Videos

‘Penguin Town’: Adorable birds go where the humans are in a frothy Netflix docuserieson June 17, 2021 at 12:17 am

Imagine narrator Patton Oswalt in his familiar, comfort-food, expressive voice welcoming us to Netflix’s eight-part docuseries “Penguin Town”:

“There are a LOT of movies about penguins. Penguins on ice, penguins in the snow, tons of marching. Then … there’s these birds. They boldly go where no penguins have gone before. Meet the endangered African penguins.”

An eight-episode series available Wednesday on Netflix.

That’s right: African penguins. With little pink patches around their eyes, smallish physiques compared to some of the more robust members of their species and a distinctive braying sound that sounds like a perturbed jackass, a colony of African penguins returns each year to Simon’s Town, South Africa, as longtime monogamous couples seek to breed once again, while the younger birds seek out their lifetime partners — all while waddling among the humans at the beach, in the parking lots and in nearby neighborhoods.

“Penguin Town” is a featherweight documentary about this amazing species, with Oswalt providing light and humorous narration, some penguin couples getting names, bouncy pop music and graphics straight out of a reality dating show: “Six hot months! One wild colony! No rules!” It’s filled with facts, but they’re always draped in the conceit of the penguins pretty much taking over the town, while the “giants,” a.k.a. humans, are seen mostly from the PPOV (Penguins’ Point of View) and then disappear from the series when the pandemic hits and Simon’s Town sadly becomes a ghost town.

As awesome as these penguins are, the adults all look pretty much the same, so we have to rely on the filmmakers (and narrator Oswalt) to remind us which story we’re following from scene to scene. Even though assigning names to penguin couples is awfully cutesy, it’s actually an invaluable device as we meet the Bougainvilleas, who have been together for years and zone in immediately on their regular spot under a large bush offering comfort and protection; the Courtyards, a couple who set up camp in a garden on a posh estate, and the Culverts, who are new at this and find the struggle is real to find a safe spot for their eggs to hatch, especially with the elements, some unfriendly members of their own colony and the local wildlife presenting threats. (Wild animals, including the lynx-like caracal, were emboldened by the lack of humans in Simon’s Town, and we follow one such wildcat as she stalks her penguin prey.)

For all its sweetness and upbeat nature, “Penguin Town” doesn’t ignore the realities of life for this endangered species. A junior penguin suffers life-threatening bites from a fur seal. One of the featured penguins never returns to its home nest. This series is about as far as you can get from one of those documentaries where we see nature’s violence in all its necessary brutality, but amid all the joy and sweetness, we see and hear reminders that the life of the African penguin is often harsh, and in large part it’s up to this small but hearty and steadfast band of travelers to keep the species going. How can you not root for them to have a successful and (re)productive stay in Penguin Town?

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‘Penguin Town’: Adorable birds go where the humans are in a frothy Netflix docuserieson June 17, 2021 at 12:17 am Read More »

Bears’ defense setting an emotional toneon June 17, 2021 at 12:23 am

The first days of veteran mini-camp have been like the last day of school for the Bears’ defense. Every play is celebrated, whether it’s a simple pass break-up or a an interception. They look like they can’t wait to hit someone — and on a couple of occasions already have come close.

The defense’s enthusiasm set the tone for another spirited practice Wednesday. Linebacker Khalil Mack had one interception and cornerback Kindle Vildor had two — the first one off Andy Dalton punctuated by a raucous celebration by defensive players that ended with Vildor dunking the ball in a blue bin on the sideline.

Its a clear indication — of nothing, at this point. It’s June. The Bears are in shorts and shells. It’s fake football that is more about installation, fundamentals, developing chemistry and building practice habits than anything else. But having fun is often a good start.

All we know for sure is that the Bears’ defense is glad to be back on the field and is making a good first impression under rookie coordinator Sean Desai. The Bears have a lot to prove on defense after an uneven 2020 season that wasn’t bad — 11th in yards, 14th in points allowed — but failed to approach the lofty standards set in the glorious 2018 season.

Since reaching a level of dominance with 50 sacks, 36 takeaways and six touchdowns, the Bears’ defense lost its bite in two seasons under Chuck Pagano in 2019 and 2020 — 32 and 35 sacks; 19 and 18 takeaways; and one touchdown each season.

When every returning starter except linebacker Roquan Smith skipped the voluntary portion of the offseason program, it was seen by some as an insult to Desai, who in theory needed every second he could get with his entire defense to mold the defense his way. But if the first two days are any indication, the defense is making up for lost time.

“We’re off to a hot start,” safety Tashuan Gipson said after Wednesday’s practice. “The offense definitely has some new toys and new tools, so they’re challenging us. Sean definitely [has] his work cut out for him.

“For us to be having the success we’re having — and so many weren’t here, for us to gel the way we have, it’s a testament to what Sean is doing right now. So many guys [have] been doing their own thing — [Tuesday] was really our first day being back as a group … for us to be performing that way — man, it’s just scary.”

With a veteran defense in place but in need of a boost, coach Matt Nagy could have gone for a proven veteran coordinator to replace Pagano. Instead he chose the 38-year-old Desai, who has been on the Bears coaching staff since 2013, including a quality control coach under Vic Fangio from 2015-18 and the safeties coach under Pagano in 2019-20.

It was a leap of faith for Nagy. But Desai’s experience in the defensive system, his knowledge of the current players and his intelligence could be a boon for a defense that needs some fresh, new ideas. With all due respect to Pagano, sometimes change is good.

“You guys know how much respect I have for coach Pagano and what he’s done for the league and for this game and who he is as a person and a coach,” Nagy said. “Being able to retire on his own and doing what he wants to do is pretty awesome. But at the same time, coach Chuck would tell you that him leaving also presents an unbelievable opportunity for Sean.”

Desai still has a lot to prove — particularly calling plays on game-day. But this has been a smooth transition. The enthusiasm alone is a sign these players believe in him and what he can do for them.

“When you have a defense that’s rich in talent like the Bears defense … having a guy like Sean is huge because you have a guy who can truly put every guy in position to make a game-changing play,” Gipson said.

“Having him calling the plays and at the helm is going to be an awesome opportunity for everybody on this defense. I think everybody [was] excited once we heard that Sean was going to get that opportunity and it’s starting to show. We’re getting our hands on a lot of footballs out there and the defense is making plays, flying around and having fun. It’s a fun time to be a Chicago Bear right now.”

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Bears’ defense setting an emotional toneon June 17, 2021 at 12:23 am Read More »

Fully elected Chicago school board gets final thumbs up from Illinois House in ‘long-awaited first step’on June 17, 2021 at 12:25 am

Chicago will soon have an elected school board thanks to a bill passed by members of the Illinois House Wednesday over objections from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The House voted 70 to 41 to advance the bill, handing another loss to Lightfoot who has been vocal in her opposition to the prospect of an elected board. The bill will soon head to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has voiced support for an elected board and is expected to sign the legislation.

The measure was just one piece of legislation state representatives debated and passed during their one-day special session Wednesday.

House Bill 2908 as amended would create a 21-seat board in January 2025, initially split between 11 mayoral appointees — including the board president — and 10 elected members.

Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said the bill isn’t perfect but “this is a down payment on democracy.

“This is a practical, common-sense bill,” Buckner said. “This is not revolution — this is reform.”

“Today is that long-awaited first step” in creating an elected board, said Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, although lawmakers still may “refine” the elected school board through followup legislation to make sure it “works the way the children of Chicago need it to.”

In a statement, the Chicago Teachers Union said the vote “represents the will of the people, and after more than a quarter of a century, moves our district forward in providing democracy and voice to students and their families.”

But critics, like Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said “this bill is not ready to go.” He pointed to the size of the board, which Lightfoot has said is “unwieldy,” and campaign financing issues for the board’s elections as issues that still need to be resolved.

Shortly after the bill passed the House, sponsor of the bill Rep. Delia Ramirez filed a motion to reconsider, which would keep the bill in that chamber likely only temporarily. That move is likely strategic to ensure an opponent of the measure doesn’t try to hold up the bill. Ramirez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Senate voted to approve the measure earlier this month.

Once signed, the legislation mandates that the first elected members would run in the November 2024 general election for a four-year term. Though the mayor would continue picking the board president, the City Council would need to confirm that pick.

The mayor currently appoints a seven-member board, including the president, without an approval process.

After two years, the seats of the board president and the 10 appointees would become elected ones in January 2027 through a November 2026 election. Those members would also serve four-year terms.

The city would initially be divided into 10 districts for the 2024 school board elections, then expand to 20 districts for the 2026 ballot. That map would need to be drawn by February 2022.

All elected board members would run in a particular district other than the board president, who would run at large. The vice president would be a member elected by the rest of the board.

The bill also sets a moratorium on school closings, consolidations or phase-outs until the new board members take office in early 2025, and it would move appointment of the CPS inspector general from the mayor’s purview onto the elected board’s plate.

House OKs gov’s budget changes

The House also voted along party lines, 71 to 44 with one voting present, to accept Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s changes to the budget, Senate Bill 2800, after allowing some members to participate in Wednesday’s session remotely.

Those changes set effective dates for pieces of the budget — some dates of implementation were missing or incorrect in earlier versions of the bill.

Republicans urged a no vote on accepting the changes and fixing Democrats’ mistakes and knocked the majority party for the lack of transparency around the budget process at the end of session last month.

“This is what happens when you have an unaccountable majority power who doesn’t really care about the public, they just care about checking off the boxes,” Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, said. “This is a budget that was passed after midnight because the majority party hoped the world wasn’t watching. … You screwed it up, you shouldn’t be doing it this way, you shouldn’t be cutting people out of the process.”

The budget now heads back to Pritzker for final approval ahead of the July 1 start to the state’s next fiscal year.

Firearm Owners ID card modernization passes

Lawmakers in the House also voted 75 to 40 on a bill Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said would modernize the state’s Firearm Owners Identification card process. The bill, House Bill 562, doesn’t require fingerprinting for the gun license, but does create a path for the state to digitize the firearm ID system and sets up a process for state law enforcement agencies to take guns from those whose cards were revoked.

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Fully elected Chicago school board gets final thumbs up from Illinois House in ‘long-awaited first step’on June 17, 2021 at 12:25 am Read More »

I never knew how much I needed my middle fingeron June 17, 2021 at 12:00 am

Purple Reigns: How to Live a Full Life with Lupus

I never knew how much I needed my middle finger

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I never knew how much I needed my middle fingeron June 17, 2021 at 12:00 am Read More »

Man charged with setting fire to Southwest Side Walgreens amid last year’s unreston June 16, 2021 at 11:04 pm

A federal grand jury has charged a man for his alleged role in the burning of a Southwest Side Walgreens amid the rioting and looting last spring.

Jose Valdovinos is charged in a one-page indictment with setting fire to the building in the 4000 block of West 59th Street on June 1, 2020. The bare-bones indictment contains no further detail.

However, a Walgreens spokeswoman told the Chicago Sun-Times last fall the store had been gutted by a suspected arson fire following a looting incident there. She said the store would have to be completely rebuilt.

The pharmacy chain said it planned to spend $35 million to reopen Chicago stores hit by looting and vandalism after 70 of its 118 city locations sustained damage amid last year’s unrest.

The ATF and Chicago police released video last year of men caught on video inside the 59th Street store, hoping members of the public would help track them down.

In the video, the men appear to enter through the back of the building. They then proceed to wander into the store and gather merchandise.

Joseph Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for U.S. Attorney John Lausch’s office, identified Valdovinos as the individual wearing a black hat backward in the video. That person can be seen pushing a hand truck within the store and moving behind the prescription counter with a white bag.

Screenshot of a video released last year by ATF and the Chicago Police Department of men inside the Walgreens store. The U.S. Attorney’s office identified this man as Jose Valdovinos.
ATF and the Chicago Police Department

Contributing: David Roeder

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Man charged with setting fire to Southwest Side Walgreens amid last year’s unreston June 16, 2021 at 11:04 pm Read More »

How to better protect against environmental nightmares like the Rockton plant fireon June 16, 2021 at 11:11 pm

We don’t know yet what caused the horrifying fire that still is smoldering at a chemical plant north of Rockford, but we do know the risk of such events has grown since the state and federal government cut back on inspections and enforcement.

Both the state and the federal government need to get their environmental oversight back on track. Everyone’s health depends upon it.

Environmental regulations governing industrial sites currently are not strong enough, and they are not sufficiently enforced. If nothing else, the blaze at Chemtool in Winnebago County, which started Monday and was so large it could be seen from Kankakee, dramatically illustrated the enormous costs when something goes wrong, whatever the cause.

On Wednesday, health officials lifted mask recommendations for 3 miles around the Rockton plant after air-quality measurements remained stable, although the evacuation order for about 1,000 people within a 1 mile radius of the plant remained in effect. But we don’t know what the final environmental effects will be. Neighbors said they heard multiple explosions at the plant.

The total cost of health-damaging pollutants and particulates released into the air, toxins that might make their way into the groundwater or the nearby Rock River — although none had been found as of Wednesday — and financial losses to the company could be immense. The evacuation order also imposes a cost on residents who cannot return to their homes.

Moreover, first responders were put in harm’s way, and we don’t know whether they used fire-suppressing foam containing PFAS, a toxic substance that will be banned in Illinois if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs a bill that was passed by the Legislature on May 27.

The industrial plant, which made industrial lubricants, grease products and other fluids, stored lead, antifreeze, nitrogen sulfuric acid and other chemicals on its site. Chemtool is a federally designated Tier II site, requiring that an annual report be produced about its hazardous materials. The report is used by both state and federal environmental authorities.

What happened at Chemtool might turn out to be something that could not have been prevented by inspections, but we long ago should have learned that cutting corners on environmental enforcement can cost exponentially more than the cost of “burdensome” regulations and oversight.

That, however, didn’t stop the Trump administration from cutting back on oversight. As Brett Chase reported in Wednesday’s Sun-Times, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Donald Trump worked to undo safeguards, at the urging of the chemicals industry. When President Joe Biden took office, he signed an executive order to strengthen chemical plant oversight. Now, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan wants to hire 1,200 more inspectors.

The staffs at both the regional U.S. EPA office and the Illinois EPA have been hollowed out over the years, and for the most part inspections were not done during the pandemic. That puts everyone at risk.

Opinion This Week

A weekly overview of opinions, analysis and commentary on issues affecting Chicago, Illinois and our nation by outside contributors, Sun-Times readers and the CST Editorial Board.

The need for more aggressive inspections and greater transparency was illustrated in Illinois in the last decade by dangerous chemical releases at Sterigenics in Willowbrook and Medline Industries in Lake County. Both plants failed to notify the EPA of emissions of toxic ethylene oxide. Sterigenics’ Willowbrook facility now is closed, but the emissions were allowed for years without nearby residents being told.

The Illinois EPA has asked Attorney General Kwame Raoul to “pursue legal action and require Chemtool to immediately stop the release [of pollutants].” But an after-the-fact investigation is only part of what should be done. Stronger environmental oversight is needed to prevent future ecological calamities.

Send letters to [email protected].

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How to better protect against environmental nightmares like the Rockton plant fireon June 16, 2021 at 11:11 pm Read More »

Fully elected Chicago school board gets final thumbs up from Illinois House, heads to governor’s deskon June 16, 2021 at 11:24 pm

Chicago will soon have an elected school board thanks to a bill passed by members of the Illinois House Wednesday over objections from Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

The House voted 70 to 41 to advance the bill, handing another loss to Lightfoot who has been vocal in her opposition to the prospect of an elected board. The bill now heads to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who has voiced support for an elected school board and is expected to sign the legislation.

The measure was just one piece of legislation state representatives debated and passed during their one-day special session Wednesday.

House Bill 2908 as amended would create a 21-seat board in January 2025, initially split between 11 mayoral appointees — including the board president — and 10 elected members.

Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, said the bill isn’t perfect but “this is a down payment on democracy.

“This is a practical, common-sense bill,” Buckner said. “This is not revolution — this is reform.”

Rep. Ann Williams, D-Chicago, said the legislature may “refine” its approach to the elected school board to make sure it “works the way the children of Chicago need it to,” but “today is that long-awaited first step” in the elected school board debate.

But Rep. Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said “this bill is not ready to go,” and pointed to the size of the board, which Lightfoot has said is unwieldy, and campaign financing issues for the board’s elections as issues that still need to be resolved.

The Senate voted to approve the measure earlier this month.

Once signed, the legislation mandates that the first elected members would run in the November 2024 general election for a four-year term. Though the mayor would continue picking the board president, the City Council would need to confirm that pick.

The mayor currently appoints a seven-member board, including the president, without an approval process.

After two years, the seats of the board president and the 10 appointees would become elected ones in January 2027 through a November 2026 election. Those members would also serve four-year terms.

The city would initially be divided into 10 districts for the 2024 school board elections, then expand to 20 districts for the 2026 ballot. That map would need to be drawn by February 2022.

All elected board members would run in a particular district other than the board president, who would run at large. The vice president would be a member elected by the rest of the board.

The bill also sets a moratorium on school closings, consolidations or phase-outs until the new board members take office in early 2025, and it would move appointment of the CPS inspector general from the mayor’s purview onto the elected board’s plate.

House OKs gov’s budget changes

The House also voted along party lines, 71 to 44 with one voting present, to accept Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s changes to the budget, Senate Bill 2800, after allowing some members to participate in Wednesday’s session remotely.

Those changes set effective dates for pieces of the budget — some dates of implementation were missing or incorrect in earlier versions of the bill.

Republicans urged a no vote on accepting the changes and fixing Democrats’ mistakes and knocked the majority party for the lack of transparency around the budget process at the end of session last month.

“This is what happens when you have an unaccountable majority power who doesn’t really care about the public, they just care about checking off the boxes,” Rep. Deanne Mazzochi, R-Elmhurst, said. “This is a budget that was passed after midnight because the majority party hoped the world wasn’t watching. … You screwed it up, you shouldn’t be doing it this way, you shouldn’t be cutting people out of the process.”

The budget now heads back to Pritzker for final approval ahead of the July 1 start to the state’s next fiscal year.

Firearm Owners ID card modernization passes

Lawmakers in the House also voted 75 to 40 on a bill Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, said would modernize the state’s Firearm Owners Identification card process. The bill, House Bill 562, doesn’t require fingerprinting for the gun license, but does create a path for the state to digitize the firearm ID system and sets up a process for state law enforcement agencies to take guns from those whose cards were revoked.

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Fully elected Chicago school board gets final thumbs up from Illinois House, heads to governor’s deskon June 16, 2021 at 11:24 pm Read More »

Final suspect charged in Aurora carjacking, shooting that left woman paralyzedon June 16, 2021 at 11:47 pm

The final suspect wanted in connection with a January carjacking that left a woman paralyzed in Aurora was arrested Tuesday in suburban Lansing.

Officers arrested 18-year-old Darrell Frazier, of Lansing, and charged him with one felony count each of aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated vehicular hijacking, armed violence and two felony counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, Aurora police said.

Kimberly Weibring, 46, was eating in her car in the Wendy’s parking lot in the 1200 block of North Orchard Road in Aurora about 4 p.m. on Jan. 16 when at least four people pulled up in a Ford Escape, police said.

She was pulled out of her red 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe and shot in the back before the suspects drove off in her car, police said.

Weibring is paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the attack, officials have said.

Aurora police and the FBI located the car on Jan. 20 in south suburban Harvey and found bullet holes in and outside the car, according to police.

A 16-year-old boy and Edward James McGee, 26, of Harvey, were arrested April 29 in connection with the shooting, police said. Both were charged with felony aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated vehicular hijacking, armed violence and two counts of possession of a stolen vehicle.

The boy was also charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, officials said.

Officers followed up with a fourth suspect and found that they were shot and killed during an aggravated vehicular hijacking in Lansing, according to police.

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Final suspect charged in Aurora carjacking, shooting that left woman paralyzedon June 16, 2021 at 11:47 pm Read More »

White Sox top Rays 8-7 in 10, claim best record in big leagues at 43-25on June 16, 2021 at 11:47 pm

Of course the White Sox have the best record in baseball.

What else would anyone expect of a lineup featuring an outfield of Andrew Vaughn, Brian Goodwin and Jake Lamb? Or an infield with Leury Garcia at third base and Danny Mendick at second? Not to mention Zack Collins behind the dish.

Talk about a murderers’ row, people.

And add to all those guys reliever Ryan Burr, to whom Sox manager Tony La Russa turned in the 10th inning Wednesday against the American League champion Rays?

Man, all these wins practically take care of themselves.

But seriously, how have the Sox gotten to 43-25? By winning all kinds of ways. Certainly when they have more talent, and sometimes — as in an 8-7 walk-off series clincher at Guaranteed Rate Field — when they just plain don’t.

“It’s not a 25-, 26-man roster,” said Yasmani Grandal, whose blast off the right-field wall with one out in the 10th scored Vaughn from third, made a loser of reliever Pete Fairbanks and dropped the Rays to a second-best 43-26. “It’s a 40-man roster that takes all of us to be able to make it where we want to go and reach our goals.”

It’s one thing to be without Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and now Nick Madrigal for giant stretches. It’s anothing thing to keep going without Yoan Moncada (sinus infection), Adam Eaton (leg soreness), Adam Engel (hamstring) and Billy Hamilton (oblique), too. Moncada should be back in the lineup Thursday in Houston. Engel is on an every-other-day schedule. Still, this team keeps plugging so many holes and keeps plugging along.

The Sox are 18 games over .500 for the first time since they were 84-66 in September of 2008.

“I’m just happy with where this team is at,” starting pitcher Lucas Giolito said after his 100th career appearance, 94 of them with the Sox. “We’re feeding off each other.”

Manager Tony La Russa loved the vibe he detected from his players after he posted a spring training-like lineup in the clubhouse.

“The buzz in the locker room was, ‘Good. Hey, look who’s playing. Let’s go get it,’ ” La Russa said.

Giolito left after the sixth inning with a 7-3 lead, but the Rays scored two in the seventh on a two-run homer by Mike Zunino off Codi Heuer and two more — both unearned — in the eighth after Mendick started the inning by booting a routine ground ball for an error. Those runs went on Aaron Bummer’s tab, and Giolito was robbed of his sixth victory.

“[Mendick] apologized for the error,” La Russa said. “I said, ‘Don’t you ever apologize unless you don’t try enough.’ This club has really got their act together, and it’s special.”

Burr, a 27-year-old who had Tommy John surgery in 2019, spent 2020 at the Sox’ alternate site in Schaumburg, was called up a few weeks ago from Triple-A Charlotte and made only his fourth appearance of the season. He inherited a runner on second to start the 10th but got three huge outs, surviving a fly ball off the bat of Taylor Walls that landed in Vaughn’s glove a couple of feet in front of the fence in left.

“It’s indescribable, to be honest,” Burr said.

It’s two out of three in the Sox’ first series in 15 years in which the teams ranked 1-2 in the big leagues based on record. It’s six wins for the Sox in their last seven games. It’s keeping the pedal to the metal no matter who’s in and who’s out, who’s healthy and who’s not.

“The best team in baseball is the one that stands alone at the end of the season,” Grandal said. “It’s still a long season. We’ve just got to keep on playing.”

Why not? It has worked wonderfully so far.

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White Sox top Rays 8-7 in 10, claim best record in big leagues at 43-25on June 16, 2021 at 11:47 pm Read More »