Afternoon Edition: April 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 be mostly cloudy with a chance of sprinkles and a high near 51 degrees. Tonight’s low will be around 38 degrees. Tomorrow will be partly sunny with a high near 53 degrees.

Top story

COPA to release video, other materials related to the killing of Adam Toledo on Thursday

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability said it will release video and other materials related to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Adam Toledo tomorrow.

“COPA has remained sensitive to the family’s grief and is carrying out this release in accordance with the City’s Video Release Policy,” Ephraim Eaddy, spokesman for COPA, said in a statement. “COPA’s core values of integrity and transparency are essential to building public trust, particularly in incidents related to an officer involved shooting, and we are unwavering in our commitment to uphold these values.”

The materials will include footage from body-worn cameras, third-party video, transmissions from the Office of Emergency Management & Communications, SpotShotter recordings and case incidents.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday she has seen “multiple videos” of the fatal shooting of Toledo by Chicago police on March 29, but won’t talk about what she saw in them.

Asked about the video at an unrelated event in Jackson Park, Lightfoot refused to describe what she saw or the conclusions she drew from that viewing, for fear of compromising ongoing investigations by the COPA and the Cook County State’s attorney’s office.

The mayor would only reiterate what the Toledo family said after its own private showing on Tuesday: that public release of the shooting videos would be delayed out of deference to the family.

“This is a difficult set of circumstances. First and foremost, we have a family that is still incredibly in the throes of grief. A mom and father who have lost their son, siblings who have lost their brother. Grandparents. I want to be respectful of the family,” the mayor said after joining Gov. J.B. Pritzker in Jackson Park to announce the start of “pre-construction” work tied to the Obama Presidential Center.

Read Fran Spielman and Manny Ramos’ full story here.

More news you need

1. Staff at CPS high schools stayed home today in protest of the district’s plan to send high schoolers back into classrooms starting next Monday. While teachers were expected back at work two days ago, CTU continues to negotiate with CPS on what the union called a “fairly limited set of issues.”
2. Chicago Fire Department policies are “insufficient” to combat discrimination and sexual harassment, an inspector general report said. In a survey of 285 CFD employees by the IG’s office, 26% reported having experienced sexual harassment “at least once” at the department.
3. Initial construction work related to the Obama Presidential Center is starting in Jackson Park, officials announced today. Former President Barack Obama and ex-First Lady Michelle Obama will attend the groundbreaking for the center, which is likely to be in September.
4. Nearly a quarter of all Illinois residents have been vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said today while expressing hope that the state is tamping down the current surge of cases. Over the past week, roughly three Illinoisans got a vaccine every two seconds, per state data.
5. More than 2,400 Illinois residents have applied to be reimbursed by FEMA for funeral expenses after losing a loved one to COVID-19. Learn more about who qualifies for the program, which started Monday and offers up to $9,000 per burial.
6. A Springfield man who allegedly carried a “Trump” flag onto the floor of the U.S. Senate during the U.S. Capitol breach is the latest person from Illinois to face charges in connection with the riot. Thomas B. Adams Jr. is the sixth person from the state to face federal charges in connection with the breach.
7. State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford said today she tested positive for COVID-19. Lightford has returned to her west suburban home, where she’ll join committee meetings through Zoom despite “aching an awful lot.”

A bright one

Aaron Rodgers as ‘Jeopardy!’ guest host: Chicago contestant stumped by Packers question

You can’t make this stuff up.

So the guest host of “Jeopardy!” is Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and he’s reading this clue from the Title Waves category: “In the 1960s these Midwesterners earned 5 NFL championship trophies.”

The response from the three contestants ... crickets.

“Green Bay Packers?” Rodgers said, making the appropriate face and stretching out his arms in disbelief.

Not Erick Loh, the pastor from California, or returning champ Dennis Chase, the biotech project manager originally from Massachusetts, or Norah Webster, a meeting planner from Chicago, could come up with the answer.

A triple stumper.

(Norah, you were our best hope if for no other reason than your city’s proximity to Green Bay and the possibility that maybe you’re a Bears fan or almost certainly know a few.)

When Loh correctly responded to the next clue from the same category about the Boston Celtics, Rodgers couldn’t resist. “Oh, you know that one, huh?” he quipped.

Read the full story for more as the Packers’ star quarterback acquits himself well to his TV gig – as much as Bears fans might hate to admit it.

From the press box

Willson Contreras delivered the game-winner last night for a Cubs offense badly in need of something to get the crew out of its swing-and-miss-from-the-heel ways.

The Chicago Golden Gloves boxing tournament has been canceled for the second straight year due to the pandemic. It’s a major setback for the boxers who’ve been training for months to compete in the event, Sam Kelly writes.

And recent Blackhawks additions Brett Connolly and Vinnie Hinostroza have already started making a positive impact on the ice. The Hawks, who have won three of their last four, will try to stay hot tomorrow night against the Red Wings.

Your daily question ☕

How concerned are you about the Cubs/White Sox two weeks into the season?

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 has the pandemic affected your relationship with your faith? Here’s what some of you said...

“It’s been hard not going to church. Watching on YouTube is not the same. However, my faith is my strength and my Zoom small group Bible studies have been a lifeline for my soul.” — Brenda G. Whitson Marquis

“At first it was so hard. I honestly can only think of two times in all my 77 years that I’ve missed Mass and I’ve taught Religious Ed for 24 years, so I truly missed being there. However, emailing, texting, Zooming, and good old fashioned letter writing have kept me in touch with my class and fellow parishioners. And after being fully vaccinated I was able to return on Palm Sunday. I feel blessed.” — Karen Klein Siciliano

“I consider myself a solidly devout Catholic and having Mass on TV on Sunday morning has been very helpful. But I’m at the point now where I’d like to go back to my parish for Mass. However, with the COVID cases rising again, I’m somewhat apprehensive.” — Mike Walsh

“My faith in God is intact, but my faith in humanity sure has suffered during this pandemic!” — Anna Casey

“It has strengthened my faith. Watching Mass at home every Sunday has allowed me to break it down for my children and ensure they understand Mass, the Eucharist, and the other components and it has allowed me to watch Masses from Mexico which I prefer.” — James Gonzalez

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