five girls – have been shot and killed.

Sun-Times data also shows that city efforts to reduce gun violence in the deadliest neighborhoods have fallen short.

Only five of 15 targeted communities on the West and South sides have seen fewer homicides than this time last year, and only three have had fewer shootings, according to a Sun-Times analysis.

Over the holiday weekend, Mayor Lori Lightfoot promised a new initiative against gang violence but did not disclose any details. However, she promised “there should be no gang member in Chicago who has a comfortable night sleep.”

Chicago police work the scene where 3 people were wounded in a shooting, including a 11-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, outside a Citgo gas station at N. Sacramento Blvd and W. Fulton St. in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. A back to school picnic was happening at the Citgo when the shooting occurred.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Peterson said his intentions Saturday was to do some good and maybe keep kids out of harm’s way. He has hosted at least four backpack giveaways this year in neighborhoods on the South and West sides.

“I was strictly there to bring joy to the community,” said Peterson, who also DJed the event.

The event was held from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday at a gas station parking lot in the 2900 block of West Fulton. Peterson said it was going so well that rapper VT Badboy’ decided to stick around for the kids.

The gunmen in the red car passed by about half an hour later.

“It went from kids jumping with popcorn and moms taking pictures of their kids to fully automatic weapons being fired,” Peterson said. “The kids ran and they tripped over each other and the parents were crawling over the kids — everyone was just running, screaming.”

Peterson’s daughter and stepson were sitting on a go-cart when she was shot in the calf and ankle and he suffered a graze wound to his hip.

“I was passing out popcorn and cotton candy and we started to clean up and I sat down in the go-cart,” Ayonna said. “I got to the car. ‘Daddy I got shot, Daddy I got shot.’ Hopped in the car, both my brothers got in the car and we just rushed to the hospital.”

Both children were treated at Rush University Medical Center and have since been released. “I’m doing a little bit better, there’s times when my leg hurts,” Ayonna said.

The rapper, 25, was shot multiple times and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.

Less than hour before the shooting, the rapper posted a video to his Facebook page of him jumping in a bouncy house with a group of kids. The caption read, “This who I do it for.”

Andy Boyle contributed

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Francine Lescher, a senior animal care specialist, holds T-Mo, a Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth at Brookfield Zoo, while he receives a COVID-19 vaccine administered by Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice present of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society. | Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo

Cases in animals have been rare, but they do occur. “It’s very similar to what we see with people,” Brookfield’s chief veterinarian said.

Illinois has reached COVID-19 vaccination Phase 1-Z — for zoo animals.

Nine months after the first life-saving shots started going into human arms, veterinarians at Brookfield Zoo started administering coronavirus vaccine doses last weekend to gorillas, sloths and other animals considered to be at high risk for contracting the novel coronavirus.

The Zoetis vaccine recently approved by state and federal regulators activates an immune system response in animals much like the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines do for people. Four-legged recipients will need a second dose just like many humans have.

Cases in animals have been rare, but the crossover highlights the “interconnected” nature of COVID-19 on a global scale and the importance of taking preventive action, according to Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society, which manages Brookfield.

“We see a huge connection between the health of humans and the health of animals, especially as people keep encroaching on habitats,” Adkesson said. “That human-animal interface is a huge concern for mutation and transmission. We want to make sure our humans and animals are healthy.”

Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo
Kyan, one of Brookfield Zoo’s servals, receives a COVID-19 vaccine from Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society. He is assisted by Maggie Chardell, a lead animal care specialist. Due to the respectful and trusting relationships developed between the animals and the care staff, many of the zoo’s animals voluntarily participate in their own health care, including holding still while the vaccination is administered.

Shots at Lincoln Park Zoo will begin over the next few weeks, a spokeswoman said. Neither zoo has had a diagnosed COVID-19 case among their animals.

But it’s been identified at other zoos across the nation, mostly among big cats, gorillas and small carnivores like otters and minks. They’re all thought to have been infected through interaction with zoo staff. Most showed signs of respiratory infections: coughing, nasal discharge and labored breathing.

“It’s very similar to what we see with people,” Adkesson said.

And at least in some cases, the animals are feeling vaccine side effects familiar to some people, too.

“We’ve not seen anything here, but some animals at other zoos seemed a little under the weather the next day, holding their upper arm in a way that makes people think it’s a little sore for them like it was for us. Very mild things,” Adkesson said.

First in line for the shot at Brookfield are species known to be susceptible to the virus: primates, big cats, bears, small carnivores and zoo “ambassadors” that make public appearances at outreach events. Hooved animals, bats, armadillos and other small mammals are also on the list of roughly 300 species slated for vaccination in the months ahead.

That doesn’t mean you’ll need to get your dog or cat a shot. COVID-19 cases have been even rarer among house pets.

“There’s no indication pets need to be vaccinated. We’re doing this to provide the highest level of care for our animals in the zoo,” Adkesson said.

Brookfield Zoo said it will likely reopen its Tropic World: Africa section and Australia House this fall once the western lowland gorillas and Rodrigues fruit bats are fully vaccinated.

Cathy Bazzoni/CZS-Brookfield Zoo
Sandy, a binturong at Brookfield Zoo, receives a COVID-19 vaccine administered by Dr. Mike Adkesson, vice president of clinical medicine for the Chicago Zoological Society, and assisted by Maggie Chardell and Craig Stevens, lead animal care specialists.

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In a year full of unplanned twists and turns when it comes to music festivals, things are just getting started thisSeptember as two of the Chicago’s most prized homegrown affairs — Pitchfork Music Festival and Riot Fest — are prepping their mighty returns.

Usually held in the middle of July, Pitchfork Music Festival is taking shape this weekend. Though it’s not the milestone 15th anniversary organizers had planned for 2020 (canceled due to the pandemic), this year’s event is still a landmark, offering a spate of headliners led by women, which hopefully helps set a new industry precedent.

In true Pitchfork fashion, the lineup is as eclectic as ever with a hearty mix of indie rock, hip-hop, singer-songwriter, R&B, electro and jazz fusion, with many acts returning from the ill-fated 2020 roster. In addition to knowing the fest’s COVID protocols (full vaccination or a negative test within 24 hours for each day of the fest is required, and masks are encouraged at all times), here are some of the artists you don’t want to miss if you’re heading to Union Park this weekend:

The Fiery Furnaces

It’s been a solid decade since siblings Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger (originally from Oak Park) took a stage together as The Fiery Furnaces. In that time, each has gone on to solo success, but this is the indie-rock reunion many have been waiting for — especially as it was first announced as part of the 2020 Pitchfork lineup. Once signed to Chicago’s storied Thrill Jockey label, The Fiery Furnances are now a part of Jack White’s Third Man Records (a curious development since their garage-rock sound and sibling construct was early on compared to The White Stripes). If their latest single “Down at the So and So on Somewhere” is any indication, they’re definitely on fire again. (5:15 p.m. Friday, Red Stage)

Animal Collective

Josh Dibb of Animal Collective performs during 2013 Governors Ball Music Festival at Randall’s Island in New York City.Getty Images

These Pitchfork Festival alumni are the epitome of “keep it weird.” With an arsenal of synths, samples, cinematic composition and avant-garde noisemaking, their experimental cachet takes cues from Pink Floyd, Beach Boys, Zappa and The Flaming Lips while redefining eclectic psychedelia in the new millennium on albums like the acclaimed “Merriweather Post Pavilion” (named for a venue in their native Maryland). They’ve been working on new material, so perhaps they’ll be serving up some fresh takes in this set. (6:15 p.m. Friday, Green Stage)

Yaeji

If you’re still talking about Grimes and Robyn’s appearances at Pitchfork Music Fest over the years, you’re going to want to make a beeline for Yaeji on opening day. Songs like the beat-heavy “Raingurl” bring the club to the park and hint that this will be one of the most danceable sets of the weekend. The Korean-American talent started her career as a DJ, moving into production and songwriting, offering bilingual lyrics that softly layer over her house-meets-hip-hop trademark style. (7:45 p.m. Friday, Blue Stage)

Phoebe Bridgers

A true artist can tap into the times and provide a sense of solace and resonance for the audience — Bridgers does all that while still remaining artful and authentic. The L.A.-based singer-songwriter and guitarist has been at the top of critics’ lists for a while and never more so than for her 2020 Grammy-nominated album “Punisher” that showcased a defining maturity to her abilities, with 11 songs that move through the emotional spectrum from playful and witty to serious real talk. Bridgers herself has been a mouthpiece outside the music, with the album’s release heavily encouraging support for racial justice programs. This will be one of her first returns to the stage since the pandemic cut off her “Punisher” tour cycle and will finally give the album its due spotlight. (8:30 p.m. Friday, Green Stage)

Divino Nino

Pulling influences from various genres, styles and cultures, this Chicago-based dream-pop act has early roots in Colombia, where guitarist-vocalist Camilo Medina and bassist Javier Forero were born and raised before the two serendipitously reconnected in Miami and later made their way to the Midwest, where they formed the bilingual band. Their chilled-out vibe has a Sunday-drive calmness while song structures carry retro appeal, all drenched in a washed-out haze that is a real record-store mood. (Saturday, 2:30 pm, Green Stage)

Jamila Woods

Jamila Woods performs onstage during the 2017 Panorama Music Festival at Randall’s Island in New York City. Monica Schipper/Getty Images

The prized poet, singer-songwriter and teacher has a real way with words that must be heard live to fully appreciate. Wood’s affinity for her native Chicago comes through in her works and collaborations, including with Chance the Rapper. The Young Chicago Authors instructor and creative director has been riding high on a series of solo releases in recent years, including the incredible 2019 release “Legacy! Legacy!” with neo-soul appeal and each song dedicated to a Black artist or activist, creating a concept album that still reverberates years later. A mix of Gwendolyn Brooks with Lauryn Hill, Woods is the set that will leave many speechless. (6:30 p.m. Saturday, Blue Stage)

St. Vincent

St. Vincent performs onstage during “Let’s Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute To Prince” in 2020 in Los Angeles. Getty Images

It’s easy to see why Annie Clark is the David Bowie of our era. The accomplished artist who goes by the nom de plume St. Vincent is a sly shape-shifter in sound, style and character with her writing and creative vision getting better and better on each subsequent album, and hitting a fever pitch with her latest “Daddy’s Home.” She’s not only a virtuoso on the guitar, inspired by her time fawning over grunge music, but she also tests the boundaries for what rock and pop can be, and for that she will be heralded as an iconoclast even after the day comes when she plays the last note. This will be the highlight of the weekend. (8:30 p.m. Saturday, Green Stage)

Mariah The Scientist

Sunday’s bill has an incredible force of talent, not to be outdone by the headliner Erykah Badu. But if you’re looking for an early-day act that might move the needle, head for Mariah The Scientist. With hints of SZA, Lana Del Rey and even the other Mariah, the Atlanta songstress (her stage name paying homage to her former trajectory as a biology student) is a deep-thinking songwriter whose voice sounds like it descended straight from the cosmos. She’s a rather new kid on the R&B block but she’s already laying a great foundation. (3:20 p.m. Sunday, Red Stage)

Thundercat

Thundercat performs at The Forum on June 29, 2019 in Inglewood, California. Getty Images

If his name sounds like an ’80s superhero, just wait until you see the real-life powers Thundercat a.k.a. Stephen Lee Bruner delivers on stage in a set that nimbly moves through fresh funk, acid jazz and smooth R&B. The musician, who got his start as a one-time bass player in So Cal thrash hardcore band Suicidal Tendencies, has been a frequent session player for the best of the best, even earning a Grammy for his work with Kendrick Lamar on “To Pimp a Butterfly.” He sealed that deal on his own in 2020, winning a Grammy for the accomplished fusion album “It Is What It Is,” setting the stage for his own solo domination. (5:15 p.m, Sunday, Red Stage)

Danny Brown

Rapper Danny Brown performs at the Growlers 6 festival at the LA Waterfront on Oct. 28, 2017, in San Pedro, California. Getty Images

Detroit has been the birthplace of a legion of music greats, and Danny Brown deserves his place among the best of them. The rapper is one of the more inventive and amusing in the genre — expect some stand-up served alongside the rhythmic flow. His latest album, 2019’s “uknowhatimsayin?” is one of his finest to date with production work from Q-Tip and contributions from the alt hip-hop scene he helped hone including JPEG Mafia, Blood Orange and Thundercat, the latter of whom is playing earlier in the day, so expect a guest spot in one of their sets. (6:15 p.m. Sunday, Green Stage)

Selena Fragassi is a local freelance writer.

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It was supposed to be a joyous day in East Garfield Park, a back-to-school event for children who live in one of the deadliest neighborhoods in Chicago.

Organizers handed out backpacks, popcorn and cotton candy as kids jumped in bouncy houses and danced to local rappers on a sunny Saturday afternoon.

As things were winding down, a red car passed and the small gathering of families was sprayed by bullets. Kids and parents tripped over each as they ran for cover. An 11-year-old boy, his 14-year-old step-sister and one of the rappers were hit.

“They just started shooting and there was just a whole bunch of bullets,” said the 14-year-old, Ayonna Fleming Peterson. “I knew I got hit in the ankle and my first thing, I panicked, I was looking around, looking around for my brother and then I noticed I was hit in my leg too.”

Lamar Peterson said his children are recovering, but that hasn’t dimmed his anger. “They are all traumatized,” he said. “We were just there to spread some love to the community.”

Ayonna Fleming Peterson and her 11-year-old step-brother were among eight children shot over the holiday weekend. Provided by Lamar Fleming

The attack was part of Labor Day weekend violence that punctuated the end of summer in a year that has already seen more shootings than all of 2019.

At least 67 people were shot over the long holiday, including eight children. One of them, a 4-year-old boy named Mychal Moultry Jr., was killed when bullets smashed through a window and hit him in the head as he was getting his hair braided.

For the year, there have been more than 3,100 shooting victims and more than 500 of them have died, according to the city’s most recent data. That’s up from 2,849 shooting victims this time last year and 1,838 this time in 2019. The number for all of 2019 was 2,664.

The worst recent year for gun violence in Chicago was 2016, when there were more than 4,300 shooting victims and more 762 murders – the highest death toll since the mid-1990s.

This year has been particularly deadly for children 15 and younger. The Sun-Times reported in early summer that children were dying from gun violence at a rate three times higher than last year.

The pace continued through the summer, according to a Sun-Times analysis. At least 16 children 15 and younger – 11 boys and five girls – have been shot and killed.

Sun-Times data also shows that city efforts to reduce gun violence in the deadliest neighborhoods have fallen short.

Only five of 15 targeted communities on the West and South sides have seen fewer homicides than this time last year, and only three have had fewer shootings, according to a Sun-Times analysis.

Over the holiday weekend, Mayor Lori Lightfoot promised a new initiative against gang violence but did not disclose any details. However, she promised “there should be no gang member in Chicago who has a comfortable night sleep.”

Chicago police work the scene where 3 people were wounded in a shooting, including a 11-year-old boy and a 14-year-old girl, outside a Citgo gas station at N. Sacramento Blvd and W. Fulton St. in the East Garfield Park neighborhood, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. A back to school picnic was happening at the Citgo when the shooting occurred.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Peterson said his intentions Saturday was to do some good and maybe keep kids out of harm’s way. He has hosted at least four backpack giveaways this year in neighborhoods on the South and West sides.

“I was strictly there to bring joy to the community,” said Peterson, who also DJed the event.

The event was held from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday at a gas station parking lot in the 2900 block of West Fulton. Peterson said it was going so well that rapper VT Badboy’ decided to stick around for the kids.

The gunmen in the red car passed by about half an hour later.

“It went from kids jumping with popcorn and moms taking pictures of their kids to fully automatic weapons being fired,” Peterson said. “The kids ran and they tripped over each other and the parents were crawling over the kids — everyone was just running, screaming.”

Peterson’s daughter and stepson were sitting on a go-cart when she was shot in the calf and ankle and he suffered a graze wound to his hip.

“I was passing out popcorn and cotton candy and we started to clean up and I sat down in the go-cart,” Ayonna said. “I got to the car. ‘Daddy I got shot, Daddy I got shot.’ Hopped in the car, both my brothers got in the car and we just rushed to the hospital.”

Both children were treated at Rush University Medical Center and have since been released. “I’m doing a little bit better, there’s times when my leg hurts,” Ayonna said.

The rapper, 25, was shot multiple times and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, police said.

Less than hour before the shooting, the rapper posted a video to his Facebook page of him jumping in a bouncy house with a group of kids. The caption read, “This who I do it for.”

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Bears coach Matt Nagy has been ultra-secretive about whether he’ll use rookie quarterback Justin Fields in specially designed packages against the Rams in the season opener Sunday, but the Rams are preparing for it anyway.

While Rams coach Sean McVay had high praise for Bears starter Andy Dalton on Tuesday, he also noted that it’s important to be ready for Fields.

“It would be naive for us not to prepare for them to be able to utilize him in some form or fashion,” McVay said. “But Andy is a winning quarterback in this league, does a great job… He does a great job, accurate, anticipation, recognizes the looks defensively, can straighten up protections. So Andy Dalton’s a really good quarterback and it’ll be a great challenge.

“And then you see the ways that Justin made a lot of plays going back to his career at Ohio State [and] what he showed in the preseason. So, I think you’ve got to be ready for either.”

Nagy has been adamant all offseason that Dalton is his starter and has at times said he hopes to keep Fields on the bench all season. Fields’ rapid development, however, has made it much more realistic that he will play sooner.

Fields completed 61.2% of his passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, plus a rushing touchdown in three preseason games.

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A man shot a CTA bus driver in the jaw over the weekend after the driver asked him to step off the bus when it reached the end of the line in the Loop, according to prosecutors.

Dennis Green, 38, went up to the driver, yelled at him and then spit in his face around 9 p.m. Saturday in the first block of West Washington Street, prosecutors said during a hearing Tuesday.

Green then left the bus and was followed by the driver, who tried to escort Green to Chicago police cars nearby, prosecutors said. The two struggled outside the bus, and Green took out a handgun and shot the driver.

A witness heard the gunshot and saw the driver fall to the ground, prosecutors said. The witness called 911 and described the shooter while Green ran south down Garland Court and discarded his jacket.

Police arrested Green near Wabash and Jackson. A loaded 9mm handgun with a defaced serial number allegedly fell from his pocket. The entire incident was recorded on surveillance video, prosecutors said.

Paramedics took the driver, 34, to Northwestern Memorial Hospital with a gunshot wound that fractured his lower jaw. The driver is unable to speak and must undergo more surgery in the coming days, prosecutors said.

Green has four previous convictions for unauthorized use of a weapon by a felon, attempted burglary, aggravated robbery and drug possession.

Green lives in Chicago with his godmother and has three children, his attorney said. Green went to Marshall High School until the 10th grade and has a certificate in carpentry, the attorney said.

Judge John Lyke called the allegations “outrageous” and ordered Green held without bail.

Green is charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery to a transit employee, armed habitual criminal and possession of a firearm with a defaced serial number.

His next court date is Sept. 15.

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Six people were killed and at least 61 others were wounded in Chicago, including eight children 17 and younger, over the Labor Day weekend.

The youngest murder victim was a 4-year-old boy who was shot while getting a haircut in a home in Woodlawn Friday night.

Mychal Moultry Jr., who was visiting from Alabama, was struck twice in the head about 9 p.m. when bullets smashed through the window of a home in the 6500 block of South Ellis Avenue, Chicago police said.

The boy’s father held him until paramedics arrived, community activist Andrew Holmes said. Mychal died Sunday. He was the second 4-year-old shot in Chicago in a week, and the second 4-year-old killed in the city this year.

Chicago Police Supt. David Brown pleaded with the community Monday to help detectives after Mychal and seven other children were shot over the weekend.

“We need people in the community to come forward. This is beyond trusting police. This is about the safety of our babies,” Brown told reporters.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the weekend violence was driven by people who “have absolutely no regard for the sanctity of human life.” Echoing Brown, Lightfoot once again urged residents of neighborhoods that are “under siege” to cooperate with the police to “stem the tide on this violence.”

“The people in the neighborhoods who are doing the shooting, they are known to people in the neighborhoods,” Lightfoot said in an unrelated news conference. “I understand the fear that’s out there but I’m just calling upon people in these neighborhoods — particularly when we think about the number of children who have been shot — you’ve got to have your faith overcome your fear. You’ve got to step up.”

Lightfoot said her office will announce initiatives focused on gun violence “in the coming days” but did not disclose any details.

Chicago police investigate Saturday afternoon after a 12-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl were among three people shot outside a Citgo gas station at North Sacramento Boulevard and West Fulton Street in East Garfield Park. A back to school picnic was happening at the Citgo when the shooting occurred.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Seven other children struck by gunfire

On Saturday, a 16-year-old boy showed up at Stroger Hospital with a gunshot wound, police said.
Two girls, 12 and 15, were among three wounded near a back-to-school event in East Garfield Park. Police said they recovered the car used in the shooting, but no one was in custody.
Saturday night, a 15-year-old boy was hit in a drive-by shooting in Englewood.
Another 13-year-old boy was seriously wounded in a South Chicago shooting. Police said the boy was in a basement with friends when someone shot through a window.
Sunday morning, a 14-year-old boy was shot while walking to a car with his father in Little Village.
A 17-year-old was among two teens shot in Washington Park.
Outside Comer Children’s Hospital Friday night, advocates try to console the father of a 4-year-old boy who was shot in Woodlawn.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Other murder victims

A 25-year-old man was killed Monday afternoon in a shooting in Brainerd. He was shot in the head in the 9200 block of South Eggleston Avenue and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he died.
A 50-year-old man was killed Monday morning while driving in West Garfield Park. He crashed his car after being shot several times in the 4200 block of West Washington Boulevard, police said.
In South Shore, a person was shot in the head while inside a car in the 7800 block of South Clyde Avenue, police said.
Hours earlier, Enrique Negrete, 23, was stopped at a traffic light in the 3700 block of South Kedzie Avenue when he was shot in the head following a brief conversation with the alleged shooter, who was traveling in another car, police said. Negrete died in the 5500 block of South Albany Avenue in Brighton Park, about two miles south of the shooting scene.
Another man was killed late Saturday in Lawndale. Officers found the 41-year-old lying between two parked cars in the 1600 block of South Central Park Avenue, police said. He was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital with two gunshot wounds to the chest and was pronounced dead.

Aside from Negrete, none of the adult homicide victims has been identified.

Other shootings

A 34-year-old CTA bus driver was shot Saturday night on Washington Avenue near State Street, police said. Dennis Green, 38, was arrested and charged in the shooting.
Five people were wounded in Lawndale early Saturday when someone opened fire from a car at a gathering in the 1400 block of South Tripp Avenue, police said.

At least 48 others were wounded in weekend shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.

Tuesday afternoon, police said a woman was shot in her toe Monday night in a domestic incident but didn’t seek medical attention until the next day.

Last weekend, at least six people were killed and 50 others wounded in citywide gun violence.

Contributing: Rachel Hinton and Tom Schuba

Crime scene tape blocks off a portion of the Lakefront Trail near the 800 block of North Lake Shore Drive, where a man was shot Monday evening in the Gold Coast.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

A man was shot in the leg early Monday outside a home in the 9900 block of South La Salle Street in Fernwood on the South Side.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

A man reacts at the scene after a 22-year-old man was shot in the face early Monday in a backyard in the 9500 block of South Yale Avenue in Longwood Manor on the South Side.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

At least 15 shell casings were recovered in the 2500 block of South Trumbull early Sunday after a 14-year-old boy was shot in Little Village on the Southwest Side.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Passersby watch as Chicago police investigate after a CTA bus driver was shot Saturday night in the first block of East Washington Avenue in the Loop.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Chicago police work the scene where a 13-year-old boy was shot in the head Saturday evening inside a home in the 8500 block of South Marquette Avenue in South Chicago.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Five people were wounded in a mass shooting early Saturday in the 1400 block of South Tripp Avenue in Lawndale on the Southwest Side.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

Chicago police investigate after a 4-year-old boy was shot in the head when bullets tore through the window of a home in the 6500 block of South Ellis Avenue late Friday in Woodlawn on the South Side.Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Chicago police personnel chat outside Comer Children’s Hospital on the South Side after a 4-year-old boy was shot in the head Friday night in the 6500 block of South Ellis Avenue in Woodlawn.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times

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Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

This afternoon will see periods of severe showers and thunderstorms, with a high of 87 degrees, wind around 20 mph and an 80% chance of precipitation. Tonight will be mostly clear aside from isolated showers and thunderstorms, with a low around 59. Tomorrow will be sunny with a high near 78 degrees.

Top story

CPS mandates return to in-person school council meetings, irking some representatives

Now that Chicago Public Schools students have returned for in-person classes, the district wants Local School Councils to resume in-person meetings for the first time during the pandemic, a move that has upset some elected school representatives.

If there was a pandemic silver lining at CPS over the past year and a half, it was the increased engagement that some LSCs saw when their meetings moved online. While select schools didn’t see large attendance upticks virtually, others had hundreds of people log on, a far cry from many in-person LSC meetings in the past where few, if any, people showed up. From Spanish translation to hearing-impaired services, LSCs were as accessible as ever from the comfort of families’ homes.

But keeping in line with a return to pre-pandemic practices, virtual LSC meetings must come to an end, CPS officials told the school councils last week.

An email from the district’s LSC director, Myra Winding, said Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency COVID-19 provisions that required public meetings to be conducted virtually had ended.

“This means that Local School Councils must return to the pre-pandemic requirements for conducting open meetings in person,” she wrote.

Reached Friday, Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said the governor’s executive orders “were amended to take out the open meetings act provisions since we no longer have capacity limits, but public bodies are able to determine if they can do meetings in person or virtually based on their own circumstances.”

Nader Issa has more on the LSC issue here. Get more education news by subscribing to the new Education This Week newsletter from the Chicago Sun-Times here.

More news you need

A 38-year-old man has been charged with shooting and seriously wounding a CTA bus driver in the Loop on Saturday. The driver was rushed to the hospital in serious condition after the man shot him in the jaw, police said.

Many companies are reporting difficulty filling open positions, offering bonuses and inducements such as flexible schedules to get people to sign on. But the threat of the Delta variant of COVID-19 looms, showing up in federal reports covering the job market.

Nearly nine years after a judge handed four life terms to Christopher Vaughn for the murders of his wife and three children, an effort is underway to free him. A new attorney on the case says he is “looking down a number of avenues, all of which lead to actual innocence” and there are also plans to seek clemency from Gov. Pritzker.

Actor Michael K. Williams, known for his deftly-acted roles in shows like “The Wire” and “Lovecraft Country,” has died at age 54. Tributes from fans and fellow actors have been widely shared on social media for Williams, who was found dead yesterday by family members in his Brooklyn apartment.

A bright one

Young Chicago actor gets dream role in ‘Doogie Howser’ reboot

While he’s still catching up on episodes of the original “Doogie Howser, M.D.” series, Wes Tian, 12, scored his dream role in his role on the show’s upcoming Disney+ reboot, “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”

Tian plays Brian Patrick Kamealoha, young brother to Lahela “Doogie” Kamealoha, a 16-year-old prodigy (Peyton Elizabeth Lee) trying her best to juggle a budding medical career with life as a teenager.

“I love that he has such a bond with his older sister,” Tian says of the comedic character he plays on the show, set to begin streaming tomorrow. “He looks up to her, but they don’t really get to see each other too much because he’s back at home with the family and she’s saving lives in the hospital.”

It’s an incredible storyline, but so too is the story that got Tian to where he is today.

Chicago actor Wes Tian co-stars in the new Disney+ series “Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.”Disney+

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Tian spent much of the pandemic-stricken year of 2020 auditioning for various roles. And last February, he got a callback from Disney.

Smack dab in the middle of yet another brutal Chicago winter, Tian and his family found themselves flying to Hawaii for an extended stay with a bunch of actors and actresses that the youngster had never met. But strong bonds were quickly forged.

For five months, Tian filmed a show he dreamed of being on, playing “a super adventurous character” in one of this season’s most anticipated new shows.

And while Tian looks forward to getting started on his next project, he’s currently getting back in the swing of school back in Illinois, trying his best to find a balance between his personal and professional life.

“Let’s just say I have really accommodating teachers,” he says.

Tricia Despres has more on Tian’s backstory here.

From the press box

Bears coach Matt Nagy hopes that quarterback Andy Dalton will excel as the starter. But if he doesn’t, Nagy is ready to deal with the outcry for Justin Fields.
Regardless of who starts, inevitable injuries mean the Bears will need solid backups, writes Rick Telander.

In only his fourth season with the Bears, Allen Robinson already is chasing the franchise’s all-time leaders in receiving yards. It further illustrates how badly this organization needs him.

Michael O’Brien looks at three regular high school football playoff teams in 0-2 holes and three surprising undefeated teams.

Your daily question ?

When does summer feel officially over to you?

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

On Friday, we asked you: What Chicago sports team “deserves” a championship more than all the others and why? Here’s what some of you said…

“The Bulls, because they haven’t won ish since Jordan.” — N’cole Nekia

“Chicago Sky since Candace Parker is playing for them now! And she could potentially add another championship title to her list of accomplishments.” — Cody Thomas

“White Sox. They’ve earned it. Built properly, made smart trades, made smart signings and hired the GOAT manager who has unfinished business.” — Nathan Dusek

“The Chicago Fire, so that non-fans in Chicago can learn that we have a Major League Soccer team here and not say ‘oh I thought you were talking about the TV show.'” — Alan Krolikowski

“The Blackhawks. They need to win one more Stanley Cup with this group of players, Toews Kane and Fleury, before they go into total rebuild mode.” — Chris McKellar

“Chicago Red Stars because is the best soccer team we have in the Chicagoland area, Chicago Fire doesn’t exist anymore.” — Angel Rangel

“I say the Bears, so that the city can stop hanging on to 1985 like it was last year!” — Ryan Esquivel

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