Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a five-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.
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Top story
Clouted owner of senior home fined $1,500 after 3 residents died during hot spell as heat was left running inside their building
The clout-heavy owner of a Rogers Park senior home was fined $1,500 after three women died during a heat spell last spring — deaths that autopsies link directly to soaring temperatures in the building where the heating system was left running.
The women — Janice Reed, 68, Gwendolyn Osborne, 72, and Delores McNeely, 76 — were discovered throughout the day on May 14 at the James Sneider Apartments as temperatures inside the building rose into the low 90s.
“They knew that people were burning up and they made them endure it for an additional two days afterward with no relief,” said Osborne’s son, Kenneth Rye.
While fans and portable air conditioners had been handed out and a “cooling center” set up, it was only after the deaths that the building’s heating system was switched over to cool the complex at 7450 N. Rogers Ave. A subsequent inspection by the Buildings Department found 11 code violations, including two dealing with an air conditioning “chiller” on the roof that “does not appear suitable for exterior use,” records show. The department later noted that the issues had been addressed and “no dangerous and hazardous conditions” were found during a second inspection.
By then, the owner and building manager — the Hispanic Housing Development Corporation — had provided “individual air conditioning units” to each tenant, according to records. Under a settlement agreement, the firm was ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and $60 in court fees.
Just over a week later, on Aug. 11, the Cook County medical examiner’s office determined the primary cause of death for all three women was “environmental heat exposure due to hot residential building during heat-related weather event,” according to spokeswoman Brittany Hill.
A Buildings Department spokesman told the Sun-Times that city officials did not have access to the autopsy reports when they reached the settlement. The fines were based solely on violations found during the inspection, according to spokesman Mike Puccinelli. He referred further questions about the deaths to the Chicago Police Department, but a spokesperson would only say that a probe “was concluded as non-criminal.”
The attorney for the family of one of the victims believes a criminal investigation should be launched, particularly in light of the newly disclosed autopsy results and the role the building owner’s actions played in the deaths.
“I do think someone should look into whether there’s any criminal liability,” said Larry Rogers Jr., an attorney representing Reed’s son.
Tom Schuba has more on James Sneider Apartments here.
More news you need
- Akeem Briscoe was washing his hands for dinner last night when a bullet fired from the alley behind his Humboldt Park home came through the window and killed the 7-year-old boy. Sophie Sherry and Michael Loria have more on this tragedy and how the community is responding.
- Illinois students continue to perform far below pre-pandemic levels on state reading and math exams for a second year, test results released today show. WBEZ’s Susie An breaks down the data and what it says about the pandemic’s toll on education here.
- A West Rogers Park school that for nearly a century had been named after a former slaveowner is set to be renamed, marking the latest CPS building to shed its racist namesake. Daniel Boone Elementary, which enrolls about 800 students, will be called Mosaic School of Fine Arts from now on.
- The Chicago Board of Education voted unanimously yesterday to revoke the operating charter for Urban Prep Academies and start the unprecedented process of taking over the celebrated but troubled all-boys school. It marks a stunning turn for the city’s only all-boys public school, WBEZ’s Sarah Karp explains.
- A constitutional amendment on the ballot this election has been stirring debate over union rights and worker safety. Our David Roeder has more on those for and against the amendment and what it could mean for Illinois workers here.
- The debate over the proposed workers’ rights amendment is pitting unions largely against a right-wing policy group and one man, Richard Uihlein, CEO of Uline, a distributor of packaging material. Roeder explains why other big-money business donors are absent from the fight.
- Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson today announced that he will join the crowded field of candidates seeking to deny Mayor Lori Lightfoot a second term. Johnson, a former teacher and an organizer for a Chicago Teachers Union, announced his candidacy today during a press conference at Jenner Academy, where he was a teacher.
- A new training and job-placement program is launching in East Garfield Park, with the goal of connecting West and South side residents to jobs in the medical supply chain. Participants will get weekly stipends as they complete a four-month program, and after that, they’re guaranteed a job interview for a position with Rush Health.
- A West Loop mural image of the Chicago artist formerly known as Kanye West was painted over yesterday, apparently signaling more fallout from the artist’s recent antisemitic remarks. The mural action, at 958 W. Lake St., comes amid a tidal wave of backlash for a series of remarks made by the 45-year-old artist.
A bright one
Where to celebrate Halloweekend in Chicago
From concerts to parades, pop-ups and more, there are plenty of ways to get in on the Halloween celebrations this weekend.
If you’re considering venturing out, we’ve got a few suggestions of things to do in the city.
Goblin’s live score to ‘Suspiria’
The 1977 thriller “Suspiria” will get the extra creepy treatment at Thalia Hall tomorrow when composer (and Argento collaborator) Claudio Simonetti taps his prog-rock group Goblin to take on the soundtrack in honor of the film’s 45th anniversary. After the film wraps, Goblin will do a second set with songs from Simonetti’s score work on films like “Dawn of the Dead.” 7 p.m. at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport St.
Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade
The parade brings together cultural organizations and artists from across the city for a free, one-of-a-kind event featuring unique floats, spectacle puppets and performances. Leading the parade is Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, in collaboration with La Vuelta Ensemble and its colorful circus artists including stilt walkers, jugglers and physical theater performers. From 6-8 p.m. Saturday on State from Lake to Van Buren.
One of the more unique Halloween hauntings, The Catacombs, can be found in the basement of St. Pascal’s Catholic Church. Volunteers create scary scenes that take visitors on a 15-minute tour of terror that is a fundraiser for the school. From tonight through Sunday at St. Pascal’s, 6143 W. Irving Park.
Nocturna All Hallows’ Eve Ball
DJ Scary Lady Sarah is the epitome of a Halloween queen — all year long she hosts her long-running Nocturna dance party, spinning the best of goth, new wave, post-punk and industrial with everyone from The Smiths to Ministry on deck. But her well-curated sets are really amplified for her annual All Hallows’ Eve Ball, where the music is the soundtrack for the weekend. Come dressed for the occasion or be prepared to really stand out from the decked-out crowd. 10:30 p.m. Saturday at Metro, 3730 N. Clark St.
Head here for more Halloween music happenings and here for more things to do in the week ahead.
From the press box
- With just seven more points, Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan will reach the 20,000-point scoring mark for his career. He’s hoping to do it tomorrow night in front of the Spurs and his NBA coaching father figure, Gregg Popovich, Joe Cowley writes.
- Can the Bears get back to .500 with a win over Dallas this weekend? Our experts make their Week 8 predictions.
- Patrick Kane hopes his first goal of the season sparks a hot streak, but the Blackhawks should be happy to see a more balanced offense this season, Ben Pope writes.
- DePaul basketball coach Tony Stubblefield spoke to our Joe Henricksen about his vision for the program as “Chicago’s team,” and what that means for recruiting and more.
Your daily question☕
What is Chicago’s most underrated park?
Send us an email at newsletters@suntimes.com and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.
Yesterday, we asked you: What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Here’s what some of you said...
“‘Tequila’ by Dan + Shay! It's sentimental with deep personal meaning.” — Tim Klein
“‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi.” — Jackie Waldhier
“Before he cheats everyone loves a revenge country song by Carrie Underwood.” — Timothy Rhoads
“‘Paul Revere’ by The Beastie Boys. Tells an interesting story, and I’ve had the song memorized since 1988.” — Brian Malone
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