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Questions? Call 1-800-Tribune Sunday, December 5, 2021 Breaking news at chicagotribune.com

Art Institute THE POLLUTION NEXT DOOR

docents’
divisive
dismissal
Controversy, calls
of reverse bias belie
complicated history
By Christopher Borrelli
Chicago Tribune

About 90 years ago, just after

New Year’s, in the dark of the
Great Depression, the Chicago
Board of Education began root-
ing through its proposed $93
million budget, eager to trim $7
million. It was looking for what
it called “frills.” Instances of glar-
ing, unnecessary excess. And soon
they found one, a frill in the guise
of a single museum docent, whom
the city had employed for years to
provide Chicago schoolchildren
with tours of the Art Institute of
Chicago. Unlike most contempo-
rary docents, who serve as volun-
teers, this one, Mary Buehr, had a
salary; firing her, the city saved just
$3,000 a year (or $60,000 in 2021).
Still, fire her, they must: “This is the
most ridiculous item I have found The Waukegan Generating Station coal-fired plant can be seen from North Beach on Tuesday in Waukegan. ERIN HOOLEY/CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Waukegan’s legacy of
in the entire budget,” board Presi-
dent Lewis Myers told this news-
paper.
And that was that.
Except, of course, it wasn’t.
A few days later, a letter arrived

industrial pollution
at the Tribune, a lengthy letter

Turn to Docents, Page 12

Residents organizing to fight in home of 5 Superfund sites

A makeshift memorial stands
outside Oxford High School in
Oxford, Mich., on Friday. SYLVIA
JARRUS/THE NEW YORK TIMES
Parents of
G
By Sylvia Goodman | Chicago Tribune In Waukegan, old factories,
from a closed asbestos manu-
rowing up in Waukegan, Eduardo Flores didn’t think facturing facility to an active
gypsum factory, sit discordantly
much about the presence of inhalers on his playground. alongside public beaches and
Every couple of months, one of his classmates or a kid forest preserves. Home to more
from a different grade would suffer an asthma attack than 86,000 people, the city
contains five active Superfund
while playing tag or soccer at recess. sites. And on the shores of Lake
“Whenever someone got an asthma attack, I would always have Michigan sits the Waukegan
Generating Station — a facility
to run and help get an inhaler,” said Flores, now 19. “It was such a that has burned coal for decades
normal thing to me as a child that I never questioned it.”
It wasn’t until Flores got involved with environmental activism
— and its coal ash ponds.
Coal ash, a residual of
are turned into a slurry and
dumped into coal ash ponds. In
June 2019, the Illinois Pollution
Control Board ruled that the
facility violated environmental
regulations and was responsi-
ble for groundwater contami-
nation from its coal ash ponds in
Waukegan and elsewhere.
Studies have also shown
coal ash ponds can emit pollut-
ants into the air, possibly caus-
ing an increase in respiratory
symptoms in the surrounding

killing suspect
combustion, is made up of parti- communities.
that he realized there might be a reason for all the asthma cases in cles including heavy metals
his community. and radioactive elements that
enter pleas
Turn to Waukegan, Page 16

Manhunt finds duo

whose son accused
in school shooting
By Kathleen Foody
and Corey Williams
Associated Press
PONTIAC, Mich. — A judge
imposed a combined $1 million
bond Saturday for the parents of
the Michigan teen charged with
killing four students at Oxford
High School, hours after police
said they were caught hiding in a
Detroit commercial building.
James and Jennifer Crumbley
entered not guilty pleas to each of
the four involuntary manslaugh-
ter counts against them during a
hearing held on Zoom. Jennifer
Crumbley sobbed and struggled to
respond to the judge’s questions at
times and James Crumbley shook
his head when a prosecutor said
their son had full access to the gun
used in the killings.
Judge Julie Nicholson assigned
bond of $500,000 apiece to each
of the parents and required GPS
monitoring if they pay to be
Turn to Parents, Page 10
Does testimony put pressure on Smollett?
Attorneys haven’t said
whether actor will
take stand in his trial
By Megan Crepeau
and Jason Meisner
Chicago Tribune
Not long after they allegedly
pretended to beat up actor
Jussie Smollett in January 2019,
two Chicago brothers took off
for their ancestral home of Nige-
ria, where they were going to
audition for a show called “Big
Brother Naija.”
The brothers, aspiring actors
Abimbola and Olabinjo Osun-
dairo, never got the roles. But
they wound up starring instead
in a far higher-profile drama right
here in their hometown:
Smollett’s criminal trial.
Over two days this week,
the Osundairo brothers’ long-
awaited testimony riveted
Abimbola Osundairo, left, attorney Gloria Schmidt Rodriguez and Olabinjo Osundairo walk outside the
Leighton Criminal Court Building on Thursday in Chicago. ARMANDO L. SANCHEZ/CHICAGO TRIBUNE Turn to Trial, Page 2

Chicago Weather Center: $5.75 city and suburbs and elsewhere

Tom Skilling’s forecast High 43 Low 32 Forecast in Nation & World, Page 14 174th year No. 339 © Chicago Tribune
2  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

Trial Abimbola testified. “That’s

when I proceeded to punch
from Page 1 him in the face and tussle … I
threw him to the ground, put
jurors and spectators at the the bruise on his face, then I
Leighton Criminal Court saw some car lights and then
Building, where they laid ran away.”
out in detail a bizarre plot Later that morning, after
allegedly hatched by Smol- media reports began to
lett to pretend to beat up surface that Smollett had
the “Empire” actor, pour been the victim of a hate
bleach on him and wrap crime, Abimbola said he sent
a rope around his neck a text expressing condo-
while shouting racist and lences — which Smollett
homophobic slurs. had directed him to do as
Both brothers said Smol- another part of the hoax.
lett had hoped the fake “Bruh say it ain’t true, I’m
attack would be captured on praying for speedy recov-
a surveillance camera near ery,” read the text, which
his Streeterville apartment was displayed on a screen in
and splashed in the media, the courtroom. “(Expletive)
putting pressure on the is wild.”
“Empire” studio to address On cross-examination
what he felt were security by Smollett attorney Shay
concerns. Allen on Thursday, Abim-
Though the camera bola testified with a straight
turned out to be pointed up face throughout, showing
the street and the incident little emotion as the defense
was not recorded, Smol- peppered him with ques-
lett’s allegations that he was tions. Didn’t he get a new
attacked made international trainer right after the inci-
headlines just the same. Two dent? Has he been shopping
weeks later, after the Osun- around book deals? Didn’t
dairo brothers were arrested he say that he wouldn’t
at O’Hare International Jussie Smollett sits in a car before being driven away from the Leighton Criminal Court Building on Wednesday in Chicago. testify if Smollett gave him
Airport as they returned CHRIS SWEDA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE $1 million? No, no, and no,
from Nigeria, they agreed to Abimbola said.
cooperate against Smollett, Only once did he crack
who is now standing trial on a smile: When Allen asked

Jussie Smollett judge, defense

charges of lying to the police. him whether, while walking
The case is now in the around in the bitter cold at
hands of the defense, which 1:30 a.m., he’d thought about
has tried to paint the broth- just scrapping the plan and
ers as criminals and homo-
phobes who were using
Smollett to advance their
own budding acting careers.
attorney differ on lunging claim going home.
“I did, yeah,” he said.
But you really wanted
to carry out this attack on
P r o s e c u t o r s h av e By Megan Crepeau even involuntary — but it huddled in a corner — with- making “snarling” faces Jussie, Allen said.
presented significant collat- and Jason Meisner was shocking all the same. out a court reporter present. when granting objections “Fake attack,” Abimbola
eral evidence that seems to Chicago Tribune “I was in disbelief,” she The defense asked Linn for from prosecutors. Osundairo replied.
corroborate what the broth- told the Tribune. “… I did not a mistrial based on his char- Linn denied making faces, After the allegedly phony
ers have said — includ- It was a jaw-dropping expect that type of reaction acterization of the cross-ex- denied lunging and denied attack, Abimbola and his
ing cellphone records, text moment in an already (to) me doing my job.” amination as “collateral.” the mistrial. After a recess, brother flew to Nigeria.
messages, surveillance dramatic trial: An attorney The incident was touched “As soon as I made the the trial moved on. While they were there,
video, taxi and ride-share for Jussie Smollett said in off during Walker’s cross-ex- motion, Judge Linn reacted Walker told the Tribune they searched online to see
receipts — and Smollett’s court that, just moments amination of Olabinjo Osun- with shock and seemed to that, contrary to some media if anything had made the
attorneys might have an before, the judge presiding dairo, one of the state’s key become upset, and at that reports, she was not crying news. He was curious, he
uphill battle in convincing over the case had lunged at witnesses, who testified moment had a reaction to as she made her argument. testified.
the jury their client was her while attorneys huddled Smollett recruited him and physically move toward me “My voice cracked, but I “About what?” Allen
actually the victim of a in a sidebar. his brother to stage a hoax with the upper portion of did not cry about the inci- asked. “You were there,
horrific crime. “Judge, you physically hate crime attack on him his body,” Walker told the dent,” she said. “I was in right?”
Without smoking-gun moved towards me,” Tamara one night in January 2019. Tribune on Friday. shock and disbelief, and “Media attention,” Abim-
evidence either way, only Walker told Cook County Attacking the broth- After the sidebar, Linn my voice broke. I could not bola answered. “Jussie
Smollett himself could Judge James Linn during ers’ credibility is central to directed jurors to leave the believe I was relating what wanted it. He got what he
refute the brothers’ testi- the trial Thursday. the defense case. They are courtroom, and Walker occurred.” wanted.”
mony — and when the trial Linn vigorously denied expected to argue, in part, again asked for a mistrial Walker said she viewed Defense attorneys also
resumes Monday, all eyes it, and the courtroom that the brothers may have — this time in open court the encounter as part of a tried to make hay out of
will be on whether he takes devolved into something actually attacked Smol- — because of the collateral long pattern of disrespect allegedly homophobic
the stand. close to chaos. Spectators lett, perhaps motivated by comment “as well as your toward female attorneys — comments made in the past
Smollett’s attorneys have murmured, attorneys began homophobia. physical actions toward me particularly Black female by Olabinjo Osundairo, and
played close to the vest any an animated argument for a To bolster that argument, in the sidebar.” attorneys — in courtrooms even suggested in their
discussion about having mistrial, and Linn denied the Walker showed jurors texts Linn strenuously denied across the country. questioning that Abimbola
Smollett testify. They did not accusation strenuously. He from Olabinjo Osundairo making threatening moves, “Throughout my 21 years and Smollett had a sexual
mention to jurors in open- had simply been extremely that called someone “fruit” saying he was just “quite of practice I have had expe- relationship.
ing statements whether they surprised at what attorneys and “gaylord,” as well as startled” that the defense riences that my white male In her questioning,
would hear from the actor. requested during the side- an exchange between him would ask for a mistrial on counterparts have not, defense attorney Tamara
So far, the defense has bar, he said. and his brother in which those grounds. including being mistaken for Walker asked Olabinjo about
presented three witnesses, The story spread like he referred to someone “What collateral meant a court clerk, being mistaken a tweet in which he asked
none of whom rebutted the wildfire through the Leigh- who might have been gay as in that context (was) we’re for a defendant or member someone “why you follow-
brothers’ testimony. One, a ton Criminal Court Building, “sicko.” talking about things he said of the general public, being ing Frank Ocean, you know
doctor from Northwestern where Linn has presided During the course of the to other people,” he said told to sit down when I came that (epithet) gay, right?”
Memorial Hospital, where over a felony courtroom for questioning Linn said the from the bench. “There’s up to the clerk to check in for Olabinjo said he didn’t
Smollett was treated on the years. matters being raised were nothing for a mistrial here clients,” she said. “My expe- consider the tweet problem-
morning of the attack, may On Friday, Walker told the “very collateral,” at which … frankly I’m stunned you’d riences are not isolated; a atic — just a joke between
have actually helped pros- Tribune she believed Linn’s point Walker and her team consider a mistrial.” number of female or Black friends. He also said he
ecutors by confirming the physical response was spon- repeatedly requested a side- In addition, Smollett women practitioners have didn’t know whether or not
actor had no serious inju- taneous and not intended to bar. attorney Heather Widell experienced the same thing Ocean, a popular singer and
ries from the beating and intimidate — perhaps it was Attorneys and the judge said in court Linn was throughout our careers.” songwriter, is gay.
was given nothing but Tyle- Allen tried an even more
nol before being sent home. abrupt approach with
Anticipation of the Osun- Abimbola Osundairo, who
dairo brothers’ testimony brothers’ credibility. The the stand for a total of five studio and the media, Smol- “Empire” set. testified on direct that he’d
had been building for nearly information vacuum led to hours Thursday. Prosecu- lett wanted the brothers Both brothers testified worked on “Empire” from
three years, ever since they months of speculation and tors rested their case after to attack him while wear- Smollett gave them a check 2016 to early 2019 and hung
gave sworn statements to allegations of impropriety the brothers’ testimony ing red hats to look like for $3,500 for their efforts out with Smollett socially,
a Cook County grand jury by Foxx’s office, and almost concluded. supporters of then-Presi- and also $100 in cash to pay often going to nightclubs,
on Feb. 20, 2019, leading cost her reelection. Both brothers came dent Donald Trump and put for the rope, ski masks, hats strip clubs or bathhouses.
to the filing of the original A year later, after special across as composed and a rope around his neck, both and other supplies. They In a made-for-TV
disorderly conduct charges prosecutor Dan Webb was well-coached on the stand, brothers testified. believed some of the money moment, Allen asked Abim-
against Smollett. appointed to look into the often responding to ques- “He wanted us to say, was also meant as payment bola point blank on cross-ex-
Their statements took matter, he indicted Smollett tions with clipped, one- or ‘Aren’t you that “Empire” for a diet and fitness plan the amination: “When did you
on even more weight a on almost identical disor- two-word answers. (homophobic slur) (racial brothers had worked up for and Jussie start dating?”
month later, when State’s derly conduct charges based They were largely able to slur)?’ and ‘This is MAGA Smollett through their busi- “What?” Abimbola said.
Attorney Kim Foxx’s office largely on the same testi- avoid clashes with Smollett’s country,’ ” Olabinjo Osun- ness, “Team Abel,” they said. “We were never dating.”
abruptly dropped the case mony from the Osundairo attorneys, who tried to rattle dairo testified. On the morning of the “Were you using the sexual
in exchange for Smollett brothers. them on cross-examination On the way to a “dry run” attack, which was delayed tension between you to prog-
forfeiting his bond and So interest was high when with rapid-fire questions of the fake attack, Olabinjo by nearly four hours because ress your acting career?” Allen
doing a minimal amount of the first brother to testify, about their drug dealing, said, Smollett got more Smollett’s flight from New asked Thursday.
community service. Abimbola Osundairo, strode criminal pasts, motives for specific about their roles: York departed late, the “I didn’t know there was
In the ensuing uproar, into Associate Judge James befriending Smollett, even “For me, he wanted me to brothers walked around the sexual tension,” Abimbola
Foxx, who had withdrawn Linn’s seventh-floor court- alleged homosexual or put the noose around his Streeterville neighborhood Osundairo replied.
from the case after revealing room Wednesday. Abimbola, homophobic tendencies. neck and pour bleach on in the bitter cold for a while, Allen also tried to ques-
she had contact with Smol- who goes by the nickname The brothers largely him, while my brother hit killing time until Smollett tion Abimbola about
lett’s representatives early “Abel,” was the closer of the stuck to the version of him and put the bruise on showed up at the prescribed homophobia in Nigerian
in the investigation, wrote brothers to Smollett and the events that has been alleged his face.” location near his apartment culture, to prosecutors’
a Tribune op-ed saying for person the actor allegedly since the day Smollett was Smollett asked Abim- building, Abimbola Osun- repeated objections that
the first time that aspects of turned to first with the plan first charged: that the actor bola Osundairo to do the dairo told the jury. Then were sustained by Linn. “He
the evidence and testimony to stage an attack. approached them in late hitting because, “He didn’t they saw him and sprang was born in Chicago. Move
“would have made securing Abimbola Osundairo’s January 2019, saying he was think that I would be able into action. on,” the judge said.
a conviction against Smollett testimony, which stretched upset that his studio was not to hold my punches back,” “I said, ‘Hey, aren’t you
uncertain.” for about eight hours over taking seriously a threaten- said Olabinjo, whose ripped that “Empire” (homophobic jmeisner@chicago
Foxx did not elaborate at two days, was followed ing letter he’d received a physique was shown to slur)?’ and we said the other tribune.com
the time on whether she was immediately by that of week earlier. the jury through a shirt- words, and my brother said, mcrepeau@chicago
talking specifically about the his brother, who was on To get the attention of the less photo of him on the ‘This is MAGA country,’ ” tribune.com

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Paying tribute in a variety of different ways
Equestrians,
truckers together
at pilgrimage
By Laura Rodríguez
Presa and Alice Yin
Chicago Tribune
Central Road in Des
Plaines, normally whizzing
with fast cars, was empty
just after noon on Satur-
day, save for the police cars
blocking entry. There was
only the sound of honking
geese.
Then soft clomps came
from the east, steadily grow-
ing in volume and soon
accentuated with neighing.
Over the horizon, a cadre
of horseback riders slinked
toward its destination, some
snapping photos on their
phone and others proudly
placing their arms akimbo.
That was the first sighting
of at least 1,000 equestrians
who rode through a Cook
County Forest Preserve in
Wheeling to pay homage to
Our Lady of Guadalupe, or
the Virgin Mary.
Saturday marked the
10th kickoff of the tradi-
tion in which mostly Latino
Catholics from across the
tristate area and even the
U.S. made the pilgrimage
to Des Plaines to visit the
Guadalupana’s shrine, the
most visited monument of
its kind in the United States.
Many make the annual
journey to the shrine to
mirror the pilgrimages done
in Mexico to fulfill a promise
— a manda — or give thanks
to the Virgin Mary for bless-
ings and protection. Others
do it as a sacrifice as they
pray for a specific need or
concern.
Arturo Gante, 48, said he
traveled from Lake Station,
Indiana, for his first pilgrim-
age to the shrine. While
fixing the equipment on his
horse named Colorado, he
spoke of excitement over
paying respects as well as
praying for his family and
his job.
“We’re just here to cele-
brate,” Gante said while
tending to Colorado. “I’m
Catholic, so that’s part of the
church.”
Jenni Ochoa, a freshman
at Eastern Illinois Univer-
sity, traveled to the shrine
as a volunteer, fixing up the
roses and other arrange-
ments around the shrine.
The visit has special mean-
ing to Ochoa, who was
baptized at the shrine’s
church, but also to her
elders, she said.
“It’s great just seeing
everybody out here prac-
ticing their faith,” Ochoa,
who grew up in Round
Lake Beach, said. “Most
churches were closed
through the pandemic.
“The majority of the
older Hispanic commu-
nity, I feel like their faith is
stronger, so it brings joy to
them to be here.”
Last year, the image of Our
Lady of Guadalupe, the first
replica of the sacred cloak
with her image in Mexico’s
basilica, was taken down
Chicago overdue for lasting snowfall. So,
what are chances of a white Christmas?
By Sylvia Goodman
Chicago Tribune
Anyone who’s lived in
Chicago for a few years
knows one thing for certain:
It’s not a question of if it’ll
snow, but how much. This
fall, however, the city has
barely seen snowflakes, let
alone snow accumulation.
According to National
Weather Service meteo-
rologist Todd Kluber, we
might finally be seeing that
first 10th of an inch — the
weather service’s minimum
amount of measurable snow
— next week. While fore-
casters haven’t ruled out
the chance of snow early
Sunday morning, Kluber
said it’s “not looking likely
at this point.”
Snow might fall a little
Monday morning as cold air
moves in behind showers
Sunday morning, but still,
the potential for accumula-
tion is low.
The most likely day for
CHICAGOLAND
Hundreds of riders arrive Saturday at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Des Plaines to pay their respects. ANTONIO PEREZ /CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS
Naomi Quintana, the wife of a trucker, decorates a truck with
an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Saturday in Des Plaines.
“Just being here is important to me
and my family, especially since this is
pretty much how you do it in Mexico. It’s
really important for us to come and just
celebrate our religion.”
— Napoleon Abella Calzada, 16, from Appleton, Wisconsin
and stored away to deter
people from congregating
for a special day known as
the “Feast of Our Lady of
Guadalupe,” which draws
more than 200,000 devotees
each December.
Before the journey began
in the morning, Napoleon
Abella Calzada, 16, watched
as his father guided his
horse to waltz back and
forth on the grass. It was the
boy’s first pilgrimage of this
size, and he was in awe at the
crowd that was prepared to
join his father.
“Just being here is import-
ant to me and my family,
especially since this is
pretty much how you do it
in Mexico,” Abella Calzada,
from Appleton, Wisconsin,
said. “It’s really important
for us to come and just cele-
brate our religion.”
Chicago’s first snow accu-
mulation, Kluber said, is
sometime during the late
afternoon into the evening
Tuesday.
“The bulk of the precipita-
tion may split up to the south
and then another wave
to the north on that day,”
Kluber said. “But of all the
days coming up here, that’s
probably our best shot.”
Chicago is overdue for
snow, the weather service
said. The average day by
which we usually see snow
on the ground is Nov. 18. The
city’s “meteorological fall,”
which looks at September,
October and November, was
about 2.9 degrees warmer
than usual this year.
However, Kluber said,
November was actually
fairly close to average for
Chicago, but it was dryer
than usual despite the
effects of La Nina, which
usually means more precip-
itation for the Midwest.
“The pattern does tend to
★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  3
For Jesus Gonzalez,
the event’s organizer, the
pilgrimage is a family affair,
done with the help of his
children and wife. His
brothers all own horses
and year after year join the
sacred journey.
In Gonzalez’s native
town in Mexico, he grew up
surrounded by horsemen in
traditional Mexican rodeos
and other equestrian sports.
“We’ve always been grate-
ful for our health and the
love that surrounds us,” he
said.
Equestrians and their
families from all over the
Midwest partake in the
pilgrimage. There are young
children and women who
also ride their horses.
Though Maria Vargas has
attended hourslong pilgrim-
ages to honor Our Lady of
favor a little bit wetter than
normal for us, but doesn’t
necessarily mean it will be,”
Kluber said. “It’s kind of like
a feast or famine, sometimes
with the La Nina pattern
where you can get your-
self in a storm track and be
very active for a long period
of time. But we didn’t find
ourselves in the track of
those storms (this year).”
The same unpredictabil-
ity that made this fall drier
than usual means it’s diffi-
cult to predict exactly how
much snow Chicagoans can
hope to see on Christmas
morning.
While the weather service
doesn’t typically speculate
several weeks in advance,
AccuWeather, a national
weather forecasting service,
has predicted a 50% to 75%
chance of snow for a large
swath of the Midwest based
on historical patterns, even
predicting a higher chance
for a white Christmas than
normal in Chicago, due in
Guadalupe, also known as
the Patroness of the Amer-
icas, for several years, in
2016 she and her brother
organized a caravan with
their semi-trucks offering
it as prayer for their family
business.
“We wanted to thank God
for keeping us safe, but we
also wanted to pray for all of
our drivers and truckers in
the city,” Vargas said.
On Saturday’s pilgrimage,
more than 50 semi-truck
drivers and their families
also joined the devotees who
paid a visit to the Guada-
lupana, a week before the DESIGNER HOLIDAY GIFTS
annual feast at the shrine
that will resume this year
after last year’s pause. The
AND TRUNK SHOWS!
drivers adorned their trucks
with images of the Virgen
De Guadalupe, lights and
tinsels.
The wives and children
of the drivers also joined the
journey. While the mariachi
played at their meeting spot
at a parking lot near Pilsen,
the families ate tamales.
“It’s a gathering of love
and community,” said
Vargas. “It’s a demonstra-
tion of love for Our Lady of
Guadalupe, but also for the
people that you pray for.”
She said the devotion
for the Virgin Mary breaks
barriers and for a few hours
people forget their differ-
ences and join each other
for Our Lady Of Guadalupe’s
blessings.
The past years haven’t
been easy, Vargas said.
One of their drivers died of
COVID-19. They intend to
honor him with the caravan.
“Pilgrimages renew faith,”
Vargas said. “If people are
willing to walk miles, brav-
ing the cold, sacrifice so
much, you realize the power
of faith.”
larodriguez@chicago
tribune.com
ayin@chicagotribune.com
part to the usual effects of
La Nina.
AccuWeather defines a
“white Christmas” as having
at least an inch of snow on
the ground for the holiday.
Kluber said it’s simply too
far out to guess at snowfall
for the big holiday, especially
since it’s such a “sensitive”
matter for many households.
“We could have a very
warm December, but all
it takes is just one small
system to come through
on Christmas morning and
drop 2 inches of snow and
that could be an outlier for
the whole month,” Kluber
said. “But it still technically 630.954.2662
would qualify as a white
Christmas.”
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4  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Lakeview favorite
Yoshi’s Cafe will
close after 39 years
French-Asian
mainstay’s last day
set for Dec. 12
By Louisa Chu
and Ariel Cheung
Chicago Tribune
Yoshi’s Cafe, a beloved
restaurant that pioneered
the fusion of French and
Asian cuisine from the
Lakeview neighborhood of
Chicago for 39 years, will
close permanently.
“Yoshi’s Cafe’s last day
will be Dec. 12,” said owner
Nobuko Katsumura. “I had
somebody approach me
to buy my property, and it
happened so quick. The
closing will be Dec. 15.”
Katsumura opened the
restaurant in 1982 with her
late husband, the acclaimed
chef, Yoshi Katsumura.
He died in 2015 at age 65
of cancer. Their son, Ken
Katsumura, had taken over
as chef.
“I’m not selling to a devel-
oper,” Nobuko Katsumura
said. “It’s somebody who’s
in the neighborhood. He
came to me, and said if you
ever want to sell your prop-
erty, let me know.”
She doesn’t know,
however, what plans the
new owner has for the prop-
erty, including the restau-
rant space.
“We have been doing
Itasca’s rejection of Haymarket drug treatment center draws federal investigation
By John Keilman
Chicago Tribune
The Haymarket drug
treatment center’s more-
than-two-year attempt
to open a rehab in Itasca
took another turn Thurs-
day when officials said U.S.
Attorney John Lausch has
launched an investigation
into whether the village’s
rejection of the center was
in keeping with the Amer-
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pretty good on most days,
and we have been pretty
busy,” she said. “We have
been developing a lot more
of a younger clientele. I’m
still happy running around
in the dining room.”
She met with employees
at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, she
said, to let them know first.
With seven servers, and
three cooks in the kitchen,
the closure will affect about
a dozen employees in all.
“I’m really sad to close
the place, but it’s about time
for me to go on to the next
chapter,” said Katsumura.
“Next year, I will be 70. So
just for a few months I will
just take care of myself. And
then after maybe I have a
little plan.”
She would like to spend
time with her family and
grandchildren.
“My son’s kids,” Katsu-
mura said. “My son left in
January. He wanted to work
on other things.”
“The chef right now has
been working for us for 17
years,” she said. He was
working under Yoshi and
he kept Yoshi’s recipes and
people are loving it.”
In the early years of his
eponymous restaurant,
Yoshi’s was a luxury-dining
restaurant, offering French-
Asian fusion and classic
French dishes. The latter
included duck consomme
en croute, a signature from
icans with Disabilities Act.
Mayor Jeff Pruyn released
a letter Lausch sent last week,
in which he announced the
probe and noted that the ADA
protects people with disabil-
ities — including substance
use disorder — from discrim-
ination.
The Village Board
last month turned down
Haymarket’s proposal to
put a 240-bed treatment
center in a former Holiday
★
Chef Yoshi Katsumura, right, works in his restaurant, Yoshi’s Cafe, in Chicago in 2011. TERRENCE ANTONIO JAMES/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Le Francais, where Yoshi
Katsumura cooked under
the legendary chef Jean
Banchet.
In 1996, cognizant of the
changing market and neigh-
borhood, Yoshi Katsumura
remodeled Yoshi’s, more
than doubling its capacity
and creating a more casual
and affordable menu, where
steak au poivre sat side by
side with tofu steak, crab
wontons, creative sushi and
a daily risotto.
At the time, former long-
time Tribune critic Phil
Inn hotel, saying the town
of 9,000 can’t afford the
projected public safety costs
it would entail.
That capped a process
that began in 2019 and
created plenty of resistance
among Itasca residents, who
marched in the street by the
hundreds and peppered
the DuPage County suburb
with lawn signs to protest
the plan.
Haymarket has argued that
®
Vettel praised the “unmis- work as a pastry and sous yolk and uni butter.
takable” culinary skill in his chef at Entente and Gideon Last year, Mari Katsu-
three-star review — even Sweet received widespread mura temporarily trans-
with the slashed prices and praise before she joined with formed the front of Yūgen
relaxed atmosphere. restaurateur Michael Olsze- into a luxurious grab-and-go
Yoshi Katsumura worked wski to open Yūgen in the market called Kaisho — also
in some of the area’s most West Loop in 2018 as exec- the name of their casual bar
famed French restaurants, utive chef. originally in the space —
including Le Francais and Yūgen’s high-end tasting to meet pandemic dining
Le Bastille, before join- menu featured Japanese restrictions.
ing Jimmy Rohr to create flavors deeply personal Yūgen closed in May
Jimmy’s Place, perhaps to Mari Katsumura, who after Mari Katsumura said
Chicago’s first French-Asian would describe how crab she felt the time was right to
fusion restaurant. rice she made as a kid move on to other projects.
Daughter Mari Katsu- for an after-school snack
mura also inherited her translated into a definitive Phil Vettel contributed to
father’s skill. Her early version with soy-cured egg this report.
the continuing overdose crisis complying with the depart- protection district and
shows the need for additional ment’s request for informa- school systems.
rehab services in the suburbs. tion,” he wrote. A spokesman for the U.S.
Its attorneys have contended A village spokeswoman attorney’s office declined to
that turning down the center said Pruyn would have no comment.
would constitute an ADA additional comment. Haymarket President
violation, and Pruyn said in Lausch asked village offi- and CEO Dan Lustig, mean-
a letter to residents that the cials to produce a raft of while, issued a four-word
U.S. attorney’s letter came as documents within the next statement: “We welcome an
no surprise. 30 days, including zoning investigation.”
“Since receiving the bylaws, internal emails
communication, the village related to Haymarket and jkeilman@chicago
has informed interested any relevant communi- tribune.com
party taxing bodies and is cations with the local fire Twitter @JohnKeilman
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6  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★
One of the 2 suspects charged in
shootout makes court appearance
By Deanese
Williams-Harris
and Rosemary Sobol
Chicago Tribune
Two men engaged in a
“shocking” shootout with
police that sparked a high-
speed chase and left a
Chicago police officer and
one of the suspects shot on
the Far South Side, prosecu-
tors and a judge said Satur-
day afternoon.
Adonis Covington, who
was shot by police, remained
hospitalized, but Michael
Taylor appeared before
Cook County Judge Maryam
Ahmad, who denied bail
for both during a hearing
that was broadcast live on
YouTube.
Covington, 21, of the 8100
block of South Hermitage
Avenue, was charged with
two counts of attempted
first-degree murder, one
count of armed habitual
criminal and one count
of receiving/possessing a
stolen vehicle, according to
Chicago police.
Taylor, 26, of the 7900
block of South Kimbark
Avenue, also was charged
with attempted first-de-
gree murder, unlawful use
of a concealed weapon and
possessing a stolen vehicle,
police said.
The charges stem from a
Wednesday shooting during
a traffic stop in the 9200 block
of South Stony Island Avenue
in the Calumet Heights neigh-
borhood, where an exchange
of gunfire broke out, police
said.
In court, Assistant State’s
Attorney Lorin Jenkins said
the situation began when
two on-duty Chicago police
spotted the same stolen
black Jeep Grand Cherokee
that fled when they tried to
pull it over two days before.
The officers, who were
(630) 423-5785 not wearing uniforms but
had official vests with the
words “police” on them,
tried again to pull it over, but
it sped away at a “high rate of
speed,” Jenkins said.
They tracked it to a Citgo
gas station at 9155 S. Stony
Island Ave. and began
approaching the station
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on foot as Covington went
inside the station, Jenkins
said. Taylor remained in the
Jeep’s driver’s seat.
Covington got back in the
SUV and it began rolling
forward a slow speed, but
one of the officers was able
to open the rear driver’s
side passenger door and hop
into the SUV announcing:
“Chicago police,” Jenkins
said.
Body-worn camera
captured Covington draw-
ing a gun with a large maga-
zine and pointing it at the
officer in the SUV, who said
Covington then fired once
at him as he tried to get out.
The officer returned fire as
he was “falling out” of the
Jeep, Jenkins said.
His partner fired at the
Jeep and took cover as it
pulled out of the station,
jumped a curb and crashed,
while the other officer ran
after it and ordered the
suspects to put up their
hands, Jenkins said.
At that point, Taylor got
out of the driver’s seat and
raised his gun toward both
officers, Jenkins said. Pod
cameras captured “visible
muzzle flashes’’ near the
driver’s side of the Jeep,
where spent shell casings
were later found.
As both officers returned
fire, one was shot in his left
calf while Covington was
shot in his knee and Taylor
was grazed in his right shin,
Jenkins said. The officer has
since been released from the
hospital.
The suspects then fled
to the Skyway Motel, 9132
S. Stony Island Ave., across
the street, where Covington
was filmed “hobbling along”
the side of the building with
an apparent knee injury and
making a “throwing motion”
as he ran toward an alley,
where later nearby police
found a gun, Jenkins said.
Taylor ran through the
parking lot and to the back
of the motel, where several
witnesses appeared to see
him. He then placed some-
thing inside a Dumpster,
where police eventually
found two guns, one with a
laser attached, Jenkins said.
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Meanwhile, Coving-
ton then ran to a nearby
house in the 9100 block of
South Harper as three resi-
dents were getting home
in their car. Covington told
them he’d been shot and he
needed help. He barged into
the front door, then into a
back bedroom, while telling
one of the residents to throw
out of his hoodie and not to
call 911, Jenkins said.
He got into a bedroom,
which happened to be
equipped a security camera
that recorded him telling
someone that he’d been shot
by police, and 911 was called,
Jenkins said.
Covington was arrested
in the home, while Taylor
was found underneath a car
nearby. Both were taken to
hospital, where Covington
remains.
Taylor is 26, lives with
his mom, his nephew and
two little sisters, said his
attorney Brian Shields. He
attended Eastern Illinois
University for two years,
graduated from Chicago
Vocational High School with
honors and has worked at
the Chicago Park District as
well as a janitor, said Shields.
“This was not a premedi-
tated incident,” said Shields,
who added there was no
evidence he fired a gun.
Before denying bail Judge
Ahmad said Taylor “basi-
cally engaged in a shootout
with the police in the city of
Chicago in a highly popu-
lated area.”
The allegations in this
case are “quite shocking”
because it appeared they
“were shooting at indi-
viduals who were wear-
ing clearly marked police
uniforms,” Ahmad said.
“The court knows how big
those letters are on the vest.”
The third suspect, a South
Side man named Blake
Williams who was out on
bond for an alleged carjack-
ing, was charged in the same
shootout.
Covington and Taylor are
due back in court Monday.
dawilliams@chicago
tribune.com
rsobol@chicagotribune.com
8  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

Labor board grants hearing on vaccine mandate

Police unions claim
city overreach on
COVID-19 policies
By Alice Yin
and Gregory Pratt
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago police
unions’ unfair labor prac-
tice claims against the city
over its COVID-19 vaccine
mandate will be heard
before a judge, the state’s
labor board has determined.
Leaders of the Fraternal
Order of Police and other
local police unions allege the
city failed to bargain in good
faith over its vaccine poli-
cies, and the Illinois Labor
Board said in a newly issued
complaint it will hold a hear-
ing on the matter.
The labor board issues
a complaint when it finds
that an unfair labor prac-
tice charge has sufficient
merit to warrant a hearing,
though it is not a final deter-
mination.
Police union lead-
ers argued that the city’s
vaccine policies involve
“wages, hours, and terms
and conditions of employ-
ment and is a mandatory
subject of bargaining.” They
also argued that Mayor Lori
Lightfoot implemented
her rules “without first
bargaining the impact of
the decision to impasse or
agreement.”
The city “failed and
refused to bargain in good
faith,” in violation of the
state’s Labor Relations Act,
the unions claim.
Lightfoot’s administra-
tion has 15 days to respond,
Local Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara speaks out against Chicago’s vaccine mandate at a rally outside City
Hall in October. JOSE M. OSORIO/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
and a hearing will be set
later for both sides to argue
their cases.
Earlier this fall, a judge
ordered a delay to the Jan.
1 vaccination requirement
set by Lightfoot, but it only
applies to unionized Chicago
police members. Other legal
cases, however, have led to
federal and Cook County
judges denying motions to
alter or pause the vaccina-
tion policy. On Thursday, the
FOP’s bid to block the vacci-
nation reporting requirement
was shot down by a judge, for
example.
A Lightfoot spokeswoman
said the city has not yet seen
the complaint. Local FOP
President John Catanzara
said in a video posted by the
union that the ILRB deter-
mination was a victory.
The city has “violated
state labor law, period,”
Catanzara said.
Under Mayor Lori Light-
foot’s directive, all city
employees had until Oct. 15
to report their vaccination
status but could choose to
undergo regular COVID-19
testing, rather than get shots,
through the end of the year.
After police unions chal-
lenged the vaccine mandate
in court, though, a judge
suspended the Dec. 31 date
for those members to be
fully inoculated, saying that
needed to go through arbi-
tration. Other unions repre-
senting city workers are
also now seeking the same,
though they have yet to see
the same success.
The ILRB decision to
hold a hearing stems from
an unfair labor practice
charge the FOP and other
Chicago police unions
brought on Oct. 13 against
the city. These cases usually
lead to dismissal, deferral to
arbitration, or a “complaint
for hearing,” which was the
result of this FOP complaint.
The FOP claims the city
“failed to provide informa-
tion” to the police unions
and that the vaccination
policy must be bargained.
If the final ruling goes the
unions’ way, they could seek
relief from the city.
Since October, dozens of
first responders in Chicago
have been placed on no-pay
status for failing to report
their vaccine status, though
the overall rate of compli-
ance with the mandate has
climbed over that time. At
one point, a judge granted
the city’s request for a
restraining order against
Catanzara to stop him
from publicly encouraging
union members to defy the
reporting mandate. But that
expired and the city dropped
the lawsuit in recent days.

Cop car on way to call crashes into Little Village home with children
By Paige Fry
Chicago Tribune
A Chicago police officer
crashed through a fence,
hitting a Little Village home
where four children were
inside, while responding to
a call Friday night, according
to a traffic crash report.
No injuries were reported.
About 10:40 p.m., police
officers received a call that
an officer had crashed into
a home in the 2800 block of
South Keeler Avenue, the
report said. They found an
unmarked 2017 police Ford
Explorer plowed into the
surrounding fence and side
of a home.
The officer said that
while he was driving west
in an eastbound-only road
to the call, he tried to avoid
a crash with a 2017 Honda
Civic at the intersection of
30th and Keeler. But the
squad car hit the Honda
and ricocheted, hitting the
fence and the home, the
report said.
The driver of the Honda
said that while he was driv-
ing south on Keeler, he made
a complete stop at the stop
sign at 30th and Keeler,
and as he was entering the
intersection, he saw an SUV
going in the wrong direc-
tion, the report said. He tried
to accelerate to avoid crash-
ing but was still hit.
The owner of the home
said that he, his wife, daugh-
ter and grandson were on
the second floor when it
happened, the report said.
On the first floor, a man
said that he and his four
children — aged 2, 9, 10 and
13 — were home at the time
of the crash, which caused
a wooden “load-bearing
structure beam” to plunge
into their living room, caus-
ing structural damage” and
debris to scatter but no phys-
ical injuries.
EMS arrived on scene, but
everyone declined medical
attention, though at least
one officer in the police car
complained of neck, back
and leg pain.
Representatives from the
city’s department of build-
ings were called to the scene
and the home’s occupants
found somewhere else to
stay out of safety concerns,
the report said.

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 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  9

Aurora Salvation Army says donations are ‘pretty far behind’

Group faces
shortage of bell
ringers at stores
By David Sharos
For Beacon-News

The worker shortage that

continues to plague virtu-
ally every kind of business
in the nation has also hurt
non-profits including the
Salvation Army, whose
annual Red Kettle Campaign
is off to a struggling start.
Here in the Aurora area,
the campaign kicked off
before Thanksgiving on
Nov. 19 and after just 10
days, those coordinating the
annual collection effort said
“we’re pretty far behind.”
“One of our challenges —
and I think we’re in the same
boat as a lot of organizations
and businesses — is that bell
ringers are hard to come by,”
said Major Gabriela Rangel,
51, of the Aurora Salvation
Army, who has worked
with the Salvation Army
for 15 years. “We only have
10 bell ringers, even though
we have 34 spots that need
to be filled.”
Aurora is not alone in
having difficulty finding
bell ringers. Captain Xavier
Montenegro of the Salva-
tion Army’s Metropolitan
Division said donations and
the number of bell ringers
across the Chicago area are
down this year compared to
2020, but he remains opti-
mistic.
“It could possibly be
where people are at them-
selves financially,” Monte-
negro said. “That might be
impacting them, but I think
the generosity is still there.
… It might not be as much
as they were able to do last
year, but people are still
being generous.”
People can donate or
volunteer through https://
salarmychristmas.org,
Montenegro said.
Over the past few years in
Aurora, collection problems
have been worsened by not
having enough volunteers
to fill positions and this year,
Rangel said things aren’t any
different.
“We have had to hire bell
ringers in the past few years
and even now paid bell ring-
Akeysta Simmons, of Aurora, works ringing the bell for the Salvation Army outside the Walmart Supercenter at 2900 Kirk Road in Aurora on Monday. She said
“people aren’t giving as much this year.” DAVID SHAROS/BEACON-NEWS
“Collections go in waves. Out of every 10 tion totals “may also be of the things we noticed last money.”
affected by the economy as year was with our virtual Clothing donations were
people that come in the store maybe one people are struggling with kettle things were really cut back last year, “as we
or two will put something into the kettle. things being more expen-
sive.”
good. People were more
aware because we were
could not provide them for
every child” Rangel said,
There are dry spells where no one seems “I really can’t pinpoint in the worst point of the adding that “coats, gloves
exactly what is happening pandemic and donors were and socks – these are basic
to be donating and then a whole bunch but I think it would be safe to more aware of the need and necessities as far as clothing
will put something in. It goes in spurts.” say some people are a little they found ways to help.” that are always a plus” and
insecure about their income Other challenges have that those donations are
— Lawrence Romain of Aurora but in terms of our totals, included finding drivers welcome.
we are pretty far behind,” to take bell ringers to their “We do our best to
Rangel said 10 days into the various assignment posts assist everyone that comes
ers are hard to come by,” she “A lot of the volunteers collection. which Rangel said has until Dec. 24 and not turn
said. work just a few hours Sadly, the numbers prompted the organization anybody away once we do
Akeysta Simmons of whereas we do this full-time offered show 2021 hasn’t “to tell ringers to get there an interview to see there is
Aurora was being paid to — like eight hours a day, five been a good year for collec- on their own and just meet- a genuine need,” she said.
work ringing a bell for the days a week,” he said. “I love tions so far and Rangel ing them with the bell.” “Whatever donations we
Salvation Army at Walmart the Salvation Army and we admits it will be nearly This year’s Salvation receive will go to a child.”
Supercenter at 2900 Kirk do the most good. We help impossible to catch up in Army toy drive also started Donations can still be
Road in Aurora from 10 a.m. a lot of needy families and December. slowly, Rangel said, but made by scanning the QR
until 7 p.m. on Monday, and children.” “We have graphs and added “I think it’s going code at collection sites
said collections overall were Romain said he wasn’t on this day (Nov. 29) back better than it did last year.” where new payment options
light. surprised donations were in 2018, we had raised “Unfortunately we’ve like Apple Pay have been
“I really don’t know why down “since a lot of people $50,000,” she said. “In 2019, lost some of our previous added this year.
people aren’t giving as much don’t carry cash anymore.” the total was about $45,000.” donors for good because Those interested in
this year,” she said. “People “Collections go in waves,” This year’s total in the they closed down but some making a contribution online
see the sign. If they don’t he said. “Out of every 10 same time period was who couldn’t participate can go to www.centra-
want to give you can’t force people that come in the store $24,240, which Rangel notes last year came back,” she lusa.salvationarmy.org/
them.” maybe one or two will put is even less than last year at said. “Even today we were auroraIL/contact-us/
Lawrence Romain of something into the kettle. the height of the pandemic. approached by one of them
Aurora was working another There are dry spells where “Even last year, we were a who said ‘We’re willing to David Sharos is a freelance
door at the south end of the no one seems to be donating little farther ahead. We had do this’. We still have need reporter for
Walmart and said he has and then a whole bunch will collected about $35,000 but not as great as we did The Beacon-News.
worked 15 years as a paid put something in. It goes in and we’re never going to last year – we are getting
employee of the Salvation spurts.” catch up if our donors are there. We’re not as far Chicago Tribune’s Alice Yin
Army. Rangel said the collec- not active,” she said. “One behind as we are with the contributed.

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10  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

Parents
from Page 1

released, agreeing with

prosecutors that they posed
a flight risk.
Defense attorneys for
the Crumbleys still argued
Saturday that they never
intended to flee and had
made plans to meet their
lawyers early that morn-
ing. Attorney Shannon
Smith accused prosecutors
of “cherry picking” facts
to release publicly, includ-
ing that accusation that
their teenage son had unre-
stricted access to the hand-
gun prosecutors say his
father purchased for him
days before the shooting.
“Our clients are just as
devastated as everyone else,”
Smith said, adding that the
gun “was locked.” She didn’t
provide more detail during
Saturday’s hearing.
Oakland County Prosecu-
tor Karen McDonald’s office
filed involuntary manslaugh-
ter charges against the
Crumbleys on Friday,
accusing them of failing Detroit Chief of Police James White briefs members of the media outside the building where James and Jennifer Crumbley, the parents of suspected Oxford High
to intervene on the day of School shooter Ethan Crumbley, were arrested Saturday in Detroit. MATTHEW HATCHER/GETTY
the tragedy despite being
confronted with a draw- that the pair left town earlier afternoon. On Friday, McDonald Parents in the U.S. are found a note on Ethan’s
ing and chilling message — in the week “for their own “These are not people offered the most precise rarely charged in school desk and took a photo. It
“blood everywhere” — that safety” and would be return- that we can be assured will account so far of the events shootings involving their was a drawing of a gun
was found at the boy’s desk. ing to Oxford to face charges. return to court on their that led to the shooting children, even as most pointing at the words, “The
The Crumbleys commit- During Saturday’s hear- own,” she said. at Oxford High School, minors get guns from a thoughts won’t stop. Help
ted “egregious” acts, from ing, Smith said they were in A Detroit business owner roughly 30 miles north of parent or relative’s house, me,” McDonald said.
buying a gun on Black Friday touch by phone and text on spotted a car tied to the Detroit. according to experts. There also was a draw-
and making it available to Friday evening and blamed Crumbleys in his park- Ethan Crumbley, 15, School officials became ing of a bullet, she said,
Ethan Crumbley to resist- prosecutors for failing to ing lot late Friday, Oakland emerged from a bath- concerned about the with words above it: “Blood
ing his removal from school communicate with her and County Undersheriff room with a gun, shoot- younger Crumbley on everywhere.”
when they were summoned fellow defense attorney Michael McCabe said in a ing students in the hallway, Monday, a day before the Between the gun and the
a few hours before the Mariell Lehman. statement. A woman seen investigators said. He’s shooting, when a teacher bullet was a person who
shooting, McDonald said “Our clients were abso- near the vehicle ran away charged as an adult with saw him searching for appeared to have been shot
Friday. lutely going to turn them- when the business owner murder, terrorism and other ammunition on his phone, twice and is bleeding. He also
Authorities had been selves in; it was just a matter called 911, McCabe said. The crimes. McDonald said. wrote, “My life is useless”
looking for the couple of logistics,” she said. couple was later located and Under Michigan law, the Jennifer Crumbley and “The world is dead,”
since Friday afternoon. But McDonald said on arrested by Detroit police. involuntary manslaugh- was contacted and subse- according to the prosecutor.
Late Friday, U.S. Marshals Saturday that the couple Detroit Police Chief ter charge filed against the quently told her son in a text Asked at a news confer-
announced a reward of up took $4,000 out of an ATM James White said the couple parents can be pursued if message: “Lol. I’m not mad ence if the father could be
to $10,000 each for informa- on Friday morning in Roch- “were aided in getting into authorities believe some- at you. You have to learn not charged for purchasing the
tion leading to their arrests. ester Hills, not far from the the building,” and that a one contributed to a situa- to get caught,” according to gun for the son, McDonald
Smith, the Crumbleys’ courthouse where they person who helped them tion where there was a high the prosecutor. said that would be the deci-
attorney, had said Friday should have appeared that may also face charges. chance of harm or death. On Tuesday, a teacher sion of federal authorities.

Tim Calcagno Allan Gerszonovicz

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 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  11

‘THIS IS A NEW
ADVENTURE FOR US’ Southland
College Prep
basketball
players and
Southland College Prep hosts its “It’s awesome because cheerleaders
for practice, this cuts out
first-ever home game at new field house an hour of our time getting
get ready to
hit the court
there and coming back. Wednesday
By Jeff Vorva home games at home. When Having our own gym is really for the first
For Daily Southtown we played, it definitely didn’t helpful. boys varsity
feel like a home game — it felt “We like having our fans basketball
Alaya Cherry jumped out like a neutral game between here and we are proud and home game
of her seat and yelled after two high schools.” appreciative.” on campus in
senior Kwabena Robin- Coach Christel Allen digs school history.
son hit a 3-point basket on the new digs. Jeff Vorva is a freelance JEFF VORVA/
Wednesday night. “We want to hit the floor reporter for the Daily South- DAILY
It was the first basket by running here,” she said. town. SOUTHTOWN
a Southland College Prep
varsity boys player in the
first true home game in the
history of the school.
The bad news is that it
came with 7 minutes left in
the second quarter and the
Eagles were already down
30-0 to visiting Eisenhower.
Eisenhower went on to
win 67-19 in the nonconfer-
ence battle and may have
stolen the show in this
historic debut, but didn’t
steal the enthusiasm those
on Southland side have
about a new 36,000-square
foot field house.
It didn’t steal the enthu-
siasm of Cherry, of Univer-
sity Park, or her friends
Maya Foulks of Matteson,
Laila Johnson of Richton
Park or Kami’yelle Carter of
Park Forest, who were yell-
ing, laughing, cheering and
having a good time despite
the score.
All four said they would
have not gone to this game if
it wasn’t on campus.
“I think this will lift school
spirit because this is a really
prestigious thing,” Cherry
said. “It’s nice to have stuff
we can do and enjoy on
campus.”
“This was an amazing
experience even though we
lost,” Carter said. “We’re
here for the fun.”
Sports will be a big part
of the field house’s use but
officials also plan on hold-
ing graduation ceremonies,
holiday concerts, programs,
special meetings and other
big events that the school in
Richton Park could other-
wise not host.
Blondean Y. Davis, the
superintendent of Matteson
School District 162, has plenty
of academic, band, college
acceptance and other success
to brag about at Southland
and now athletics will be a
part of that equation.
“Since we built this facility,
104 of our 580 students tried
out for basketball,” she said.
“We have three competitive
teams and for the first time,
we have a girls basketball
team. This is a new adven-
ture for us. Our goal is to be
as competitive athletically as
we are academically.”
There were a few hundred
people in attendance for the
opener but Davis predicts
when COVID-19 threats are
over, the place will be packed.
Cherry, Foulks, Johnson and
Carter are also on the new
girls basketball team and
Cherry yelled “We’re also
making history, baby!”
The school plans to make
bids for Illinois High School
Association postseason
play, such as regional and
sectional tournaments.
Southland College Prep
was established in 2010 and
before it had the new facility,
the basketball team played
and practiced at either at
O.W. Huth Middle School
or other off-campus facili-
ties including the Southland
Center in Lynwood.
“Since freshman year, I’ve
been dreaming of having a
home gym,” Robinson said.
“We would have to go to
practice on a bus and some-
times the bus wouldn’t show
up and if it did, it would be
30 minutes taken out of our
practice time. We didn’t have
a place to call home.”
The school’s most noted
basketball player in school
history is Tim Barnes, who
went to Beloit College and
is now playing professional
ball for Ararat Yerevan in
Armenia. He is the school’s
all-time leading scorer.
He has some time off and
said he was happy to be able
to come home and catch the
first home game.
For the past three years,
he has donated scholarship
money for students at South-
land and he helped fund the
team’s new jerseys.
“It’s a beautiful gym, man,”
Barnes said. “Anyone who
went here loves it. I think
it’s the best gym in the area.
It’s great that they built this.
When I was here, we didn’t
have anything like this.
“We played at Huth and
the Matteson Recreation
Center down the street. We
played games everywhere
but here. It’s good to have
12  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Docents
from Page 1
to the editor, decrying the
treatment of Chicago’s only
official art docent. See, the
school board had fired the
wrong docent. They did not
know who they had messed
with. Buehr, in her 60s, was
no kindly old art dowager.
She was a beloved teacher
and acclaimed artist herself
who had solo exhibitions in
Paris; she was also married
to Karl Buehr, a renowned
impressionist and beloved
instructor at the School of
the Art Institute who had
started at the museum as a
night watchman. She had
history. Like other docents,
often the welcoming, public
faces of monolithic institu-
tions, Mary Buehr had led
many school groups, and the
letter noted: “As a result of
(those) tours, literally thou-
sands of letters of appre-
ciation for this art service
are received by Chicago’s
docent from pupils rich and
poor and teachers and .…”
Sound familiar?
That echo you hear — of
dismissals, cries of unfair-
ness, letters to the editor —
that’s the sound of a similar
and more persistent blowup
at the Art Institute nearly a
century later.
In September, the
museum informed its
80-plus docents — some
of whom had been volun-
teering there for decades
— that it was suspending
their 60-year-old program
and rebooting it with an
eye on remaking the docent
corps as more reflective of
a multicultural Chicago.
Unless docents reapplied to
a new program in the future,
they were no longer part of
their program. And some
had responded as if it were
their program. They put in
the time, acquired the art
knowledge, gave the tours.
They made the program a
staple.
You heard about this.
Probably, you moved on.
Museum professionals,
and docents, have not. Not
even a little. That’s true in
Chicago, and that’s true at
museums across the coun-
try, where docent programs
are mostly paused because
of the pandemic. Many
say, when they do return,
the ramifications of what
happened at the Art Insti-
tute will play out for years.
Depending who’s talking, it’s
about diversity, gratitude or
merely the future of muse-
ums. Buehr’s dismissal was
definitely different: It was
about money and misogyny.
Art docents were histor-
ically white women of
means; many early docents
had influential husbands
who sat on museum boards
and found them work in the
museums as something for
them to do.
But in Buehr’s 1932
dismissal, we hear sounds
of 2021, echoes of influ-
ence, privilege, expertise,
the passion of docents, their
well-placed connections,
their impact. Also misogyny
and money. We can imag-
ine a fairly white group of
museum docents in the
1930s. The thing is, it stayed
that way, and it remains
that way now. By the 1950s,
Buehr was a lecturer at the
museum. By 1961, the docent
program at the Art Institute
was formalized, becoming
something of an institution
within an institution.
Now that history is
running headlong into
another history — one of
exclusion.
This is not the simple
story you’ve been hearing, of
white people shoved aside
in the name of equity, and
rich women finding them-
selves forced to change.
This is more expansive,
with repercussions reach-
ing far beyond museum
volunteers. Often, the
museum professionals and
docents who spoke for this
story laid blame all around.
Many applauded the goal
of the Art Institute, then
added quickly: They also
should not have summarily
dismissed the docents. Many
spoke of the importance of
change and the importance
of retaining knowledge.
Nina Sánchez, co-director
of Enrich Chicago — which
works with cultural insti-
tutions (including the Art
Institute) to provide train-
ing, with the goal of remov-
ing racist policies — said,
“There is no set of instruc-
tions for this, there is no road
map. If only it were so easy.”
The Art Institute is not
even unique. Similar stories
played out in Arizona,
Alabama, Washington, D.C.
As museums in large cities
Art Institute of Chicago docents Gigi Vaffis, from left, Joi Daskal, Dietrich Klevorn and Tom O’Keefe. When the Art Institute dismissed its staff of volunteer docents
in September, the undercurrent was the staff was dismissed over demographics, but there was more to the situation. E. JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Visitors at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing on Nov. 18. JOSE M. OSORIO/TRIBUNE
attempt to reflect the demo-
graphics of those cities,
don’t expect the Case of the
Dismissed Museum Docents
to fade away.
Said Dietrich Klevorn,
who had been an Art Insti-
tute docent since 2012, one
of two Black docents: “I fully
understand historically how
the docent corps looks as it
does. I also understand a
little of what is going on is
you have the kind of people
who would probably appre-
ciate a handwritten letter
of thanks for years of work.
While on the other hand, a
museum run by people who
just send an email. I think a
little of that is in this.”
Said James Rondeau,
president and director of
the Art Institute: This is “no
critique on the past,” and
that the museum “never
messaged any sense of a
rationale driven by the
demographics of volun-
teers.” He called the change
“evolutionary, centered on
the needs of students.”
You hear two sides talking
past each other, obliquely.
One so invested and
well-meaning they can
appear blind to the inevita-
ble changes around them.
The other relating to its free
labor in the coldest of corpo-
rate jargon and art-speak.
You hear both sides sound-
ing naive when identity poli-
tics have come up. Indeed,
headlines on right-wing
websites soon claimed the
museum was discriminat-
ing against white people;
anonymous stickers slapped
to lamp posts in the Loop
★
shouted exactly that. An
editorial in this newspaper
said the museum found its
docents were “wanting as a
demographic.”
The problem, said Porchia
Moore, head of the museum
studies department at
the University of Flor-
ida and a longtime consul-
tant on questions of race
and cultural competence,
is there are more than two
sides. “This is a multifaceted
subject being reduced to
race, when in fact, it’s about
what a museum should be in
the 21st century.”
It’s hard to pinpoint when
guides were first called
“docents,” but historians
note the title gained trac-
tion at Boston’s Museum
of Fine Arts around 1900.
Historically, being a docent
required understanding
a museum’s holdings and
providing footing to its visi-
tors; school groups became
the bread and butter. None
of which has changed much.
Except docents then were
often paid museum staff. Not
unlike today, they arrived as
museums were redefining
themselves.
“Museums then were
considering what it means
to be public-oriented and
who that public should
be,” said Nathaniel Prottas,
associate editor of the Jour-
nal of Museum Education
and director of education at
the Wien Museum, the city
museum of Vienna. “Muse-
ums were moving out of
the Victorian era, so the big
debate was if they were for
artists or art lovers? Was it
about aesthetics or informa-
tion?”
As docents became
common in museums,
women found those jobs
“partly because of misog-
ynistic views that linked
education and children to
women,” Prottas said, “but
also the work of women was
valued less and art education
deemed dispensable. Muse-
ums didn’t have the budgets
for these roles, so they
needed people who could
work for free.”
Hence, the first docent
pools came out of commu-
nity groups, Junior Leagues
and progressive settle-
ment-house organiza-
tions, which tended to
overlap with social circles
frequented by wealthy
white women — who in turn
recruited new docents from
those circles. These groups,
which often included
wealthy donors to cultural
institutions, dug into their
roles. Indeed, by 1952 — the
same year the Art Institute
established the Woman’s
Board that supports educa-
tion programs at the
museum — Vogue featured
a photo spread of influential
Art Institute benefactors.
Not that all docent
programs are alike, even
now: Befitting the more
cutting-edge works on its
walls, the docent pool at
the Museum of Contem-
porary Art tends to skew
somewhat younger. The
350 active docents at the
Chicago Architecture
Center — including Allison
Arwady, commissioner of
the Chicago Department of
Public Health, and WTTW’s
Geoffrey Baer — are a
bit more equally divided
between men and women.
Still, docents in Chicago
cultural institutions tend to
be white, older and profes-
sional. Less than 10% of
Architecture Center docents
are people of color, said
President Lynn Osmond,
who added the organiza-
tion is not recruiting new
docents early next year so
it can rework requirements
and create a docent pool
more reflective of the city’s
demographics. Retirees, for
instance, also are dispropor-
tionally represented among
docents. At the Oriental
Institute at University of
Chicago, there’s a docent
(who gave tours as recent
as 2019) who was part of
the museum’s first docent
class in 1966. At the Field
Museum — which has 193
docents — a few have been
active more than 40 years.
According to the letter that
Art Institute docents sent
the museum in reply to its
plans for them, the average
docent there has been lead-
ing tours for at least 15 years.
In fact, for 30 years, that
history has been butting
heads nationwide with the
growth and influence of
generally younger profes-
sional staffs of museum
education departments.
So, these days, muse-
ums are confronting ques-
tions about a reliance on
free labor, questions about
the makeup of their boards,
questions about the diversity
of the art, questions about
the legacies of colonialism
that at times provided that
art. “Docents are a very visi-
ble symptom of the larger
changes already happening
at museums,” said Ryan Hill,
who has managed docent
programs at several institu-
tions, including the Smithso-
nian’s Hirshhorn Museum,
which ended its docent
program in 2014, replac-
ing docents with univer-
sity art students who gave
tours for course credit. The
Art Institute, which boasts
a $1 billion-plus endow-
ment (when combined with
the School of the Art Insti-
tute of Chicago), laid off
more than 70 staff last year
and now faces (like many
other museums) an intense
push to unionize the staff.
Docents were “just lowest
hanging fruit,” said Caro-
line Goldthorpe, director of
museum studies at North-
western University.
But when the Art Insti-
tute docents were informed
of their future, docents
everywhere shuddered. “I
had so many calling, just to
talk,” said Sue Geshwender,
who leads 70 docents at the
Oriental Institute. “It was
like they had all felt a distur-
bance in the Force.”
Madelyn Mayberry, presi-
dent of the National Docents
Symposium Council, orga-
nized a webinar titled “The
Evolving Docent,” because
“there were so many
concerns all over.”
According to Rondeau,
docents had been told
changes were coming and
“an evolution” had been
discussed with them for
years — which is partly why
new docents have not been
admitted since 2012. He said
that within “the volunteer
space there is a great deal
of gratitude and generos-
ity but not necessarily the
same degree of account-
ability” that paid museum
professionals might offer.
The museum now plans
to replace its traditional
program with a combination
of “part-time, paid educa-
tors” and unpaid volun-
teers; in a letter to docents in
September, Veronica Stein,
executive director of learn-
ing and public engagement
for the Woman’s Board,
wrote that the program will
be rebuilt “in a way that
allows community members
of all income levels to partic-
ipate, responds to issues of
class and income equity, and
does not require financial
flexibility to participate.”
But according to Gigi
Vaffis, the docent council
president at the museum,
volunteers had been
suggesting many of those
changes for years. She said
they asked the museum
about diversifying its docent
ranks, bringing in educators
trained for specific exhibits,
partnering with Chicago
schoolchildren on the
content of museum tours,
shifting training to nights
and weekends to create
a broader docent corps.
“From my perspective, we
offered ideas, but for a long
time, there wasn’t a capac-
ity (from the museum) to
act.” She just never thought
dismantling the program
itself was an option.
So, alas — shouts, hollers.
Soon enough, Emil
Ferris, an acclaimed
Evanston-based graphic
novelist, tweeted how mean-
ingful docents had been to
her education. The online
arts magazine Hyperaller-
gic described the docent’s
response as “the work of a
group that expects to oper-
ate with autonomy by virtue
of donating its labor.” Those
were two of the thoughtful
responses.
Meanwhile, lost in the
accusations against the
docents and museum alike
were those meant to bene-
fit from the changes. “What
strikes me about the way all
of the institutions involved
responded was the amount
of attention given to the
impact on docents and
nobody else,” said Nina
Sánchez of Enrich. “It gives
credence to divisive rheto-
ric, and at some point we just
need an honest conversation
about who we’re really pref-
erencing.”
Jenny Woods is president of
the American Association
for Museum Volunteers and
former assistant manager
of the volunteer program
at the Seattle Art Museum.
She said the AAMV has not
made a formal statement
about the Art Institute
docents, but like Sánchez,
she does wonder about
who is not being respected
here. “Saving a program to
avoid hurt feelings will not
serve anyone. I don’t want to
sound like I am disrespect-
ing any volunteers — they
have been my career — but
this is a two-way street.
Still, I do see the disconnect.
Many (docents) spend so
much time working for free,
they can feel an ownership.
Turn to Docents, Page 13

Docents
from Page 12
When a big change comes
along, you get this natural
tension.”
Indeed, good docent
programs are often
compared with gradu-
ate-level art programs.
Tom O’Keefe taught
English for 38 years at
Homewood-Flossmoor
High School and became
an Art Institute docent
in 2008; he’s now retired
and lives in Winnetka. To
become a docent, he took a
couple of years of art history
classes with the museum,
followed by classes to trans-
late that history into lessons.
“(Within) the second year,
you start with a mentor on the
tours.” Which then require a
couple of hours each week.
“It’s time-consuming, but
you love it if you see yourself
as a lifelong learner. Know-
ing every part of a museum
means knowing about histo-
ries of religions, histories of
countries. (The museum)
was also good at keeping
us abreast of new ideas and
theories on art.”
“I can’t tell you how many
times my husband has said,
‘Wait, explain to me again.
You’re not getting paid for
any of this?’ ” said Dietrich
Klevorn. “Meanwhile I nod
yes and sit there surrounded
by the five art books I’m
reading that cost $300 of my
own money.”
That said, those critical of
docent programs like to note
a codependency can develop
between volunteers and
museums, particularly when
docents are also donors.
Ryan Hill, who worked with
Hirshhorn volunteers, said
docents there had connec-
tions with local media that
“allowed them to amplify”
their outrage at changes. But
once the museum brought
in students and professional
educators for tours, “over
time the balance changed.”
Elsewhere in recent years,
museums in Atlanta and
Minneapolis have tweaked
its programs to draw in a
mix of communities. For
the past eight years, docents
at the Smart Museum of Art
at the University of Chicago
have been paid and partly
drawn from a program that
offers humanities courses
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Chicago docent Mary Buehr leading an art class, circa 1930s. (From Buehr family papers, 1880-1984, Archives of American Art,
Smithsonian Institution.) FREDERICK O. BEMM
to low-income adults. At the
Milwaukee Art Museum —
which has experimented
with weekend and online
access to docent training,
to attract more volunteers
— there was a paid docent
program for formerly incar-
cerated men; it ended when
grant money ran out, said
Brigid Globensky, senior
director of education and
programs, “but it showed
me a broad community who
would like to docent if those
resources were there.”
Klevorn, who also was
a docent at the Museum
of Contemporary Art
Chicago, said the MCA,
more centered on temporary
exhibits than the Art Insti-
tute, required less time of
docents, and “therefore you
would see younger people, a
different mix racially” in its
docent corps.
Many docent programs,
for at least the past decade
or so, had already shifted
from lecture-based tours to
more conversational, inqui-
ry-based ways of explain-
ing art. That includes the
Art Institute. O’Keefe said
that he knew from decades
of teaching high school,
“lecturers always become
pariahs among students.”
At the Field Museum, 81 of
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★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  13
its docents now roll large
red carts stocked with
objects for visitors to inter-
act with; that program is led
by Aimee Davis, who previ-
ously taught improvisation
at Second City.
Still, change in the
museum world is often slow,
said consultant Porchia
Moore, who notes countless
instances of cultural insensi-
tivity among docents, often
explained away. She noted
an international museum
conference in 2019 that tried
to update the definition of
“museum,” affording for
work ethics, cultural climate,
a multiplicity of voices.
That concept was so divi-
sive, the conference opted
against voting on a defini-
tion.
But the ideas remain.
Ask museum profes-
sionals about the Art Insti-
tute controversy and, along
with issues of diversity and
privilege, ageism comes up
as well as a concern about
deep-pocketed cultural
institutions still using free
labor in 2021. Goldthorpe at
Northwestern doubts that
phasing in part-time paid
docents (especially if they
don’t receive health care
benefits) solves much. In
fact, at University of Illinois
at Chicago, the department
of museum and exhibition
studies is planning to remove
a requirement that students
complete a museum intern-
ship because those positions
often provide only college
credit, which favors students
who can afford to work
for free. Therese Quinn,
director of the department,
sees the docent issue as
“symptomatic” of general
mistreatment and low pay
at museums. “There’s a
massive concentration of
wealth at the top. It’s clear
(the Art Institute) doesn’t
have its priorities right. I
doubt they could have seen
a better result.”
James Rondeau also
doesn’t want his museum
“dependent on free labor,”
he said. He understands an
institution with the reach
and influence of the Art
Institute can’t operate the
way it has for generations.
He wants to focus on the
future — though talking with
him, it’s not always clear
what that future resem-
bles. Partly this is because
of business jargon that he
gravitates toward — new
staff are not hired, they’re
“onboarded,” and so forth
— and partly because that
future is still being mapped.
But there are clues. Docents
will not be responsible for
knowing everything within
the museum; specialization
will become more common.
There will also be more of
an emphasis on teaching
itself, more emphasis on
the “civic wellness” of the
visiting public, with more
“intersections” between the
museum’s “community part-
ners” and the volunteers.
He said “museums like
ours were often regarded
as impenetrable temples of
culture, closed off and only
for the few.” He imagines
an Art Institute more like a
“dynamic social platform,”
offering “virtual spaces,” and
not only a study of objects
but “of experiences.”
Which is in line with
museum professionals who
believe places like the Art
Institute will evolve like
libraries, into community
spaces, shaking off histo-
ries full of somber gravi-
tas, soaked in prestige and
exclusion. In fact, after the
docent shake-up, the Art
Institute found itself with
some unlikely support-
ers, the kind of progressive
groups that tend to criticize
museums like the Art Insti-
tute for moving too slowly.
Like the Minnesota Alliance
of Volunteer Advancement,
whose executive director,
Karmit Bulman, a Chica-
goan who spent her child-
hood at the museum, said
“dismantling race inequity
requires boldness.”
She applauds the museum
and says a tipping point has
been reached: To stay rele-
vant, a cornerstone cultural
institution needs to more
closely resemble its commu-
nity in 2021.
Not that this means
cultural organizations will
pay everyone now. Jeanne
Schultz Angel, president
of the Illinois Association
of Museums, said “with-
out the volunteer piece,
many smaller museums and
community historical soci-
eties would be unsustain-
able.” Lynn Osmond said the
Architecture Center “could
not financially do it” if they
paid volunteers.
As for the former docents
of the Art Institute of
Chicago?
Gigi Vaffis still hopes to
be reinstated; she said that
conversations have evolved
between Art Institute
docents and the museum
in the past few months
“to a more positive place.”
Others are not so sure
where this is going. Joy
Daskal had been at the Art
Institute for 21 years (and
23 at the MCA). She liked
the direction the docent
program was moving. “It
was no longer top down. It
was ‘This is your place. You
tell me what you want out
of this.’ Which was a huge
difference” from when she
started. She said she knew
things were changing and
paid docents were proba-
ble. She was even co-chair
of the docent’s diversity
committee; she cringed at
how the docents became a
right-wing cause célèbre.
She said she’s been asked to
sit on a new advisory coun-
cil tasked with shaping
the future of its volunteer
educator program. (Five
former docents have already
joined the council.)
She plans to return to the
fold. “But then, I’m not sure
how it will look now, and I’m
guessing, truly, no one else
at the museum does, either.”
cborrelli@chicago
tribune.com
14  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

Give her the beauty

of nature.

Effy ® Starfish Pendant

with Blue Sapphires and Diamonds A tearful Carmen Bolden Day, mother of Jelani Day, is comforted by her attorney, Ben Crump, while the Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks
in 14K Rose Gold from $989 during a news conference calling for further investigation into Jelani Day’s death. STACEY WESCOTT/CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Dead grad student’s mom enlists civil

Chain included
Matching Earrings available

rights lawyer in search for answers

By Shanzeh Ahmad State University graduate old African American high resources.
Chicago Tribune student died by drowning. school student who was shot “They didn’t make him a
The manner of Day’s death and killed in Florida in 2012. priority, but we will make
Woodfield Mall
Lower Level near Starbucks, 847-995-0594
Jelani Day, who was last is still unknown. Bolden Day Crump said the group him a priority,” Crump
seen alive in Bloomington, said Friday the coroner has of family members and said. “We’re asking the FBI
NaHoku.com Illinois, on Aug. 24, was told her there were no signs supporters gathered Friday to make this young Black
reported missing the next of trauma to the body and no are “demanding” the U.S. man, Jelani Day, a priority
day by his mother, Carmen indication that Day’s body attorney general instruct the just like they made a young
Bolden Day. was put in the river. FBI to investigate Jelani’s white woman, Gabby Petito,
May Your Days be Merry One -hundred days Bolden Day did not say disappearance and death as a priority.”
later, she is still look- that authorities have explic- a hate crime investigation. Bolden Day recalled
and Bright, and May all Your ing for answers and has itly labeled Day’s death as a He said “we are very seeing Petito’s news cover-
enlisted civil rights attor- suicide, but she said she’s clear in our declaration age on TV and remembered
Holidays be Filled with Light. ney Ben Crump to help been told several things that this was not suicide” hearing that her parents
urge authorities to look by investigators “that says based on facts such as hadn’t spoken with their
Stop by The Lamp Shader in Glenview to get further into her son’s disap- to me without saying to Day’s car, clothes, wallet daughter in two weeks and
a creative shade, lamp or finial for the person pearance and subsequent me that Jelani did this to and cellphone being found then began to worry. Bolden
that has everything this Holiday Season. death. Bolden Day spoke himself, and Jelani did not away from where his body Day said she empathized
Friday at a news conference do this to himself.” was found, nowhere near with those parents because
along with Crump, several “I will never accept that where he attended school, she knew what it felt like to
family members — includ- that’s what happened to and some of the items were be missing your child, but
ing her other children and him,” she said. found in different areas. she knew something was
Jelani’s siblings — and other Attempts to reach the Day’s car was found Aug. 26 wrong after not speaking to
supporters Bloomington Police Depart- hidden in a wooded area in her son for one day.
“I need the FBI to come in ment, LaSalle County sher- Peru, in LaSalle County. After more than three
and take over because these iff’s office and other agencies Crump brought up the months, she said she hopes
local jurisdictions have involved in the investigation multistate and federal the other agencies she wants
shown us that they have not Friday were unsuccessful. resources used in the inves- the same attention from will
made us a priority,” Bolden Crump said it was “very tigation surrounding Gabby hear her and get her some
Day said. “They have not emotional” being at the Petito’s disappearance, answers.
made Jelani a priority.” news conference at Rain- which made national head- “I’m asking you,” she said.
Day, 25, was identified as bow/PUSH Coalition head- lines for weeks earlier this “I’m imploring you. I’m
the person whose body was quarters. The last time he year. He said Day’s family begging you. I need to know
found in the Illinois River in was in the nonprofit’s audi- is “losing confidence in the what happened to my son.”
LaSalle County in September. torium was nearly 10 years local authorities” because
The LaSalle County coroner ago with the mother of Day’s case is not being given sahmad@chicago
said in October the Illinois Trayvon Martin, a 17-year- nearly the same amount of tribune.com

University to get Elgin TIF money for dorm, classrooms

By Gloria Casas school’s main Elgin campus gled with the plan to give in our downtown.”
For Courier-News off Route 31, not including TIF money to a private- Judson officials estimate
the building that serves as ly-owned, nonprofit school. the university adds about
Judson University will its Rockford campus. “Typically, we think of TIF $65 million to the city’s
receive $485,000 in tax Judson’s World Leaders dollars improving a public economy annually. The new
increment financing from Forum Inc. purchased the space or going toward a dorm and classroom space
Our only limit is the city of Elgin to help 20,860-square-foot prop- taxpaying body,” he said. will bring students down-
your imagination fund its plans to convert
the former downtown PNC
erty in 2019. Located on the
southwest corner of East
“We have to be transparent
with ourselves. Judson is a
town and help boost sales at
local restaurants and busi-
Bank building into living and Highland and North Grove nonprofit not paying prop- nesses, they said.
1710 MacLean Court in Glenview learning space for its grad- avenues, with frontage along erty taxes.” “This isn’t ideal in a TIF
1-847-998-1220 uate architecture program. Riverside Drive to the west, However, there’s also district,” Councilman Dustin
CREATIVELY LIGHTING THE HOLIDAYS SINCE 1974 The Elgin City Coun- the building has been vacant the fact that the renovated Good said. “However, this
cil unanimously approved since 2017 and dates back to building will help bolster project coming together is a

fine art
the money at its meeting 1960, city planners said. the downtown economy series of unique pieces that
this past week to assist the Tax increment financ- because people will be living will serve our downtown
Give the gift of $2.5 million project, which
calls for the renovation of a
ing, or TIF, funding can
be used to provide incen-
and working there, Shaw
said. It’s also improving what
well.”
Councilwoman Carol
building that’s been vacant tives for businesses making has become a blighted prop- Rauschenberger said she
since 2017. It also signed off improvements to down- erty, he said. was enthusiastic about the
on design plans for 13 dorm town properties or for “I will be supporting it, project. “I welcome Judson
rooms and 2,100 square feet public improvements, like (but) it is not without some to our downtown,” she said.
of studio and classroom. the recently renovated Civic reservations,” Shaw said.
This will be the first Center Plaza. “I’m happy Judson is moving Gloria Casas is a freelance
Judson building to be located Councilman Toby Shaw, a forward with the project. I reporter for The
somewhere other than the Judson alum, said he strug- think it’s a good investment Courier-News.

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16  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
THE POLLUTION NEXT DOOR
Dulce Ortiz of Clean Power Lake County stands on North Beach with the Waukegan Generating Station coal-fired plant behind her on Wednesday. ERIN HOOLEY/CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS
Waukegan
from Page 1
“I got older and realized,
hey, asthma isn’t as preva-
lent in other areas. It’s prev-
alent here because we’re
so close to the coal plant,”
said Flores, who interns at
Clean Power Lake County,
a community-driven coali-
tion advocating for environ-
mental, economic and racial
justice.
NRG, the current owner,
said it plans to close the coal-
fired units at the plant next
year, but battles continue
over what to do with the coal
ash ponds left from decades
of production. Waukegan,
one of the most diverse
cities in the Chicago area,
with more than half its resi-
dents identifying as Latino,
is one of several environ-
mental justice communities
the Tribune is visiting.
Activists and environ-
mental organizations have
been trying for years to
improve the city for future
generations through regula-
tory actions, political lobby-
ing and youth movements.
Flores said he plans to
return after college because
he loves his community —
both for what it is and what
it can be.
“There’s not a lot of
people that want to come
back. But the few that do
want to come back?” Flores
said. “They’re so passionate
about it. And so that’s kind
of like what gives me hope is
knowing that, you know, hey,
there are people that want to
improve this place.”
‘A beautiful
community’
Dulce Ortiz moved to
Waukegan when she was 10
years old after immigrating
to the United States illegally.
Now a co-chair of Clean
Power Lake County and
executive director of Mano
a Mano Family Resource
Center, a Lake and McHenry
county organization that
helps immigrant families
integrate into their neigh-
borhood, Ortiz has spent
her entire career and much
of her free time aiding the
community.
Ortiz said she has never
considered moving away
from the city where her
mother lives and where she
hopes her own children will
stay.
“It’s a beautiful commu-
nity. And it has so much
potential,” Ortiz said. “This
is such a beautiful city. We
have a jewel of a lakefront,
and we just have to do a
better job of ensuring that
we get rid of all the industry
that’s there.”
Ortiz said living near
pollutants may have taken a
toll on her and her family’s
health. Ortiz’s mother devel-
oped adult-onset asthma
after living for years near
the plant. Due to her immi-
gration status, her mother
The Waukegan Generating Station coal-fired plant can be seen from North Beach on Tuesday in Waukegan.
did not have health insur-
ance and had to pay out-of-
pocket for an inhaler, Ortiz
said. Then, Ortiz devel-
oped asthma in her late 20s
despite being an avid runner.
There is little scientific
research on the effects of
coal ash on respiratory
health; however, several
studies published in the past
couple of years show that
communities living near
coal ash facilities are more
likely to report respiratory
symptoms than others.
Although Ortiz and Flores
spent most of their lives in
Waukegan, neither knew
for years that the huge
factory complex just down
the street from Waukegan’s
downtown was a coal plant.
“I thought it was just like
another factory,” Flores
said. “I felt betrayed by the
school system honestly. I
just I couldn’t believe that
I’ve grown up in Waukegan
my whole life and there had
barely been a mention of the
coal plant.”
Ortiz said the responsi-
bility falls on residents to
research environmental
hazards like the coal plant.
As a culturally and
economically diverse city,
nearly 80% of Waukeg-
an’s residents are people of
color and more than half are
low-income. Many simply
don’t have the bandwidth to
fight on another front, Ortiz
said.
“It’s really unjust and
unfair to have to burden
communities of color with
having to do advocacy in
regards to environmental
justice, because environ-
mental justice is one of the
issues that we fight,” Ortiz
said. “And with Wauke-
gan, too, how do you expect
community members to
come out and advocate
when they’re working two
or three jobs? These families
are in survival mode.”
At the Waukegan Munic-
★
ipal Beach, where resi-
dents frequently go to relax
and have fun, the top of the
coal plant peeks out over
the bluff. A nearby factory
belches smoke into the sky,
and a web of mostly defunct
railroad lines crisscross over
the roads.
A sign on the beach warns
fishers not to eat the fish
due to the potentially toxic
buildup of pollutants. Ortiz
said she frequently sees
people fishing by the lake:
“I don’t think they’re doing
it for enjoyment.”
What to clean up
and how
Built by Commonwealth
Edison in the 1920s, the
Waukegan coal plant is
among dozens nationwide
that started generating
electricity before Congress
passed the 1970 Clean Air
Act. Midwest Generation
bought the ComEd plants in
1999 and kept them running
as a growing number of
scientific studies found that
coal plant pollution triggers
asthma attacks, causes heart
disease and shaves years off
lives. In 2014, NRG acquired
Midwest Generation.
According to a report
produced by the Environ-
mental Integrity Project,
Earthjustice, Prairie Rivers
Network and the Sierra
Club based on state records,
22 of 24 of Illinois’ report-
ing coal-fired power plants
have contaminated nearby
groundwater with unsafe
levels of toxic pollutants,
many of them near low-in-
come communities.
In Waukegan, the study
found average concen-
trations of arsenic, boron,
manganese, chromium,
lithium, molybdenum and
sulfate exceeded health-
based thresholds at publicly
reported monitoring wells.
The level to which these
Jennifer Cassel, senior attor-
ney at Earthjustice. “And it’s
clear that the liners are not
stopping contamination. We
think cap-in-place is a real
problem.”
NRG spokesperson Dave
Schrader said the company
plans to present its coal ash
closure plans during virtual
public meetings Dec. 15 and
16.
“Our plans will comply
with all applicable regu-
lations, approvals, and
implementation schedules
and Midwest Generation
(now owned by NRG) will
focus on the well-being of
the community, the envi-
ronment, and maintaining
communication with the
public and other stakehold-
ers,” Schrader said in an
emailed statement.
‘Joint values’
Much of the environmen-
tal advocacy in Waukegan
began in or still exists within
places of worship.
Clean Power began in
downtown’s Christ Episco-
pal Church, where the Rev.
About this series Eileen Shanley-Roberts
was a founding member.
In Illinois and the Midwest, there are numerous neighborhoods Faith in Place, a nonprofit
bordering properties that produce air, water or soil pollution. that fosters green initiatives
Some residents have lived in these areas for generations; through faith communities,
others can’t afford to move. In the 1990s, state and federal operates throughout Illinois
officials began establishing environmental justice policies to and has seven participating
prevent toxic threats in communities of color and low-income congregations in Waukegan.
neighborhoods. According to the Illinois Environmental According to Candace
Protection Agency, the principle of environmental justice May, Faith in Place’s Lake
requires that no segment of the population, regardless of race, County outreach coordina-
national origin, age or income, should bear disproportionately tor, places of worship are
high or adverse effects of environmental pollution. More than the perfect place to begin
25 years later, many question whether these policies have conversations around envi-
helped. In the coming year, the Tribune will visit some of these ronmentalism because there
communities and tell the stories of people who live next door is already a bond and a sense
to a health threat. of “joint values.”
May compared the faith
Today Surrounded by Superfund sites and coal ash ponds, aspect of her environmen-
Waukegan residents hope their city can one day realize its talism to the civil rights
potential: “We have a jewel of a lakefront.” movement, in which a great
Part One Fiercely proud of their home, residents of the deal of organizing took place
Southeast Side — long a toxic dumping ground — are rising up within churches.
against polluters. Go to tinyurl.com/southeastside “It’s a good way to get
Part Two Many industries call the Southwest Side home. In people to come together. I
McKinley Park, a controversial asphalt plant built four years think Faith in Place helps
ago has sparked complaints about noxious odors. Go to Christians and people of
tinyurl.com/mckinleyparkresidents faith become stewards of
the Earth and really see the
Earth as a gift from their
toxic chemicals have seeped involves draining the liquid, Creator,” May said.
into the community’s drink- leaving the ash in place and Faith in Place is a member
ing water is unknown. capping it with layers of soil of the coalition that advo-
NRG announced this and drainage systems. The cated for the Climate and
year it will close its Wauke- other would move the coal Equitable Jobs Act passed
gan coal plant in June 2022. ash to a separate facility. by the General Assembly
The decision came amid an The complaint, however, in September. The bill was
ongoing regulatory battle also targets other, less regu- designed to improve air
that began in 2012. lated sources of coal ash quality, cut carbon power
Now, the battle revolves near the factories, including substantially, and incentiv-
around remediation — what a pond that was used before ize clean jobs, especially in
coal ash to clean up and how. Midwest Generation and communities of color and
New state regulations then NRG bought the plant places where coal-fired elec-
require energy companies to and fill areas outside the tricity plants operate, like
clean up sites contaminated ponds that contain coal ash. the Waukegan Generating
with coal ash pollution. The Environmental organi- Station.
dumps will be sealed or, in zations want the coal ash in The act created 13 clean
some cases, excavated and those areas removed, saying jobs workforce hubs, one
moved to licensed landfills. it too poses a risk to the of which will be in Wauke-
But state officials are allow- community’s health. gan, and sets aside $40
ing companies to suggest “Based on the experi- million per year in grants for
a preferred option to close ence at Waukegan, based on communities that are transi-
each site, then giving envi- what we’ve seen from other tioning away from fossil fuel
ronmental groups and Midwestern sites and else- or coal industries.
community leaders chances where, this coal ash, as long Many Waukegan resi-
to challenge the industry’s as it continues to be exposed dents hope cleaner indus-
plans at public hearings and to water from groundwater try will replace the fossil
in written comments. flowing into it from below, fuels and factories that once
NRG submitted plans for continues to pose a serious
two coal ash ponds. One risk of contamination,” said Turn to Waukegan, Page 17
 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  17

Waukegan “There’s not a

from Page 16
defined the town, including
the coal plant that domi-
nates several acres of lake-
front property.
Schrader, however, said
NRG plans to continue
partial operations at the site
with two gas-fired peaking
units, which do not produce
coal ash, limiting future
development on the lake-
front property.
“We will evaluate oppor-
tunities to pursue renewable
projects at our facilities. Our
current development plans
at the site include energy
storage,” Schrader said in
an email.
Some residents, like Flores,
hope the land could be repur-
posed as a solar farm, provid-
ing clean affordable energy
for the community and
beyond. Others, like Ortiz,
wonder if the land could be
rehabilitated and turned into
a lakefront park to create
more green space if the
company sold the property.
“Not only even going to
Chicago, but even driving 15
minutes down (the shore),
you have Lake Bluff, Lake
Forest. And they don’t have
a coal plant. And they don’t
have all these brownfields
by the lake,” Ortiz said. “And
not a lot of people of color
live there either. It’s kind of
hard not to believe that this
is by design, that this is on
purpose. And so we have to
change that.”
According to May, chil-
dren are often the most
receptive to learning about
environmental work and
are eager to make changes
in their community. In addi-
tion to talking to congre-
gants about how to reduce
their carbon footprint, May
runs a youth program that
includes research, leader-
ship training and environ-
mental justice discussions.
Barbara Waller is the
founder of another orga-
nization that helps kids
connect with nature and
engage in environmen-
tal activism. She grew up
in the country in a segre-
gated community outside
Memphis, Tennessee.
“It was sort of just a natu-
Lonna Drobi and her 9-year-old son, Omar, check out their raised garden bed at their home on Tuesday in Waukegan. Drobi has
made some lifestyle changes, including a backyard garden and composting. ERIN HOOLEY/CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS
created Cool Learning
Experience, an all-day
summer program.
Waller said the Superfund
sites that surround Wauke-
gan and the coal plant just
down the road are part of
the discussions.
“That’s a part of their
history, whatever those
decisions were made (about)
the coal plant or other indus-
tries,” Waller said. “We just
want the children to know
the facts. ... We want them to
do their own critical think-
ing.”
Lonna Drobi, who has
lived in Waukegan for
about 25 years, enrolled
her 9-year-old son, Omar,
in Cool Learning Experi-
ences in 2020. Drobi said the
program helps kids express
themselves artistically and
The 70-acre Yeoman Creek Landfill Superfund site is adjacent to apartment buildings in engage with the community.
Waukegan. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “A landfill operated onsite from “We need to do what we
1958 to 1969 and reportedly accepted both municipal and industrial wastes.” can and not just be so waste-
ful. Let’s reuse what we can
ral thing to me to just enjoy Waller said. children and nature in or let’s bless others with
being in nature: falling She moved to Waukegan American society, affecting it. Let’s take it and make it
among the leaves in the fall in the ’90s, and several years their health and emotional something else,” Drobi said.
and enjoying picking black- later read the book “Last well-being. “I think the program opened
berries and making sure you Child in the Woods,” about The message hit Waller his eyes.”
don’t get bitten by a snake,” the disconnect between hard, and in 2008 she Waller coordinates
lot of people that
want to come back.
But the few that
do want to come
back? They’re so
passionate about
it. And so that’s
kind of like what
gives me hope is
knowing that, you
know, hey, there are
people that want to
improve this place.”
— Eduardo Flores, who grew
up in Waukegan
classes about healthy eating
and gardening for kids and
adults, which led Drobi to
set up a vegetable garden in
her backyard.
Enrolled at the College of
Lake County, Flores plans
to graduate with a degree
in either education or envi-
ronmental science and take
that knowledge back to his
alma mater, Waukegan High
School. He wants to teach
a class on environmental
justice so students can learn
about the things he had to
discover by himself.
Although growing up in
Waukegan shaped Flores’
activism, some transplants
also share his sentiments.
Karen Long MacLeod,
another member of Clean
Power Lake County, moved
to the town in 2007. Her
husband opened a busi-
ness in Waukegan, and they
decided to invest in the
community.
When her husband died
a few years later, MacLeod
said she already felt part of
the community and had no
interest in leaving.
“We live here; we put
down roots. We have family;
we have jobs.” MacLeod
said. “And just because
something isn’t perfect
doesn’t mean you abandon
it. You try to make it better.”
sygoodman@chicago
tribune.com

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18  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Proponents and opponents of teaching critical race theory attend a Nov. 16 Placentia-Yorba Linda School Board meeting in California. ROBERT GAUTHIER/LOS ANGELES TIMES
Critical race theory
is no excuse for ignorance
Clarence Page
Political campaign season may be
over but battles against what increas-
ingly is being called “critical race
theory” are not.
I still put CRT in quotes. I know that
those who want to kick CRT out of
public schools hate to hear me bring
up the fact that CRT isn’t taught in
public schools.
But that technicality doesn’t matter
to the activists, including some genu-
inely concerned parents. True, CRT
is an academic framework, created by
progressive legal scholars in the 1970s
and 80s, that posits racism to be not
only a matter of individual bias but
also embedded in legal systems and
policies that historically have shaped
American law and public policy.
Yet, I’ve heard that label politically
repurposed by conservatives and
ballyhooed effectively through conser-
vative media to apply to just about
any publication or classroom instruc-
tion that, in their terms, “divides the
races into ‘victims’ and ‘oppressors,’ ”
or otherwise “might cause white chil-
dren to feel badly about themselves.”
That’s not accurate, either, but it
is the description I widely hear from
advocates for laws like those already
OP-ART JOE FOURNIER
★
OPINION
enacted in 12 states and proposed in
29 others, according to an Education
Week analysis at the end of last month.
Since June 1, the Chicago-based
American Library Association’s Office
for Intellectual Freedom has tracked
155 incidents across the country and
has provided support and consultation
in 120 of those cases, office director
Deborah Caldwell-Stone told me.
“That was just from July 1 to the
first weeks of September,” she said,
“compared to last year when we
received 153 for the entire year.”
“What we’re seeing is challenges,
particularly of books for young people,
under the claim that they are critical
race theory, but more often than not
they are age-appropriate, develop-
mentally appropriate books for young
people dealing with Black American
history or racism — and often being
removed against (anti-censorship)
policy.”
Back when the anti-CRT crusade
was catching fire last spring, I said
I couldn’t wait to see what happens
when Black History Month rolls
around. That’s because I found that
most of the anti-CRT culture warriors
I asked couldn’t really define what
CRT is. They only knew that it was
“bad,” didn’t belong in our schools and
maybe cited a conservative website
or cable TV commentator to back up
their point.
Then voters in Virginia turned
Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s early
lead into a stunning loss to Republi-
can Glenn Youngkin in the race for
governor. A central issue in the contest
was CRT and how children are being
educated. I realized — as McAuliffe
did, too late — that whether anti-CRT
individuals could define CRT accu-
rately didn’t matter. The issue that
grabbed their hearts and won their
votes was simply how well their chil-
dren were being educated — or not.
There’s a lesson there for Demo-
crats. What voters know matters less
than how you make them feel. McAu-
liffe’s effort to paint the mild-man-
nered Youngkin as another Donald
Trump failed miserably. As election
analysts say, McAuliffe had a messag-
ing problem. Future Democratic
candidates take note.
Meanwhile, in state governments
and local school boards, anti-CRT
campaigns, fueled by brisk social
network traffic, pose a threat to
academic freedom and informed
education about people of color,
LGBTQ people and other marginal-
ized groups.
It struck me as ominous, for exam-
ple, that the first complaint filed
under Tennessee’s new anti-CRT law
targeted a book about Martin Luther
King Jr.
The Williamson County chapter of
the conservative parents group Moms
for Liberty complained that the book
about King and his historic March
on Washington was part of a set that
promoted “Anti-American, Anti-
White and Anti-Mexican teaching” in
the district south of Nashville.
In a similar spirit, a York, Pennsyl-
vania, school district sparked student
protests by striking books on race,
history and social justice — books
about Rosa Parks, “Sesame Street” and
the biography of education activist
Malala Yousafzai.
And back in Illinois, a high school
district school board meeting in
suburban Downers Grove turned
raucous as some Proud Boys joined
parents and others to call for removal
of the award-winning “Gender Queer:
A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe from the
district’s library shelves.
Those who spoke up to defend the
book, which is not part of the assigned
curriculum, reportedly outnumbered
its detractors, I was relieved to learn.
I haven’t read the book yet but I am
heartened to hear about students who
want to read something more than
their text messages.
The best response to controversial
speech, according to an old maxim,
is more speech. I feel the same way
about good, age-appropriate books.
There’s a big diverse world those kids
are about to take over. We don’t do
them any favors by keeping them in
ignorance about it.
Clarence Page, a member of the
Tribune Editorial Board, blogs at www.
chicagotribune.com/pagespage.
cpage@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @cptime
 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  19

CHICAGO FLASHBACK Breaking history since 1847

SHOCK,
THEN
RESOLVE

The USS Shaw explodes during the Japanese attack on the U.S. Pacific fleet at the base in Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. KEYSTONE/GETTY

Looking back 80 years after the attack

on Pearl Harbor, when everything
changed in wartime America
By Ron Grossman | Chicago Tribune

C
harles Collins thought he’d do a little Christmas shopping on
Dec. 7, 1941. It was a Sunday, and he’d already filed the next
installment of “A Line ‘O’ Type Or Two,” a venerable Chicago
Tribune column peppered with readers’ verses and quips.
No sooner did he step outside than he heard a newspaper hawker
yell: “They’re historic, and will be worth money years from now.”
Headlines announced that Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor.
The previous Friday’s column,
the stunned Collins remembered,
had included a sympathy note for
Japan’s war dead — referring to
casualties of Japan’s war in China.
But the reader’s jingle had been
re-contextualized by the 2,390
Americans killed by Japanese
aircraft that brought the United
States into World War II.
Tuesday is the 80th anniversary
of the day that those who were
alive when it happened could
never forget.
The news about the attack on
Pearl Harbor spread through-
out Chicago jerkily, like runaway
frames of movie film.
The attack occurred at 7:55
a.m. Hawaiian time. It was shortly
before noon at Comiskey Park,
where fans were desperately look-
ing for tickets to a sold-out game
there between the Bears and the
Cardinals, Chicago’s other foot-
ball team.
At 1:50 p.m., WGN broke into its
coverage of the game to announce
Japan’s strike on the U.S. Navy’s
Pacific Fleet. But portable radios
were bulky and mobile phones
didn’t exist, so those in the ball-
park weren’t aware of what was
going on.
Listeners at home heard the
news as radio stations broad-
cast an account phoned in by a
reporter on the scene:
“Hello, NBC. Hello, NBC. This
is KTU in Honolulu, Hawaii. I
am speaking from the roof of the
Advertiser Publishing Company
Building. We have witnessed this
morning the distant view of a brief
full battle of Pearl Harbor and the
severe bombing of Pearl Harbor
by enemy planes, undoubtedly
Japanese. The city of Honolulu
has also been attacked and consid-
erable damage done. … It is no
joke. It is a real war.”
Reporters encountered vari-
ous responses to those devel-
opments. A few Chicago streets
were littered with the shattered
windows of Japanese restaurants.
A Chicago Tribune reporter
wrote this account:
“‘We’ll whip ’em in two weeks,’
prophesied a Notre Dame junior
over a glass of beer at Clark and
Randolph. ‘Don’t be silly,’ said the
man on the next stool. ‘They’ve
been fighting: we haven’t. We’ll
whip ’em, but it’ll take a few
months to do it.’ ”
“‘Finally it’s here,’ one man was
heard to say.”
For months, war clouds had
hung over the U.S., but the attack
still took Americans by surprise.
On Dec. 7, the pastor of a Keno-
sha church was scheduled to
speak to the Evanston chapter
of the America First Committee.
Having served in World War I,
the Rev. Fred Franklin wanted the
U.S. to stay out of a contemporary
conflict.
World War I had been touted as
a war to make the world safe for
democracy. But in its aftermath,
dictators took over Germany,
Italy, the Soviet Union and several
smaller European nations.
So both the America First isola-
tionists and those who reluctantly
accepted the necessity of war
were focusing on battlefields far
from Pearl Harbor.
“The Japanese people are in no
condition to continue the wars
they have already started to say
nothing of taking on an opponent
like America,” said Herald Fry,
who covered Japan for The Chris-
tian Century, a Protestant maga-
zine. “Old buildings are being
pulled down just to get the nails.”
Even as Japan was attacking
Hawaii, the Chicago Tribune was
promoting it as a sunshine getaway:
“And don’t forget that you’re under
the protection of the American flag
at all times while there.”
What troubled the Tribune just
A small boat rescues a USS West Virginia crew member from the water after the Japanese bombing of Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, on Dec. 7, 1941. Two men can be seen on the superstructure, upper center. The mast of the USS
Tennessee is beyond the burning West Virginia. AP
prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor
was the European situation. Three
days before, Dec. 4, 1941, its head-
line screamed: “F.D.R.’s War Plans!”
The story claimed the paper had
documentary evidence of President
Franklin Roosevelt’s intention to
deploy 5 million soldiers and sailors
against the Nazis by 1943. Events
proved those numbers a reasonable
estimate.
Since attacking Poland in 1939,
Adolf Hitler had conquered most
of Europe. By late 1941, only
England and the Soviet Union
were still resisting the German
dictator.
The U.S. was giving mate-
rial support to the British and
Russians, and Roosevelt was
under pressure to do more, but
hesitated. “America should not
assume the role of European
policeman,” a Tribune editorial
proclaimed.
Finally, Hitler cast the die.
“Things are different now,” Pvt.
John Landers, an Army deserter,
had said to a Tribune reporter
when he walked into the Warren
Street police station after Pearl
Harbor was attacked. “Now I
want to go back and do my part.”
Lots of Americans had a similar
impulse when Germany declared
war on the United States four days
later.
“The period of democratic
debate on entering the war is
over,” the America First Commit-
tee wrote. “The time for military
action is here.”
Col. Robert McCormick, the
Tribune’s publisher, abandoned the
America First’s position. Drawing
on his service in the World War I,
he counseled Americans on what
to expect in the new war:
“Bear this in mind: Battle is
terrible; the enemy is trying to kill
you with every horrible weapon
he has,” McCormick said in his
weekly talk over WGN Radio. “To
stand up to the strain you must be
as brave as he; you must be as well
armed as he; and you must feel
that you are a better fighting man
than he.”
Casualty reports and an occa-
sional bit of good news under-
scored McCormick’s message that
it would be a long, bitterly fought
war, with defeats preceding victo-
ries.
Midwest families and commu-
nities learned news of a more
personal nature over the next few
days.
Cpt. Thomas L. Kirkpatrick,
a Navy chaplain killed at Pearl
Harbor, had been the assistant
pastor of the Oak Park Presbyte-
rian Church.
Francis Campbell Jr.’s parents
in Chicago received a two-word
cablegram from their son, a
Marine stationed on Midway
Island: “OK, Love.” The Japanese
had attacked it and Pearl Harbor
simultaneously.
Pvt. Robert Shattuck was killed
in the Dec. 7 Japanese attack
on Hickam Field in Hawaii. His
father, a druggist and the village
president of Blue River, Wiscon-
sin, had served in the 54th Infan-
try during World War I.
In Bristol, Indiana, neigh-
bors weren’t surprised when the
Army praised Lt. Louis Sanders
for “spectacular feats of hero-
ism” during dogfights over Pearl
Harbor. Back home, he was
known for daredevil stunt-flying.
“Oh boy am I proud!” his father
told the Tribune. “Guess I don’t
have to worry any more.”
20  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Par Ridder
General Manager
Mitch Pugh
Executive Editor
Chris Jones, Editorial Page Editor
Margaret Holt, Standards Editor
The remap turf war is ridiculous
When will Chicago’s aldermen put voters before themselves?
It’s human nature to be territorial.
People tend to protect their turf, whether
it’s at the office, in the economy cabin of
an airplane, or amid rush hour traffic on
the Eisenhower Expressway.
For Chicago politicians, however,
territoriality can take on grandiose
dimensions. The ongoing donnybrook
over the City Council remap serves as a
perfect example.
The council’s Black and Latino
caucuses have been fencing with dueling
ward remap proposals for weeks — with
neither side giving any quarter and both
sides bent on only one mission: maxi-
mum political gain for themselves.
It’s a battle royale undertaken once
every 10 years, when new U.S. census
data sets in motion the decennial process
of redrawing electoral boundaries at
the local, state and congressional level.
Ideally, redistricting should be guided by
shifts in population and demographics. A
congressional district that gains legions
of new citizens should have new bound-
aries that reflect the shift.
In practice, however, remaps routinely
devolve into secretive backroom affairs
in which people with clout gerryman-
der their way toward, well, even more
clout. What should be a civic exercise
that empowers citizens becomes a selfish
feeding frenzy that further empowers
the powerful.
Where the City Council’s remap chaos
is headed from here on out is anyone’s
guess.
The latest U.S. census results show
a 5% rise in the city’s Latino popula-
tion, and a 10% drop in Chicago’s Black
community. Black aldermen are push-
ing a map that sets out 16 Black-major-
ity wards along with a ward with Black
plurality. That map lays out 14 Latino
wards, 18 white-majority wards and
an Asian-majority ward, which would
be a first for the city. The map should
come with a large red flag pinned to it; it
was crafted by Mike Kasper, the long-
time election law adviser to former
Democratic overlord and Illinois House
Speaker Michael Madigan.
The Latino Caucus’ latest map
includes 16 Black-majority wards and 15
Latino-majority wards. Seems as if both
sides are oh-so-close. A bit of give-and-
take, a dash of compromise, and City
Hall could turn its gaze to other, press-
ing issues — economic recovery from
ABOUT THE OTHER COVID HEALTH SCARE
There’s another worrisome,
COVID-related health care scare infect-
ing politically connected doctors who
have a bullhorn and a bully pulpit.
Unlike the coronavirus that emanated
from China, or omicron, just discovered
in South Africa, this virus comes from
the land of MAGA.
“Here comes the MEV — the Midterm
Election Variant! They NEED a reason
to push unsolicited nationwide mail-in
ballots Democrats will do anything to
CHEAT during an election — but we’re
not going to let them!”
That’s Texas Republican U.S. Rep.
Ronny Jackson on Twitter, claiming that
Founded June 10, 1847
EDITORIALS
Ald. Jason Ervin and the Aldermanic Black Caucus present a proposed ward redistricting
map for Chicago at the Harold Washington Cultural Center on Nov. 22.
E. JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
the pandemic, the ceaseless plague of
gun violence, inequities in neighbor-
hood investment. Nope. The stalemate
between the two caucuses endures, and
now the specter of the whole matter
heading to a referendum in 2022 looms.
Perfect.
Squabbling aldermen have had their
chance. Not only have they selfishly put
their own interests ahead of what’s good
for Chicagoans — they’ve kept every-
day citizens shut out of the process. Yes,
Ald. Michelle Harris, chair of the Rules
Committee, said last week that public
meetings will be held to give Chicagoans
their say on the remap. Two meetings are
slated for this upcoming week, and more
sessions are expected in January. But this
sudden embrace of transparency comes
infuriatingly late, and only as the pros-
pect of a referendum emerged.
Council members were given a golden
opportunity to turn the remap into what
it should be — an open, data-driven effort
that gave the public a seat at the table.
Earlier this year, the Chicago Advisory
Redistricting Commission, a citizens
group formed by the civic advocacy
organization Change Illinois, drafted
an independent, nonpartisan ward map
that reflected the city’s diversity and kept
largely intact communities of need. That
document, known as the “People’s Map,”
includes 15 majority Black wards, 14
majority Latino wards, two wards with
more than 45% Latinos, an Asian-Amer-
omicron is just a Democratic hoax in that
party’s quest to win elections at all costs
— even subverting democracy. (Hmm,
where would they get an idea like that?)
But Rep. Ronny Jackson is also Dr.
Ronny Jackson, former White House
physician under President Trump and
— and! — President Obama. He joins
several high-profile, medically trained,
supposedly science-hugging profession-
als who are out of their minds — or just
politically shrewd, and perverse.
It’s an outlandish claim that makes
Jackson’s previous assertions, calling
mask-wearing a “personal choice” and
saying that he doesn’t “wear a mask all
★
SCOTT STANTIS
ican majority ward around Chinatown
and 13 majority white wards.
Why would City Hall power brokers
ignore that map? Because it allows voters
to pick their leaders — not the other way
around. In a letter to Mayor Lori Light-
foot, Change Illinois Executive Director
Madeleine Doubek rightly chastised the
mayor for reneging “on your campaign
promises to support independent redis-
tricting.
“The City Council has failed utterly to
deliver a process that involves commu-
nity members,” the Nov. 30 letter contin-
ued. “Instead, council members have
succumbed to perpetuating the histor-
ical backroom deals done in secret that
have hurt Chicagoans for decades.”
We doubt anyone at City Hall will
suddenly undergo an epiphany and real-
ize the merit in Change Illinois’ perspec-
tive. Few governmental functions expose
aldermanic selfishness like a decennial
remap. But council members should
remember that, though their self-serving
behavior may have short-term value, it
carries down-the-road risk.
Voters don’t forget aldermen who
shortsightedly put themselves before the
Chicagoans they were elected to repre-
sent. If those voters aren’t given a chance
to have their say on the remap, they’ll
express themselves at the polls in 2023.
No amount of backroom gerrymander-
ing can help an alderman voters believe
they can’t trust.
that often” seem almost quaint.
But they’re not. They are part of a
calculated ploy to keep the reins of
power in Trump backers’ hands, no
matter the cost, even one as high as
777,000 Americans dead.
Jackson joins the likes of Sen. Rand
Paul — also Dr. Rand Paul — who has
little use for infectious-disease expert Dr.
Anthony Fauci’s credible medical guid-
ance…
We’re just not sure how this latest
scourge can be contained, but voting for
the science nerds next time could be the
cure.
Miami Herald Editorial Board
DIRECTORS OF CONTENT
Phil Jurik, Amanda Kaschube,
Todd Panagopoulos,
Rochell Bishop Sleets
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
Our children deserve better
To the children of this nation, I’m
deeply sorry that as a nation, we are more
concerned with gun rights than your safety.
Our children deserve better from us
and from our country’s leaders who are
supposed to protect their lives, their hopes
and their dreams. We have failed them over
and over again, every time there’s been a
mass shooting. The grandniece of my friend
was at Oxford High School in Michigan
when the shooting happened. It was an ordi-
nary day until she heard the shots, went into
hiding and texted her mom as she waited in
terror. She had been at lunch earlier that day
with one of the students killed that after-
noon.
In time, there will be some healing, but the
scars will last a lifetime. Until we have the
courage to pass responsible gun legislation,
there will be more school and mass shoot-
ings. For now, I dream and hope for the day
when we will love our children as much as
our guns
— Sister Kathleen Sherman, Westchester
Lights in the world
In looking back on this time of giving
thanks, I feel so grateful for the moments of
connection that can feel like true miracles.
My cat nestling on the bathmat as I read-
ied for work Sunday was one, and the little
girl in church who jumped for joy when I
asked her if she’d like to light the first Advent
candle was another. Her uninhibited joy was
a wonderful moment for me to see that amid
all that’s going on in the world, there are true
small graces to be found.
We can all be such lights within the world.
I plan to hold to the belief that our best will
come out in this blessed holiday season.
— Mandy May, Evanston
Give senior citizens a break
I am 76 years old, and my driver’s license
expired on June 11, 2020. The Illinois secre-
tary of state was kind enough to extend the
expiration date to June 11, 2021, and send me
a letter and sticker for my driver’s license.
Because of COVID-19, the expiration date
was extended again to Jan. 1, 2022.
Since I am over age 75, I must take a driv-
er’s test and eye exam to renew my license.
I am unavailable on Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday because of dialysis treatments. I am
having difficulty getting an appointment for
one of the other days. I hope and suggest that
the secretary of state give more one more
extension for us senior citizens and others
who have had difficulty getting an appoint-
ment for a road test.
— Bruce Christensen, La Grange
The loyalty isn’t reciprocal
There’s no place like home for the holi-
days. Jail is no place to be, especially during
the holidays. But that’s where some of the
people charged in the Jan. 6 insurrection
find themselves: in jail, awaiting trial, unable
to be with their families because they can’t
make bail.
Maybe they should ask the former pres-
ident to establish a legal defense fund on
their behalf. He’s got the money. According
to the Federal Election Commission, which
tracks campaign finances, Donald Trump
amassed a $100 million-plus campaign
war chest. Moreover, he’s not shy about
spending it on himself. The FEC reported
that Trump’s Make America Great Again
political action committee spent nearly $8
million to pay his legal bills. And to add to
his embarrassment of riches, the Repub-
lican National Committee just cut him a
check for even more money to help him
pay his lawyers.
Insurrection defendants unable to make
bail might be justified in asking the former
president for the same loyalty and support
they showed him. But the fact that loyalty
and support weren’t there from the begin-
ning should tell them a lot about the man
they chose to follow.
— John Morello, Plano
Biden embodies work ethic
Some people are so quick to attack “the
new guy.” Joe Biden is a good, earnest and
well-intentioned man who clearly will give
his last and best efforts for the good of Amer-
ica. He could teach his predecessor volumes
about work ethic. Thank you, Mr. President.
— Richard Nolan, Park Ridge
Where is liberals’ outcry?
President Joe Biden approved imposing a
travel ban on eight African countries. Where
are the massive demonstrations in liberal
cities? Where are the people screaming that
the president is racist?
When then-President Donald Trump
imposed an African travel ban, Biden called
it racist.
— Neil Spun, Monmouth
For online-exclusive letters, go to www.
chicagotribune.com/letters. Email your letter
submissions, 400 words or less, to letters@
chicagotribune.com. Include your full name,
address and phone number.
 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  21

OPINION

Students hug at a memorial at Oxford High School in Oxford, Michigan, on Wednesday after a deadly school shooting. PAUL SANCYA/AP

Vaccines = fewer COVID deaths.

Fewer guns = fewer gun deaths.
Americans won’t connect those dots.
Rex W. Huppke
As Americans watched yet another
deadly school shooting unfold in
Michigan, we were again (guns) left to
wonder (guns) what could be to blame
(guns) for a seemingly unstoppable
problem (guns, guns, guns).
At the same time, President Joe
Biden braced the country for a possi-
ble winter surge of COVID-19 cases,
leaving us all pondering (vaccinations)
what we could possibly do (masks) to
put an end (masks and vaccinations)
to this horrible pandemic (masks and
vaccinations and vaccinations and
masks).
It would seem that we, as a nation,
are uniquely bad at dealing with things
that end in “-emic,” be it a pandemic
or an epidemic of gun violence. It’s
understandable. Reining in those
two problems, given all we know, is
complicated — like looking at two dots
on a page and trying to figure out how
we could possibly connect them.
Would a straight line do the trick?
That’s what SOME people want you to
believe. But what if drawing a straight
line infringes on our inalienable right
to connect two points with whatever
type of line we prefer. I read a thing on
the internet that said crooked lines are
the only patriotic way to connect dots,
and I’ll be darned if I’m going to let the
government force me to use a straight
line. That’s communism.
Besides, maybe I don’t want to
connect those dots at all. As an Amer-
ican, I have the freedom to leave dots
unconnected.
At Oxford High School in Michi-
gan on Tuesday, police say a 15-year-
old used a gun his father had recently
purchased to kill four students and
injure seven other people.
I do notice a consistent theme
(guns) in America’s seemingly endless
stream of deadly shootings (guns),
be they at schools across the country
or on the streets of our own city — a
device called “a gun” is used to propel
bullets into people in a manner that
makes those people no longer alive
(guns, guns, guns).
It seems one could posit that the
removal of guns would lead to fewer
shootings. Bullets, after all, are far less
deadly when thrown by hand.
But that reckless theorem — fewer
guns = fewer people shot by guns — is
probably nonsense, akin to the absurd
suggestion that two points can be
connected by a straight line.
I mean, if someone kept hitting me
in the face with a pan, taking that pan
away would not solve the problem.
The correct American answer would
be for me to get a pan and make sure
everyone around me is pan-equipped
so we can stop malicious pan-wielders
with our good-guy pans.
That’s how you patriotically
connect two dots with a crooked line,
as the Founding Fathers intended.
It’s not unlike the COVID-19
pandemic. Biden gave a speech Thurs-
day imploring all Americans to get
vaccinated and, if eligible, get their
booster shots as well. He asked people
to wear masks and make smart choices
over the holidays to slow the virus’
spread, particularly with the arrival of
a new variant.
Would vaccinations and masks be
a simple and effective solution to a
problem that has cost hundreds of
thousands of Americans their lives?
Sure. Just like a straight line would
be the shortest distance between two
points. But that overlooks the myriad
Americans out there who don’t want
to connect those dots the way a Demo-
cratic president advises.
There is simply (vaccinations) no
easy way (masks) to get control of this
virus (vaccinations and masks), so we
need to live our lives free (and sick and
maybe dead) and let nature take its
course (which it will, mercilessly).
Returning to gun violence and
the Michigan high school shooting,
Republican Mike Shirkey, the state’s
senate majority leader, cautioned
against reckless calls for gun control in
the wake of an uncontrolled gun:
“We could, I suppose, spend a lot of
our time focusing on eliminating every
risk that we have, because there’s a
lot of them. But if we get obsessed
with eliminating all risks, we will then
develop and evolve into a country we
won’t recognize because we’ll also
have no freedom.”
Great point, Mike. Just because we
see one dot on a piece of paper and
another dot three inches away, there’s
no reason to think we should connect
them. Heck, I would argue that dot
connection is a uniquely liberal
creation, and if we start connecting
dots, we could evolve into a country
we won’t recognize, mainly because
so few people would be getting shot
and killed or dying from a preventable
disease.
So let’s stop (guns) obsessing over
whether there’s one device (guns)
central to all (gun) shootings, and let’s
not pretend there’s an easy (vaccina-
tions) way to stop (masks) the spread
of COVID-19 (masks and vaccinations)
and save (vaccinations, vaccinations,
vaccinations) lives.
When it comes to the gun violence
epidemic or the coronavirus pandemic
— or really any kind of -emic — Amer-
icans might stare at two dots that can
be easily connected.
Fewer guns, fewer gun deaths.
More vaccinations, fewer people
dying of COVID-19.
But that doesn’t mean we’re willing
to draw that straight line.
That would be the easy path. And
easy paths, like connected dots, seem
to be decidedly un-American.
Don’t forget to donate to the fourth an-
nual Insult-A-Columnist Holiday Food
Drive benefiting the Greater Chicago
Food Depository. Vote under RexRocks
(myfooddrives.org/RexRocks) or Rex-
Stinks (myfooddrives.org/RexStinks).
rhuppke@chicagotribune.com

Abortion bans don’t protect rights of ‘the people’

Steve Chapman
On Wednesday, the Supreme
Court heard arguments over a
Mississippi law banning abor-
tions after the 15th week of preg-
nancy. The law roundly defies the
court’s decisions affirming a right
to abortion, but the state portrays
the ban as the mildest of correc-
tives.
All Mississippi wants the
justices to do, insisted state Solici-
tor General Scott Stewart, is defer
to “the people.” The law, he said,
came about because “many, many
people vocally really just wanted
to have the matter returned to
them so that they could decide it
— decide it locally, deal with it the
way they thought best and at least
have a fighting chance to have
their view prevail.”
Justice Brett Kavanaugh
seemed to find the argument
persuasive. It’s his understanding,
he said, that Mississippi believes
“this Court should be scrupu-
lously neutral on the question of
abortion, neither pro-choice nor
pro-life.”
Letting the people decide,
and aligning the court to neither
promote nor prevent abortion,
sounds sensible — even liber-
tarian. What neither Stewart
nor Kavanaugh acknowledged,
though, is that, in a fundamen-
tal sense, these conditions have
already been met.
Under the court’s major abor-
tion decisions, the people, as
individuals, already have the full
authority to make up their minds
on the issue. Those who believe
that every pregnancy should be
carried to term are free to forgo
abortions. Those who disagree
are free to procure abortions.
No woman is forced to abort her
fetus, and no woman is forced to
undergo childbirth.
By the same token, the
Supreme Court has adopted a
position of neutrality. Just as the
Constitution does not let govern-
ment forbid or require anyone to
worship, the Constitution does
not let the government forbid or
require anyone to bear a child.
Each pregnant woman is free to
decide for herself.
But when Stewart and Kava-
naugh use these terms, they
have in mind a different mean-
ing. If Roe and Casey were
overturned, the people would
be empowered not as individu-
als but as a collective. The court
would be “neutral” only on the
matter of whether states allow
abortion or ban it.
Apply these meanings to a
different constitutional right and
the defects in their logic become
clear. Champions of gun rights
have always argued that “the
right of the people to keep and
bear arms” is an individual liberty,
as the court agreed in 2008.
They believe the court must
keep “the people” of any state
from using the power of govern-
ment to abridge this right. Amer-
icans who believe in free speech
and religious liberty feel the same
way about First Amendment
guarantees.
Stewart insisted that abortion
rights are different because the
framers didn’t explicitly protect
them. The Roe and Casey deci-
sions, he argued, “have no basis
in the Constitution. They have no
home in our history or traditions.”
In fact, they have a spacious
place in our history and tradi-
tions. In his 2017 book “Sex and
the Constitution,” University of
Chicago law professor Geoffrey
Stone notes that abortion was
legal and widely performed in
the United States at the time the
Constitution was ratified — and
wasn’t outlawed for more than a
century afterward.
It’s true that the Constitu-
tion doesn’t mention the right
to abortion. But the Constitu-
tion protects many freedoms it
doesn’t mention — the freedom
to marry, the freedom to refuse
medical treatment, the freedom
to have children and govern their
upbringing and more.
The Ninth Amendment stip-
ulates that not all protected
liberties are spelled out: “The
enumeration in the Constitu-
tion, of certain rights, shall not be
construed to deny or disparage
others retained by the people.”
If the Constitution has nothing
to say about abortion, does that
mean a state could require some
women to have abortions — say, to
prevent the birth of children with
serious congenital defects?
Of course not. Requiring abor-
tion would be a gross violation of
physical autonomy, which enjoys
broad constitutional protection.
But banning abortion has the
same effect. And the Supreme
Court appears poised to let it
happen.
Pro-life advocates say abor-
tion ends a human life, as if that
settles everything. But the issue
is not whether a fetus is alive or
human. It’s whether and when
its preservation is sufficiently
important to override a woman’s
fundamental right to control her
own body.
Americans have long disagreed
on that question. Our disagree-
ment is a powerful argument for
leaving the choice to each preg-
nant woman.
Right now, we let the people
decide, one by one, under the
protection of a neutral govern-
ment. But probably not for long.
Steve Chapman writes for Cre-
ators Syndicate. He can be reached
at stephen.j.chapman13@gmail.
com.
22  Chicago Tribune | Section 1 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
OBITUARIES
VIRGIL VOGT
‘Radical’ Mennonite pastor who
founded communal housing dies
By Brian L. Cox
Ruth Leaman remembers
her father, Virgil Vogt, as a
visionary and leader with
a deep faith who believed
in “sustainable living” long
before it became a popular
idea in wider society.
“He was ahead of his time
in some of his ideas,” said
Leaman. “He was a leader
who was able to draw people
around that vision.”
Virgil Vogt, 87, who helped
establish and run Evanston’s
Reba Place Fellowship and
the Reba Church died peace-
fully Nov. 2 after living with
Parkinson’s disease for many
years, said Leaman.
Vogt was a self-described
“radical” Mennonite pastor
who was instrumental in
bringing the charismatic
renewal movement to Reba
and new growth to the
community in the 1970s.
Starting in the 1970s,
Vogt worked with Reba to
buy and rehabilitate apart-
ment properties in south-
east Evanston in an effort to
create affordable housing,
Leaman said. The apart-
ments are still owned by the
Fellowship.
“Part of his vision was
to provide safe, affordable
housing,” she added. “Reba
started buying up buildings
in the area and converted
them to affordable housing.
He believed everyone had
potential and he wanted
to unleash their potential.
That’s something that drove
him.”
Virgil Vernard Vogt was
born June 4, 1934, in a cabin
in the mountains of Darjeel-
ing, India. His parents,
Milton Christian Vogt and
Esther Bergey Kulp, were
notable Mennonite mission-
aries who spent most of their
lives in India.
Leaman said her father
often talked about having a
“Godly heritage” and said
that his ancestors arrived
in Pennsylvania in 1707, and
formed the first Mennonite
congregation in the United
States.
ON DEC. 5 ...
In 1776, the first scholastic
fraternity in America, Phi
Beta Kappa, was organized
at the College of William and
Mary in Williamsburg, Va.
In 1782 the first native U.S.
president, Martin Van
Buren, was born in Kinder-
hook, N.Y.
In 1791 composer Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart died in
Vienna; he was 35.
In 1792 George Washington
was re-elected president;
John Adams was re-elected
vice president.
In 1848 President James Polk
triggered the Gold Rush of
’49 by confirming that gold
had been discovered in Cali-
fornia.
In 1901 filmmaker Walt
Disney was born in Chicago.
In 1902 Strom Thurmond,
who would become the
longest-sitting U.S. senator,
was born in Edgefield, S.C.
In 1932 German physicist
Albert Einstein was granted
a visa, making it possi-
ble for him to travel to the
United States. Also in 1932
singer Little Richard was
born Richard Penniman in
Macon, Ga.
In 1933 national prohibi-
tion came to an end as Utah
became the 36th state to
ratify the 21st Amendment
Lottery numbers
For yesterday’s numbers
and recent drawings, go to
chicagotribune.com/lottery
or use your mobile device to
scan the code above.
Virgil Vogt has died at age 87.
VIRGIL FAMILY
“That Godly heritage and
leadership was really at his
core,” she said.
In the 1960s, Vogt lived
with his wife, Joan, and five
children, in the commu-
nal setting, which has a
common treasury, some-
thing Leaman said was a
fundamental part of her
father’s vision. Even after
The Reba Place Fellowship
created Reba Place Church
in the 600 block of Madison
Street in Evanston in the
1970s, the Vogts continued
to live in the Fellowship.
“What he built carries on,”
said Leaman, who now lives
in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
“There’s the church and
the intentional Christian
living community, that are
continuing to thrive.”
“The intentional commu-
nity is drawing in many
young people who are highly
educated progressive think-
ers who care about relation-
ships, community and living
sustainably,” she said. “That
concept is relevant now. He
was a visionary ahead of his
time. Those concepts that
he formed are relevant and
compelling to young people
now.”
In 1982, Vogt published
“Treasure in Heaven,” a
book that describes his
philosophy that the Chris-
tian goal of working is to
give, not to accumulate for
personal desires or security
to the Constitution, repeal-
ing the 18th Amendment.
In 1955 the American Feder-
ation of Labor and the
Congress of Industrial Orga-
nizations merged to form
the AFL-CIO under its first
president, George Meany.
In 1978 the American space
probe Pioneer Venus 1,
orbiting Venus, began beam-
ing back its first information
and picture of the planet.
In 1989 East Germany’s
former leaders, including
ousted Communist Party
chief Erich Honecker, were
placed under house arrest.
In 1991 Richard Speck, who
murdered eight student
nurses in Chicago in 1966,
died in prison a day short of
his 50th birthday.
In 1993 a Palestinian boarded
a bus and opened fire with
an assault rifle in the first
major attack in Israel since
the signing of a peace pact
with the PLO; the gunman
killed a reservist before
being gunned down.
In 1994 Republicans chose
Newt Gingrich to be the first
GOP House speaker in four
decades.
In 1996 President Bill Clin-
ton announced the foreign
policy team for his second
term, including Madeleine
Albright as the first female
secretary of state; William
Cohen as defense secretary;
and Anthony Lake as CIA
director.
In 1997 the World Trade
Organization rejected
American claims that the
Fuji film company had
conspired with the Japa-
nese government to keep
Eastman Kodak products
out of Japan.
In 1998 James P. Hoffa
claimed the Teamsters
presidency after challenger
Tom Leedham conceded
defeat in the union’s pres-
idential election. Also in
1998 former Sen. Albert
Gore Sr., father of the vice
★
because devaluation, decay,
theft, or deception are inher-
ent to any investment or
venture in this life.
He also became a traveling
apostle, visiting Christian
intentional communities
in Spain, Korea, Canada
and throughout the United
States.
Vogt contributed to the
larger Mennonite denomi-
nation as managing editor of
Concern: a Pamphlet Series
for Questions of Christian
Renewal from 1961-71, and
served with the Illinois
Mennonite Conference as
moderator and conference
minister to the Chicago-area
Mennonite churches.
Vogt also enjoyed nature
and Lake Michigan. He
windsurfed and liked
traveling to Door County,
Wisconsin, where the Vogt
family would camp in the VA L U E D
summer. SUBSCRIBER
Leaman said her father
lived an orderly life and that
he once made a desk with
dozens of drawers of differ-
ent but precise sizes, one
for each purpose. On any Get more out of your subscription
given day, his daughter said
she might find her parents by setting up your digital account
singing a hymn at the piano
together or with their chil-
dren, grandchildren, or • More articles than what’s in print
friends.
In a reflection about his • Breaking News alerts with the mobile app
life last year, Vogt wrote: • Unlimited access to our website
“My cup is full and running
over with answered prayer • eNewspaper, a digital replica of the
and providential circum- paper emailed daily
stances every day.”
Vogt is survived by his
wife, Joan Miller Vogt, five
children, 14 grandchildren It’s easy to start your online access!
and three great-grandchil-
dren. Visit: go-activate.com
There will be a Celebra-
tion of Life Service at 1:30
p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4 at
First Presbyterian Church,
1427 Chicago Ave, Evanston.
A livestream of the service
will be at firstpresevanston.
org/vogt.
In lieu of flowers, the
family asks that donations be
made to Reba Place Church
or to support Dr. Aikaterini
Markopoulou’s research on
Parkinson’s disease.
president, died in Carthage,
Tenn.; he was 90.
Download
In 1999 Cuban President
Fidel Castro demanded that
the United States return
5-year-old Elian Gonzalez,
our app
who was rescued at sea, to
his father in Cuba within 72
hours.
In 2001 Afghan leaders
signed a pact in Germany
to create an interim govern-
ment.
In 2002 Gen. Ne Win, former It’s easy to access award-winning
dictator of Myanmar, died in news on your phone:
Yangon; he was 91. Also in  
2002 ABC executive Roone 1. Open the camera on your smartphone
Arledge died in New York; or tablet (some devices not compatible)
he was 71.
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In 2003 the two makers 3. Tap on the banner on your screen
of flu shots in the United 4. Download the app
States, Chiron and Aventis
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had run out of vaccine and
would not be able to meet
a surge in demand. Also in OR QUICKLY SEARCH FOR OUR APP
2003 a suicide bombing on
a commuter train in south-
ern Russia killed 44 people,
two days before the nation’s
parliamentary elections.
Also in 2003 a federal judge
in Utah threw out the case
against two civic leaders
accused of bribery in their
efforts to bring the 2002
Winter Games to Salt Lake
City.
In 2005 Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice denied
the United States engaged
in torture or lesser forms
of cruel treatment against
terror suspects.
In 2012 jazz pianist and Dave
Brubeck, best known for the
song “Take Five,” died of
a heart failure in Norwalk,
Conn.; he was 91.
In 2013 Nelson Mandela,
anti-apartheid icon jailed for
To follow the news
27 years and South Africa’s
first black president, died; that matters to you,
he was 95.
In 2017 the International
download our
Olympic Committee banned
Russia from the 2018 Winter free app now.
Olympics in Pyeongchang,
South Korea, due to Russia’s
“systematic manipulation of
the anti-doping rules.”

INSIDE SUCCESS
Contact tracing revving up in states
More efforts are
expected soon due
to virus’s uncertainty
By Heather
Hollingsworth
and Bobby Caina Calvan
Associated Press
The arrival of the omicron
variant of the coronavirus in
the U.S. has health officials in
some communities reviving
contact tracing operations
in an attempt to slow and
better understand its spread
as scientists study how
contagious it is and whether
it can thwart vaccines.
In New York City, officials
quickly reached out to a man
who tested positive for the
variant and had attended
an anime conference at
a Manhattan convention
center last month along with
more than 50,000 people.
Five other attendees have
also been infected with the
coronavirus, though officials
don’t yet know whether it
was with the omicron vari-
ant.
“As for what we learned
about this conference at
the Javits Center and these
additional cases, our test
and trace team is out there
immediately working with
each individual who was
affected to figure out who
else they came in contact
with. That contact tracing
is absolutely crucial,” New
York Mayor Bill de Blasio
said.
Once a global epicenter
of the pandemic, New York
has the country’s biggest
contract tracing effort. The
city identified four omicron
cases Thursday, and a fifth
was discovered in nearby
Suffolk County on eastern
Long Island.
The variant has been
Biden, Putin set call as
Ukraine tensions grow
Video conversation
set for Tuesday over
potential invasion
By Dasha Litvinova,
Aamer Madhani
and Colleen Long
Associated Press
MOSCOW — Presidents
Joe Biden and Vladimir
Putin will speak in a video
call Tuesday, the Kremlin
said, as tensions between
the United States and Russia
escalate over a Russian troop
buildup on the Ukrainian
border that’s seen as a sign
of a potential invasion.
Kremlin spokesman
Dmitry Peskov confirmed
plans for the conversation to
Russia’s state news agency
RIA Novosti and said it will
take place Tuesday evening.
“The presidents will decide
themselves” how long their
talk will last, he said Satur-
day.
The White House did not
immediately comment on
the announcement.
The leaders have not
spoken since July, when
Biden pressed Putin to rein
in Russia-based criminal
hacking gangs launching
ransomware attacks against
the United States. Biden
said the U.S. would take any
CNN fired Chris Cuomo amid revelations about the role he
played in defense of his brother. EVAN AGOSTINI/INVISION 2019
Your guide to managing money, work and the business of life, plus Classified listings
NATION & WORLD
A flight crew from Air China arrive in hazmat suits Friday at Los Angeles International Airport. FREDERIC J. BROWN/GETTY-AFP
detected in a handful of
other states so far, including
California, Colorado and
Hawaii.
Contract tracers have
been busy in Nebraska after
six cases of omicron were
confirmed Friday. One of
the people had recently
returned from a visit to Nige-
ria, and the other five were
close contacts of that person.
In Philadelphia, officials
were working to track down
contacts of a man in his 30s
who is Pennsylvania’s first
resident infected with the
variant, the city’s Depart-
ment of Public Health said.
And in Maryland, offi-
cials were rushing to trace,
quarantine and test close
contacts of three people
necessary steps to protect
critical infrastructure from
any such attacks.
Ransomware attacks
have continued since then,
though perhaps none has
been as alarming as the one
from May that targeted a
major fuel pipeline and
resulted in days of gas short-
ages in parts of the U.S.
Russia is more adamant
than ever that the U.S.
guarantees that Ukraine
will not be admitted to the
NATO military alliance. But
NATO’s secretary-general,
Jens Stoltenberg, said this
past week that Russia has
no say in expansion plans by
other countries or the alli-
ance. Numerous former U.S.
and NATO diplomats say
any such Russian demand to
Biden would be a nonstarter.
U.S. intelligence offi-
cials, meanwhile, have
determined that Russia has
amassed about 70,000 troops
near its border with Ukraine
and has begun planning for
a possible invasion as soon
as early next year, according
to a Biden administration
official who was not autho-
rized to discuss that finding
publicly and spoke on the
condition of anonymity.
The risks for Putin of
going through with such
an invasion would be enor-
★ Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  1
from the Baltimore area who
are the first known cases in
the state. Two are from the
same household, including
a vaccinated person who
recently traveled to South
Africa, and the third has no
recent travel history and is
unrelated to the other two.
Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief
medical officer of the Asso-
ciation of State and Terri-
torial Health Officials, said
“more and more” contact
tracing efforts are expected
in the coming days, in part
because of the uncertainty
about how effective vaccines
and treatments like mono-
clonal antibodies will be
against omicron.
Contact tracing is a
vital tool in the pandemic
mous.
U.S. officials and former
American diplomats say
while the Russian president
is clearly laying the ground-
work for a possible inva-
sion, Ukraine’s military is
better armed and prepared
today than in the past, and
that sanctions threatened
by the West would do seri-
ous damage to the Russian
economy.
“What I am doing is
putting together what I
believe to be, will be, the
most comprehensive and
meaningful set of initiatives
to make it very, very difficult
for Mr. Putin to go ahead and
do what people are worried
he may do,” Biden said
Friday.
Ukrainian officials have
said Russia could invade
next month. Ukraine’s
defense minister, Oleksii
Reznikov, said the number of
Russian troops near Ukraine
and in Russia-​a nnexed
Crimea is estimated at
94,300, and warned that a
“large-scale escalation” is
possible in January.
Ukraine’s president, Volo-
dymyr Zelenskyy, recently
charged that a group of
Russians and Ukrainians
planned to attempt a coup
in his country and that the
plotters tried to enlist the
Chris Cuomo fired by CNN in scandal fallout
By David Bauder
and Michelle L. Price
Associated Press
NEW YORK — CNN
fired anchor Chris Cuomo
on Saturday after details
emerged about how he
assisted his brother, former
New York Gov. Andrew
Cuomo, as the politician
faced sexual harassment
allegations earlier this year.
The network suspended
Chris Cuomo earlier in
the week to investigate his
conduct, after New York’s
response, allowing health
departments to notify people
who had close contact with
an infected person and slow
the progression of COVID-
19.
“Contact tracing can give
us information about how
it’s spreading and hope-
fully break chains of trans-
mission to stop clusters and
outbreaks, or at least delay
them until we know more
and understand what our
next steps need to be,” said
Crystal Watson, a senior
scholar at the Johns Hopkins
Center for Health Security
at the Bloomberg School of
Public Health.
While much is still
unknown about the vari-
ant, early reports are rais-
A Ukrainian soldier sits in a fighting position Friday on the line of separation from pro-Russian
rebels near Debaltsevo, Donetsk region, Ukraine. ANDRIY DUBCHAK/AP
help of Ukraine’s richest
man, Rinat Akhmetov.
Russia and Akhmetov
have denied that any plot is
underway, but the Russians
have become more explicit
recently in their warnings
to Ukraine and the United
States.
Biden is also expected
to speak with Zelenskyy in
the coming week, accord-
ing to a person close to
the Ukrainian leader. This
person was not authorized
to comment publicly before
the announcement of the
call and spoke on the condi-
tion of anonymity.
The Kremlin said Friday
that Putin, during his call
with Biden, would seek
binding guarantees preclud-
attorney general released
details showing he was more
involved than previously
known in helping to strate-
gize and reach out to other
journalists as his brother
fought to keep his job.
CNN hired a law firm for
the review. The firm recom-
mended Chris Cuomo’s
termination and CNN chief
Jeff Zucker informed the
anchor of the decision Satur-
day.
The network said that
“while in the process of that
review, additional infor-
ing alarms. New COVID-19
cases in South Africa, which
first alerted the world to
omicron last week, have
burgeoned from about 200
a day in mid-November to
more than 16,000 on Friday.
Some of the U.S. cases
involve people who hadn’t
traveled recently, mean-
ing the variant was likely
already circulating domes-
tically in some parts of the
country.
In New York, the three-
day anime festival in Novem-
ber is presenting a staffing
challenge for tracers due to
the large number of attend-
ees. The one known omicron
infection involved a man
from Minnesota.
Officials cautioned against
ing NATO’s expansion to
Ukraine. Biden tried to head
off the demand in comments
to reporters Friday before
leaving for a weekend stay
at Camp David.
“I don’t accept anyone’s
red line,” Biden said.
White House press secre-
tary Jen Psaki said Friday
that the administration
would coordinate with
European allies if it moved
forward with sanctions.
She alluded to Russia’s 2014
annexation of Crimea, the
Black Sea peninsula that
had been under Ukraine’s
control since 1954. Russia
has also backed separat-
ists in eastern Ukraine in a
seven-year conflict that has
cost over 14,000 lives.
mation has come to light.”
CNN would not discuss that
information, or characterize
whether it had anything to
do with his brother.
“It goes without saying
that these decisions are not
easy, and there are a lot of
complex factors involved,”
Zucker said in an email to
CNN staff on Saturday.
Cuomo issued a statement
on Twitter calling the deci-
sion disappointing.
“This is not how I want
my time at CNN to end
but I have already told you
linking the other five coro-
navirus cases directly to the
event.
Proof of vaccination was
necessary for admission, as
mandated by city law, and
masks were also required.
Officials said they had
reached all 36,500 conven-
tion attendees, vendors and
exhibitors for whom they
had contact information, via
email, text message or phone
call. But they decided it
wasn’t necessary to contact
every single attendee since
the infected man did not
appear to have close contacts
based in New York.
In Minnesota, meanwhile,
officials are investigating “a
circle of contacts” for the
man believed to have been
infected at the conference,
said Kris Ehresmann, the
state’s infectious disease
director.
Amid the surge of the
delta variant, health inves-
tigators across the U.S.
became overwhelmed and
scaled back contact tracing
operations, finding it nearly
impossible to keep up with
the deluge of new infec-
tions, administer vaccines
and also do tracing at the
same time.
Many health officials ulti-
mately focused on exposures
at schools or potential super-
spreader incidents where
large numbers of people
were at risk of exposure.
Dr. William Schaffner,
a professor of infectious
diseases at the Vander-
bilt University School of
Medicine, expects that will
ultimately happen with
omicron.
“... We won’t be able to
track it down to each and
every case, and at a given
point, when you know it is
here and spreading, why do
we need to do that?” he said.
“We know what President
Putin has done in the past,”
Psaki said. “We see that he is
putting in place the capacity
to take action in short order.”
Biden’s administration has
imposed sanctions against
Russian targets and called
out Putin for the Kremlin’s
interference in U.S. elec-
tions, cyberactivity against
American companies and
the treatment of opposition
figure Alexei Navalny, who
was poisoned last year and
later imprisoned.
When Putin and Biden
met in Geneva in June, Biden
warned that if Russia crossed
certain red lines, his admin-
istration would respond and
“the consequences of that
would be devastating.”
why and how I helped my
brother,” he said.
As women came forward
accusing former Gov.
Andrew Cuomo of sexual
harassment, his brother,
despite being a CNN anchor,
pressed sources for infor-
mation on the accusers and
reported back to the gover-
nor’s staff on what he was
learning.
He was active in helping
craft their response to the
charges, according to emails
and a transcript of his testi-
mony to investigators.
2  Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

Justices’ Roe pledges now in doubt

Assurances about
‘settled law’ seem
distant in Miss. case
By Lisa Mascaro
Associated Press
WA S H I N G T O N —
During his confirmation to
the Supreme Court, Brett
Kavanaugh convinced
Sen. Susan Collins that he
thought a woman’s right
to an abortion was “settled
law,” calling the court cases
affirming it “precedent on
precedent” that could not
be casually overturned.
Amy Coney Barrett told
senators during her Senate
confirmation hearing that
laws could not be undone
simply by personal beliefs,
including her own. “It’s
not the law of Amy,” she
quipped.
But during last week’s
landmark Supreme Court
hearing over a Mississippi
law that could curtail if not
outright end a woman’s right
to abortion, the two newest
justices struck a markedly
different tone, drawing
lines of questioning widely
viewed as part of the court’s
willingness to dismantle
decades-old decisions on
access to abortion services.
The disconnect is rais-
ing fresh questions about
the substance, purpose
and theater of the Senate’s
confirmation process that
some say is badly broken.
And it’s creating hard poli-
tics for Collins, R-Maine,
and another Senate Repub-
lican who supports abortion
rights, Sen. Lisa Murkow-
ski of Alaska, as the nation
confronts the potential
unraveling of the law.
“I support Roe,” Collins
said as she ducked into
an elevator shortly after
Wednesday’s arguments
at the court. The Maine
Republican voted to confirm
Kavanaugh but opposed
Barrett’s nomination as too
close to the 2020 presiden-
tial election.
Murkowski declined a
hallway interview Thurs-
day at the Capitol and has
not provided further public
Sens. Susan Collins, center, and Dianne Feinstein arrive for a vote Thursday. During confirmation, Brett Kavanaugh assured
Collins that the right to abortion was “settled law,” but his recent comments sounded a different note. J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE/AP
comment. She opposed
Kavanaugh and supported
Barrett, both nominees
among the most narrowly
confirmed in the split
Senate.
The court’s ruling on the
Mississippi case may not be
known until June but the
fallout from last week’s argu-
ments are reviving concerns
that the judicial branch is
becoming deeply politi-
cized, and that Congress
must do better in its consti-
tutional role to advise and
consent on presidential
nominees.
“It’s not like the senators
have been naive and have
trusted too much,” said Neil
Siegel, a law professor at
Duke University, who has
served as a special counsel to
Senate Democrats, includ-
ing when Joe Biden was a
senator. “I think the prob-
lem is primarily that we’re
deeply polarized, and the
Constitution makes nomi-
nation and confirmation of
federal judges, including
justices, a political process.”
Confirmation hearings
before the Senate Judiciary
Committee are intense
affairs, hourslong sessions
that typically drag for days.
Kavanaugh’s hearing in
2018 exploded amid stun-
ning allegations he had
sexually assaulted Chris-
tine Blasey Ford when they
were teenagers at a house
party decades ago, claims
he vehemently denied.
The abortion debates have
been front and center at
confirmation hearings, but
senators snapped to focus
as Republican President
Donald Trump nominated
three conservative justices
during his term, potentially
tipping the nine-member
court away from centrists
and liberals.
Suddenly what had been
long debates over the legal
precedents set by the land-
mark cases Roe v. Wade
and Planned Parenthood
v. Casey became very real-
life questions for Ameri-
can women as Republicans
reached for the long-sought
goal of rolling back abortion
access.
Kavanaugh repeatedly
told the senators under
grilling from Democrats
and Republicans that the
women’s right to an abortion
has been affirmed.
“The Supreme Court has
recognized the right to an
abortion since the 1973 Roe
v. Wade case — has affirmed
it many times,” he told Sen.
Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
To Sen. Dianne Fein-
stein, D-Calif., Kavanaugh
stressed “the importance
of the precedent” under the
previous court rulings and a
“woman has a constitutional
right to obtain an abortion
before viability,” referring to
the 24 weeks of pregnancy
now in question under the
Mississippi law, which
would lower the threshold
to 15 weeks.
Yet during this week’s
court hearing Kavanaugh
read from a long list of court
cases that have upturned
past precedents and ques-
tioned why the court
couldn’t now do the same
with abortion.
“If you think about some
of the most important cases,
the most consequential
cases in this court’s history,
there’s a string of them
where the cases overruled
precedent,” he said.
Kavanaugh said during
the court hearing that the
abortion debate is “hard”
and perhaps the court
should throw it to the states
to decide — essentially
ending the federal protec-
tion.
Senators said the justices
could simply be submitting
a line of questioning, forc-
ing lawyers for the state
and federal government to
respond, rather than reflect-
ing their own reading of the
law.
But Sen. Amy Klobuchar,
D-Minn., who had intense
exchanges with Kavana-
ugh and Barrett during the
confirmation battles — and
voted against both — said
what she heard from the
court was about what she
expected.
“I’m not one bit
surprised,” Klobuchar said.
Barrett had told senators
that Roe v. Wade did not fall
in the category of a “super
precedent,” described by
legal scholars as cases that
are so settled there are no
calls to revisit them.
Yet as a conservative
Christian, she insisted one’s
own views don’t play a role.
“It’s not the law of Amy,” she
told senators. “It’s the law of
the American people.”
Last week, Barrett pressed
the lawyers to explain why
women couldn’t simply give
up babies for adoption, now
that safe haven laws exist in
the states. “Why didn’t you
address the safe haven laws
and why don’t they matter?”
Asked about the discon-
nect between the Senate
hearings and the court argu-
ments, Sen. Dick Durbin,
D-Ill., and now the Judi-
ciary Committee chairman,
acknowledged the hear-
ings have their limits, but
refrained from judgment
until the court issues its
ruling.
“We can’t ask for sworn
affidavits,” Durbin said.
“My belief is the person and
their life experience is more
predictive of the outcome of
future cases than any decla-
ration they make to a commit-
tee.”Republican Sen. John
Cornyn of Texas, a former
judge, shrugged off the differ-
ence between what’s said in
committee hearings as a fact
of life in politics.
“I’ve seen too many
confirmation conversions,
where people basically
repudiate things they’ve
done and said in the past in
order to get confirmed, but
once we’ve somebody gets
confirmed, there’s basically
nothing we can do about
it,” said Cornyn, who voted
to confirm both Kavanaugh
and Barrett.

In wake of riot, Congress

eyes change to electoral law
By Luke Broadwater
and Nick Corasaniti
The New York Times

WA S H I NG T O N —
Members of the select
congressional commit-
tee investigating the Jan.
6 attack at the Capitol are
pressing to overhaul the
complex and little-known
law that former President
Donald Trump and his allies
tried to use to overturn the
2020 election, arguing that
the ambiguity of the statute
Cheri Burness’s daughter, Miranda, got so sick that she couldn’t eat any food prepared with puts democracy at risk.
the tainted water. The family dog, Lilikoi, refused to drink the water. CHERI BURNESS The push to rewrite the
Electoral Count Act of 1887

Petroleum found in tap water

Members of the committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot want
has taken on new urgency to overhaul the law Donald Trump tried to use to overturn the
in recent weeks as more 2020 election. ERIN SCHAFF/THE NEW YORK TIMES
details have emerged about

alarms Pearl Harbor families the extent of Trump’s plot

to exploit its provisions to
cling to power.
have repeatedly blocked
efforts by Democrats to alter
election laws in the wake
the electoral results of each
state during a joint session
of Congress, members of
By Audrey McAvoy commander, told a town water system serves 93,000 Trump and his allies, of the 2020 crisis, and it is the House and Senate may
Associated Press hall meeting the Navy took people. using a warped interpre- not clear whether a bid to submit objections in writ-
this well offline on Nov. 28 In the days after Thanks- tation of the law, sought to revamp the Electoral Count ing, which can be sustained
HONOLULU — Cheri because it was the closest giving, Burness’ daughter persuade Vice President Act will fare any better. But if a majority of both cham-
Burness’ dog was the first well to affected housing felt so sick she didn’t want Mike Pence to throw out experts have described the bers approves. Should a
to signal something was areas. to eat any leftovers, includ- legitimate results when law as “almost unintelligi- state submit multiple slates
wrong with their tap water. Converse said the Navy ing vegetables boiled in Congress met in a joint ble,” and an overhaul has to Congress, the governor’s
He stopped drinking it two will flush clean water water. session Jan. 6 to conduct its the support of several lead- certified electors would
weeks ago. Then Burness through its distribution On Nov. 28, Burness official count of electoral ing conservative groups. hold, the law says, unless a
started feeling stomach system to clear residual started seeing comments votes. Pence and members “There are a few of us majority in both chambers
cramps. Her 12-year-old petroleum products from on social media from mili- of Congress ultimately on the committee who voted to reject them.
daughter was nauseous. the water. The process, tary families saying their tap completed the count, are working to identify The statute, written in the
“It was just getting worse followed by testing to make water smelled like fuel. She rejecting challenges made proposed reforms that aftermath of the disputed
every day,” said Burness, sure the water meets Envi- didn’t smell it, but people by loyalists to Trump and could earn support across election of 1876 between
whose husband is in the ronmental Protection told her to turn on her hot formalizing President Joe the spectrum of liberal to Republican Rutherford
Navy. Agency drinking standards, water and check. She did Biden’s victory. conservative constitutional B. Hayes and Democrat
Their family is among could take four to 10 days, and smelled it too. Had Pence done as scholars,” said Rep. Adam Samuel Tilden, has dictated
hundreds of military fami- he said. She told her family not Trump wanted — or Schiff, D-Calif., a member how Congress formalizes
lies living near Pearl Harbor The Navy will also inves- to drink the water and not had enough members of of the Jan. 6 committee. elections.
with similar complaints tigate how contaminants to wash their hair and face Congress voted to sustain “We could very well have But what unfolded Jan. 6
after the Navy’s water got into the well and fix it, with it. She ordered private the challenges lodged by a problem in a future elec- tested its limits.
system somehow became he said. water delivery for $120 a Trump’s supporters — the tion that comes down to Both of the objections
contaminated by petro- The crisis came after month. On Monday, when outcome could have been an interpretation of a very by Trump’s allies — who
leum. the Navy on Nov. 22 said a she gave her dog some different. poorly written, ambiguous sought to invalidate the
The problems have water and fuel mixture had bottled water, he imme- “We know that we and confusing statute.” electoral votes of Pennsyl-
afflicted one of the most leaked into a fire suppres- diately drank a full liter’s came precariously close The Constitution leaves vania and Arizona — failed
important Navy bases in the sion system drain line in a worth and then drank two to a constitutional crisis, it up to Congress to final- in the House, although the
world, home to submarines, tunnel at a massive fuel stor- more liters over the next 12 because of the confusion ize the results of presiden- vast majority of Republi-
ships and the commander age facility 3 miles inland of hours. in many people’s minds tial elections shortly before cans supported them. In the
of U.S. forces in the Indo-​ Pearl Harbor. The Navy said The Navy has since that was obviously planted Inauguration Day. Article months since, it has become
Pacific region. The issues it removed about 14,000 started distributing bottled by the former president as II, Section 1 says, “The pres- clear those challenges were
may even threaten one of gallons of the mixture, and water and said Marines to what the Congress’ role ident of the Senate shall, in part of a broader strategy.
Honolulu’s most important said the liquid hadn’t leaked would set up showers and actually was,” said Zach the presence of the Senate John Eastman, a lawyer
aquifers and water sources. into the environment. laundry facilities connected Wamp, a former Republican and House of Representa- advising Trump, drafted a
The Navy said Thurs- The Navy said so far it’s to clean water. congressman from Tennes- tives, open all the certifi- plan that included sending
day that tests had identi- received calls about a fuel The Army said it would see who is a co-chair of the cates, and the votes shall to Pence, who presided over
fied petroleum in its Red odor or physical ailments help affected families move Reformers Caucus at Issue then be counted.” the joint session in his role
Hill well, which taps into from 680 homes in Navy into hotels or new homes One, a bipartisan group that The process is further as president of the Senate,
an aquifer near the base. housing and 270 in Army and the Navy is working on is pressing for changes to detailed in the Electoral a slate of Trump electors
Rear Adm. Blake Converse, housing on the Navy’s a similar plan. The Navy is the election process. Count Act, which says that from seven states won by
Pacific Fleet deputy water system. The Navy also setting up clinics. Republicans in Congress as lawmakers read through Biden.
 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  3

NEWS BRIEFING

UK tightens travel
rules among omicron
virus variant concerns
From news services
LONDON — Britain’s
government tightened travel
restrictions Saturday amid
concerns about the spread
of the omicron coronavirus
variant, saying all travel-
ers arriving in England will
need to take a COVID-19
test before they board their
flight.
Health Secretary Sajid
Javid said the new rules will
apply from 4 a.m. London
time Tuesday.
“In light of the most
recent data, we are taking
further action to slow the
incursion of the omicron
variant,” he said in a tweet.
Javid also added Nigeria
to the U.K.’s travel “red list,”
which means that arrivals
from there will be banned
except for U.K. and Irish
residents, and those trav-
elers must isolate in desig-
nated quarantine facilities.
He said there was a “signif-
icant number” of omicron
cases linked to travel with
Nigeria, with 27 cases
recorded in England.
Karen Dee, the chief exec-
utive of the Airport Opera-
tors Association, said the
new measures will be a
“major deterrent” to travel,
just as airports and the travel
industry were hoping for a
small uplift over the festive
season.
“This is a devastating
blow for aviation and tour-
ism,” she said.
Authorities recorded
another 42,848 confirmed
coronavirus cases in the U.K.
as of Saturday, with 127 more
deaths. With over 145,000
COVID-19 deaths in the
pandemic, Britain has the
second-highest virus death
toll in Europe after Russia.
Indonesia volcano: At least
one person was killed and
41 suffered severe burns
after the Semeru volcano in
Indonesia’s East Java prov-
ince erupted on Saturday,
officials said.
The eruption sent resi-
dents fleeing as a huge
column of smoke blanketed
nearby villages in darkness,
turning day into night.
In addition to one known
death and injuries, two
people were missing and
eight stone miners were
trapped following the erup-
tion, Indah Masdar, deputy
district chief of Lumajang,
said in a televised news
conference.
“We hope that those
trapped can be rescued soon.
Their families are crying and
anxious about their fate,”
she said.
Rescue efforts were
hampered by thick mud
and the collapse of a major
bridge linking two districts,
said Suharyanto, the head
of the National Disaster
Management Agency.
Confederate symbols in jury
room: A Tennessee appeals
court has granted a new
trial for a Black man who
was convicted of aggravated
assault by an all-white jury
that deliberated in a room
containing Confederate
symbols.
The Tennessee Court
of Criminal Appeals ruled
Friday that Tim Gilbert
deserves a new trial on
charges stemming from a
December 2018 altercation,
The Tennessean reported.
Gilbert was sentenced to
six years in prison after his
conviction on charges of
aggravated assault, reckless
endangerment, unlawful
possession of a weapon by a
convicted felon and resist-
ing arrest.
His attorney appealed,
arguing that Gilbert’s right
to a fair trial was violated
because the jury deliberated
in a room adorned with an
antique Confederate flag
and a portrait of Confed-
erate President Jefferson
Davis.
The appeal court’s ruling
Demonstrators block a highway to protest against Anglo-Australian company Rio Tinto’s plan to mine lithium in Belgrade,
Serbia, on Saturday. Thousands of demonstrators blocked major roads across the country as anger swelled over a government-
backed plan to allow mining giant Rio Tinto to extract lithium from the Balkan nation. OLIVER BUNIC/GETTY-AFP
came after a circuit court
judge denied Gilbert’s
motion for a new trial.
The appeals court ruling
said that allowing the jury
to decide whether Gilbert
was innocent or guilty in a
room at the Giles County
Courthouse maintained by
the United Daughters of the
Confederacy “exposed the
jury to extraneous prejudi-
cial information and violated
his constitutional rights to
a fair trial conducted by an
impartial jury.”
Israeli police shoot Palestin-
ian: Israeli police shot dead a
Palestinian after he stabbed
and wounded an ultra-Or-
thodox Jew on Saturday
near Damascus Gate just
outside Jerusalem’s Old
City, a tense and crowded
area that is often the scene of
demonstrations and clashes.
A widely circulated video
shot by a bystander appeared
to show an officer from Isra-
el’s paramilitary Border
Police shooting the attacker
when he was already lying
on the ground, and another
appeared to show police
with guns drawn prevent-
ing medics from reaching
him, prompting calls for an
investigation into possible
excessive use of force.
The Magen David Adom
emergency service said it
treated an ultra-Orthodox
man in his 20s who was
stabbed, saying he was in
moderate to severe condi-
tion.
Israeli police released
surveillance video in which
the attacker can be seen
stabbing the Jewish man
and then trying to stab a
Border Police officer before
being shot and falling to the
ground. Police identified
the attacker as a 25-year-old
from Salfit, in the occupied
West Bank.
“The awareness and
quick reactions by the police
brought about the neutral-
ization of the terrorist,”
police said in a statement.
Large numbers of security
forces were deployed to
the area, where they briefly
clashed with a crowd of
young Palestinians before
dispersing them with tear
gas and stun grenades.
Damascus Gate was the
epicenter of protests and
clashes between Palestin-
ians and Israeli police last
spring, during the Muslim
holy month of Ramadan.
The unrest spread to other
parts of the city, including
a nearby holy site sacred to
Jews and Muslims, even-
tually helping to ignite the
11-day Gaza war.
Retail theft ring: Members
of a Bay Area theft ring
believed to have stolen
merchandise worth millions
of dollars from retailers have
pleaded guilty in the case
and its leader is expected
to be sentenced to several
years in prison, California
Attorney General Rob Bonta
announced Friday.
The admissions by Danny
Louis Drago, the purported
head of the ring, and four
others came two years after
authorities opened an inves-
tigation into the operation,
in which the group resold
products stolen from Target,
CVS and other stores, offi-
cials said.
Bonta’s warning came
amid growing concern
over a recent surge in thefts
and robberies involving
large groups of people who
mobbed luxury stores in the
Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Trump media venture:
Donald Trump’s new social
media company and its
special purpose acquisi-
tion company partner say
the partner has agreements
for $1 billion in capital from
institutional investors.
The former president
launched his new company,
Trump Media & Technol-
ogy Group, in October. He
unveiled plans for a new
messaging app called “Truth
Social” to rival Twitter and
the other social media plat-
forms that banned him
following the Jan. 6 insur-
rection at the U.S. Capitol.
TMTG’s plan is to become
a publicly listed company
through a merger with
the publicly traded Digital
World Acquisition Corp.

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4  Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Alexandra Edward, 10, closes her eyes and holds her nose as she is baptized Nov. 7 in the Atlantic Ocean near Palm Beach, Florida. SCOTT MCINTYRE/THE NEW YORK TIMES PHOTOS
Baptisms still wet, get wild
The Christian ritual now includes
hot tubs, hashtags, T-shirts and
can even get a ‘little rowdy’
By Ruth Graham
The New York Times
R
u s s e l l Mo o r e ’s
baptism in 1983 was
a decorous occa-
sion, or at least as deco-
rous as possible when the
main event consists of being
plunged underwater in front
of one’s entire church. The
ceremony took place in a
formal baptistery inside his
family’s Mississippi church,
with a painting of the Jordan
River — where Jesus was
baptized by John the Baptist
— behind the tank. An organ
played softly in the back-
ground. Moore wore a long
white robe.
But a few weeks ago,
when it came time to baptize
Moore’s 14-year-old son,
Jonah, the scene was differ-
ent.
Jonah wore a T-shirt.
Moore wore sneakers. A
full rock band accompa-
nied. And Moore, who is
the public theologian at
Christianity Today maga-
zine, submerged his son in
a galvanized steel livestock
trough.
Baptism is getting a little
bit wild.
In South Florida,
members of Family Church
gather on the beach for
afternoon baptisms in the
ocean, bracing themselves
against the waves and keep-
ing an eye out for sharks.
In Mansfield, Texas, Cree-
kwood Church rents out the
Hawaiian Falls Waterpark,
where twisting slides tower
over the ceremony.
“I would have proba-
bly thought a decade ago
that not having a tradi-
tional baptistery would feel
disconnected from my tradi-
tion,” Moore said after his
son’s ceremony, which took
place at Immanuel Nash-
ville, where he serves as
minister in residence. “But
I’ve found it to be the oppo-
site.”
Informal style
Performing the age-old
Christian ritual in a more
informal style “conveys this
isn’t your grandmother’s
church,” said Drake Osborn,
pastor of teaching and
liturgy at Grace Church in
Waco, Texas. His congre-
gation moved into a former
bowling alley in 2016 but
never considered installing
a built-in baptistery. Instead,
Grace Church uses a foam
model bought online for
about $2,500.
The shift has taken place
as many pre-21st-century
symbols of church life have
fallen out of fashion in
evangelical culture, espe-
cially among churches that
are expanding or building
new facilities. Sanctuaries
are “worship centers,” and
steeples and stained glass
are out. Natural light is often
eschewed in favor of a black-
box theater aesthetic opti-
mized for flashy audiovisual
experiences and online
streaming.
It’s not just the archi-
tecture that is changing.
Contemporary evangelical
baptisms are often raucous
affairs. Instead of subdued
hymns and murmurs, think
roaring modern worship
music, fist pumps, tears and
cheering. There are photog-
raphers, selfie stations and
hashtags for social media.
One church in Texas calls its
regular mass baptism event
a “plunge party.”
Scarce, too, are the tradi-
tional white robes. Instead,
many churches hand out
custom T-shirts with
slogans like “#washed” and
“Meet the new me.”
“We live in an age where
people like experiences,”
said Mark Clifton, pastor of
Linwood Baptist in Kansas,
which closed its built-in
baptistery last year and now
uses an inflatable hot tub.
“It’s not that it looks better,
but it feels better. It feels
more authentic.”
The hot tub, Clifton said,
is also easier to fill, requires
almost no storage and lets
people gather around to
view baptisms up close.
Baptism is a core Chris-
tian tradition dating back
to the earliest days of the
church. Depending on
one’s theology, the ritual is a
component of salvation or a
symbol of it.
Facilities tend to flow
from theology.
In traditions like Cathol-
icism that baptize infants
by sprinkling or pour-
ing water on their heads,
the equipment required is
minimal, although it can be
ornate: a bowl on a stand and
perhaps a small pitcher. But
many of those who prac-
tice “credo-baptism,” or the
voluntary baptism of believ-
ers as an outward expression
of faith, require the person
— usually a teenager or an
adult — to be fully immersed
in the water. For the congre-
gations in that category,
including Baptists and
charismatics, that means
plumbing, heating equip-
ment, maintenance costs
and potentially hundreds
of gallons of water for each
event.
Not aging well
In the United States,
indoor baptisteries — along
with steeples and ornate
architecture — were initially
a mark of class. Baptisms
in lakes and rivers were
★
Paul Allen, a deacon, left, and the Rev. Jimmy Scroggins of Family Church perform a baptism last month in the Atlantic. Church
members will often brace themselves against the waves and keep an eye out for sharks in an unusual setting for a religious rite.
Mathealine Lewis wraps up her son, Whitley Edward, in a towel
after he and his sister were baptized in the Atlantic.
commonplace when those
were the only practical
options. But they were also
messy, rustic and subject to
the whims of weather.
In the 19th century, some
urban churches without
running water painstak-
ingly carried water into the
church to set themselves
apart from rural churches.
The indoor facilities became
prevalent in the early 20th
century, when technology
and the growing respectabil-
ity of adult baptism made it
feasible for more churches
to install them.
The typical baptistery is
behind and above the pulpit,
with stairs on the side lead-
ing off to a hidden dress-
ing room. Pastors often put
on hip waders to enter the
tub with the person to be
baptized, who stands in the
water until the moment in
the ceremony in which that
person is dipped briefly but
dramatically backward into
the pool.
As those 20th-cen-
tury churches have aged,
however, their once-mod-
ern baptisteries have come
to look old-fashioned, too.
“It’s like eating organic
food,” said Chad Seales, a
professor of religious stud-
ies at the University of Texas
at Austin who has written
about the history of indoor
baptisteries. The middle and
upper classes now embrace
the “primitive” as a mark of
authenticity.
Yet built-in baptisteries
are bothersome. Mold and
leaks are a constant prob-
lem, and because the tanks
are larger than most porta-
ble options, they take longer
to fill and heat. “Maintaining
baptisteries is very expen-
sive,” said Evan Welcher,
until recently the pastor at
Vine Street Bible Church,
in Glenwood, Iowa, which
operates two large 19th-cen-
tury church buildings on the
same block.
These days, Welcher eyes
newer, ostensibly hipper
baptism facilities with
something like envy.
“We have two baptister-
ies, and at different times
they both leaked,” he said.
“The cattle trough looks
really easy; it looks so much
better. People might say ‘Oh,
the cool churches do it,’ but
it actually looks like a better
way.”
Vine Street, which has
baptized four people this
year, spent around $3,000 to
fix a broken heating pump
in one of its facilities a few
years ago.
Those “cooler churches”
are often “church plants,” or
new congregations estab-
lished by an existing church
or denomination with the
goal of evangelizing in a
new location. They typically
begin by meeting in rented
facilities like schools, movie
theaters or storefronts, and
they are attuned to events
and aesthetics that will
attract crowds.
H i st o r i c a l l y B l a c k
churches have generally
maintained a more formal
tradition, said David Lati-
more, director of the Betsey
Stockton Center for Black
Church Studies at Prince-
ton Theological Seminary.
The Black church “has
always resisted the pull of
informality for informal-
ity’s sake,” Latimore said.
Since baptism is a ritual of
belonging and “citizenship,”
it had a kind of double mean-
ing for much of American
history. “There’s a great and
heavy sense of the profound
sacredness of this ritual,” he
said.
Big moment
No matter the level of
spiritual solemnity, baptism
offers a moment of spec-
tacle, a perk especially for
religious traditions like
evangelicalism, whose
architecture is often utili-
tarian, and which otherwise
emphasize invisible shifts in
personal belief as the site of
greatest drama.
Pop star Justin Bieber
posted photos to Instagram
last year of his baptism
outdoors with his wife. It
was “one of most special
moments of my life,” he
wrote. (He had previously
been baptized in an NBA
star’s oversize bathtub.)
Other celebrities, includ-
ing Demi Lovato and Mario
Lopez have been baptized in
recent years in the Jordan
River in the West Bank.
Adriana Robles, 21, was
baptized a few weeks ago
in a trough at Momen-
tum Las Cruces, a nonde-
nominational church in
New Mexico. She had been
baptized as a toddler in a
Catholic church, she said,
but it was important for her
to participate as an adult
as a demonstration of her
commitment to her faith.
She was nervous before-
hand, she said, and the
water was cold. But coming
out of the water to the roars
of music and cheers, “I felt
like God was with me in that
moment.”
But it doesn’t take a hip
setting to make baptism a
boisterous occasion.
On a recent weeknight at
First Denton, a large Baptist
church north of Dallas, more
than 200 college students
and a few family members
gathered for a Baptism
Night held by the church’s
college group, Overflow.
Last fall, the event was post-
poned because of a leak in
the baptistery, but on this
night it was in shipshape
condition.
“We see baptism as a
celebration,” Jared Gregory,
the college pastor, told the
congregation. “Things are
going to get a little rowdy.”
About a dozen students
had signed up in advance
for the ritual, and others
felt moved to volunteer on
the spot. The men changed
clothes in a dressing room
on one side of the baptistery;
women on the other.
One by one, they stepped
down into the warm water,
where Gregory was wait-
ing for them. He plunged
them backward, declaring
them raised by Christ. One
by one, they burst out beam-
ing, sometimes with tears
streaming down their faces.
And each time, the crowd
went wild.

US military explosives go AWOL
AP: Misplaced,
stolen arms often
make it to civilians
By Kristin M. Hall,
Justin Pritchard
and James LaPorta
Associated Press
The Marine Corps demo-
lition specialist was worried
— about America, and about
the civil war he feared would
follow the presidential elec-
tion.
And so, block by block, he
stole 13 pounds of C4 plastic
explosives from the training
ranges of Camp Lejeune.
“The riots, talk about
seizing guns, I saw this
country moving towards a
scary unknown future,” the
sergeant would later write,
in a seven-page statement to
military investigators. “I had
one thing on my mind and
one thing only, I am protect-
ing my family and my consti-
tutional rights.”
His crime might have
gone undetected, but
authorities caught a lucky
break in 2018 as they investi-
gated yet another theft from
Lejeune, the massive base
on coastal North Carolina.
In that other case, explo-
sives ended up in the hands
of some high school kids.
These are not isolated
cases. Hundreds — and
possibly thousands — of
armor-piercing grenades,
hundreds of pounds of plas-
tic explosives, as well as land
mines and rockets have been
stolen from or lost by the
U.S. armed forces over the
past decade, according to an
ongoing Associated Press
investigation into the mili-
tary’s failure to secure all its
weapons of war. Still more
explosives were reported
missing and later recovered.
Troops falsified records
to cover up some thefts,
and in other cases didn’t
report explosives as miss-
ing, investigative files show.
Sometimes, they failed to
safeguard explosives in the
first place.
The consequences can be
deadly.
Taliban, 9/11 families fight over frozen funds
By Charlie Savage
The New York Times
WASHINGTON — Nearly
20 years ago, about 150
family members of Sept. 11
victims sought a measure
of justice for their losses by
suing a list of targets like
al-Qaida and the Taliban. A
decade later, a court found
the defendants liable by
default and ordered them
to pay damages now worth
about $7 billion.
But with no way to collect
it, the judgment seemed
symbolic.
Today, however, the Tali-
ban are back in control of
Afghanistan. The group’s
leaders say their country’s
central bank account at the
Federal Reserve in New
York, in which the former
government accumulated
about $7 billion from foreign
aid and other sources, is
rightfully theirs. And that in
turn has raised a question: If
the money is the Taliban’s,
shouldn’t the plaintiffs in the
Sept. 11 lawsuit be entitled to
seize it?
High-level officials in the
Biden administration are
now debating the answer
to that question, which
presents a complex knot
of national security, legal,
diplomatic and political
problems — the latest exam-
ple of how thorny issues
stemming from the terrorist
attacks remain unresolved
more than two decades later.
Among the specifics to be
worked out is whether and
how the United States can
sidestep any legal require-
ment to recognize the Tali-
ban as the legitimate Afghan
government in order to use
the money in the central
bank account to help resolve
the claim by the Sept. 11
families.
The U.S. government had
been set to tell the court
on Friday what outcome
it thought would be in the
national interest. But last
week, the Justice Depart-
ment asked for a further
delay until Jan. 28, saying
the administration needed
more time.
On Thursday, a federal
magistrate judge, Sarah
A site in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where military authorities recovered stolen military explosives in June 2018. NAVAL CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE SERVICE
In August, an artillery
shell exploded at a Missis-
sippi recycling yard. Chris
Smith suddenly found
himself cradling a co-worker
who was bleeding profusely
from his legs. The man died
right there.
“For no reason at all,”
Smith said in an interview.
Two days later, an intact
shell was found at the scrap
yard.
The AP unearthed dozens
of explosives investigations
by the Naval Criminal Inves-
tigative Service, Army Crim-
inal Investigation Command
and Defense Criminal Inves-
tigative Service. In the
majority of these 63 cases,
the military didn’t realize
any explosives were gone
until someone recovered
them where they shouldn’t
be.
These were not rusty war
trophies cast out of grand-
pa’s attic. They were taken
Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid discusses Afghanistan’s new government Sept. 7 in Kabul. After the Taliban takeover in
August, its access to the old regime’s international accounts was blocked. VICTOR J. BLUE/THE NEW YORK TIMES
Netburn, granted that delay,
writing that “the court
recognizes that the treat-
ment of the Afghan funds
currently in the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York
involves numerous compli-
cated questions of law and
policy.”
The Justice Department
has been negotiating with
lawyers for the Sept. 11
plaintiffs about a potential
deal to divide up the money
if the government supports
their attempt to seize it, and
the White House’s National
Security Council has been
working with agencies
across the government to
weigh the proposal, accord-
ing to people who described
the deliberations on condi-
tion of anonymity.
In a statement, two of
the plaintiffs in the lawsuit
— Fiona Havlish, whose
husband worked on the
101st floor of the South
Tower, and Ellen Saracini,
whose husband was a pilot
of one of the hijacked planes
that flew into the World
Trade Center — said the
★ Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  5
from military shipments or
bases.
Military officials said
thieves in the ranks are a
small minority of service
members and that, compared
to overall stockpiles, the
amounts of lost or stolen
explosives are minuscule.
“We want to get the
number to zero, so there is
no loss, but it doesn’t mean
that we don’t take seriously
losses that happened,”
Pentagon spokesman Lt.
Col. Uriah Orland said.
The AP’s AWOL Weap-
ons investigation has shown
that poor accountability and
insider thefts have led to
the loss of more than 2,000
military firearms since
2010. Some guns were used
in civilian crimes, found
on felons or sold to a street
gang.
In response, Congress is
set to require that the mili-
tary give lawmakers detailed
administration should help
their cause.
“After our husbands were
killed in the Sept. 11, 2001,
terrorist attacks, we have
spent many years fighting
to achieve justice on their
behalf,” they said. “Together
with the others in our case,
we obtained an enforceable
money judgment against
the Taliban and now call on
President Biden to ensure
the funds we have attached
go to us and not the terror-
ists who played a role in
taking the lives of our loved
ones.”
Any transfer of the Afghan
central bank reserves is sure
to infuriate the Taliban at a
moment when the West is
trying to pressure and coax
the organization into behav-
ing differently than it did
when it last ran that coun-
try, on matters ranging from
respecting women’s rights
to refusing to host interna-
tional terrorist groups. The
Taliban have been demand-
ing access to the funds.
The National Security
Council declined to provide
loss and theft reports every
year.
One thing those reforms
won’t do: Make it harder to
steal explosives such as C4.
Explosives already are
harder to account for than
firearms. While troops
check guns in and out, explo-
sives are distributed with
the presumption they will be
detonated. Although at least
two people are supposed to
sign consumption reports,
it’s an honor system.
Spokespeople for the four
armed services described
explosives security as a high
priority and said they could
account for nearly all explo-
sives. The amounts that are
missing add up, however,
given the military’s vast
supplies.
AP sought detailed loss
or theft data from 2010
through 2020.
The Army provided a
chart that totaled nearly
a statement for this article,
and much remains unclear
about the parameters of
what the U.S. government
can do — let alone what
decision it will make, several
people familiar with the
matter said.
After the Taliban abruptly
took military control of
the country in August, the
New York Federal Reserve
blocked access to the Afghan
central bank’s account.
Under long-standing coun-
terterrorism sanctions
imposed on the Taliban by
the U.S., it is illegal to engage
in financial transactions
with them.
Shortly afterward,
lawyers for the families in
the old default judgment
case persuaded a judge to
issue an order that started
the process of transferring
the money to them to pay off
the debt. On Sept. 13, a U.S.
Marshal served the legal
department of the Federal
Reserve of New York with a
“writ of execution” to seize
the money.
Further complicating
1,900 entries for missing
explosives, about half of
which it said were recov-
ered. The majority was
described as C4/TNT.
Other categories included
artillery, mortars, land
mines, grenades, rock-
ets and armor-piercing 40
mm grenades shot from a
launcher.
Despite a painstaking,
manual records review,
Army researchers couldn’t
always determine amounts,
spokesman Lt. Col. Brandon
Kelley said. So, for example,
it was not possible to know
exactly how many pounds of
C4/TNT were represented
in the 1,066 entries, Kelley
said.
The Air Force provided
a chart that reported about
50 pounds of C4 and several
dozen 40 mm armor-pierc-
ing grenades had disap-
peared without being
recovered.
matters, a second group of
plaintiffs in a smaller case
— brought in the Northern
District of Texas by seven
State Department contrac-
tors who were injured in
a 2016 terrorist attack in
Afghanistan — are also
seeking to seize a portion of
the funds to pay off a $138
million default judgment
against a list of defendants
that included the Taliban.
The Justice Department
has intervened in both
cases, invoking a power to
inject the government into
any pending litigation and
inform the court about how
the United States views its
interests. The litigation has
been frozen awaiting its
statement, court documents
show.
Behind the scenes,
lawyers for the plaintiffs
opened negotiations with
the Justice Department.
They have proposed a deal to
divide the $7 billion among
three categories of recip-
ients if the Biden adminis-
tration backs them in court,
the people familiar with the
The Navy said that only
20 hand grenades have
been stolen, with all but two
recovered. When the AP
produced military inves-
tigative records showing
an additional 24 grenades
were reported missing from
a ship’s armory in 2012,
Navy spokesman Lt. Lewis
Aldridge said the case was
“beyond the 2-year local
records retention require-
ment.”
The Marine Corps
released data that were
too unclear to calculate a
precise tally. AP’s rough
analysis showed that thou-
sands of armor-piercing
grenades and hundreds of
pounds of plastic explosives
were reported lost or stolen.
“Some of it was later recov-
ered and often these reports
are attributed to human
error, such as miscounts or
improper documentation,”
Capt. Andrew Wood said.
matter said.
Under the proposal, the
plaintiffs, as holders of the
default judgment, would
keep some of that money,
while redirecting the rest of
it to two other purposes.
Some of the remaining
money would go to several
thousand spouses and chil-
dren of those killed in the
Sept. 11 attacks who were not
part of the lawsuit, and who
for technical reasons did not
receive certain payments
from a compensation fund
for victims of terrorism set
up by Congress.
The other portion would
be donated to various orga-
nizations that provide food
and medicine to people in
Afghanistan. The plaintiffs
say this could be a lawful
way to tap into the blocked
central bank funds so that
some could swiftly be spent
on humanitarian assistance.
It is not clear how much
money would go into each of
those three pots; the people
familiar with the discussions
said the numbers remain
subject to negotiation. The
proposed deal would not
give any payout to other
relatives of victims of the
Sept. 11 attacks.
The negotiations come
as the Taliban have been
separately lobbying to gain
access to Afghan central
bank funds in the United
States, along with smaller
deposits in Europe. On
Nov. 17, the acting Taliban
foreign affairs minister
released a public letter to
the U.S. Congress implor-
ing it to release the funds,
saying there was no justi-
fication in blocking them
now that the war is over and
they were needed to avert
a humanitarian crisis this
winter.
“Freezing Afghan assets
cannot resolve the problem,”
he said. “We are concerned
that if the current situation
prevails, the Afghan govern-
ment and people will face
problems and will become a
cause for mass migration in
the region and world which
will consequently create
further humanitarian and
economic issues for the
world.”
6  Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Jill Schlesinger
Jill on Money
Embrace your
Grinch this
holiday season
You have undoubtedly heard about
the difficulty in getting holiday gifts this
year, due to supply chain problems. As a
reminder, there have been problems with
the global supply chain for some time,
which were further exacerbated by trade
conflicts. Then, when COVID hit, factories
from China to South Korea to Germany
were shut down or were forced to reduce
production because workers were sick or in
lockdown. In response, shipping compa-
nies cut their schedules in anticipation of a
drop in demand.
But demand never really eased up.
Locked-down Americans simply redirected
the money that they had previously spent
on services and started buying goods. Many
were able to use stimulus checks and excess
savings to keep demand high and, as a
result, the timing and quantity of consumer
purchases swamped the system.
Factories couldn’t catch up fast enough.
When they did produce the goods, there
were not enough shipping containers avail-
able, which in turn caused transportation
expenses to skyrocket. And, of course, labor
shortages, especially among truck drivers,
have also slowed the movement of goods
and have contributed to higher prices
across the board.
I warned about these issues right after
Labor Day, telling the audience of “CBS
Mornings” that the kinks in the global
supply chain would likely result in product
shortages, especially for the most in-de-
mand products of the 2021 holiday season.
Many consumers heeded the warnings
and started the holiday shopping season
in earnest. The government reported that
retail sales were up 1.7% in October from
September, the highest monthly increase
since March of this year — sales were up
16.3% from a year ago.
Part of the increase in retail sales is due
to the overall increase in prices, but even
when adjusted for inflation, spending is
higher than it was before the start of the
pandemic. Higher wages, ample savings
and the desire to start the holiday season
early to combat supply chain issues all
contributed to the robust results in October.
The report tamped down fears of a revolt
against consumerism, which emerged after
the University of Michigan’s sentiment
index showed a surprise drop to a 10-year
low in the preliminary November reading.
If Americans are worried, they aren’t
acting like it, and they don’t plan to pull
back on their holiday spending because of
inflation anxieties. According to Deloitte’s
annual holiday retail survey, holiday spend-
ing is expected to average $1,463 per house-
hold, up 5% from 2020, and just $3 below
the 2019 level of $1,496. In fact, the strong
retail sales report, combined with antici-
pation of a strong holiday shopping season,
has fueled optimism that the economy has
snapped back from the Delta summer slow-
down and is back on track. Analysts predict
that growth, as measured by gross domestic
product, could come in at 4% to 5% for the
last three months of the year, which would
be twice as fast as the third quarter.
In thinking back to that TV segment from
a couple of months of ago, I recall that some
viewers wrote in and implored me to stop
being a Grinch about supply chain woes.
In the moment, I felt defensive about being
too Grinchy, but in honor of the start of the
holiday season, I am embracing the label.
Not the early, stingy Grinch, but the one
whose heart grew three times after under-
standing the true meaning of the season,
the one who concluded, “Maybe Christmas
doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christ-
mas perhaps means a little bit more!”
That message is the one that I am adopt-
ing for the 2021 holiday season — I hope
you do, too.
Jill Schlesinger, CFP, is a CBS News
business analyst. A former options trader
and CIO of an investment advisory firm,
she welcomes comments and questions at
askjill@jillonmoney.
TASTE the
ADVENTURE
★
SUCCESS
Your guide to managing money, work and the business of life
We should
want quality,
not quantity
Our obsession with having more, more,
more is making our lives feel empty
By J. W. Traphagan | Fast Company
I
f you spend time on Twitter, you
may notice regular tweets like, “so
excited, almost to 500 followers!”
People ask others to follow them,
promising to follow back. And if you don’t
follow back quickly, there’s a good chance
the other person will unfollow you. Tweet
often to get more followers, we are told.
Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat are
no different. Even Venmo, which is for
the purpose of transferring money, states,
“Adding friends is an important part of the
Venmo experience.” Clearly, we should
want more money and more friends. It’s
the quantity that matters.
On social media, as in life, people are
often focused on how much they can get
or produce. It seems much less common
to be focused on the quality of one’s
tweets — or the quality of one’s followers
and friends on social media — than it is to
have a lot of either.
The result is an endless shallowness,
a monotony of empty tweets and remote
acquaintances whose primary existences
are experienced as amounts.
The emphasis on quantity starts early.
How much candy did you get on Hallow-
een? A big haul is best. And at the most
pernicious of all holidays, children are
taught to value how many presents are
under the Christmas tree, often with little
concern for the quality or meaning of
those presents.
It stays with us as we age: How many
cars do you own? How many children
do you have? How many steps did I walk
today? We even represent the value of
individuals in terms of a quantity — we
call it net worth.
Counting permeates most aspects of
our lives. Several years ago at my univer-
sity, for example, upper-level administra-
tors implemented a system in which they
would count the number of butts in seats
(a quantity) for each college and then
allocate funds (another quantity) on the
basis of whether or not a given college had
met its assigned bench mark of butts (yet
another quantity) for the year. Colleges
that surpass the butt bench mark get more
money; those that don’t get less.
Why is this bad? Because, the endless
emphasis on quantity distracts us from
something much more important: quality.
Being focused on how many butts are in
seats shifts attention away from the much
more important question of the quality of
learning and thinking that is going on in
the classrooms (and among the students
whose butts we are concerned with
counting).
This transforms the complex balance
among different forms of knowledge
production into a numbers game, priv-
ileging disciplines that can draw large
numbers of students, like engineering and
business, over those that don’t, like philos-
ophy and cultural studies.
It’s basically the same as counting
followers on Twitter. And the emphasis
on counting tends to promote the absence
of quality, which as philosopher Robert
Pirsig put it, “is the essence of square-
ness.” And to be square is to be boring,
conventional, uninteresting. In other
words, it’s shallow.
We live in a “quantocracy.” We live in a
society driven by the idea that everything
must be counted and then judged on the
basis of how many of something we have
accumulated — more is usually better.
Indeed, it’s in the way we often
approach networking that this problem
is most clearly evident. Social media plat-
forms encourage us to conceptualize our
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ones, you’ll find the perfect mix of delightful
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in and explore handy tips, how-to videos and our
“best of” restaurant guides.
If you’re looking to whip up a delish dish
tomorrow, try The Daily Meal today.
FAST COMPANY
network in terms of how many people
we are connected to, rather than in terms
of the quality of the connections and the
types of people with whom we are linked.
Although it may feel good to have
a large number of followers on Twit-
ter or LinkedIn, or to see that number
rising quickly, those numbers are empty.
Why? Because quantocracies subordi-
nate quality to quantity and generate an
environment where counting, rather than
understanding the meanings and values
behind what is counted, becomes viewed
as the goal in and of itself. What matters is
how many? without a great deal of reflec-
tion on how good?
Our society tells us to care about how
much or how many we have of things,
ideas and even types of people. It deval-
ues the much more important task of
understanding the qualities, experiences
and meanings of those things, ideas and
people that shape our lives and bring us
satisfaction and happiness.
In our workplaces (and more generally
in our lives), we need to ask a simple ques-
tion: Do we want to live in a world driven
by how much we have of everything or do
we want to live in a world driven by the
quality of what we have, our experiences
and our lives?
If we wish, both as individuals and as
a society, to live in the latter, the first step
is to stop counting everything. Rather
than being concerned with the number of
followers we have on Twitter or LinkedIn,
or the number of butts we have in college
classroom seats, we might want to begin
by asking about the qualities of the people
who follow us and whom we follow or
the features of education that generate
responsible citizens and a healthy society.
When it comes to networking, before
following someone or being pleased that
we were followed, we should ask ques-
tions like: Do we have similar interests?
Does person X have views different from
my own that challenge me to think in new
ways? Is it, perhaps, better to have five
followers who make me think than 5,000
who only follow me because I followed
them or because we have the same politi-
cal views?
If we were to emphasize the quality of
connections in our networks, we might
have far fewer numbers, but the strength
of those networks would be stronger and
our interactions with people across those
networks would become a foundation for
supporting interdependence and mean-
ingful communication.
J.W. Traphagan is a professor in Human
Dimensions of Organizations at the Uni-
versity of Texas at Austin. His most recent
book is “Embracing Uncertainty: Future
Jazz, That 13th Century Buddhist Monk,
and the Invention of Cultures.” Follow him
on Twitter @John_Traphagan.
 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  7

SUCCESS

The ultimate guide

to retirement planning Attend to these
Terry Savage
The Savage Truth

Elliot Raphaelson
The Savings Game
Wade Pfau, Ph.D, CFA, is a recog-
nized retirement researcher and scholar,
well respected in the field of retirement
planning. His latest book, “Retirement
Planning Guidebook: Navigating the
Important Decisions for Retirement
Success” (Retirement Researcher Media),
has received excellent reviews from lead-
ing retirement planning experts, such as
William Bernstein and Ed Slott.
I have read the book, and I agree
with experts in the field that it is the
most comprehensive and well-written
personal financial guide ever published.
I have yet to read a book that contains as
much detail, with references to excellent
sources. I believe every financial planner
offering personal finance advice should
own a copy.
I also believe that individuals near
retirement (or in the early stage of retire-
ment) who are willing to put in the effort
should use this guide.
The book is over 450 pages; I don’t
recommend the guide to individuals who
aren’t willing to devote the time to review
the planning options presented and apply
them to their own personal situation.
The major sections of the book discuss
retirement risks, quantifying goals and
assessing preparedness, sustainable
spending from investments, annuities
and risk pooling, Social Security, Medi-
care and health insurance, long-term care
planning, housing decisions, tax plan-
ning, legacy and incapacity planning, and
non-financial aspects.
Each chapter covers these subjects in
detail and concludes with an action plan.
Also included are sources for further
study. I have used many of these sources
and believe they are very reliable.
In the first chapter, Pfau offers readers
the option to fill out a questionnaire and
receive a free profile report that will help
identify their retirement income style.
In order to do this — and you can do this
prior to obtaining the book — visit www.
risaprofile.com/guidebook. You can fill in
the questionnaire and obtain your profile
without cost or obligation.
After you fill out the questionnaire,
you will receive feedback regarding your
retirement income style. I did so and
received feedback quickly, which I found
useful and accurate.
Here is a brief rundown of some of the
material covered:
Retirement risks: This chapter explains
risk associated with longevity, market and
sequence-of-return, fixed income, stocks,
lifetime sequence-of-return, financial
elder abuse and other important risks.
Quantifying goals and assessing
preparedness: This chapter will help you
determine whether you are on the finan-
cial track that will lead to a successful
retirement — for example, whether you
have sufficient assets to meet anticipated
retirement liabilities. It offers guidance
in establishing a retirement budget and
goals, as well as reviewing your expected
assets and liabilities throughout retire-
ment. The action plan will help you deter-
mine if your initial plan is underfunded
and, if so, take required steps to develop a
course of action to develop a reasonably
funded plan.
Sustainable spending: This chapter
examines the 4% rule and why the rule
may be too low. Alternatives are presented
DREAMSTIME
so you can develop a spending plan that
will work for you throughout your retire-
ment.
Annuities: The focus in this chapter
is on immediate and deferred annuities.
This chapter will be very useful to readers
regarding how they might fit into your
retirement plan.
Social Security: This chapter is helpful
in determining when you should apply for
benefits. You will be given guidance as to
when you should apply before or at full
retirement age, or at age 70.
Medicare and health insurance: This
comprehensive chapter includes an
action plan you will find very useful. Pfau
suggests other sources I have recom-
mended, including Philip Moeller’s book,
“Get What’s Yours for Medicare.”
Long-term care planning: This chapter
covers in depth the options for funding
long-term care, including self-funding,
Medicaid, traditional long-term care
insurance and hybrid policies. His discus-
sion of hybrid policies is thorough.
Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions
and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.
financial matters
before 2021 ends
As we approach year-end, countless arti-
cles will mull over the events that defined
2021.
But when it comes to financial matters,
this time of year is not for looking back but
rather for assessing where you stand — and
where you want to go in 2022. The next
few weeks are a time to take specific steps
to make sure you’re on track. Here are a
few items to consider.
Your required minimum distribution:
If you’re 70 or older, you must take a
prescribed amount out of your tax-shel-
tered retirement accounts — IRAs, 401(k)
s, 403(b)s and other specialty retirement
plans. Do that now — before year-end. It
might be easy to forget because in 2020,
there was no RMD. But now you must take
an RMD for 2021.
You can take the money from one or
several of your accounts, but the total
required is based on the value of ALL your
retirement accounts as of last year-end
(2020). The amount of your RMD can be
easily calculated by any one of your plan
custodians, if you give them the total value
of ALL your accounts.
Year-end profits: If you own stocks or
other assets outside of your retirement
accounts, you might want to sell and
take profits. It’s still uncertain whether
Congress will increase capital gains
tax rates in the next legislative session.
Current tax rates are near modern historic
lows. Long-term capital gains rates apply
to investments held longer than one year.
Gains on stocks held less than a year before
sale are taxed as ordinary income.
Now is the time to decide if you want
to take some gains — and to minimize the
taxes by selling any losers you might have.
You can offset capital gains and losses, both
short term and long term, to save on taxes.
But you can only deduct $3,000 of capital
losses against ordinary income.
If your investments are held inside a
retirement account, you can ignore this
topic. All of your retirement withdrawals
will be taxed as ordinary income down the
road when you withdraw, except for Roth
IRAs and Roth 401(k)s, which are with-
drawn tax-free.
Don’t think you can take a loss for tax
purposes and then buy the stock back right
away, or even a few days later in the new
year. You’ll be caught in the “wash sale”
rule if you repurchase that stock within 31
days. And your loss will be disallowed.

4 retirement trends Organize year-end statements: If you

are scrambling for year-end balances from

for the coming decade

By Catherine Siskos
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
The era of trading a long career for a
pension and afternoons on the golf course
ended long ago. In its place, today’s retir-
ees face growing financial pressure from
multiple directions.
Here are four forces shaping retirement
in the 2020s:
Flexible work. The pandemic set up less
traditional work and more remote work,
and that’s good for seniors, says Allison
Schrager, senior fellow at the Manhattan
Institute. Many may prefer to work part
time or switch to a less stressful full-time
job. Members of Generation X, who start
turning 60 in 2025 and are known for
being entrepreneurial, may be especially
well positioned to work as consultants
and set their own hours.
Evolving entitlement programs. Social
Security is expected to run short of money
in 2033 and Medicare as early as 2026.
To fix the shortfalls, Congress can raise
revenue, cut benefits or both. Politicians,
though, are unlikely to slash benefits.
That doesn’t mean the fixes will be
painless. One solution, according to the
Center for Retirement Research, is to
raise payroll taxes 1.6% for employees and
employers alike, which would fund Social
Security for the next 75 years.
As for Medicare, the growing popu-
larity of Advantage plans means millions
of seniors are choosing private insurers
each year. The trend toward privatization,
though, hasn’t been as good for beneficia-
ries or Medicare’s bottom line.
Unlike traditional Medicare, which
lets patients see any doctor they want,
Advantage plans are managed care with
restrictive provider networks and lower
premiums. Several studies, however, have
shown that sicker enrollees are far more
likely to switch to traditional Medicare,
raising questions about the quality of care
from Advantage plans. Medicare Advan-
tage also costs the government more.
Any discussion about fixing Medicare
must address those inefficiencies and
the quality of care before expanding the
program, says David Lipschutz, associ-
ate director of the Center for Medicare
Advocacy.
A tech revolution in care. Adding to
Medicare’s burden is the looming short-
age of medical professionals. The Asso-
ciation of American Medical Colleges
projects a shortfall of up to 139,000
doctors in the U.S. by 2033. The health
care industry hopes technology can help
fill the void.
Artificial intelligence can potentially
improve health care. With AI’s data anal-
ysis, doctors and hospitals can detect
and diagnose illnesses more accurately,
customize treatments and track patient
outcomes closely.
Climate disruption. The signs of climate
DREAMSTIME
change — wildfires, droughts, hurricanes
and floods — are all around us, but many
older Americans contemplating where to
retire don’t take it into account.
Tom Nowak, a certified financial plan-
ner in Langley, Washington, says they
should because many retiree locations
in the South and West are in the cross-
hairs of global warming. If grocery prices
soared from recent disruptions to the food
supply, just imagine what prices will be
like when water emergencies are declared
in the bread and fruit baskets of America,
Nowak says.
The single biggest worry for retirees is
the loss of home value, says David Stookey,
author of “Climate-Proof Your Personal
Finances.” That loss can come suddenly
after a drought, flood or fire devastates a
community.
Catherine Siskos is managing editor at
Kiplinger’s Retirement Report.
last year in order to calculate your RMD
for this year, now is the time to set up a
paper filing system to collect the year-end
statements that will arrive in January. And
if you’ve gone paperless, just make a list of
year-end online balances in all your retire-
ment accounts to make it easier next year
at this time.
Reconsider your debt: According to
CreditCards.com, the average interest rate
on credit cards is 16.4%. And many people
are paying 21% or higher — especially if
they are trapped with big balances. Can
you stop yourself from charging more now
and then pay double the minimum every
month? That would considerably shorten
the 30-plus-year time period it will take to
pay off the balance using only the mini-
mum — and save a fortune in interest.
Contributions: Consider making a char-
itable contribution right now. The higher
standard deduction of $12,550 in 2021,
along with limited deductions for state
and local taxes, means most people aren’t
searching for tax deductions. But charities
still need your help. Check out good causes
at CharityNavigator.com, and help those
who worry more about food and shelter
than tax deduction and retirement distri-
butions.
It’s the best way to show gratitude for
your good fortune. And that’s The Savage
Truth.
Terry Savage is a registered investment
adviser and the author of four best-selling
books, including “The Savage Truth on
Money.” Terry responds to questions on her
blog at TerrySavage.com.

Make tough decisions easy easy with withthe the5-minute

5-minute‘Ladder ‘LadderRule’ Rule’
SOURCE:
SOURCE:Jeff
JeffSteen, Inc.
Steen, Inc.
As with most major life decisions, I have found it exceedingly helpful to concretize the facts in a written format that’s easy to
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concentrate solely on the more definition before you can make an decision-making in a very objective,
concentrate solely on the more definition before you can make an decision-making in a very objective,
decision you need to make. informed decision. considered way.
decision you need to make. informed decision. considered way.
8  Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
SUCCESS
Pre-COVID-19, employees who went
to work while under the weather were
considered tough or dedicated workers
because they were willing to gut it out
and get their work done. ... Now, in the
post-COVID-19 world, this is not enough.
Sick days amid COVID-19
By Scott Dust and Shannon Taylor
Fast Company
F
or many, the “return to work” isn’t
going well. This time, however, it has
nothing to do with long commutes,
putting on work clothes or the ability to
walk the dog during lunch.
Recent research illustrates that as
employees go back to the office, some are
acting rudely toward one another. This
seems strange, as most would assume that
employees would enjoy reconnecting with
their officemates to make up for lost time.
The source of the problem is that employ-
ees are exhibiting cold and flu-like systems
as temperatures begin to drop. And in turn,
many of their co-workers are worried that
their sniffling or coughing colleagues have
COVID-19 and will get them sick.
In our study, published in the Journal
of Applied Psychology, we found evidence
from two worker samples that employees
are exhibiting strange behavior around their
sickly colleagues. The study points out that
pre-COVID-19, employees who went to
work while under the weather were consid-
ered tough or dedicated workers because
they were willing to gut it out and get their
work done. Covering their mouth to cough
or sneeze was enough. Now, in the post-
COVID-19 world, this is not enough.
The findings illustrate that employees are
more likely to mistreat their sick colleagues
when they’re saddled with heavy work-
Car buying for beginners
By Michael Korsh
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
The recent global microchip shortage
triggered supply shocks affecting a wide
array of products. But no industry has taken
a bigger hit than the auto industry.
With increased demand amid the short-
ages, many car buyers are paying top dollar
for their new or used vehicle — and some-
times for the car loan, too. If you’re look-
ing to purchase and finance a car before
supplies return to normal, do some compar-
ison shopping to be sure you’re not overpay-
ing.
You’ll save money buying a used car, even
though loan rates are a little higher for used
vehicles. Recently, rates averaged 3.88%
for a four-year new-car loan and 4.5% for a
four-year used-car loan, according to Bank-
rate.com.
However, when you buy a used car, you
run the risk that the vehicle will need major
repairs. For more peace of mind, consider
buying certified pre-owned (CPO) vehi-
cles, which come with a manufacturer’s
warranty, says Matt Degen, an editor at
automotive website Kelley Blue Book.
If you’re choosing a new car, decide
whether you want to buy or lease the vehi-
Tips for holiday tipping
By Emma Patch
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
Lizzie Post, author of “Higher Etiquette”
and co-author of “Emily Post’s Etiquette,”
offers insight into tipping during the holi-
day season.
Q: How much should you tip, if at all?
A: Tipping may seem optional, but it
really isn’t under certain circumstances.
Some people’s pay is based on the expec-
tation that part of their income will come
from tips. In the 20th edition of “Emily
Post’s Etiquette,” we suggest 15% to 20%
as a rough standard, but there are lots of
situations where you can tip less, such as
when you’re getting your coffee or picking
★
loads. This is increasingly common, as
the pandemic has left many organizations
understaffed and employees stretched thin.
When overburdened employees work
with colleagues who appear sick, they’re
more likely to keep their distance from
those colleagues, limit their conversations
with them or avoid them altogether. Worse
yet, these employees are more likely to
be condescending and make demeaning
or derogatory remarks toward their sick
colleagues. So much for collaboration.
But it’s not all bad news. Some employees
were genuinely worried about the well-be-
ing of their sick colleagues. But those with
heavy workloads reacted with self-concern
— they were focused on their own physical
well-being. And organizations hoping to get
back to the good old days of in-office collab-
oration should realize it’s been tough for
employees to shed their COVID-19-induced,
self-protective mindsets. What should orga-
nizational decision-makers do?
Actionable steps
Organizations need to recognize that
employees are going to show up to work,
even when sick, out of financial necessity or
due to strong organizational norms.
During the height of the pandemic, the
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
provided paid leave taken for COVID-19;
however, this has since expired. Moreover,
unfortunately, there is no such thing as a
cle. Buying is smart if you plan to hold on to
the car until the loan is paid off and beyond.
Leasing often makes sense if you tend to
trade in a car before you’ve paid off the loan.
With a lease, you are paying mainly for the
car’s depreciation over the term of the lease
(typically three years). Monthly payments
are usually lower than they are for a car
loan, and repairs (but not maintenance) are
covered as long as the warranty lasts. Be
sure to negotiate just as hard for the price of
a leased car as you would for a purchase.
Even if the loan or lease payments fit your
budget, make sure you understand how
much interest you’re paying overall and for
how long. The dealer’s finance and insur-
ance office can extend a loan or manipulate
a lease to lower your monthly payments, but
that may not be best for your overall finan-
cial prospects.
Budget for costs beyond the monthly
payments, such as repairs, maintenance,
fuel and insurance. You can find a 5-Year
Cost to Own tool at www.kbb.com that esti-
mates those costs, depreciation and more.
One of the main decisions car buyers
make is whether to get financing at the deal-
ership or from a bank or credit union.
Borrowing through the dealership allows
you to take advantage of any manufac-
up takeout.
Q: How does tipping change around
the holidays?
A: Tipping around the holidays is really
about thanking those service provid-
ers who help you throughout the year,
whether that’s your dog walker, a regular
babysitter or nanny, your trash collector,
mailperson or your at-home health care
provider. These may be people you tip
throughout the year as well, but this is the
bonus to show you really appreciated the
help they provided this year.
Q: How should you budget for holiday
tipping?
A: Think about budgeting for tipping
FAST COMPANY
federal paid sick leave law. As a result, as
Olga Khazan wrote in The Atlantic, “Amer-
icans are some of the only workers in the
Western world who risk getting fired if they
don’t drag their sick selves into work.”
Policymakers can enact legislation to
ensure that employees aren’t forced to
choose between their financial demands
and their health.
Further, organizations could deter
presenteeism (taking the form of showing
up sick to work) by offering paid sick leave
or instituting reasonable absence policies.
Organizations might balk at the additional
costs. But paid sick leave could produce cost
savings because it stops the spread of illness.
Not to mention, as this recent research
suggests, doing so could reduce the costs
associated with workplace mistreatment.
Although COVID-19 has been devastat-
ing, there have been a few silver linings as
it relates to the future of work. Employees
are demanding, and in most cases receiv-
ing, increased flexibility and mental health
resources. It’s time to add another win to the
ledger: paid sick leave.
Scott Dust, Ph.D., is a management professor
at the Farmer School of Business at Miami
University and the chief research officer at
Cloverleaf, a technology platform facilitat-
ing coaching for everyone. Shannon Taylor,
Ph.D., is a management professor at the Uni-
versity of Central Florida College of Business
Administration.
PSISAA/DREAMSTIME
turer incentives, such as low- or no-interest
financing or cash-back offers. Major used-
car sellers, such as CarMax and Carvana,
also offer loans. CarMax, for example,
aggregates multiple financing sources on
its website so that buyers can compare
deals. Carvana includes a tool on its website
that lets you pre-qualify for a loan so that
you can explore various vehicle financing
options. You may also get a better deal on a
loan from your bank or credit union.
Michael Korsh is a contributing writer at
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.
throughout the year in the same way you
budget savings for presents for birthdays
and holidays. A lot of people say if you can
afford the service, then you can afford the
extra tipping that goes on top of it. But I
think that’s a really tough position to put
people in. Sometimes people really need a
service, such as a babysitter, and they can’t
afford anything extra.
Q: What should you do if you can’t
afford to tip?
A: If you’re not able to give tips, but
you have been able to keep some service
providers in your life, consider writing a
card. If you were able to tip last year and
you’re not able to tip this year, it’s OK to
mention that. It’s OK to let people know
that this year was a little different.
Q: The pandemic has put a lot of pres-
sure on front-line workers. Who should
Steve Rosen
Kids & Money
Get your
kids involved
in giving
One section of sidewalk, steaming
hot chocolate and goofy, but festive
holiday hats. That’s how my three
kids learned about generosity toward
others and the importance of giving
time, talent or money.
When the Salvation Army kettles
appeared at holiday time, our family
answered the call for bell ringers and
manned the same store entrance on
Christmas Eve for I don’t know how
many years regardless of snow, wind
and subfreezing temperatures. The
hot drinks and holiday hats made for
a fun and meaningful family tradition
— something we all looked forward
to as the holidays approached.
While it was easy to teach our kids
the value of giving during the holi-
days, we helped steer them to other
opportunities the rest of the year,
including stocking shelves at a food
pantry, raking leaves or shoveling
snow for an elderly neighbor, reading
books to young children at a Boys &
Girls Club, and even dusting book-
shelves at a local library.
Perhaps you have worked on
teaching your kids about saving
money, making good choices when
spending money, and the concept of
delayed gratification. What about the
concept of charity?
With so many toys in short supply
this year, consider cutting back
on buying and instead emphasize
“giving” rather than “receiving.”
Charity begins at home, including
teaching your children the impor-
tance of helping others and the expe-
rience of feeling generous. Kids will
follow your lead, especially younger
children. Even the simple act of
packing up old winter coats that no
longer fit and delivering them to a
community drop-off site won’t go
unnoticed.
It’s easy to write a check and send
it off. But before you do, talk to your
children about what you’re doing
and why. Perhaps you’ve designated
two or three special charities to
donate to because of a family or other
personal connection, or an issue that
you’re passionate about. These could
be meaningful stories to share with
your kids.
In addition, help your child find
a charity that they are interested
in knowing more about, said Susan
Beacham of Money Savvy Genera-
tion, a financial literacy company.
She suggests staying local so you
can visit the charity in person and
possibly even have some hands-on
experience that will turn the abstract
concept of charity into something
concrete.
Other strategies:
„„If age appropriate, encourage
your kids to check out watchdog
websites that review charities such
as the Better Business Bureau’s
Wise Giving Alliance, Guidestar and
Charity Navigator. Vetting a char-
ity is most important now because
December is the biggest month for
giving.
„„When shopping, give your child
some money to drop in a bucket
outside the grocery store, or let the
youngster help pick out food items
for those who are struggling.
„„Most importantly, Beacham said,
show your child “how to give what is
within their means and then explain
how their giving is added to other
donations, and before you know
it, the amount of the donation is
significant.”
The bottom line: Encouraging
your kids to devote time, energy
and even some money during the
holidays will go a long way toward
helping them continue those habits
throughout the year.
What are your family’s charitable
traditions? Share them with me.
Questions, comments, column ideas?
Reach Steve Rosen at sbrosen1030@
gmail.com.
we give a little extra to this year?
A: A group we have added to our list
recently is grocery delivery people. That
kind of service boomed this year because of
the pandemic. If you use curbside pickup
or grocery delivery regularly, giving a tip
with a card during the holiday season is a
really nice thing to do.
Q: Are there special rules and policies
for certain kinds of workers that we
should look out for?
A: It’s a good idea to find out whether
tipping is an allowed practice for a particu-
lar industry. The post office is a good exam-
ple. For an individual postal worker, the
gift must be less than $20 in value, and gift
cards, or anything that can be used as cash,
are not allowed.
Emma Patch is a staff writer at Kiplinger’s
Personal Finance magazine.
 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  9

INVESTING SUCCESS
Stocks Recap Gold

-3.50
It’s the perfect time to
test a no meetings policy
60.65 -88.27 -53.96 64.06 -38.67 236.60 -652.22 -461.68 617.75 -59.71
d $1,782.00
4,800 37,000
MON TUES WED THUR FRI MON TUES WED THUR FRI
Silver

By Aleksandra Sulimko
4,600 36,000
-.66 clearly articulated, they
d $22.45 Fast Company can easily be shared among
4,400 35,000 additional contributors
Crude Oil It’s that time of the year. and to the wider company.
4,200 34,000 -1.89 You and your team can’t Transparency is key to a
d $66.26 wait for the holidays to no meetings policy as the
S&P 500 Dow Jones industrials descend, yet there’s still entire team needs to be able
4,000 33,000
Close: 4,538.43 Close: 34,580.08 Natural Gas plenty of work to be done. to access relevant informa-
1-week change: -56.19 (-1.2%) 1-week change: -319.26 (-0.9%) Especially in global orga- tion on their own schedule.
3,800 32,000 -1.42 nizations with dispersed
J J A S O N J J A S O N d $4.13 teams, everyone’s sched- Tools needed for success
W E E K L Y P E R F O R M A N C E
52-WEEK YTD 1YR ules are different, partic- With the holidays
HIGH LOW INDEX HIGH LOW CLOSE CHG %CHG %CHG %CHG 10-year T-note ularly at the end of the approaching, scheduling
36565.73 29463.64 Dow Jones industrials 35287.91 34006.98 34580.08 -319.26 -0.9 +13.0 |99875432 +14.4
-.16 year when many people meetings with all the perti-
18246.51 12065.37 Dow Jones trans. 16502.16 15472.29 15967.24 -248.41 -1.5 +27.7 | 999942 +25.3
9 d 1.33% are taking time off. Some nent players at the same
952.76 792.08 Dow Jones utilities 922.89 892.07 914.03 +7.08 +0.8 +5.7 |97542 +6.8 team members like to take time becomes even more
17364.31 13977.05 NYSE Comp. 16794.55 16133.21 16347.87 -277.00 -1.7 +12.6 |9986421 +13.4
Euro a big chunk of time off to challenging than usual.
6692.11 5700.01 NYSE International 6284.88 6087.59 6124.31 -101.18 -1.6 +3.6 |85432 +3.1
truly unplug, while others This is a great excuse to
16764.86 12090.93 Nasdaq 100 16454.56 15543.31 15712.04 -313.54 -2.0 +21.9 |999994321 +25.4
+.0005 splurged early in the year start testing out project
16212.23 12027.16 Nasdaq Comp. 15833.11 14931.05 15085.47 -406.18 -2.6 +17.1 |999964321 +21.0 u to .8840/$1 and only have a day or two management software that
4743.83 3594.39 S&P 500 4672.95 4495.12 4538.43 -56.19 -1.2 +20.8 |9999831 +22.7
2925.93 2165.63 S&P MidCap 2813.54 2664.11 2702.14 -77.27 -2.8 +17.2 |99995 +20.4 left when November and can help you go asynchro-
49089.39 37516.94 Wilshire 5000 48103.68 45928.30 46360.95 -1016.70 -2.2 +17.5 |99987651 +19.8
Yen December come around. nous. When teammates
2458.85 1813.56 Russell 2000 2281.28 2143.12 2159.31 -86.63 -3.9 +9.3 |99874321 +14.1
-.56 But this doesn’t mean return from time off, they
490.58 381.63 Dow Jones Stoxx 600 471.84 459.54 462.77 -1.28 -0.3 +16.0 |999765321 +17.4 d to 112.63/$1 everything has to come can get themselves up to
7402.68 6263.60 FTSE 100 7196.05 6989.66 7122.32 +78.29 +1.1 +10.2 |9865421 +8.7 grinding to a halt. In fact, speed by reviewing the
the increase in erratic holi- project and task details.
day schedules is actually an This vital tool, in addition
Most active Largest Companies How the region’s opportunity to try some- to a messaging app and a
thing that could boost your collaboration application,
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
STOCK CLOSE CHANGE
Based on market capitalization
STOCK CLOSE CHANGE
Top 100 companies fared company’s efficiency in are all that’s really needed
Ranks based on market capitalization of public the long term: stop having to effectively communicate
Ford Motor 19.14 -.61 ASML Holding NV 771.52 -10.50 companies headquartered in Illinois and north- meetings altogether. asynchronously.
AT&T Inc 23.46 -.76 Abbott Labs 130.27 +4.39 west Indiana as of Friday, December 3, 2021
Carnival Corp 17.20 -.75 AbbVie Inc 118.85 +2.34
Bank of America 43.87 -1.68 Accenture PLC 361.42 +7.82 Market capitalization Stock Stock Why eliminating meetings Best practices for imple-
Pfizer Inc 54.27 +.27 Adobe Inc 616.53 -45.57 in millions of dollars $ %
AMC Entertainment A 29.01 -8.62 Alibaba Group Hldg 111.96 -21.39 change return makes sense mentation
DiDi Global Inc
Palantir Technol
6.07
18.98
-1.81
-2.05
Alphabet Inc C
Alphabet Inc A
2850.41
2840.03
-5.71
-3.63
Let’s first examine why Implementation of a no
RANK/COMPANY CAP CLOSE WEEK 1-YR
Uber Technologies 35.85 -4.67 Amazon.com Inc 3389.79 -114.77 this might be a good idea meetings policy shouldn’t
Twitter Inc
Norwegian Cruise Ln
42.07
18.29
-5.00
-1.77
Apple Inc
Bank of America
161.84
43.87
+5.03
-1.68
1 Abbott Labs 230,354 130.27 s +4.39 +20.4 in general. Go ahead and be sudden. Consider
Wells Fargo & Co 47.75 -.68 Berkshire Hath A 418676.00 -9156.74 2 AbbVie Inc 210,028 118.85 s +2.34 +16.3 conduct an informal poll rewarding teams who are
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc 20.12 -1.72 Berkshire Hath B
Broadcom Inc
277.43
558.12
-5.66
+11.53 3 McDonalds Corp 186,310 249.33 s +.70 +20.5 of your colleagues and able to cut down on meet-
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET Chevron Corp 114.41 -.10 4 Boeing Co 116,652 198.49 t -.72 -9.6 your friends, and it will ings in the first month
STOCK CLOSE CHANGE Cisco Syst
CocaCola Co
56.23
53.54
+1.56
-.19 5 Deere Co 108,285 349.24 t -10.06 +36.8 reveal that many of them or two after the goal is
Apple Inc 161.84 +5.03 Comcast Corp A 51.78 +.68 6 Caterpillar Inc 106,998 197.80 t -.93 +15.6 complain about wasting announced. Next, analyze
Ardelyx Inc
Sundial Growers Inc
1.52
.56
+.63
-.09
Costco Wholesale
Danaher Corp
528.93
312.94
-17.20
-11.02 7 Mondelez Intl 84,061 60.26 s +.01 +4.5 time in meetings. The stats the feedback and unless
Arbutus Biopharma 4.15 +1.02 Disney 146.22 -1.89 8 CME Group 80,957 225.26 s +3.10 +27.9
don’t lie: Executives spend there are serious issues,
Lucid Group Inc
Petros Pharmaceutic
47.27
2.48
-4.45
+.39
Eli Lilly
Exxon Mobil Corp
245.58
60.89
-14.79
-.36 9 ITW 74,050 235.92 s +1.17 +16.9
an average of 23 hours per move forward with manda-
Adv Micro Dev 144.01 -10.80 Home Depot 407.81 +6.76
10 Exelon Corp 51,570 52.74 t -.69 +31.0
week in scheduled meet- tory implementation after
American Airlines Gp
Nvidia Corporation
16.62
306.93
-1.13
-8.06
JPMorgan Chase
Johnson & Johnson
158.29
159.38
-3.64
+.18 11 Motorola Solutions 41,886 248.00 t -5.58 +49.3
ings, and 71% of managers the adjustment period.
Cumberland Pharm 4.59 +2.36 MasterCard Inc 322.11 -2.06
12 Kraft Heinz Co 41,176 33.64 t -1.19 +6.3
feel that meetings are inef-
SoFi Technologies
Microsoft Corp
15.19
323.01
-3.02
-6.67
Meta Platforms Inc
Microsoft Corp
306.84
323.01
-26.28
-6.67 ficient. Neutralize the FOMO effect
13 Walgreen Boots Alli 40,276 46.53 s +.63 +16.7
Progenity Inc 2.36 -1.28 Netflix Inc 602.13 -63.51 If you think about it At a typical company,
14 Baxter Intl 39,079 78.05 s +2.04 +1.6
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
Nike Inc B
Novo Nordisk AS
170.24
107.08
+2.53
-1.09 objectively, the more people employees miss between
STOCK CLOSE CHANGE Nvidia Corporation 306.93 -8.06
15 Arch Dan Mid 34,981 62.53 t -1.87 +29.1
in a meeting, the less effi- five to seven meetings per
iPath Sh Term Fut 27.96 +1.80
Oracle Corp
PayPal Holdings
88.24
183.93
-4.09
-3.86
16 Gallagher AJ 34,300 165.48 s +2.82 +45.1
cient it really is. First comes vacation week. Histori-
iShares Brazil 29.77 +.39 PepsiCo 164.71 +4.65 17 Equity Residential 31,891 85.04 s +.77 +45.7
the reality that a conve- cally, for many of my team
iShs China Large Cap
iShs Emerg Mkts
37.47
48.92
-1.30
+.22
Pfizer Inc
Procter & Gamble
54.27
149.88
+.27
+2.41
18 Discover Fin Svcs 31,848 108.67 t -5.90 +37.1
nient time for a meeting members, the more meet-
iShares EAFE ETF 77.03 -.10 Salesforce.com Inc 258.32 -25.89 19 Zebra Tech 31,438 588.29 t -2.43 +62.6 for one person may be ings the company had, the
iShs iBoxx HY CpBd 86.00 +.53 Taiwan Semicon 119.33 +2.24
iShares Rus 2000 214.71 -8.14 Tesla Inc 1014.97 -66.95
20 Allstate Corp 31,052 108.32 t -5.18 +8.9 inconvenient for another. more they worried about
Invesco QQQ Trust
ProShs UltraPro QQQ
383.13
150.08
-8.07
-10.76
Thermo Fisher Sci 636.11 -2.63 21 CDW Corp 26,014 191.67 s +.51 +48.9 More importantly, though, what they missed. Even
Toyota Mot 182.46 +2.63
ProShs UltPro ShtQQQ 6.82 +.36 Unitedhealth Group 449.32 +10.86
22 Grainger WW 25,318 491.44 s +1.90 +21.4 is a meeting truly the best when colleagues are dili-
SPDR S&P500 ETF Tr
SPDR Energy
453.42
55.14
-5.55
-.44
Verizon Comm
Visa Inc
51.42
196.32
-.38
-1.33
23 Nthn Trust Cp 24,225 116.66 t -2.23 +29.4 way to convey informa- gent about sharing detailed
SPDR Financial 38.03 -.74 WalMart Strs 137.51 -7.39 24 Dover Corp 24,046 167.01 t -3.23 +37.7 tion and make decisions? notes, it’s challenging to
25 TransUnion 21,583 112.65 s +1.42 +22.1 The answer is simply no. truly get the substance from
26 Ulta Salon Cosmetics 20,591 378.81 t -20.72 +36.0 Attendees may have their another person’s recollec-
minds elsewhere as the tions.
Largest mutual funds 27 Ventas Inc
28 IDEX Corp
18,825 47.16 t -2.34
17,357 228.29 t -2.65 +21.3
+2.4
meeting is going on, and It’s much easier to catch
Based on Total assets they may only be half-lis- up on the process after a
CHG 1-YR CHG 1-YR 29 LKQ Corporation 16,483 56.55 t -1.01 +60.9
FUND NAV IN $ %RTN FUND NAV IN $ %RTN
30 Equity Lifesty Prop 15,281 83.13 t -1.06 +44.1 tening, waiting for the vacation using a project
American Century UltraInv 89.35 -2.76 +22.7 T. Rowe Price LrgCpGrI 72.42 -2.30 +22.3
31 ConAgra Brands Inc 15,047 31.37 t -.23 -8.6 information that they deem management system as
American Funds AMCpA m 44.46 -1.17 +21.7
American Funds AmrcnBalA m 33.35 -.15 +13.7
T. Rowe Price MdCpGr
T. Rowe Price NewHorizons
124.44 -3.56
87.94 -6.00
+14.7
+12.1 32 Fortune Brds Hm&Sec14,079 103.73 s +.80 +29.1 relevant to them. And what all updates are clear and
American Funds AmrcnMutA m 52.37 -.08 +20.2 T. Rowe Price Rtr2025 21.15 -.21 +11.6 33 CBOE Global Markets 13,765 129.08 s +1.16 +40.4 about when you miss the concise.
American Funds BdfAmrcA m 13.54 +.08
American Funds CptWldGrIncA m64.30 -.53
+.1
+12.8
T. Rowe Price Rtr2030 31.42 -.37 +13.2
34 Morningstar Inc 13,540 314.21 s +3.58 +59.5 meeting? Who will fill you That means they can
American Funds CptlIncBldrA m68.08 +.05 +11.7
Vanguard 500IdxAdmrl 419.99 -5.00 +25.5
35 Paylocity Hldg 13,417 243.84 t -12.46 +32.2
in on all the important easily get the point and
American Funds EuroPacGrA m 65.99 -1.04 +4.1
Vanguard BalIdxAdmrl
Vanguard CAITTxExAdm
48.63 -.43
12.22 +.02
+13.5
+1.1 36 United Airlines Hldg 13,141 40.61 t -1.65 -10.9
details, especially during reengage their work
American Funds FdmtlInvsA m 77.44 -1.20
American Funds GrfAmrcA m 77.57 -2.80
+19.3
+19.8 Vanguard CptlOppAdmrl 207.55 -6.53 +20.5 37 CF Industries 12,699 59.21 t -3.59 +59.8
the holidays when so many routine. This not only
American Funds IncAmrcA m 25.98 -.01 +14.0 Vanguard DevMIdxAdmrl 16.01 -.08 +10.4
38 Packaging Corp Am 12,653 133.21 t -.36 +3.0
people are out of the office? impacts the productivity of
American Funds InvCAmrcA m 51.92 -.57 +21.4 Vanguard DevMIdxIns 16.03 -.08 +10.4
39 Jones Lang LaSalle 12,135 240.45 t -7.12 +78.7
the team member returning
American Funds NewWldA m 89.32 -1.24 +6.4 Vanguard DivGrInv 38.58 -.01 +19.7
American Funds NwPrspctvA m 68.31 -1.43 +18.1 Vanguard EMStkIdxInAdm 40.67 -.16 +2.5
New ways to communicate from vacation but also their
40 CNA Financial 11,682 43.05 t -.23 +27.5
American Funds SmCpWldA m 84.38 -2.71 +14.0 Vanguard EqIncAdmrl 93.10 -.64 +21.5 If you can see the inef- colleagues who don’t have
41 Hill-Rom Hldgs
American Funds TheNewEcoA m63.94 -2.17
American Funds TxExBdA m 13.64 +.03
+12.3
+2.5
Vanguard ExplorerAdmrl 133.43 -5.05 +19.4
10,282 155.68 s +.13 +62.8
ficiencies to the old-fash- to engage in a drawn-out
American Funds WAMtInvsA m 58.40 -.28 +23.4
Vanguard ExtMktIdxAdmrl
Vanguard ExtMktIdxIns
134.72 -6.95
134.71 -6.96
+15.0
+15.1
42 NiSource Inc 9,856 25.10 s +.11 +4.4
ioned meeting process, you process. Without meet-
Artisan IntlValueInstl 40.48 +.30 +15.8
Vanguard ExtMktIdxInsPls 332.46-17.16 +15.1
43 Middleby Corp 9,571 172.06 t -8.87 +29.1
may be wondering how to ings, there’s no reason for
Baird AggrgateBdInstl
Baird CorPlusBdInstl
11.47 +.06
11.83 +.07
-.4
-.1 Vanguard GNMAAdmrl 10.58 +.02 -.4
44 First Indl RT 8,059 62.41 s +2.33 +52.3
effectively convey import- FOMO.
BlackRock StrIncOpIns 10.22 -.01 +1.6 Vanguard GrIdxAdmrl 158.50 -3.44 +26.1 45 Aptargroup Inc 7,820 118.80 t -7.81 -4.1 ant information without Being a global digital
Calamos MktNetrlIncIns 14.42 -.03 +4.7 Vanguard GrIdxIns
Vanguard HCAdmrl
158.51 -3.44
95.04 -2.07
+26.1
+8.1
46 Littelfuse Inc 7,555 306.75 s +2.47 +29.3 meetings. That’s the perfect studio, what works for
Columbia DivIncIns 30.65 -.10 +22.5
DFA EMktCorEqI 24.65 +.19 +8.2 Vanguard HYCorpAdmrl 5.89 +.03 +3.3
47 Old Republic 7,291 23.75 t -1.16 +49.8 question to ask, but it’s TheSoul Publishing may
DFA FvYrGlbFIIns 10.80 +.01 -.8 Vanguard HYTEAdmrl 12.08 +.02 +4.6 48 Brunswick Corp 7,246 94.00 t -5.74 +31.3 not as simple as flipping a not be completely anal-
DFA IntlCorEqIns
DFA USCorEq1Instl
15.59 -.10
35.70 -.53
+12.6
+25.4
Vanguard InTrBdIdxAdmrl 12.11 +.07 -1.4 49 CCC Intellig Solut 7,081 11.73 t -.72 switch. It involves adjusting ogous to every business.
DFA USCorEqIIInstl 32.69 -.48 +26.6
Vanguard InTrInGdAdm
Vanguard InTrTEAdmrl
10.08 +.06
14.73 +.02
-.4
+1.6
50 US Foods Holding 6,955 31.22 t -1.76 -3.5 your processes and getting However, companies
DFA USLgCpValInstl 45.29 -.55 +23.7
Vanguard InflPrtScAdmrl 29.02 +.01 +6.7 51 IAA Inc 6,550 48.58 t -.06 -16.5 used to new standards and that are primarily remote
DFA USSmCpInstl
DFA USSmCpValInstl
47.49 -1.23
45.52 -1.16
+31.6
+40.3
Vanguard InflPrtScIns 11.82 ... +6.7 52 Ingredion Inc 6,261 94.11 t -2.50 +25.0 tools. (we’ve been 80% remote
Dodge & Cox Bal 115.34 -.47 +17.0 Vanguard InsIdxIns 397.46 -4.73 +25.5 53 Stericycle Inc 5,266 57.33 t -3.10 -16.5 Some companies with since 2016) will most likely
Vanguard InsIdxInsPlus 397.48 -4.73 +25.5
Dodge & Cox Inc
Dodge & Cox IntlStk
14.24 +.05
46.41 -.28
-.3
+7.9 Vanguard InsTrgRt2020Ins 27.96 -.10 +8.9
54 John Bean Technol 5,005 157.56 t -5.80 +42.2 no meetings policies rely see immediate benefits to
Dodge & Cox Stk 239.86 -1.83 +27.9 Vanguard InsTtlSMIInPls 87.90 -1.65 +23.7 55 Wintrust Financial 5,003 87.77 t -3.29 +58.0 almost exclusively on asyn- implementing the policy.
DoubleLine TtlRetBdI 10.49 +.01 +1.1 Vanguard IntlGrAdmrl 155.49 -6.37 +2.1 56 CDK Global Inc 4,760 40.23 s +.47 -15.6 chronous communica- We’ve seen a significant
Edgewood GrInstl
Fidelity 500IdxInsPrm
61.70 -1.91
157.85 -1.87
+23.2
+25.5
Vanguard IntlValInv 41.87 -.07 +7.6
57 RLI Corp 4,715 104.23 t -2.23 +10.3 tion, which means that all boost in efficiency and over-
Vanguard LTInGrdAdm 11.40 +.21 +.1
Fidelity BCGrowth 181.62 -6.72 +25.3 Vanguard LTTEAdmrl 12.20 +.03 +2.8 58 Envestnet Inc 4,215 77.14 s +.24 -2.9 company communications all productivity. We’ve also
Fidelity Balanced 29.71 -.31 +17.9 Vanguard LfStrGrInv 44.23 -.42 +14.6 59 Hyatt Hotels Corp 4,042 80.37 s +2.24 +13.1 are written down in one grown substantially during
Fidelity Cap&Inc x 11.04 -.20 +11.6
Fidelity Contrafund 19.64 -.62 +23.1
Vanguard LfStrModGrInv 33.84 -.19 +10.7
60 GATX 3,578 100.81 t -1.06 +25.0 way or another. This system this time, and this growth
Fidelity ContrafundK 19.69 -.63 +23.2
Vanguard LtdTrmTEAdmrl
Vanguard MdCpIdxAdmrl
11.18 +.01
302.14 -8.02
+.7
+22.3 61 Kemper Corp 3,433 53.94 t -4.37 -27.1 allows employees to make has been seamless as a direct
Fidelity EmergMketsOpps
Fidelity ExMktIdxInPr
23.47 -.16
85.49 -4.41
-1.2
+15.0 Vanguard MdCpIdxIns 66.74 -1.78 +22.3 62 Equity Commonwlth 3,051 25.24 t -.78 -2.1
requests to teammates result of not needing meet-
Fidelity Frdm 2025 16.06 -.10 +10.6 Vanguard MdCpIdxInsPlus 329.18 -8.73 +22.3
63 Hub Group Inc 2,692 79.28 t -2.47 +43.8
without hopping on a Zoom ings to make big decisions.
Fidelity Frdm 2030 20.17 -.14 +12.0 Vanguard PrmCpAdmrl 179.44 -3.88 +20.1
64 Federal Signal 2,686 43.99 t -.22 +45.9
where everyone needs to
Fidelity GlobalexUSIdx
Fidelity GroCo
14.91 -.09
40.02 -1.61
+7.2
+25.8
Vanguard RlEstIdxAdmrl
Vanguard SCpGrIdxAdm
152.68 -.21
94.91 -4.12
+31.1
+8.9 65 Stepan Co 2,609 116.42 t -1.53 +2.1
be “present” at the same Aleksandra Sulimko is the
Fidelity GroCo 28.04 -1.08 +27.4 Vanguard SCpValIdxAdm 73.78 -2.08 +27.1 66 Fst Midw Bcp 2,263 19.83 t -.67 +40.1
moment. If the outline and CHRO of TheSoul Publish-
Fidelity GroCoK 40.15 -1.61 +25.8 Vanguard STBdIdxAdmrl 10.66 ... -.7 deadline of a project are ing.
Fidelity IntlGr 19.92 +.01 +16.4 Vanguard STInfPrScIdAdmr 26.12 -.10 +5.6 67 TreeHouse Foods 2,106 37.77 t -.71 -3.6
Fidelity IntlIdxInstlPrm 48.54 -.22 +9.5
Vanguard STInfPrScIdIns 26.14 -.10 +5.7 68 Allscripts Hlthcare 2,050 16.73 s +.14 +16.7

AUC ION MART

Fidelity IntlVal 11.20 +.05 +13.6
Vanguard STInvmGrdAdmrl 10.81 -.01 -.1 69 Knowles Corp 1,995 21.61 t -.25 +24.4
Fidelity InvmGradeBd x 11.72 +.05 +1.0
Fidelity LowPrStk 52.93 -.43 +21.1 Vanguard STInvmGrdIns 10.81 -.01 -.1
70 Teleph Data 1,945 18.12 t -.73 -3.5
Fidelity Magellan 15.21 -.25 +26.1 Vanguard STTEAdmrl 15.88 -.01 +.3
Fidelity NasdCmpIdx 190.54 -5.03 +22.7 Vanguard SmCpIdxAdmrl 104.05 -3.59 +18.9 71 MYR Group 1,870 110.87 t -5.49 +110.9
Fidelity OTCPortfolio 19.50 -.56 +25.2 Vanguard SmCpIdxIns 104.05 -3.59 +18.9 72 Methode Electronics 1,726 45.23 t -.76 +24.9
Fidelity Puritan 26.90 -.24 +18.0 Vanguard StarInv 33.25 -.42 +11.2
73 US Cellular 1,589 29.88 t -.85 -6.1
PLEASE CALL
Fidelity TotalBond x 11.14 +.06 +1.0 Vanguard TMCapApAdm 236.66 -3.72 +24.3
Fidelity TtlMktIdxInsPrm 128.98 -2.41 +23.6 Vanguard TrgtRtr2020Fd 36.50 -.14 +8.9 74 Horace Mann 1,560 37.61 t -.42 -2.3

312.222.4089
Fidelity USBdIdxInsPrm 12.08 +.06 -.8 Vanguard TrgtRtr2025Fd 23.16 -.12 +10.4 75 First Busey Corp 1,469 26.11 t -.51 +32.7
First Eagle GlbA m 62.30 -4.62 +10.7 Vanguard TrgtRtr2030Fd 44.04 -.29 +11.9
Franklin Templeton GrA m 143.96-16.83 +21.3 76 Adtalem Global Educ 1,449 29.12 t -1.54 -.2
Vanguard TrgtRtr2035Fd 27.67 -.23 +13.4
Franklin Templeton IncA1 m 2.43 -.07
Franklin Templeton RisingDivsA m92.58-4.24
+14.5
+24.6
Vanguard TrgtRtr2040Fd
Vanguard TrgtRtr2045Fd
49.08 -.46
31.57 -.34
+14.9
+16.4
77 Gogo Inc
78 Enova Intl Inc
1,396 12.70 t
1,384 38.02 t
-.32 +29.2
-.89 +68.9
TO PLACE AD
Harbor CptlApprecInstl 117.95 -6.12 +17.9

ONLINE ONLY AUCTION

Harding Loevner IntlEqInstl 29.64 +.09 +10.5 Vanguard TrgtRtr2050Fd 50.96 -.57 +16.6
79 Addus HomeCare 1,348 84.68 t -6.71 -13.0
INVESCO DevMktsY 50.00 -.59 -2.9 Vanguard TrgtRtrIncFd 15.41 -.02 +5.9
JPMorgan CoreBondR6 12.02 +.06 +.1 Vanguard TtBMIdxAdmrl 11.31 +.06 -.6 80 Coeur Mining 1,336 5.20 t -.53 -34.2
JPMorgan EqIncI 23.21 -.10 +21.2 Vanguard TtBMIdxIns 11.31 +.06 -.6 81 Tootsie Roll 1,288 32.76 s +.74 +11.2
$7-Million Retail Value
John Hancock DiscpValMCI
Lord Abbett ShrtDurIncA m
Lord Abbett ShrtDurIncF b
MFS GrI
28.02 -.29
4.16
4.16
...
...
192.41 -3.85
+22.6
+1.4
+1.5
+23.1
Vanguard TtBMIdxInsPlus
Vanguard TtInBIdxAdmrl
Vanguard TtInBIdxInv
Vanguard TtInSIdxAdmrl
11.31 +.06
22.95 +.11
11.48 +.06
33.49 -.17
-.6
-.8
-.8
+8.3
82 Century Aluminum
83 AAR Corp
84 Huron Consulting Gp
1,189 13.20 t
1,182 33.33 t -1.02
1,038 47.40 t
-.75 +19.8
+4.0
-.18 +10.1
NEWExcellent
HAND opportunity
TOOLS & forSTEEL COIL
Bulk or
MFS ValI 53.54 -.10 +22.3
Vanguard TtInSIdxIns 133.92 -.68 +8.3
Metropolitan West TtlRetBdI 10.99 +.05
Metropolitan West TtlRetBdPlan10.30 +.05
-.1
-.1
Vanguard TtInSIdxInsPlus 133.96 -.68 +8.3
85 Great Lakes Dredge
86 Ryerson Holding
986 15.01 t -.30 +34.3
937 24.41 t -2.02 +101.6
Wholesaler Purchase at fraction of cost!
Old Westbury LgCpStrats 19.44 -.41 +18.3 Vanguard TtInSIdxInv 20.02 -.10 +8.2
PGIM Investments TtlRetBdZ
PIMCO AlAstInstl
14.64 +.14
12.77 -.04
-.2
+15.6
Vanguard TtlSMIdxAdmrl
Vanguard TtlSMIdxIns
112.54 -2.11
112.56 -2.10
+23.7
+23.7
87 Tenneco Inc
88 QCR Holdings Inc
879 10.71 t
858 55.05 t
-.90
-.15 +54.5
-1.9
Bidding Ends: THURSDAY, Dec. 16 • 11:00 AM CT
PIMCO IncA m 11.86 +.01 +2.3 Vanguard TtlSMIdxInv 112.49 -2.11 +23.5 Asset Location: 1600 S. Prairie Dr. Sycamore, IL
89 Heidrick & Struggles 855 43.65 s +.72 +64.4
PIMCO IncI2 11.86 +.01 +2.6 Vanguard USGrAdmrl 187.08-10.29 +15.0
PIMCO IncInstl 11.86 +.01 +2.7 Vanguard ValIdxAdmrl 54.68 -.47 +21.9 90 Acco Brands Corp 797 8.33 t -.17 +7.1 HUGE ASSORTMENT!!! • Including Sockets • Drives • Impact Sockets
PIMCO TtlRetIns 10.35 +.05 -.1 Vanguard ValIdxIns 54.68 -.47 +22.0 91 Heritage-Crystal Cln
• Wire Sets • Dead Blows • Wrenches • T-Handle Screwdrivers • Pliers
785 32.48 t -1.03 +67.1
Parnassus CorEqInv 61.25 -.28 +25.2 Vanguard WlngtnAdmrl 86.97 -.09 +16.7 • Punches • Chisels • Pry Bars • Hex Key Wrenches • Coil Steel • much more
Schwab SP500Idx 70.29 -.84 +26.5 92 Consolidated Commun 775 7.85 s +.08 +40.7
Vanguard WlngtnInv 50.36 -.06 +16.6
Schwab Schwab1000Idx 100.44 -1.74 +25.0
Vanguard WlslyIncAdmrl 72.13 +.15 +7.8 93 Fst Mid Bancshares 764 42.26 s +.26 +41.5 Inspection is by appointment only WEDnESDAY, Dec.15
Schwab TtlStkMktIdx
T. Rowe Price BCGr
79.66 -1.49
188.56 -7.27
+25.2
+16.0
Vanguard WndsrAdmrl 85.61 -1.33 +23.1 94 Sanfilipo John 737 83.10 s +.19 +20.6 Please contact to schedule an appointment:
T. Rowe Price CptlAprc 39.15 -.36 +16.5 Vanguard WndsrIIAdmrl 84.23 -.75 +26.8 95 OneSpan Inc 656 16.42 t -.48 -15.9 Jennifer Reiner – 847.545.6374
Vanguard WndsrIIInv 47.46 -.42 +26.7
T. Rowe Price DivGr 71.07 -.14 +22.3
WCM FocIntGrIns 27.53 -.45 +16.2 96 SP Plus Corp 624 26.88 t -2.40 -6.4 jennifer@perfectionindustrial.com
T. Rowe Price EqInc 36.73 -.43 +20.8
T. Rowe Price GrStk 113.16 -4.68 +20.5 Western Asset CorBdI 13.16 +.05 -1.0 97 Groupon Inc 571 19.35 t -3.54 -33.5 Sale Details & Registration:
T. Rowe Price HlthSci 106.08 -3.90 +11.8 Western Asset CorPlusBdI 11.96 +.06 -1.0 98 SunCoke Energy Inc 523 6.30 s +.12 +35.5 https://perfection.global/handtools
b - Fee covering market costs is paid from fund assets. d - Deferred sales charge, or redemption fee. 99 ANI Pharma 503 39.55 t -1.22 +44.8
m - Multiple fees are charged, usually a marketing fee and either a sales or redemption fee. s - fund
split shares during the week. x - fund paid a distribution during the week. Source: Morningstar. 100 Titan Intl 434 6.96 t -.55 +32.8

IL Auction Lic. #444.000438 & 441.001779

 ★ Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  11

Jobs &Worktribune publishing recruitment services

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2021

Good advice:
It’s never the wrong time to hear ways to
improve your job search
To help today’s active jobseekers find not just a job, but
the right job, we’re offering several suggestions about how
to approach your quest for the perfect career:

Choose carefully: If you’re looking for a career with

potential, focus your job search on those companies that
prioritize innovation. “You should be asking about what
the company is doing to stay on top of customer trends,
attract diverse talent and keep pace with fast-changing
technologies and competitive maps,” says Amy Radin, a
former executive with Citibank and American Express and
author of “The Change Maker’s Playbook: How to Seek,
Seed and Scale Innovation In Any Company.” Look for
indications of collaboration, experimentation and openness.
This has little to do with whether there is an open floor
plan and is more about talent and culture, where resources
are being invested, how fast things happen, how decisions
are made and whether the business accepts that failure is to
be expected as a necessary part of what it takes to iterate a
concept and achieve market success.
Use your hands: John Morehouse, director of the
Center of Innovation for Manufacturing for the state of
Georgia’s Department of Economic Development, says
high school graduates shouldn’t be so quick to discredit
manufacturing jobs. “Everyone thinks manufacturing is
important to our country and to our economy but there’s
definitely not as much support for those people who want to
go into manufacturing,” Morehouse says. “These are well-
paying jobs and you can build a future with them. There’s
a demand for workers with a complex set of skills, a
combination of technical skills, soft skills, creative thinking,
critical thinking, communication, advanced problem solving
and more. We’re talking about rewarding work that doesn’t
have to come home with you. And you can earn a good
salary — money to buy a house, go on vacation — if you
can see through the old perception and instead look at these
jobs for what they actually are — strong, interesting, stable
jobs that can provide a person the means for a great life.”
Increase your skills: Today’s college seniors looking
to enter the workforce upon graduation should know that
they may have impressive academic records and quality
internships but if they lack the soft skills needed to succeed
at work, they may have to settle for a lesser first job. The
same goes for experienced workers looking to improve their
careers as well. “Soft skills are the differentiator between
people getting many job offers and maybe just a few,” says
Paul McDonald, senior executive director of staffing firm
Robert Half. “You can have great university training, you
can take the right technology courses, but I urge all students
to branch out into public speaking, to take writing courses,
to take courses that will make them more emotional-
awareness-type courses. And don’t let your soft skills suffer
once you start working. You’d be surprised at the number
of people who’ve advanced their careers because they took
the time to learn — and I mean, really learn — Microsoft
Excel.”
Don’t take rejection personally: What if your
personality rubs a job interviewer the wrong way — or
more likely, doesn’t fit in with your desired company’s
culture? Amanda Augustine, a New York-based career
coach and resume writer for TopInterview, says most times
when that happens, it’s to the benefit of the job seeker.
“Whether or not you’re hired is going to come down to the
Dreamstime
key stakeholder, which is ultimately the hiring manager
— the person who’s going to be directly in charge because
they’re the ones who know what type of person works not
only with the culture of the company but also for their
team,” she says. “If a company has a very clear mission
statement, it has very strong leaders who are helping
promote and cultivate that culture from the top down, as
well as from the bottom up.”
Take a breath: Feeling a bit on edge before your job
interview? Take a few minutes to settle yourself down
before meeting with your interviewer. If you don’t, prepare
to be judged by everything but your skills and experience.
“People play with their pens, rub their hands and tap their
feet without even realizing what they’re doing and that’s a
problem. Constant movement isn’t the way to an employer’s
heart, that’s for sure,” says Paul C. Green, author of “Get
Hired! Winning Strategies to Ace the Interview”. “If you
find yourself fidgeting during the interview, take a deep
breath, place your hands on your legs for support and focus
on sitting still.
– Marco Buscaglia

Senior Engineers 6364120

The great divide: Technology-dependent couples ACCOUNTING >> Westmont, IL https://www.gtisoft.com/about-gt/careers/
GAMMA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Gamma Technologies, LLC

share frustrations, solutions

Technology addictions are often
presented as generational, an issue
that affects millennials and their
younger counterparts. but a lot of baby
boomers are finding that they too have
a permanent attachment to the digital
world around them, especially as may
have returned to work — and are working
from home — while their parents are
trying to enjoy their retirement.
“I look at my phone as soon as I wake
up, sign onto my computer and still
have my phone at my side until the end
of the day,” says Joan Parelli, a retired
teacher for the Chicago Public Schools
who now tutors online from her home
in Clearwater, Florida. “I wish it wasn’t
that way but I like seeing pictures of my
grandkids and playing games with my
friends when I have breaks from work. I
don’t view it as a hindrance at all.”
But Vincent Parelli, Joan’s husband,
considers his wife’s phone addiction a
“devil in disguise,” saying his wife uses
her grandchildren as an excuse to keep
the phone within arm’s length “all day
and all night,” whether she’s home or not.
“How many pictures can you see of your
grandchildren a day?”
‘A substitute for real life’
Dr. Mark Goulston, a Los Angeles-
based psychiatrist and author of “Just
Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting
Through to Absolutely Anyone,” says
it may be time for couples like the
Parellis to get on the same page when
it comes to personal technology. “Life is
constantly shifting,” says Goulston. “It’s
important to be honest with each other
and update our expectations.”
That makes a lot of sense to Vincent
Parelli, who says he and his wife used
to sit in silence during most at-home
dinners when they were married
because they both viewed it as a time
to decompress. “I’d do a crossword
and she’d read the paper,” he says. “I
never thought it was rude. She was with
second-graders all day and I worked
in a machine shop. That’s a lot of noise.
You get home, you want some quiet. We
enjoyed each other’s company but we
enjoyed the silence. It had a purpose
then, without getting too philosophical. I
don’t know the purpose now.”
Sharon Farnsworth, a Rochester, New
York-based social worker who specializes
in family relationships, says it’s fair for
one person to feel slighted when the
other is constantly plugged in. “People
don’t realize how consumed they can be
by checking Facebook and Instagram,
especially if they’re older,” Farnsworth
says. “Retirement and the years leading
up to it can be confusing and lonely.
People begin to question their worth and
find themselves living vicariously through
others. They get involved in debates on
Facebook that do nothing to improve or
enhance their day-to-day lives. “
Farnsworth says she sees signs of
this mindset in her own mother, who
still works as a full-time nurse but is the
only member of her “nursing clique” who
hasn’t retired. “She scrutinizes every one
of their posts and pictures. She’ll call me
and tell me to look at someone’s page.
‘See? She’s bored to death’ or ‘I don’t
know why she just doesn’t get a divorce.’
It’s almost like a substitute for real life,”
Farnsworth says.
– Marco Buscaglia
Dreamstime
Tax Accountant
Chicago, IL Apply Online
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complete job description, list of requirements, and to apply
online, go to: ey.com/en_us/careers, and click on “Find jobs”
(Job Number - 546462).
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CHICAGO TRIBUNE - We are looking for candidates with
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Work requires a reliable vehicle, proof of insurance and the
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ENGINEERING >>
Lead Structural Revit Production Engineer 6297319
Chicago, IL jhenriksen@desman.com
DESMAN, INC. - (Desman, Inc. has an opening in Chicago, IL)
Lead Structural Revit Production Engineer: Create graphical
representations of parking structures & assist in planning &
design of parking structures using Revit drawing tools. Reqs.
BS in Civil Engr., or closely related field & 2 yrs. of exp. in the
job offered, or related. 2 yrs. must include. exp. w/ Revit, Au-
toCad, Etabs, & SAFE. Email resume to jhenriksen@desman.
com.
Master Software Engineer
Chicago, IL Apply Online
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC - in Chicago Metro Area; Mult
pos avail: Lead overall tech design, dvlpmnt, modification, &
implementation of comp apps using existing & emerging tech
platforms. To apply, visit
https://capitalone.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Capital_One and
search “Master Software Engineer” or “R126845”.
Master Software Engineer
Chicago, IL Apply Online
CAPITAL ONE SERVICES, LLC - in Chicago, IL; Mult pos avail:
Lead overall tech design, dvlpmnt, modification, & implemen-
tation of comp apps using existing & emerging tech platforms.
To apply, visit
https://capitalone.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Capital_One and
search “Master Software Engineer” or “R127910”.
Project and Application Engineers 6364107
Westmont, IL https://www.gtisoft.com/about-gt/careers/
GAMMA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Gamma Technologies, LLC
seeks Project and Application Engineers for Westmont, IL lo-
cation to work w/application & support team on automotive
electrical apps, electric machine architectures, & Stochastic
Reactor Models (SRMs). Master’s in Electrical Eng, Comp Eng/
related field+2yrs exp req’d. Req’d Specific Skills: electric
motor design, 2D/3D electric motor finite element analysis,
electric motor drives & control, MotorCAD, Ansys/Maxwell,
Matlab/Simulink. Send resumes to: https://www.gtisoft.com/
about-gt/careers/ REF:ZH
seeks Senior Engineers for Westmont, IL location to under-
take projects to research, dev & test advanced computational
models of mechanical eng. equipment. Master’s in Mechani-
cal Eng/related field such as Aeronautics/Astronautics+2yrs
exp req’d. Req’d Specific Skills: MDB for cranktrain, valvetrain
& timing drive systems; flexible bodies; tribology; contact me-
chanics, & friction analysis; Matlab/Simulink; AMESim; internal
combustion engines, including design, measurement, instru-
mentation, & controls. Send resumes to: https://www.gtisoft.
com/about-gt/careers/ REF:HRP
Senior Engineers 6364126
Westmont, IL https://www.gtisoft.com/about-gt/careers/
GAMMA TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Gamma Technolgies, LLC
seeks Senior Engineers for Westmont, IL location to under-
take projects to research, dev & test advanced computational
models of mechanical eng. equipment. Master’s in Mechani-
cal Eng/related field+2yrs exp req’d. Req’d Skills: Automotive
engine design; model-based design for controls systems; Sys-
tem level designing (thermal/flow modeling of after-treatment
systems, turbo systems), real-time modeling of automotive
systems & subsystems; HIL systems; Matlab/Simulink; AMES-
im; dSPaCE; ETAS; National Instruments. Send resumes to:
https://www.gtisoft.com/about-gt/careers/ REF:HRP
FINANCE >>
Advisory Senior Consultant
Chicago, IL Apply Online
DELOITTE & TOUCHE - seeks an Advisory Senior Consultant
in Chicago, IL to identify & evaluate complex bus. & tech.
risks, internal controls that mitigate risks, & related opportuni-
ties for internal control improvement. Position requires 80%
travel. To apply visit https://apply.deloitte.com/. Enter XSFH-
22FA1121CHI1 in ‘Search jobs” field. EOE, including disability/
veterans.
Economist 6367446
Chicago, IL Apply by Email
COMPASS LEXECON, LLC - Process public & private data,
dvlp analytic models & perform cmplx econometric & finan-
cial analyses using STATA, Excel & other analytical softw. Job
req a Master’s. in econ, finance, or rltd. Send cover letter/re-
sume identifying job code XY to GMJobs@FTIConsulting.com.
No calls.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY >>
Audit & Assurance Analytics Specialist Senior Manager
Chicago, IL Apply Online
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP - seeks an Audit & Assurance
Analytics Specialist Senior Manager in Chicago, IL to redefine
audit by infusing cutting-edge technologies, data analytics &
visualizations, & transformative audit delivery models to de-
liver a more dynamic picture to our clients. Position requires
approx. 70% travel. To apply visit https://apply.deloitte.com/.
Enter XSFH22FA1121CHI2 in ‘Search jobs” field. EOE, including
disability/veterans.
Consulting, Consultant
Chicago, IL Apply Online
DELOITTE CONSULTING LLP - seeks a Consulting, Consultant
in Chicago, IL and various unanticipated Deloitte office loca-
tions and client sites nationally to provide software advisory
and implementation services to help companies unlock the
value of big technology investments as discrete services or
comprehensive solutions. 50% travel required nationally. Tele-
commuting permitted. To apply visit apply.deloitte.com. Enter
XBAL22FC1121CHI1718 in “Search jobs” field. EOE, including
disability/veterans.
Director - PM Information Security Engineering
Chicago, IL Apply Online
BMO HARRIS BANK N.A. - to develop, test, and implement
information security platform and infrastructure strategies for
the Bank. Requires: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Computer
Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Information Secu-
rity, or a closely related field (willing to accept foreign educa-
tion equivalent) plus nine (9) years of experience in analyzing
complex issues regarding information security platforms in a
financial services industry or other highly regulated industry.
To apply, visit https://bmo.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/
External/job/Chicago-IL-USA/Director---PM-Information-
Security-Engineering--Chicago--Illinois-_R210028825-2;
the Job ID is: R210028825.
Discover your potential.
Explore a new position.
12  Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
CAREERS
Clean or clutter: Curb bad desk habits in
2021 to avoid spillover into 2022
Sure, your workspace is a hot mess
right now but who cares? Well, you
should.
After all, old habits may be hard
to break, whether you’re back at the
workplace or working remotely.
For some, a neat, organized desk,
especially if they want to be mindful
of others around them, is key to
productivity. For others, not so much.
But there’s a difference between
“unorganized” and “disgusting.” The
former allows for a few random piles
of paper; the latter means you have the
cure for Covid-25 growing at the bottom
of one of the seven coffee cups on your
desk. And another reason to clean things
up if you’re working from home? How
about sparing your guests those looks of
disgust when they’re looking for a quick
place to make a phone call during your
holiday party, and happen to stumble
across your chamber of horrors?
At work, if you’re fairly organized,
you’ll enjoy the benefits of working in
a clutter-free zone and avoid being “that
guy” who causes a scene every time
you’re looking for an important document
or your car keys. Of course, some argue
a messy desk inspires them to be more
creative. Maybe. But a huge mess where
you work is good for your brain? That’s
a bunch of garbage. Literally. Gum
wrappers, half-eaten bagels, empty soup
bowls. Toss them out. Stop the pigsty
approach to work and get back on track.
“A clean desk is a sign of efficiency.
It’s a sign that you are working on
one thing at a time and that you’re
not wasting your efforts being pulled
to a million different places. It shows
organization and purpose,” says James
Will, a financial planner in Fort Myers,
Florida. “If you have to wade through a
desk filled with clutter, you’re probably
not going to get as much done as you can
because you’re distracted. To me, the
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY >>
Enterprise Sys Anlyst
Lincolnshire, IL Apply by Mail
ZEBRA TECH CORP - has an opening in Lincolnshire, IL: En-
terprise Sys Anlyst: Lay out the IT ecom tech stratgy. Bach +
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to jobs@zebra.com and reference job #2306768
IT Advisor
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ERNST & YOUNG U.S. LLP - IT Advisor, Tech. Con. - DET - Sr.
Eng. - OMS Architect – (Mngr) (Mult. Pos.) Assist clients on new
technology delivery, maintenance and the future order fulfill-
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Travel is required 50% of the time. Employer will accept any
suitable combination of education, training, or experience. For
complete job description, list of requirements, and to apply
online, go to: ey.com/en_us/careers, and click on “Find jobs”
(Job # - 469467).
IT Advisor
Chicago, IL Apply Online
ERNST & YOUNG U.S. LLP - IT Advisor, Tech. Con., Msft - Biz
Apps - Data Eng. - (Mngr.) (Mult. Pos.), Ernst & Young U.S. LLP,
Chicago, IL. Advise clients to understand, architect, select and
implement bleeding edge solutions required to efficiently run
their businesses, with a focus on Digital and Cloud. Requires
domestic travel up to 80%, of which 20% may be international,
to serve client needs. Employer will accept any suitable com-
bination of education, training, or experience. For complete
job description, list of requirements, and to apply online, go
to: ey.com/en_us/careers, and click on “Find jobs” (Job # -
505261).
IT Analyst.
Lincolnshire, IL 175 Olde Half Day Road, Suite 290
MANNING & SILVERMAN LTD - Bachelor’s in Comp Sci or
related req. Mail resume to: Manning & Silverman LTD, Attn:
HR, 175 Olde Half Day Road, Suite 290, Lincolnshire, IL 60069
IT professionals
Chicago, IL Apply Online
CAPGEMINI AMERICA, INC. - (Sogeti division), an IT consult-
ing Co, seeks IT professionals to fill multiple consultant posi-
tions in Chicago, IL and various unanticipated sites throughout
the US. Entry through Sr. level positions available. Specific skill
sets needed:
Web Application Development 010- Responsible for software
design & development using Microsoft-based corporate en-
vironment.
Web Application Development 020- Responsible for designing
& developing a suite of Web Services which will form the basis
of advanced application development.
Business Intelligence 030 – Define the architecture, design
solutions, & develop test & implementation of Business Intel-
ligence & software applications.
Database Services 040 – Responsible for designing, develop-
ing & testing database solutions & bi-directional ETL (extract,
transform, load) processes.
Testing & QA Services 070– Perform various functions related
to testing & QA services for web & non web based environ-
ments.
ERP Consultants 080 – Responsible for overall day to day care
& feeding of those elements of Oracle procurement, purchas-
ing & AP.
PLM Consultants 090- Develop prototypes & write production
ready code or configure & execute on approved design docu-
ments reflecting the requested Teamcenter & Enovia configu-
rations, integrations, extensions.
Apply online at: https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/careers/
job-search/ and search for job and code 010 through 090.
Must be available to work on projects at various, unantici-
pated sites throughout the United States
Lead Data Science Analyst 6363618
Riverwoods, IL Apply Online
DFS CORPORATE SERVICES LLC - seeks Lead Data Science
Analyst in Riverwoods, IL to lead dvlpmt & implementation of
advanced analytics, incl customer segmentation, optimiza-
tion, prescriptive analytics & machine learning algorithms,
& make recommendations to solve bus. problems. Promote
risk-aware culture to ensure efficient & effective risk & com-
pliance mgmt practices by adhering to req’d standards & pro-
cesses. Req’ts: Bachelor’s or equiv in Bus. Analytics, Project
Mgmt, Statistics, or rel. field & 4 yrs of exp: utilizing bus. in-
telligence data visualization technologies, incl Tableau, Power
BI, or Cognos; coding languages using SQL, SAS, or Python;
using data & analytics, incl data sci to solve bus. challenges
& drive bus. impact; utilizing statistical & data sci models, incl
generalized linear models, decision trees, clustering, associa-
tion rules, & ensemble methods. In alternative, employer will
accept Master’s or equiv in above listed fields & 2 yrs of exp
in above-listed areas. Pls apply directly through our website
at https://jobs.discover.com for Job ID R11512 by clicking on
“Apply Now.” EOE/D/V.
Lead Data Science Analyst 6371168
Riverwoods, IL Apply Online
DISCOVER PRODUCT INC. - seeks Lead Data Science Ana-
lyst in Riverwoods, IL to lead dvlpmt & implementation of ad-
vanced analytics, incl customer segmentation, optimization,
prescriptive analytics & machine learning algorithms & make
recommendations to solve bus. problems. Promote risk-
aware culture to ensure efficient & effective risk & compliance
mgmt practices by adhering to req’d standards & processes.
Req’mts: Bachelor’s or equiv in Applied Math, Fin’l Math,
Stats, Analytics, or rel field & 4 yrs exp: prog’g in SAS, SQL, &
Teradata; performing data analysis in big data platforms, incl
Snowflake & Hadoop; prog’g in UNIX/Linux; performing stat
analysis & conducting fin’l impact analysis; & utilizing MS Of-
fice tools, incl Excel & PowerPoint. In alternative, employer
will accept Master’s or equiv in above listed fields & 2 yrs exp
in above-listed skills. Pls apply thru https://jobs.discover.com
for Job ID R11643 by clicking on “Apply Now.” EOE/D/V.
Be on your way to finding your dream job.
★
Senior Regulatory Publishing Submissions Associate Vice President of Client Success 6361672
Northbrook, IL Apply by Mail Rosemont, IL Apply by Email
ASTELLAS PHARMA GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT, INC. - seeks SOFTSERVE, INC. - in Rosemont, IL seeks a Vice President of
Senior Regulatory Publishing Submissions Associate in North-
brook, Illinois, to coordinate and support regulatory documen-
tation for the company’s clinical drug development, including:
coordinate and compile standard and complex submissions
Client Success. Qualified applicants will possess a Bachelor’s
degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Business
Administration, or closely related field and six years of experi-
ence in the job offered or six years of experience in forming
and registration documents for multiple projects at various
stages of development. The position requires a Master’s de-
gree or the foreign equivalent in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
Science, or related field in Life/Health Science, and 24 months
and leading teams in software outsourcing, technical consult-
ing or closely related industry; working with software devel-
opment principles and processes, design methodologies,
modern technologies, SaaS, Cloud, CyberSecurity, and process
more clear the desk, the better.” in the job offered, or as a Regulatory Submissions Specialist automation; and working with advanced technologies such as
Still, if you feel your clutter works for or related position. Alternatively, we will accept Bachelor’s Big Data, Data Science, Machine Learning, Internet-of-Things,
degree or the foreign equivalent in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and DevOps. To apply, submit resumes to
you, don’t be so quick to force yourself Science, or related field in Life/Health Science, and 48 months apont@softserveinc.com and include job code SGC-36.
in the job offered, or as a Regulatory Submissions Specialist
into a stringent environment, says Linda or related position. Position requires less than 5% of domes-
Dalton, a medical records transcriptionist tic and international travel. Mail resume, reference Job Code
20357.245.5, to: ATTN: Walter Garcia, Astellas US LLC, 1 Astel-
in St. Paul, Minnesota, who says a las Way, Northbrook, IL 60062. Equal Opportunity Employer:
clutter-free desk may be a sign of a M/F/D/V.
person who spends a limited amount of Senior Software Engineer - Full Stack 6363611
time doing his or her job. “I’ve worked Riverwoods, IL Apply Online
in offices where people have literally DFS CORPORATE SERVICES LLC - seeks Senior Software
Engineer - Full Stack in Riverwoods, IL to dvlp & maintain
nothing on their desk except for their full stack solutions to fit bus. needs. Promote risk-aware cul-
ture to ensure efficient & effective risk & compliance mgmt
computer and I would always think, this practices by adhering to req’d standards & processes. Req’ts:
is not a team player. This is not a person Bachelor’s or equiv in IT, CS, or rel. field of study & 4 yrs of exp:
utilizing Message Broker & Pub/Sub model to enable apps,
who is trying to help others out or doing syst’s, & srvcs to communicate w/ each other & exchange info
in real-time; utilizing Java & Spring Boot Exp to address mod-
what they can to help the office run ern bus. needs via portfolio projects & build web & enterprise
smoothly,” she says. “No one’s asking apps/APIs; utilizing Gradle to build apps by compiling, linking,
& packaging code; integrating & building processes w/ auto-
this guy for help because they know this mation tools; utilizing Jenkins to apply continuous integration
is a person who does his job and leaves (CI) processes & adding continuous delivery (CD) by leverag-
ing DevOps model; utilizing GitHub for version control & col-
as soon as that little hand hits five on the laboration; utilizing RDBMS/Nosql DB to dsgn data structures
clock.” w/ both vertical & horizontal scalability; engaging in test au-
tomation/Junit/Integration tests to reduce bus. risk & enable
Still, Dalton says she keeps her desk faster feedback cycle; utilizing APM tools, incl AppDynamics,
Instana, & Grafana to facilitate quick issue resolution & resto-
fairly clean. “I get too stressed out when ration of apps to normal state; & utilizing Amazon Web Srvcs
there are piles everywhere, especially (AWS), Pivotal Cloud Foundry (PCF), & Openshift to deploy &
build cost effective, scalable, & secure apps. In alternative
when in the morning,” she says. “I have employer will accept Master’s or equiv in above-mentioned
a few items on my desk but I do like to
start the day with a clean slate.”
fields & 2 yrs of exp in above-listed areas. Pls apply directly
through our website at https://jobs.discover.com for Job ID
R11502 by clicking on “Apply Now.” EOE/D/V.
YOUR
Software Engineer PERFECT
JOB
– Marco Buscaglia
Chicago, IL Apply by Mail
JOB LOCATION: CONTAX, INC. - 311 W. Superior St, Ste 313,
Chicago, IL 60654. Duties: Perform SAP HANA Admin, Instal-
IS WAITING
lation, Upgrading, Monitoring w/ SAP HANA Cockpit/Studio
tools. Performance tuning & optimize resource utilization on
HANA Cloud & Cloud Foundry HANA Service. Develop XSA
apps w/ JAVA & SAP HANA as backend DB. Migrate DB w/ SAP
HANA Migration tools & Smart Data Access. Telecommute
from any location w/in the U.S. Reqs: Master’s degree or for- Stop wasting time searching for jobs.
eign equiv. in Comp Sci, Software Eng, Info Systems, or closely
Find the right jobs with tribune publishing
related degree & 3 yrs prior exp as a Software Eng. Exp which
may have been obtained concurrently must include 3 yrs prior recruitment services.
exp in SAP HANA DB Admin, HANA Cockpit, SAP HANA Cloud
DB Migration. Mail resume to: Ms. Audra Miller, Contax, Inc.,
9151 Atlanta Ave #7006, Huntington Beach, CA 92615. We work hard to make your job search
easy. With our expansive network of
Strategy Advisor, Bus. Design, (Customer) Manager (Multiple Positions) 6363618 distinguished employers from coast
Chicago, IL Apply Online to coast and advanced job matching
ERNST & YOUNG U.S. LLP - Help clients strategize and ex-
ecute on their future customer vision and experience. Re-
technology, you’ll find opportunities
quires travel up to 80% to serve client needs. Employer will that match your skills, your personality
accept any suitable combination of education, training, or ex- and your life.
perience. For complete job description, list of requirements,
and to apply online, go to: ey.com/en_us/careers, and click on
“Find jobs” (Job Number - 437901). Search jobs. Post your resume.
Stand out from the crowd.
Systems Analyst
Dreamstime Oak Brook, IL
ASPIRE SYSTEMS CONSULTING, INC. - Design custom-
Apply by Email chicagotribune.com/jobs
ized software. Req: B.S. or for equiv in Comp Sci, Elec Eng,
Manager, Business Analytics Math, related, and 3 yrs related exp incl: analyzing, design-
Hoffman Estates, IL ing, developing, implementing computer programs using:
Apply Online Java, J2EE, Struts, Spring, Hibernate, Commergent, XML, ANT,
TRANSFORM SR HOLDING MANAGEMENT, LLC - to support Tomcat, JBoss, Weblogic, Websphere, Eclipse, UML, SVN, Log5j,
strategic initiatives via analysis, reporting, business cases, fi-
nancial models & project management; manage integration
PHP, Junit, Webservices, JSP, Ajax, JavaScript, Jquery, Oracle The Chicago Tribune has
11g/10g/9i/8i/7.x, SQL Server, DB2, MySql, Agile methodology,
requirements, process change management & deployment
of an enterprise wide customer profile service. Reqs MS+3 yrs
Design patters, Windows XP/2000/NT/98, Unix, Red Hat Linux. all the resources you need
Permanent US work auth required. Apply to
exp or BS+5 yrs exp. For complete description of job duties
& requirements & to apply visit https://jobs.sears.com/ and
careers.us@aspiresys.com. to start a new career.
reference 1007592BR.
Multiple Openings
Chicago, IL
Chicago Tribune delivers more job
Apply Online Chicago Tribune delivers more job
CHARLES SCHWAB - has the following openings in Chicago opportunities than any other
IL: *Sr. Mgr, Risk Analytics/Modeling (Job ID#2021-76599) Lead opportunities than any other
crssfnctional prjects using advnced data modeling & analysis Chicagoland newspaper.
tchniques. Chicagoland newspaper.
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Principal Model Validation 6363634
Riverwoods, IL Apply Online
DFS CORPORATE SERVICES LLC - seeks Principal Model Vali-
DELIVERY
dation in Riverwoods, IL to manage independent model valida-
tions & effective challenge of fin’l & account mgmt models
such as balance sheet/ALM, revenue, expense, credit loss,
econ capital, regulatory capital, treasure, interest rate, acqui-
sition scorecards, ML/AI models, AML models, & operational
DRIVERS
risk models. Promote risk-aware culture to ensure efficient
& effective risk & compliance mgmt practices by adhering
to req’d standards & processes. Req’ts: Master’s or equiv in
Computational Fin., Risk Mgmt, Econ, Statistics, or rel. quan-
titative field & 4 yrs of exp: utilizing analytical tools, incl SAS,
SQL, R, Teradata, Unix, & Excel; & utilizing technologies, incl
NEEDED
Git & Docker. 1 yr of exp must incl writing & presenting model
dvlpmt or validation reports; & performing validations of sta-
tistical models in areas, incl portfolio risk mgmt, credit risk,
& loss forecasting. Pls apply directly through our website at
https://jobs.discover.com for Job ID R11515 by clicking on “Ap-
ply Now.” EOE/D/V.
Senior Network Systems Administrator 6336372
Immediate
Chicago, IL SG.Jobs@scientificgames.com
SCIENTIFIC GAMES CORP - Resp for providing engineering &
support for Global Systems Engineering Team. REQS: Bach’s
newspaper
deg (or foreign equivalent) in Comp Info Systems or rel field
and 5 yrs’ exp in job offered or as a Deputy General Manager.
Must have 5 yrs of exp (can be gained concurrently with exp
above) in: (1) Managing windows & Unix OS Servers with multi
vendor’s servers, storage & blades hardware. (2) Design, build
& manage High available DNS, Dhcp, Active Directory & vm-
carrier routes
ware Vsphere infrastructure. (3) Data Center Designing, imple-
mentation, reconsolidation & migration using tools VMware available
throughout
vCenter Server, Unix Rsync & windows Robocopy. The follow-
ing certifications are also required: VMware, Microsoft, Red-
hat Systems Administrator, SNIA Storage & ITIL. Background
Chicagoland
check & drug screening required. Employer will accept any
suitable combo of education, training or exp. Employer: Sci-
entific Games Corporation, Qualif. applicants email resume to
SG.jobs@scientificgames.com, ref Job #00277. EEO.
Senior Principal Application Architect 6368020
Riverwoods, IL Apply Online
DFS CORPORATE SERVICES LLC - seeks Senior Principal Ap-
plication Architect in Riverwoods, IL to dsgn & dvlp solutions
to app, syst. admin, & network issues. Promote risk-aware cul- We are looking for candidates Work requires a reliable vehicle,
ture to ensure efficient & effective risk & compliance mgmt
practices by adhering to req’d standards & processes. Req’ts: with strong customer service proof of insurance and the ability
Bachelor’s or equiv in IT, Comp Eng’g, or rel. field & 8 yrs of and attention to detail. If to work early morning hours 7
progressively responsible exp: dsgning & architecting solu-
tions in Digital & Emerging Payments space utilizing EMVCo you or someone you know is days a week (3-4 hours per day).
rel. technologies, specifications, implementation architects, &
test tools & methods, incl Secure Remote Commerce Syst.,
looking to make extra income All carriers are sub-contracted
Tokenization, Mobile Wallets, 3-D Secure, & Contact & Con- we’re interested! with a Chicago Tribune Home
tactless chip technologies; dsgning Secure Remote Com-
merce (SRC) Syst., incl architecture, bus. & processing logic
Delivery Contractor.
dsgn & implementation, incl API dsgn, security models dsgn,
implementing federated identity & device fingerprinting, &
SDK & Mobile/Browser app dvlpmt; utilizing Global Platform
Specifications, card personalization processes, & Trusted
Srvcs Manager (TSM) architecture implementation & opera-
tion; performing mobile/card personalization & transaction
simulation testing using EMV qualification tools, incl UL/Collis,
Gallit VisuCard, Barnes CPT/CAT, & FIME Smart spy; perform-
ing data encryption/decryption & signing using various keys,
algorithms, & standards, incl AES CBC, AES ECB, JWE, JWS,
ECDSA, & SHA using AES, RSA, & ECC keys; utilizing encryption
technology for payment technology solutions; dvlping using
Eclipse, Spring Web, & JPA; deploying to Cloud Foundry PaaS,
AWS Cloud environ, & API Gateways; & working in enterprise
project environ using SAFe Agile methodology & modern CICD
technologies & tools, incl Github, Jenkins, Gradle, & Nexus. Pls
apply directly through our website at https://jobs.discover.
com for Job ID R11557 by clicking on “Apply Now.” EOE/D/V.
Senior Principal Systems Architect 6364671
Riverwoods, IL
Apply Online
DFS CORPORATE SERVICES LLC - seeks Senior Principal Sys-
tems Architect in Riverwoods, IL to be responsible for dsgning
& implementing comp & info networks incl local area net- Perfect as Immediate
works, wide area networks, intranets, extranets, & other data
communications networks. Promote risk-aware culture to en-
a second job openings
sure efficient & effective risk & compliance mgmt practices by or for a throughout
adhering to req’d standards & processes. Req’ts: Bachelor’s stay-at-home Chicagoland!
or equiv in CS, IT, or rel. field & 8 yrs of progressively respon-
sible exp: deploying apps on cloud platforms, virtual servers, parent.
& configuring routes utilizing Pivotal Cloud Foundry; creating
scripts using Shell & Perl for Corn & Batch jobs; performing
code review for performance analysis & regression testing; TO INQUIRE, PLEASE CALL
312-222-2803
creating Apache instances & configuring vhosts & firewalls;
performing change mgmt, release mgmt, problem mgmt, &
issue tracking; & utilizing technologies, incl GitHub, Jenkins,
Gradle, AppDynamics SonarQube JMeter, Rally, Jira, Linux, Ora-
cle, & MariDB. In alternative, employer will accept Master’s or
equiv in one of above-listed fields 6 yrs of exp in above-listed
skills. Telecommuting &/or working from home is permissible.
Pls apply directly through our website at https://jobs.discover. or email
com for Job ID R11553 by clicking on “Apply Now.” EOE/D/V.
Climb that job ladder. Make your way to the top.
deliveries@chicagotribune.com
14  Chicago Tribune | Section 2 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 

CHICAGO WEATHER CENTER

chicagoweathercenter.com | BY TOM SKILLING AND

SUNDAY, DEC. 5 NORMAL HIGH: 38° NORMAL LOW: 24° RECORD HIGH: 68° (2001) RECORD LOW: -8° (1871)

Upcoming week to feel a lot more like winter

LOCAL FORECAST NATIONAL FORECAST December has opened
-10s -0s 0s 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 990s
0s 100s 110s quite mild, but by Monday,
the mild conditions will be in
Saturday’s lowest: -6 ° at
Mt. Washington, N.H. the rear-view mirror. Rain
Seattle Spokane Intern
national Falls develops across the area
HIGH LOW 41/35 34/25
30s
27/-3
20s 30s Sunday, but could begin as
Bis
smarck freezing rain in locations
43 32 Steady or
rising at night Portland
46/39
Boise
Billlings
34/ 14
Minneapolis Green Bay
35/2 27
29/3
Albany
40/33
Concord
40/30
Boston
well west and north of the
city. Any ice should melt by
■ Large NW/SE temp 40s
48/29
39/100
Detroit Buff
ffalo
f
44/38 40s afternoon as temperatures
range across the area. Chiicag
go 41/39 40/39 New York climb into the 40s. The rain
Icy conditions possible Rapid City will end Sunday night,
35/9 Des Moines 43/32 Pittsburgh 46/41
far north and west
sections in the morning
50s Reno
61/33
Cheyenne 53/223 Cleveland 49/47 40s followed by the coldest
51/13 Omaha 48/47 50s Washington
weather of the season,
■ Cloudy and windy with 60s
Salt Lake City 56/25
St . Louis Indianapolis delivered by strong west
SE winds increasing to San
Francisco
50/30
Denver
62/35 53/35
52/43
50s winds gusting in excess of 40
20-30 mph and gusty. Kansas City y
Las Vegas 62/17 Louisville
Winds becoming south in
59/50
73/46
64/28
65/49
mph. On Monday
the afternoon. Los Angeles
Wichita 60s
Charlotte 60s temperatures will slowly fall
■ Rain develops from west 62/51 Albuquerque 65/29 Nashville 62/49 through the day. Tuesday
to east during the day. 70s
62/32 69/53 will bring the season’s
Oklahoma City Little Rock Atlanta
Some freezing rain
73/34 Birmingham 66/55 second subfreezing high.
Phoenix 7 1/49
possible well west/north San Diego
77/50 70/63 Chicago is overdue for its
of the city in the morning. 65/51
Jackson 70s first measurable snowfall,
■ Highs range from the Dallaas
El Paso
77/50
77/65 which typically occurs by
upper 30s far northwest to 72/39
Orlando mid-November. That could
around 50 far southeast New
Houston Orleans
80/63 happen Tuesday as a
■ Showers end early, then
windy, colder overnight
80/70 78/64
80s 80s weather system approaches
with strong west winds. (Precipitation at 6 a.m. CST)
Saturday’s highest: 89°
Miami from the Plains.
82/71
Lows fall to the lower 30s. SNOW RAIN at Zapata, Texas

MONDAY, DEC. 6 TUESDAY, DEC. 7 WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8 THURSDAY, DEC. 9 FRIDAY, DEC. 10 SATURDAY, DEC. 11

HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

33 15 28 20 32 22 36 30 42 31 42 23
Steady or Steady or Steady or Steady or Steady or Steady or
rising at night rising at night rising at night rising at night rising at night rising at night
Partly sunny, very windy and Coldest day of the season A wintry day. Cloudy and Still cold under mostly Temperatures rebound a bit Cloudy with a chance of rain
sharply colder. Strong west as highs only reaching the cold with a few morning cloudy skies. Highs peak in as highs peak in the lower or snow. Northeast winds
winds 25-35 mph and gusty. upper 20s. Cloudy with light snow showers. Some the middle/upper 30s. 40s. Clouds dominate. Rain 12-22 mph. Highs top out
Temperatures fall from the snow developing, possibly afternoon sun emerges as Southeast winds 10-15 mph. or mixed rain and snow around 40.
lower 30s into the 20s the season’s first measur- clouds thin and break. Highs develops overnight.
during the afternoon. able snow. struggle to the lower 30s.
Clouds gather overnight.

Chica
ago
Ch
hic
cago
Chicago Chica
ago Chiica
ago Chicago

NOTE: Predicted high/low temps on Tribune weather page are chronological—the “high” refers to maximum reading expected during day and “low” is the minimum reading expected
x t the following night.

ASK TOM CHICAGO DIGEST

Dear Tom,
Did Chicago’s 1967 “Big
Snow blitz—Chicago’s daily snowfalls of six or moree inches SATURDAY TEMPERATURES
LOCATION HI LO LOCATION HI LO
Aurora 44 26 Midway 46 31
Chicago’s typical seasonal snowfall, based on current 30-year normals DISTRRIBUTION OF CHICAGO’S 6”+ DAILY SNOWFA ALLS SINCE 18 884
Snow” actually qualify as a (1991-2020) stands at about 38 inches. Much of the snow falls in small Gary 43 30 O’Hare 44 31
22
blizzard? amounts through the cold season, but in most winters the city experiences EARLIEST LATEST Kankakee 43 28 Romeoville 44 29

—Michael J. Pesek, Shorewood at least a couple of snowstorms with six or more inches of snow. Often
these heavier snowstorms are spread out over portions of two or even three
13
12
13
11 8.0”
12 9.0” Lakefront
Lansing
43
45
33
29
Valparaiso
Waukegan
43
39
32
31
11/6/1951 4/6/1938
Dear Michael, days, but the city can be walloped by powerful, crippling snowstorms that 8 7 CHICAGO PRECIPITATION
deliver six inch-plus snow totals in a single day. Since the city’s snowfall 3 5 PERIOD 2021 NORMAL
It sure did. To be classified records began in late 1884 there have been 107 days with six or more inches 1 Sat. (through 4 p.m.) Trace 0.08"
as a blizzard, a winter storm of snowfall. Most of these occur spread out through December-March, but
NOV NOV DEC DEC JAN JAN FEB FEB MAR MAR APRR Month to date Trace 0.31"
there is a decided peak during the first half of February. After a late-winter
must produce sustained winds lull, there is another spike during the back half of March.
1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-31 1-14 15-29 1-15 16-31 1-15 Year to date 27.85" 36.06"

or frequent gusts of at least 35 Winter seasons with the Chicago’s five biggest CHICAGO SNOWFALL
TYPICAL STORM TRACKS THAT
mph and visibilities of 1/2 most days of 6”+ snow calendar day snowfalls
Chicago
PERIOD O’HARE MIDWAY
BRING CHICAGO HEAVY SNOW 4 18.6” Sat. (through 7 p.m.) 0.0" 0.0"
mile or less for a minimum of Winter storms tracking south of Chica
1929-30 1. Jan. 2, 1999
Season to date
three hours. The city’s 1978-79 4 2. Jan. 13, 1979 16.5” Trace Trace
and passing near Indianapolis often 1907-08 3 3. Jan. 26, 1967 16.4” Normal to date 2.8" 2.4"
biggest-ever snowstorm bring heavy snow 1969-70 3 4. Feb. 1, 2015 16.2” SOURCE: Frank Wachowski

qualified with ease. The Alberta Clipper 1977-78 3 5. Jan. 30, 1939 14.9” LAKE MICHIGAN CONDITIONS
visibility dropped to 1/4 mile Panhandle hook Chicago’s never had a 6” . . . but the holiday period
SUNDAY MONDAY

at 7:20 am on the morning of Gulf Coast Storm snow on Christmas Day . . . has had six 6”+ snowstorms
Wind SE/S 20-30 kts.
Waves 4-8 feet
W 25-35 kts.
4-8 feet
Jan. 26 and remained there City’s biggest Christmas Sat. shore/crib water temps 45°/42°
Day snowfalls YEAR 12/24 12/25 12/26 TOTAL
until 4:37 pm, when it finally HIGH TEMPS ON DAYS 50 46
1909 2.4” 5.0” 1.5” 8.9”
Number of days

WHEN CHICAGO RECORDS 40 5.1” U.S. SNOW COVER

increased to 1/2 mile. Winds A 6”+ SNOWFALL 30 28
1950 1919 7.1” 0.4” 0 7.5” DEC. 4 2021 2020
were consistently gusting 1909 5.0” 1933 0 4.3“ 2.5“ 6.8“
High temperature range 20 16 1933 4.3” Area covered by snow 9.0% 15.1%
above 35 mph, with the 9 1950 0 5.1” 3.9” 9.0” Average snow depth 0.4" 0.9"
Nearly 70% occur with 10
1 1 2 3 1 1951 4.0” 1951 4.6” 4.0” 0 8.6”
highest sustained wind, 41 temps between 26-35°
0
0-5° 6-10° 11-15° 16-20° 21-25° 26-30° 31-35 36-40° 41-45° 1935 3.9” 2009 0 0.4” 5.6” 6.0” TRACKING THE COLD
mph, and the highest gust, 53 SOURCES: Frank Wachowski, National Weather Service archives STEVE KAHN AND JENNIFER M. KOHNKE / WGN-TV
SINCE DEC. 1 O’HARE MIDWAY
Sub-32° highs 1 days 1 days
mph, all from the NE. During Subzero lows 0 days 0 days
part of that period, the snow
CHICAGO AIR QUALITY
accumulated at a rate of two MIDWEST CITIES OTHER U.S. CITIES WORLD CITIES
Saturday’s reading Good
inches an hour. Thundersnow SAT./SUN. FC HI LO FC HI LO SAT./SUN.
Abilene pc
FC HI LO FC HI LO
77 44 w 53 33
SAT./SUN. FC HI LO FC HI LO SAT./SUN. FC HI LO FC HI LO SATURDAY
Acapulco
FC
su
HI LO
87 74
SATURDAY
Kyiv
FC
cl
HI LO
32 30 Sunday’s forecast Good
Illinois Fairbanks cl 9 9 cl 20 17 Palm Beach pc 74 56 cl 74 59
was observed at Meigs Field. Carbondale sh 64 39 su 42 24 Albany
Albuquerque su
cl 40
62
33
32
rn
su
55
55
30
39
Fargo ss 30 -1 pc 6 -3 Palm Springs su 87 57 pc 82 60 Algiers
Amsterdam cl
rn 61
42
48
35
Lima
Lisbon
cl
pc
70
60
64
49
Critical pollutant Particulates
Champaign sh 53 30 w 35 18 Flagstaff su 58 23 pc 56 29 Philadelphia pc 51 42 sh 64 34
The storm delivered 23.0 Decatur sh 55 30 w 35 19 Amarillo
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SUNDAY’S RISE/SET TIMES
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inches of snow, producing Peoria sh 52 28 su 34 18 Asheville
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pc
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Quincy cl 57 28 su 35 20 Grand Junc. pc 54 24 cl 45 27 Portland, OR pc 46 39 rn 48 46
widespread drifts of 4-6 feet Rockford sh 43 27 w 29 12 Atlanta cl
Atlantic City pc
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pc
69
63
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pc
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with some as high as 15 feet. Sterling sh 44 26 w 30 13 Austin
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cl
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Honolulu ts 79 73 ts 76 70 Richmond pc 56 45 pc 71 35
Bloomington rn 57 38 pc 42 20 Birmingham sh 70 63 rn 66 40 12 w 16 6 Berlin ss 35 29 Nassau su 81 73
Write to: ASK TOM Evansville rn 63 40 su 43 23 Bismarck w 29 3 pc 14 5
Houston
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Dec 10 Dec 18 Dec 26 Jan 2
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Chicago, IL 60618 South Bend rn 43 32 w 35 18
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Buenos Aires ts 72 59 Prague cl 37 30
asktomwhy@wgntv.com Wisconsin
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pc
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PLANET RISE SET
Kenosha rn 41 28 w 31 11 Charlstn SC pc 73 50 cl 75 55 Lincoln w 58 23 su 36 24 Santa Fe pc 64 47 cl 63 50 Cancun pc 83 72 Riyadh su 80 53 Mercury 7:27 a.m. 4:25 p.m.
La Crosse cl 39 20 w 24 10 Charlstn WV pc 62 53 rn 61 24 Little Rock ts 71 49 pc 52 33 Savannah su 74 50 cl 75 56 Caracas pc 87 74 Rome sh 58 43
Venus 10:03 a.m. 7:02 p.m.
WGN-TV meteorologists Mark Madison ts 37 25 pc 28 7 Chattanooga sh 62 58 rn 63 34 Los Angeles pc 62 51 pc 68 57 Seattle cl 41 35 ts 41 40 Casablanca su 67 43 Santiago su 93 58
Milwaukee ts 41 29 w 32 10 Cheyenne w 51 13 cl 33 21 Louisville cl 65 49 rn 56 26 Shreveport ts 75 64 ts 69 42 Copenhagen w 36 27 Seoul su 44 36 Mars 5:29 a.m. 3:13 p.m.
Carroll, Steve Kahn, Richard Wausau sn 33 21 pc 25 -2 Cincinnati cl 57 47 rn 53 22 Macon pc 73 49 cl 74 48 Sioux Falls w 46 15 pc 21 13 Dublin su 44 36 Singapore ts 85 76
Cleveland cl 48 47 rn 55 24 Memphis ts 71 50 rn 54 34 Spokane pc 34 25 ss 29 23 Edmonton pc 5 -5 Sofia pc 46 36 Jupiter 11:34 a.m. 9:57 p.m.
Koeneman, Paul Merzlock and Michigan Colo. Spgs pc 64 15 pc 35 27 Miami pc 82 71 pc 82 69 St. Louis cl 62 35 su 42 26 Frankfurt sh 41 33 Stockholm pc 20 7 Saturn 10:47 a.m. 8:31 p.m.
Detroit rn 41 39 w 44 21 Geneva ts 38 31 Sydney sh 67 63
Paul Dailey, plus Bill Snyder Grand Rapids ts 35 31 w 34 17
Columbia MO cl
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64
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Syracuse
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72
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59 Guadalajara pc 81 48 Taipei pc 73 63 BEST VIEWING TIME DIRECTION
Marquette sn 29 25 ss 27 1
contribute to this page St. Ste. Marie sn 29 27 ss 31 10
Columbus cl 51 51 rn 56 21 Montgomery pc 75 61 sh 75 48 Tampa pc 80 62 pc 81 61 Havana su 85 63 Tehran cl 57 35
Mercury Not visible
Concord pc 40 30 rn 54 29 Nashville ts 69 53 rn 58 29 Topeka pc 66 27 pc 42 28 Helsinki su 8 2 Tokyo su 52 44
Traverse City sn 33 32 ss 34 16 Crps Christi cl 81 70 cl 81 57 Hong Kong su 72 61 Toronto ss 36 35
New Orleans pc 78 64 ts 78 59 Tucson su 76 45 su 80 49 Venus 5:30 p.m. 12.5° SW
Hear Demetrius Iowa Dallas cl 77 50 w 57 40 New York pc 46 41 w 58 35 Tulsa su 74 38 su 48 31 Istanbul pc 57 52 Trinidad pc 85 74
Mars 6:00 a.m. 5° ESE
Ames cl 51 22 su 29 14 Daytona Bch. su 77 60 pc 81 58 Norfolk pc 55 50 pc 70 41 Washington pc 52 43 sh 65 30 Jerusalem su 62 46 Vancouver cl 40 33
Ivory’s weather Cedar Rapids fr 43 20 w 26 13 Denver w 62 17 cl 41 25 Okla. City w 73 34 su 48 29 Wichita su 65 29 su 43 29 Johannesburg ts 64 57 Vienna sh 40 34 Jupiter 5:30 p.m. 33.5° SSW
Des Moines cl 53 23 su 30 19 Duluth sn 29 5 w 9 -5 Omaha w 56 25 su 32 23 Wilkes Barre cl 44 37 rn 54 27 Kabul pc 51 28 Warsaw ss 34 30
updates weekdays 3 to 6 p.m. Dubuque sh 39 22 w 24 10 El Paso su 72 39 su 62 38 Orlando su 81 63 pc 84 62 Yuma su 82 51 su 80 55 Kingston pc 88 77 Winnipeg ss 22 -9 Saturn 5:30 p.m. 24° SSW
on WGN-AM 720 Chicago FORECAST (FC) ABBREVIATIONS: su-sunny pc-partly cloudy cl-cloudy rn-rain ts-thunderstorm sn-snow fl -flurries fr-freezing rain sl-sleet sh-showers rs-rain/snow ss-snow showers w-windy na-unavailable Source: Dan Joyce, Chicago Astronomical Society

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INSIDE RIDES
CHICAGO SPORTS
Loyola guard Lucas Williamson celebrates a 68-64 win over DePaul on Saturday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. JOHN J. KIM/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Kings of Chicago
LOYOLA 68, DEPAUL 64
Ramblers hang on in renewal of a city rivalry that lives up to hype
DePaul and Loyola faced
off the first time since 2012 on
Saturday afternoon at Wintrust
Arena, renewing a traditional
city rivalry that fell by the
wayside for reasons never really
explained.
Why it ended doesn’t really
matter now, and after Loyola was
able to eke out a 68-64 win over
the previously unbeaten Blue
Demons, everyone agreed the
matchup needs to be revived on
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP
IOWA VS. MICHIGAN
CFP spot
on the line
Michigan wide receiver Roman
Wilson runs up field for a 75-yard
touchdown reception in the first
half of the Big Ten championship
game Saturday against Iowa in
Indianapolis. The No. 2 Wolver-
ines, making their first appearance
in the title game, were looking to
lock up a spot in the College Foot-
ball Playoff. For the result and
full coverage of the game, go to
chicagotribune.com/sports
CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY
SEC
No. 3 Alabama 41, No. 1 Georgia 24
American
No. 4 Cincinnati 35, No. 21 Houston 20
CFP SELECTION SHOW: 11 a.m. Sunday, ESPN
Automotive news and reviews, plus Motormouth Bob Weber answers drivers’ questions
Paul Sullivan
In the Wake of the News
an annual basis.
“Just a big-time college basket-
ball atmosphere,” Loyola coach
Drew Valentine said afterward.
DARRON CUMMINGS/AP
Big 12
No. 9 Baylor 21, No. 5 Okla. State 16
ACC
No. 15 Pitt vs. No. 16 Wake Forest, late
 Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  1
“We talked about it earlier this
week. Lucas (Williamson) and
I obviously came to Loyola
together, and it was so fun to
see two outstanding, traditional
basketball programs getting to
play each other from the same
city.
“Crowd noise one way. Crowd
noise the other way. Just an
outstanding, early-season,
nonconference college basket-
ball game.”
MAC CHAMPIONSHIP NIU 41, KENT STATE 23
Huskies go from worst to 1st
Winless in the spring,
NIU claims 6th MAC
title behind Lombardi
By Bob Tripi
Associated Press
DETROIT — Quarterback
Rocky Lombardi ran for three
touchdowns and Jay Ducker
rushed for 146 yards on 29 carries
to power Northern Illinois to a
41-23 victory over Kent State in
the Mid-American Conference
title game Saturday.
It is the Huskies’ sixth MAC
title and first since 2018, when
they beat Buffalo. Kent State
(7-6) was shooting for its first
conference championship since
winning it in 1972.
“This is historic,” said Huskies
coach Thomas Hammock, whose
team was predicted to finish in
The Ramblers improved to 7-2
with the win, led by Williamson’s
15 points and 13 from Dartmouth
transfer Chris Knight. DePaul
awoke from a brutal start to
make it a game, but it turned into
another vintage defensive effort
from the Ramblers, who held
the Blue Demons to 24 points
under their season average and
shut down star Marcus Free-
Turn to Sullivan, Page 2
Northern Illinois quarterback
Rocky Lombardi reacts after
scoring on a 1-yard run Saturday in
Detroit. CARLOS OSORIO/AP
last place this year after going 0-6
in 2020. “I don’t think any team
has gone winless the year before
and won a championship.
“When everybody said we
would finish last, all I told our
team was we are the best team in
Brad Biggs
On the Bears
Gipson
getting
chance
to show
Stretch run proving
ground for Bears’
2nd-year edge rusher
Justin Fields’ performance in
the stretch run of the season will
set the tone in terms of what the
Chicago Bears roster looks like
going forward.
Complicating that is the ribs
injury he suffered Nov. 21 during
the aggravating 16-13 loss to the
Baltimore Ravens. Fields missed
the Thanksgiving Day victory
in Detroit and Andy Dalton is
set to start again Sunday against
the Arizona Cardinals at Soldier
Field.
If you are compiling a list of
young players not named Fields
in position to offer hope for the
future, start with outside line-
backer Trevis Gipson.
The 2020 fifth-round pick
hasn’t gotten the attention given
to wide receiver Darnell Mooney,
tight end Cole Kmet, cornerback
Jaylon Johnson, offensive tackles
Larry Borom and Teven Jenkins
or even running back Khalil
Herbert, but Gipson is a player
the Bears need to take a large step
forward in the final six games.
The others, of course, have carved
out niches for themselves or are
working to do that.
Gipson has flashed on occasion,
and with 17 games of experience
entering Sunday, it’s time for him
to show if he can push for a start-
ing position in 2022 or if he’ll be
a reserve the team is looking to
replace. What’s ahead for Gipson
is unlimited opportunity with
Khalil Mack out for the season
with a left foot injury and Jere-
miah Attaochu previously side-
lined with a torn pectoral muscle.
The defense sacked Ravens
backup quarterback Tyler Hunt-
ley six times and Gipson had one,
giving him three for the season.
He followed that up by punching
the ball out of the clutch of Lions
quarterback Jared Goff before
securing the ball.
There’s no way to overstate
what the remainder of the season
means to Gipson. The stakes are
raised, and he knows it.
“It promises me a lot of oppor-
tunities,” Gipson said. “But if I
don’t take advantage of the first
one, then the rest won’t come. I’m
just focused on taking advan-
tage of that, obviously praying
for Khalil hoping he comes back
Turn to Biggs, Page 6
UP NEXT
Cardinals at Bears
Noon Sunday,
FOX-32
the MAC until proven otherwise.
Obviously they didn’t prove us
otherwise.”
Momentum appeared to be
shifting to the Golden Flashes
at the start of the second half.
Andrew Glass kicked a 41-yard
field goal on the opening drive
for their first points of the game,
and the Kent State defense forced
Northern Illinois (9-4) to punt for
the first time.
But on the next drive Dustin
Crum, the MAC’s most valu-
able player this season, was
intercepted by C.J. Brown who
returned it 26 yards for a touch-
down as the Huskies went ahead
24-3.
“I saw it tipped and I went
up and had to make a play,” said
Brown who was named the
defensive player of the game. “I
Turn to NIU, Page 2
2  Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Team
BEARS
BLACKHAWKS
BULLS
Sullivan
from Page 1
man-Liberty, who came in as one
of the nation’s leading scorers at
23.5 point per game.
“Tonight was one of my favor-
ite games of all time,” William-
son said. “The atmosphere, it felt
like a tournament game, like late
March, like something was at
stake here.”
Freeman-Liberty got in foul
trouble early and was held
scoreless until hitting a pair of
free throws with 2 minutes, 27
seconds left in the first half to
give the Demons their first lead.
He fouled out with less than four
minutes left and finished with
nine points on 2-for-9 shooting.
David Jones led DePaul with
19 points, but Brandon Johnson
struggled with an apparent leg
injury and scored only seven on
3-for-6 shooting.
“We can’t ask Javon to get 25
night in, night out,” DePaul coach
Tony Stubblefield said. “We know
that’s not going to be the case.
He struggled a little bit from an
offensive standpoint, but he did a
lot of good things.
“Javon has a high basketball
IQ. He really studies the game,
so he’ll bounce back. William-
son and all of them do a great job
of packing in the lane and really
helping, and they did a good job of
defending him.”
The Ramblers hit 10 of their
first 13 shots to jump to a 23-8
lead, while the Blue Demons
missed their first seven field-
goal attempts and 14 of their
first 17. The tide began to turn
when DePaul cut the deficit to
eight points on a steal and slam
by Jones, waking up the Blue
Demons crowd, which seemed
to be outnumbered in their own
home to that point.
DePaul took a 37-31 lead into
the half, but that’s when the
Ramblers clamped down on
defense, limiting DePaul to 34%
shooting in the second half.
Knight’s slam with 45 seconds
left gave them a four-point lead,
and DePaul couldn’t recover.
“It shows the ceiling of our
team,” Valentine said. “To win a
game by four against a team like
that, and we probably played our
‘C’ game, I think that shows where
our potential could be as a team.”
It’s weird to think now, but
DePaul is trying to get to where
Loyola is at after being the kings
of Chicago college ball when the
Mark Aguirre-led teams in the
late 1970s and early ‘80s took
over. The Ramblers, who have
the only NCAA men’s title in
state history, have been the local
darlings since Williamson was a
freshman on the 2018 Final Four
team.
Their trip to the Sweet 16
in March, when Loyola upset
top-seed Illinois in the second
round, made coach Porter Moser
such a hot item he was able to
cash in and take over at Okla-
homa while leaving the program
in good hands with Valentine, his
assistant.
Valentine and Williamson
are now trying to keep the ball
NIU
from Page 1
felt like that was a game-changing
play when we needed it.”
The Golden Flashes cut the defi-
cit to 24-10 with 27 seconds left in
the third quarter when Crum hit
Nykeim Johnson on a 17-yard scor-
ing strike.
The Huskies ended Kent State’s
comeback hopes when Lombardi
scored on a 3-yard keeper with 10
minutes, 54 seconds left, making
it 31-10. He added a 2-yard scoring
run nearly four minutes later.
“Picked a bad day to not coach
these guys to the best of my abil-
ity, not lead my staff to the best of
my ability,” Kent State coach Sean
Lewis said. “That’s unfortunate
because these guys deserve better.”
Kent State’s Collin Schlee ran
4 yards for a touchdown and also
threw a 7-yard TD pass to Luke
Floriea as time expired to close out
the scoring.
Northern Illinois held Crum to
27 passing yards in the first half
while building a 17-0 lead.
After John Richardson kicked
a 27-yard field goal to close the
first drive, Clint Ratkovich capped
a 10-play, 78-yard march with a
Sunday
ARI
Noon | FOX-32
@NYI
6:30 p.m. | NBCSCH
DEN
7 p.m. | NBCSCH
TOP OF THE SECOND
Loyola forward Aher Uguak, left, and guard Braden Norris, top right, grab teammate Chris Knight after a play as DePaul guard Javon Freeman-Liberty looks
up at the official in the second half Saturday at Wintrust Arena. JOHN J. KIM/CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS
Loyola forward Saint Thomas (0) and DePaul Blue forward David Jones collide in the first half Saturday,
rolling, and the Ramblers look
like they’ll compete for another
Missouri Valley Conference title
and a possible tournament invi-
tation. Stubblefield, meanwhile,
is the latest savior hoping to
revive DePaul after years of being
battered around in the Big East.
In spite of the loss Satur-
day that left them 6-1, the Blue
2-yard touchdown run to push the
Huskies ahead 10-0 with 2:09 left
in the first quarter.
Following a leaping interception
by Northern Illinois linebacker
Dillon Thomas on Kent State’s next
drive, Lombardi drove the Huskies
81 yards and extended their advan-
tage to 17-0 when he bulled over
the goal line from the 1 with 8:33
remaining.
“To become the MAC champi-
ons means the world,” said Ducker,
who was named the offensive
player of the game. “We set a goal
at the beginning of the year to win
the MAC championship and we
got it today.”
The Golden Flashes and Huskies
will need to wait until Sunday to
find out their bowl destinations.
The MAC has eight bowl-eligible
teams, but the conference cham-
pion does not automatically qualify
for a specific bowl.
Before the game, a moment of
silence was observed in memory
of the killing of four students this
week at Oxford High School,
located about 30 miles north of
Detroit. Black ribbons were tied
to each goal post in support of
the school and community, and
students from Oxford High School
were hosted at the game and recog-
★
Monday Tuesday
NYR
7:30 p.m. | NBCSCH
Demons proved they won’t
back down. Now if only the two
schools can do this every year.
“Why not?” said former DePaul
forward Tom Kleinschmidt, who
is coach at DePaul Prep. “The
‘L’ series, I don’t know why (it
stopped). It would great to see
them play every year, home-and-
home. The atmosphere is great
Northern Illinois players celebrate after the Mid-American Conference championship game against Kent State on
Saturday in Detroit. The Huskies won 41-23. CARLOS OSORIO/AP
nized during the first half.
After going 0-6 in 2020, North-
ern Illinois completed a worst-
to-first season with a roster of 75
Wednesday
@CLE
6 p.m. | NBCSCH
here. This is the best it’s been in
a while — loud, exciting, and it’s
a great place to play. If we keep
getting wins, it’ll be fun.”
Kleinschmidt and Aguirre were
in attendance Saturday, support-
ing Stubblefield’s revival efforts.
They’re a couple of Chicago kids
who appreciated going up against
the rest of the city’s best players
players who finished high school
in 2020 or 2021. According to an
NIU sports information spokes-
person, the Huskies had the
Thursday
@MON
6 p.m. | NBCSCH
back in the day.
“It was a good rivalry because
we played those kids in the
summer all the time,” Klein-
schmidt said of Loyola-DePaul.
“So we knew each other well,
we hung out with them well, but
when we stepped on the court we
were competitors.
“Loyola has had so much
success now, and we’ve got some
new blood in here with some new
kids and a Chicago kid in (Free-
man-Liberty). It’s refreshing to
see. You know, we were down 15
early, and they might’ve folded a
couple years ago. But they fought
back and played hard.”
Williamson and Freeman-Lib-
erty were high school teammates
at Young, celebrating the Class
4A title together in 2017 after
an overtime win in the champi-
onship game against city rival
Simeon.
“It’s always fun playing
against somebody you went to
high school with and somebody
I’ve won a state championship
with,” Williamson said. “Me and
Javon have had some battles, and
tonight was a battle. I knew going
in he was the third-leading scorer
in the nation. He’s improved and
grown so much since his junior
year when I first met him. It was
just a lot of fun.”
Valentine said he’s game for
more battles between Loyola and
DePaul. It’s good for the schools —
and for the city’s basketball fans.
“The city of Chicago is like a
basketball family,” Valentine said.
“That brotherhood, it’s friendly
competition. … It’s all love. I think
our fans would love it. I think
DePaul’s fans would love it.”
second-youngest roster among 130
FBS team this season. Only Navy’s
roster was younger, with 99 play-
ers from classes in the same years.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Alabama’s Bryce Young celebrates a touchdown with Evan Neal (73) in the SEC Championship on Saturday. KEVIN C. COX/GETTY
Rising Tide
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP ALABAMA 41, GEORGIA 24
No. 3 Alabama clinches spot in
CFP by topping No. 1 Georgia
By Paul Newberry
Associated Press
ATLANTA — Underdog is an unusual role
for Alabama.
Turns out, it suits the Crimson Tide just
fine.
Now, Nick Saban’s team is in a much more
familiar position: getting ready to play for
another national title.
Bryce Young carved up the nation’s
top-rated defense, throwing for three
touchdowns and running for another as the
third-ranked Crimson Tide rolled over No.
1 Georgia 41-24 in the Southeastern Confer-
ence championship game Saturday.
The stunning result will likely send both
powerhouse programs to the four-team
College Football Playoff.
For Alabama, it would be the seventh
appearance in the eight-year history of this
postseason format, but this might the most
unlikely one of all given the way the Tide
struggled late in the regular season.
Saban made sure his players heard all the
skeptics.
AAC CHAMPIONSHIP CINCINNATI 35, HOUSTON 20
Win and in: Bearcats do their part
No. 4 Cincy in position to be
1st non-Power 5 team in CFP
By Jeff Wallner
Associated Press
CINCINNATI — Jerome Ford rushed for
187 yards and two touchdowns, Desmond
Ridder threw three touchdown passes and
No. 4 Cincinnati broke open a close game
in the third quarter and rolled past No. 21
Houston 35-20 in the American Athletic
Conference championship game Saturday.
The Bearcats are in position to become the
first non-Power 5 team to qualify. The final
rankings will be announced Sunday.
Head coach Luke Fickell believes the
Bearcats have done enough.
“The resounding statement is what we did
on that football field,” Fickell said. “Nobody
is going to call and ask us what we think. I
don’t think these guys can be denied that
opportunity. It would be a shame.”
Cincinnati (13-0) which extended the
nation’s second-longest home winning
streak to 27, scored three touchdowns in
fewer than eight minutes to finish off its
second straight AAC crown.
The fans rushed the field amid a shower
of confetti.
“I don’t really remember last year (after
beating UCF in the AAC title game), but this
year I wanted to get out there and celebrate
with the fans,” Ridder said. “It’s a blessing to
have never lost a game I’ve played at Nippert.
We have such a great atmosphere here.”
Cougars junior QB Clayton Tune passed
★ Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  3
“You guys gave us a lot of positive rat
poison,” the coach quipped to reporters.
“The rat poison you usually give us is fatal.
But the rat poison you put out there this
week was yummy.”
No one lapped it up more than Young,
who set SEC championship records with
421 yards passing and 461 yards total offense.
“He played great tonight,” Saban said.
“He’s played great for us all year long.”
Coming off a surprisingly difficult,
four-overtime win over Auburn and already
saddled with a loss, the Tide knew they
needed a victory to ensure a return to the
playoff.
No problem.
The reigning national champions gave
Saban a chance to add to his record seven
titles — six of them coming since he arrived
in Tuscaloosa in 2007 to lead a storied
program that has become perhaps the great-
est dynasty in college football history.
“The resiliency they’ve shown all year
makes this so special,” Saban said. “Winning
the game as we did last week, playing a game
today to a level that most people probably
didn’t expect, I’m really proud of this bunch.
They’ve shown tremendous ability to over-
come adversity all year long.”
Georgia (12-1) cruised through the regular
Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder carries the ball past Houston’s Logan Hall #92 in the AAC title
game Saturday at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. EMILEE CHINN/GETTY
for 250 yards with two touchdowns and an
interception as Houston (11-2) lost for the
first time since dropping its season-opener
to Texas Tech on Sept. 4.
It was a wild first quarter on Saturday with
the teams combining for 24 points and 316
yards.
After the Cougars settled for a field goal
on their opening possession, the Bearcats
responded by going 82 yards in five plays
capped by Ridder’s 25-yard TD pass to Tyler
Scott.
Nathaniel Dell’s diving 16-yard TD catch
season, barely challenged and a unanimous
choice as the nation’s No. 1 team for the past
two months. The Bulldogs boasted a fear-
some defensive unit that had allowed only
6.9 points a game. Young made that vaunted
defense look like a scout team, earning
game MVP honors, bolstering his Heisman
Trophy chances and moving on to an even
bigger game on the final day of 2021.
“He’s soooo good at avoiding the rush,”
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “He buys
time with his mobility and makes plays
downfield. Give him credit. He did a tremen-
dous job.”
The playoff field will be announced
Sunday, with the semifinals set for the
Orange and Cotton bowls on Dec. 31.
Alabama (12-1) had six offensive scoring
drives — five covering at least 75 yards, the
other 62 — and finished with a staggering
536 yards against a team that was giving up
just under 231 per game.
This one will be remembered for
Alabama’s dismantling of the Georgia
defense, which had not allowed more than
17 points in a game during the perfect regu-
lar season.
“We didn’t play our best game,” linebacker
Nakobe Dean said. “We’ve got a lot to work
on.”
put the Cougars back in front, 10-7. But on
the first play of Cincinnati’s next possession,
Ford broke free for a 79-yard TD run to give
the Bearcats a four-point lead.
“We went toe to toe with them for as long
as we could,” Houston head coach Dana
Holgorsen said. “They are first-class and
deserving of top four. I don’t know how you
keep Cincinnati out.”
As for reaching the playoff, the Bearcats
say they are ready if an invite comes.
“Put the ball down and let us play,” Bear-
cats linebacker Joel Dublanko said.
NOTES
Baylor ends
CFP hopes
for Cowboys
Associated Press
Dezmon Jackson came up inches short
on a desperate, fourth-down dive in the
final seconds for No. 5 Oklahoma State,
knocking the fifth-ranked Cowboys out
of contention for a spot in the four-team
playoff.
“Just heartbreak,” Cowboys guard Josh
Sills said.
Baylor safety Jairon McVea knocked
Jackson out of bounds without letting
him reach the pylon with 24 seconds
remaining in the Big 12 championship
game Saturday, preserving a 21-16 victory
for ninth-ranked Baylor.
The Bears’ win came a year after they
went 2-7 in coach Dave Aranda’s debut
last season.
“This moment is something they can
never take away,” Bears linebacker Terrel
Bernard said.
Aranda recalled Oklahoma State coach
Mike Gundy telling him “that winning is
hard” before an earlier meeting between
the teams. The title game was a sure
example of that.
Blake Shapen, starting again for injured
Gerry Bohanon (right hamstring) threw
three TDs while completing his first 17
passes as Baylor (11-2) took a 21-3 lead in
the first half.
But the Cowboys (11-2) rallied back,
then went 89 yards on 17 plays on that
final drive before their Big 12 and national
championship hopes wound up just shy.
After having first-and-goal from 2
following a pass interference penalty,
Jackson gained a yard and was held for no
gain before an incomplete pass by Spen-
cer Sanders. On fourth down from the
1, Jackson tried to sweep wide left, but
with McVea in pursuit, he barely missed
while trying to reach the pylon in the
front corner of the end zone.
“When I saw the running back with
the ball, I thought I’ve got to run this guy
down,” McVea said, who wasn’t even sure
where the ball was when the tackle was
made. “The ref signaled not a touchdown,
so when I saw that I was pretty happy.”
“They made a good play. It’s not 27′s
fault,” Gundy said, referring to Jackson.
Sanders threw four interceptions,
one by McVea, and the Cowboys were
without leading rusher Jaylen Warren
because of his lingering ankle and shoul-
der issues. Baylor won with 242 total
yards of offense, only 36 after halftime.
Shapen finished 23 of 28 for 180 yards
passing overall.
There would need to be some chaos, in
form of an upset or two in other confer-
ence title games later in the day, for third-
time Big 12 champion Baylor to have a
chance to be in the final four for the first
time when the CFP rankings come out
Sunday. Aranda passed on politicking
for the playoff. Baylor’s 11 wins match
a school record and came after the 2-7
record last year, when the pandemic
wiped out spring drills when he was
coming off a national championship as
LSU defensive coordinator.
“I’m sure it will work out the way it’s
supposed to,” he said.
Ragin’ Cajuns hold on for Sun Belt title:
Levi Lewis scored on a career-high
56-yard run and passed for another
touchdown, and No. 24 Louisiana-La-
fayette capped off soon-to-be Florida
coach Billy Napier’s time with the Ragin’
Cajuns by defeating Appalachian State
24-16 on Saturday in the Sun Belt Confer-
ence championship game.
Emani Baily rushed for 117 yards, high-
lighted by his 35-yard touchdown run on
a third-and-9 play to give the Cajuns a
two-touchdown lead early in the fourth
quarter.
Lewis passed for 210 yards without a
turnover and finished with 43 net yards
rushing as Louisiana-Lafayette (12-1, 9-0
Sun Belt) lengthened its school-record
winning streak to 12 games.
Cameron Peoples ran for a 43-yard
touchdown in the first half for Appala-
chian State (10-3, 7-2), but the Mountain-
eers’ offense struggled to match its usual
production while trying to play catch-up
from its first possession.
Utah State rolls to Mountain West crown:
Less than a year after coach Blake Ander-
son and several players uprooted their
lives and moved across the country to
team up at Utah State, they triumphantly
raised their new school’s first Mountain
West Conference trophy.
Whether they’re from Arkansas, Texas,
northern Utah or points between, these
Aggies are all champions.
Brandon Bowling caught two touch-
down passes from Logan Bonner during
the decisive third quarter, and Utah State
won the league title with a 46-13 rout of
No. 19 San Diego State on Saturday.
Bonner passed for 318 yards and four
TDs, while fellow Arkansas State transfer
Bowling had eight catches for a career-
high 154 yards. The Aggies (10-3) punc-
tuated their inspiring turnaround under
their first-year head coach by blowing out
the short-handed Aztecs (11-2) for their
first win over an AP Top 25 opponent
since 2015.
Florida locks up Napier: A person familiar
with negotiations says new Florida coach
Billy Napier agreed to a seven-year, $51.8
million contract that makes him the fifth-
highest-paid coach in the Southeastern
Conference.
4  Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 

BLACKHAWKS BULLS

RANGERS 3, BLACKHAWKS 2
Green is latest to test
positive for COVID-19
New case is second in
week, third in month for
fully vaccinated team
By Julia Poe
Chicago Tribune
NEW YORK — The Chicago
Bulls are hoping to prevent a
COVID-19 outbreak after Javonte
Green became the second player to
test positive for the virus last week.
Green returned a positive test
Friday, one day after the Bulls beat
the Knicks in New York and two
days after Coby White was placed
into isolation for a positive test.
The Bulls played the Nets on Satur-
day night in Brooklyn.
Coach Billy Donovan said Green
“drove through the night” to
return to Chicago from New York
on Friday. White is experiencing
symptoms similar to a cold, while
Donovan said it’s “too early” to
report whether Green is symptom-
atic as well.
The Bulls reinstated manda-
tory daily testing for players last
week after White tested positive
Wednesday.
Green is the third Bulls player
to test positive in the last month
after Nikola Vučević missed 11
days in mid-November with a posi-
tive case. Vučević also reported
cold-like symptoms but has since
returned to nearly full capacity for
the Bulls without lingering effects
from the virus.
Donovan said the recent rash of
positive tests has been frustrating
for the Bulls because the team is
fully vaccinated.
“I think there was some hope
and some optimism that we passed
this going into this season. That
certainly hasn’t happened,” Dono-
The Rangers’ Alexis Lafreniere jumps out of the way of the puck as the Blackhawks’ Kevin Lankinen makes the van said. “There’s a lot of inconve-
stop in the second period Saturday at Madison Square Garden. ELSA/GETTY niences. Things can get frustrating
and annoying. You worry about,
BLACKHAWKS RECAP
The Blackhawks jumped to a 1-0 lead, but the Rangers fought back to win 3-2 and extend their winning streak
to six games Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York. Patrick Kane scored with 23 seconds left in the
first period to give the Hawks a lead, but Ryan Strome and Adam Fox scored second-period goals, and former
Hawk Artemi Panarin added a goal in the third. Alex DeBrincat’s 14th goal of the season pulled the Hawks within BULLS 111, NETS 107
3-2 with 1:19 left in the third, but they couldn’t find the equalizer and lost for the third time in five games. More
coverage at chicagotribune.com/sports
you know, are you infected? Are
you healthy? We’ve got a couple
(of ) teammates and guys on the
team that have tested positive, so
sure some of that stuff goes to those
guys’ minds.”
The NBA has experienced a
spike in positive tests through-
out the league last week. Four
Charlotte Hornets tested positive
Saturday, less than a week after
playing the Bulls in Chicago on
Monday. The group of positive
players including LaMelo Ball,
the brother of Bulls guard Lonzo
Ball.
These cases come as the U.S.
announced travel restrictions for
eight countries as the omicron
variant — a mutation that could
be more resistant to vaccines
— spreads worldwide. The first
reported case of the omicron vari-
ant in the U.S. stemmed from the
New York Anime Convention,
which took place in Manhattan
two weeks before the Bulls arrived
for their two-game stint in New
York.
Between the latest variant and
the holiday season, Donovan said
he expects the league to tighten its
COVID-19 policies in the coming
weeks. The NFL made a simi-
lar change ahead of Thanksgiv-
ing, requiring players to return to
mandatory testing and mask-wear-
ing that had been loosened earlier
in the season.
“I don’t think there’s any ques-
tion it’s happening,” Donovan
said. “My guess would be stricter
policies than they’ve already
been this year. Thanksgiving and
then dealing with Christmas and
New Year’s, people are going to
be around family. ... The way it’s
moving right now is it’s getting a
little bit more stricter, and certainly
for us it’s a lot stricter because
we’ve got two players that are posi-
tive.”

‘Skinny kid’ Hagel

starting to make it big
By Phil Thompson
Chicago Tribune
NEW YORK — Chicago Black-
hawks coach Derek King remem-
bers the first time he met Brandon
Hagel — he just wanted to be sure
he didn’t take the heat if Hagel
turned out to be a bust.
“When we first got him in
Rockford (in 2018), young, baby-
faced kid, he’s skinny and you’re
wondering, ‘OK, am I going to
blame the scouts on this one in
about a month?’ “
Hagel doesn’t even remember
meeting King, the IceHogs coach
at the time.
“But he was welcoming,” Hagel
said. “I liked him, we got along,
he’s a jokester for sure.
“It definitely boosts your confi-
dence when you have a coach like
that and (you’re) able to talk to
and go to whenever you need and
be able to joke around with you on
off days. It gets your confidence
up, especially when things aren’t
going good.”
One thing King learned from
those days: Don’t go by first
impressions and don’t underes-
timate Hagel.
“He does not play like he’s
whoever, 160 pounds soaking
wet,” King said. “He plays like he’s
200 pounds. And he’s just gotten
better and better.”
“Positoning on the ice and
playing the game the right way.
And with that, with his work
ethic, and then he’s got some
skill to back it up. He’s tracking
on the right direction, let’s put
it that way.”
Hagel, who’s 5-foot-11 and 174
pounds, said, “It was one of those
things that I’ve always been the
slim kid that needs to put on
weight, but I’m pretty strong in
certain areas that I need to be,
especially in the corners. I’m not
afraid to go in there.
“Obviously could put on a few
pounds of muscle — it would defi-
nitely help me, and I know that.
But it’s one of those things of
proving people wrong and work-
ing my hardest every single shift
and good things will happen.”
Hagel surprised as a rookie,
scoring nine goals and adding 15
assists in 52 games, but he has
taken another step in his evolu-
tion this season. He has almost
matched last season’s goal total
with seven through just 19 games
entering Saturday’s road matchup
against the New York Rangers —
second only to Alex DeBrincat on
the Hawks — to go along with two
assists.
Six of those goals have come
since a two-goal game against the
Ottawa Senators on Nov. 1.
“Over my years I’ve always
scored goals,” Hagel said.
He had 41 goals and 61 assists
his final season in Red Deer in
2018-19 before cutting his teeth
with the IceHogs, getting an assist
in eight games late in the sched-
ule. The next season in Rockford,
he put up 19 goals and 12 assists.
“And then last year (with the
Hawks) I was more of a passer, I
guess,” Hagel said.
“It’s been one of those things
... it (either) goes in the net or it
doesn’t go in the net. I think I
struggled a little bit with that last
year, but also I think from last
year it helped me a lot trying to
find ways to score. I went through
a time when I couldn’t put the
puck in the net and I had tons of
chances.
“Just having that full year and
learning the league, it takes time.
It did take me a little bit of time,
I’m grateful it only took me a
year.”
King said Hagel has matured a
lot since Rockford.
“He would turn pucks over a
lot on the half wall because he
wanted to turn up and make plays
and drive me nuts,” King said. “He
got closed off quick because he
was so light.
“He’s a little stronger now, so
he knows to get it a little deeper,
manages the puck a lot better and
he’s playing the game the right
way.”
Hagel said he needed that year
in Rockford to grow, and even last
season’s offensive slumps made
him work on finer points of his
game.
“You always hear to play in the
NHL, it’s ‘off the boards and get
the puck out’ is always a good
play,” Hagel said. “This league is
just full of (players that if ) you
turn the puck over, it’s probably
in the back of your net.
“So I knew that was something
I needed to change in my game —
not necessarily change, just get
better at.”
Hagel said he had to bear down
on the nuances of taking care the
puck — not trying to force offense
— and eventually saw the connec-
tion to it paying off later in the
offensive zone.
“I think it’s just keeping it
simple,” he said. “You need to
manage the puck. Either it’s in
the neutral zone, (and if ) you’re
turning the pucks over there, it’s
not going to get in the O-zone. The Bulls’ Lonzo Ball celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer late in the fourth
“If you just take care of those quarter against the Nets at Barclays Center. MIKE STOBE/GETTY
little things — like Derek was
saying, not turning the pucks over, BULLS RECAP
losing battles on the wall, losing The short-handed Bulls rallied from an 11-point deficit to defeat the Nets
pucks on trying to break the puck 111-107 on Saturday night in New York, pulling within a half-game of the
out — I think those are going to Eastern Conference leaders. Zach LaVine scored 31 points and DeMar
affect your offensive game. DeRozan 29 for the Bulls (16-8), who won for the fourth time in five games.
“Just be smart there, and when Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu added 11 point each, and Lonzo Ball
you get in the O-zone, anything hit a huge 3-pointer late. Kevin Durant led the Nets with 28 points. More
can happen.” coverage at chicagotribune.com/sports

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BASEBALL
White Sox slugger Dick Allen takes batting practice on April 14, 1972, at Comiskey Park. CHICAGO TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
HALL OF FAME
Broad shoulders
Golden Days and Early Baseball Era ballots filled with Chicago ties
By LaMond Pope
Chicago Tribune
Pioneers, an American League
MVP and a consistent winner on the
mound are among those with ties to
Chicago teams on the Golden Days
and Early Baseball Era ballots for the
Baseball Hall of Fame.
Former White Sox greats Dick
Allen, Minnie Miñoso and Billy Pierce
are among the 10 on the Golden Days
Era ballot. That list also includes
Jim Kaat and Ken Boyer, who had
stretches with the Sox.
Buck O’Neil, one of the game’s
greatest ambassadors and the first
Black coach in AL or NL history while
with the Cubs, is one of the 10 on the
Early Baseball Era ballot.
That group includes John Donald-
son, who pitched in the Negro
Leagues and pre-Negro Leagues for
more than 30 years and later was a
White Sox scout from 1949-54, and
Dick Redding, who played for the
Chicago American Giants, among
other teams.
Candidates with 75% of the vote by
the 16-member committees receive
election. Results will be announced
Sunday.
Here are a few dates that highlight
some of the contributions Miñoso,
Allen, Pierce and O’Neil made to the
game, along with how the Tribune
marked the occasions.
April 30 and May 1, 1951
Miñoso joined the Sox from Cleve-
land as part of a three-team trade on
April 30. The Sox also landed Paul
Lehner from the Philadelphia Athlet-
ics as part of the deal.
A story in the May 1 Tribune by
Irving Vaughn said of the two acquisi-
tions, “The White Sox will have some-
thing new to show this afternoon.”
The story noted Miñoso’s speed and
said he could “operate in the outfield
as well as in the inner defense.”
Miñoso became the franchise’s first
Black player on May 1, hitting a home
run in his first at-bat with the team.
“The White Sox yesterday
presented their new ensemble — the
additions being Orestes Miñoso and
Paul Lehner — but it wasn’t quite
enough to awe the world champion
New York Yankees,” Vaughn wrote in
the May 2 Tribune.
The Yankees won 8-3 “before 14,776
Comiskey Park patrons, who didn’t
think favorably of the final decision,
but found consolation in some of the
things done by the pair of newcom-
ers,” Vaughn wrote.
Miñoso went on to become one
of the top offensive players in the
league during an 11-year span from
1951-61 with the Sox and Cleveland.
He displayed several of the skills that
made him an All-Star in two of his
three Negro League seasons with the
New York Cubans.
Miñoso, who died in 2015, was a
nine-time All-Star and won three Gold
Glove Awards as an outfielder during
17 seasons with Cleveland, the White
Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Wash-
ington Senators. And “The Cuban
Comet” was a trailblazer for genera-
tions of ballplayers that followed.
Sept. 25, 1955
Pierce struck out 12 and allowed
three hits while going the distance in
a 5-0 victory against the Kansas City
A’s in the final game of the season.
“A skimpy Comiskey Park crowd
watched Billy Pierce pitch his sixth
shutout,” wrote Edward Prell in the
Chicago White Sox outfielder Jim Landis, left, holds up one finger to indicate a
one-hit game pitched by Billy Pierce, right, against the Washington Senators on
June 27, 1958, at Comiskey Park. CHICAGO TRIBUNE FILE PHOTO
John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil stands in
the Cubs dugout in an undated photo.
CHICAGO TRIBUNE HISTORICAL PHOTO
Sept. 26 Tribune.
Pierce finished 1955 with a 1.97
ERA, the best in the majors.
He had 16 complete games in 1955,
finishing tied for third in the Ameri-
can League. He led the league in the
category in 1956 (21), ‘57 (16) and ‘58
(19).
A seven-time All-Star, Pierce
went 211-169 with a 3.27 ERA in 18
seasons, 13 with the Sox. He reached
double-digits victories in 12 of his 14
seasons as a big-league starter, includ-
ing leading the AL with 20 wins in
1957. He died in 2015.
May 29, 1962
The Cubs signed O’Neil to the
coaching staff, paving the way for him
to become the first Black coach in the
AL or NL.
“O’Neil formerly played for and
managed the Kansas City Monarchs
of the Negro American league, and it
was under him that both Ernie Banks
and George Altman of the Cubs got
their start in baseball,” wrote Richard
Dozer in the May 30 Tribune.
Dozer also noted that O’Neil was
“instrumental” in signing most of the
★ Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  5
Black players in the Cubs organiza-
tion. He had been a scout in the Cubs
organization since 1956, according to
the article.
O’Neil was a three-time All-Star
during 10 seasons with the Memphis
Red Sox and Monarchs of the Negro
American League, according to the
most recent information available on
baseball-reference.com.
He was also one of the game’s great
ambassadors and helped found the
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in
Kansas City, Mo.
The National Baseball Hall of
Fame’s John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil
Lifetime Achievement Award, estab-
lished in 2007, honors “an individual
whose efforts broadened the game’s
appeal and whose character, integrity
and dignity is comparable” to O’Neil,
according to the Hall’s website. It is
presented by the Hall’s board of direc-
tors “at its discretion, though not more
frequently than every three years.”
O’Neil, who died in 2006, was the
first recipient in 2008.
Nov. 15, 1972
Allen became the first Sox player
since Nellie Fox in 1959 to earn the
AL MVP.
“Baseball is more and more an indi-
vidual game, but I am one of those
guys who happen to believe it is still
a team sport,” Allen said, according
to a Nov. 16 Tribune story about him
winning the award. “I’m glad to have
been a part of it with the White Sox
this year.”
Allen slashed .308/.420/.603 that
season, leading the league in on-base
percentage and slugging. He also had
league highs in home runs (37) and
RBIs (113).
“It was as big a thrill for me as it was
for Dick,” then-Sox manager Chuck
Tanner said in the story.
Allen, who died last December, was
a seven-time All-Star. He was named
the 1964 NL Rookie of the Year with
the Philadelphia Phillies.
Allen played from 1963-77 for five
teams and had 351 home runs, 1,119
RBIs and a .292 average. He hit .307
with 85 home runs and 242 RBIs
during his three seasons with the Sox,
leading the league in homers in 1972
and ‘74.
Giveback demands
in bargaining lead
to work stoppages
By Ronald Blum
Associated Press
NEW YORK — When
Major League Baseball
players agreed a decade
ago to restraints on sign-
ing bonuses for draft picks,
then-union head Michael
Weiner said: “If it doesn’t
work, we can always try
something else.”
Getting a side to give back
something it gained previ-
ously in collective bargain-
ing can lead to difficult
negotiations, which is why
MLB has its first work stop-
page in 26 years.
Free agency has been the
central issue in collective
bargaining for a half-cen-
tury, joined by luxury taxes,
salary arbitration and cost
controls on amateur spend-
ing.
Following a rare decline
in the average salary, these
are some of the areas in
which the Major League
Baseball Players Associa-
tion demands change. MLB
has told the union there is no
support among the owners
for the union’s proposals on
free-agent and arbitration
eligibility.
Free agency
Agreed to in collective
bargaining in 1976 follow-
ing the decision by arbitra-
tor Peter Seitz, who ruled
in the Andy Messersmith/
Dave McNally grievance
that the reserve clause in
the uniform player contract
meant a team could renew
a player for just one season,
not in perpetuity as manage-
ment had long claimed.
Since the 1976 agree-
ment, free-agent eligibility
has been set at six seasons of
major-league service.
The players association,
claiming teams deliberately
have held back prospects to
delay their eventual eligibil-
ity by a year — one season of
service is 172 days, mean-
ing an extra 15 days in the
minors can keep a player
under team control for an
extra year — proposed that
for the 2023-24 and 2024-
25 offseasons it becomes
six years of service or five
years of service and age 301/2,
whichever comes earlier.
For the 2025-26 offseason
and later, eligibility would
become six years of service
or five years of service and
age 291/2, whichever comes
earlier.
Players lost a griev-
ance over the timing of the
Chicago Cubs’ decision to
bring up Kris Bryant in April
2015.
“Fans want to come to
the ballpark and see their
team competing and play-
ing well,” union head Tony
Clark said. “Fans like to see
a higher level of integrity in
the system, such that the
types of manipulations that
we’ve seen don’t continue to
manifest themselves.”
MLB would keep the
existing provision or change
eligibility to age 291/2 rather
than six years, which it has
been since 1976.
“We already have teams in
smaller markets that strug-
gle to compete,” Commis-
sioner Rob Manfred said.
“Shortening the period of
time that they control play-
ers makes it even harder
for them to compete. It’s
also bad for fans in those
markets. The most negative
reaction we have is when a
player leaves via free agency.
We don’t see that, making it
earlier, available earlier, we
don’t see that as a positive.”
Compensation for losing
free agents led to a 50-day
midseason strike in 1981
that caused the cancellation
of 713 games. The current
system requiring draft-
pick compensation for free
agents who turned down
Commissioner Rob Manfred looks on before Game 1 of the
World Series on Oct. 26 in Houston. BOB LEVEY/GETTY
qualifying offers has been
in place since 2012. MLB
has offered to eliminate
compensation.
Luxury tax
First agreed to after the
232-day strike in 1994-
95, the so-called compet-
itive-balance tax was
an alternative to MLB’s
proposed salary-cap system.
The initial system that
started in 1997 assessed a tax
on 35% of the amount above
$51 million for the five teams
with the highest payrolls
exceeding the threshold.
Rules were strengthened
in the 2002 agreement, with
a tax starting at 17.5% on
payrolls above $117 million
in 2003. Thresholds and
rates have been raised, with
this year’s threshold at $210
million and rates of 20% for
a first time over, 30% for a
second in a row and 50% for
third or more.
The recently expired
agreement also had surtaxes
for exceeding the thresh-
old by $20 million or more
and $40 million or more. A
maximum of six clubs have
exceeded the threshold in a
single season. Players have
proposed lifting the thresh-
old to $245 million and
owners to $214 million.
Salary arbitration
It began in 1974, when
players with two or more
seasons of major-league
service were eligible. In
the settlement of a two-day
strike in 1985, the sides
raised eligibility to three
seasons starting in 1987, the
first significant giveback by
players during bargaining.
As part of an agreement that
followed a 32-day lockout in
1990, eligibility was restored
to the top 17% of players by
service time, with at least
two years of service but
fewer than three. That was
raised to 22% in 2013.
Amateur
contracts
Players agreed to sign-
ing-bonus pool limits for
the amateur draft start-
ing in 2012, with financial
penalties for exceeding a
signing-bonus pool and
draft-pick loss for teams
exceeding by more than
5%. Since then, no team
has exceeded by more
than 5%. While the union
has opposed management
proposals for a draft of inter-
national prospects, it agreed
to a hard cap on interna-
tional signings starting in
2017.
Scott Boras, the most
influential agent, claims
capping signing bonuses for
draft picks caused an erosion
in the season’s integrity.
“It created an incentive
for the race to the bottom,”
he said, “because now we
have half the major-league
teams at some time during
the season being noncom-
petitive, trading off their
players, making the game
and the season very different
than what it was intended to
be, and that was having an
incentive to win every game
that you play.”
With greater ability to
predict the costs for acquir-
ing amateur talent, a higher
percentage of teams went
into rebuilding mode at the
same time, which manage-
ment says is a reasonable
strategy and which the
union calls “tanking.”
“We see major problems,”
said Mets pitcher Max
Scherzer, a member of the
union’s eight-man executive
committee. “First and fore-
most, we see a competition
problem and how teams are
behaving because of certain
rules.”
6  Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
BEARS
Sept. 12 Sept. 19 Sept. 26 Oct. 3 Oct. 10 Oct. 17
@LAR CIN @CLE DET @LVR GB
Loss Win Loss Win Win Loss,
34-14 20-17 26-6 24-14 20-9 24-14
Bears linebacker Trevis Gipson sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr in the third quarter Oct. 10 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. BRIAN CASSELLA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Biggs
from Page 1
healthy.”
The Bears have Mack, 30, under contract through 2024, and
while they could create $6 million in salary cap savings during
the offseason by moving on from the six-time Pro Bowl selection,
a long conversation would need to be had before heading down
that path. Multiple restructures of his contract have driven up his
2022 cap hit to $30.15 million. The Bears would have a $24 million
cap hit without Mack, so for the difference of $6 million he could
anchor the defense for another season unless the team gets more
in a trade than most imagine he would bring.
Robert Quinn was named NFC defensive player of the month
for November after having 5 1/2 of his 11 sacks and he has become
everything the Bears hoped he would be last season. The 31-year-
old is set to earn $12.9 million in 2022. If the Bears have a roster in
transition next season, it’s difficult to imagine they will pay two
pass rushers over the age of 30, but that decision is a couple of
months off.
The franchise has spent two decades paying for pass rushers.
Since 2000, only two drafted edge rushers have produced eight
sacks in a season. Rosevelt Colvin, a fourth-round pick in 1999, had
10 1/2 sacks in 2001 and 2002 before exiting in free agency. Mark
Anderson, a fifth-round pick in 2006, had 12 sacks as a rookie but
only 9 1/2 in his next 50 games before being released in 2010.
The Bears consistently have paid players to spearhead the pass
rush, acquiring and then extending players such as Phillip Daniels,
Adewale Ogunleye, Julius Peppers, Willie Young, Lamarr Hous-
ton, Pernell McPhee, Mack and most recently Quinn. Young was
the best value addition of the group by former general manager
Phil Emery, and most of the players on that list provided what
the Bears were seeking. But it’s an expensive proposition to buy a
pass rush, and time and again it has limited the organization from
adding key offensive pieces.
The Bears were without a pick in the fifth round of the 2020
draft when Gipson was sitting on the board. The Bears deemed
him worth getting, leading to a rare in-division trade with the
Minnesota Vikings to add a pick and select him.
With a shortened training camp and no preseason during his
rookie season, he made a slow adjustment to playing on his feet
and not with a hand in the dirt as a defensive end, as he was accus-
tomed to at Tulsa. Gipson showed progress this summer and is
getting more action than he could have expected with Quinn miss-
ing time because of COVID-19 and Mack sidelined.
Gipson has been on the field for 48% of the defensive snaps but
has been at 69% over the last five games. He has shown the abil-
ity to defeat pass blockers and needs to do it on a more consistent
basis with five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, two forced
fumbles and the recovery against Goff.
Here’s a look at his three sacks this season.
Week 4 vs. Lions
Gipson did a really nice job of setting up Lions first-round pick
Penei Sewell, starting at left tackle in place of Taylor Decker,
taking him vertically upfield off the ball. Gipson forced Sewell
to widen in his set, opening the door to beat him inside. It was a
schemed one-on-one, a simulated pressure from the Bears bring-
ing three to that side. The left guard had to account for blitzing
linebacker Roquan Smith, the back was releasing because it was
only a four-man rush, creating a true one-on-one versus Sewell.
Gipson made him set vertically and then went to the inside with
a quick swim move, pinned the inside arm of Sewell to remove it
PREDICTIONS
Brad Biggs (9-2)
The Bears were able to change the vibe at
Halas Hall by ending their five-game losing
streak with a victory at Detroit. To maintain
hope that there is something to play for, they
cannot fall further behind the five teams one
game ahead of them in the win column in the NFC, making
this game critical. The Cardinals enter with the best record
in the NFL and they’re 6-0 on the road where they’ve been
blowing opponents out, averaging 32.8 points per game.
The Bears have been struggling to score more than half
that much. With Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and
wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins expected back after miss-
ing three games with injuries, the Bears are in a tough spot.
Cardinals 28, Bears 17
★
Oct. 24 Oct. 31 Nov. 8 Nov. 21 Nov. 25 Dec. 5
@TB 49ers @PIT BAL @DET ARI
Loss Loss Loss Loss Win Noon 7:20 p.m.
38-3 33-22 29-27 16-13 16-14 FOX-32
Trevis Gipson yells after sacking Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley at
Soldier Field. JOHN J. KIM/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
and beat him. It was a good, athletic play. Goff felt the pressure and
tried to spin out but Gipson was in position to get him down.
Week 5 at Raiders
The Raiders went with max protection using 12-personnel to
take a play-action shot downfield with a two-man route. The Bears
were rushing only four, and the Raiders had eight in to block, but
because of the way the line was sliding Gipson got a one-on-one
versus tight end Foster Moreau. This was a power move with
active hands. Moreau tripped a little bit but not until after Gipson
bent him back to create a path to the quarterback. He showed the
burst to close on Derek Carr.
Week 11 vs. Ravens
Coming out of a two-point stance on the defensive left side,
Gipson won with a classic pass-rush move. Right tackle Patrick
Mekari set deep in the second-and-15 situation. Gipson pressed
Mekari upfield and forced him to open his hips. This created a
situation in which Gipson had to bend, turn the corner and flatten
to get to Huntley, preventing Mekari from running him upfield.
Gipson did a good job of dropping his anchor and bending — he
had to rip, change levels and get through Mekari and did a good
job to get home to Huntley.
Gipson has shown the signs that he has the ability. The Bears
have a major hole without Mack, something defensive coordina-
tor Sean Desai has to scheme around weekly. That’s not a knock on
Gipson, who is getting the chance to evolve his game.
“It’s a great opportunity given where that room is going,” Desai
said. “He is continuing to develop. You’ve seen spurts of him
getting better with his hands at the point of attack, his conversions
in the pass rush, stuff that (outside linebackers coach Bill) Shuey
has been working on and emphasizing with him. He’s training his
body and mind to try to improve on those.
“And it’s still a process. He’s not where he wants to be and I don’t
think he’s where we want him to be. But he’s still a young player
who hasn’t played a lot of snaps in this league. We’ve got to make
sure that we develop him and build him up to our standard.”
If Gipson plays well — if he can accumulate more impact plays —
the Bears can gain confidence that a young player is beginning to
ascend. If not, they’re going to have to continue paying top dollar,
one way or another, for edge rushers.
Colleen Kane (10-1) Dan Wiederer (10-1)
This looks like a tough matchup for the Bears
on both sides of the ball, especially if Murray
plays for the first time since Week 8. Even if
Murray is a little rusty, the Bears will have their
hands full with a quarterback who boasts a
110.4 passer rating. The Bears might find some success on ongoing injury issues, the Bears are way too short-handed
offense behind running back David Montgomery on what on both sides of the ball to either limit the Cardinals explo-
is forecast to be a cold, rainy day. But with a depleted wide sive offense or keep up with it. Cardinals 27, Bears 13
receivers corps, the Bears and Andy Dalton could find it
tough to get much going in the passing game. In their last
couple of losses, the Bears kept it close, but there’s poten-
tial for an ugly one here. Cardinals 27, Bears 16
Dec. 12 Dec. 20 Dec. 26 Jan. 2 Jan. 9
@GB MIN @SEA NYG @MIN
7:15 p.m. 3:05 p.m. Noon Noon
NBC-5 ESPN FOX-32 CBS-2 FOX-32
Scouting report
Budda Baker, Cardinals free safety
Information for this report was obtained
from NFL scouts.
Budda Baker, 5-foot-10, 195 pounds,
is in his fifth season in Arizona after the
Cardinals made him a second-round
pick in 2017 out of Washington. Baker, a
captain, is fourth on the defense with 41
/solo/ tackles and has two interceptions
and three pass breakups.
A three-time Pro Bowl selection
(once on special teams), the Cardinals
extended Baker /received a contract
extension/ before the start of the 2020
season, a deal that places him fourth
among safeties in the league with an
annual average of $14.75 million, just
above the Bears’ Eddie Jackson.
“They’ve been mixing man and zone
this season, but the last few weeks
they’ve been more zone-heavy,” the
scout said. “That could be based on
tendency and who they are playing
against. They’ve been good on both.
That was a big concern about this team
coming into the season — did they
have the corners to play as much man
because (coordinator) Vance Joseph
is a heavy man-pressure coach? — , but
they’ve done that, and Budda Baker
really helps them do both.
“It’s not always perfect with him, but
he plays with urgency. He’s at top speed
all the time and he is a game changer
for them because he can fill the alley vs.
versus the run, he can blitz, check tight
ends and he can drive top down on the
ball. He’s got enough range to spin him
to the post. He’s got multi-dimensional
traits but he when you turn on the tape,
the thing that always jumps out is he’s
playing faster than everyone else.
“Everyone in the NFL can run, so
why is this guy always a step ahead of
everyone? I think he sees it faster than
everyone else, and when he goes there, if
you’re a ball carrier, he’s gonna going to
thump you too. He’s an excellent tackler,
he’s a good tackler in space and what he
ultimately is for Arizona is a tone-setter.
If you’re a wide receiver coming across
the middle of the field or a running back
bouncing the ball outside the tackles, you
better get your pads low.
“He doesn’t have the same play-
making traits of Eddie Jackson or the
same fluid range, but his lateral speed
is better and his closing speed is better
and he’s more than a willing tackler.
He wants to drop the hammer. You
can build a secondary around that. He
dictates the tempo of the game.”
In a battle between one of the NFL’s top-five
scoring offenses and one of the league’s bottom
five, the odds are stacked against Matt Nagy’s
team. The Bears will have to play a near-per-
fect game Sunday to pull off an upset. But with

SCOREBOARD
NHL
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC GP W L OT PTS GF GA
Florida 24 17 4 3 37 93 67
Toronto 25 17 6 2 36 77 56
Tampa Bay 23 14 5 4 32 74 64
Detroit 25 13 9 3 29 71 78
Boston 21 12 8 1 25 61 56
Buffalo 24 8 13 3 19 70 90
Montreal 26 6 17 3 15 59 93
Ottawa 22 6 15 1 13 57 86
METROPOLITAN GP W L OT PTS GF GA
Washington 25 15 4 6 36 88 62
N.Y. Rangers 23 16 4 3 35 71 58
Carolina 23 16 6 1 33 75 52
Pittsburgh 23 10 8 5 25 65 66
Columbus 22 12 10 0 24 70 71
New Jersey 22 9 9 4 22 65 76
Philadelphia 21 8 9 4 20 50 65
N.Y. Islanders 19 5 10 4 14 36 58
WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL GP W L OT PTS GF GA
Minnesota 24 17 6 1 35 92 71
St. Louis 24 12 8 4 28 80 70
Nashville 24 13 10 1 27 68 68
Colorado 21 12 7 2 26 85 71
Dallas 21 12 7 2 26 60 58
Winnipeg 23 11 8 4 26 68 65
Chicago 23 8 13 2 18 52 76
Arizona 24 5 17 2 12 43 89
PACIFIC GP W L OT PTS GF GA
Calgary 24 15 4 5 35 79 48
Edmonton 22 16 6 0 32 85 65
Anaheim 25 13 8 4 30 84 74
San Jose 24 13 10 1 27 62 62
Vegas 23 13 10 0 26 78 71
Los Angeles 22 9 9 4 22 59 62
Seattle 24 9 13 2 20 72 84
Vancouver 24 8 14 2 18 59 76
NOTE: Two points for a win, one point
for overtime loss. Top three teams in
each division and two wild cards per
conference advance to playoffs.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Florida 4, St. Louis 3, SO
Washington 3, Columbus 1
Detroit 4, N.Y. Islanders 3(OT)
Tampa Bay 3, Boston 2(OT)
Nashville 4, Montreal 3(OT)
Minnesota 4, Toronto 3(SO)
Ottawa 6, Colorado 5(OT)
Carolina 6, Buffalo 2
N.Y. Rangers 3, Chicago 2
Pittsburgh at Vancouver, late
SUNDAY’S GAMES
San Jose at Columbus, 6 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 5p.m.
Chicago at N.Y. Islanders, 6:30p.m.
Los Angeles at Edmonton, 7p.m.
Toronto at Winnipeg, 7p.m.
Calgary at Vegas, 9p.m.
MONDAY’S GAMES
Anaheim at Washington, 6p.m.
Colorado at Philadelphia, 6p.m.
Ottawa at New Jersey, 6p.m.
Arizona at Dallas, 7:30p.m.
Los Angeles at Vancouver, 9p.m.
Pittsburgh at Seattle, 9p.m.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
N.Y. Rangers 1, San Jose 0
Winnipeg 8, New Jersey 4
Vegas 7, Arizona 1
Seattle 4, Edmonton 3
Calgary 4, Anaheim 3(SO)
NFL
AMERICAN CONFERENCE
EAST W L T PCT PF PA
New England 8 4 0 .667 336 190
Buffalo 7 4 0 .636 326 182
Miami 5 7 0 .417 234 279
N.Y. Jets 3 8 0 .273 199 334
SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA
Tennessee 8 4 0 .667 304 290
Indianapolis 6 6 0 .500 340 283
Houston
Jacksonville
2
2
9
9
0
0
.182 164 292
.182 173 283
NORTH W L T PCT PF PA
Baltimore 8 3 0 .727 263 240
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
7
5
4
5
0
1
.636 309 226
.500 224 267
Cleveland 6 6 0 .500 254 267
WEST W L T PCT PF PA
Kansas City 7 4 0 .636 281 250
Denver 6 5 0 .545 228 196
L.A. Chargers 6 5 0 .545 273 293
Las Vegas 6 5 0 .545 259 295
NATIONAL CONFERENCE
EAST W L T PCT PF PA
Dallas 8 4 0 .667 353 267
Washington
Philadelphia
5
5
6
7
0
0
.455 229 282
.417 304 273
N.Y. Giants 4 7 0 .364 202 253
SOUTH W L T PCT PF PA
Tampa Bay
Atlanta
8
5
3
6
0
0
.727 347 253
.455 199 302
Carolina 5 7 0 .417 236 253
New Orleans 5 7 0 .417 274 276
NORTH W L T PCT PF PA
Green Bay 9 3 0 .750 283 242
Minnesota 5 6 0 .455 281 276
Chicago 4 7 0 .364 179 254
Detroit
WEST
0 10
W L
1
T
.045 174 289
PCT PF PA
Arizona 9 2 0 .818 310 202
L.A. Rams 7 4 0 .636 299 263
San Francisco
Seattle
6
3
5
8
0
0
.545 280 248
.273 209 226
WEEK 13
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Arizona at Chicago, noon
Indianapolis at Houston, noon
L.A. Chargers at Cincinnati, noon
Minnesota at Detroit, noon
N.Y. Giants at Miami, noon
Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets, noon
Tampa Bay at Atlanta, noon
Jacksonville at L.A. Rams, 3:05p.m.
Washington at Las Vegas, 3:05p.m.
Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 3:25p.m.
San Francisco at Seattle, 3:25p.m.
Denver at Kansas City, 7:20p.m.
MONDAY’S GAME
New England at Buffalo, 7:15p.m.
Off: Cleveland, Tennessee,
Carolina, Green Bay
WEEK 14
THURSDAY, DEC. 9
Pittsburgh at Minnesota, 7:20p.m.
SUNDAY, DEC. 12
Atlanta at Carolina, noon
Baltimore at Cleveland, noon
Dallas at Washington, noon
Jacksonville at Tennessee, noon
Las Vegas at Kansas City, noon
New Orleans at N.Y. Jets, noon
Seattle at Houston, noon
Detroit at Denver, 3:05p.m.
N.Y. Giants at L.A. Chargers, 3:05p.m.
Buffalo at Tampa Bay, 3:25p.m.
San Francisco at Cincinnati, 3:25p.m.
Chicago at Green Bay, 7:20p.m.
MONDAY, DEC. 13
L.A. Rams at Arizona, 7:15p.m.
Off: Indianapolis, Miami,
New England, Philadelphia
TOP RECEIVERS
206, Davante Adams, GB at CIN 10/10
(OT) (11rec., 1TD)
201, Ja’Marr Chase, CIN at BAL 10/24(8
rec., 1TD)
197, Tyreek Hill, KC vs. CLE 9/12(11
rec., 1TD)
189, Deebo Samuel, SF at DET 9/12(9
rec., 1TD)
189, Kadarius Toney, NYG at DAL 10/10
(10rec., 0TD)
186, Tyreek Hill, KC at PHI 10/3 (11
rec., 3TD)
178, Tyler Lockett, SEA vs. TEN 9/19(OT)
(8rec., 1TD)
171, Deebo Samuel, SF at CHI 10/31(6
rec., 0TD)
169, Justin Jefferson, MIN vs. GB 11/21(8
rec., 2TD)
165, Mike Williams, LAC vs. CLE 10/10(8
rec., 2TD)
163, Cooper Kupp, LAR at IND 9/19(9
rec., 2TD)
163, Kyle Pitts, ATL at MIA 10/24(7rec.,
0TD)
162, Stefon Diggs, BUF at NYJ 11/14(8
rec., 1TD)
159, Ja’Marr Chase, CIN vs. GB 10/10(OT)
(6rec., 1TD)
159, Courtland Sutton, DEN at JAC 9/19
(9rec., 0TD)
156, Deebo Samuel, SF vs. SEA 10/3 (8
rec., 2TD)
NBA
EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC W L PCT GB
Brooklyn 16 7 .696 —
Boston 12 11 .522 4
Philadelphia 12 11 .522 4
New York 11 12 .478 5
Toronto 10 13 .435 6
SOUTHEAST W L PCT GB
Washington 14 9 .609 —
Miami 14 10 .583 1/2
Charlotte 13 11 .542 1 1/2
Atlanta 12 11 .522 2
Orlando 5 19 .208 9 1/2
CENTRAL W L PCT GB
Chicago 16 8 .667 —
Milwaukee 15 9 .625 1
Cleveland 13 10 .565 2 1/2
Indiana 9 16 .360 7 1/2
Detroit 4 18 .182 11
WESTERN CONFERENCE
SOUTHWEST W L PCT GB
Memphis 13 10 .565 —
Dallas 11 11 .500 11/2
San Antonio
New Orleans
8 13 .381
7 18 .280
4
7
Houston 6 16 .273 6 1/2
NORTHWEST W L PCT GB
Utah 15 7 .682 —
Denver 11 11 .500 4
Portland 11 12 .478 4 1/2
Minnesota 11 12 .478 4 1/2
Oklahoma City 6 16 .273 9
PACIFIC W L PCT GB
Golden State 19 4 .826 —
Phoenix 19 4 .826 —
L.A. Clippers 12 11 .522 7
L.A. Lakers
Sacramento
12 12 .500 7 1/2
9 14 .391 10
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Denver 113, New York 99
Chicago 111, Brooklyn 107
Milwaukee 124, Miami 102
San Antonio 112, Golden State 107
Memphis 97, Dallas 90
Boston at Portland, late
L.A. Clippers at Sacramento, late
SUNDAY’S GAMES
Utah at Cleveland, 2:30p.m.
Charlotte at Atlanta, 5p.m.
Washington at Toronto, 5p.m.
New Orleans at Houston, 6p.m.
MONDAY’S GAMES
Oklahoma City at Detroit, 6p.m.
Philadelphia at Charlotte, 6p.m.
Washington at Indiana, 6p.m.
Memphis at Miami, 6:30p.m.
Atlanta at Minnesota, 7p.m.
Cleveland at Milwaukee, 7p.m.
Denver at Chicago, 7p.m.
San Antonio at Phoenix, 8p.m.
L.A. Clippers at Portland, 9p.m.
Orlando at Golden State, 9p.m.
TUESDAY’S GAMES
Brooklyn at Dallas, 6:30p.m.
New York at San Antonio, 7:30p.m.
Boston at L.A. Lakers, 9p.m.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Cleveland 116, Washington 101
Miami 113, Indiana 104
Philadelphia 98, Atlanta 96
Brooklyn 110, Minnesota 105
Houston 118, Orlando 116
New Orleans 107, Dallas 91
Utah 137, Boston 130
L.A. Clippers 119, L.A. Lakers 115
Golden State 118, Phoenix 96
ODDS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG
SUNDAY
at Maryland 31/2 Northwestern
Monmouth
at Niagara
5
4
at Canisius
Farifield
Valparaiso 41/2 at W. Michigan
W. Illinois 6 at C. Michigan
at Manhattan 51/2 Quinnipiac
at Rider 3 Marist
at Saint Peter’s 81/2 Siena
at S. Carolina 5
at Mississippi St. 10
Georgetown
Minnesota
at UIC 31/2 Detroit Mercy
Richmond
at Texas St.
2
131/2
at N. Iowa
Denver
Belmont 11 at Samford
North Carolina 41/2 at Georgia Tech
Arizona 111/2
at San Diego 12
at Oregon St.
Cal Poly
at Seattle 71/2 VMI
at Oklahoma St. 21/2
at Utah 81/2 California
Xavier
at Wichita St. 31/2 Kansas St.
at San Jose St. 151/2
at Oregon 9
Fordham
ArizonaSt.
Ohio St. 31/2 at Penn St.
NBA SUNDAY
FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG
Utah 5 (211) at Cleveland
at Atlanta
at Toronto
4 (2271/2) Charlotte
1 (2121/2) Washington
New Orleans 3 (223) at Houston
NFL SUNDAY
FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG
at Miami
Indianapolis
6 (391/2) NY Giants
10 (441/2) at Houston
Minnesota 71/2 (461/2) at Detroit
Philadelphia 61/2 (45) at NY Jets
Arizona 71/2 (421/2) at Chicago
at Cincinnati 3 (491/2) LA Chargers
Tampa Bay 101/2 (501/2) at Atlanta
at Las Vegas 11/2 (48) Washington
at LA Rams 13 (48) Jacksonville
Baltimore 41/2 (44) at Pittsburgh
San Francisco
at Kansas City
31/2 (451/2) at Seattle
91/2 (47) Denver
MONDAY
at Buffalo 21/2 (411/2) New Eng.
NHL SUNDAY
FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE
Tampa Bay -130 at Phila. +108
at Columbus -119 San Jose -102
at NY Islanders -161 Chicago +135
at Edmonton -192 Los Angeles +159
Toronto -127 at Winnipeg +107
at Vegas -119 Calgary
For the latest odds, go to FanDuel
-102
Sportsbook, https://sportsbook.
fanduel.com/
GOLF
PGA HERO WORLD CHALLANGE
3rd of 4 rounds; Albany Golf Course;
New Providence, Bahamas; 7,302 yds;
Par 72
Collin Morikawa 68-66-64—198 -18
Brooks Koepka 67-67-69—203 -13
Patrick Reed
Viktor Hovland
68-69-67—204 -12
68-69-67—204 -12
Daniel Berger 66-69-69—204 -12
Sam Burns
Tony Finau
71-65-68—204 -12
68-66-70—204 -12
Scottie Scheffler 71-68-66—205 -11
Bryson DeChabeau 69-64-73—206 -10
Tyrrell Hatton
Harris English
69-67-71—207 -9
75-70-63—208 -8
Matt Fitzpatrick 71-70-68—209 -7
Xander Schauffele 70-70-70—210 -6
Webb Simpson 67-72-71—210 -6
Justin Thomas 67-72-71—210 -6
Justin Rose
Abraham Ancer
71-70-70—211 -5
66-73-72—211 -5
Rory McIlroy 66-71-75—212 -4
Henrik Stenson 72-75-70—217 +1
Jordan Spieth 71-72-75—218 +2
LPGA Q-SERIES
Saturday’s 3rd round; Magnolia Grove-
Falls and Crossing Courses; Mobile,
Ala.; 6,664yds; Par 72; a-amateur
Pauline Roussin-Bouchard
69-67-66—202 -12
Hye-Jin Choi 69-66-68—203 -11
Atthaya Thitikul
Peiyun Chien
73-65-66—204 -10
66-72-66—204 -10
Ayaka Furue 69-67-69—205 -9
Selena Costabile
Yaeeun Hong
67-69-69—205 -9
68-71-67—206 -8
Na Rin An 67-67-72—206 -8
Katie Yoo 69-70-68—207 -7
Caroline Inglis 69-69-69—207 -7
Kaitlyn Papp 70-67-70—207 -7
Haylee Rae Harford 68-69-70—207 -7
Alana Uriell
Isi Gabsa
70-70-68—208 -6
69-71-68—208 -6
Karis Anne Davidson 68-71-69—208 -6
Maddie McCrary 67-72-69—208 -6
Sophie Hausmann 69-69-70—208 -6
Emily Kristine Pedersen 65-70-73—208 -6
Bianca Pagdanganan 75-69-66—210 -5
Sarah Jane Smith 70-73-67—210 -5
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
AP TOP 25 FARED
No. 1 Georgia (12-1) lost to No. 4
Alabama 41-24, SEC championship.
Next: TBD.
No. 2 Michigan (11-1) vs. No. 15 Iowa,
Big Ten championship. Next: TBD.
No. 3 Cincinnati (13-0) beat No. 16
Houston 35-20, AAC championship.
Next: TBD.
No. 4 Alabama (12-1) beat No. 1 Geor-
gia 41-24, SEC championship. Next:
TBD.
No. 5 Oklahoma St. (11-2) lost to No.
9 Baylor 21-16, Big-12 championship.
Next: TBD.
No. 6 Notre Dame (11-1) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 7 Ohio St. (10-2) did not play. Next:
TBD.
No. 8 Mississippi (10-2) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 9 Baylor (11-2) beat No. 5 Okla-
homa St. 21-16, Big-12 championship.
Next: TBD.
No. 10 Oregon (10-3) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 11 Michigan St. (10-2) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 12 BYU (10-2) did not play. Next:
TBD.
No. 13 Oklahoma (10-2) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 14 Utah (10-3) did not play. Next:
TBD.
No. 15 Iowa (10-2) vs. No. 2 Michigan,
Big Ten championship. Next: TBD.
No. 16 Houston (11-2) lost to No. 3
Cincinnati 35-20, AAC championship.
Next: TBD.
No. 17 Pittsburgh (10-2) vs. No. 18
Wake Forest, ACC championship.
Next: TBD.
No. 18 Wake Forest (10-2) vs. No. 17
Pittsburgh, ACC championship. Next:
TBD.
No. 19 San Diego St. (11-2) lost to Utah
St. 46-13, Mountain West champion-
ship. Next: TBD
No. 20 Louisiana-Lafayette (12-1) beat
Appalachian St. 24-16, Sun Belt Cham-
pionship. Next: TBD
No. 21 NC State (9-3) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 22 Clemson (9-3) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 23 Arkansas (8-4) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 24 Texas A&M (8-4) did not play.
Next: TBD.
No. 25 Kentucky (9-3) did not play.
Next: TBD.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
Big 12 Championship, Arlington, Tex.
Baylor 21, Oklahoma State 16
MAC Championship, Detroit
Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23
Mtn. West Championship, Carson, Calif.
Utah State 46, San Diego State 13
Sun Belt Championship, Lafayette, La.
La.-Lafayette 24, Appalachian State 16
SWAC Championship, Jackson, Miss.
Jackson St. 27, Prairie View 10
SEC Championship, Atlanta
Alabama 41, Georgia 24
American Ath. Championship, Cincinnati
Cincinnati 35, Houston 20
Big Ten Championship, Indianapolis
Michigan (11-1) vs. Iowa (10-2), late
ACC Championship, Charlotte, N.C.
Pittsburgh (10-2) vs.
Wake Forest (10-2), late
Also: USC (4-7) vs. California (4-7), late
NCAA FCS PLAYOFFS
FRIDAY’S SECOND ROUND
Villanova 21, Holy Cross 16
Montana 57, Eastern Washington 41
SATURDAY’S SECOND ROUND
North DakotaSt. 38, S. Illinois 7
ETSU 32, Kennesaw St. 31
James Madison 59, SE Louisiana 20
Sam Houston 49, Incarnate Word 42
Montana St. 26, UT-Martin 7
S. Dakota St. at Sacramento St., late
NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Shepherd 30, Kutztown 28
Ferris St. 41, NW Missouri St. 20
Valdosta St. 41, Bowie St. 17
Colorado Mines 34, Angelo St. 26
NCAA DIVISION III PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY’S QUARTERFINALS
Mount Union 35, Muhlenberg 29
Mary Hardin-Baylor 49, Linfield24
North Central 55, Rensselaer 6
Wis.-Whitewater 51, Central (Iowa) 21
FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Conf. USA Championship, San Antonio
UTSA 49, Western Kentucky 41
Pac-12 Championship, Las Vegas
Utah 38, Oregon 10
SOCCER
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
SATURDAY, WEST CONFERENCE FINALS
at Providence Park, Portland, Ore.
#4 Portland 2, #7 Real Salt Lake 0
SUNDAY, EAST CONFERENCE FINALS
at Subaru Park, Chester, Pa.
#2Philadelphia. vs.
#4 New York City FC, 2p.m.
MLS CUP FINAL, DEC. 11
#4Portland vs. #2Philadelphia/#4 New
York City FC winner, 2p.m.
SOCCER
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
CLUB GP W D L GF GA PTS
Man City 15 11 2 2 32 9 35
Liverpool 15 10 4 1 44 12 34
Chelsea 15 10 3 2 35 9 33
West Ham 15 8 3 4 28 19 27
Arsenal 14 7 2 5 17 20 23
Tottenham 13 7 1 5 13 17 22
Man United 14 6 3 5 24 24 21
Wolverhampton 15 6 3 6 12 13 21
Brighton 15 4 8 3 14 16 20
Leicester 14 5 4 5 22 25 19
Crystal Palace 14 3 7 4 19 20 16
Brentford 14 4 4 6 17 19 16
Aston Villa 14 5 1 8 19 23 16
Southampton 15 3 7 5 14 21 16
Everton 14 4 3 7 17 24 15
Leeds 14 3 6 5 13 20 15
Watford
Burnley
15 4 1 10 20 29 13
14 1 7 6 14 21 10
Newcastle 15 1 7 7 17 30 10
Norwich 14 2 4 8 8 28 10
SATURDAY’S RESULTS
West Ham 3, Chelsea 2
Newcastle 1, Burnley 0
Southampton 1, Brighton 1
Liverpool 1, Wolverhampton 0
Man City 3, Watford 1
SUNDAY’S MATCHES
Leeds vs. Brentford, 8a.m.
Man United vs. Crystal Palace, 8a.m.
Tottenham vs. Norwich, 8a.m.
Aston Villa vs. Leicester, 10:30a.m.
MONDAY’S MATCH
Everton vs. Arsenal, 2p.m.
U.S. MEN’S SCHEDULE (17-2-2)
Jan. 31: U.S. 1, Trinidad & Tobago 0
March 25: u.S. 4, Jamaica 1
March 28: U.S. 2, Northern Ireland 1
May 30: Switzerland 2, U.S. 1
a-June 3: U.S. 1, Honduras 0
a-June 6: U.S. 3, Mexico 2, ET
June 9: U.S. 4, Costa Rica 0
b-July 11: U.S. 1, Haiti 0
b-July 15: U.S. 6, Martinique 1
b-July 18 : U.S. 1, Canada 0
q-World Cup qualifying
TENNIS
DAVIS CUP WORLD GROUP FINAL
SATURDAY’S SEMIFINALS
Hard-Indoor, Group Round Robin
At Madrid Arena, Madrid, Spain
RUSSIAN TENNIS FEDERATION 2,
GERMANY 1
Andrey Rublev (RTF) d.
Dominik Koepfer, 6-4, 6-0
Daniil Medvedev (RTF) d.
Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-4, 6-4
Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz (G) d.
Asland Karatsev/Karen Khachanov,
6-4, 3-6, 6-4
SUNDAY’S FINAL
At Madrid Arena, Madrid, Spain
Croatia vs.
Russian Tennis Federation, 9a.m.
 Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  7
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MEN’S AP TOP 25 FARED
No. 1 Duke (7-1) did not play. Next: vs.
SC State, Tuesday.
No. 2 Purdue (8-0) did not play. Next: at
Rutgers, Thursday.
No. 3 Gonzaga (7-2) lost to No. 16
Alabama 91-82. Next: vs. Merrimack, Thu.
No. 4 Baylor (8-0) beat Ark.-Pine Bluff
99-54. Next: vs. No. 6 Villanova, Dec. 12.
No. 5 UCLA (7-1) did not play. Next: at
Washington, Sunday.
No. 6 Villanova (6-2) beat Saint
Joseph’s 81-52. Next: at No. 4 Baylor,
Sunday, Dec. 12.
No. 7 Texas (6-1) did not play. Next: at
No. 25 Seton Hall, Thursday.
No. 8 Kansas (6-1) did not play. Next:
vs. UTEP, Tuesday.
No. 9 Kentucky (6-1) did not play. Next:
vs. Southern U., Tuesday.
No. 10 Arkansas (8-0) beat UALR 93-78.
Next: vs. Charlotte, Tuesday.
No. 11 Arizona (6-0) did not play. Next:
at Oregon St., Sunday.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev celebrates his team victory after
No. 12 BYU (7-1) beat Missouri St. beating Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff in their Davis Cup
74-68. Next: vs. Utah St., Wednesday. semifinal match Saturday. MANU FERNANDEZ/AP
No. 13 Tennessee (6-1) beat Colorado
69-54. Next: vs. Texas Tech, Tuesday.
No. 14 Florida (6-1) did not play. Next: TENNIS DAVIS CUP
Russia heads
vs. Texas Southern, Monday.
No. 15 Houston (7-1) did not play. Next:
vs. Alcorn St., Monday.
No. 16 Alabama (7-1) beat No. 3 Gonzaga
91-82. Next: vs. No. 15 Houston, Dec. 11.
No. 17 UConn (8-1) beat Grambling St.
to the finals
88-57Next: at West Virginia, Wed.
No. 18 Memphis (5-3) lost to Missis-
sippi 67-63. Next: vs. Murray St., Friday.
No. 19 Iowa St. (7-0) at Creighton. Next:
vs. Iowa, Thursday.
No. 20 Southern Cal (8-0) beat Wash-
ington St. 63-61. Next: vs. E. Kentucky,
Tuesday.
No. 21 Auburn (7-1) beat Yale 86-64.
By Joseph Wilson Friday. Russia and Croatia
Next: vs. Nebraska, Saturday. Associated Press will be aiming for a third
No. 22 Michigan St. (7-2) beat Toledo
81-68. Next: at Minnesota, Wednesday.
Davis Cup title.
No. 23 Wisconsin (7-1) beat Marquette Daniil Medvedev had “Croatia is a very strong
89-76. Next: vs. Indiana, Wednesday. just put Russia into the team, it has always been at
No. 24 Michigan (5-3) beat San Diego
St. 72-58. Next: at Nebraska, Tuesday. Davis Cup final by sealing the Davis Cup,” Medvedev
No. 25 Seton Hall (7-1) beat Nyack a win over Germany when said. “I am not expecting
113-67. Next: vs. No. 7 Texas, Thursday.
he turned to the stands at anything easy, so we will
SATURDAY’S SCORES Madrid Arena and pointed have to play our best to
EAST
Boston U. 68, Binghamton 63 repeatedly at the hard have our chances to win.”
Catholic 75, Scranton 73 court beneath his feet. Medvedev reaches the
Columbia 77, Maine 66
Hofstra 88, Bucknell 69 He was here to stay in final, where he should face
La Salle 84, Holy Cross 65 Madrid for one more day, Croatia No. 1 Marin Cilic,
Lehman 82, Brooklyn 76
Loyola (Md.) 61, Mount St. Mary’s 55 to lead Russia against after not dropping a single
New Hampshire 67, CCSU 45 Croatia for the most illus- set at the tournament.
Princeton 81, Drexel 79, OT
Providence 66, Rhode Island 52
trious team trophy in With four players
Seton Hall 113, Nyack 67 men’s tennis. ranked in the top 30,
St. Bonaventure 68, Buffalo 65
Temple 81, Penn 72
The jeers poured down Russia was favored against
UConn 88, Grambling St. 59 from the German fans and a German team playing
UMass 87, Harvard 77
Villanova 81, Saint Joseph’s 52
neutral Spaniards, but the without star Alexander
West Virginia 67, Radford 51 world’s second-ranked Zverev. The reigning U.S.
SOUTH
Auburn 86, Yale 64
player didn’t mind. In Open champion had little
Charlotte 86, George Washington 79 fact, he egged them on and trouble commanding his
Davidson 70, William & Mary 46
East Carolina 62, Gardner-Webb 52
defiantly stamped his foot serve against Struff, and
Louisville 73, NC State 68 before he pumped his fist it seemed only a matter of
Miami 80, Clemson 75 to the Russian contingent when he could pounce on
Mississippi 67, Memphis 63
Old Dominion 60, George Mason 50 soaking up their victory. a mistake by the German.
Syracuse 63, Florida St. 60 Medvedev said it was Struff hung tight with
Tulane 85, Alcorn St. 64
UNC-Asheville 82, NC Central 66 just his team’s way of cele- Medvedev until he dug
VCU 65, Campbell 61 brating in an imitation himself into a 0-40 hole at
Wake Forest 80, Virginia Tech 61
MIDWEST of other team sports like 4-4 in the first set. He saved
BYU 74, Missouri St. 68 soccer where the ‘stay two break points before
Bradley 80, SIU-Edwardsville 55
Cleveland St. 85, Wright St. 75
calm’ gesture has become sending an approach shot
Dayton 79, N. Illinois 41 popular. And if the crowd into the net to fall behind.
E. Illinois 76, North Park 71
E. Washington 92, Omaha 81
took it wrong, so be it. Medvedev then held
Evansville 59, Tennessee Tech 51 “We have a joke on the his serve easily to take a
Fort Wayne 71, N. Kentucky 57
Indiana 68, Nebraska 55
team when we practice one-set lead. Medvedev
Indiana St. 69, Miami (Ohio) 68 or play cards, I have seen pressed home his advan-
Jackson St. 61, Illinois St. 55
Loyola Chicago 68, DePaul 64
football players like Cris- tage after going up a break
Michigan 72, San Diego St. 58 tiano (Ronaldo) do it, we at 3-2 in the second set.
Milwaukee 77, Robert Morris 69
Oakland 78, IUPUI 45
say ‘calm, calm, calm’,” The fifth-ranked Rublev
Ohio 78, St. Francis (Pa.) 75 Medvedev said. “So I had shown weakness over
S. Illinois 66, So. Mississippi 41 decided to celebrate like the past week. He lost to
UAB 77, Saint Louis 73
W. Illinois 81, UT Martin 64 this and everyone started Spain’s 40-year-old Feli-
Wisconsin 89, Marquette 76 whistling... I am just really ciano Lopez and had to
Youngstown St. 82, Green Bay 58
SOUTHWEST happy we managed to still go three sets to beat Ecua-
Abilene Christian 97, Incarnate Word 65 be here on Sunday.” dor’s Roberto Quiroz and
Arkansas 93, UALR 78
Rice 100, Jarvis Christian 62 Medvedev brushed Swede Elias Ymer.
WEST aside Jan-Lennard Struff He needed just 50
Air Force 76, Army 58
Alabama 91, Gonzaga 82
aside 6-4, 6-4 to seal the minutes to see off Koepfer.
Colorado St. 74, Saint Mary’s (Cal.) 58 Russian victory on Satur- Rublev smashed in
Tennessee 69, Colorado 54
Wyoming 79, McNeese St. 58
day after Andrey Rublev six aces to ease to a set
won the opening singles advantage. Koepfer faded
WOMEN’S AP TOP 25 FARED over Dominik Koepfer fast, ceding breaks in his
No. 1 South Carolina (9-0) did not play. 6-4, 6-0. Germany won three service games of
Next: vs. No. 8 Maryland, Sunday,
Dec 12.
the doubles when Kevin the second set as Rublev
No. 2 UConn (4-1) did not play. Next: vs. Krawietz and Tim Puetz cruised to victory.
Notre Dame, Sunday. beat Aslan Karatsev and The Russian team is
No. 2 NC State (7-1) did not play. Next:
vs. Elon, Sunday. Karen Khachanov 4-6, officially being called RTF
No. 4 Stanford (5-2) did not play. Next: 6-3, 6-4 to make the final (Russian Tennis Federa-
vs. Pacific, Sunday, Dec 12.
No. 5 Baylor (8-1) beat Missouri 70-68.
score 2-1. tion) in the competition
Next: vs. Alcorn State, Wednesday. Croatia awaits Russia amid its ongoing doping
No. 6 Indiana (5-2) did not play. Next:
vs. Penn St., Monday.
after eliminating Novak suspension in interna-
No. 7 Arizona (7-0) did not play. Next: Djokovic’s Serbia on tional sport.
vs. N. Dakota St., Thursday.
No. 8 Maryland (7-2) did not play. Next:
at Rutgers, Sunday.
No. 9 Iowa (4-1) did not play. Next: vs.
Michigan St., Sunday.
No. 10 Louisville (6-1) did not play.
IN BRIEF
Morikawa pulls away
Next: vs. Belmont, Sunday.
No. 11 Tennessee (7-0) did not play.
Next: at Virginia Tech, Sunday.
No. 12 Michigan (7-1) did not play.
in Bahamas, eyes No. 1
Next: vs. Akron, Sunday.
No. 13 South Florida (5-3) did not play.
Next: at VCU, Sunday, Dec. 12.
No. 14 Iowa St. (7-1) did not play. Next:
vs. Longwood, Sunday.
No. 15 Texas (5-1) did not play. Next: at
No. 17 Texas A&M, Sunday. News services 3 Gonzaga on Saturday.
No. 16 Kentucky (5-1) did not play.
Next: vs. Merrimack, Sunday.
Drew Timme led the Bull-
No. 17 Texas A&M (8-0) did not play. Tiger Woods joined the dogs (7-2) with 23 points.
Next: vs. No. 15 Texas, Sunday. broadcast booth for his
No. 18 Ohio St. (5-1) did not play. Next:
at Purdue, Sunday. Hero World Challenge, NFL: Steelers activated star
No. 18 Oregon (4-3) beat Portland and what he saw from linebacker T.J. Watt off the
62-59. Next: vs. Long Beach St. , Dec. 11.
No. 20 Georgia (7-0) did not play. Next:
Collin Morikawa must COVID-19 list on Saturday,
vs. Georgia Tech, Sunday. have looked familiar. giving their beleaguered
No. 21 BYU (8-0) beat Utah 85-80. Next:
at Oklahoma, Friday.
Morikawa carved up defense a boost before
No. 22 Florida Gulf Coast (7-1) did not Albany Golf Club to build Sunday’s visit by the AFC
play. Next: vs. Palm Beach Atlantic, a five-shot lead Saturday North-leading Ravens. The
Thursday.
No. 23 Oregon St. (4-2) did not play. over Brooks Koepka, and Steelers placed Watt on the
Next: at Monmouth, Friday. too many pursuers faded list Monday, a day after a
No. 24 Notre Dame (7-1) did not play.
Next: at No. 2 UConn, Sunday.
from contention with a 41-10 loss to the Bengals
No. 25 Florida St. (5-2) did not play. series of mistakes that only dropped the Steelers to
Next: vs. Charleston Southern, Sunday. made another victory look 5-5-1. He did not practice
SATURDAY’S SCORES inevitable for Morikawa. during the week, remain-
EAST
Bryant 61, New Hampshire 54 With an 8-under 64 — ing away from the team’s
Coppin St. 77, Marshall 69 the first bogey-free round facility as part of the
Drexel 57, Maine 33
La Salle 64, St. Francis (Pa.) 59
of the week — Morikawa league’s COVID-19 proto-
Lafayette 71, NJIT 64 took a big step toward cols. ... Seahawks elevated
Lehigh 79, Binghamton 68
Milwaukee 66, Robert Morris 47
reaching No. 1 in the world. veteran running back
Niagara 76, Cornell 71 “You love being in these Adrian Peterson from the
Rider 59, Army 57 spots and you don’t get practice squad to the active
Saint Joseph’s 52, Yale 49
St. Peter’s 77, Delaware St. 50 them every week,” Mori- roster for Sunday’s game
SOUTH kawa said. “You wish you against the 49ers.
FIU 53, North Florida 51
Hampton 56, Norfolk St. 52
did. But when you do, you
Howard 62, Hofstra 60, OT want to take advantage of NHL: Kirill Kaprizov
Jacksonville 57, Florida A&M 36
Memphis 57, Southern U. 50
them. So hopefully, we can scored in the third round
NC A&T 86, SC State 46 take advantage tomorrow.” of a shootout and the Wild
Samford 75, Murray St. 66 beat the Maple Leafs 4-3
Stetson 67, Furman 58
Towson 66, East Carolina 51 College basketball: Jaden Saturday for their sixth
Wake Forest 90, Troy 61 Shackelford scored 20 of straight win. Jordan
MIDWEST
IUPUI 74, Oakland 49
his 28 points in the first Greenway, Mats Zucca-
Ill.-Chicago 68, Detroit 64, OT half, Jahvon Quinerly rello and Marcus Foligno
Miami (Ohio) 81, Evansville 73
N. Iowa 59, S. Dakota St. 50
and JD Davison both hit had goals in regulation for
North Dakota 97, Minnesota-Morris 55 key 3-pointers, and No. 16 the Central Division-lead-
Ohio 98, Richmond 89 Alabama held off Gonza- ing Wild, which has
Pittsburgh 64, Ball St. 54
South Dakota 71, Wichita St. 59 ga’s big second-half rally outscored opponents 28-12
St. Thomas (MN) 62, Chicago St. 57 for a 91-82 win over No. during the winning streak.
Youngstown St. 67, Green Bay 58
8  Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

NATIONAL SPORTS REPORT

SHORTS

Football Hall of Famer Humphrey dies
Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude
Humphrey, one of the NFL’s most fear-
some pass rushers during the 1970s
with the Falcons but long overlooked
on mostly losing teams, has died at the
age of 77. Humphrey, who also reached
the Super Bowl with the Eagles, died
unexpectedly Friday night in his home-
town of Memphis, Tennessee, according to the Hall of
Fame, which was informed of his death by his daughter.
No cause was given. Humphrey was the No. 3 overall pick
by the Falcons out of Tennessee State in 1968 and went on
to play 11 years with the team, earning the last of six Pro
Bowl appearances as a member of the famed “Grits Blitz”
defense in 1977. He moved to the Eagles in 1979 and served
as a designated pass rusher on the 1980 team that reached
the Super Bowl. Humphrey retired after the 1981 season,
before sacks became an official stat, but he was credited
with 130 sacks over 13 seasons (he missed the entire 1975
season recovering from a knee injury). Humphrey was
inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014 and the
Falcons Ring of Honor in 2008.
4 Hornets enter COVID-19 protocols
Four Hornets players, including last
year’s Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball,
pictured, have been placed in the NBA’s
health and safety protocols on Satur-
day, an indicator they have tested posi-
tive of the coronavirus. Along with
Ball, guard Terry Rozier, center Mason
Plumlee and forward Jalen McDaniels
will be sidelined for at least 10 days, or until they have
recorded two negative tests in a 24-hour period according
to league rules. Barring more positive tests, the Hornets
would meet the NBA’s minimum required eight players
to play their next scheduled game on Sunday night at
Atlanta. The team is scheduled to depart for Atlanta on
Saturday. The Hornets (13-11) are currently seventh in the
NBA Eastern Conference standings. Charlotte’s last game
came Wednesday night at Milwaukee. The Hornets’ news
comes as the league and the National Basketball Players
Association has been pushing for players, coaches and
staff to get booster shots. The league has said about 97%
of players are vaccinated. It is unclear how many players
have received booster shots.
Manchester City now on top of the EPL
Defending champion Manchester City
is on top of the English Premier League
for the first time this season. And if Pep
Guardiola’s team keeps playing like
this, it could be difficult to knock City
off its perch — even in a tight title race
that saw three different teams lead the
standings Saturday. On a day when
previous leader Chelsea faltered, City displayed total
dominance in a 3-1 win at Watford that showed off the kind
of fluid passing game that helped Guardiola’s team win
three of the last four league titles. Bernardo Silva, pictured,
scored twice after Raheem Sterling’s early opener as City
proved once again that it can do perfectly fine without
a recognized striker in the lineup. It was a fifth straight
league win for City, which is one point ahead of Liverpool
and two in front of Chelsea after 15 rounds. “It’s always
better to be top of the league than second, third or fourth,
but it’s still early,” Silva said. West Ham shook up the title
race by beating Chelsea 3-2, and Liverpool needed an inju-
ry-time goal from Divock Origi to earn a 1-0 win at that put
Jurgen Klopp’s team on top for a few hours. —AP

NFL PREDICTIONS

Week 13
By Sam Farmer | Los Angeles Times

Last week’s record: 9-6. Season: 109-70-1.

Vikings (5 -6) at Lions (0 -1 0 -1 )

Sunday, noon. Line: Vikings by 7 1/2. O/U: 46 1/2.
The Vikings will miss Dalvin Cook but should
be able to handle Detroit without him. Alex-
ander Mattison is capable of picking up that
slack against a Detroit team that can hang in
for a while. Vikings 27, Lions 17

Colts (6 -6) at Texans (2-9)

Sunday, noon. Line: Colts by 10. O/U: 44 1/2.
The Colts are a team to watch. Jonathan Taylor
should have a big day, and the Indianapo-
lis defense can rush the passer and stop the
run. Carson Wentz will play well against over-
matched Houston. Colts 31, Texans 17

Chargers (6 -5 ) at Bengals (7-4 )

Sunday, noon. Line: Bengals by 3. O/U: 49 1/2.
The Chargers can’t stop the run and that’s a
bad situation against Cincinnati, which can
run it and set up the play-action for Joe Burrow.
Justin Herbert should keep the visitors in it.
Bengals 28, Chargers 20

Eagles (5 -7 ) at Jets (3-8 )

Sunday, noon. Line: Eagles by 6 1/2. O/U: 45.
The Jets are sneaky tough, and the Eagles a
little desperate after blowing it against the
Giants. But that Philly defensive line is going
to get in Zach Wilson’s face, and Jalen Hurts
will bounce back. Eagles 30, Jets 20

Buccaneers (8 -3) at Falcons (5 -6)

Sunday, noon. Line: Bucs by 10 1/2. O/U: 50 1/2.
Tom Brady has had a few weeks of less-than-
stellar play and he’s poised for a breakout game.
The pass rush is coming around for Tampa.
Atlanta will put up a fight for a while but
Tampa is just better. Buccaneers 38, Falcons 20

Cardinals (9 -2) at Bears (4-7 )

Sunday, noon. Line: Cardinals by 7 1/2. O/U: 42 1/2.
Cardinals will be fresh after week off and
should keep rolling against underwhelming
Bears. Chicago’s front seven can play pretty
well, but its secondary is banged up. Arizona
returns some weapons. Cardinals 33, Bears 17

Giants (4-7 ) at Dolphins (5 -7 )

Sunday, noon. Line: Dolphins by 6. O/U: 39 1/2.
Miami’s defense has played really well the
last month. Tua Tagovailoa is getting the ball
Raiders wide receiver DeSean Jackson has found a connection with quarterback Derek Carr. JEFF BOTTARI/AP out of his hands, despite a subpar offensive
line. Giants can’t afford to lose Daniel Jones.
Dolphins 24, Giants 17

Jackson thrive
NFL
Jaguars (2-9) at Rams (7-4)
Sunday, 3:05 p.m. Line: Rams by 13. O/U: 48.
After three losses in a row, the Rams need to
stop the bleeding. The Jaguars are a bad team
but they can get very physical — check the tape
on the Buffalo game — so they can deliver a
bruising. Rams 30, Jaguars 18

New WR, Carr have found
rhythm in time for Raiders
By W.G. Ramirez
Associated Press
DeSean Jackson has tormented NFC
East teams for years, having played 11
of the first 13 years of his career for the
Eagles and Washington.
Advantage, Las Vegas.
The 35-year-old wideout, who cele-
brated a birthday Wednesday, ignited
the Raiders’ offense on Thanksgiv-
ing in a 36-33 win over the Cowboys
to help Las Vegas snap a three-game
losing streak. He’ll look to carry that
momentum into a critical home game
Sunday against the Washington.
The Raiders (6-5) are one game
behind the first-place Chiefs in the
AFC West, tied for second with the
Chargers and Broncos.
Jackson, signed Nov. 8 to replace
Henry Ruggs III and provide quar-
terback Derek Carr with a deep-ball
threat, has slowly acclimated himself
to offensive coordinator Greg Olson’s
system and was finally utilized as a
major component at Dallas.
“Any time I’m able to get on the field,
I’m just looking forward to do some
great things for my team,” said Jack-
son, who caught three passes for 102
yards, including a 54-yard catch-and-
run touchdown against the Cowboys.
“Playing in that division, knowing how
big them games get and obviously play-
ing for (Washington) and leaving, the
way I feel about the teams I leave that
I once played for, I always feel like I’ve
got to play extra hard because they
had the chance to keep me, and they
didn’t.”
Jackson’s 34 career touchdowns of
50 yards or more are two shy of Jerry
Rice’s record. He has the most recep-
tions of 20 or more air yards since 2000
with 125, which is 14 more than Julio
Jones.
The speedy Jackson also ranks fifth
all-time with 136 catches of 25 or more
yards.
After being on the field for 25 snaps
combined in his first two games with
Las Vegas, including a fumble on
his lone reception, Jackson played
42 snaps against the Cowboys and
certainly brought much more to the
team than just his three catches.
With Carr’s usual No. 1 target, tight
end Darren Waller, leaving the game
and now listed as week-to-week, the
quarterback proved he can flourish
with other weapons thanks to Jackson
opening up the offense for receivers
like Hunter Renfrow, Zay Jones and
Bryan Edwards, while giving running
back Josh Jacobs breathing room out
of the backfield.
“His comfort level, being able to play
a full game obviously since he’s been
here, is much greater now,” Olson said.
“We just felt like that game against
Dallas was a game where, all right, he’s
ready to handle a much bigger role, so
let’s get him involved and try to get him
involved early. And it worked out well
for us.”
Indeed, as Renfrow finished with
eight receptions for 134 yards — both
season highs — while Jones had five
catches for 59 yards, also season
bests. Jacobs, meanwhile, rushed for
a season-high 87 yards on 22 carries.
“To get him the right amount of plays
to get chemistry with Derek, I think it
took a little bit of time and hopefully
it can get a little bit better each week,”
interim coach Rich Bisaccia said.
Sunday, against his former employer,
Jackson faces a Washington team he
has nine TDs against, tied for the most
against all opponents.
And for Carr, who completed 24 of 39
passes for 373 yards and a touchdown
without an interception at Dallas, he’s
finally on the same page with a bona
fide veteran wideout he can feel confi-
dent in throwing to after sharing the
right look with one another, and a guy
who can change the complexion of a
game with one big play.
“What we saw in the Dallas game
was he was on the field more, he had
more opportunities,” Carr said. “That’s
him just being able to handle more and
be in the system more and being able
to play more.
“I think that him being able to do
that obviously gives us that stretch that
we are going to need for everyone else
to get active, too.”
Washington (5 -6) at Raiders (6 -5 )
Sunday, 3:05 p.m. Line: Raiders by 1 1/2. O/U: 48.
The Raiders should hold their ground behind
the play of Derek Carr, who has been excellent.
But Washington is scary with the way Taylor
Heineke is building a belief and the defense
is coming around. Raiders 27, Washington 23
49 ers (6 -5 ) at Seahawks (3-8 )
Sunday, 3:25 p.m. Line: 49ers by 3 1/2. O/U: 45 1/2.
The 49ers are getting healthy on defense and
look as if they’re returning to form at the right
time, though losing Deebo Samuel hurts. Seat-
tle is struggling mightily — including Russell
Wilson. 49ers 28, Seahawks 17
Ravens (8 -3) at Steelers (5 -5-1)
Sunday, 3:25 p.m. Line: Ravens by 4 1/2. O/U: 44.
Lamar Jackson is due for a big bounce-
back performance against suspect Steelers.
Ravens 28, Steelers 21
Broncos (6 -5 ) at Chiefs (7-4)
Sunday, 7:20 p.m. Line: Chiefs by 9 1/2. O/U: 47.
Kansas City is returning to form, but Denver
could make this interesting. The problem for
the Broncos is their passing game has strug-
gled, which is odd, since they have the talent
to throw on anybody. Chiefs 28, Broncos 23
Patriots (8 -4 ) at Bills (7-4)
Monday, 7:15 p.m. Line: Bills by 2 1/2. O/U: 41 1/2.
The Bills aren’t playing up to potential, and
Josh Allen is playing the way Patrick Mahomes
was a month ago — everything’s the hero play.
Still, this is where New England’s six-game win
streak ends. Bills 27, Patriots 23
Open: Browns, Titans, Panthers, Packers

One of four new colors, Vivid Orange Metallic, with a white-painted roof, gives the Chevrolet Trailblazer a far greater presence than it might otherwise have. JIM FRENAK/CHEVROLET PHOTOS
Daily driving device
In a market filled with compelling alternatives, the 2022 Chevy Trailblazer is a solid choice
By Larry Printz
Tribune News Service
H
aving arrived in
2021 wearing a
nameplate last
used in 2009 on a midsize,
body-on-frame SUV, the
2022 Trailblazer is now
a subcompact crossover.
Developed and built by
GM Korea in Incheon,
South Korea, it doesn’t
feel much like its larger
American counterparts.
Instead, the Trailblazer is
a modestly sized, modestly
styled daily driving device,
one that competes in an
intensely competitive
market segment against
such stalwarts as the funky
and endearing Kia Soul,
the athletic yet upscale
Mazda MX-30, the fun-to-
drive Hyundai Kona, and
such popular options as
the stylish Jeep Compass
and unglamorous Subaru
Crosstrek.
Against these compet-
itors, the Trailblazer
comes off as a bit generic
and charmless, a midpack
competitor bereft of
personality. But spend
some time with it, and
its charms become more
apparent. It starts when
you first get in. The Trail-
blazer’s upright styling
makes entering or exiting
a breeze, something you
won’t find on competitors.
Or try to schlep home an
eight-foot piece of lumber;
the Trailblazer’s cabin can
accommodate an 8-foot-
long item. Just fold down
the front passenger seat
and angle the wood from
there to the rear driver’s
Survey: Glitches dent electric SUV reliability
Associated Press
Electric SUVs generally
are among the least reliable
vehicles on the road, but it’s
not because of the batter-
ies or electric motors that
power them.
Instead, it’s because of
glitch-prone electronics
including climate controls
and power equipment,
the annual auto reliability
survey of subscribers by
Consumer Reports found.
Electric SUVs were the
least reliable category
in the annual survey of
The interior’s design is decidedly modern in appearance, but lacking a point of view, rendering it
utterly charmless.
side. It will fit with the
doors shut. Sweet. And
check out the cargo capac-
ity on this Lilliputian: more
than 25 cubic feet; that
beats any full-sized sedan.
And it’s surprisingly roomy
in both rows for full-size
adults.
Starting to look good,
isn’t it?
The Trailblazer’s 1.2-liter
three-cylinder turbo-
charged engine funnels
137 horsepower through
a continuously variable
transmission to the front
wheels. A better choice
is the optional 155-horse-
power 1.3-liter, three-cyl-
inder turbocharged engine.
Front-wheel drive is stan-
dard with either engine.
All wheel drive is optional,
subscribers to the maga-
zine and website who
collectively own more than
300,000 vehicles. Tesla’s
Models X and Y, the Audi
E-Tron and Volkswagen
ID.4 were among the vehi-
cles singled out as having
problems in areas other
than the electric power-
train.
In contrast, compact and
plug-in gas-electric hybrids
led by the Toyota Prius and
Prius Prime and the Honda
Insight were the most reli-
able category, said Jake
Fisher, senior director of
★ Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  9
RIDES
but comes solely with the
larger engine and a nine-
speed automatic trans-
mission. Towing is rated
at 1,000 pounds with the
towing package.
Fuel economy is OK, but
not as high as you might
expect given its size. The
EPA rates the Trailblazer at
30 mpg in combined city/
highway driving with the
standard 1.2-liter engine; 28
mpg with the larger engine
and all-wheel drive. But opt
for the larger engine and
skip all-wheel drive and the
EPA predicts you’ll see 31
mpg — not bad.
Chevrolet offers this
affordable crossover in
ascending LS, LT, ACTIV
and RS trim levels, with
ACTIV models getting
auto testing for Consumer
Reports.
Overall, Japanese brands
led by Lexus, Mazda,
Toyota and Infiniti took
eight of the top 10 spots
in the reliability survey.
General Motors’ Buick
brand finished fifth, and
BMW’s Mini was 10th.
Ford’s Lincoln luxury
brand finished last of 28
brands with Tesla, Jeep,
Genesis and Volkswagen
rounding out the bottom
five. Electric vehicles, with
far fewer moving parts,
should be more reliable
off-road worthy tires, and
RS trims receiving a black-
out treatment. They’re
priced identically, so it’s
basically a question of your
personal preference.
Chevrolet sent an
all-wheel drive ACTIV
model for a weeklong drive.
The test vehicle was
painted one of four new
colors for 2022, Vivid
Orange Metallic, accented
with a white-painted roof,
giving it a far greater pres-
ence than it might other-
wise have. And thankfully,
the Trailblazer is big
enough that a grown man
won’t look silly getting out
of one, something that can’t
be said of the smaller Trax,
which makes you look as
if you’re getting out of a
than gas-powered vehicles,
Fisher said. But electric
SUVs tend to be high-
er-priced luxury vehicles at
present, and those have all
the latest technology that
can cause trouble, he said.
“The powertrains aren’t
the problem,” Fisher said.
Instead, the electric SUVs
often are equipped with
electric door handles,
electric-activated climate
control vents and other
features. “By having all of
these new technologies
saddled into these early
adopter-mobiles, there are
clown car.
Interior ambience is
about what you’d expect
of a vehicle that starts at
around $21,000: there’s
lots of hard black plas-
tic. The interior’s design
is decidedly modern in
appearance, but lacking a
point of view, rendering it
utterly charmless. At least
it’s functional, which is all
that most buyers expect at
this price. A 7-inch color
touch screen anchors the
instrument panel. Wireless
Apple CarPlay, Android
Auto and Amazon Alexa
capability are available,
as is a worthwhile $1,620
Technology Package that
enlarges the touch screen
to eight inches, and adds
adaptive cruise control,
wireless charging, Bose
premium audio, HD Radio,
SiriusXM, an SD card
reader, an HD rear vision
camera, 4.2-inch driver
information display and
LED headlamps. You might
also want to splurge for
the $1,770 Sun and Liftgate
Package, which brightens
up the gloomy interior with
a panoramic sunroof and
adds a hands-free program-
mable power liftgate.
Despite the ACTIV
model’s off-road
pretensions, there’s no
center-locking differential
or special low gear. This is
more the urban warrior,
one that might find its way
tromping across an odd
field every now and then,
or transporting its owner
through foul weather. The
Trailblazer’s three-cylinder
heart provides responsive
power around town, and
A Tesla Model Y Long Range is displayed Feb. 24 at the Tesla
Gallery in Troy, Michigan. CARLOS OSORIO/AP
more problems associated
with them.”
Fisher said electric vehi-
cles are likely to be more
at speed. But entering an
interstate takes a bit longer
than you might expect.
Maneuverability is good
thanks to its size and tight
turning radius, but it’s not
a sporty handler. Body lean
is evident once you crank
the wheel, and the cabin
becomes noisy at higher
speeds and the ride occa-
sionally harsh over broken
pavement. Also, there’s an
abundance of engine vibra-
tion, particularly around
town, which explains
why a massaging seat isn’t
optional; you don’t need
one.
Chevrolet did do a good
job of providing a decent
amount of standard driv-
er-assistance safety gear,
including automatic
emergency braking, front
pedestrian braking, lane
keep assist with lane depar-
ture warning, following
distance indicator, forward
collision alert and auto-
matic headlamps. Rear
park assist, rear cross traffic
alert, lane change alert with
side blind zone alert are
part of a $345 Driver Confi-
dence Package.
While no longer the
Trailblazer of old, the new
one proves to be a solidly
modern choice in a market
filled with compelling
alternatives. One is even
made by GM: the Buick
Encore GX, the Trailblaz-
er’s mechanical twin. It’s
worth considering if you’re
also shopping for a heavily
optioned Trailblazer. You
may find little difference in
price, making the fancier
nameplate the better
option.
reliable than gas-powered
ones as manufacturers
work the bugs out of their
features.
10  Chicago Tribune | Section 3 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 ★

Fixing a faulty warning light

Bob Weber
Motormouth
Q: I own a 2000 Honda
Accord. It constantly
shows the red brake light
The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI has a standard manual six-speed transmission or an optional on the dash. Previously,
seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. DANIEL BYRNE/VOLKSWAGEN the light would appear
only intermittently. I
REVIEW had the brakes checked
out two different times

VW Golf GTI getting better and everything is in good

By Henry Payne
The Detroit News
It’s not easy staying top
dog.
The Volkswagen Golf
GTI (then badged Rabbit
GTI for the U.S. market)
won America’s hearts as
the first affordable pocket
rocket in 1983. By turning
a standard compact Golf
into a steroid-infused,
apex-carving, cargo-haul-
ing fun box, VW inspired
a segment that has born
imitators like the Ford
Focus ST, Honda Civic Si,
Subaru WRX, Hyundai
Veloster, Hyundai Elantra
N and Mazda 3 Turbo.
Golf GTI has responded
to challengers to the
throne with constant
improvement comple-
menting its innate
German-engineered
talent. The third-Gen
Mark III introduced a
sensational V-6 engine.
Mark V showed off phone
dial wheels, one of V-dub’s
most distinctive designs.
Of late, GTI has lagged
in interior panache. The
mesmerizing Mazda 3, for
example, upped the ante
with its stylish, driver-cen-
tric design. But Wolfs-
burg has been burning the
midnight oil on dashboard
upgrades.
The result is the best
GTI ever, a landmark
model that — like Gen I —
sets a new bar for pocket
rockets. It is a vehicle so
good that Audi S3 consum-
ers will be left wondering
2022 Volkswagen
Golf GTI
Price: $30,540 ($39,385
manual with carbon fiber
package as tested)
Power plant:
2.0-liter turbo-4 cylinder
Power: 241 horsepower,
273 pound-feet of torque
Performance:
0-60 mph, 5.4 seconds
(automatic, Motor Trend)
Fuel economy: EPA, 24
mpg city/34 highway/28
combined (manual); 25
mpg city/34 highway/28
combined (auto)
why they paid 16 grand
more. My GTI tester was
painted bright Pomelo
Yellow to call attention to
the feat.
The VW’s huge twinned,
all-digital displays are
state-of-the-art. You want
an Audi? The 10.5-inch
instrument display offers
five configurations just like
its luxe cousin. GTI tele-
graphs this interior trans-
formation with its sexiest
exterior in years.
Menacing narrow head-
lights set the tone. Sharply
creased hood and shoul-
ders once again remind
of Audi. Get the 19-inch
wheels. Love it.
Love the handling, too.
Over the roller-coaster
State Route 209 west of
Asheville, North Carolina,
the GTI stormed about
as if on rails. GTI comes
standard with a limit-
ed-slip front differential,
suspension upgrades and
an aluminum subframe
that actually reduces curb
weight from last gen.
A driver’s car like this
deserves to have its neck
wrung with a manual
shifter, and the 6-speed
tranny is VW’s best yet.
Past boxes could ruin
momentum with mushy
2-to-3 shifts. My tester was
as crisp as the fall air. GTI
typically sells 40% manu-
als; this gen should sell
more.
Not that the 7-speed
dual-clutch automatic
is any slouch. With a
flick of the wrist, I slot-
ted it into DRIVE, firing
off lightning-quick
up-and-downshifts with
steering-mounted paddles.
But analog manual
better fits GTI’s person-
ality. If it’s automatic you
want, let me introduce you
to GTI’s big brother Golf R
— R as in Rocket.
Get it if you can afford
it, but your grin will be
no wider than in the GTI.
That’s because both share
an electronics architecture
that includes (standard on
the GTI) goodies like adap-
tive cruise control that is as
good a highway semi-au-
tonomous system as I have
found this side of Tesla’s
Autopilot and GM’s Super-
Cruise.
Throttle wide-open
over a high-speed crest on
Route 209, the eighth-Gen
Golf GTI felt as fresh as my
first Mark I 40 years ago.
Bar reset.
condition. How can I
correct this? — T.M.,
Sugar Grove, Illinois
A: Your car has a brake
lamp warning system.
Should a lamp burn out,
a warning is triggered.
Sometimes the lamp may
check out fine and even
illuminate, but a weak
ground or dirty contacts
will cause a change in
the sensed voltage on the
circuit similar to a burned
out lamp. Sometimes, the
problem is intermittent
and hard to pin down.
Q: A few months ago,
I brought my Nissan in
for service and I asked
them to check on a prob-
lem I was having with
the hatchback. They
said they would have to
charge me a $160 diag-
nostic fee. Is the diag-
nostic fee a new charge
every dealer service is
charging? Does the diag-
nostic fee go toward the
cost of any repair that
might be needed or is
it just an extra charge?
— S.K., Rancho Mirage,
California
A: Doctors charge for
examinations and diag-
noses, electricians and
plumbers charge for show-
ing up at your door. Most
professional auto service
shops charge a diagnostic
fee. They have to pay the
technician for his or her
time. The diagnostic fee is
generally rolled into the
repair if you decide to have
the work done.
Q: I too love your
comments about oil
Should a lamp burn out, a warning is triggered. DREAMSTIME
change intervals. I drive
a 2014 Prius and put on
only about 6,000 miles
a year. My manual says I
only need to change the
oil every year or 10,000
miles. However, after
changing my oil reli-
giously every 3,000 miles
or 3 months most of my
life, it makes me feel very
uncomfortable to go that
long between changes.
My car does not have an
oil life indicator read-
out, so I regularly check
the oil level and look to
see if it is changing color.
However, is there any
better way to accurately
monitor oil quality at
home between changes?
— S.D., Glenview, Illinois
A: To get an analysis
of motor oil, you have to
send it away to a lab. It is
not terribly expensive, just
inconvenient. Plus, your
Prius engine doesn’t do as
much work as a non-hy-
brid car’s engine. Back in
the olden days, 3,000-mile
oil changes were necessary
because the oil suffered
from gasoline contamina-
tion and other stuff. Today’s
oils are far superior to the
former ones and engine
tolerances are much tighter.
You are doing the right
thing by routinely checking
the oil level.
Q: I have two 2020
Hyundai Tucsons. Peri-
odically, while driving,
I hear a chime and a
message appears on the
dashboard. The message
only lasts for a few
seconds. I haven’t been
able to make out what it
says, maybe, “keep hands
on the wheel.” Dealer
has no idea what it says.
Apparently, it isn’t an
important warning, but
it is a real puzzler. Any
ideas? ­— D,D., Oviedo,
Florida
A: Your car has lane
keeping assist. Cameras
see the lane lines on the
road and, if you drift too far
to either side, a warning is
issued. On some vehicles,
the steering wheel will
gently tug to let you know
you are drifting wide. The
system doesn’t work if
there are no lane lines or
if weather — such as snow
— obscures the lines. One
more thing: If you travel
in a straight line for a long
time, the warning will acti-
vate. You may choose to
turn the system off. Check
your owner’s manual for
how to do it.
Bob Weber is a writer and
mechanic who became an
ASE-certified Master Auto-
mobile Technician in 1976.
He maintains this status by
seeking certification every
five years. Weber’s work
appears in professional
trade magazines and other
consumer publications.
His writing also appears in
automotive trade publica-
tions, Consumer Guide and
Consumers Digest. Send
questions along with name
and town to motormouth.
tribune@gmail.com.

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 Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  1

A+E
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Work continues inside of the Ramova Theater in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, which is currently being renovated into a performing arts venue. CHRIS SWEDA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS

ON ITS WAY BACK

Bridgeport’s Ramova Theater is in the midst of a
costly renovation and it may once again be
the center of a Chicago neighborhood
Rick Kogan
the time. People stopping to ask what’s
going on, to tell us their stories of the old
theater. There is real affection here.”
Nevius is not from Bridgeport. He
is the owner of Our Revival Chicago,
the main co-developer of the Ramova
Theater and surrounding properties

I
n the heart of Bridgeport a
few weeks ago, I was stand-
ing near the corner of Halsted
and 35th streets when an old man
approached. For a while we stood
near one another and near some
scaffolding and staring at the
marquee of an old movie theater, its
R-A-M-O-V-A sign stretching into
the sky above us.
“You ever saw a movie here?” he
asked. “I used to see all my movies
here.”
Later, inside the building, Tyler
Nevius was saying, “That happens all
with Chicago-based Baum Revision.
They, with a lot of other people and
many millions of dollars, are in the busi-
ness of transforming and energizing this
large portion of the neighborhood.
The centerpiece of this ambitious
project is the rebirth of the theater, at
3518 S. Halsted St., as a performing arts
facility, with space for audiences of
1,700. Not only is the old movie house Exterior of the Ramova Theater in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood. There are plans
being reborn but adjoining spaces are for a large brewery and tap room on two floors.
being remade, with plans for a large
brewery and tap room on two floors and 1985, its final film offering “Police Acad- Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson, grandson
other spaces for private events and inti- emy 2.” of Richard J. Daley and nephew of Rich-
mate performances. The Ramova sat empty for decades, ard M. Daley, and currently awaiting
“There are great challenges,” said deteriorating. In 2005, a group of trial on tax-related charges.
Nevius. “But it will be so worthwhile.” neighborhood residents, led by real Then in 2019, Nevius moved with his
The Ramova opened in 1929, estate agent Maureen Sullivan, orga- wife and kids to the neighborhood from
designed by architect Myer O. Nathan nized an effort called Save the Ramova, New York and launched his redevelop-
as the larger twin to the Music Box a campaign to forestall the theater’s ment plans, only to have them delayed
Theatre by architect Louis Simon on N. demolition. But it never gained traction, for a time by the pandemic. But eventu-
Southport Avenue, both with Spanish-​ even as Sullivan ran for Alderman of the
inspired touches. The theater closed in 11th Ward, losing that race to current Turn to Kogan, Page 6

BEST BOOKS OF 2021 SO THIS WAS 2021

In a huge year for This Sunday’s edition of A+E begins

a series of stories looking back
and taking stock of 2021, a year

publishing, why
of both great achievement and
great uncertainty as the Chicago
arts began reopening from a long

these 10 stood out

By Christopher Borrelli
Chicago Tribune
When I look over this list of
the best books of 2021, I see
what’s not there, what didn’t
make the final cut and deserved
the hosannas. Rebecca Solnit’s
discursive biography “Orwell’s
Roses.” Clint Smith’s sobering
travelogue “How the Word is
Passed.” Matt Bell’s climate-
change epic “Appleseed.” Even
Seth Rogan’s “Yearbook,” a
consistently thoughtful collec-
tion of essays on the strange-
ness of Hollywood, was not to
be taken lightly. It’s been a great
time to read widely and often,
and considering the near-one
billion books sold in 2020 — and
the probable record coming for
2021 (publishers saw double-
digit sales leaps for much of the
year) — settling on 10 was tough.
So, in the interest of celebra-
tion, tell me what you loved
this year. New book, old book.
Send an email to cborrelli@
chicagotribune.com, DM me
on Twitter (@Borrelli) — I’ll
include replies in an upcoming
“What We’re Reading” column.
Just one thing: Tell me what
you actually loved, not what you
think will make you look good.
As for the following 10 — I
wish I could read them again for
the first time. In no particular
order:
“A Little Devil in Amer-
ica: Notes in Praise of Black
E. JASON WAMBSGANS/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Performance” (Random
House, $27): Columbus essayist
and poet Hanif Abdurraqib —
who’s had quite the year, named
a National Book Award nomi-
nee and MacArthur “genius” in
the same week — hasn’t written
a bad book. His is a still-young
career, but this is probably a
high mark, a profound medi-
tation on Black artists and the
“mundane fight for individu-
ality,” as well as what it means
to be a Black audience. On
“Chappelle’s Show”: “It look
white people laughing too loud
and too long — and laughing
from the wrong place — to build
the show a coffin.” On pianist
Don Shirley (of “Green Book”)
and his lesser-known subver-
sion of a University of Chicago
juvenile delinquency study: “In
a country still obsessed with
Turn to Books, Page 7
pandemic shutdown. The Chicago
Symphony Orchestra and downtown
theaters played again for live
audiences, as did dance companies,
the Ear Taxi festival, blues bands,
off-Loop theaters, the Lyric Opera,
comedy clubs and movie houses —
and audiences let them know they
were happy to be back. Museums
and art galleries reopened their
doors. But at the same time, we
knew that not everyone was ready or
able to return. Chicago needs its arts.
This Sunday has our picks for best
books of 2021, a year in which
publishing didn’t slow at all. Coming
in the weeks ahead:
DEC. 12: Best in theater, classical
music and jazz, dance and visual art.
DEC. 19: Best in movies and
television, plus who we lost in 2021.
DEC. 22: The return of Save the
Seats for New Year’s Eve.
DEC. 26: Our Chicagoans of the Year
in Art.
2  Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021

Stand-up to solo show in ‘Dishwasher Dreams’

Immigrant comic Alaudin Ullah doesn’t
want to play a version of his father
By Myrna Petlicki
Pioneer Press
Alaudin Ullah didn’t
appreciate what a diffi-
cult transition it was for
his parents when they
emigrated from Bangladesh
to the United States until
the lifelong New Yorker
moved to Los Angeles in
search of a career change.
Ullah will share that
experience and many
others in his solo show
“Dishwasher Dreams” at
Writers Theatre in Glen-
coe.
Ullah, who is a stand-up
comedian, was inspired
to create this show after
viewing another solo show
about 15 years ago.
“I saw Ruben Santia-
go-Hudson do his play
‘Lackawanna Blues’ years
ago at the Public Theater,
and I was really moved by
it,” Ullah said. “I was at a
point in my career and my
life where I wanted to do
something a lot deeper
than stand-up. I’d seen solo
shows before but it was the
first time I saw a solo show
with music. After I saw
that, I was crying on the
subway home.”
Ullah was feeling
dejected at the time after
returning from a disap-
pointing trip to Los Ange-
les in search of acting jobs
because he felt he had hit a
wall in his stand-up career.
Things didn’t turn out the
way he hoped on the West
Coast. “I felt I was part of
a minstrel show of audi-
tioning for terrorists and
cabdrivers,” he recalled.
Ullah began writing the
show all those years ago
and had the opportunity
to develop it at the Public
Theater, although the Writ-
ers production is the first
production of the show.
Live musical accompa-
niment at Writers will be
performed by tabla percus-
sionist Avirodh Sharma.
Ullah had a vision for
his show. “I wanted the
with Ullah at Dartmouth
College, 10 or 12 years ago,
when they both attended a
play development retreat
story to be my version of under the auspices of New
the Hollywood shuffle,” he York Theatre Workshop.
said. “I was this kid who Ullah was working on a
rejected everything about different play at the time
being Bangladeshi, being but during breaks they
Muslim,. when I flew out spoke about “Dishwasher
to Los Angeles to chase this Dreams.”
dream of being a comedian. “I contributed to some
When I got there, I realized questions and ideas and
they wanted me to play this tried to help him out as
stereotype. I was successful much as possible,” Yew
but I was successful doing a said.
version of my father.” Yew suggested the proj-
His big break came when ect to Writers Theatre
Ullah was offered a signifi- because theater staff were
cant role in a major motion “asking to do more work
picture. “But it was at the of color, particularly for
expense of playing this communities that had not
stereotypical terrorist.” been represented in the
Ullah laughingly admit- Chicagoland area.” The
ted that he is still making large South Asian popu-
changes to his show. He lation in the Chicago area
noted that Santiago-Hud- falls into that category.
son, who has become a Interim Artistic Direc-
friend, told him, “You never tor Bobby Kennedy, who
finish a solo show.” Yew said loved the work,
That has certainly been programmed it as Writers
the experience for Ullah as first live show since the
he has been working with Pandemic.
director Chay Yew, who Yew, who has directed
Ullah credits with greatly over 20 solo shows, is a fan
helping to shape the piece. of that theater style.
“When you work with “I love solo work
Chay, you feel like you’re because it’s a direct, unfet-
playing football because tered, unfiltered dialogue
you have to memorize the between the performer
plays — the blocking, the and the audience,” he said.
staging, the emotion, try “There’s no fourth wall so
to make sure I remem- you can’t hide behind sets
ber the lines,” Ullah said. or anything else. So you
“You almost feel like you’re have to basically tell the
performing in the circus by truth.”
yourself.” That what Yew encour-
Not entirely by himself, aged Ullah to do — particu-
though. “Even thought larly in relation to the trials
this is a solo show, in many his mother faced as a young
ways this is sort of like a woman.
two-man show because I Yew believes that writing
have Chay to bounce off and enacting his family’s
what it is to be an immi- story “is an opportunity
grant,” Ullah explained. for Alaudin to reconnect
Ullah added that Yew has and hopefully under-
encouraged him to include stand much better what
things that might be painful his parents had to endure,
— like his mother’s difficult even though they’ve since
early life. passed.”
“The script constantly Ullah concluded, “I
changes because Chay want to spend the rest of
challenges me,” Ullah said. my career working with a Alaudin Ullah will play dozens of characters in his solo show “Dishwasher Dreams,” presented
“Which I why I really enjoy director like Chay. It’s so Dec. 9-Jan. 16 at Writers Theatre. AMIR HAMZA
working with him. challenging. That’s the kind
“I’m just his humble of work I want to be doing.” Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor tion at 847-242-6000; Myrna Petlicki is a free-
servant,” Yew declared. “Dishwasher Dreams” Court, Glencoe; tickets writerstheatre.org/ lance reporter for Pioneer
Yew first connected will run Dec. 9 to Jan. 16 at $35-$90 and more informa- dishwasher-dreams Press.

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 Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  3

Does theater
have to be
on a stage?
Teatro Vista’s new co-leaders challenge
selves, the company to think different
By Jerald Pierce
Chicago Tribune
In many ways, Teatro
Vista, entering its first
season guided by co-artis-
tic directors Lorena Diaz
and Wendy Mateo, has its
eye on the future — the
future of the company, sure,
but also the future of how
theater itself operates.
In an effort to reflect that
vision, Diaz and Mateo are
using the unifying theme
of “Futurology,” or “the
study of current trends that
forecast future develop-
ments” for the company’s
31st season. In the months
between Diaz and Mateo
joining the company over
the summer and the season
announcement earlier this
month, the duo spent time
studying Teatro Vista as a
company and as individual
artists, having one-on-one
meetings with ensemble
members, to figure out how
the theater will venture
into the future.
Though some of this
season’s productions were
in the works before Diaz
and Mateo joined the
company, the season’s offer-
ings still give audiences a
glimpse of their vision.
The four-production
season bucks the tradi-
tional brick-and-mortar
season by featuring works
in a variety of mediums,
ranging from a serial audio
play to start the season,
to an animated graphic
novel, to an ensemble-de-
vised digital experience.
And there’s still a world
premiere musical from
New York-based actor,
composer and writer Brian
Quijada in the mix.
Diaz and Mateo said that
it is important to them to
fund and fuel the projects
their ensemble members
are excited about and do
whatever they can to facil-
itate the artistic growth of
those ensemble members,
and that includes pushing
them to experiment with
different styles.
“That’s a part of what
drew the ensemble to our
work,” said Mateo. “We
have this long history
of content creation. We
always wanted to offer a
digital piece. We wanted
to continue to learn film-
making. We wanted to put
the ensemble in positions
of director, of producer,
of writer, and start influ-
encing the representation
behind the camera and
behind the table.”
While some compa-
nies strive for a brick-and-
mortar, in-person space,
Teatro Vista’s new leaders
are thinking more fluidly
about how they can provide
their art to their audience.
They’re pushing their
artists to think beyond their
initial ideas, prompting
them to explore how a story
can live beyond the stage.
Ensemble member
Gabriel Ruiz admitted
that he used to be a theater
purist, thinking that plays
should be kept on the stage.
The pandemic and its
restrictions and opportuni-
ties have changed that for
him and led him to thinking
that theaters really have to
be multimedia companies
of a sort these days.
Ruiz and ensemble
member Marvin Quijada
had been working on this
season’s production of
“Detective Q” for a while
before Diaz and Mateo
joined the company. When
prompted to see where
this story may live besides
on the stage, they started
to explore what it would
be like as a graphic novel.
Now the production is set to
be released on the compa-
ny’s YouTube and social
media pages in a style that
combines film noir and
mime.
While Ruiz said that it was
difficult to have their initial
idea challenged, he found it
freeing to experiment with Teatro Vista’s new artistic directors Lorena Diaz, left, and Wendy Mateo will buck the traditional brick-and-mortar theater
something new to him. season by featuring works in a variety of mediums. ANTONIO PEREZ/CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS
“Wendy and I always
say that joy is currency,”
said Diaz, “and we want to
infect our ensemble with
that thinking so that when
they create their ideas,
they’re more like intellec-
tual property that can grow
into many different forms.”
Ruiz said that the ensem-
ble’s response to this mind-
set from the leadership
duo has been extremely
positive, not least because it
comes from a place of them
wanting to support the
ensemble’s work and ideas
as artists.
“They have this wonder-
ful energy that leads with
courage, that is supremely
unafraid of risk,” said Ruiz.
Risk is encapsulated
in Ruiz’s season-opening
serial audio play “The Fifth
World,” which Ruiz had
started working on with the
company’s previous leader-
ship. When he mentioned
the project during his
one-on-one with Mateo
and Diaz, Ruiz recalled
the duo being immediately
enthusiastic about hearing
more and supporting the
project. Teatro Vista artistic directors Wendy Mateo left, and Lorena Diaz on Nov. 24, 2021. The directors will be creating streaming
This has led to a series content at La Celia Latin Kitchen.
of new experiences for
Ruiz, who just so happens
to be making his Broad-
“Wendy and I always say that joy is and Lookingglass Theatre
Company’s Heidi Stillman
desert, but finds himself in
a whole other world.
way debut in “MJ the currency and we want to infect our have reached out to them in “Detective Q” (early
Musical” in December. support since they’ve taken 2022): A moving graphic
Ruiz noted that “The ensemble with that thinking so that when these positions with Teatro novel by Marvin Quijada
Fifth World” is one of they create their ideas, they’re more like Vista. Diaz and Mateo hope and Gabriel Ruiz. This
his first works produced, they can extend a simi- animated work that joins
one of the first works he’s intellectual property that can grow into lar helping hand to other film noir and mime and
produced himself, and one
of the first works where
many different forms.” artists in the city, provid-
ing artists and communi-
uses interactive elements
and immersive experiences
he’s gotten his hands — Teatro Vista artistic director Lorena Diaz ties of color, who so often captured in different spots
dirty with sound design are undersupported, find around the city.
(under the watchful eye of funding and a home within “Somewhere Over the
Mikhail Fiksal and along- a company that supports Border” (spring 2022): A
side Giselle Castro). idea continue to grow more people could have them and their ideas. world premiere musical by
“This is a duo that takes and evolve by giving their seen the work. “The prevailing thought Brian Quijada. Inspired by
whatever ideas you bring to ensemble the tools (and “When you think about now is so much about how his mother’s journey from
them and amplifies them,” nudge) to develop their being a kid and wanting to can we share resources El Salvador to the United
said Ruiz. “They don’t give ideas beyond that original connect with this type of and opportunity,” said States, the musical follows
you the option of dreaming concept. work, now we have plat- Ruiz. “It’s time to start Reina who travels north to
small. That is a reflex that In doing this, they also forms that really can reach doing things together. One the Mexican border, gath-
makes me very excited about have the opportunity to them,” Mateo said. “So how of the things that entered ering friends, facing down
this upcoming season and bring those productions do we continue using our our vernacular, they keep dangers and holding tight
the next couple of years as to audiences outside of an platforms to reach those saying it over and over: to the memory of the little
they make decisions about in-person theater space. audiences that have histori- ‘Forward together. Forward boy she left behind.
what this company is going Though it’s an audio play, cally not been able to afford together. Forward together.’ “La Vuelta” (summer
to look like moving forward.” Teatro Vista intends to to go to the theater?” We are making moves and 2022): A digital experience
After seeing the work combine “The Fifth World” Mateo said that audiences we’re not doing it alone. written by Isaac Gómez
Teatro Vista’s ensemble with a visual component can expect the company Everyone’s coming with.” and directed by Monty
members have been doing that can be taken to brew- to feature an American The 2021-22 season at Cole. This filmed theatri-
elsewhere, Diaz said it was eries and wineries and Latinx perspective featur- Teatro Vista includes: cal experience interrogates
a goal of her and Mateo to other locations around the ing a mixture of ethnicities “The Fifth World” (fall the circuitous relationship
bring their work home and city where they can invite and cultures that lie within 2021): A serial audio play between oneself and others,
offer them a space where audiences to listen to the that perspective. But Mateo by Gabriel Ruiz, directed by and how our existence in
they could feel safe and play and watch a compan- and Diaz also said they look Ruiz and Lorena Diaz. “The the world has ripple effects
supported around fellow ion film at the same time. forward to collaborating Fifth World” is a six-epi- beyond us, even in times of
artists who understand As Mateo noted, this with other artists of color sode audio play that follows crisis and isolation.
their voices in an authen- opens the door to better around the city. Sebastian Reyes who
tic way. So the idea is not accessibility to the art and They noted that artis- arrives in the small desert More information about
to simply produce their connects directly with their tic leaders like Victory town of Palomas, Arizona, streaming and live per-
work on stage and let that audiences while hope- Gardens’ Ken-Matt Martin, to make his name produc- formances as part of the
be the end of it. The desire fully avoiding that all too UrbanTheater Compa- ing a true crime story 2021-22 season at www.
is to help each artist’s common feeling of wishing ny’s Miranda González about a missing child in the teatrovista.org.

MCA brings back ‘On Stage’ live performances this spring

By Doug George
Chicago Tribune
Things are happening at
the Museum of Contem-
porary Art Chicago. On
the heels of the news of
the appointment of René
Morales and Jamillah
James as new lead curators,
the MCA on Wednesday
announced the return of
live performances.
A spring season of three
works, under the banner
of “On Stage: Entangle-
ment” and running from
March 24 to May 8, 2022,
is organized by MCA
curator of performance
Tara Aisha Willis and is as
follows, with show descrip-
tions adapted from the
announcement:
Mammalian Diving
Reflex: “All the Sex I’ve
Ever Had” (March 24-30):
Six everyday Chicagoans
over the age of 65 take audi-
ence members decade-by-
decade through their lives,
prompted to divulge all
the memories they care to
share about their romantic
lives, milestones, and their
relationships to love and
sexuality from the perspec-
tive of life’s later years. A
playful and candid conver-
sation with strangers about
first crushes, turbulent
affairs, unexpected preg-
nancies and more, accom-
panied by a Chicago DJ
who spins songs from each
decade.
Autumn Knight: “M_
_ _ER” (April 14-16):
Harlem-based artist
Autumn Knight guides
audiences through a
participatory perfor-
mance. “M_ _ _ER” invites
audiences to explore
different interpretations of
the title’s missing letters,
from “mother” to “matter”
to “murder,” provoking
interaction, laughter and
occasional discomfort.
Knight makes meaning
out of the everyday social
interactions that comprise
contemporary culture,
often putting Black
women, such as herself, in
contested and confronta-
tional positions of power.
Kinetic Light: “Wired”
(May 5-8): A dance expe-
rience that treats disabil-
ity as a creative force and
access as a culture, tracing
the line between “us” and
“them” through the meta-
phoric use of barbed wire.
In “Wired,” barbed wire
comes to represent move-
ment and connection.
Kinetic Light members
Alice Sheppard, Lauren
Lawson, Michael Magg,
and Jerron Herman collab-
orate with Ailís Ní Ríain,
Josephine Shokrian, and
LeahAnn Mitchell, and
with local rigging special-
ists Chicago Flyhouse,
defying gravity and
assumptions about what
dance can be.
Performances take place
in the museum’s Edlis
Neeson Theater, 220 E.
Chicago Ave. Tickets for the
“On Stage: Entanglement”
series go on sale Dec. 1 at
312-397-4010 and mcachi-
cago.org. Audience members
must have proof of vacci-
nation; masks required in
the theater. Unvaccinated
children under age 12 must
be accompanied by a vacci-
nated adult.
dgeorge@chicagotribune.
com
4  Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
New crop of Christmas movies shaking up TV
Genre gets sharper
edge in ‘Naughty or
Nice’ slate on VH1
By Greg Braxton
Los Angeles Times
As the holidays rev into
high gear, families every-
where will gather to wrap
presents, trim trees, sip
eggnog and bathe in the
glow of the gift that never
stops giving — the made-
for-cable Christmas movie.
The annual downpour of
peppermint-scented tales
starring photogenic low- to
mid-level celebrities has
become a holiday-themed
flood, boosting one of TV’s
most reliable — and profit-
able — cottage industries.
At least 145 new films are
debuting this year on Life-
time, Hallmark, BET+ and
numerous other networks.
Most of these titles —
“Dancing Through the
Snow,” “Gingerbread Mira-
cle” and “Nantucket Noel,”
to name just three — posi-
tion the enchantment of
Christmas as the cure for
all ills: grief, depression,
financial woes, loneliness
and family estrangement.
In these alternate reali-
ties, romances are chaste,
political and racial conflicts
are nonexistent, small-
town values are sacred, and
there’s no such thing as a
pandemic.
But this season, one
network is giving the
proverbial snow globe a
vigorous shake.
Viewers switching the
dial might come across a
tight group of girlfriends
on their way to a Santa-
themed amusement park,
where they take ecstasy
and other substances. Or a
group of drag queens and
proclaimed “sluts” dressed
as dominatrixes compet-
ing in a Christmas carol
competition. Or a famous
survivalist bragging during
a talk show about eating
“bull testicles” to increase
his sexual appetite.
These scenarios and
others appear in projects
BRING
HOME.
Your Goodwill® purchases fund job training
and more in your community. Even those
frames that show off your twin pugs.
Nick Cannon is the star, writer, director and executive producer of “Miracles Across 125th Street.” MTV ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
developed by Eva Longoria,
Jamie Foxx, Nick Cannon
and Kim Fields as they join
forces with VH1 for its new
“Naughty or Nice” holi-
day film slate. Spiced with
raunchy dialogue, rowdy
characters and outrageous
shenanigans, the projects
bring a sharper edge to the
tried-and-true blandness of
the Christmas movie genre.
“We wanted to break the
mold in a loud way,” said
Nina L. Diaz, president of
content for MTV Enter-
tainment Group, which
is producing the films.
“Christmas movies usually
offer comfort food, which
is great. But Christmas
films that are disruptive,
edgy and more diverse are
long overdue. We wanted
to have a modern, naughty-
or-nice take on the classic
genre. We also wanted to
open doors to fresh voices
and have a more inclusive
slate of movies that you
haven’t seen before.”
An undercurrent of
sexual tension simmers
between a workaholic talk
show host and a famous
outdoorsman in “Adven-
tures in Christmasing”
(premiered Nov. 29).
RuPaul and 20 drag queens
from his “RuPaul’s Drag
Race” reality competition
series provide mischievous
mayhem in “The B---- Who
Stole Christmas,” set in a
Christmas-obsessed small
town (Dec. 2). Foxx is an
executive producer of “Hip
Hop Family Christmas,” in
which a prominent family
of hip-hop musicians tries
to reverse its scandalous
image by participating in
a live Christmas special
(Dec. 6).
In “Let’s Get Merried”
(Dec. 13), a heartbroken
Christmas hater vows to
get married during a bach-
elorette party at Santa’s
Hamlet, where she and her
posse talk about sex and get
high. And a gangsta rapper
tries to turn his life around
in “Miracles Across 125th
SM
M
Street” (Dec. 20).
Fields, Longoria and
others participating in
the VH1 films say they are
unabashed fans of the tradi-
tional Christmas movie.
“It’s one reason why
I keep doing them,” said
Fields, who reunited with
her “Facts of Life” cast-
mates for 2019’s “You
Light Up My Christmas.”
“These movies are feel-
good magic. Our industry is
notorious — in a good way
— for providing that kind of
experience.”
Added Longoria:
“Thematically, they’re
about bringing family
together, whether it’s
your chosen family or
your born family. They’re
about coming together and
about love. I like movies
that make you feel good
and remind you what the
Christmas spirit is about,
but more so what humanity
is about.”
However, they agreed
that the genre was due for a
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holiday makeover.
“I enjoy the genre, but I
especially enjoy pushing
the envelope in the genre,”
said Fields, who stars in
and executive produced
“Adventures in Christmas-
ing.”
“The holiday movies
are often overly magical or
overly staged,” said Longo-
ria, an executive producer
of “Let’s Get Merried.”
“Our movie is raunchy as
hell and hilarious, but it’s
also down-to-earth, closer
to real life. These are real
women with really compli-
cated relationships and
in different stages of their
lives. I just love that it all
takes place in a Christmas
world.”
Much of the strategy
behind “Naughty or Nice”
is to bring more multicul-
tural flavor to the genre,
which has been criticized
for spotlighting predomi-
nantly white casts. Hall-
mark and Lifetime have
responded in recent years,
Deadline is the Tuesday prior to
Sunday publication date.
For more information, contact your
and the casts for their films
have become more inclu-
sive.
Tia Mowry, Kelly
Rowland, Tatyana Ali,
Roselyn Sanchez and
Rekha Sharma are among
the stars featured in this
season’s “It’s a Wonderful
Lifetime” schedule on the
cable channel, for instance,
where many of the films’
romances are interra-
cial. The network is also
promoting its first lesbian
romance holiday movie,
“Under the Christmas
Tree.”
But Longoria says the
networks have a lot of
catching up to do. “You
can’t just check the box and
throw the Black or brown
person up on a poster,”
she said. “There has to be
representation behind the
camera as well.”
The rowdy musical
“Miracles Across 125th
Street” stars Cannon as
a former gangsta rapper
seeking redemption as he
returns from rehab to help
out his father’s struggling
church.
“I wanted to do the
story of the Prodigal Son
as a musical,” Cannon
said. “The movies embod-
ies hip-hop culture — the
good and the bad. It shows
the journey of an individ-
ual who really is looking
for peace, family and love.
I think everyone can relate
to that.”
Cannon wrote, directed,
executive produced and
composed original music
for the film. “I saw a real
void. As a musician, I
wanted to bring gospel
music to the forefront.
Those early morning
Christmas services are
really what Christmas is all
about for my family.”
Diaz said the network
will continue to produce
offbeat and diverse movies
to take on other holidays,
such as Valentine’s Day and
Halloween. “We want to
keep doing movies that are
unexpected and disruptive
and have a unique spin on
those timeless events.”

BIBLIORACLE
Biblioracle’s 8 favorite
nonfiction books of 2021
By John Warner
For Chicago Tribune
Somehow, the calendar is telling me that
it is December, which doesn’t seem possi-
ble, though now that I think about it, the
sun goes down not long after lunch, so yep,
December.
That means it is time for my annual
Biblioracle Book Awards in which I recog-
nize the books first published in 2021 that
moved and shook me. I do not warrant
that these are the “best” books of the year
because I haven’t read all of the books, but
these are books very much worth your time.
This week, we focus on nonfiction. Next
week, biography and memoir. After that,
fiction.
Best illustration of what ails society:
I previewed this in a midyear column, and
am repeating two books, “The Hospi-
tal: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small
American Town” by Brian Alexander
(St. Martin’s, $28.99) and “Empire of
Pain: The Secret History of the Sack-
ler Dynasty” by Patrick Radden Keefe
(Doubleday, $32.50), and now adding a
third, “Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era
Destabilized America and Produced
Trump” by Spencer Ackerman (Viking,
$30.00). Each book tackles a different
aspect of some part of society gone haywire,
and together they show the cost of hubris
mixed with greed and a brand of American
What
to watch
SUNDAY
Dec. 5, 2021
All times Central. Start times can vary based
on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on
your on-screen guide.
College Football Playoff
Selection Show
ESPN, 11 a.m. Live
The Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl playoff
semifinal matchups for New Year’s Eve are
revealed with the release of the selection
committee’s final rankings.
Something’s Coming:
West Side Story —
A Special Edition of 20/20
ABC, 6 p.m.
Sixty years after the original Oscar winner,
director Steven Spielberg and costar Rita
Moreno talk about the upcoming singing,
dancing retelling of the famed Romeo and
Juliet tale set in 1950s New York City, with
Ansel Elgort as star-crossed lover Tony,
opposite Rachel Zegler’s Maria.
Sister Swap:
A Hometown Holiday
Hallmark Channel, 7 p.m.  Original Film
Jennifer and Meg Swift (Kimberly Williams-
Paisley and Ashley Williams) are sisters who
couldn’t be closer despite living in different
cities. Jennifer runs a successful restaurant
in Salt Lake City, and Meg lives in their
hometown of Hazelwood. Jennifer and her son
return home to Hazelwood for the holiday,
where they wish for one more Christmas at
the Madison — the local old movie theater
owned by their Uncle Dave (Kevin Nealon).
With help from Eric (Mark Deklin), Jennifer’s
former high school debate team rival, they
just might pull off one last encore.
My Favorite
Christmas Melody
Lifetime, 7 p.m.  Original Film
Once a promising singer-songwriter, Abby
(Mya) now finds herself writing uninspired
exceptionalism that will sacrifice individu-
als to maintain the image of an exceptional
America. Rather than the government
operating to benefit the citizenry, we’ve
been left to fend for ourselves in the face of
corporate power. I promise I’m not a radi-
cal. It’s just that these books are undeniable.
Best books that taught me the history
I never knew: First is “Until I Am Free:
Fannie Lou Hamer’s Enduring Message
to America” by Keisha N. Blain (Beacon
Press, $24.95). I grew up in time and place
where civil rights-era history was a heap-
ing helping of Martin Luther King Jr.,
with a side of Rosa Parks and a smidgen of
Malcolm X. Blain, a professor of history
at the University of Pittsburgh, not only
animates the life of Civil Rights activist
Fannie Lou Hamer, but shows how her
struggle is as relevant today as during her
own time. Next is “Teaching Machines:
The History of Personalized Learning”
by Audrey Watters (MIT Press, $34.95).
For generations, important men (like B.F.
Skinner) have been promising that technol-
ogy will take the place of teachers. Watters
deep history examines the forces that
view teaching, teachers, and students as
problems to be solved, rather than humans
to be engaged. Third, “The State Must
Provide: Why America’s Colleges Have
Always Been Unequal — and How to
Set Them Right” by Adam Harris (Ecco,
$27.99). The roots of unequal access to and
jingles for commercials. As she heads home
for the holidays, she’s enlisted by the local
high school music teacher to help save
the school arts program. In the process,
Abby rediscovers her voice and regains the
confidence to go after her dreams, and she
lets the possibility of love in, too. Rainbow Sun
Francks also stars.
The National
Christmas Tree Lighting
CBS, 7:30 p.m.
LL Cool J hosts this special presentation of
the National Christmas Tree official lighting
ceremony in Washington, D.C. Billy Porter,
Chris Stapleton, H.E.R., Juanes, Keb’ Mo’,
Kristin Chenoweth, Maren Morris and Patti
LaBelle are among the performers singing
holiday favorites.
Small Town Christmas
UPtv, 8 p.m.  New Series
In each episode of this four-part docuseries,
host Megan Alexander, Inside Edition’s national
correspondent, takes viewers to a different
small town around the country. Through
food, drink, music, entertainment and faith,
the episodes highlight local businesses and
communities that are making Christmas
special in their own unique ways. Tonight’s
premiere installment visits Branson, Missouri.
The 23rd Annual
A Home for the Holidays
at The Grove
CBS, 8:30 p.m.
The entertainment special features uplifting
stories of adoption from foster care and raises
awareness of this important social issue.
The inspirational stories of these American
families are enhanced by some of today’s top
CATCH A
CLASSIC
The Bishop’s Wife
TCM, 5 p.m.
This delightful, Best Picture Oscar-
nominated 1947 holiday comedy/fantasy
stars Cary Grant as Dudley, a suave angel
sent to Earth to come to the aid of young
bishop Henry Brougham (David Niven). But
is Dudley there to help Henry raise money
for the construction of a new cathedral or
to smooth over the clergyman’s relationship
Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  5
outcomes from post-secondary education
are rooted in the very origins of the system
we maintain today. Harris argues, convinc-
ingly, that a system designed to explicitly
exclude and disadvantage Black students
cannot possibly be reformed without
addressing these original sins.
Best books to restore your faith in
America: First is “When the Stars Begin
to Fall: Overcoming Racism and Renew-
ing the Promise of America” by Theo-
dore R. Johnson (Atlantic Monthly Press,
$26.00). Former Navy commander and
White House staffer, Theodore John-
son makes a compelling case rooted in his
personal story for an approach to national
solidarity that deals forthrightly and
honestly with the problem of racism. Also
“Republic of Detours: How the New
Deal Paid Broke Writers to Rediscover
America” by Scott Borchert. (FSG, $30)
An account of how government acted when
it looked like things were falling apart,
resulting in enduring contributions to our
country and culture, including figures like
Zora Neale Hurston, Studs Terkel, and
Nelson Algren.
A reminder of what’s possible when
priorities are in place.
John Warner is the author of “Why They
Can’t Write: Killing the Five-Paragraph
Essay and Other Necessities.”
Twitter @biblioracle
‘Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday’
CROWN MEDIA UNITED STATES LLC
musical artists performing from The Grove in
Los Angeles.
Mr. A & Mr. M:
The Story of A&M Records
EPIX, 9 p.m.  New Miniseries
The producers behind EPIX’s superb 2020
music docuseries Laurel Canyon bring a
similar in-depth approach to this two-part
series that looks at the history of A&M
Records, the famed recording label started
by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss that brought
a distinct, artist-focused philosophy to
handling its talent roster that included Joe
Cocker, Janet Jackson, The Police, Carole King
and many other big music names. As Laurel
Canyon did, this series offers an immersive
experience of time and place thanks to rare
archival footage, audio-only interviews with
artists and, of course, great tunes. The series
concludes next Sunday.
The Rookie
ABC, 9 p.m.
In “Hit and Run,” the team goes on a city-wide
hunt for an individual who is threatening a
mass casualty event. Meanwhile, Tim’s sister
Genny shows up unannounced with some
surprising news, and Lopez continues her inner
struggle over Wesley’s deal with Elijah and tries
to come up with a plan to get them out of it.
HAL MCALPIN
with his loving, but neglected, wife, Julia
(Loretta Young)? Monty Woolley and James
Gleason also star.
Book recommendations
from the Biblioracle
John Warner tells you what to read based on the last
five books you’ve read.
1. “The Genius and the Goddess” by
Aldous Huxley
2. “Paradise Reclaimed” by Halldor
Laxness
3. “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by
Flannery O’Connor
4. “Sound and the Fury” by William
Faulkner
5. “Cathedral” by Raymond Carver
— Odin B. Union Mills, Indiana
I’m taking it as a challenge to connect Odin
with a more contemporary book. I think
he’d like something that deals a bit with the
uncanny, but is still well-grounded in close
connection to character. Why not one of my
personal all-time, go-to favorites, “Geek
Love” by Katherine Dunn?
1. “I Know This Much Is True”
by Wally Lamb
2. “The Most Fun We Ever Had”
by Claire Lombardo
3. “Survive the Night” by Riley Sager
4. “Early Morning Riser”
by Katherine Heiny
5. “The Plot” by Jean Hanff Korelitz
— Katrina K., Winfield
For Katrina I want a book that provides
comfort while being decidedly good
company: “The Lager Queen of
Minnesota” by J. Ryan Stradal.
1. “Break the News: How the Media
Undermine American Democracy”
by James Fallows
2. “The Control of Nature” by John
McPhee
3. “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of
the Sackler Dynasty” by Patrick Radden
Keefe.
4. “Kindred” by Octavia E. Butler
5. “Oryx and Crake” by Margaret Atwood.
— Leonard T., Memphis, Tennessee
I’m going to combine Leonard’s interest in
John McPhee’s explorations of our natural
world with his orientation toward science
fiction, and recommend “2312”″by Kim
Stanley Robinson, a novel about what
happens when humans try to engineer
nature across the entire solar system.
Get a reading
from the Biblioracle
Send a list of the last five books you’ve
read to books@chicagotribune.com
MOVIES
YOU’LL LOVE
‘Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch’
ILLUMINATION AND U
A Very Merry Bridesmaid (2021,
Romance) Emily Osment, Casey
Deidrick Hallmark, 5 p.m.
Abominable (2019, Children) Chloe
Bennet, Albert Tsai FX, 5 p.m.
Angel Has Fallen (2019, Action)
Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman
TNT, 7 p.m.
Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch (2018,
Children) Benedict Cumberbatch,
Cameron Seely FX, 7 p.m.
Dirty Dancing (1987, Romance)
Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze CMT,
8 p.m.
Live Free or Die Hard (2007,
Action) Bruce Willis, Justin Long
SYFY, 8 p.m.
Captain Marvel (2019, Action) Brie
Larson, Samuel L. Jackson TBS,
9 p.m.
Tevya (1939, Drama) Maurice
Schwartz, Miriam Riselle TCM,
9 p.m.
Tyler Perry’s A Madea Family
Funeral (2019, Comedy) Tyler
Perry, Cassi Davis VH1, 9 p.m.
Now You See Me (2013, Comedy-
drama) Jesse Eisenberg, Mark
Ruffalo TNT, 9:30 p.m.
The Wedding Singer (1998,
Romance-comedy) Adam Sandler,
Drew Barrymore Comedy Central,
10 p.m.
Titanic (1997, Historical drama)
Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
CMT, 10:30 p.m.
From the editors of
TV Weekly and tvinsider.com
6  Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021

Kogan
from Page 1

ally things started to move

ahead.
The project received the
necessary authorizations
from the city. The esti-
mated cost is more than $23
million with $6.6 million
coming from Tax Incre-
ment Financing, another
million from the state and
the rest from private inves-
tors and loans. The city sold
the property to Nevius for
$1. Off the record, he tells
me of some very prominent
investors, a couple of big
names in the entertainment
industry. A formal ground-
breaking celebration took
place on Oct. 12.
The adjoining Ramova
Grill is being remade too. It
opened when the theater
opened and since the 1950s
was owned and run for
generation by the Gertos
family until closing in 2012.
The new place will be oper-
ated by sixth-generation
Bridgeport native Kevin
Hickey, an accomplished
chef who runs the nearby
Duck Inn.
Andy Totten is a vice
president of McHugh
Construction and the
project executive on this
specific job. He is able to
envision beauty from what
now looks like, frankly, a McHugh Construction Vice President Andrew Totten, left, and developer Tyler Nevius look around the Ramova Theater in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood.
mess. “This is a tremendous job for us, but I believe we have the best restoration team in Chicago,” Totten said. CHRIS SWEDA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“This is a tremendous
job for us, but I believe we Old Eagle Room, a strik- the astonishing Zhou B Art
have best restoration team ing space that is used for Center.
in Chicago,” Totten said. “It private and public events. “We stay here because
is a lot of work, to be sure, He transformed the floors this is our home,” ShanZuo
but we want to restore and above his restaurant into Zhou told me long ago.
reconstruct, honor the past the Bridgeport Bed and Writers, of course, have
a boost the future of the Breakfast, a collection ever used the neighbor-
neighborhood.” of several themed suites hood in their work. There
He and Nevius are full of including the Sox Suite, was, with the politi-
enthusiasm and optimism. Mayor’s Suite, 11th Ward cal connection, Mike
They are aware that some Suite and Hardscrabble Royko, of course, but
in neighborhood view Suite, a bow to the early such fiction writers as
their project with skepti- name for the neighbor- Stuart Dybek, a child of
cism, some worrying about hood. nearby Little Village and
potential parking problems, I am not from Bridge- Pilsen, has used the area
congestion and financial port but have come to powerfully in his stories.
woes. These people will understand what a strong He in turn inspired the
cite the troubles encoun- influence it has on people Bridgeport-raised Billy
tered by long and ener- who are. Some years ago, Lombardo to do likewise.
getic efforts to restore the when he was Alderman of Poet and writer John
Uptown Theatre, which the 11th Ward with deep Aranza, a neighborhood
has been closed since 1981. neighborhood roots, James guy through and through,
But many see this Balcer told me, “There is a has a charming memoir
venture with guarded opti- memory on every corner titled “My Bridgeport” and
mism. here for me. I want this area many new residents are The interior of the Ramova Theater. Andrew Totten and Tyler Nevius say they hope to open late
Bridgeport has ever been to be a place of economic writing their own stories. in 2022. CHRIS SWEDA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
a fascinating community. development. But we’ve got Nevius and Totten opti-
For people of a certain age, to keep the nitty-gritty ... I mistically say they hope to
it was known as the cradle want to save the Ramova open late in 2022.
of mayors and at the Polo Theater. I want people who “We want to host events
Inn, 3322 N. Morgan St., have lived here for genera- for local schools and
you have long been greeted tions to still live and work community group,” said
by a handsome mural here.” Nevius. “We want to be a
featuring the many local He added. “My kids go to vital part of this neighbor-
guys who made it to the the same school (St. Barba- hood.”
offices on the fifth floor of ra’s) as my grandfather, my So, after a hard-hat-
City Hall: Edward Kelly, father and me.” ted tour of the facility, I
Martin Kennelly, Richard Another great example was back on the sidewalk
J. Daley, Michael Bilandic of its impact can be seen in and would have walked
and Richard M. Daley. The the Zhou brothers. Shan- a couple of blocks south
Polo was opened in 1985 Zuo Zhou and DaHuang and stopped for a drink at
by its chef/owner Dave Zhou (pronounced like Schaller’s Pump, once a
Samber, who came here “Joe”) moved here in neighborhood landmark
after being disillusioned 1986. They came with two and oasis, a place where
by the real estate busi- suitcases and $30 in their politics and Ireland hung
ness on the North Side. He pockets. They have since heavy in the air.
carved his cozy restaurant thrived, while earning But Schaller’s closed in
from what was once the international acclaim as 2017 after 136 years. It was
city’s oldest confection- artists and having exhibi- a great place but, oh well,
ery and has thrived since. tions at prestigious galler- life goes on.
He created, from what ies and museums across
was once a Lithuanian the planet. They started rkogan@chicagotribune.
movie house next door the a foundation and opened com A rendering of the renovated Ramova Theatre in the Bridgeport neighborhood. O’RILEY OFFICE

20TH ANNIVERSARY
PRODUCTION

WORLD PREMIERE!

“Holiday favorite—
Makes the Bell Ring
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– CHICAGO TRIBUNE

NOW – DEC 31, 2021

WRITTEN & COMPOSED BY MICHAEL HOLLINGER

NOW PLAYING TO JANUARY 2 (773)871-3000 or

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Books
from Page 1
Black people solving prob-
lems they didn’t create,
Don Shirley walked away,
answering only to himself.”
Abdurraqib’s lengthy essay
on the importance of “Soul
Train” is already classic.
“Second Place” (FSG,
$25): The first novel from
Rachel Cusk after her cele-
brated Outline Trilogy,
and somewhat like those
great books, here is another
consideration of art and
responsibility, if slightly
less abstracted, though just
as probing of its characters.
A mother has a revelation
in a gallery and proceeds
to detonate her world, her
marriage, her future. It’s a
novel of ideas, as they say.
But the kind that has you
leaning forward, recog-
nizing the places where a
person’s moral certainty
and self image look fabri-
cated.
“The Trees” (Graywolf,
$16): Someday, inevitably,
when Percival Everett is
read by more people and
not a painfully passed-
over novelist whose work
gets thrust into hands with
a messianic promise of
“Trust me,” here’s the book
to tip the scales. Someone
is killing the ancestors of
the guys who murdered
Chicago teenager Emmett
Till back in 1955. To tell
you more would deny you
page after page of gasps,
and laughs. Everett is going
for an unstable cocktail of
broad parody, mystery and
social justice, and the result
feels thrillingly volatile,
and brave, a swing at a new
kind of novel on American
violence.
“Everyone Knows Your
Mother Is a Witch” (FSG,
$27): Not quite satire, not
entirely historical fiction,
but full of truth and chill-
ingly hilarious in an age
of QAnon conspiracies,
anti-vaxxers and cancel
culture. Rivka Galchen
takes a page from Monty
Python, Salem and the
#MeToo movement to tell
the story of real-life Katha-
rina, a 16th century German
widow with very import-
ant children (her oldest,
Johannes Kepler, explained
how planets move). She
fights court accusations
of witchcraft, for years.
Galchen splinters the POV
and gets at the absurdity
(“The matter of how we
came to know is simple
— we already knew”) but
more evocatively, the long
reach of sexism and endless
loops of groupthink.
“When We Cease to
Understand the World”
(New York Review
Books, $18): At first, it
reads like harrowing
nuggets of history and
hubris but soon, Benjamin
Labatut’s ingenious story
of complicity and horrors
of scientific achievement
takes just enough liberty
with the men behind the
invention of chemical
weapons and the concept
of black holes (among other
Holiday Joy
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Hanif Abdurraqib is a music critic, essayist and poet from
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paradigm-shifting bits of
alchemy) to upend our
understanding of sanity
and fiction. “Frankenstein”
feels very close, and the
age-old presumptions of
unintended consequences
get uncertain. So exqui-
sitely unnerving, I guess it’s
... horror?
“Beloved Beasts: Fight-
ing for Life in an Age of
Extinction” (Norton,
$28): Science journalist
Michelle Nijhuis’ engross-
ing history of animal
conservation avoids exactly
the cheerleading that
would render other books
impotent. Here is a move-
ment, she writes, “full of
people who did the wrong
things for the right reasons,
and the right things for the
wrong reasons.” Charac-
ters arrive multifaceted,
full of spirit and irony: The
Smithsonian zoologist
who, to ensure a sample
of American bison, kills
10% of remaining bison;
the tenacious bird watcher
who buys a mountain to
preserve raptors. Nijhuis
is particularly good on the
complexity, the colonial-
ism and racism at the heart
of many efforts, without
missing the innovation,
and the guts of amateurs.
She is upfront on the future
— i.e., fairly pessimistic —
but determined about the
urgency to continue, ends
and means considered.
Every page is a joy. (That
World Wildlife Foundation
panda? The WWF adopted
it because it was cute. And
because black and white is
cheaper to print.)
“100 Things We’ve Lost
to the Internet” (Crown,
$27): Perhaps the only book
on this list that might gain
a little if read in dribs and
drabs, tucked away beside
your toilet. Pamela Paul,
editor of the New York
Times Book Review and
a breezy, skeptical op-ed
sort of voice in her own
right, does not set out to
transcend the plaintive loss
of the title. Which is why
this becomes so aching.
Each chapter is a memory
of a too-suddenly rare
emotion (private humili-
ation), behavior (looking
out the window) or artifact
(bad photos), described
with ennui and anger but
enough clear-eyed memory
to be a true incantation.
“Dirty Work: Essential
Jobs and the Hidden Toll
of Inequality in America”
(FSG, $28): Journalist Eyal
Gift Certificates
Available!
Gift certificates
make great gifts!
Call our Box Office to
order yours today!
Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  7
A dazzling
THE NUTCRACKER
Press leans slightly into the
pandemic “essential” work-
ers of the title, albeit stra-
tegically, with reason: His
aims are higher, the moral
spectacle
of exquisite
cost of jobs hidden away.
He profiles drone pilots,
prison guards, slaughter-
house workers. But he
gains steam as whenever
he pulls back on disturb-
ing low-paying work to
dancing and
poke into culpability, how
the harshest assessments
often avoid the people in
enchantment
charge. Not just the usual
bosses, but also, the invest-
ment bankers, the software
engineers. Picture Upton
Sinclair wading through
the guts of our stock-
HHHH
yards, detecting the stench
in even our most sterile
offices.
“Smile” (Simon &
Schuster, $27): In the — Chicago Tribune
days after giving birth to
twins, the left side of Sarah
Ruhl’s face began to droop
and stiffen and she lost
her ability to smile. She
found herself in that small
percentage of people who
contract Bell’s palsy and
do not recover. This is not
the setup for overcom-
ing-the-odds kind of uplift.
Instead, the Wilmette
native and celebrated play-
wright uses her abruptly
frozen face to circle the
meaning of a smile, symme-
try, disfigured villains,
but also, a loss of faith, the
misogynistic roots of bed
rest — and much more.
Narrative loves an epiph-
any, she writes, but “the
chronic resists plot.”
“The Man Who Lived
Underground” (Library
of America, $23): Though
Richard Wright’s novella
was well-known, the full
text of his harrowing
portrait of Chicago police
abuse went unread for 80
years, so disturbing Harper
editors they rejected it — at
a time when Wright was
the bestselling Black author
in America. The novel was
shelved for decades, biding
its time. What’s here now is
feverish, familiar, a tale of a
Black man beaten by police
who escapes under the city,
at a cost: His foundation of
reality frays. Sounds like
“Invisible Man”? Fren-
emy Ralph Ellison sought
inspiration from it, though
Wright’s complete novel is
singular. And nothing less
than the reestablishing of a
major legacy.
cborrelli@chicagotribune.
com
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BOOK REVIEW
From modest
beginnings to
TV revolution
Before competition arrived, HBO
changed what television could be
By Dwight Garner
The New York Times
There’s enough animos-
ity, jealousy, score-set-
tling and killing gossip
in “Tinderbox,” James
Andrew Miller’s moun-
tainous new oral history of
HBO, to fill an Elizabethan
drama. Yet the book’s tone
is largely fond.
The people who created
HBO made something
they’re proud of. They’re
glad to have been there,
to have had a piece of it,
in the early, freewheeling
decades. Most know they’ll
never have it so good again.
HBO went live Nov. 8,
1972, broadcasting to a few
hundred houses in Wilkes-
Barre, Pennsylvania. The
first thing you saw on the
screen (cue screaming
from future Time Warner
shareholders) was Jerry
Levin, sitting on a sofa. He
welcomed viewers, then
kicked it over to a hockey
game from Madison
Square Garden, which was
followed by Paul Newman
in “Sometimes a Great
Notion.”
Levin was an ambitious
young lawyer who had
been brought in by a cable
company, Sterling Commu-
nications, to run HBO’s
startup programming.
“Tinderbox” explains how
Sterling eventually ran
wires to all those build-
ings in Manhattan and
elsewhere, sometimes via
sublegal methods.
Levin, of course, would
become the architect of the
most ill-judged merger in
media history. At the height
BOOK REVIEW
‘Titan of Tehran’ uniquely
blends history, memories
By Rob Merrill
Associated Press
When most of us get
curious about our family
history, we pay a visit to
ancestry.com. Shahrzad
Elghanayan is not most
of us.
She is the granddaugh-
ter of Habib Elghanian,
arguably one of the most
famous Iranian industrial-
ists of all time, whose rise
and fall mirrored that of
his homeland. She’s also an
award-winning photojour-
nalist.
For readers not familiar
with Iranian history, this
story is broadly summa-
rized on the book’s cover:
“Titan of Tehran: From
Jewish Ghetto to Corpo-
rate Colossus to Firing
Squad — My Grandfa-
ther’s Life.” Elghanayan
opens in a narrative style,
recounting how her father
set up a shortwave radio
in the family’s New York
bathroom so he could
hear the news from Iran
in the spring of 1979. On
May 8, 1979, he learns of
his father’s execution:
“While our black short-
wave droned on in the
cold marble bathroom, my
grandfather’s bullet-rid-
dled body languished in
the prison morgue, with a
cardboard sign around his
neck. It read: ‘Habib Elgha-
nian: Zionist Spy.’ ”  apart from the gray ones.
After that dramatic
opening, Elghanayan —
who spells her last name
slightly differently from
the way her grandfather’s
name has been translit-
erated — settles in and
recounts her grandfa-
ther’s story more like an
objective reporter than a
beloved family member.
She peppers her text
with footnotes and obvi-
ously did her research.
For readers coming to the
story cold, it can be hard
to follow. So many foreign
names and relationships
of the dot-com bubble in
2000, he tried to combine
Time Warner, of which
HBO was a subsidiary,
with Steve Case’s already
sinking AOL. In the ruin-
ous wake, Levin resembled
the proverbial hedgehog,
the one who climbs off the
hairbrush while sheepishly
muttering, “We all make
mistakes.”
If you’re going to read
“Tinderbox,” prepare for
a landslide of corporate
history. Students of power
will find much to inter-
est them. HBO had many
stepparents over the years.
Following these deals is
complicated, like following
the lyrics to “There Was an
Old Lady Who Swallowed
a Fly.”
In reverse order, Miller
describes how HBO —
the fly, more or less, in
this scenario — has been
sequentially consumed
from 1972 through today:
“Warner Bros. Discov-
ery rescued it from AT&T,
which had gobbled it up
from Time Warner, which
had saved it from Time
Warner AOL, which had
somehow abducted it
from Time Warner, which
had shrewdly outplayed
Time Inc. for it, after Time
had outflanked Sterling
Communications long ago.”
Miller, who has previ-
ously compiled oral histo-
ries of “Saturday Night
Live,” ESPN and Creative
Artists Agency, digs into the
machinations and bruised
egos behind these deals.
These guys (they were
mostly guys) all seemed
to want to flex-cuff one
‘Titan of Tehran’
By Shahrzad Elghanayan; AP
Books, 290 pages, $28
to track. But those specif-
ics won’t matter except to
historians who now have
a new firsthand source to
consult.
The most readable parts
of the book are in the first
person as Elghanayan
remembers her childhood
in Tehran. (Her father
moved the family to New
York in 1977 about two
years before Ayatollah
Khomeini and his Islamic
revolutionaries toppled
the Shah.) Here she is
remembering the large
family home her father left
behind: “In a large cage,
we kept dozens of pigeons,
and I worried about the
one with brown and
white feathers who stood
Being different, I thought,
put him in some sort of
danger.”
But Elghanayan avoids
inserting herself too much
into the narrative, choos-
ing to focus on her grand-
father’s story. And what a
story. He was Iran’s version
of a Rockefeller or Carne-
gie — a self-made million-
aire who saw business
opportunities everywhere
after World War II as Iran
moved quickly to modern-
ize its economy. He and
his six brothers build an
empire that among other
James Gandolfini in HBO’s “The Sopranos.”“We were putting a husky guy with a hairy back wearing a wife-beater in the lead role,”
says Jeff Bewkes, a former Time Warner CEO. “Nobody else would do that.” HBO
‘Tinderbox’
By James Andrew; Henry
Holt & Co., 995 pages, $50.
another and throw enemies
into the back of a van.
Miller gets good quotes:
“The only way I was going
to sit across a table from
Jerry was if I could jump
across it and grab him by
the throat”; “He’s a dog,
he’ll follow whoever feeds
him.”
HBO’s famous bumper
— the static, the celestial
choir — didn’t debut until
1993. But the channel had
an aura long before that.
things introduces plastic
to Iran. The boom years
last for decades. In 1973-
1974, the country’s gross
national product rises 30%,
and it’s easy to see why
Habib Elghanian loved his
country so much.
But it’s that love of coun-
try that blinds him to the
dangers he faced in Iran
as a prominent Jewish
businessman during the
ayatollah’s rise to power.
Elghanayan struggles
to understand why her
grandfather didn’t leave
Iran when he could, before
the Revolutionary Guard
began tracking and kill-
ing prominent Jews. Was
it national pride? Stub-
bornness? “I haven’t done
anything wrong,” Habib
tells four of his family
members during a visit
to New York about six
months before his execu-
tion. “I built buildings, I
built factories. ... I haven’t
done anything bad to Iran
that anyone would want to
get me for anything.”
The hindsight of
history, of course, makes
his actions seem tragic in
the extreme, but writing
this book has obviously
brought his granddaugh-
ter a sense of peace. “As
I have delved into our
former homeland’s record
of injustices, to us and so
many others, I’ve stopped
yearning for this faraway
land where I’d never have
the opportunity to flourish
because of my religion or
my gender. That kind of
yearning is nothing more
than toxic romanticism.”
In sharing her grand-
father’s remarkable story
with the world, Elghan-
ayan manages to avoid
such romanticism, telling
a very personal story that
also contributes to the
historical record.
Merrill worked at AP from
2007 to 2015, but never met
the author.
It began to make its mark
on popular culture in the
late 1970s and early ’80s,
around the time I was in my
teens.
My family didn’t have
HBO, but a friend’s did. It
was where you clicked to
see George Carlin say the
seven words you couldn’t
say on television, to watch
movies with naked people
in them and to laugh your
ribs loose seeing comedi-
ans (Robert Klein, Bette
Midler, Eddie Murphy,
Robin Williams) do mate-
rial they’d never get away
with on Carson.
HBO was so sexy people
went to hotels to watch it.
The channel had no adver-
tisers, and thus no one to
complain about brash or
steamy content.
Before HBO, television in
the hands of the big three
networks was a waste-
land — “a vast exercise in
condescension,” as Robert
Hughes put it, “by quite
smart people to millions of
others whom they assume
to be much dumber than
they actually are.”
Gift a friend or yourself with
any of these new paperbacks
By Moira Macdonald
Seattle Times
December is a lovely
month for reading, and for
thinking about what books
to buy as holiday gifts. (You
may have heard: Order
early this year.) Here are
six fresh-minted options in
paperback, to suit a variety
of tastes.
“Leave the World Behind”
by Rumaan Alam: A best-
seller and National Book
Award finalist, Alam’s
novel throws two fami-
lies — strangers to each
other — together in a
remote beach house
during a blackout. Calling
it a “slippery and duplic-
itous marvel of a novel,”
a NPR reviewer noted
that “‘Leave the World
Behind’ is atmospheric and
prescient: Its rhythms of
comedy alternating with
shock and despair mimic
so much of the rhythms of
life right now. That’s more
than enough to make it a
signature novel for this
blasted year.”
“The Searcher” by Tana
French (Penguin, $18):
French is the author of the
wonderful Dublin Murder
Squad series, which began
with the award-win-
ning “In the Woods” and
continued for five more
novels, each told from the
point of view of a different
member of a Dublin police
department’s homicide
division. Her last two have
been stand-alone myster-
ies; this one was inspired
by the Irish author’s love
of Westerns. Reading it
last year, I wrote, “ ‘The
Searcher’ feels different
from French’s previous
books — there’s a sparse-
ness to the setting that
contrasts with the bustle of
the Dublin Murder Squad,
or even the gathered
family in ‘The Witch Elm’
— but is no less addictive;
the pages practically turn
themselves.”
Chicago Tribune | Section 4 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  9
An important early hire
was Sheila Nevins, stolen
from CBS to run HBO’s
documentary unit. A
Barbra Streisand concert
was an early hit. Boxing
was vital to the early
growth of HBO, as were
midweek broadcasts of
Wimbledon. The channel
launched a million comedy
clubs. If you were a comic
without an HBO special,
you weren’t on the map.
“Tinderbox” slows down
and lingers purposefully
on the turn of the century,
when the so-called golden
age of television began
to come into view. With
shows like “Sex and the
City,” “Six Feet Under,”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm”
and especially “The Sopra-
nos,” HBO changed notions
of what television could
be and pickpocketed the
cultural conversation from
film.
“The Sopranos” was not
an immediate hit, but it was
beloved internally. “We
were putting a husky guy
with a hairy back wearing
a wife-beater in the lead
‘Leave the World
Behind’
By Rumaan Alam;
HarperCollins, 272 pages, $17
“Moonflower Murders”
by Anthony Horowitz
(HarperCollins, $17): If
you, like me, fell head
over heels in love with
Horowitz’s “Magpie
Murders” — a mystery
deliciously wrapped in
another mystery — you’ll
be delighted to hear of
this sequel. In it, former
editor Susan Ryeland (now
running a hotel on a Greek
island) gets called back
into the literary world
when she learns that one
of her former authors,
now deceased, based his
book on a real-life crime. If
you’re in need of a holiday
gift for someone who loves
witty British mysteries,
wrap up these two books
and prepare to be thanked.
“Wild Thing: The Short,
Spellbinding Life of Jimi
Hendrix” by Philip Norman
(Liveright, $16.95): Born
in Seattle 79 years ago
this month, Hendrix was
only 27 when he died in
London, after a remarkable
four years as a rock star.
“In this rollicking biogra-
phy, Norman (“Paul McCa-
rtney”) follows the electric
guitar god from hard-
scrabble Seattle boyhood
to enormous fame and
his 1970 martyrdom to
rock-star excess,” wrote
role,” says Jeff Bewkes, a
former Time Warner CEO.
“Nobody else would do
that.”
HBO’s luck held for a
while after “The Sopra-
nos” signed off. Lena
Dunham’s “Girls” and
“Game of Thrones” were
in the wings. But the souk
that is the modern televi-
sion world was growing
crowded.
HBO was no longer the
brash insurgent. It passed
on shows — “Mad Men,”
“House of Cards,” “Orange
Is the New Black,” “Break-
ing Bad,” “The Crown”
— that went on to become
crucial hits for Netflix and
other streaming services
and cable channels.
HBO has retained much
of its magic. “Succession”:
what a treat. That sound
of that bumper — the
static, the choir — remains
Pavlovian in its promise.
But our over-entertained
faces have more options,
and the channel’s compet-
itors, Miller makes clear,
have the long knives sharp-
ened.
Publishers Weekly in a
starred review. “Norman’s
entertaining, psychedeli-
cally tinged portrait shows
why Hendrix made such
a deep impression on rock
’n’ roll.”
“The Writer’s Library: The
Authors You Love on the
Books that Changed Their
Lives” by Nancy Pearl and
Jeff Schwager (Harper-
Collins, $16.99): Seattle
librarian extraordinaire
Pearl and playwright
Schwager asked 22 prom-
inent authors — among
them Donna Tartt, Amor
Towles and Louise Erdrich
— to name the books that
shaped and inspired them.
Pearl and Schwager “bring
boundless enthusiasm and
curiosity to this eclectic
and probing book of inter-
views,” wrote Publishers
Weekly, in a starred review.
“Readers of this delightful
compendium will relish
the chance to find many of
those shared loves, as well
as discover new ones.”
“The City of Mist: Stories”
by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
(HarperCollins, $15.99):
Zafón, the Barcelona-born
author of the international
bestseller “The Shadow
of the Wind,” died last
year of cancer at age 55.
This posthumous collec-
tion of stories features
many that have never
before been published in
English, returning readers
to the mythical Barce-
lona library known as the
Cemetery of Forgotten
Books explored in “The
Shadow of the Wind” and
several sequels. Writing
of “The Shadow of the
Wind,” which sold more
than 15 million copies
worldwide, a New York
Times reviewer described
Zafón’s style as “Gabriel
García Márquez meets
Umberto Eco meets Jorge
Luis Borges for a sprawl-
ing magic show, exasper-
atingly tricky and mostly
wonderful.”
 C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  1

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LIFE

The official voice

In case you’ve been wondering about the “voice” behind
official Chicago mayor social media accounts on Twitter and
Instagram, it’s Kikora Mason. And she’s having a ball.

BALANCING ACT
BRIAN CASSELLA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Imagine if
LIFE enjoying an
indulgent
Black leaders, next gen holiday meal
Black Bench Chicago is a program with the singular goal was not
of replacing the leaders of yesterday and today with the leaders connected
of tomorrow. Its 30-strong new cohort is ready for the world. to guilt TNS

We need to stop demonizing our food
Heidi Stevens
Balancing Act
A delightful meme is
making the rounds on
social media, just in time
for the diet industry’s
annual holiday finger-wag-
ging.
It skewers the ridicu-
lous advice that shows up
every year, as predictable
as a mall Santa, remind-
ing us how much exercise
it takes to counteract the
naughty calories in a typical
holiday meal. (“Nine hours
of casual downhill skiing”
will forever be my favor-
ite, courtesy of a Huffing-
ton Post slideshow on how
to burn 3,000 calories —
the average consumed at
Thanksgiving, apparently.)
The meme looks like
a poster, with a headline
banner that reads, “How
much exercise does it take
to burn off those Thanks-
giving calories?” A row of
foods — turkey, mashed
potatoes and gravy, pump-
kin pie — sits across from a
row of stick figures engaged
in exercise.
The fine print is where it
gets interesting.
Follow the arrow to see
how many calories you
need to burn after eating
six ounces of turkey and
you get … “NOPE. Exercise
is not a punishment.” Next
to mashed potatoes and
gravy … “NOPE. Eating is
not a punishable offense.”
Next to half a cup of stuff-
ing … “NOPE. These things
do not have to have a toxic
partnership.”
A toxic partnership
indeed.
Imagine if our holiday
treats weren’t demon-
ized. Imagine if enjoying
an indulgent meal wasn’t
connected to guilt. Imagine
if exercise wasn’t associ-
ated with “earning” us the
right to calories, or cleans-
ing us of their shameful
BRING
HOME.
Your
purchases fund
job training and
more in your
community. Even
those frames that
show off your
twin pugs.
Imagine if enjoying an indulgent holiday meal wasn’t connected to guilt and if exercise wasn’t associated with “earning” the right to calories. DREAMSTIME
presence.
I think we should try to
imagine those ifs into exis-
tence. This year, of all years.
Eating disorders
skyrocketed during the
pandemic. Since March
2020, when lockdown
orders went into effect in
most states, the National
Eating Disorders Associa-
tion helpline has reported
a staggering uptick in
calls — a 78% year-over-
year increase during some
months. Teenagers account
for up to 35% of the calls.
Providers have been
turning away new clients or
adding them to monthslong
waiting lists.
“It’s really, really worri-
some,” author and psychol-
ogist Lisa Damour told me
in the spring.
A survey conducted for
Well Beings and PBS News-
Hour Student Reporting
Labs asked teens how the
pandemic was affecting
their mental health and
revealed an alarming truth,
Damour said.
When asked to select the
factors that have a nega-
tive impact on their mental
Goodwill®
“We should take every opportunity to
talk about the pleasures and benefits of
food: It tastes good, it brings us together,
it gives us energy, and it supports our
health.” — Author and psychologist Lisa Damour
well-being, more teenagers
selected “weight, fitness
level, general health, or
body image” than any other
category, including social
media, racial violence and
associated trauma or finan-
cial struggles. It was the
No. 1 concern for girls and
the No. 2 concern for boys,
after social media.
The loss of predictable
routines and rhythms,
cherished after-school
activities and face-to-
face friendships likely
fueled the eating disorder
increase, Damour said,
with kids (and grown-ups)
suffering from a mixture
of boredom and isolation,
combined with a desire to
exert control over some
area of their lives.
It’s against that backdrop
that many of us are gather-
SM
C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  3
our health,” Damour told
me recently, when I asked
Next to the cranberry
sauce … “NOPE you can
her about holidays and find joy and purpose in
eating disorders. “We them exclusive from one
should steer clear of talking another.” And next to the
about any food as being roll with butter … “NOPE
‘good’ or ‘bad’ or talking you can also just take a
about exercise as some- holiday and chill for a few
thing we do to ‘repent’ days.”
for what we’ve eaten. So This year, of all years.
ing — after not gathering long as we frame eating When our kids and our
last year, in many cases — and activity as essential to psyches and our nerves
for holidays. Holidays that taking care of ourselves, have been through the
revolve around prepping we’re setting the right wringer.
and cooking and eating and tone.” This year, of all years.
drinking. Damour said she’s When we’ve learned how
What better time increasingly aware, as a quickly the traditions we
to untangle the ways mental health practitioner, know, the people we love,
we’ve been taught to feel of the lengths the diet the rituals we rely on, can
ashamed for surpassing our industry goes to assert itself leave us — faster than we
FDA-recommended daily into our daily lives, particu- expected, long before we’re
calorie intake? larly through social media. ready.
What better year to stop “Algorithms track what This year, of all years. I
linking — particularly in the social media users look hope your holiday meals
earshot of kids — a pre-din- for,” she said, “and if they are bountiful and beauti-
ner hike or after-din- search for information ful and enjoyed with grace,
ner touch football game about weight loss, exercise gratitude and zero shame.
to burning calories, and or fitness, they will soon be
instead link them to fresh flooded by ads that push Heidi Stevens is a Tribune
air, nature, fun? exercise programs, diet News Service columnist.
“We should take every plans, and even dangerous You can reach her at
opportunity to talk about supplements.” heidikstevens@gmail.com,
the pleasures and benefits I appreciate the goofy find her on Twitter
of food: It tastes good, it little Thanksgiving meme’s @heidistevens13 or join her
brings us together, it gives attempt to offset the Heidi Stevens’ Balancing
us energy, and it supports onslaught. Act Facebook group.
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4  Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021 C

LIFE

Building authenticity
Meet the person behind that viral social media post that came from the official
@Chicago and @chicagosmayor Twitter handles. Her name: Kikora Mason.

By Darcel Rockett
Chicago Tribune

H
ands hovering
over the keyboard
writing and delet-
ing words? Trying to gauge
whether a social media
post will strike all the right
chords or go the opposite
direction, making your 15
minutes of fame infamous?
To post or not to post, that
is the question.

If you’re not an influ-

encer, not focused on build-
ing a brand, this day-to-day
occurrence might not be in
your purview. But for Kikora
Mason, 33, deputy director
of digital strategy with the
city of Chicago, social media
is her domain. The Tallahas-
see, Florida, native has been
working on Mayor Lori Light-
foot’s handles on Instagram,
Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat,
Nextdoor and Twitter social
media platforms, as well as the
city of Chicago, since Septem-
ber 2020. Mason develops
content and strategy for all of
the mayor’s social channels and
provides strategic social media
direction/oversight to all city
departments/sister agencies
that have a social media pres-
ence.
A cursory look at comments
on @Chicago and @chicagos-
mayor posts reveal a mix of
reactions that run the spectrum
of emotions from love to hate
and everything in between —
commenters pontificating and
asking who runs the account?
“There are people saying
things like: ‘What intern is
running this account? ‘Or ‘Y’all
are trying too hard!’ Or ‘Here
y’all go.’ It seems like people
don’t realize that it is a Black
woman running the account,”
Mason said. “I get the sense
that they think it is a 20-some-
thing white boy, who’s trying to
emulate Black culture. It’s kind
of funny reading it because it’s
like, ‘Huh, they have no idea?’ ”
With a degree in psychology
from Florida A&M Univer-
sity and a master’s degree
in journalism from DePaul,
Mason’s career path veered
toward social media and
public relations. Several jobs
with communications groups
and marketing/PR agencies,
including Burrell Commu-
nications and brands such as
Toyota, Essence and McDon-
ald’s USA. Taking a break from
agency life, she sought a new
opportunity and landed a job
with the city.
“It’s always been really
important to me to be
connected to the work that I’m
doing and that I’m doing some-
thing meaningful,” Mason said.
“That’s why I love and still love
multicultural work so much
because I saw myself in it. This
is probably the freest I’ve ever
felt in my career. I am in a space
where I have an opportunity
to create more opportunities
for Black creators and bring
awareness to city resources.
Because I have all these years
of digital experience and
expertise, I feel like I am able
to be very creative in commu-
nicating what people need to
Kikora Mason, the City of Chicago’s deputy digital director and the person behind the @Chicago Twitter account, sits at her desk in her office at
City Hall in Chicago on Nov. 22. TERRENCE ANTONIO JAMES/CHICAGO TRIBUNE
learn about the city.”
Over a year later, Mason
is making her mark: Do you
recall the Sept. 3 tweet from
the @chicagosmayor account
about the city budget? The post
went viral, as it paid homage to
Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy”
album cover.
“I didn’t expect it to blow up
the way it did,” Mason said. “I
was sitting at my computer and
we were in the thick of budget
season, which I was already
thinking about: ‘How can we
talk about the city budget
on the internet in a way that
people will care about and be
interested in?’ So I was already
in that head space. And then
Drake dropped the cover art. I
saw a couple brands play into
it. I was like, ‘Oh wow, this is
great. I wonder how we can
play into this?’ And what we
would talk about that will make
sense for us?’ What we were
talking about was easy: budget.
But what would the creative
actually look like for this? And
my mind immediately went
back a year ago ... when I’m
sure you saw the meme of the
mayor standing in front of the
barricades closing the beaches.
That’s the image. The whole
creative ideation process prob-
ably took less than 30 minutes.
And the online reaction was
very powerful.”
We talked with Mason on
the eve of the city launching
it’s “We Built Chicago” content
series. Mason, Candace Moore,
chief equity officer for Chicago,
and Shermann “Dilla” Thomas,
(the Chicago Urban Historian,
for those on TikTok) came
together to make the six-video
series exploring the racial
demographics of Chicago. (The
first video dropped on TikTok
on Thanksgiving.)
“It’s a hard job and it’s not
for the faint of heart,” Mason
said. “I make a decision every
day to show up because I’m
using these skills and exper-
tise to help Mayor Lightfoot, a
Black woman and the chief of
staff Dr. Sybil Madison, a Black
woman, succeed. I believe very
strongly that Black women can
and should be leading in more
organizations. And I want to do
whatever I can to ensure that
happens.”
Mason further enlightened
us about her mission to make
Lightfoot “the most digitally
savvy mayor in the country.”
The following interview has
been condensed and edited.
Q: There’s a lot of Chicago-
ans leaving the city for other
places, what makes you stay?
Kikora Mason: What I
really love about Chicago is the
passion that people have for
their city here. And I have used
a lot of that as the inspiration
for the voice and tone for @
Chicago. A lot of those things
that have gone viral from that
channel are really based off of
things that I’ve learned from
my friends and conversations
that I’ve heard over the years.
Q: What’s your modus
operandi when dealing with
commenters, do you respond
or let them duke it out
among themselves?
KM: I think you have to be
careful. The point of a post like:
the city versus the suburbs, it
obviously gets people talking.
There’s a conversation that’s
happening. And I manage @
Chicago, but I’m also manag-
ing the mayor’s social presence
and there’s always conversa-
tion that’s going on in those
comments. And I see most of it.
It’s not always worth respond-
ing to the negative stuff. So,
if there’s a negative stream of
conversation going on, I’m very
mindful and I monitor it. But a
lot of times, it’s just not worth it.
Q: When you approached
this job, did it scare you due
to the gravitas politics brings
to the table as opposed to
consumerism?
KM: I was not scared. I am
a Black woman in America.
There are very few things that
could scare me. But also being
Black in America, it’s tough. I
know what it feels like to walk
into a room and constantly
have to prove why you deserve
to be in that space. It absolutely
does not feel good. If I can just
be vulnerable for a moment.
It hurts me, because I truly
believe that Mayor Lightfoot
cares and wants to do the best
for the city. But there are so
many attacks she has to rise
above that are deeply rooted
in racism and sexism. I think
this country has proven time
and time again, it does not like
strong, outspoken, powerful
Black women. But do you know
what we’ve proven? We’ve
proven that perseverance is in
our DNA. And we’re going to
be here.
Q: What is your routine/
process when you’re work-
ing your social media magic
on Lightfoot’s social handle
as well as @Chicago?
KM: Those channels are
obviously very different. Mayor
Lightfoot’s channels, we pretty
much know every day what
we need to talk about. Our
priorities are always going
to be: COVID, crime, taxes,
schools. We know that. With
@Chicago, the voice plays into
Black culture, which really is
pop culture. So it just depends
on what’s happening in the
world, what’s happening on
the internet, and I don’t think
too deeply about those things.
Something that I tell agencies
that we work with and our
departments: When it comes
to social media, less is more.
If you spend too much time
thinking about something, then
that tells you that you’re not
thinking about it the right way.
Q: After 2020, there’s been
more conversation about
race. How does race factor
into the digital space? What’s
been your experience?
KM: I’m in a position
where I have access to deci-
sion makers at the major social
media platforms, and I have to
admit that I’m really disap-
pointed that racist, sexist and
generally offensive rhetoric
goes unchecked. That’s a prob-
lem for me.
Seats at the table and Black
people in the digital commu-
nity doing this work that I’m
doing ... I really think there
could be a better job of creating
a Black digital talent pipeline.
I have to believe that there are
other Black people working
in digital leadership positions,
but I don’t know a lot of them.
And I’ve been really diligent
about trying to expand my
network to meet more Black
women leaders in this digital
space — because we need to
be in rooms where decisions
are being made, so that we’re
represented authentically and
accurately.
Q: What’s been the hardest
challenge, being the person
behind these handles?
KM: The racist and sexist
commentary. I think people
forget that the mayor is some-
one’s daughter, someone’s
mother, someone’s loved one. I
don’t like the way people speak
about her on the internet.
Q: There’s so many
creators in Chicago. Who are
the ones who we need to be
paying attention to?
KM: I’m very much a fan
of Luvvie (Ajayi’s), work. Her
trajectory has been amazing to
watch. I think she is definitely
somebody who commands
the internet. I have always
really enjoyed her because
she’s always remained true
to herself. To see where she
is now, I think has been truly
remarkable. Shermann is defi-
nitely someone that everybody
should be paying attention to.
We’ve had so many conversa-
tions about how he started and
all these new opportunities
that are coming his way. If you
are creating content that is real,
and that people can connect
to, the internet will do what
it does. He didn’t expect to be
where he is. But he was sharing
interesting information. He
was being open and authentic
about who he is and sharing
that on the internet. And he
just has a love and passion for
the city that people also love.
One thing that I have learned in
this space, and I always advise
people on — authenticity is
what matters. People need to
feel connected to what it is that
you’re saying.
drockett@chicagotribune.com

EX-ETIQUETTE

Put the kids first, go to co-parenting counseling

By Jann Blackstone
Tribune News Service
Q. My ex and I have
been split up for two
years. He had an affair
and left. He’s living with
her and seems happy, but
that’s not the real issue.
We have four children, all
18 and older. I know we
must co-parent, but his
take on things that have
happened concerning the
kids is so different than
mine, it’s obvious he’s
lying. When I confront
him about the lies, he acts
like I’m crazy. He under-
mines my parenting, sets
me up for failure and
each time I try to defend
myself, it doesn’t matter.
The kids are taking his
side, and he’s the one who
cheated! I don’t know
what to do.
A. It is very difficult
to assess and then offer
suggestions when I am
only hearing from one side,
but it seems what you are
saying is that it wouldn’t
matter, anyway. He would
lie about what happened.
So I will offer my take on
the big picture.
I have no idea who is
right and who is wrong. I
have no idea who is lying
and who is not, nor would
any co-parenting profes-
sional, even if you both sat
in our office and continued
the narrative. But the truth
is, it doesn’t matter. When
children start taking sides,
it is out of desperation.
Their parents have lost
sight of what is important
— the children. They are
locked in a war of who is
right and who is wrong.
Your ex could be setting
you up, but he could also
honestly have a completely DREAMSTIME
different perspective to
whatever “happened will not be forced to choose position, it is difficult to
concerning the kids” than between you. Neither of know exactly how to put
you do. The key word: kids. you will have to defend the kids first. Go to co-par-
It’s about them. When you yourself because you will enting counseling with a
and dad put aside trying to both be on the same side — professional who refuses to
prove who is right and who for your children. be your referee. You need a
is wrong, your children When you are in this coach.
 C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  5

Black Bench Chicago graduates first group

Creators hope it’s the start of an emerging, ongoing talent pipeline of young Black leaders in public affairs
By Darcel Rockett
Chicago Tribune
When then-labor orga-
nizer Anthony Driver spoke
in February about Black
Bench Chicago — whose
purpose is to educate
participants on legislative
processes, special inter-
ests, the history of Black
organizing in Chicago,
campaigns and budgets,
among other topics — he
was excited to find a vehi-
cle that would help him
bridge the gap between the
best and worst the city has
to offer. His goal: to take the
new knowledge and use it
to better the Black commu-
nity.
It was the reason he
looked forward to being a
part of the first cohort. On
Sunday, Driver, along with
30 others, graduated from
the program. He said the
program helped bridge a
number of different gaps.
“This is the only program
I know that exists to create
a pipeline of people to
replace the leaders of today
and yesterday where the
sole focus is advancing
Black people; it’s simply
preparing you to lead,”
Driver said. “I think many
times in Chicago, loud
voices try to paint Black
people in a binary way,
when in reality, there’s a
lot of nuance and complex-
ity of Black life — I saw
that reflected in the Black
Bench. It was a group of
people that span the polit-
ical spectrum. Yet, we all
have one goal, which is to
see Black people in the city
of Chicago succeed and
thrive.”
The brainchild of Alex-
andra Sims, president and
founder of APS & Asso-
ciates, community orga-
nizer Ronnie Mosley and
Jonathan Swain, a former
Chicago Board of Elec-
tions commissioner and
president of the mentor-
ship nonprofit LINK
Unlimited Scholars, the
Black Bench Chicago’s first cohort of graduates poses for a group photo Nov. 14 at Tree House in Chicago’s River North. BRIAN
CASSELLA/CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTOS
nonpartisan Black Bench
was created to build a
pipeline of Black leader-
ship through monthslong
teaching, passing knowl-
edge from the old guard of
Black politicos to the new.
Cohort fellows ranged from
activists to radio person-
alities to law partners to
nonprofit leaders. Illinois
Secretary of State Jesse
White and activist Jacque-
lyne Grimshaw served as
program chairs and Andy
Zopp, Michael Straut-
manis, Larry Luster and
Melody Spann-Cooper
sit on the advisory board,
among others. Experts led
monthly discussions over
Zoom with participants in a
collaborative format.
According to Driver,
everything from media
(learning how editorial
boards work) to electoral
organizing to labor history
was discussed, blending
the past with the present
dives.”
Kyra Woods, a clean
energy policy advocate,
said she was grateful for the
diversity of thought and the
knowledge and relation-
ships from Black Bench
allowed her the opportu-
nity to better understand
the city’s political and civic
landscape to be a more
effective advocate.
“There’s something
really powerful about
the opportunity to learn
Black Bench Chicago founder Alex Sims applauds other together, to problem-solve
speakers as the organization’s first cohort of graduates together and to ask potent
gathers Nov. 14. questions together. Even
if we don’t actually come
and showing how fights “As we were engaging in with hard solutions, Black
that started 40 or 50 years these different sessions, Bench provided a space
ago are still continuing different things would for us to do that as a set of
today. come up. Once we voiced a young leaders,” she said.
“We had folks from a concern, the coordinators “This is us coming together
range of different profes- pulled folks together and as young leaders saying,
sions help us to contextual- gave us an opportunity to ‘this is where I’m at, this is
ize and understand where engage with them directly how I got here, and as we
exactly we fall in this fight for an hour or two that was envision a stronger, more
for Black people in the city completely unscripted. just Chicago, this is how we
of Chicago,” Driver said. We would call them deep can build that together.’ ”
Sims said Black Bench
is about the importance
of having more people of
color at the table.
“There are too few of us
in these rooms and having
each other to lean on will
be crucial for our success,”
she said. “I am hoping
that our generation finds
a way to talk about what is
uncomfortable. We cannot
fix the inequities until we
directly confront institu-
tional racism — this group
is ready to push program-
ming in their individual
prospective fields with that
lens in mind.”
Michelle Jenkins,
deputy chief of intergov-
ernmental affairs at the
Illinois Department of
Juvenile Justice, said the
Black Bench experience
provided a safe space to
have intimate conver-
sations with people one
normally wouldn’t, and to
attack different issues from
a holistic standpoint. She’d
recommend Black Bench
Chicago for others willing
to apply.
“It’s good for anybody
who is interested in learn-
ing more about Chica-
go’s political field, who’s
currently in the midst of
leading some organization
and could use that extra
support of a network,” she
said. “The great thing about
having a bunch of leaders
from a bunch of different
fields, is we’re both learn-
ing across as well as learn-
ing up.”
“There’s so much to
unpack in our history as
Black Chicago and under-
standing that Black polit-
ical history,” Woods said.
“Keep an eye out for those
of us in the program, and
for those who are curious
and interested in doing that
learning with one another,
and honestly being ready to
roll up your sleeves and ask
the tough questions.”
drockett@chicagotribune.
com

ASK THE PEDIATRICIAN

Doctor’s office the best place

for children to get flu vaccine
By Dr. Flor Munoz
American Academy of Pediatrics

Q: Does it matter
which flu vaccine my
children get this year and
when they get it?
A: Many people don’t
realize it, but flu can be
a very serious illness. It
causes thousands of deaths
in the United States every
year, even among previ-
ously healthy children.
With COVID-19 expected
to still be spreading this fall
and winter, it is even more
important to protect your
child from viruses like
influenza.
As a parent, the best
thing you can do to protect
your children from the flu
is to get them vaccinated
right away. All children
ages 6 months and older
should get their influenza
vaccine as soon as possi-
ble. Everyone around your
children should be vacci-
nated, too.
For the 2021-22 influ-
enza season, two types
of influenza vaccines are
available. The first is what
many people call the flu
shot. The second comes
as a nasal spray. All the
vaccines available for chil-
dren this year contain four
influenza viruses (two A
and two B viruses).
Both the AAP and
the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
want as many children
as possible to get a flu
vaccine every year. The
AAP recommends that any
licensed vaccine available
this year and appropriate
for a child’s age and health
status be given to chil-
dren, with no preference.
Both types of available flu
vaccine (flu shot or nasal
spray) can be given accord-
ing to their indications,
with no preference, this
season.
If your child is eligible
to receive a COVID-19
vaccine, it can be given at
the same time as the flu
vaccine, or at any time.
Talk with your pediatrician
about your child getting
the flu vaccine along with
other recommended
immunizations.
Last flu season was
unusual, with physical
distancing, mask-wearing,
hand hygiene and other
steps to prevent the spread
of COVID-19 and possibly
doing the same for the flu.
However, flu and COVID-
19 are predicted to spread
this winter.
Children with COVID-
19 can still get a flu vaccine
after they have recovered
from their COVID-19
illness. Keep in mind that
symptoms such as a stuffy
and runny nose can make it
hard to give the nasal spray
vaccine.
A child who had an
allergic reaction after a flu
vaccine in the past should
be seen by an allergist. The
allergist can help parents
decide if their child should
receive their annual flu
vaccination. A child with
a known history of egg
allergy can receive the flu
vaccine.
When possible, chil-
dren should get the flu
shot immediately. There’s
no need to wait, even if
your child got the previous
year’s flu vaccine in March
or April. Influenza season
typically peaks in February,
so it’s not too late to get the
shot. Children 6 months
to 8 years of age should
DREAMSTIME
receive two doses if this
is the first time they are
being vaccinated against
influenza, or if they have
only received one dose
of flu vaccine ever before
July 1.
It’s a great idea to go to
your pediatrician’s office
for the vaccine. Your
pediatrician knows your
child best. The pedia-
trician’s office has your
child’s health informa-
tion, making it easy to keep
track of the flu shot in the
health record.
Now more than ever,
it is important to stay
connected to your pedia-
trician and your medical
home. Many pediatricians
also offer flu shot clinics,
including curbside and
drive-through clinics.
If your child needs to go
somewhere else, such as a
pharmacy or retail-based
clinic, parents should
share the document they
receive with the pediatri-
cian.
Remember, getting
vaccinated is the best way
to protect your children,
yourself, and your parents
and grandparents from
the flu.
Dr. Flor Munoz is an asso-
ciate professor of pediatrics
and infectious diseases at
Texas Children’s Hospital
and Baylor College of Med-
icine. She also is a member
of the AAP Committee on
Infectious Diseases. .
6  Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
‘Here at the Palms, we’re a family’
By Hannah Critchfield
Tampa Bay Times
Fred Hodges can still
remember the names and
faces of neighbors who are
long gone.
There was Irving, who
adopted his lifelong part-
ner, Ron, so they could have
some sort of legal recog-
nition while same-sex
marriage was still banned
in Florida.
There was Emery, a
doctor who advocated for
the health of coal miners
and AIDS patients and
eventually was murdered
in what was rumored to be
a hate crime.
And there was Jan, who
died of lung cancer last year
without any known rela-
tive. Hodges paid a private
investigator in Indiana to
find the beneficiary named
in his 20-year-old will.
“It’s bad when you live by
yourself, and you don’t have
anybody,” said Hodges,
whose partner of nearly a
half-century died in 2019.
“Which is why, here in the
Palms, we’re a family.”
The Palms of Manasota,
nestled inside a sun-kissed
side street in Palmetto, was
touted 20-some years ago
as America’s first retire-
ment community for
LGBTQ people.
“We’re still here,” said
Hodges, who is 71. But the
number of LGBTQ resi-
dents is dwindling.
“That’s straight,” he said,
gesturing toward a nearby
home. Then he pointed
to the next one: “That’s
straight.”
He stopped by a “For
Sale” sign in Carol’s yard,
which could lead to
another straight person
moving in.
Walking into the Palms
of Manasota is like enter-
ing a postcard for Florida
living.
Spanish moss adorns
every oak tree, and mani-
cured palms line the
streets. A pool with a foun-
tain, complete with a single
turtle, tops it off.
There’s no hint of the
parties that once brought
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Longtime residents and neighbors, Mary Cumisky, 80, left, and Fred Hodges, 71, share a laugh while reminiscing about old parties
at their community Nov. 8 at Cumisky’s house at the Palms of Manasota. MARTHA ASENCIO-RHINE/TAMPA BAY TIMES
the neighbors out into the
street. There’s not a rain-
bow flag in sight — but it
was always that way.
In the mid-1990s, a
retired psychology profes-
sor named Bill Laing
bought roughly 22 acres of
land south of Tampa.
Inspired by a friend who
had faced discrimination
at his nursing home after
disclosing his sexuality,
Laing envisioned a place
where members of the
LGBTQ community could
live out their later years in
safety among their peers.
It was radical. News-
papers around the globe
— from The Wall Street
Journal to The Economist
— reported on construction
of the nation’s first “alter-
native lifestyle retirement
village.”
“It’s going to have to
be gays and lesbians or
people who understand
the lifestyle,” Laing told the
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
in 1994. “We’re not going to
turn anyone away.” Laing,
who was gay, lived in the
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community until his death
in 2000.
When Hodges and his
partner, John, moved
into the Palms in 2002,
there were 21 single-fam-
ily homes and six condo-
miniums, The Economist
reported, with plans to
bring in another 250
people.
Subtlety was the word
from the start. Early home-
owner bylaws forbid resi-
dents from putting up flags
of any kind, according to
Hodges.
“The original owners
here came to escape the
prejudices of being gay and
lesbian,” he said. “It’s not a
gated community, so they
did not want to advertise,
‘Homosexuals live here.
Beat us up!’ ”
Originally, Laing planned
to build an assisted-living
facility inside the Palms,
so residents could age in
place. But the developers
who took over after Laing’s
death filed for bankruptcy
in 2010, halting construc-
tion on the property for
MAHJONG
STORY
STORY
C
years. The undeveloped
land was sold to the bank,
where it remained dormant
until it was bought
by Meridian General
Contracting in 2020.
Many of the original
residents have died. Others
moved into long-term care
homes.
Hodges estimates that
most of the remaining
LGBTQ residents are over
70.
Many retirement
communities designed for
LGBTQ seniors that sprung
up in the wake of the Palms
have struggled financially.
But there’s growing
interest in — and need for
— LGBTQ-specific hous-
ing, according to Sydney
Kopp-Richardson, director
of the National LGBTQ
Elder Housing Initiative at
SAGE.
An estimated 7 million
LGBTQ people will be over
the age of 50 by 2030.
These seniors — partic-
ularly transgender elders
and older adults of color
— are at heightened risk
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But numbers dwindling
at America’s first LGBTQ
retirement community
of experiencing violence,
lack of familial support
and economic instabil-
ity, Kopp-Richardson
said. Many LGBTQ elders
report fearing they’ll face
discrimination and have
to “re-closet” themselves
upon entering a retirement
community.
“All of these factors
magnify the isolation that
is already huge for seniors,”
Kopp-Richardson said.
“So an affinity-based space
with your peers, in your
community, can really help
with your social, mental
and physical health.”
Retirement communi-
ties designed for LGBTQ
seniors face a delicate
balance, however. Under
the federal Fair Housing
Act, a community cannot
keep someone from moving
in because of their sexual
orientation.
“You can’t enforce that
only LGBTQ people live
there or give LGBTQ elders
priority,” said Kopp-Rich-
ardson. “So if there isn’t
intentional marketing,
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outreach and sustained
programming, there’s no
assurance that that space
will stay LGBTQ-friendly
or affirming.”
Exactly when Palms
properties stopped being
advertised as part of an
LGBTQ retirement hub
is up for debate. Gay and
lesbian residents say things
changed gradually once the
bank took over — with a
slow drip of new residents
moving into empty units.
“Whoever bought after
that was straight, pretty
much,” said Mary Cumisky,
80, a homeowner since
2002 who identifies as
lesbian. “One after the
other.”
Today, LGBTQ retirees
own 14 of the 21 single-fam-
ily homes in the Palms,
Hodges said. Two of those
are rented to straight
people. The villa area is
even more mixed, and
new homes will be open to
anyone.
“Back then, there was a
need for that camaraderie
and being together and that
security,” said Hodges. “It’s
now 2021. We have come a
long way. There’s still obvi-
ously hatred, but not near
like it used to be. So there’s
not really a need for it. I do
miss it, though.”
“It was a dream,” said
Cumisky. “That’s all it was.”
An all-LGBTQ retire-
ment community might
have been a dream, but the
concept of “chosen family”
lives on in the Palms.
“When I had to have my
hip replaced last February,
I didn’t have anybody at
all to help take care of me,”
Hodges said. “And Mary
was my nurse. She actu-
ally used to be a psychiatric
nurse.”
“It was very appropri-
ate,” Cumisky said, laugh-
ing. “We have a good life.
We really do have a good
life.”
“We care for each other,”
Hodges agreed.
“It’s what’s left of the
Palms, the original idea,”
added Cumisky. “We still
have the feeling for it. And
for each other.”
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7 must-visit restaurants across the US
By Leslie Royal
Chicago Tribune
Heading south for the winter?
Warmer temperatures are a
perfect excuse to escape the
chill and indulge in some superb
Southern food.
When planning a vacation or
getaway, let your palate be your
guide and head to one of these
seven culinary destinations,
where unique renditions of soul
food classics and longstanding
local favorites are sure to warm
you right up.
Nana’s
Chicken-N-Waffles
Since opening at the end of
2016, Nana’s Chicken-N-Waffles
has garnered national acclaim
for traditional Southern cuisine
featuring family recipes that
date back to 1939. Fried green
tomatoes are blanketed with
oozy pimento cheese and a
shower of bacon bits, and deep-
fried lobster tail can be added
to entrees like shrimp and grits.
The specialty chicken-and-
waffles combo can be done up
in any number of imaginative
ways, from a bananas foster
option made with a deep-fried
cinnamon waffle to a dish
crowned with warm peach
cobbler, cream cheese and a
shower of powdered sugar.
Owners Kelli and Mark Ferrell
both grew up in kitchens, and
their delectable dishes have been
featured on “Good Morning
America,” the Food Network,
and in Kelli’s own cookbook,
“Kooking with Kelli.”
1040 Flat Shoals Road SE,
Conyers, Georgia; 770-285-6591;
nanaschickenandwaffles.com
Soby’s
In 1997, Soby’s became one
of the first restaurants in the
United States to unveil the
concept known as New South
cuisine. With a unique fusion
TRAVEL
of contemporary cuisine and
Southern fare, the restaurant
serves the likes of barbecue
shrimp and grits, crab cakes
remoulade, bacon-wrapped
pork tenderloins, spicy pimento
cheese and fried chicken in an
elegant environment. Guests
can pair entrees with drinks
from the extensive wine list,
sporting unique varietals of
sparkling, white, rosé and red.
Those in the know should
request Table 301, the upstairs
spot with superb views of the
kitchen and dining room. Not
able to make the trip right away?
Try out the restaurant’s signa-
ture recipes yourself with the
“Soby’s New South Cuisine”
cookbook.
207 S. Main St., Greenville,
South Carolina; 864-232-7007;
sobys.com
Bully’s Restaurant
There’s nothing fancy about
Bully’s Restaurant. Southern
classics are served on cafete-
ria-​style compartment trays in
a wood-paneled dining room
festooned with laminated
newspaper clippings, posters
and framed portraits. But this
off-the-beaten-path restaurant
has been drawing locals and visi-
tors for almost 40 years. They
keep coming — some multiple
times per week — for delecta-
ble, heaping portions of daily
specials like chicken tetrazzini
and meatloaf; toothsome smoth-
ered oxtail and fried catfish; and
a smorgasbord of classic sides
like fresh greens, fried okra
and sweet potatoes — and don’t
forget the signature peach, apple
and blackberry cobblers. In 2016,
Bully’s was named one of Amer-
ica’s Classics by the James Beard
Foundation, designating it as a
beloved locally owned restaurant
with “timeless appeal” worthy of
national recognition.
3118 Livingston Road, Jack-
son, Mississippi; 601-362-0484;
facebook.com/Bullys-Restaurant-​
121341084545979
GeoQuiz Which state is called the Beaver State? Find out on Page 9
C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  7
Employees meet inside Nellie’s Southern Kitchen in Belmont, North
Carolina on Sept. 10, 2020. MIKE HENSDILL/THE GASTON GAZETTE
Nellie’s Southern
Kitchen
Before there were the Jonas
Brothers, there was Nellie Jonas,
the namesake for the restau-
rant founded by her grandson —
and father to the famous Kevin,
Nick and Joe — Kevin Jonas Sr.
The restaurant is an homage to
Nellie’s love of delicious food,
warm Southern hospitality and
great music. Live music plays
most nights in the elegantly
revamped pre-World War II
building, which also features a
rooftop terrace. Standout dishes
include chicken swimming in
broth with house-made dump-
lings; a platter of pecan-smoked
pulled pork with four-cheese
mac; and a burger topped with
melted pimento. Heading to
Vegas in 2022? Keep an eye out
for a second Nellie’s, opening in
Sin City early next year.
36 N. Main St., Belmont, North
Carolina; 704-396-7169; nellies​
southernkitchen.com
Boomtown
Biscuits & Whiskey
Raised in his grandmother’s
kitchen in Lexington, Kentucky,
chef-owner Christian Gill has
spent his life in pursuit of the
perfect biscuit. After stints as
executive chef at the Cincinnati
Art Museum and developing
food for adored local brewery
Rhinegeist, Gill teamed up with
PJ Neumann to open this fron-
tier-themed restaurant in Cincin-
nati’s Pendleton neighborhood,
just east of trendy Over-the-
Rhine. Gill’s buttermilk drop
biscuit is the focal point of the
menu, from Korean fried chicken
biscuit sandwiches topped with
house-made kimchi and gochu-
jang barbecue sauce; to cinnamon
biscuit doughnut holes served
with a locally sourced honey
dipping sauce. Toothsome platters
include a Cincinnati-influenced
poutine with goetta gravy, and
steak chilaquiles. The whiskey
library features approximately 75
bourbon and whiskey selections,
many from craft distilleries such
as New Riff and Boone County.
A suburban location opened in
July in Union, Kentucky, about 30
minutes southwest of Cincinnati.
1201 Broadway St., Cincinnati;
513-381-2666; 9039 U.S. Highway
42, Union, Kentucky; 859-384-5910;
boomtownbiscuitsandwhiskey.com
Nectar Farm Kitchen
Launched this year on South
Carolina’s Hilton Head Island, this
chic restaurant fronted by a cohort
of talented chefs focuses on locally
sourced ingredients from nearly
30 farms across the region. Menus
for breakfast, lunch and dinner
offer a dizzying array of dishes,
from sweet potato pancakes
crowned with peach butter and
candied pecans in the morning to
a supper menu featuring a duck
pastrami French dip sandwich,
blackened catfish with Carolina
gold rice, and root beer-braised
short ribs.
35-A Office Park Road, Hilton
Head Island, South Carolina;
843-682-2337; nectarfarmkitchen.
com
SOCU Southern
Kitchen & Oyster Bar
After finding herself wanting
for a boxed waffle mix that met
her high standards for breakfast,
Erica Barrett launched a culi-
nary brand from her hometown
of Mobile, Alabama, with flavor-
packed waffle mixes, bacon rubs
and fried chicken mixes that can
be found in major grocery stores
and online. As she grew her busi-
ness, appearances on “Shark
Tank” and “The Profit” garnered
national attention for Southern
Culture Artisan Foods, and her
most popular products are regu-
larly sold out. But you can still
get a taste at her seafood-focused
restaurant, which opened in 2019.
There, you’ll find deviled eggs
topped with fried lobster, spring
rolls filled with oxtail and shred-
ded Gouda; and Parti Gras Pasta,
studded with forkfuls of craw-
fish, lobster, shrimp and andouille
sausage. Barrett is also plan-
ning to open a second location
in Birmingham’s popular Pizitz
Food Hall next year.
455 Dauphin St., Mobile,
Alabama; 251-287-6766; socu​
mobile.com
Leslie E. Royal is a freelance
writer.

Baden-Baden: Getting naked with strangers
Rick Steves
Relaxing at the spa
resort of Baden-Baden in
southern Germany’s Black
Forest, I see more naked
people in two hours than
many Americans see in
their entire lives.
Ever since the Roman
emperor Caracalla bathed
in the mineral waters
here, Baden-Baden has
welcomed those in need
of a good soak. In the 19th
century, the town was
Germany’s ultimate spa
resort, and even today,
the name Baden-Baden is
synonymous with relax-
ation in a land where the
government still pays for
its overworked citizens to
take a little spa time. And
since the beginning, the
dress code has always been
“naked.”
Americans who can’t
handle nudity don’t know
what they’re missing.
My first time was with
some German friends — a
classy, good-looking young
couple. We were swept
into the changing area with
no explanation. Suddenly
they were naked and I felt
like the Road Runner just
beyond the cliff’s edge.
Then — easing up, and
stripping down — I realized
it’s not sexy ... simply open
and free.
For me, enjoying the
Friedrichsbad Roman-
Irish Baths in Baden-Baden
is one of Europe’s most
elegant experiences. Tradi-
tional, stately, indoors,
these baths are extremely
relaxing ... and not very
social. It’s just you, your
body, and an unforgettable
experience.
Wearing only the locker
key strapped around my
wrist, I start by weighing
myself — 203 pounds. The
attendant leads me under
the industrial-strength
shower. This torrential
kickoff pounds my head and
CELEB TRAVELER
‘Party
Aunt’ EP
explores
Midwest
By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Content Agency
An executive producer
and co-creator of “Chicago
Party Aunt,” Katie Rich
described the raunchy
Netflix animated series
as an homage to her
hometown, where she
still resides. “I was in the
middle of relocating to Los
Angeles and then there
was a pandemic, so I’m
currently in Chicago,” said
Rich. Thanks to her trav-
els with the Second City
improv troupe, Rich said
she feels at ease meet-
ing strangers. “No matter
who I meet, I know a little
something about where
they are from, even if it’s
from a place like Salmon,
Idaho,” said Rich, who also
was a writer for “Saturday
Night Live.”
Q: Do you think your
series could’ve been
just as good if it was any
other big city?
A: Absolutely! The party
aunt character is pretty
universal. We all have one,
or a party uncle, or maybe
we’re the party relative
in our family. And while
Chicago is obviously a
huge part of the show, as
the episodes go on, that
universality becomes even
more apparent.
Q: New York or
Chicago pizza?
A: If we are talking deep
dish vs. slices, neither is
better, because they are a
completely different food.
It’s like comparing casse-
role to flat bread. But, I’m
a tavern-style girl at heart.
I like that you can eat 20
pieces of pizza in one
sitting. That’s hard to do
with New York slices. That
being said, one thing I’ll
Ever since the Roman emperor Caracalla bathed in the mineral waters here, Baden-Baden has welcomed those in need of a good soak. RICK STEVES
shoulders and obliterates
the rest of the world. He
gives me plastic slippers and
a towel, ushering me into
a dry-heat room with fine
wooden lounges — the slats
too hot to sit on without the
towel. Staring up at exotic
tiles of herons and palms, I
cook. After more hot rooms
punctuated with showers,
it’s time for my massage.
Like someone really
drunk going for one more
glass, I climb gingerly
onto the marble slab and
lay belly-up. The masseur
holds up two mitts and
asks, “Hard or soft?” In
the spirit of wild abandon,
I growl, “Hard,” not even
certain what that will mean
for my skin. I get the coarse,
Brillo-pad scrub-down.
Tenderized like a slab of
“Chicago Party Aunt” co-creator Katie Rich said she didn’t
realize how much she missed traveling for work until the
pandemic hit. STEVIE NELSON
say about a New York slice
is that its portability can’t
be beat.
Q: Did you do any
traveling during this
pandemic?
A: Since I was working
remotely, my husband and
my dog and I started Airb-
nb-ing our way around
the Midwest in early
May of 2020. We would
rent these huge places in
the middle of nowhere
because they were so
cheap. And because we
couldn’t explore towns
like we could in the past,
we wanted places that
were fun on their own.
We rented one place in
Elkhorn, Wisconsin, that
was basically its own resort
and ended up celebrat-
ing my birthday there a
couple months ago with
other people. We only
recently started flying
again, because now every-
one seems to be getting
married.
Q: If you had to cancel
travel plans due to the
pandemic, where were
they to?
A: We were going to
have a lovely trip to Seattle,
which is one of my favor-
ite places — so much so
that I went there spring
break my senior year in
high school. We also were
going to go to Mexico
meat, I feel entirely relaxed.
The massage is over, and
with a Teutonic spank, I’m
sent off into the pools.
Nude, without my
glasses, and not speaking
the language, I bumble like
Mr. Magoo in flip-flops
through a series of steam
rooms and cold plunges.
The steamy labyrinth
leads to the mixed section.
This is where the Ameri-
cans get uptight. The paral-
lel spa facilities intersect,
bringing men and women
together to share the finest
three pools in Friedrichs-
bad. Here, all are welcome
to drift under the exquisite
domes in perfect silence,
like aristocratic swans. A
woman glides in front of
me, on her back. Like a
serene flotilla, her peaceful
to see Phish, so that got
postponed as well. But I
actually think we ended
up traveling more than
ever just in the Midwest,
tooling around in our little
Honda Fit.
Q: What untapped
destination should
people know about?
A: The Madeira Islands
off the coast of Portugal. I
lived and performed on a
cruise ship for four months
and we actually crossed
the Atlantic, going from
Miami to Europe. The first
place we docked was the
Madeira Islands and none
of us knew anything about
them really. We stepped
off the ship into a magic
land of purple trees and
bobsleds that take you
down hills and we couldn’t
believe it.
Q: Where have you
traveled to that most
reminded you of home?
A: I was lucky enough
to get to go to Naples, Italy,
which is where my family
is from. To be honest, I
didn’t expect it to be as
comforting as it was, but
man, did I love it there. It’s
a gritty town that doesn’t
really clean itself up for
visitors and it reminded
me of home so much.
For more from the reporter,
visit www.jaehakim.com.
C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  9
face and buoyant breasts
glide by, creating barely
a ripple. On my right, an
Aryan Adonis, staring at
the ethereal dome, drapes
himself over the lip of the
pool. Germans are noncha-
lant, tuned in to their
bodies and focused on soli-
tary relaxation. Tourists are
tentative, trying to be cool
... but more aware of their
nudity. I remind myself
there’s nothing sexy about
it. Just vivid life in full
flower. The climax is the
cold plunge. I’m usually not
a fan of cold water — yet
I absolutely love this. You
must not wimp out on the
cold plunge.
For my last stop, the
attendant escorts me into
the “quiet room” and asks
when I’d like to be awak-
TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER
Thrifty rental car drop-off
results in extra $932 fee
A: This is such a strange
case; I could hardly believe
it. I reviewed your rental
agreement and it said you
would return your car to
Terminal 2 at the Minne-
apolis airport.
This was a one-way
rental that you picked up in
Santa Ana, California. So, it
wasn’t as if you intention-
ally returned the vehicle to
the wrong place. It looks
like you just asked your
phone for directions to the
Thrifty return in Minne-
apolis, and it brought you
there. But this was the
wrong terminal.
Someone should have
said something to you.
And a further review of
your paper trail shows that
you did speak with some-
one who promised you a
refund. But you didn’t get
the promise in writing, and
the refund never came.
I’m really puzzled by
your case. It’s true, car
ened. I tell him closing puffing around my head.
time. He wraps me in hot Wonderfully naked under
sheets and a brown blanket. my clothes, I can only think,
Actually, I’m not wrapped “Ahhh ... Baden-Baden.”
... I’m swaddled: warm,
flat on my back, among 20 Rick Steves (www.rick
hospital-type beds. Only steves.com) writes Euro-
one other bed is occupied; pean travel guidebooks
the guy in it is as still as a and hosts travel shows on
corpse. I stare up at the public television and public
ceiling, losing track of time radio. Email him at rick@
and myself. Sometime later, ricksteves.com and follow
I’m jolted awake by my his blog on Facebook.
own snore.
As I leave, I weigh myself
again: 201 pounds. I’ve
shed two pounds of sweat. GEOQUIZ ANSWER
It would have been more if
tension had mass. Stepping Oregon. Though the state
into the cool evening air, legislature has never adopted
I’m thankful my hotel is a an official nickname, Oregon
level, two-block stroll away. has been unofficially called
Back in my room, I fall in the Beaver State. The legisla-
slow motion onto my down ture named the beaver as the
comforter, the big pillow official state animal in 1969.
By Christopher Elliott
King Features Syndicate
Q: I’m contacting you about a $932 fee added to
my car rental bill by Thrifty. The fee is for return-
ing my rental vehicle to the wrong airport termi-
nal in Minneapolis.
When I made the reservation, I selected Minne-
apolis-Saint Paul International Airport as the
return spot. The whole time, I had in my head
that we would return to the MSP main terminal.
I never looked closely at the rental agreement. I
returned to the Minneapolis airport, and it didn’t
even occur to me there would be two rental loca-
tions.
The terminals are 3.8 driving miles apart. Some-
one could have and should have said to me to drive
the vehicle to the correct terminal. I would have
been able and happy to do so with no problem.
This is not the same kind of hardship for a car
rental business as when a customer returns a vehi-
cle across town or in a different city. This was a
simple 3.8 miles and was within the same Minne-
apolis airport system. This is not like the differ-
ence between Chicago Midway or O’Hare (which
have different airport codes).
This is the same MSP airport system, and the
terminals are 3.8 miles apart. A $932 charge for
such a short distance and honest mistake is too
harsh and abusive. Can you help me get my money
back?
— Matt Oyen, Little Canada, Minnesota
rental companies routinely contacts, explaining your
charge extra fees when you situation and everything
drop a vehicle off at the you’d done to resolve this
wrong location. But almost problem. If you ever rent
$1,000 for 4 miles seems a car again, I strongly
excessive. By my calcu- recommend that you find
lations, that works out to the exact location for the
$245 per mile. Come on! return. A rental company
By the time you may have multiple loca-
contacted me, you had tions, and failure to return
already reached out to your car to the right one
the state attorney gener- may result in an extra fee.
al’s office and contacted a After you contacted
lawyer. A lawyer from the the Thrifty executives, a
attorney general’s office representative called you
called you back right away and promised a full refund
and seemed interested in of the $932 fee. This time,
helping you. The lawyer you got it.
would have cost more than
your claim was worth. But Christopher Elliott is the
no worries — you’re not chief advocacy officer of
out of luck. Elliott Advocacy, a nonprof-
I provided you with it organization that helps
executive contacts at consumers resolve their
Thrifty and Hertz (Hertz problems. Elliott’s latest
owns Thrifty) at elliott. book is “How To Be The
org/company-contacts/ World’s Smartest Traveler”
hertz/. I also recom- (National Geographic).
mended that you send a Contact him at elliott.org/
brief, polite email to the help or chris@elliott.org.
10  Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Designer cabins offer chic Minn. overnights
Treehouse-style
amenities for a
nature getaway
By Rachel Hutton
Star Tribune
MINNEAPOLIS —
When the morning sun
peeked into our camper
cabin at Whitetail Woods
Regional Park, I almost
thought I’d awoken as a
bird. My nest was, in fact,
a boxy, mod bunkhouse,
cantilevered into a stand
of evergreens. I looked
through the cabin’s glassy
back wall and watched the
thin, towering trunks sway
in the barest breeze. I never
would have noticed their
invisible rhythm if not for
my uncommon perch.
In late 2014, Dakota
County opened the park
and began taking reserva-
tions for its three tree-
house-​style camper cabins.
Within 30 minutes, there
were more than 200
requests for overnights.
They’ve been booked
nearly solid ever since.
The uniqueness of the
cabins, designed by Minne-
apolis-based HGA archi-
tects, initially drew me to
Whitetail Woods. But once
I arrived, I discovered the
park’s location and ameni-
ties were ideal for a quick,
nature-intensive getaway.
My family could hike and
bike through the park’s
450-some acres of woods,
wetlands and prairie. Then,
after communing around
the campfire, we’d sleep on
mattresses, with roof over-
head. The exurban spot
was close enough to have
pizza delivered, but felt far
more secluded.
The DNR operates about
100 camper cabins across
Minnesota’s state park
system — rustic, one-room
structures positioned
somewhere between a tent
and motel room. They’re
sparsely furnished with
bunk beds (BYO bedding)
and a dining table. Most are
outfitted with electric heat
and power, though a few
The Pine Forest camper cabins are cantilevered into the trees. RACHEL HUTTON/MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE
basic models supply only a
wood stove. They’re meant
to be utilitarian, and that’s
how they feel.
Though Dakota County’s
Whitetail cabins are nearly
as spartan, their design
makes the overnight expe-
rience more special. The
ones I’ve visited, dubbed
the Pine Forest cabins,
were built on a slope, with
the backs on stilts. From
afar, they resemble angu-
lar telescopes, trained
on the trees. The trio are
placed close enough to one
another that a marshmal-
low roasting stick could
practically reach the neigh-
bors’ fire pit. But being
tucked back in the trees
creates a sense of privacy.
Inside, the 250-square-
foot wood-lined boxes
feel snug as a sauna. Each
tribpub.com/shopjumble
or call (866) 545-3534
contains double-wide bunk
beds, a foldout couch and a
dining table. The sleek lines
of tongue-and-groove pine
and the roof’s upward slope
draw the eye to the focal
point: sliding glass doors
leading to the cabin’s deck,
jutting into the boughs.
And oh, that view. It’s easy
to see why the cabins won
awards from the national
and state chapters of the
American Institute of
Architects.
The first time my family
stayed in a Whitetail
camper cabin, in August
2020, we could hardly pry
my preschoolers off the
beds, enamored as they
were of bouncing on the
upper bunk.
But once we coaxed
them outside, there was
more than enough to
SHOP NOW at
C
explore between the
100-plus miles of trails
and the scenic overlooks
of Empire Lake. Whitetail
Woods was created from
scratch, all at once, on land
purchased from a family
that had formerly used it
for hunting and farming.
Wildlife management areas
on two sides of the park
insulate it from encroach-
ing development.
We soaked up the sounds
of cicadas and crickets and
woodpeckers. We followed
a fluttering monarch
through the prairie. This-
tles grew taller than our
heads. But we also appre-
ciated having flush toilets
and showers close to our
cabin, whose shady site
remained surprisingly cool
despite the heat.
Upon our return, I
20%
O
2O
F F
R MORE
logged onto the Dakota
County website at 6 a.m.
and reserved the remain-
ing two cabins for the next
Saturday available, a year
away.
This summer, friends
joined us in the adjacent
cabin. The park’s renovated
Fawn Crossing Nature
Play Area had reopened,
delighting the kids with its
climbable stumps, water
pump and giant, fort-build-
ing sticks.
Rain began to fall just as
we were roasting our hot
dogs. But with the help of a
few umbrellas, we finished
cooking and retreated to
our cabin.
We ate at the dining table
and watched the storm
from the couch. When
thunderbolts cracked
and water poured, I was
relieved to have something
sturdier than tent fabric
protecting me from the
elements.
A year ago, Whitetail
Woods opened two Prairie
View cabins, located just
a short walk away from
the Pine Forest trio. The
newcomers have been
nearly 100% occupied, too.
The Prairie cabins share
the Pines’ clean, contem-
porary aesthetic, but
they’re sited at the top
of a hill. Contrasting the
forest cabins’ “portrait”-
style framing of the pine
plantation, the new cabins’
“landscape” orientation
displays a sweeping vista
of the Vermillion River
Valley.
Planners envisioned the
chic little cabins as a signa-
ture amenity that could be a
regional draw. “Something
just beyond what you might
expect,” explained Katie
Pata, operations supervisor
with Dakota County Parks,
“with a wow factor.”
The cabins’ cool
design had, indeed, lured
my family to a park we
wouldn’t have otherwise
visited. It feels a little far
from our Minneapolis
home for a day trip. But the
drive is relatively short for
an overnight destination,
and yet far enough from
the Cities for a refreshing
change of scenery.
“There’s something
about staying in a space for
24 hours,” Pata said. “You
feel the pulse of the park. ...
It appeals to the senses in a
different way.”
Now that Whitetail
has shortened its book-
ing window from a year in
advance to 120 days, reser-
vations are more accessible
to those deterred by plan-
ning so far ahead. Sponta-
neous visitors can watch
Dakota County Parks’
Facebook page for cancel-
lations.
My family is already
planning a third over-
night at Whitetail Woods
— this time to check out
the Prairie Cabins and the
cross-country ski trails.

Mackie book looks back on costume career
Designer wanted
to be in fashion
since his childhood
By Brooke Lefferts
Associated Press
NEW YORK — When
Bob Mackie was 11 and
his uncle asked him what
he wanted to be when he
grew up, he didn’t hesi-
tate: a costume designer on
Broadway. The Southern
California boy had never
been to New York, but he
was fixated on the “color,
excitement and glamour”
of the movies and show
business.
The famed celebrity
costume designer tells the
story of his career in a new
coffee table book, “The Art
of Bob Mackie,” by authors
Frank Vlastnik and Laura
Ross.
Mackie didn’t have to
go across country. His first
job out of college was at
Paramount Pictures in 1961,
as a freelancer sketching
costumes for movies. His
talent and work ethic soon
helped land jobs in televi-
sion, where he teamed up
with Carol Burnett. Mack-
ie’s designs for her variety
show drew attention for
their colorful sequins and
campy style.
Mackie has received
three Oscar nominations
and nine Emmy awards
while designing for celeb-
rities such as Elton John,
Diana Ross, Pink and his
ultimate muse, Cher.
The book is filled with
Mackie’s original sketches
and hundreds of photos
that help tell the story of his
sparkling career.
Mackie spoke to The
Associated Press about
designing for icons and a
musical character based
on himself. Answers have
been edited for brevity and
clarity.
Q: This book is a look
back at your costuming
career. How does it feel to
see it?
A: I’ve belonged to
2 sisters take jewelry brand’s
sparkly legacy into the future
By Sara Bauknecht
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
PITTSBURGH — Sisters
Alexandra Mayr-Gracik
and Miriam Mayr remem-
ber well the early days of
Sabika.
Their mom, Karin,
founded the direct-to-​
consumer jewelry business
at their kitchen table. Her
hope was that its sparkling,
artisan-crafted accesso-
ries could help empower
women — including ones
in her own family.
“I was still in high school
and remember the jewelry
pinned on foam boards
and packing them in trash
bags,” recalled Mayr, who’s
now executive director of
sales and marketing.
Her older sister
succeeded their mom
as CEO in 2018 and also
is head designer. As the
company celebrates its
20th anniversary, they’re
working together to
preserve their moth-
er’s vision while adding
their own to the Sabika
story. That next chapter
includes a new line called
ALMI Jewelry, a nod to the
sisters’ first names. It went
on sale recently at sabika-​
jewelry.com.
The goal behind this
extension to the Sabika
brand is to expand the
company’s reach to a
younger clientele and to
remind women and girls of
all ages that “It’s OK to be
all me” — the motto behind
the line.
“Something that we
consistently hear is, ‘Oh,
my mom loves Sabika,’ ”
Mayr said. “We wanted to
think about how we get
daughters to see this not
just as a brand for their
moms but a brand they
have a place in as well.”
From a design perspec-
tive, ALMI Jewelry goes
beyond the crystal chok-
ers and other sparkling
Swarovski statement
pieces that are synony-
mous with Sabika. The
Costume and fashion designer Bob Mackie poses with a sketch of clothing designs he did for Cher throughout her career, at his
home in Palm Springs, California. The sketch was used for the 2019 Broadway show “The Cher Show.” CHRIS PIZZELLO/AP
the costume designers’
union for 60 years. That’s
a long time. That’s a lot of
costumes. And it kind of
surprised me even. And
then I see Cher turned 75,
and I met her when she
was like 22, and that really
freaked me out! So, you
know, you just, you do what
you do.
Q: One of your early
sketches turned into a
very famous dress worn
by Marilyn Monroe.
A: She was asked to sing
“Happy Birthday” to Pres-
ident Kennedy at Madi-
son Square Garden. So
she calls (designer) Jean
Louis up and said, “Would
you make me one of those
see-through dresses like
you do for Marlene Diet-
rich?” And he used to do
that for her Vegas acts and
stuff. So he asked me to do
the sketch and he showed
me what he wanted. And I
did the sketch and I put it
Mariam Mayr, left, and her sister Alexandra Mayr-Gracik, are
co-owners of Sabika Jewelry. PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE
debut collection includes
a modern chain-link
necklace with turquoise
touches, sleek, versatile
earrings and cuff rings
with a bit of bling. Like
other Sabika jewelry, they
are handcrafted by Euro-
pean artisans.
“It’s really beautiful to
see how excited people
are about it,” Mayr-Gracik
said.
All pieces in the ALMI
collection are priced below
$200 — about $130 less
than top-priced pieces
in core Sabika collec-
tions. The company will
donate $5 from sales of
each ALMI piece to one of
three organizations: Girls
Inc., Earth Day and Mental
Health America.
“With ALMI, we wanted
to invite younger profes-
sionals to make these
almost starter investment
pieces,” Mayr said. “We
know they will last for a
very long time.”
ALMI Jewelry is just the
latest move the sisters have
made to position Sabika
for future growth. When
the first wave of COVID-
19 shutdowns hit, Sabi-
ka’s network of over 1,000
consultants in 40-plus
states quickly pivoted their
in-person sales parties to
on, as close as I could come
to Marilyn Monroe. Then
I never heard about it for
the longest time. And then
a couple of weeks later, all
of a sudden, there’s all these
pictures in the paper of her
singing to the president in
this dress.
Q: How did you
approach designing
costumes for “The Carol
Burnett Show”?
A: It’s fabulous because
you can really get a laugh or
two before you even open
your mouth. I love design-
ing costumes. It’s the most
fun because you’re helping.
You’re part of the team
that helps create the story,
really, and who that woman
is or who that man is and
where they come from.
And are they chic or are
they a mess? Who are they?
That’s the fun part.
Q: Perhaps your most
iconic design is the
online platforms, including
Zoom and Facebook Live.
“Our consultants really
quickly realized how
much you can expand your
reach (online). You don’t
have to be my next-door
neighbor. I can Zoom with
you three states away,”
Mayr said.
One of their biggest
motivations for help-
ing Sabika build a path
forward is their mom.
“Alex and I have become
quite proficient in telling
Karin’s story,” said Mayr.
“For her to say, ‘Now it’s
time for you to tell your
story,’ that’s such a gift and
an incredible thing for
someone to open up that
door.”
Her sister said that
thinking about the next
generation of women —
including her 14-year-old
daughter — also inspires
her work.
“Being a teenager in
today’s world is really,
really hard. I see (my
daughter) fostering her
creativity and making her
own jewelry at home,”
Mayr-Gracik said. “What’s
exciting to me is continu-
ing to strengthen this vehi-
cle that we have and to be
able to use it to promote a
positive message.”
C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  11
“curtain rod dress” for
a “Gone With the Wind’
spoof on “Carol Burnett.”
How did that happen?
A: Her name was “Star-
let” in our version. She
went to the window and
took down the green velvet
drapes and drug them up
the staircase. And of course,
that happens in the real
movie as well. So that was
already funny to me. And
then all of a sudden they
stuck it in the sketch, and
I had to do something that
was funny and I thought,
“Well, how do I do this
now? What do I do that’s
different?” And that was
the best I could do, and it
was a hit. Thank God, it was
a hit and it got more laughs
per second or whatever
than anything ever had
before. So that was kind of
really fun. And it’s in the
Smithsonian now.
Q: At one point you
were designing costumes
How to cash in on old clothes
Ellen Warren
Answer Angel
Dear Answer Angel
Ellen: I am in a bit of
dilemma. I need to sell off
many pairs of shoes. A few
that I never wore. Bottom
line, I don’t want to sell
and have them returned
because of fit. I don’t want
to sell on eBay because
I want a set price and I
no longer have PayPal.
Another problem is many
of the shoes are of narrow
width, which is an endan-
gered species. Few stores
carry narrows in either
limited stock or brands.
Any suggestions?
— Judy A.
Dear Judy: I hear a lot
of complaints from read-
ers that they can’t find
narrow width shoes, so
yours might be in high
demand depending on
style and condition — and
the opposite of a problem
you need to worry about. A
few chain stores — Buffalo
Exchange (buffaloex-
change.com) and Clothes
Mentor (clothesmen-
tor.com), among others
— will pay you cash on
the spot for your clothes,
shoes and accessories. Or
find a consignment shop
in your area that will sell
your shoes for you. But
be warned that they often
take a 40-60% commis-
sion.
As for eBay, if you stip-
ulate “no returns” in your
eBay listing, the eBay rules
are: “If they ordered the
wrong item or changed
their mind, then you aren’t
required to accept the
return.”
The rules also say if
the buyer wants to return
the item because it is
“damaged, faulty or didn’t
match your listing descrip-
tion then you need to
accept the return.” As for
price, you’re not required
for both Carol Burnett
and Cher simultane-
ously?
A: We had the best time.
Carol was in one studio and
Cher was in another and
the only thing in between
was the men’s room, which
had two doors — one from
each studio. And every now
and then, Cher would go
into the men’s room and
say, “I’m coming through,
guys!” And she would just
race through and they
would all get very nervous
over at the urinal. There
was always a lot of laughs
and it was good theatrical
show business. Both shows
were very funny in their
own way and very differ-
ent from each other. But
the two ladies loved each
other and often exchanged
appearances.
Q: There’s a picture in
the book of you escorting
Cher to the Met Gala in
1974.
Consignment stores are one option for selling unwanted
shoes and other clothing items. DREAMSTIME
to sell to a buyer who bids
lower than what you’re
asking.
Dear Answer Angel
Ellen: What do you or your
readers recommend for
dark under-eyes? There
are so many products out
there and I don’t know if
any of them work, but I’m
tired of my dark, baggy
eyes. Help!
— Claire M.
Dear Claire: This is a
tough one, made tougher
by the pandemic. I’m not
impressed by the creams,
lotions, gels, serums and
other products sold —
often at huge prices — to
reduce bags and dark
circles. At best, my experi-
ence is they make minimal,
short-term improvement.
Makeup is your friend
on this one. If it is any
comfort, your problem is
common, and if you doubt
that, just go to YouTube
and see the many, many
videos on how to hide
dark, baggy under-eyes.
Crucial to concealing with
whatever cosmetics you
A: Cher shows up in
a dress. and it was quite
amazing. And people
just kind of wore cocktail
clothes and maybe a pants
jumpsuit or something.
They were dressed up, but
nothing like it is now. And
of course, Cher wearing
that outfit made them all
think, “Oh, maybe we ought
to dress up a little more.”...
But then all of a sudden,
people are wearing stuff
that looks like maybe they
looked at all the old shots
of her, and “what can we
wear that will get just as
much attention?” And then
the same dress was on the
cover of Time magazine a
couple of months later.
Q: You also designed
a memorable dress for
Cher to wear at the
Oscars in 1986.
A: The first crazy one
she wore was with the big
Mohawk headdress when
she gave the award for
best supporting actor to
Don Ameche. And I said
to her at the time, “Aren’t
you afraid of upstaging
whoever wins this award?”
And she says, “Oh, they
won’t care, he’ll be fine.”
Well, the next day, her
picture was in every news-
paper in the country, and
it’s become very famous.
I remember in the begin-
ning people were horrified.
They said, “Well, that’s
not fashion.” She was so
gorgeous and she still is. So
why not?
Q: In a full circle
moment, you won a Tony
Award in 2019 for design-
ing costumes for “The
Cher Show,” how was
that experience?
A: I got to go to the Tonys
and win my award, do my
little speech ... and it was
just the best. And there
was a guy in the show that
played me — he had a blond
wig and a funny suit and
he was great. He was
maybe a little more flam-
boyant than I am. But it was
a Broadway musical so it
was all right.
choose is artful blending so
you don’t wind up replac-
ing the dark areas with
paler makeup that screams
concealer.
Watch a few of those
how-to videos, then — if
you’re comfortable shop-
ping in person — head to
a department store. You’ll
find a dizzying number
of cosmetic brands and
trained makeup artists to
tell you how to use them.
It’s a process to figure out
what works for your color-
ing, but ask for advice on
what shade(s) to choose.
While COVID-19
curtails hands-on personal
mini-makeover demon-
strations of the past, you
can still seek advice and
free samples to try at home,
no purchase necessary.
Now it’s
your turn
Send your questions,
rants, tips, favorite finds —
on style, shopping, makeup,
fashion and beauty — to
answerangelellen@gmail.
com.
 C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  13

Stop package theft with these devices

CNET.com

As deliveries begin to roll in ahead of the

holiday season, it’s prime time for porch
pirates to swipe unprotected packages off
of doorsteps. A number of strategies can
foil their evil plans, and bringing a few
smart home gadgets into play is high on
the list.
Americans are estimated to spend
$63 billion online for holiday shopping
this season. But package theft could cost
shoppers and retailers significant time
and money. However, you can take some
measures to ensure the safety of your
packages. The proliferation of smart home
devices means you can monitor deliver-
ies from your phone. Here are three great
security devices that will help ensure that
your packages get to you.

Arlo Video Doorbell

Connected buzzers work in much the
same way as traditional security cameras.
The hardwired Arlo Video Doorbell has
high-definition resolution, a live video
feed, motion alerts and more — for a super
reasonable price. Subscribe to the Arlo
Smart cloud service for access to advanced
motion alerts that differentiate between
people, animals, cars and packages. You
can also look back at your video footage
with Arlo Smart to help neighbors and law
enforcement (if necessary) identify who
snagged your holiday deliveries.

Arlo Pro 4 Ring’s Mailbox Sensor helps make tracking deliveries a lot The hardwired Arlo Video Doorbell includes a high-definition resolution, a live
The Arlo Pro 4 is smart and feature-rich, easier. RING/CNET video feed and motion alerts. TYLER LIZENBY/CNET
with 2K video resolution, a built-in spot-
light for nighttime deterrence, a surpris-
ingly loud siren and all the smarts of the
company’s video doorbell. With a subscrip-
tion, you can look back at recorded events,
get alerts and use two-way talk to scare off
would-be porch pirates.

Ring Mailbox Sensor

Ring’s Mailbox Sensor is a device specifi-
cally for tracking when people are opening
your mailbox, which makes tracking deliv-
eries a lot easier. But if you have a home
security system at home, another easy
way of monitoring your mailbox is using
a door/window sensor — one of those
magnetic gadgets that pings the system
when an entryway is opened — inside the
door of your box. Either way you do it,
you should be able to track the delivery of
small parcels — and make sure you know
when someone’s opening the mailbox who
shouldn’t be.

For more reviews of personal technology

products, visit www.cnet.com. With an Arlo Pro 4 subscription, you can use two-way talk to scare off would-be porch pirates. ARLO/CNET

Advertise
– –
it’s that easy!
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✔ ✔ ✔ Review & Submit

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See Your Options:
Visit: placeanad.tribpub.com

This ‘dinosaur’ does not care
for advent of text messaging
Judith Martin
Miss Manners
Dear Miss Manners: One
of the worst technological
“advances” has been the
advent of text messaging.
The expectation with this
disease is that everyone is
always poised to respond
to any inane writing, and if
they do not do so imme-
diately, “something is
wrong.” People sit with
their smartphones in the
expectation that they will
receive something and
must respond.
There are very few situ-
ations that require instant
responses, and most of
those can be reconciled
with a dialed call. The rest
can be handled with an
email — or even a written
letter (there’s a concept!).
I am a dinosaur. I have
a flip phone that does
not send texts (because I
refuse to use that feature),
but does receive alerts
from our bank or police
department. We have a
landline with an answering
machine attached, which
does not accept texts.
We tell all our friends,
family, neighbors and
acquaintances that we do
not text, and we do not
answer the phone during
meals. We do not consider
this attitude rude because
we have set expectations.
It’s really a shame that
“instant” communication
has become an acceptable/
required behavior because
there is no real reason for
it.
Gentle reader: There is
a phrase Miss Manners
would like everyone to
learn, in the hope that it
would lessen the type of
annoyance you express:
“The best way to reach
me is ...” People who are
welded to their phones
may no longer use the
telephone function. Many
no longer use email. You
won’t use texting. And
almost nobody except Miss
Manners writes letters.
Is there any wonder
that people seem to have
problems communicat-
ing with one another?
Although, considering the
tone of current discourse,
perhaps things would be
worse if everyone could get
through.
Dear Miss Manners: About
three years ago, I began a
relationship with a man I
am head-over-heels in love
with, and we have been
living together for two
years.
Early in our relation-
ship, my “best friend” (we
have been like family for
half of our lives) heard
some gossip about my
man, believed it totally for
the truth, and completely
changed her attitude
toward him. She refused
to tell me what was said
about him or who said it,
only that when the rela-
tionship failed, she would
be there for me.
Shortly afterward, I
learned from someone else
what was said and who
said it: a well-known liar
and gossipmonger who
had taken tidbits of truth
and added a great deal of
untruth and speculation. I
could not believe my friend
would even listen to some-
one with such a reputation
for deviousness, first of
all, and secondly that she
didn’t have my back.
Needless to say, our
friendship has become
cold and distant. I have
attempted to restore the
friendship by extending
invitations (which are not
accepted) and engaging in
positive, hopeful conversa-
tion about my life (which is
shut down).
My boyfriend proposed
a few months ago and
gave me a beautiful
diamond that she has yet
to acknowledge. Her only
C Chicago Tribune | Section 6 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  15
F
SOLITAIRE
STORY
MAHJONG
R
STORY
STORY
statement to me about my
engagement was, “I just
want you to be happy.”
We are beginning
PUZZLES
S
to make plans for our
wedding. Should I send
her an invitation?
Gentle reader: Because
&GAMES
a wedding is a major life
event, determinations
about whom to invite
should take a medium- to
long-term view of each
individual’s status.
Siblings we squabbled
with and hung up on last
week are still invited. PlayJumble.com
Siblings we broke ties with
decades ago over their
treatment of Father’s third
wife are likely not. Friends COOKIE DAILY
with whom we were, CRUSH
recently, on intimate terms
are still considered to be
so, even if we no longer see
each other every week.
You, not Miss Manners, DAILY
will have to determine SUDOKU
whether the person in
question is still a friend,
or whether the air quotes
indicate a permanent
change of status. BUBBLE
SHOOTER
Dear Miss Manners:
Is there a specific way
PRO
to present a teardrop
diamond engagement ring
in the box when propos-
ing?
Gentle reader: This may
be one of Miss Manners’
all-time favorite questions,
presuming, as it does, that
there is a right way and a
wrong way to do every-
thing. She is game.
Presumably you are
asking whether the
pointed or the rounded
part should face the lady. Jum
mble Da aily
Miss Manners chooses the
round part. The diamond
will look bigger that way.
Ju
umble Crossw word Daily
Plus, it is rude to point.
To send a question to the
Jumble Sunday
Miss Manners team of
Judith Martin, Nicholas Sudokku - Ma
ahjong
Bubblee Shootter Pro
o
Ivor Martin and Jacobina
Martin, go to missmanners.
com or write them c/o Uni-
versal Uclick, 1130 Walnut
St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Plus many more
As we social distance,
COVID-19 pushes
us apart.
As we help children
around the world,
we pull together.
The pandemic shows how connected we all
are, how the quality of life anywhere affects
everyone’s health and well-being, everywhere.
Children in the world’s poorest places face the
gravest risks — not just from COVID-19, but also
from its ripple effects, especially hunger. Because
when parents can’t work, children can’t eat.
We’ve never seen a crisis like this.
But ChildFund is helping millions of children
across Africa, Asia and the Americas stay
connected to what they need to grow up healthy,
educated and safe. In the biggest emergency
response of ChildFund’s 80-year history, we and
caring people everywhere are pulling together
to make sure that children not only survive the
pandemic but thrive beyond it.
CHILDFUND.ORG
 Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  1

REAL ESTATE

DREAMSTIME

Is buying rental property

the right fit for you?
By James Royal
Bankrate.com
If you’ve been watching reruns
of HGTV’s “Income Property” and
wondering if it’s time to buy an
investment property and become a
landlord, you’re not alone.
Between a recent jump in infla-
tion, historically low interest rates,
and the mood of millennials to rent
instead of own, buying rental prop-
erty has been on an uptick in recent
years.
Real estate is now Americans’
favorite long-term investment,
according to a recent Bankrate
study. Real estate investing has
consistently ranked as one of the
top choices since Bankrate started
the survey in 2012.
Should you take the plunge on a
rental property?
Experts offer a qualified yes,
provided you do your homework
first.
Determine if buying an investment
rental property is right for you: To
make the most of income property
requires an accountant’s eye for
detail, a lawyer’s grasp of land-
lord-tenant laws, a fortune teller’s If you do decide to finance the to forgo some of the cash flow in
foresight and, should you choose to purchase, keep in mind that you’ll order to enjoy that appreciation.
manage your rental property your- need to come up with a larger The result: house appreciation
self, a landlord’s firm-but-friendly down payment than what is typi- outstrips the growth in rents, and
disposition. cally required for a residential houses appreciate while yielding
“Where people who want to mortgage. relatively low cash flow.
become landlords fall short is, they Most lenders require a down “As a result, the property has
don’t realize how much work goes payment of at least 15% for an to appreciate more in order to
into it,” said Diana George, founder investment property. You’ll also compete as an investment with
of DG Design Group. need to have enough cash to cover properties in less desirable areas,”
So before you leap in, you’ll closing costs, homeowners insur- Kisner says.
want to consider whether you ance, property taxes and mainte-
have the time, willingness and nance issues that come up at the Success requires a long-term
skill to put into managing a rental. property. outlook: The unit Kisner has held
While rental property is consid- for 13 years has had two tenants
ered a passive investment, that Find the right location: That old and low maintenance, while the
doesn’t mean you’re fully passive in Realtor mantra about the impor- other has had three tenants in four
managing it. tance of location takes an interest- years — the last one a costly evic-
ing turn when applied to income tion.
Buy or finance? Analyze which is property. He’s taking the same advice he
better for you: While some finan- “The best locations with the gives his clients.
cial pundits insist you should never most appreciation are where you’ll “The way that people get in trou-
buy a rental unless you can pay potentially have the worst cash ble with almost all investments is,
cash for it, Jeremy Kisner, a senior flow with a rental,” Kisner said. they just don’t hold onto things
wealth adviser at Surevest Wealth Why? Investors can earn a long enough,” Kisner said.
Management in Phoenix, begs to return in two ways: cash flow and “With rentals, if you break even
differ. appreciation. In some areas inves- on a cash-flow basis, that’s actually
“Leverage (that is, a mortgage) tors may want higher cash flow not too bad because you’re paying
typically magnifies returns, on both in order to compensate them for down the principal and building
the upside and downside,” said slower appreciation. But if inves- equity that way. Then, you hope-
Kisner, who owns two rental prop- tors expect an area to appreciate
erties in Las Vegas. substantially, they may be willing Turn to Income, Page 2

ELITE STREET

Riverside home designed by Jarvis Hunt sells for $605K

By Bob Goldsborough
For Chicago Tribune
A five-bedroom Queen
Anne-style house in River-
side that was designed by
architect Jarvis Hunt sold
Oct. 29 for $605,000.
Built in 1894 for William
A. Havemeyer, an execu-
tive with American Sugar
Refining Company, the
13-room house on Bartram
Road is one of three homes
in a row on Bartram that
Havemeyer hired Hunt to
design. Hunt and Have-
meyer both were East
Coast natives who got
to know one another as
fellow early members of
the Chicago Golf Club in
Wheaton.
In Riverside, the three-
story house has 4 1/2 bath-
rooms, five fireplaces, a
custom oak staircase with
a hidden closet, a living
room with a fireplace,
a first-floor office with
custom-built oak shelv- Hathaway HomeServices
ing, a large formal dining Chicago told Elite Street.
room, a rear staircase and “There’s a lot of original
a primary bedroom suite wood inside the home, and
with a walk-in closet, a gas there’s attention to detail
fireplace and a screened in the living room and
porch. Other features the staircases. Plus, it’s a
include recently refinished gigantic house. And, it’s in a
oak floors, a basement with fantastic area, close to some
a private office and a three- of the best schools in all of
car garage. Riverside and close to the
“The woodwork inside downtown area. And it has
that house is just impec- a three-car garage, which
cable,” listing agent Steve A Riverside home designed by Jarvis Hunt sold for $605,000.
Jasinski of Berkshire Turn to Elite, Page 2 PRESTIGE REAL ESTATE IMAGES

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Global Luxury logo are registered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
2  Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, December 5, 2021
Income
from Page 1
fully also see some appre-
ciation.”
Make sure you’re landlord
material: If you purchase
a rental property, should
you be your own land-
lord or fork over 6-10%
of your rental income to
a management service?
While there’s no right
answer for everyone,
George and Kisner prefer
to subcontract the work.
“They do the back-
ground check on your
tenant, make sure they
sign the lease and pay
their rent on time,”
George said. “That frees
you up to manage your
money, not your property
and tenants.”
Kathy Hertzog, former
president of Erie, Penn-
sylvania-based Landlor-
dAssociation.org, said
there’s a potentially steep
downside to being your
own landlord.
“If you get too close
to your tenants and the
tenants have financial
problems, you can find
yourself stuck because
you don’t want to evict
them,” she said.
Budget for the unex-
pected: Failure to plan
for the myriad expenses
of owning a rental can
become a fast track to
disaster. “As a landlord,
you want to save about
20% to 30% of your rental
income for upkeep, main-
tenance and emergen-
cies,” Hertzog said.
Remember to renew your
leases: If mom-and-pop
landlords have one glar-
ing blind spot, it’s the
failure to renew tenant
leases in a timely manner,
according to George.
“You’d be surprised
how many landlords
don’t renew their leases
every year, so they’re
letting their tenants go on
month-to-month leases,”
she said. “What’s wrong
with that? What’s wrong
is, their whole thinking
is that now, if I want to
get my tenant out, I can’t
because now they’re not
Institution 30 yr APR
2.937%
Liberty Bank 30yr Fixed
for Savings APR
2.790%
Rate Rabbit 30yr Fixed
Home Loans APR
2.684%
First Savings
30yr Fixed
Bank of APR
Hegewisch
2.760%
Gateway Capital 30yr Fixed
Mortgage Inc. APR
TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FEATURE, CALL SALES DEPARTMENT @ 773-320-8492
Rate Criteria: The rates and annual percentage rate (APR) are effective as of 11/29/21. All rates, fees and other information
are subject to change without notice. RateSeeker, LLC. does not guarantee the accuracy of the information appearing above
or the availability of rates and fees in this table. The institutions appearing in this table pay a fee to appear in this table. Annual
percentage rates (APRs) are based on fully indexed rates for adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs). The APR on your specific loan
may differ from the sample used. All rates are quoted on a minimum FICO score of 740. Conventional loans are based on loan
amounts of $165,000. Jumbo loans are based on loan amounts of $510,401. Lock Days: 30-60. Points quoted include discount
and/or origination. Payments do not include amounts for taxes and insurance. The APR may increase after consummation and
may vary. FHA Mortgages include both UFMIP and MIP fees based on a loan amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. Points
quoted include discount and/or origination. Fees reflect charges relative to the APR. If your down payment is less than 20% of
the home’s value, you will be subject to private mortgage insurance, or PMI. VA Mortgages include funding fees based on a loan
amount of $165,000 with 5% down payment. If your down payment is less than 20% of the home’s value, you will be subject
to private mortgage insurance, or PMI. “Call for Rates” means actual rates were not available at press time. To access the
NMLS Consumer Access website, please visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. To appear in this table, call 773-320-8492.
strapped to a lease.”
“Also, they can’t raise
rent,” George said. “The
only way you can change
rent is if you have them
sign a form changing the
lease every year. That’s
how you keep your
tenants in check,” George
said.
Don’t forget rental prop-
erty at tax time: There’s
a singular ray of sunshine
that beams down upon
income property owners
each spring as they
hunker down with their
accountant to prepare
their federal income tax
return.
“When you own an
investment property,
your Schedule E tax form
enables you to write off
nearly everything under
the sun, from painting
the home to changing
the light bulbs. So, even
though you have rental
income to report, you can
show less income than
you’re actually collecting The Riverside home has recently refinished oak floors. “The woodwork inside that house is just impeccable,” listing agent Steve
and write off your mort- Jasinski of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Chicago told Elite Street. PRESTIGE REAL ESTATE IMAGES PHOTOS
gage payment and inter-
est while building equity
at the same time,” George Elite Although Calamos is based
in Naperville, the company
said. from Page 1 announced in April that
it would open an office in
Understand how rental is almost unheard of in our Chicago’s Fulton Market
law works: State and local area.” district, in order to attract
landlord-tenant laws can The seller, a physi- employees wanting to work
act like an open manhole cian, had owned the in that area, Koudounis told
cover for rental owners 6,290-square-foot home the Tribune at that time in
who ignore them, accord- since buying it in 1991 for an email.
ing to Hertzog. $305,000. In the Tribune Tower,
“There is definitely The house first was Koudounis used an Illinois
bookkeeping involved. listed in 2017 for $765,000, limited liability company
You need to have that and its price was reduced to buy the unit, which is
account for each tenant to $706,000, $675,000, one of 162 residences in
and keep that money in $629,000 and $599,000 the Gothic-style former
that account and save it,” in 2018 before it came off office building. So far, the
Hertzog said. the market. It was relisted highest-priced sales in the
“Security deposit laws in July for $650,000 and Tribune Tower have been
govern how much time then reduced to $635,000 on higher floors, such as
you have to return a secu- in August before finding a attorney Patrick Salvi’s
rity deposit when tenancy buyer. $8.09 million purchase
ends, less any expenses The home had a $19,363 recently of a 22nd-floor unit.
for cleaning and repair, all property tax bill in the Sophia Klopas, who
of which have to be item- 2020 tax year. represented Koudounis
ized.” in the purchase, declined
Of course, this is only John S. Koudounis, CEO to comment. A Calamos
one aspect of the laws of Calamos Investments, spokesman, Jeff Kelley, did
surrounding rental buys condo in the newly not respond to a request for
property, and there are converted Tribune Tower comment.
many others that land- for $4M: John S. Koudou-
lords must know to avoid nis, the CEO of Naper- A 13-room home in Riverside was built in1894, one of three in Bob Goldsborough is
running afoul of them. ville-based Calamos a row on Bartram Road that architect Jarvis Hunt was hired to a freelance writer.
You’ll want to be famil- Investments, paid $3.86 design. It is three stories tall.
iar with rules around million on Aug. 10 for a Join our Chicago Dream
eviction, fair housing and two-bedroom condo- Tribune Tower. after previously serving Homes Facebook group for
other regulatory require- minium on the fifth floor Koudounis joined the as the president and CEO more luxury listings and
ments. of the newly converted money manager in 2016 of Mizuho Securities. real estate news.
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4  Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, December 5, 2021

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REAL ESTATE MATTERS
Getting help with your end-of-life decisions
By Ilyce Glink and
Samuel J. Tamkin
Tribune Content Agency
Q: I was wondering
if you can help me. I
thought you may know
of a business firm, not an
attorney or health care
provider, that can act as
my “end-of-life-agent.”
I want to be prepared as
I have no family to ask
or friends young enough
that I would trust. My
attorney says he can
draw up trust docu-
ments, but he can’t be my
“end-of-life” agent.
It seems no attor-
ney can due to it being
against their liability
insurance. So, what I’m
looking for is a business-
person who can read my
end-of-life wishes and
carry them out. I need
someone who agrees by
contract to carry out my
specific written wishes.
Of course, when that
is needed, they will be
compensated for this in
my estate. Do you have
any suggestions?
A: First, you may face
end-of-life decisions while
you are alive, which may
pertain to your health or
financial matters. Second,
you have decisions to make
now as to what happens to
your estate once you have
passed on and who will
carry out those wishes.
While you are alive,
we can understand how
your attorney would see a
conflict in making health
care decisions for you.
We’ll start by saying
that most estate attor-
neys would advise you to
have a last will and testa-
ment, a power of attorney
for health care, a power
of attorney for financial
matters, and a living will.
The last will and testa-
ment lets people know
how you wish to distribute
your money and personal
property after your death.
The power of attorney for
health care lets a family
Here’s what you should know Don’t swallow ‘bidding war’
if you’re eyeing flipped house story without studying data
By Zach Wichter
Bankrate.com
Not all houses are
created equal. In any given
price range, every property
you’re going to look at will
have its pros and cons. This
applies even more so if
you’re considering a home
that was recently reno-
vated by a flipper.
You certainly don’t need
to avoid properties that are
being flipped, but there are
some things to watch out
for if you’re looking at one.
House flipping is hardly
new — in fact, Bankrate
wrote a whole guide on
how to do it a few years
ago. But as real estate
prices skyrocketed over
the past 12-18 months,
many people saw an
opportunity to earn a quick
buck by buying property,
fixing it up and reselling
as the market pushed the
value ever higher.
Experts warn that
flipped houses can some-
times be more trouble
for the post-flip buyers,
however, especially at
lower price points.
“There’s always been
an issue with fix and flips
with the quality of them,”
said Stephanie Fix, a Real-
tor with RE/MAX Profes-
sionals in Denver. “The
margins are so slim these
days with these investors
that they’re really cutting a
lot of corners.”
That reality came to
the forefront recently as
Zillow exited the home
flip market. The online
real estate giant made a big
push to boost its iBuying
platform in the last year,
but ultimately decided
it overpaid for too many
properties and went into
loss-cutting mode earlier
this month.
Flip warning signs
to watch out for
Fix said that a shoddy
flip isn’t always obvious,
but finishes that seem off
can sometimes point to
bigger construction quality
Most estate attorneys would advise having a last will and testament, a power of attorney for health care, a power of attorney for
financial matters, and a living will. DREAMSTIME
member or friend make
decisions about your health
care, if you cannot, and
work with your doctors
to carry out your wishes
regarding your health.
The power of attorney
for financial matters allows
someone other than you
attend to your finances,
including paying bills, sell-
ing assets and taking care
of your financial affairs
when you are incapaci-
tated. Finally, a living will
is a document that lets the
medical community know
your wishes as to what
medical treatments should
be given to you to keep
you alive and when to stop
An experienced and thorough inspector can pick up on
problems in a recently flipped house. DREAMSTIME
problems.
She said she recently
toured a house that she
could tell was flipped
because a kitchen drawer
was blocked by the refrig-
erator and the dishwasher
wasn’t installed properly.
“If those things are
missing, cosmetic, on the
surface that I mentioned,
that tells me to be wary of
what’s behind the walls,”
Fix said. “Most of the
things that are dangerous,
you can’t always see with
your eyes.”
Alterations that seem
rushed on the surface
could indicate bigger
problems, like electri-
cal work that isn’t up to
code or plumbing that
wasn’t installed correctly.
Addressing issues like
that can become costly,
especially if you haven’t
factored them into your
budget.
What to do if you’re
buying a flipped house
It’s crucial to work with
a knowledgeable Realtor if
you’re considering a house
that’s being flipped, Fix
said.
“An experienced agent
is probably going to have a
treatment.
If you can’t find a friend
or family member to help
you with your health care
and financial matters if
you become incapacitated,
your attorneys won’t want
to draft those documents
and also name themselves
in those same documents.
Family and friends are key
parts of our lives, but some
people either don’t have
family or the kind of friends
they wish to ask this of and
prefer to have a neutral
party handle their affairs.
These sorts of deci-
sions about when to stop
life-saving medical treat-
ment (even if you have a
better eye than the buyer,”
she said.
When she tours a house
that she suspects is being
flipped, she’ll check the
title’s chain of custody to
see who owned the home
previously, and will reach
out to other agents in her
network to see if anyone
has experience buying
from the flippers.
You can easily tell if the
home is a flip by looking
at the property records.
If the home is back on the
market just a few months
after being purchased by
a new owner, odds are it’s
a flip.
At the height of the
pandemic real estate
boom, many buyers were
waiving inspections and
other contingencies in
their contracts to make
their offers more attrac-
tive. Fix said that’s an espe-
cially bad idea on flipped
properties.
“These guys typically
don’t permit things,” she
said, so getting an expe-
rienced inspector to go
take a thorough look at the
property is crucial. “It’s
going to be really import-
ant to do your sewer and
separate roof inspections.”
living will) are emotionally
fraught. You want some-
one to be able to separate
emotions from making a
tough call, who will be will-
ing and able to carry out
your final wishes while you
are alive: decisions about
your health care, your
living situation, and finan-
cial affairs.
Without friends or
family, you’ll need to find
support. And you could
potentially have a situation
where you need one type
of assistance while you are
alive and another after you
have died.
While you are alive, you
can still set up a living will.
By Tanza Loudenback
Rate.com
Shopping for a home
these days, it’s easy to get
caught up in what seems
like a buying frenzy. Real
estate agents, friends and
headlines will tell you that
bidding wars are rampant,
preemptive all-cash offers
are the order of the day,
and that paying hundreds
of thousands of dollars
above the asking price is
not only normal but often
required if you want to
snag a home before prices
rise still further.
Take a deep breath.
In San Francisco,
perhaps the most compet-
itive market, yes, 71.2% of
homes sold for above the
asking price in September.
But only 8.3% above the
asking price, on average.
On a median sale price
of $1.525 million, that’s
$127,000. That’s a lot, but
it’s not hundreds of thou-
sands of dollars.
So, before swinging
for the fences with a big
above-ask bid, ask your
real estate agent for recent
comps that prove the need
to do so and study recent
sales on Zillow and Redfin.
Remember, the home
bidding process is opaque,
meaning the buyer is at a
big information disadvan-
tage. Nobody has to — or
likely will — show you
other offers on a home
you’re vying for. Don’t get
talked into bidding against
yourself.
Redfin says that in April,
74% of home offers written
by its agents faced compet-
itive bids. By Septem-
ber, according to Redfin’s
analysis, 59% of sales were
competitive. Put another
way, on 41% of deals there
was but a single bidder.
Being that party should
accord one some negotiat-
ing power.
A look at Redfin’s metro-
level housing data for all
home sales in September
(not just those represented
Chicago Tribune | Section 7 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  5
You can deliver a copy to
your personal physician
or primary care person.
They, in turn, can deliver
a copy of the document
to a hospital if something
happens and you wind up
there. You don’t need to
appoint anybody on a living
will. You just have to make
it readily available. Can
your local hospitals keep it
attached electronically to
your file? Perhaps.
If you become incapaci-
tated for a longer period of
time, you will need some-
one to step in and handle
your financial affairs. While
your attorneys can’t help
you, they may be able to
Even in competitive markets, average sales aren’t hugely
above the ask. DANIA MAXWELL/LOS ANGELES TIMES
by Redfin agents) shows
where buyers can expect
to face the most competi-
tion and where they won’t
— and may even be able
to snag a deal. Pay close
attention to the sale price
vs. the list price.
More competitive
markets
„„In San Francisco, 71.2%
of homes sold above list
price.
Average home sold for
8.3% above list price
Median sale price:
$1.525 million
„„In Riverside, California,
61.9% of homes sold above
list price.
Average home sold for
1.9% above list price
Median sale price:
$505,000
„„In Los Angeles, 60.8% of
homes sold above list price.
Average home sold for
2.6% above list price
Median sale price:
$820,000
„„In Boston, 60.3% of
homes sold above list price.
Average home sold for
2.8% above list price
Median sale price:
$605,000
„„In Seattle, 56% of homes
sold above list price.
Average home sold for
3.7% above list price
Median sale price:
recommend a different
attorney, accountant, finan-
cial planner or financial
adviser who could assist
you. Take care, because this
individual (or firm) will
control your money when
you can’t.
You should know, once
you have passed away, there
are companies that can
help you with estate issues
and assist your estate, such
as estate settlement and
wealth transfer advisers.
Trust companies are
also set up to perform the
services you’re asking for.
These companies usually
work with high or higher
net worth people. If you fall
into that category, you can
call on them to help you
out.
You won’t have to deal
with a particular person,
as the company will act as
your trustee and whoever
is assigned to your estate
when you die would work
to follow your estate plan.
They can be expensive, but
perhaps this sort of solu-
tion would work. We don’t
make specific recommen-
dations, but you can look
for a bank or other finan-
cial institution in your area
that has a trust and estate
services department. You
can talk to them and see if
it’s right for you.
Having said that, if you
don’t want to or can’t spend
the kind of money some of
these companies charge,
you may find an estate
planning firm that can
work with you.
Readers, we don’t believe
our correspondent is the
only person to have run out
of family or friends who can
take on these roles. Have you
seen or experienced other
solutions? Write us and we’ll
publish relevant responses
in a future column.
Ilyce Glink is the CEO of
Best Money Moves and
Samuel J. Tamkin is a real
estate attorney. Contact
them through the website
ThinkGlink.com.
$710,000
Less competitive
markets
Among the 20
most-populous metros,
in these five markets in
September only around
one-third or less of homes
here sold above asking.
The average sale in all five
was below ask.
„„In Miami, 19.5% of
homes sold above list.
Average home sold 2.9%
below list price
Median sale price:
$402,000
„„In New York, 27.7% of
homes sold above list.
Average home sold 0.5%
below list price
Median sale price:
$656,000
„„In Philadelphia, 33% of
homes sold above list.
Average home sold 0.9%
below list price
Median sale price:
$260,000
„„In Houston, 34.4% of
homes sold above list price.
Average home sold 0.7%
below list price
Median sale price:
$300,000
„„In Chicago, 35.7% of
homes sold above list price.
Average home sold 0.7%
below list price
Median sale price:
$290,000
 Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  1

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2  Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, December 5, 2021

Take It From the Tinkersons By Bill Bettwy

Blondie By Dean Young and John Marshall

Dogs of C-Kennel By Mick and Mason Mastroianni

 Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  3

Scan QR code to play online.

puzzle island
For interactive puzzles and games go to chicagotribune.com/games
(Crossword editor Stanley Newman is on vacation until Dec. 19. Please enjoy this crossword from 2011 that he recently updated.) 12/5

5 TIMES 3:
Or 3 times #22, if you prefer
By S.N. | Edited by Stanley Newman
(stanxwords.com)

Across 77 Bloodhound’s track 5 Simpsons kid

1 Simplicity 78 Female lobster 6 Sell off
5 Real-estate listing 80 Electric-bill letters 7 Vitamin amt.
abbr. 81 Electronic 8 “Ditto!”
9 One more time instrument, for short 9 Paid-for magazine
14 16th-century pope 82 Treasury Dept. p.
19 Very short pencil agency 10 Estimate
20 Helper 83 14 Down attraction 11 Wheel of Fortune
21 “Beats me!” 86 11 Wall St. addressee buy
22 Type of navel 87 Green sci. 12 Quaint quarters
23 Path for the risk- 89 Daredevil action 13 Fiction writer
averse film of ’77 14 Tuscany city
27 37 Across order 91 Hebrew alphabet 15 Payment from an
28 Chooses, with “for” starter S&L
29 Actress Mendes 94 Has influence over 16 Promoting harmony
30 Kids’ game 98 Pig-poke connector 17 Singer known as
31 Manufacturing 99 I Love Lucy actress “The Voice”
center 101 All tied up 18 “Mixed” side dish
32 “Get lost!” 103 Just released 24 Full
34 Move obliquely 106 Similar 25 NASDAQ news
37 Tubular pasta 107 Alchemist’s element 26 At any time
38 Language suffix 108 Extensive 33 Word often
39 Obsessed by 110 Make amends preceding
41 Good breeding 112 Gumshoe “contested”
43 Half of hex- 113 Proverb ending 35 “Now __ heard
44 Small loudspeakers 114 Tennis surface everything!”
47 Purviews 116 Basis for a Puccini 36 Palme __ (Cannes
48 Polite-but-firm opera prize)
persuasion 118 The Cherry 37 December
52 Soft mineral Orchard playwright birthstones
54 Brainstorm 123 Orchestral group 40 Blaster’s buy
55 Long-time Chicago 124 3101, long ago 41 Meet with Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” © 2021 Creators Syndicate. All rights reserved.
columnist 125 Mystical glow 42 Hugo hero
56 Winter bug 126 Olden days 43 Dam-building agcy. 60 Stallone film of ’90 84 “Egg” prefix 95 One’s wheels 108 Doughboys’
59 Norwegian 127 Kindly 45 Chinese frypan 61 Be sleepy 85 Ebbed 96 Blaster’s buy conflict: Abbr.
physical feature 128 Salmon and coral 46 Changes slowly 63 Prankster’s cry 86 Largest US union 97 Trashy 109 Ancient South
62 Casablanca piano 129 Haughty one 48 Travel documents 65 Author Fleming 88 ’60s illumination merchandise Americans
player 130 Ran a tab 49 One of four singing 67 Role for 99 Across fad 100 Type of tide 111 2021 Summer
63 Marker brothers 69 Spare target, at 89 Vision, in product 102 Alternative to Olympics site
64 Peaceful protest Down 50 Like some times names buttons 113 Technical sch.
66 Woman mentioned 1 Get away furniture polishes 71 CBS franchise 90 Hereditary 103 Appointment 115 Hertz rival
in “The Raven” 2 Lagoon enclosers 51 Rise 72 TiVo ancestor 91 Video gamers’ self- ignorer 117 Fictional whaler
68 In the midst of 3 Cool dessert 53 CIO partner 73 Chiang Kai-__ images 104 Apt rhyme for 119 Lofty verse
70 Auto parts 4 Whom Haley 56 Type of pen 76 Frat letter 92 In excellent “more” 120 Rival of the Citadel
74 Wide tie replaced as the Tin 57 Actress Ullmann 79 Sesame Street condition 105 Followed a zigzag 121 Alphabetic trio
75 Gown renter Woodman 58 French article character 93 Adam or Eve, e.g. course 122 5th-century invader

12/5

Sounds of the Sea

By Jill Singer
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Across 105 Contrary to popular 44 React to falling

1 The Phillie belief, throwing prices, perhaps
Phanatic and it won’t endanger 45 Gradually impart
Bernie Brewer birds 46 Almost-ready
8 Like some goods 106 Architect Jones products
15 Minimal 107 Dispensed, with 47 Word with whiskey
20 How big dogs may “out” or wolfhound
travel 108 Bout decision 48 Solo’s opposite, in
21 Berry, for one 111 Amazing music
22 Not warranted 114 Actor Quinn 50 Comic actor Bert
23 Commander of 115 Marine mammal in 51 Angle iron
primitive fish? the air? 52 Amos at the piano
25 Goes (through) 117 Silly joke response, 53 Chips partner
carefully perhaps 55 Indicate
26 Ginseng and 118 Symbol of love 59 Twill fabric
rooibos 119 Without value 60 Degree of
27 Early hrs. 120 Baden-Powell who uncommonness, in
28 Muslim judge co-founded the Girl some games
29 NFL commentator Guide movement 61 Pittsburgh’s __ Park
Michael 121 Marginal moves 63 Suggestion for a
30 Leave out 122 2002 Soderbergh sprain
32 Longings sci-fi film 64 Author Binchy
34 Open-__ shoes 65 Stopped
35 Festival for dugong Down 68 Many a Prado
relatives? 1 Tennis error painting
40 Rage 2 Opposite of retro- 69 Name near
41 Disney’s “__ and 3 Reduced-speed Uzbekistan, on
the Detectives” road sign symbol maps
43 Tons 4 Union __, Dow 70 Crucifix letters
44 Burn lightly Chemical 73 It’s often an attic
46 Went for the worm subdivision 77 Jazzy James
49 Tiny crustacean 5 Skin, e.g. 78 Demonstrate
herald? 6 Shampoo brand 79 Besides Mo., the
54 Lose it 7 What sweeps only state that
56 Blood system sweep borders eight others
letters 8 Discoverer of the 81 NHL Flames’ home Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” © 2021 Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

57 Informal clothes first ocean route to 82 Off-road vehicle

58 Former Yugoslav India 83 Yet to happen Jumble Sudoku 12/5
leader 9 Nails the final 84 Got a goal against
59 Key next to D 10 High pt. 85 Lang. of about Unscramble the six Jumbles, one letter per Complete the grid so each row, column and
62 Unsurpassed 11 Neighborhood 200,000 Americans square, to form six words. Then arrange the 3-by-3 box in bold borders contains every digit
66 Italian wine region 12 Origin 86 Letters in old dates circled letters to form the surprise answer, as 1 to 9.
67 Help for little fish? 13 Those, to José 87 Old Mideast org. suggested by this cartoon. Level:
71 Words with a hand 14 Connection letters 92 Seat of New York’s
up, maybe 15 Vader creator Nassau County
72 Magician who 16 Sukiyaki ingredient 94 Prof.’s degree
is a two-time 17 Looking up to 95 Most developed
“America’s Got 18 Sink 96 Earth tones
Talent” winner 19 QBs’ targets 97 Hang on to
74 Natural light 24 “And the people 99 More jungly
refractor bowed and prayed 100 1999 ATP Player of
75 Eco-friendly / To the __ god the Year
certification letters they made”: Paul 101 To boot
76 Most stylish Simon, “The 103 Look parents
80 Pirate’s cry Sound of Silence” caution children
81 Jumping, as a joint 28 Nautical pronoun about
82 Reason to go 31 New Age musician 104 __ on the dollar
to a seafood John 106 Urge forward
restaurant? 32 Talk out of, with 108 “If so ... ”
88 Danson of TV “from” 109 17th-century
89 Disney’s vision of 33 One reading signs privateer
tomorrow 35 Peace, in Russian 110 Folklore fiend
90 Make up (for) 36 Boxer Laila 112 Toi et moi
91 Pre-storm state 37 Power source: Abbr. 113 Roughly
Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island
93 Warrior prefix 38 Disaster response 114 Simile words Solutions.”
This week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island
94 Crustacean seller? gp. 115 NFC West team Solutions.” By The Mepham Group © 2021. Distributed by Tribune
98 “Terrible” czar 39 Stupefies 116 Term of By David L. Hoyt and Jeff Knurek. © 2021 Tribune Content Content Agency, LLC. All rights reserved.
102 Status car 42 NYSE, e.g. endearment Agency, LLC. All rights reserved. PlayJumble.com
4  Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, December 5, 2021

Quote-Acrostic
1. Define clues, writing in Words column over
numbered dashes.
2. Transfer letters to numbered squares in diagram.
3. When pattern is completed, quotation can be
read left to right. The first letters of the filled-in
words reading down form an acrostic yielding the
speaker’s name and the topic of the quotation.
Clues Words

Last week’s
answers can
be found
in today’s
“Puzzle Island
Solutions.”

By Mel Taub.
Edited by
Linda and
Charles
Preston.
© 2021
Tribune
Content
Agency, LLC.
All rights
reserved.

12/5

Structured Relationships
By Charles Preston

Across 52 Bedtime syncopation 18 Remove grain or seed

1 Road sign 54 Aggressive one 22 Subj. of Duke study
5 Cugat tune 56 Recording thief 23 American soprano
10 Operatic prince 58 Like this puzzle Emma
14 Setting for 3 billion souls 59 Branch-trunk angle 24 Plants
15 Bermudian bulb 60 HOUSE 25 HOUSE
16 Specify 65 Campus figure 29 Water lines
17 HOUSE 66 Sully 30 Single: prefix
19 ___ en point: her. 67 Delhi musical piece 31 Half a da Vinci portrait
20 Baccarat cases 68 Making ___ meet 33 L-o-n-g times
21 Living fences 69 Cheap smoke 36 Menu
23 Undertakings 70 Organ unit 37 More reserved
26 Cubic meter 40 French article
27 A Night at the Opera Down 41 Cringe
song 1 Fie! 44 Announces
28 Disney rabbit 2 Apply 47 Wall Street roles
32 Frozen dessert 3 Woody’s ex 49 Cage target
34 ‘‘Sail ___ ship of state!’’ 4 Estelle, of Hollywood 50 Floor material
35 Rudiments 5 Factory ‘‘hand’’ 52 Architect’s concern
38 Miscue 6 Turmoil 53 Eisenhower in-law
39 Shelter 7 Mr. Van der Rohe 55 Wacky
42 Shea support 8 Fluffy scarf 57 Projected costs: abbr.
43 Western obi 9 Key of life: Egypt. 58 Toynbee’s muse
45 Pilot’s abbreviation 10 Picnic drink 61 Touch
46 Road 11 HOUSE 62 Tun
48 Most ‘‘wired’’ 12 Paravane 63 Jung concern
51 Emulate W. J. Bryan 13 Dodger under Shotton 64 Disappearing seat
Last week’s answers can be found in today’s “Puzzle Island Solutions.” © 2021 Creators News Service.

Horoscopes
Today’s birthday (Dec. Cancer (June 21-July clever ideas. Grab a lucky

puzzle
5): Expand communication
channels this year. Widen
circles of influence with
steady contribution. Winter
illuminates you from with-
22): 8. If you can’t get some-
thing done, your partner
can. Coordinate collabo-
rative efforts for greatest
ease and benefit. Romance
break. Get the word out.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-
Dec. 21): 9. Silver is avail-
able. Focus on bringing it in.
Energize for lucrative re-

island in, recharging your physical

performance this spring.
Slowing to process summer
changes and transitions
sparks when least expect-
ed. Listen to intuition.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):
9. Practice your moves to
sults. Money saved is mon-
ey earned. Reduce waste to
save more. Simplify.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.

solutions inspires autumn dreams,

Last week’s crosswords Last week’s Quote-Acrostic
“PROMOTION DAY” (Joseph Wood) KRUTCH: (The) VOICE
OF THE DESERT: We may prefer to live
amid hills, meadows, fields and wood-
lots, or even, for that matter, surrounded
by steel and concrete. But ‘wilderness,’
‘jungle,’ and ‘desert’ are still stirring
words, as even moviemakers know.
Last week’s Sudoku
“Two for Two”
visions and plans. Get the
word out for what you love.
Aries (March 21-April
19): Today is an 8. Take
advantage of a spontaneous
professional opportunity.
Trust a crazy hunch. Listen
to your intuition. Make a
valuable connection. Push
and win a prize.
Taurus (April 20-May
20): 8. Explore new sights.
Grab an unexpected oppor-
tunity. The more you learn,
the more you understand
how little you know. Follow
a fascinating thread.
Gemini (May 21-June
20): 8. Opposites attract.
Give in to some spon-
taneous fun with your
partner. Put your talents
together for shared gain.
Grab a lucrative chance
when it appears.
make it look easy. Physical
efforts get satisfying results.
Take an unexpected oppor-
tunity. Dance to the music
that stirs your spirit.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
8. Stumble into a romantic
situation. Set aside worries
for now. Take a sponta-
neous moment for fun and
sweetness with someone
who makes your heart
flutter.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
8. Get drawn into domes-
tic solutions. Household
projects produce satisfying
results. Find an unexpected
bargain that renews your
space. Clean messes. Relax
with home comforts.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov.
21): 8. Dive into a fascinat-
ing subject to find unex-
pected treasure. Listen to
young people. Develop your
19): 9. Imagine an accom-
plishment completed, and
you can see the steps to
take. Take charge for the
results you want. You can
make things happen.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.
18): 7. Enjoy thoughtful
planning mode. You’re
especially intuitive and
sensitive. Listen to the pre-
vailing mood and plot your
course. Chart the steps to
realize a dream.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March
20): 8. Find unexpected
synchronicity between
friends, a spontaneous en-
counter or chance bit of fun.
Make an excellent connec-
tion. Enjoy shared affinity,
respect and admiration.
— Nancy Black, Tribune
Content Agency

Word Game
Bridge This game challenges
you to find as many words
Q.1—Neither vulnerable, as South, you hold: as you can, as quickly as you
♠ 10 9 6 5 3 ♥ A Q 6 2 ♦ K 4 ♣ J 9 can, in one master word.
This week’s Jumble Partner deals and passes. Right-hand opponent also passes.
What call would you make?
PRECIPICE (PRESS-
ih-pis): The brink of a
Q.2—North-South vulnerable, as South, you hold: dangerous or disastrous
♠ K Q 10 8 6 5 4 2 ♥ Void ♦ A Q ♣ 9 8 6 situation.
North East South West Can you find 17 or more
1NT Pass 2♥* Dbl words in PRECIPICE?
Average mark: 13 words
Pass 3♥ ?
Time limit: 30 minutes
*Transfer to spades Here are the rules:
What call would you make? 1. Words must be four or
Q.3—East-West vulnerable, as South, you hold: more letters. 2. Words that
“Pop Quiz” ♠ 64 ♥ K4 ♦ A986 ♣ A8754 acquire four letters by the
East South West North addition of an “s,” such as
“bats” and “cats,” are not
1♠ Pass 2♠ 4♥ used. 3. Use only one form
4♠ ? of a verb — either“pose” or
“posed,” not both. 4. Proper
What call would you make?
nouns and slang terms are
Q.4—Both vulnerable, as South, you hold: not used.
♠ J42 ♥ AK8753 ♦ J ♣ 876
Answers to the word
South West North East
game:
2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass creep; crepe; icier
?
price; recipe; rice; ripe; epic;
pierce; pipe; piper; prep;
What call would you make? peep; peer; perp; piece; pier;
Answers in Monday’s comics pages.
— Kathleen Saxe,
— Bob Jones distributed by Andrews
tcaeditors@tribpub.com McMeel Syndication for UFS
 Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, December 5, 2021  5

Mt. Pleasant By Rick McKee and Kent Sligh

Dustin By Steve Kelley and Jeff Parker The Lockhorns

By Bunny Hoest and John Reiner
6  Chicago Tribune | Section 9 | Sunday, December 5, 2021

Mutts By Patrick McDonnell

The Middletons By Ralph Dunagin and Dana Summers

Doonesbury By Garry Trudeau

Prickly City By Scott Stantis