Afternoon Edition: April 10, 2020

Today’s update is a 5-minute read that will brief you on the day’s biggest stories.

SHARE Afternoon Edition: April 10, 2020
A woman walks by sidewalk art that reads “You are my sunshine!!!” at Welles Park, in the 2300 block of West Sunnyside Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood.

Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about a 5-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

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Afternoon Edition


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

A potentially rainy weekend ahead should make our ongoing stay-at-home order a little easier. This afternoon will be partly cloudy, with a high near 47 degrees and a low around 40 degrees. Saturday’s high could hit 58 degrees, with drizzles possible in the afternoon and evening, and a low near 46 degrees. Easter Sunday will likely see some showers, with a high of 56 degrees and a low of 34 degrees.

Top story

Facing coronavirus, we’re all in this together: ‘I see hope happening’

Chicagoans are keeping their distance, interacting in new ways while seeing each other in a different light. As the city and the region struggle to face a virus that doesn’t recognize distinctions of class or race or religion, longstanding problems come into stark relief even as people reach across old boundaries to help one another, and tantalizing possibilities suggest themselves.

This all comes during a season sacred to three major religions, with Passover having begun Wednesday night, followed by Good Friday and Easter Sunday and Ramadan less than two weeks away.

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“This moment is really forcing all of us to realize we are connected. We’re connected by this virus,” said Cardinal Blase Cupich, spiritual leader of Chicago’s Catholics. “Social distancing is telling us how related we are to one another. We have a drive to want to be connected to other people. We don’t want to live isolated lives. We are nourished by that.”

The cardinal was referring to spiritual nourishment, but there is plenty of the other kind, too. Shuttered restaurants are donating food to pantries and to hospitals to feed besieged doctors and nurses working 12-hour shifts. Police officers, often the targets of criticism, find themselves embraced — from a safe distance, of course.

For every big change, there are a thousand small, personal ones.

“People who were standoffish are now coming up,” said Alvin Carter, an Evanston resident who has driven a school bus for 29 years. “I see togetherness the past two months. Ever since this thing came around, we come together.”

Read Neil Steinberg’s full column here.

We’re heartened by our community’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Our new series, In This Together, spotlights stories of heroism, giving and gratitude.

More news you need

  1. Instead of an ice rink or basketball court, the floor of the United Center is currently packed from end to end with nearly 26,000 boxes of food. Click here to see photos of how the arena has transformed.
  2. Illinois officials today said another 68 people have died from the coronavirus, bringing the death toll in the state to 596. But Pritzker says hospital capacity is remaining manageable as the patient pool grows.
  3. A top lieutenant in the brutal Jalisco New Generation drug cartel tried to buy grenade launchers and assault rifles because “it’s wartime over here” in Mexico, according to federal authorities. Luis Alderete is currently facing federal drug charges in Chicago.
  4. A lab tech’s car was stolen while she had COVID-19 test samples in her trunk. Her car was found late Thursday night, but five frozen test tubes are still missing.
  5. An Arlington Heights home invasion turned deadly when the homeowner shot and killed one of the armed assailants. Police have released home surveillance video of the incident.
  6. A former Fenwick basketball star is headed to Michigan next year, thanks in part to his pal: Chicago Bulls star Jimmy Butler.

A bright one

Sewing is in Jeliner Jordan’s blood — it’s something her mother passed on to her early. She made her first dress at 12 and went on to sew every prom and wedding dress for her family.

So is helping people: during the 1960s, Jordan made helmet liners for soldiers in the Vietnam War.

Jordan felt called to action again recently as the country battles the coronavirus pandemic.

Jeliner Jordan, 76, is making face masks for her neighbors at the Chicago Housing Authority’s Zelda Ormes Apartments.

Provided

But now, instead of helmet liners, it’s face masks that she’s making for her neighbors at the Chicago Housing Authority’s Zelda Ormes Apartments, a community for seniors.

She says the masks she makes are free to anyone who wants them, but said people are still finding ways to show their gratitude.

“My friend brought me a bunch of flowers and was telling me she loved her mask,” Jordan said. “She’s always wearing it.”

Read the full story from Manny Ramos here.

From the press box

Some new rivalries might be created if Major League Baseball is able to begin its season. One plan under consideration is scrapping the AL and NL this year and playing with an Arizona-based Cactus League and Florida-based Grapefruit League. 

There’s no real baseball yet, but the Cubs’ Ian Happ and the White Sox’ Lucas Giolito will represent the city in an MLB video game tournament.

Changes are coming to the United Center with the Bulls hiring a new top basketball executive, but coach Jim Boylen believes he will be allowed to stick around.

Your daily question ☕

We’re focusing on the positive this weekend and sharing messages of strength and hope we’ve spotted across Chicago. What’s been the most uplifting thing you’ve heard, seen or done in your neighborhood this week?

Email us (please include your first name and where you live) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you how you are talking with your kids, especially younger ones, about coronavirus and why they have to stay home. Here’s what some of you said…

“My three grandkids between 5 and 8 know what’s going on and while they get a little frustrated, who wouldn’t, they know the safety of staying home and washing their hands.” — Jose Camacho 

“My kids don’t even know it exists.” — Steve Schryer 

“I have talked to mine who are the youngest at home, ages 16 and 13, and they have also watched the news. They understand, and also tell me ‘don’t forget my mask and gloves’ if I have to leave the house.” — Barbara Cooper

“Nothing to explain. You’re the parent. If you tell them not to go out they need to listen.” — Allen James 

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

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