Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky has made ‘phenomenal gains’Ryan Fedrauon July 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm

Mitchell Trubisky #10, Chicago Bears (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has made ‘phenomenal gains’ during offseason training.

After a rough 2019 NFL season, the Chicago Bears traded for quarterback Nick Foles to add competition to the team’s quarterback position.

Along with trading for Foles, the Bears declined quarterback Mitchell Trubisky‘s fifth-year option with the team.

Instead of shying away from a year where Trubisky and the team regressed, Trubisky has worked with different trainers to become the elite passer the Bears were hoping they had when they drafted him in 2017.

Passing Table
Year	Age	Tm	Pos	No.	G	GS	QBrec	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int
2019	25	CHI	QB	10	15	15	8-7-0	326	516	63.2	3138	17	10
Care	Care				41	41	23-18-0	811	1280	63.4	8554	48	29

Provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 7/2/2020.

Trubisky was interviewed by Bears media a few weeks ago, telling them how he was excited for the healthy quarterback competition with Foles but he still believes this is his team. Trubisky’s teammates have come out and said positive things about him and his worth ethic with them this offseason.

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Trubisky had surgery on his left shoulder this offseason which found him working with “SPEAR Training”. An Instagram post from SPEAR Training said the following on Trubisky’s recovery and work this offseason:

Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has made phenomenal gains this offseason with his training. Prior to beginning his training, he was recovering from surgery for a partially torn labrum in his non-throwing arm. Since training here at SPEAR his shoulder is as strong as it’s ever been and his mobility, range of motion, and strength have improved significantly. His throwing arm was structurally imbalanced when we first started with him from all of the overuse. Heading into his next and final training phase before going back to camp his throwing arm is structurally balanced and he’s throwing the ball extremely well feeling as good as he ever has. His hard work this offseason and effort in the weight room has been relentless! Super excited for him to display his new strength on the field this season!!!

View this post on Instagram

🟢Chicago Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky has made phenomenal gains this offseason with his training. Prior to beginning his training he was recovering from surgery for a partially torn labrum in his non-throwing arm. Since training here at SPEAR his shoulder is as strong as it’s ever been and his mobility, range of motion, and strength have improved significantly. His throwing arm was structurally imbalanced when we first started with him from all of the overuse. Heading into his next and final training phase before going back to camp his throwing arm is structurally balanced and he’s throwing the ball extremely well feeling as good as he ever has. His hard work this offseason and effort in the weight room has been relentless! Super excited for him to display his new strength on the field this season!!!

A post shared by Spear Training Center (@spear_training) on Jul 2, 2020 at 8:14am PDT

With Trubisky’s throwing arm being structurally imbalanced his whole career, that could explain why his accuracy isn’t where it should be. Trubisky missed key throws last season that the second overall pick in the NFL draft shouldn’t miss.

If Trubisky has truly improved and can win the starting quarterback job, he could prove to be the franchise quarterback Chicago thought he was when they drafted him.

Fans should want Trubisky to do well this season and win the job from Foles for two reasons. One, Trubisky is 25 years old, so if he can become an elite quarterback, the team is set at the quarterback position for at least 10 years. Second, Foles winning has him as the team’s bridge quarterback as they look to find their future franchise quarterback. Trubisky not working out this season sets the team back.

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Chicago Bears: Mitchell Trubisky has made ‘phenomenal gains’Ryan Fedrauon July 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm Read More »

Cadien Lake James’s greatest moment in Chicago music historyCadien Lake Jameson July 3, 2020 at 11:00 am

"Chicago notoriously had this DIY inclusive scene. . . . And I don't know if Chicago would have developed that in its garage-rock community if it wasn't for the organization done by the Chicago house community." - COURTESY THE ARTIST

Not only is 2020 the Year of Chicago Music, it’s also the 35th year for the nonprofit Arts & Business Council of Chicago (A&BC), which provides business expertise and training to creatives and their organizations citywide. To celebrate, the A&BC has launched the #ChiMusic35 campaign at ChiMusic35.com. It includes a public poll to determine the consensus 35 greatest moments in Chicago music history (the Reader will publish the results on July 23) and a raffle to benefit the A&BC’s work supporting creative communities struggling with the impact of COVID-19 in the city’s disinvested neighborhoods.

Another part of the campaign is this Reader collaboration: a series spotlighting important figures in Chicago music serving as #ChiMusic35 ambassadors. For this final installment, we hear from Cadien Lake James, vocalist and guitarist in prolific indie-rock band Twin Peaks. The group is part of a young garage-band explosion that came out of Chicago around 2010. Their newest release, the four-song EP Side A, consists of material they finished remotely or under socially distanced conditions after the pandemic shutdown in March; it includes contributions from Ohmme, V.V. Lightbody, Lala Lala, and Tom Reeder, and it comes out Friday, July 3.

This interview was conducted by Ayana Contreras, who’s a DJ, a host and producer at WBEZ radio, and a columnist for DownBeat magazine.

Ayana Contreras: What is your favorite Chicago musical moment?

Cadien Lake James: I love the idea that Larry Heard–who was a jazz musician growing up–in 1984, when he was 17 or 18, bought a synthesizer and a drum machine and just dived headfirst into [the house-music] world. Within a week he had made “Washing Machine” and “Can You Feel It,” very groundbreaking singles. Given the influence he ended up having on the club scene in Chicago and house music, and how integral that is to Chicago’s music community, I think that’s a cool moment.

It’s not the easiest thing to draw a correlation with Twin Peaks’ music, but it’s still very influential to me.

How so?

First of all, it’s what I listened to the most traveling on the road around the country. I got into house music, specifically Chicago house, and then discovered how integral it was to an inclusive Chicago music community. . . . I feel like Chicago notoriously had this DIY inclusive scene [when Twin Peaks], White Mystery, the Yolks, and all these bands were cutting our teeth playing shows in Chicago. We made it playing in people’s basements and raw spaces and houses.

And I don’t know if Chicago would have developed that in its garage-rock community if it wasn’t for the organization done by the Chicago house community, setting the precedent that there were spaces to be made to play music that didn’t have to be in venues, and places that were inclusive to everyone.

You kind of tiptoed around this next question without even knowing it. What do you think it is about Chicago that’s made it a place that has continually given birth to music that’s influential around the world?

Well, I mean, it’s so indebted to Black artists. And the Black music community here, whether it was blues or jazz going into rock ‘n’ roll and then the house community, it’s just been an epicenter for the arts, and there’s so many legendary musicians who came out of here.

Maybe back in the day, with the blues record labels, there was more of an industry presence, but as we entered the 70s, 80s, 90s, there was less of the industry being in Chicago, which I think also created space for artists to collaborate and perform without the competition that you might see in an LA- or New York-based scene, where people are catering to “My big break could come from playing this show, who’s going to be there, who can help my project.”

I think Chicago has been able to just produce so much wonderful music and other art that’s current and pushing ground, which I don’t think [Twin Peaks are] a part of, but it’s still happening in Chicago.

But you could . . . it’s not too late.

Yeah, that’s right.

We’re in the middle of a great big reset.

We’re doing a lot of learning right now. v

Cadien Lake James’s greatest moment in Chicago music historyCadien Lake Jameson July 3, 2020 at 11:00 am Read More »

Moving to the music at home with SummerDanceIrene Hsiaoon July 2, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Summer in the city usually means sultry nights of outdoor picnics, plays and concerts galore in the parks, and, best of all, a dance floor in the Spirit of Music Gardens in Grant Park, where, five nights a week, any and everyone can get together to bhangra, boogie, and bend a toe with neighbors, friends, and strangers–all to live music by local bands. Don’t know how? It’s OK! Because before the band gets hot, there’s a dance lesson for beginners led by a Chicago dancer or dance troupe. But whether you’re learning a basic eight for the first time or have honed your technique for years, everyone is welcome on the checkerboard dance floor on Michigan and Ida B. Wells.

Chicago SummerDance began 24 years ago, when philanthropist Francie Comer happened across a joyful group of dancers by the fountain at Lincoln Center in New York City. She and her husband joined in, and when they got home, she suggested that Chicago needed a Midsummer Night Swing of its own to Lois Weisberg, then the commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs. The rest is history.

“What’s more dynamic than night coming upon Chicago’s beautiful skyline, the little Tivoli lights flickering over a canopy above the dance floor, and the sounds of some of Chicago’s best bands playing outside in Grant Park?” Comer said to the Tribune in 1997. “It’s dynamite, it’s free, and you’re surrounded by all these wonderful cultural institutions.” Over the years, Chicago SummerDance has expanded to five nights a week for nine weeks, bringing movement and music enthusiasts together to celebrate Chicago’s most sociable season.

But festival season in Chicago is going underground this year, with public parties becoming private home affairs. “Like other presenters in the city and elsewhere, we’ve continued to watch the science and situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, making the decision to transition summer festivals into virtual experiences,” says John Rich, dance and theater coordinator and SummerDance programmer of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. For beloved SummerDance, this means SummerDance in Place, a series of six 30-minute dance lessons followed by 60 minutes of music, premiering on YouTube Wednesday nights at 5:30 PM, with the last four programs also broadcast on WTTW Prime.

“The bands are being prerecorded at various sites in the city,” explains Rich. “A longtime partner with SummerDance is the Chicago Park District. In light of that, we’ve used Millennium Park as a backdrop for some of our productions, the rooftop of the field house in Ping Tom Memorial Park in Chinatown, and the lawn and the gymnasium at Calumet Park on the far south side. The parks are also available to people, so this has been an important partnership this year to encourage people to responsibly be outside and enjoy the spaces the city has to offer.”

“All the artists are from Chicago, and the images the artists are being presented in front of are Chicago icons,” he says. “Even though a person may not be able to be with a large group at SummerDance, they can experience salsa band Afinca’o performing in front of Cloud Gate on July 4 and feel the city through local music and an iconic image. The same can be said of DJ iLLEST and Bollywood Groove on July 8–shimmering in the background is Lake Michigan. These evocative images [can] help people feel connected to the city and the artists of the city.”

SummerDance typically features social dance heavily, and Rich says, “People are staying safe with partners or family or they have a circle of family and friends they are relating with. We are advising people to be safe and continue to practice safe distancing programs. In the lessons, there’s some emphasis on individual footwork and some focus on partner work if you have a partner to dance with. The important thing about SummerDance is that anybody can dance to any theme. It’s just about being moved to the music. People are encouraged to move in a way that’s meaningful to them and express the joy of being in their bodies and celebrate the experience of moving to music.”

“One of the profound things about SummerDance is that it feels like the entire city shows up to dance together,” says Rich. “It’s certainly a beloved institution in the city. People have made lifelong friendships and met their partners and spouses. It’s a convivial place where bonds are made, and you see the same people year after year. If there’s a silver lining to SummerDance in Place, my hope is that it will help more people discover SummerDance and look for us when we’re back in park spaces.”

“This year, I hope people dance like no one is watching and feel free to express themselves through movement. Learn a few steps. Learn some salsa. Improvise to house music. Perhaps cumbia is new to people, or line dancing, or Bollywood. SummerDance is a place of friendship, exploration, and fun. I hope people engage in a way that’s meaningful to them. Perhaps they make friends online or dance with neighbors through the fence. Maybe one side of the block is having a small party. There’s many ways to engage. The important thing is to have fun and experience the joy.” He notes that those seeking to share their experiences can hashtag #chicagosummerdance. “We would love for people to post videos of them dancing or a move they want to share with the world and can teach.”

This Wednesday night, with a house dancing lesson by Imania Detry and a set of music by DJ Deeon, accompanied by footworkers Marquis aka Adoniz and Tony (Wicked) Anderson, Mayor Lori Lightfoot offered an introduction to the series: “While we all reflect on America’s painful legacy of racial injustice, we invite you to experience the healing power of music and dance. This series is an opportunity for virtual connection and unity.” v

SummerDance in Place runs every Wednesday in July, 5:30-7 PM, with a special July 4 edition at 5 PM. Complete schedule here.

Moving to the music at home with SummerDanceIrene Hsiaoon July 2, 2020 at 5:30 pm Read More »

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All existing sports betting affiliate programs on the site of the bookmaker companyCCS Staffon July 2, 2020 at 4:02 pm Read More »

10 New Illinois Laws in Effect Right NowNishat Ahmedon July 2, 2020 at 7:07 pm

Table of Contents

Starting July 1st, a handful of new laws came into effect in Illinois, covering a wide range from education to minimum wage to training and more. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with what’s being implemented when so, to help you out, we’ve put together the 10 new Illinois laws in effect right now.

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An Increase To Minimum Wage

Illinois workers already saw a $1 increase in the minimum wage at the beginning of the year from $8.25 to $9.25. The new law brings that up even higher to a solid $10 per hour. January 1st, 2021, will come with another $1 increase to stay on track with Illinois’s plan to have the minimum wage reach $15 starting January 1st, 2025.

Civics Education

This law requires public schools in the state to teach, at a minimum, one semester of civics between sixth and eighth grade. Content around pressing societal issues, government institutions, and democratic process simulations must be the focus.

Complete Employee Discrimination Protection

The Illinois Human Rights Act expanded its definition of an employer to include anyone employing even one person or more in the stat for 20+ weeks, a revision from the previous language which defined an employer as having 15 or more employees. These employees will be protected from discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, and other protected categories.

new illinois laws — Photo Credit: Unsplash

Increased Penalties for Texting and Driving

The Illinois Vehicle Code has been changed to include a 12-month suspension of a license and a fine minimum of $1,000 for drivers who cause bodily harm, disfigurement, or permanent disability to another because they were texting and driving.

Increased Penalties for Drivers Injuring Someone While Violating Right-of-Ways

Any driver violating a right-of-way at crosswalks or in school zones that causes serious injury to another will incur a 12-month license suspension.

No Suspension of License for Fine Payment Failure

A person’s license or registration will no longer be suspended by the secretary of state for failing to pay a fine or penalty on time. Lawmakers believe a person still has the right to travel to work even if they cannot afford to pay a ticket.

Increased Gas Tax

A 0.7 cent-per-gallon increase took effect yesterday in an attempt to match the rate of inflation. This comes on top of the gas tax doubling last year to 39 cents-per-gallon in an effort to fund road improvements.

LGBTQ+ History Education

The 2020-21 school year will require public schools in Illinois to teach LGBTQ+ history as well as purchase textbooks that are non-discriminatory, meaning that they “include the roles and contributions of all people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act.”

Annual Training and Sexual Harassment Prevention

Under this law, every employer must annually provide sexual harassment prevention training at least once. Restaurants, bars, hotels, and casinos must provide their sexual harassment policy within the week of employment to all new employees. Hotels and casinos must also supply employees working alone a safety/notification device to call for help if trouble arises. In addition to that, employees can take paid time off to file a criminal complaint or police report.

Furthermore, it is a civil rights violation now for an employer to harass an employee based on race, religion, age, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, pregnancy, citizenship status, and more factors. Employers are also now responsible for employees, consultants, and contractors harassing others if the employer “fails to take reasonable corrective measures” once they are aware of the conduct. Annually, companies must disclose any rulings, judgments, or settlements against them that are related to discrimination or harassment to the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

Illinois Government’s Coronavirus Response

This establishes a commission with members from the House and Senate in an effort to address the needs in revitalizing different aspects of the state’s economy due to the coronavirus pandemic. The commission is called the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission. These new measures allow meetings for government bodies to occur over audio or video conferencing methods if meeting in person would be deemed impractical by the governor or the Illinois Department of Public Health due to a disaster declaration being issued.

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Unsplash

6 Chicago Attractions Opening to Visitors This JulyAudrey Snyderon July 2, 2020 at 8:13 pm

Table of Contents

With the continued (and careful) implementation of Phase 4 in Chicago, we’re seeing more and more businesses and attractions reopen across the city. Many of us are eager to regain some semblance of normalcy — at least when it comes to our summer activities — but many of us are also exercising a great deal of caution when considering taking advantage of the warm weather. Check out these Chicago attractions that are reopening their doors to locals and tourists alike, and are implementing sanitization measures, face mask requirements, timed entry procedures, and a number of additional precautions.

navy pier summer — Photo Credit: Navy Pier

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chicago attractions — Photo Credit: 360 Chicago Facebook Page

360CHICAGO

875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago IL 60611

From the 94th floor of the John Hancock Building, you can once again look out across the entire downtown area like Mufasa and Simba looking out over the savannah. You may not be Simba, and not everything the light touches will one day be yours, but at least if you’re a Chicagoan with a 606 zip code, you can get a 50 percent discount on tickets year-round with a valid ID.

Lincoln Park Zoo

2001 N Clark St, Chicago IL 60614

As always, the Lincoln Park Zoo remains free but does require reservations in order to preserve social distancing within the zoo. For the time being, many indoor animal spaces will be closed, but the grounds will be open to roam around and make new animal friends (human friends have to keep their distance).

Millennium Park

201 E Randolph St, Chicago IL 60601

The home of the Bean (or Cloud Gate, to some), Crown Fountain, and Jay Pritzker Pavilion is open now to groups of 10 or fewer, provided all those within these groups have masks and are physically distancing. Even the Great Lawn has reopened with painted circles that provide a visual aid for conscientious social distancing.

Navy Pier

600 E Grand Ave, Chicago IL 60611

Many of the pier’s outdoor food establishments are open for business, as well as the Crystal Gardens and Chicago Sports & Novelty. Really, during these short summer months, most of the fun and quality time to be had is out in the open air anyway, preferably with an ice cream cone or tamales.

Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago IL 60605

If you’ve been watching Instagram videos of Wellington (a penguin in residence at Shedd) and you’re ready to go visit him in person, you’re in luck! Shedd Aquarium is reopening July 3, and requiring face coverings and advance purchase of timed-entry tickets.

Maggie Daley Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago IL 60601

The park’s walkways, Rink Cafe, and mini-golf are open now, as well as the “ribbon,” where one can roller blade or use a scooter; up until recently, you had to bring your own equipment to the ribbon, but roller blade and scooter rental are now available onsite once more. If your kids have been bouncing off the walls of your house these last couple of months, this could be a great spot to hang out (with face masks).

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!

Featured Image Credit: Maggie Daley Park