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 be cloudy with a high near 39 degrees and a chance of rain. Tonight will be mostly cloudy with a low around 31 degrees. Tomorrow will be partly sunny then rainy with a high near 45 degrees.
Top story
‘Sometimes people just do evil things,’ prosecutor tells judge as suspect appears in court for the killing of 71-year-old grandfather
A man accused of gunning down a 71-year-old grandfather in Chinatown appeared in court today as prosecutors said they had no clue why he opened fire, other than “sometimes people just do evil things.”
“That’s what happened here,” Assistant State’s Attorney James Murphy said during a bond hearing. “Judge, I can’t give you a motive.”
Alphonso Joyner fired more than 20 times at Woom Sing Tse as he walked down a sidewalk a few blocks from his home Tuesday afternoon, Murphy told Judge Maryam Ahmad.
Ahmad said the “overwhelming” amount of evidence described an “execution” and she denied bail for the 23-year-old Joyner.
Shortly after the shooting, police obtained the plate number of Joyner’s car and used at least 10 license plate reading cameras to track him to the Kennedy Expressway, Murphy said. Joyner was arrested a little over an hour later, alone in the car, around Jackson Boulevard wearing the same clothes as the gunman in the video, Murphy said.
A gun found tucked between the driver’s seat and center console matched the spent shell casings at the murder scene, Murphy said. Joyner’s hands tested positive for gun powder residue, he said.
Joyner refused to talk to investigators, police said. He has a record of gun charges, and Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan said police are looking at other apparently random shootings to see if they’re linked to Joyner.
Tse’s family said he moved to the Chicago area from China 50 years ago and worked as a cook until he saved enough money to open a restaurant and then another.
“He was a man who came to this country with just a few dollars in his pockets and through hard work and his spirit, achieved the American dream,” Chicago police Supt. David Brown said Wednesday night. “Mr. Tse built a home and provided for his family. He was a father, a husband, a grandfather, a man of the community, a Chicagoan.”
More news you need
- After receiving “violent threats,” State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook won’t pursue a proposal requiring unvaccinated Illinoisans to pay their health care expenses — including hospital bills — out of pocket if they contract COVID-19. Northbrook said he decided not to pursue the legislation he filed Monday because of the “unintended divisive nature” of the proposal.
- Former state Sen. Rickey Hendon today called for legislation that would create space for minority ownership of sports gambling locations in Chicago. Hendon has also been vocal about ensuring marginalized groups are included in the state’s majority-white cannabis industry.
- Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart is asking auto manufacturers to set up 24-hour hotlines to help their customers and police recover carjacked vehicles as the terrifying crimes continue to rise. Dart’s approach comes toward the end of a year that has seen an increase in carjackings in the city.
- Cook County sheriff’s official Becky Levin kicked off her campaign to seek the Illinois House seat of outgoing Majority Leader Greg Harris today, calling herself “a crime fighter and a public health expert.” Levin is the first candidate to officially enter next year’s race to fill Harris’ seat.
- Mayor Lightfoot was accused today of abdicating responsibility for a recent increase in retail crime in Chicago and, instead, pressuring merchants to implement their own costly and unworkable security measures. Illinois Retail Merchants Association President Rob Karr flatly rejected all of the mayor’s ideas, which included merchandise “either chained and roped or put behind glass” and customers being “buzzed into” stores.
- The Chicago Opera Theater will become just the second company to present the 2015 family opera, “Becoming Santa Claus,” opening Saturday at the Studebaker Theater in the downtown Fine Arts Building. Composer Mark Adamo says his aim is to entertain both children and adults — Pixar style.
A bright one
Local holiday celebrations in full swing throughout week ahead
The holiday season is here and Chicago has no shortage of jolly things to do in the week ahead.
Whether you’re looking to get into the spirit or keep the celebrations rolling, we’ve got a wide mix of options for you to choose — ranging from theater to dance, music, movies and more.
Here are a few highlights happening tonight through next Wednesday. See our full list of offerings, including some non-holiday choices, here.
- Otherworld Theatre presents “Winter in the Wildwood,” an immersive holiday experience where a magical Faun goes on a quest to uncover the truth behind the fading Wildwood lights. The family-friendly walking show takes place in all the nooks and crannies of Otherworld’s unique space and features fairytale stories, magicians and puppetry. From Dec. 9-Jan. 9 at Otherworld Theatre, 3914 N. Clark. Tickets: $40, $20 for children. Visit otherworldtheatre.org.
- Hyde Park School of Dance presents its annual production of “The Nutcracker” performed by students and members of the school’s pre-professional Studio Company. The 75-minute narrated production includes a breakdance battle between the mice and soldiers. From Dec. 10-12 at Mandell Hall, University of Chicago, 1131 E. 57th. Tickets: $10-$30, children under 5 free. Visit hydeparkdance.org/tickets.
- A cappella giants Pentatonix have released their sixth holiday-themed album, “Evergreen.” The Grammy-winning quintet performs holiday tunes and songs at a concert that’s a partnership with Toy for Tots, a chance for fans to donate new, unwrapped gifts the night of the performance. At 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at Allstate Arena, 6920 N. Mannheim, Rosemont. Tickets: $40+. Visit ticketmaster.com.
Mary Houlihan has more on these events in addition to our full lineup of offerings here.
From the press box
- Coronavirus concerns continue to hamper the Bulls’ normal activity. As of this afternoon, Derrick Jones Jr. is the fifth player to enter the NBA’s health and safety protocol in the last week, joining Coby White, Javonte Green, DeMar DeRozan and Matt Thomas.
- Ahead of Sunday’s Bears-Packers matchup, our experts break down their predictions for the rivalry game at Lambeau Field. Can Justin Fields deliver the epic moment the Bears have been desperate for? The way our Rick Morrissey sees it, the Packers are the good-looking brother the Bears can’t compete with.
- In his second small trade within a week’s span, Blackhawks interim GM Kyle Davidson sent defenseman Chad Krys to the Maple Leafs for forward Kurtis Gabriel today.
Your daily question ☕
How would you describe the Bears-Packers rivalry to someone who isn’t a sports fan?
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: Where’s the best place to find holiday decorations in Chicago?
Here’s what some of you said…
“We drove around Sauganash tonight and there were some lovely displays on the houses. Set your GPS for Leroy and Albion and follow the lights on the adjacent streets.” — Tonia Lorenz
“Millennium Park, Lincoln Park Zoo, LondonHouse Chicago’ rooftop, Trump International Hotel and Tower, and Chicago Terrace 16.” — Matt Leisure
“Any corner pub with an Old Style sign out front!” — Kurt Duzan
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