Afternoon Edition: Jan. 14, 2021

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.

This afternoon will bring a mix of wet snow and rain through the evening with minor accumulation expected in some areas and a high near 41 degrees. Tonight’s low will be around 29 degrees. Tomorrow will have scattered snow showers and a high near 35 degrees.

Top story

Chicago man allegedly told feds ‘Wow you are pretty good’ when shown his picture of Pelosi sign from US Capitol

When FBI agents first asked Kevin J. Lyons whether he had entered the U.S. Capitol during last week’s breach, they say he didn’t give a direct answer.

Then they showed him a photo briefly posted to his Instagram account of a sign that read, “Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.”

“Wow you are pretty good,” Lyons, of Chicago, allegedly replied. “That was up for only an hour.”

Now Lyons, 40, has become the second known person from Illinois to face federal charges in connection with last week’s riots at the Capitol. (The feds have also announced charges against Bradley Rukstales of Inverness). Though charged in federal court in Washington, D.C., Lyons was arrested in Chicago yesterday and participated in a virtual court hearing with a federal magistrate here.

Court records show Lyons was separately charged in July 2014 with obstructing a Chicago police officer, though the specifics of the incident were not immediately known. That case against Lyons was stricken three weeks after he was charged.

While the photo of Pelosi’s sign was allegedly removed from Lyons’ Instagram page, another appears to show the route he planned to drive from Chicago to Washington. A post beside it reads, “I refuse to tell my children that I sat back and did nothing. I’m heading to DC to STOP THE STEAL! #MAGA #KAG.”

Another appears to show a ballot filled out for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. A post beside it reads “Back to back, Baby!!”

When interviewed by the FBI on Friday, Lyons acted “evasive” about whether he entered the Capitol, according to a 12-page criminal complaint. He allegedly said he “100% guaranteed, without incriminating” himself, that he saw nothing being damaged.

Read the full story from Jon Seidel and Sam Charles on the charges against Lyons.

More news you need

1. Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said today that he will not be bullied into resigning for sympathizing with and defending the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol last week. The union’s board of directors will not demand the removal of Catanzara, who was more defiant than contrite in an interview with our Fran Spielman.
2. The Chicago Police Department doled out suspensions against 17 officers and supervisors who allegedly lounged in the burglarized office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush in an area beset by looting last summer, Catanzara said. CPD declined to comment, and has not disclosed what, if any, penalties were handed out.
3. Jacob Blake, the man who was shot seven times by a white police officer last year in Kenosha, said he only resisted arrest because he did not want to become “the next George Floyd.” Blake, in an interview with “Good Morning America,” said that after he was shot, he thought he was going to die.
4. Prosecutors want a judge to order Kyle Rittenhouse, the Illinois teen charged with killing two people and wounding a third during protests in Kenosha, to stay out of bars and away from white supremacist groups. The motion says five men at a Wisconsin bar serenaded Rittenhouse, who pleaded not guilty, with the Proud Boys’ anthem earlier this month.
5. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said today she’s seeking to reopen Chicago’s bars and restaurants for indoor service as soon as possible. Easing restrictions on indoor service would provide a safe outlet and possibly cut down on underground parties where attendees do not social distance or wear masks, she said.
6. Illinois health officials reported 6,652 new COVID-19 cases and 88 more deaths attributed to the virus in the state this afternoon. However, the state’s seven-day positivity rate fell to its lowest point (6.8%) since Christmas, a positive sign after surges in recent months.
7. Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch hasn’t had much time to digest the new position he’s in, but he said today he’s charting a “new direction.” Welch said his plans will be shaped by input from the House Democratic Caucus.

A bright one

Grubhub to deliver Girl Scout cookies

Here’s a bit of good news for Girl Scout cookie fans: Girl Scout cookies will be available for order and delivery through GrubHub beginning Feb. 1 in select markets across the country.

The service could be available in the Chicago area by mid-February as soon as safety protocols can be established to keep Scouts, parents, volunteers and delivery drivers safe, according to Julie Somogyi, spokeswoman for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

“We’re trying to navigate how we do this safely,” Somogyi said.

Provided

Local Girl Scout councils were left to coordinate specific safety measures in line with city and state governments. Under the arrangement, Grubhub drivers will pick up cookie orders from distribution hubs staffed by chaperoned Scouts working in shifts, Somogyi said.

Cookies are available online for shipping or delivery by individual Girl Scout troops.

The tradition of Girl Scouts selling cookies outside of local businesses has been suspended due to the pandemic, Somogyi said.

Read Mitch Dudek’s full story here.

From the press box

Bears GM Ryan Pace said everything is on the table for addressing the quarterback position, and while he was cagey at times yesterday, it’s a fair point that involving Matt Nagy in the process (instead of keeping John Fox out of the loop) will make a difference, Mark Potash writes.

Don’t get too excited, however: Nick Foles, who’s already under contract, is listed by oddsmakers as the favorite to start Week 1 for the Bears next season.

Whatever the Bears end up doing at QB, Nagy will need to prove his worth with a big season in 2021, Patrick Finley writes.

Your daily question ☕

It’s that time of the year again! What’s your favorite Girl Scout Cookie?

Reply to this email (please include your first name and where you live) and we might feature your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: What do you think of the way Chicago Public Schools is handling reopening? Here’s what some of you said...

“No one wins: students, parents, teachers, administration. This is an unprecedented and terribly difficult circumstance felt by everyone.” — Perlina Dani Chitwood

“Isn’t it ironic that CPS wants teachers and up to 15 students to be in rooms together for 6 hours wearing masks, but the 7 school board members are still holding virtual meetings?” — Lev Johnson

“Should’ve opened all the schools in Illinois a long time ago.” — Matt O. Sterba

“I think they’re handling it very poorly!” — Whitney Hawkins

“There is no easy way. Some will always be unhappy. The health of the children and staff should be first priority. This is a first, unknown pandemic, ever-changing.” — Tina Johnson Lotarski

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