Illinois State Fair is back, but not all the shake-ups to be lemon: Delta variant throws some pols’ plans up in the airRachel Hintonon August 11, 2021 at 10:41 pm

The Illinois State Fair is back after a pandemic-induced hiatus last year, but the deadly virus — and a new, highly contagious variant — is already shaking up plans for politicos who use the event as an unofficial kick-off to the campaign season.

Though the fair begins Thursday, the political fireworks — or lack of them — will likely come next Wednesday on Governor’s Day and the following day, which is Republican Day.

Like lemon shakeups, corn dogs and the butter cow, the two politically themed days are traditions at the fair with events held on the fairgrounds and spilling over into downtown Springfield.

But a spokeswoman for Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s campaign said Wednesday that the Democratic governor won’t attend the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association’s indoor brunch on Governor’s Day at the fair, citing concerns around the Delta variant.

The brunch, which is in its 34th year, is a traditional rallying place for Democrats from around the state.

Pritzker plans to host his own get-together for Democrats at noon on Governor’s Day on the Director’s Lawn on the fairgrounds, a campaign spokeswoman said.

Outdoor afternoon political pep rallies are other mainstays of both parties on their respective days at the fair, but it’s still unclear how much the governor’s event will resemble past versions – which typically feature a slew of speeches from office-holders, candidates and other party figures.

Then Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Barack Obama, left, is surrounded by supporters hoping to get an autograph or shake his hand during Democrat Day at the Illinois State Fair in 2004.

“It’s a little more scaled back … since the brunch is indoors and we’re trying to be very cautious,” Ronja Abel, Pritzker’s spokeswoman said of Pritzker’s event.

Abel said the governor’s team will have more details on the event, and its guest list, “soon.” She did not respond to request for comment about whether or not Pritzker will attend the indoor brunch virtually.

In a statement, Kristina Zahorik, president of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association, said the hybrid gathering will still convene to “celebrate the party’s efforts to Build Back Better in a way that is safe and follows the science.

“While we respect the Governor and other Democrats’ decision not to join the event in person, we’d remind individuals that they can participate in our activities virtually,” Zahorik said. “We hope the Governor takes part in the Brunch virtually or sends a video to address the thousands of grassroots Democrats who will be watching, attending, and supporting his reelection.”

Gov. JB Pritzker and first lady MK Pritzker, left, unveil the 2021 Butter Cow at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Wednesday. — Gov. JB Pritzker and first lady MK Pritzker, left, unveil the 2021 Butter Cow by sculptor Sarah Pratt in the Dairy Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds as they mark the 100th anniversary of of the Butter Cow at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday.

State Senate President Don Harmon plans to attend and speak at the brunch, but a spokesman for the Senate Democratic leader didn’t respond to a question about whether Harmon will attend Pritzker’s event.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch will be out of town, a spokesman for the House’s No. 1 Democrat said.

Most candidates running to succeed outgoing Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White still plan to attend the county chairs’ brunch as well as host other events.

Ald. David Moore (17th) plans to attend the brunch, a VIP meeting beforehand as well as events Tuesday night, a spokeswoman said.

“We’re not going to pass up an opportunity of being downstate and meeting additional people,” Delmarie Cobb said.

Ald. David Moore (17th) speaks to reporters in 2019.

Cobb said the campaign feels the measures the county chairs’ association has taken to try to mitigate the spread of the virus are “satisfactory at this point, and they’ve been very vigilant about making sure that they are flexible and responsive.”

Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia will attend the brunch and give a speech, and plans to host a fundraiser the night before headlined by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) will also attend the brunch as well as other events Tuesday night, her spokesman said.

The remaining candidate for secretary of state — former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias plans to host a free, campaign event next Tuesday at a craft beer brewery in downtown Springfield, an event that will largely be outside and will follow protocols on masking, a spokeswoman said. She didn’t provide any details on his plans for Governor’s Day.

Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd), left, in May; Former state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, center, last month; City Clerk Anna Valencia, right, in 2018.

The following day, the state’s Republicans will rally outdoors at noon on the Director’s Lawn of the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Speakers for the roughly hour and a half program that day will include Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy, Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Tommy Hicks and Committeeman Richard Porter as well as the General Assembly’s Republican leaders, House GOP Leader Jim Durkin of Western Springs, and Senate Republican Leader Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods.

Republican U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood, Rodney Davis, and Mary Miller are also planning to attend.

Davis, considered a potential candidate for governor, is also expecting to attend a breakfast that day with members of the Republican Party’s state central committee and the party’s county chairs’ association, where he’ll deliver a speech.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Ill., addresses the crowd at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield in 2019.

But his spokesman punted when asked if the Taylorville Republican is planning to attend as a candidate for governor.

“His intent and preference is to run for Congress again, but at end of the day it depends on the political landscape that the Democrats give him based on however they approach redistricting,” Aaron DeGroot said.

Regional Transportation Authority Chair Kirk Dillard, who said last week he was weighing a third run for governor, said if he goes to the Republican Party’s event he’ll just be an observer.

Republicans who’ve already announced their plans to try to unseat Pritzker will also be present.

State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, plans to attend Republican events Wednesday night, the Republican Party chairman’s breakfast on Thursday and Republican Day at the fair.

Suburban businessman Gary Rabine will also attend Republican Day events, his spokesman said.

Former state Sen. Paul Schimpf, of Waterloo, said he’ll walk in the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade on Thursday. He’ll also attend Republican Day and may host something informal for supporters of his gubernatorial bid, though details are still being worked out.

Illinois State Fair is back, but not all the shake-ups to be lemon: Delta variant throws some pols’ plans up in the airRachel Hintonon August 11, 2021 at 10:41 pm Read More »

Release Radar 8/06/21 – Hippo Campus vs Toad The Wet Sprocketon August 11, 2021 at 9:53 pm

Cut Out Kid

Release Radar 8/06/21 – Hippo Campus vs Toad The Wet Sprocket

Release Radar 8/06/21 – Hippo Campus vs Toad The Wet Sprocketon August 11, 2021 at 9:53 pm Read More »

Leadership in Chicago/A ship of Fools/A Rejected Mayor/ Police Command Leadership Send in the Clowns/ Senator Durbin DUH!on August 11, 2021 at 8:55 pm

JUST SAYIN

Leadership in Chicago/A ship of Fools/A Rejected Mayor/ Police Command Leadership Send in the Clowns/ Senator Durbin DUH!

Leadership in Chicago/A ship of Fools/A Rejected Mayor/ Police Command Leadership Send in the Clowns/ Senator Durbin DUH!on August 11, 2021 at 8:55 pm Read More »

Afternoon Edition: Aug. 11, 2021Matt Mooreon August 11, 2021 at 8:00 pm

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.

Afternoon Edition

Chicago’s most important news of the day, delivered every weekday afternoon. Plus, a bonus issue on Saturdays that dives into the city’s storied history.

This afternoon will be breezy and mostly sunny with a high near 92 degrees and heat index values as high as 102. Tonight, showers and thunderstorms are likely with a low around 73 and wind gusts as high as 30 mph. Tomorrow is expected to be mostly sunny with a high near 92.

Top story

Lightfoot defends first deputy for canceling ritual at morgue for Officer Ella French

Mayor Lightfoot insisted today that a ritual at the medical examiner’s office normally afforded to police officers killed on the job was canceled last weekend to avoid “exponentially delaying” the family of slain officer Ella French.

Lightfoot said First Deputy Police Supt. Eric Carter made that decision and “I support what he did.”

We reported this week that Chicago police officers who gathered at the medical examiner’s office to give their colleague a final sendoff are furious at Carter.

On the police scanner, Carter’s voice is heard impatiently declaring: “We don’t have 20 minutes for this s—.” He demanded the Chicago Fire Department ambulance bearing French’s body be taken directly into the medical examiner’s office, skipping the Emerald Society’s traditional playing of bagpipes.

“There was no official honor guard that night. There was, let me choose my words carefully, [a] well-meaning but not well-organized group that wanted to hijack the procession. Which would have meant that the family would have been delayed exponentially in getting to the morgue,” the mayor said.

“Given the new restrictions that the new coroner has put in place, that wouldn’t have been fair to them. … So, a call was made under those circumstances to focus on the family. Eric Carter made the right call. I support what he did. And I’m horrified that, in this moment, people are trying to savage him for whatever agenda or purpose.”

The Cook County medical examiner’s office said today that rules for processions haven’t changed since the pandemic began.

Fran Spielman has more on the controversial decision here.

More news you need

Chicago cops meeting Monday following the death of French shunned Lightfoot again when she attempted to join them. This comes after another recent snub, when police turned their backs on her as she arrived at the hospital where French’s partner — also shot on Saturday — was being held.
The city faces a “significantly reduced,” but still sizable, $733 million budget shortfall in 2022 because of the “lasting and continuing impacts” of the pandemic, Lightfoot said today. The figure is an indication that the city is fiscally bouncing back from crisis, she said.
The mother of two brothers charged in French’s murder was arrested after police said she scuffled with officers while trying to visit her son in the hospital. She was arrested yesterday morning outside the room of Emonte Morgan, who was hospitalized with gunshot wounds, police said
Police have released a photo of a newborn they say was left in a dresser drawer in an alley yesterday, seeking help from anyone who may know the baby boy’s family. The baby boy, less than a week old, was taken in good condition to Lurie Children’s Hospital.
A federal judge sentenced a man to nearly nine years in prison yesterday for burning down a Sprint store during the 2020 protests in Minneapolis before traveling to Chicago, where he was arrested, prosecutors said. The 29-year-old downstate Galesburg man pleaded guilty to arson in April.

A bright one

North Lawndale event rebrands into hip-hop festival at the request of local teens

The youth in North Lawndale wanted a change when it came to an annual musical event that takes place in the neighborhood.

They wanted the event to be more inclusive to everyone in the community.

Hip Hop Revival — the event’s original name — had a religious connotation to it so it was rebranded into the “FireFest Hip Hop Block Party,” which is scheduled for Saturday at North Lawndale’s Firehouse Community Arts Center.

The block party, which starts at noon, will also feature breakdancing, 3-on-3 basketball, art, and a performance from the LowDown Brass Band, among others.

The FireFest Hip Hop Block Party kicks off Saturday in front of North Lawndale’s Firehouse Community Arts Center.

“Oftentimes, in a community like Lawndale where there’s 100 churches, people may think it’s a church thing and I don’t really want to come to church — a ‘revival’ thing,” said Firehouse Community Arts Center founder and CEO Pastor Phil Jackson.

Jackson aims to get the community involved also by adding resources such as COVID-19 vaccinations and unconventional engagement.

Desiree Lopez, a block party volunteer and youth advisor at the community center, describes the block party as a way to “activate” the community.

“We didn’t like the corners, but I feel like there’s not really any activity,” said Lopez. “People can go there for basketball but there’s really no life to it. So what we’re trying to do is bring life and activate the community so people feel like a community corner and not just a corner.”

Evan F. Moore has more on Saturday’s event here.

From the press box

Your daily question ?

“Jeopardy!” today announced its two new hosts: Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik. What do you think of the show’s new Alex Trebek replacements?

Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: On a scorching hot summer day like today, what’s the best way to stay cool in Chicago? Here’s what some of you said…

“Stay in the grocery store, because I’m not turning on my air conditioner. I’m trying to save money.” — Jeremy Burks

“Beach Day! I love this weather. I was already outside — it’s beautiful out!” — Jackie Hulten

“The public library is air conditioned, same for museums and malls.” — Keith Dearinger

“My pool. However, if a pool isn’t available, take a wet bandana, roll up some ice in it and tie it around my neck.” — Charlene Fitzpatrick Schmitt

“In da bleachers, watching the Cubbies play two at good old Wrigley Field.” — Ken Schabelski

“I used to hit the Portage Park pool or the sprinklers at Shabbona Park — good old days.” — Michael Derenzo

“I so remember the days of running in the streets in the spray of the fire hydrant.” — Michelle Cooney

“Watch the seals at Lincoln Park Zoo — go to the underground area and sit with a book.” — Dave McGuire

“Have a beer by the beach! With a Chicago-style hot dog in hand. It’s literally the only way I swear.” — Ashley Anne

Thanks for reading the Chicago Afternoon Edition. Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.

Sign up here to get the Afternoon Edition in your inbox every day.

Afternoon Edition: Aug. 11, 2021Matt Mooreon August 11, 2021 at 8:00 pm Read More »

Judge orders release of man charged with straw purchase of gun allegedly used to kill Officer Ella FrenchJon Seidelon August 11, 2021 at 8:15 pm

The Indiana man charged in federal court with acting as the so-called straw-purchaser of the gun that killed Chicago Police Officer Ella French will be released from jail pending trial, a magistrate judge ordered Wednesday.

Prosecutors had said they wanted Jamel Danzy held in custody, and a detention hearing had been set for Wednesday. But when the hearing began, U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert said lawyers had come to an agreement on conditions for Danzy’s release.

Gilbert then agreed to release Danzy, 29, on terms that included a $4,500 unsecured bond, supervision by court personnel and a warning to have no contact with Eric Morgan, who has been charged along with his brother in state court in connection with French’s death.

Eric Morgan’s brother, Emonte Morgan, is charged with first-degree murder of a peace officer. Both Morgan brothers were ordered held without bail Tuesday.

The Saturday shooting at 63rd and Bell Avenue left French dead and her partner in critical condition.

Danzy, who was arrested Sunday, is charged with conspiracy to violate federal firearm laws. His release underscores the uphill battle authorities say they face when prosecuting so-called straw purchasers, who use their clean criminal records to put guns in the hands of people who aren’t supposed to have them.

Straw purchasing has been characterized as a so-called paperwork crime that involves lying on a form. And straw purchasers have clean criminal records by nature, though prosecutors would point out that they use their clean records to commit their crime.

Attorney General Merrick Garland came to Chicago last month for the launch of a new initiative meant to curb gun violence, in part by targeting straw purchasers.

To have Danzy held, the feds would have had to show he is a danger to the community or a flight risk. They signaled during an earlier hearing that part of their argument could have involved at least one other straw purchase he allegedly made. Danzy admitted he also purchased a gun for his cousin, who he knew was a convicted felon, records show.

The criminal complaint filed against Danzy alleges the Honda CR-V stopped by the officers Saturday was registered to Danzy. He was not present at the shooting, it said. Authorities then traced the gun used in the shooting to Danzy.

He allegedly purchased the Glock semi-automatic pistol from a licensed dealer in Hammond on March 18.

Federal agents approached Danzy on Sunday at a Munster restaurant where he works, according to the complaint. He agreed to speak to the agents, and he initially told them his purchase of the gun was legitimate, the document said. Eventually, the feds say he admitted he was lying. He said he bought the gun for Eric Morgan knowing Eric Morgan could not legally purchase it because of a criminal conviction, court records show.

Eric Morgan was previously convicted of felony theft in 2019 in Dane County, Wisconsin, records show. He was sentenced to three years of probation.

Judge orders release of man charged with straw purchase of gun allegedly used to kill Officer Ella FrenchJon Seidelon August 11, 2021 at 8:15 pm Read More »

How Fox will broadcast ‘Field of Dreams’ Game between White Sox, YankeesJeff Agreston August 11, 2021 at 8:18 pm

Matt Gangl vividly remembers the first time he laid eyes on the Field of Dreams.

The lead director of Fox Sports’ MLB coverage was making the 4 1/2 – hour drive last year to Dyersville, Iowa, from his home in Minnesota. He saw on his GPS that the site of the beloved 1989 movie was just a bit farther.

“You take a corner, and all of a sudden you can see the light stanchions for the fields, and I literally got chills,” Gangl said. “I’m like, This is exactly why we’re doing this, to provide that moment of wow. You get those goosebumps. It’s like nothing I can fully explain as you drive up the first time.”

The fields Gangl referred to are the movie site, now a tourist attraction, and the nearby pop-up stadium that will host the “Field of Dreams” Game on Thursday between the White Sox and Yankees. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson and other players from the 1919 Sox were featured in the movie. Hence, the Sox’ inclusion in the game. Fox will broadcast the game, and Gangl will direct.

“This game is not only gonna draw baseball fans, but fans of the movie and people who are just intrigued to see how they put a baseball field in the middle of a cornfield,” Gangl said.

Not just a baseball field, but a full-on TV production. Just as the stadium was built from scratch, the broadcast will be, too.

“There’s no obvious stadium infrastructure there. Everything’s being built,” said Judy Boyd, senior vice president of Fox Sports productions. “So you get some things as simple as how do we get a broadcast signal out of there. You’re working in a cornfield. It’s a testament to our tech side.”

Gangl said the broadcast was budgeted roughly to that of a division-series playoff game. The production crew will include just short of 30 manned cameras, a lot for a regular-season game. And because of the bare-bones stadium and remote location, Gangl said Fox will run thousands of feet of cables.

With only 8,000 seats available, the game is truly a made-for-TV event. Both Boyd and Gangl used the word “cinematic” to describe their plan for the broadcast. Gangl said he lost count of how many times he has watched “Field of Dreams,” trying to devise ways to incorporate the movie into the broadcast. The last time he was on site, Gangl visited the house where Ray Kinsella (played by Kevin Costner) lived.

“I’m thinking, What kind of shots could I use that take us the same paths that they did when [Kinsella] goes over and looks out the window to see the first time Ray Liotta, ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson, is on the field,” Gangl said. “There’s fun stuff in the works.”

That includes keeping the aesthetics of the era. Boyd said Fox told MLB that it wanted hard advertising signage behind home plate as opposed to virtual or rotating signage. A crew will swap out the sign manually every inning. Fox also altered its graphics, which will have the appearance of an old-time scoreboard. But the network still will use the technology baseball viewers have become accustomed to.

“It is an interesting balance because everything we do as we move forward in sports television is advancing technology,” Gangl said. “More super slow-mo, more big lens, higher-speed camera. To me, it’s using those things in a way that is a little more cinematic than standard game coverage.

“As much as I love great tight shots, and we’ll find those emotion shots, but I think there’s gonna be a lot more resetting grander shots, sweeping motions, things that give us place and proximity of where this event is taking place.”

All that said, Fox knows there’s a game to cover. Coverage begins at 5 p.m. with a one-hour pregame show with host Kevin Burkhardt and analysts Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and White Sox Hall of Famer Frank Thomas. Tom Rinaldi also will be on site to deliver one of his fabled features. Joe Buck and John Smoltz will call the game, and Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci will serve as reporters.

There will be surprises along the way, but Boyd said viewers can expect to see members of the “Field of Dreams” cast in some capacity, as well as Sox and Yankees players sharing their thoughts on the movie.

And if the last shot of the broadcast looks familiar, that’s because it probably will be.

“It’s that iconic shot,” Gangl said. “There’s the low shot where they’re in the field having a catch, and then it goes to that aerial where you see all the cars coming into the field. I think Dyersville in the background will be cool because I want to replicate that shot at the end of the night.

“There’s things that you want to pay homage to from the movie, and there are things that we can do that can bring some of those moments and memories from the movie to the game. I wanna try to take advantage of as many of those as you can.”

How Fox will broadcast ‘Field of Dreams’ Game between White Sox, YankeesJeff Agreston August 11, 2021 at 8:18 pm Read More »

Illinois now a red state? COVID-19 cases hit four-month high as much of state slips into CDC’s red ‘high risk’ infection categoryMitchell Armentrouton August 11, 2021 at 8:26 pm

Federal public health officials say COVID-19 is now spreading at a high rate across nearly all of Illinois as the Delta-fueled surge lifts infections to the highest level seen statewide in four months.

Transmission is considered high in all but 13 of Illinois’ 102 counties, including the entire Chicago area except for northwest suburban McHenry County, according to metrics set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the spread is still labeled “substantial” in McHenry and nine of the other remaining counties.

The CDC laid out the sobering color-coded state map Wednesday as the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 3,933 new cases of the disease, the most in a day since April 9.

COVID-19 transmission is considered high in counties marked red.

The state is now averaging nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 diagnoses each day, a rate that has multiplied by eight since the first week of July.

The seven-day average statewide positivity rate is up to 5.1%, which marks a seven-month high, while the total of 1,558 hospitalized coronavirus patients is the greatest burden facing Illinois care centers since May 15.

Daily death tolls have risen slightly, too. With nine more COVID-19 fatalities reported Wednesday, Illinois is averaging 11 per day over the last week, compared to eight per day in early July.

Cases have been on the rise in the state since about two weeks after Gov. J.B. Pritzker allowed the state to fully reopen in mid-June — not long after the more infectious Delta variant of COVID-19 emerged in the United States.

The latest suffering is overwhelmingly concentrated in unvaccinated communities. Only 899 fully vaccinated residents have ended up in a hospital with COVID-10 all year, according to state data — about .01% of the 6.5 million-plus Illinoisans who have completed their vaccine series.

Just over 74% of residents have gotten at least one shot. About 57% are fully vaccinated.

Last week, Pritzker issued a vaccination mandate for some state workers, and he’s said he’s considering expanding that to more employee groups.

On Wednesday, the governor applauded small music venues that are requiring concertgoers to show proof of vaccination.

“We must take the utmost precautions in crowded indoor spaces — and that means getting vaccinated,” Pritzker said in a tweet.

State public health officials launched a new online portal in an effort to make it easier for residents to obtain their vaccination records in case they lose their CDC-issued cards. The “Vax Verify” system uses the credit reporting company Experian as an “identity verification service provider” before providing access to vaccine records.

“With the current surge in cases, more people are making the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccine and this new tool will aid residents in confirming their vaccination where needed,” Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said in a statement.

Residents can access the system at idphportal.illinois.gov.

Illinois now a red state? COVID-19 cases hit four-month high as much of state slips into CDC’s red ‘high risk’ infection categoryMitchell Armentrouton August 11, 2021 at 8:26 pm Read More »

Carlos Rodon lands on injured list, White Sox lose game, series to TwinsDaryl Van Schouwenon August 11, 2021 at 8:30 pm

MINNEAPOLIS — Carlos Rodon was scheduled to start the Field of Dreams game in Iowa on Thursday night. Instead, the White Sox’ All-Star left-hander is going on the 10-day injured list with shoulder fatigue, the team announced before its 1-0 loss to the Twins Wednesday afternoon at Target Field.

Lance Lynn, scheduled to start Wednesday, was pushed back to start Thursday night in Iowa. Right-hander Reynaldo Lopez started Wednesday, pitched three scoreless innings and figures to get at least one more start in Rodon’s place.

“Yesterday Carlos came in with some arm soreness,” manager Tony La Russa said. “We’re hoping it’s a short break.”

But it doesn’t figure to be. While Rodon, who has a history of arm problems, is on the IL retroactive to Aug. 8, returning on Aug. 18 “would seem to be overly optimistic,” La Russa said.

“That would be the most optimistic but always treat players, pitchers with arm issues, with caution,” La Russa said.

With a 10-game lead in the AL Central, the Sox are gearing to a postseason that looks better with Rodon in it rather than not. Fingers are crossed that the injury-prone Rodon will return to the healthy state that has helped him post a 9-5 record, 2.38 ERA and pitch no-hitter against the Indians in April for a starting rotation that leads the American League in ERA (3.38), strikeouts (705) and several other categories.

This has easily been Rodon’s best season. There was concern, though, when his velocity was down in starts on July 24 and July 29 against the Brewers and Royals, each start lasting just four innings. Following an eight-day rest, Rodon touched 99 mph and threw five innings of scoreless, two-hit ball against the Cubs on Saturday and seemed to be back on track. La Russa said Rodon wanted to pitch deeper into the game.

He returned to Chicago to have the shoulder examined.

Last season, Rodon was limited to four games and two starts due to shoulder soreness but the Sox brought him back on a one-year contract, even though staying healthy had been a battle for the former No. 3 overall pick. After having arthroscopic shoulder surgery in late 2017, he returned to make 20 starts in 2018. In 2019 he made seven starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery in May.

This season, he has pitched like a Cy Young Award and is a big reason why Sox World Series hopes are so high.

“He wasn’t happy about it,” Lynn said. “The season he’s having you wanted to keep going. I don’t think it will be anything crazy but you never know. He seems to think a little rest will help and he’ll be ready to go here in the new future.”

Lopez is ‘the best candidate’ to replace Rodon in the rotation, La Russa said, and that was before Lopez looked sharp with four strikeouts Wednesday. The team’s best starter in 2018 who has since struggled, Lopez owns a 1.37 ERA in 10 appearances since getting recalled from Triple-A Charlotte July 16.

“I feel sad for glad but I welcome the opportunity to step up and do my part to help the team,” Lopez said. “I have confidence in all my pitches.”

As for Michael Kopech, who is viewed as a future starter, ‘we’re into August and extending him to where he would be a starter takes him out of that [relief] role we really need him in, especially when you expect Carlos to be back. It’s not realistic.”

Taking Rodon’s spot on the roster was right-handed reliever Matt Foster, who was recalled from Charlotte and pitched a perfect seventh. Foster was 0-1 with a 1.17 ERA over seven appearances with Charlotte.

Bailey Ober and three relievers including closer Alex Colome held a Sox lineup without resting Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert to six hits, and Jorge Polanco homered against Jose Ruiz in the sixth, Twins took two of three games from the Sox in the series.

Carlos Rodon lands on injured list, White Sox lose game, series to TwinsDaryl Van Schouwenon August 11, 2021 at 8:30 pm Read More »

Lightfoot reveals ‘significantly reduced’ but still sizable $733M budget shortfallFran Spielmanon August 11, 2021 at 8:43 pm

Property taxes will rise by $20 million to match the consumer price index, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday she’s hoping to hold it to that despite a $733 million budget shortfall for 2022.

“It’s my hope that we will not need to raise taxes — and by taxes, I assume you mean property taxes. It’s our hope that we will not need to use that tool,” Lightfoot told reporters at the Cultural Center.

The mayor pointed did not rule out other tax increases. A budget summary chart tied to the city’s three-year financial analysis talks about “exploring new revenue sources, financial reforms” and department efficiencies to close the $733 million gap.

During a conference call that followed the mayor’s speech, Budget Director Susie Park acknowledged that Lightfoot’s declaration does not mean property taxes will be frozen.

“It is not our intention to increase the property tax for the upcoming budget. However, the CPI that was approved in the last budget remains. … I think it’s around $20 million-ish,” Park said.

The 2022 shortfall is down 40% from the $1.2 billion gap that preceded what Lightfoot calls her “pandemic” budget.

It would have been bigger and more daunting if not for the $1.9 billion of federal stimulus funds on its way to Chicago.

It will allow the Lightfoot administration to play a financial shell game of sorts.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivers the city's budget forecast Wednesday during a news conference at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Loop. — Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivers the city’s budget forecast Wednesday during a news conference at the Chicago Cultural Center in the Loop.

Gone is the mayor’s plan to use more than half of the money to retire $465 million in scoop-and- toss borrowing and canceling plans to borrow $500 million more. That ran contrary to initial Treasury Department guidelines.

Instead, the mayor plans to use $782 million in stimulus money to replace revenues lost to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. That will free up corporate fund revenues to retire the scoop-and-toss borrowing.

“Those funds were intended to fund investments from all the impact that we have from COVID-19. But, in addition to that, it is meant to also fund government services. That is what we’re doing. We’re using [American Rescue Plan] dollars to fund eligible government services to keep government going from the pandemic and moving forward,” Park said.

During the fourth quarter of this year, the city plans to refinance $1 billion in debt at reduced interest rates and use the $250 million in savings to pay for retroactive pay raises for Chicago Police officers.

Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett stressed that the $1 billion refinancing is “not scoop-and-toss.” Debt services will be lower every year, even though the city will reclaim the savings upfront.

The tentative contract gives rank-and-file police officers a 20% pay raise over eight years, 10.5% of it retroactive.

The total cost of the retroactive paychecks is $375 million. The mayor’s 2021 budget set aside only $100 million for police back pay. That means Lightfoot needs to find at least $25 million more — even after the refinancing — and come up with “around $165 million” going forward.

The city's Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett discusses the budget forecast Wednesday at the Chicago Cultural Center. — The city’s Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett discusses the budget forecast Wednesday at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Lightfoot blamed the “still sizable” shortfall on the “lasting and continuing impacts” of the coronavirus pandemic.

Her three-year financial analysis forecast a “base, positive and negative” case shortfall of $733 million in 2021. The shortfall rises to anywhere from $391 million to $1.2 billion by 2024, depending on the economy.

“COVID has thrown us a wrench a number of times in terms of the actual pace of the virus, the recovery, potential additional waves of cases. We are planning for all of those various scenarios and how we might be able to address the potential change in revenue forecasting,” Bennett said.

Lightfoot said the surge in coronavirus cases tied to the Delta variant underscores the need for the city to be “smart” about how it spends the once-in-a-lifetime avalanche of the federal stimulus funds.

“It’s not gone. It’s not going to be gone entirely for some time. … This race sometimes feels like a race against time with these mutations that are coming,” Lightfoot said, renewing her push for Chicagoans to get vaccinated.

“We’ve gotta be diligent. And being diligent is also being smart in making sure that we’ve got the resources in order to respond. If we spent every penny that has been allocated for COVID and we had, God forbid, another catastrophic surge, then people would say, `What happened to the mayor. Why did she do that?’ “

Already, the city has used $800 million in federal stimulus money to support hard-hit small businesses and provide a safety net of assistance for housing, food, homeless services and mental health and cover the salaries of police officers, firefighters and other first responders.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivers the city's budget forecast Wednesday. — Mayor Lori Lightfoot delivers the city’s budget forecast Wednesday.

On Wednesday, City Hall disclosed plans to use $37 million in remaining first-round stimulus funds to “create a bridge” toward the investments Lightfoot intends to make with the next round of federal help.

The new investments include $14 million for youth prevention programming; $9 million for neighborhood recovery initiatives; and $14 million for child care assistance.

Last year, Lightfoot spent months claiming Chicago was well-positioned to weather the economic storm caused by the coronavirus only to finally reveal that the stay-at-home shutdown had blown a two-year, $2 billion hole in the city’s budget.

After weeks of contentious negotiations, the City Council ultimately approved her $12.8 billion budget by the narrowest margin Chicago has seen in decades.

The mayor’s plan to raise property taxes by $94 million, followed by annual increases tied to the consumer price index, passed with only two votes to spare. The roll call was 28 to 22.

The vote on the budget itself was 29 to 21, a roll call made famous during the 1980s power struggle known as “Council Wars” that saw 29 mostly white aldermen thwart then-Mayor Harold Washington’s every move.

Although she has condemned political horse-trading, Lightfoot was forced to do a lot of wheeling and dealing to line up the 26 votes she needed to approve the budget.

She canceled 350 layoffs in favor of borrowing against future revenues from the sale of recreational and medical marijuana and ordered five furlough days, but only for those non-union employees with six-figure salaries.

She sweetened the pot for violence prevention by $10 million and set aside $2 million to test a pair of alternate response pilot programs for emergency calls related to mental health.

And she increased the value of the treasured aldermanic menu program from $1.32 million for each of the 50 wards to $1.8 million.

For the second straight year, Lightfoot’s budget was also precariously balanced with one-time revenues.

It called for the city to refinance $1.7 billion in general obligation and sales tax securitization bonds and claim $949 million of the savings in the first two years.

That would have extended the debt for eight years and returned Chicago to the days of “scoop-and-toss” borrowing that former Mayor Rahm Emanuel ended, although not nearly fast enough to satisfy Wall Street rating agencies.

A $304 million tax increment financing surplus created a $76 million windfall for the city. The 2021 budget also included $59 million by “sweeping aging accounts”; a $30 million raid on the city’s $900 million in reserves; and $54 million in savings by off-loading the cost of pensions and crossing guards from the city to Chicago Public Schools.

This year, Lightfoot moved up her budget unveiling to mid-September, one month earlier than normal.

Her plan to use $1.9 billion in federal stimulus funds faces stiff resistance from Chicago aldermen, who want to spend the stimulus money on an array of housing, mental health, jobs and outreach programs that attack the root causes of the city’s unrelenting gang violence.

Chicago’s $33 billion pension crisis continues to weigh heavily on city finances, in part because all four pension funds are now on the actuarial road to 90 percent funding.

Next year, the state mandated payment rises to $2.25 billion to four city employee pension funds. That’s up from $1.8 billion this year.

The firefighters’ pension fund is in the worst shape, with assets to cover just 19% of its liabilities.

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