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Start your Thursday with a story on the Illinois Department of Corrections' plans to withhold physical mail for its incarcerated population from reporter Blair Paddock. Plus, more from WTTW News.
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(WTTW News) |
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Under an emergency rule, the Illinois Department of Corrections is moving to allow prisons across the state to electronically scan and distribute mail.
The change comes after debate over the safety of physical mail. IDOC states that these emergency rules are intended to prevent the smuggling of contraband and hazardous substances into correctional facilities, which enter through chemical-laced paper.
IDOC spokesperson Naomi Puzzello said no facilities have switched over to electronic mail processing due to this rule and the department will “work with all relevant stakeholders on communicating and implementing new processes and procedures.”
Just weeks ago, Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill into law that requires IDOC to collect and publish data concerning contraband found in facilities.
More context:
The point of the law was to collect information to create policy to stop contraband from entering prison, said Jennifer Vollen-Katz of the prison watchdog group the John Howard Association. But before this information on contraband has been released, IDOC has taken measures to scan mail.
“I don’t know whether I’m more confused or disappointed that IDOC didn’t wait for [the data bill] to take effect,” Vollen-Katz said. “Why [does IDOC] think you know that this is going to solve the problem?”
Under the emergency rule, IDOC amended procedures for processing incoming mail and the reception of publications. It authorizes the department to process incoming mail by electronically scanning the contents, making digital copies and then providing it to recipients in print or electronically.
The rule also prohibits relatives or friends from soliciting or purchasing publications on behalf of people in custody. Visitors can no longer bring approved publications to a prison — previously, they could bring up to five publications per visit that were not packaged or contained.
The emergency rule was listed on Illinois’ Joint Committee on Administrative Rules’ current emergency rules, effective Aug. 14 for a maximum of 150 days. |
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Sponsor Message |
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Learn about sponsorship opportunities. |
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(Inside Creative House / iStock) |
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — the premier public health agency in the United States — is experiencing chaos unlike anything ever seen before. Following mass layoffs, there is now also turmoil at the top after CDC director Susan Monarez was forced out last Wednesday, triggering resignations from other senior staff and street protests by agency employees. Meanwhile, there’s also growing concern in the medical community over changing vaccine guidelines and the cancellation of cutting-edge vaccine research.
But Health and Human Services Secretary and vocal vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pushed back against criticism of his actions, telling reporters on Thursday that the CDC has been “very troubled for a very long time.”
What doctors say:
Dr. Robert Murphy, executive director of the Institute for Global Health and interim chief of infectious diseases at Northwestern Medicine, said the problem lies not with the CDC but with Kennedy and his leadership.
“Nobody thought the reality would be as bad as it is,” said Murphy. “He’s not a public health expert. He’s a quack.”
Dr. Maximo Brito, professor of medicine and infectious diseases specialist at the University of Illinois Chicago, said the changes at the CDC are “very unfortunate” and have created “a void of leadership” at the agency.
Brito said he had hoped, based on Kennedy’s testimony to Congress during his confirmation hearings, that vaccine schedules were not going to be modified, but instead said the HHS secretary is “creating directives that seem to be in contradiction to evidence-based medicine.”
“Not following the advice of the experts is what concerns me the most,” said Brito, who worries that there will be an inevitable resurgence of diseases that had previously been contained by vaccines. |
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(Patty Wetli / WTTW News) |
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The families of two teens who were shot by a lifeguard at a pool on Chicago’s West Side this summer have filed a civil lawsuit claiming the Chicago Park District should have known the alleged shooter was “unfit and a danger to harm others.”
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday on behalf of 15-year-old Marjay Dotson and 14-year-old Jeremy Herred, comes more than two months after the teens were shot in Douglass Park during an encounter with 55-year-old lifeguard Charles Leto.
Dotson was fatally shot in the back, and Herred remains paralyzed.
“What should have been a great day in the summer, fun at the pool, turned into a nightmare,” attorney Jeff Neslund, who represents the teens’ families, said at a news conference Wednesday.
Leto faces first-degree murder and other charges stemming from the shooting. He has claimed the teens attacked him and attempted to steal his bike and that he acted in self defense. He remains in custody at the Cook County Jail pending trial.
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Back in the Day: September 4, 1995 - White Sox’s Robin Ventura Hits Two Grand Slams in a Single Game
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Seeing a grand slam home run (where the bases are loaded and four runs are batted in) happen at a baseball game is one of the most thrilling things you can witness at a sporting event. If you manage to catch two, you’ll remember it forever. But what about watching one player hit two grand slams in a single game? It’s rare, but that happened on this day 30 years ago when White Sox third basemen Robin Ventura blasted two grand slams in a 14-3 victory over the Texas Rangers. As the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) points out, "in his 3-for-5 plus a walk performance, Robin Ventura had 10 total bases, 3 runs scored and 8 runs batted in, which tied a White Sox record for most RBI in a game, set by Jim Spencer in 1977." Ventura was only the eighth player in Major League Baseball history to hit two grand slams in a single game and the first since 1970. Since then, only five more batters have accomplished the same feat. |
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This Week’s Arts & Culture Events |
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Every Thursday, WTTW News arts correspondent Marc Vitali highlights the city’s must-see cultural events.
Marc Vitali: The fall arts season is getting into gear, and the Bears don’t play until Monday night. So get an early taste of Lyric Opera’s season. Upend country music cliches. When in doubt, you can always see a play. Your couch will still be there when you get back.
“Sunday in the Park With Lyric" – Millennium Park
Ring in the fall cultural season with a free concert under the stars at the Pritzker Pavilion. Maestro Enrique Mazzola conducts members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra, and singers from the Ryan Opera Center perform favorites and highlights from the Lyric’s upcoming season. Bonus: The Joffrey Ballet will perform an excerpt from their upcoming production of “Carmen.” Sept. 7.
“A New Brain” – Center on Halsted
A composer’s brush with mortality leads to a surreal hospital stay where he’s visited by hallucinations — including a frog character from a kids’ TV show. This musical about the healing power of art has music and lyrics by William Finn (“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”) and book by James Lapine (“Into the Woods”). You gotta love a dark, life-affirming musical comedy with song titles like “A Really Lousy Day in the Universe.” Presented by PrideArts. Through Sept. 14.
Lavender Prairie – Judson & Moore Distillery
Dust off your chaps because the Queer Country Fest returns with boots on the ground and a 10-gallon hatful of fun (what am I — their publicist?!). National acts like twin brothers The Kentucky Gentlemen and local heroes Andrew Sa and friends add to the merriment. Expect line dancing and a tribute to Lavender Country, pioneers of queer country music. Best of all, this rainbow roundup offers a chance to hoot and holler in a safe space. Sept. 5-6.
“Ashland Avenue” – Goodman Theatre
Kicking off the Goodman’s 100th anniversary season, “Ashland Avenue” tells a very Chicago story about a family business and competing dreams. Jenna Fischer (“The Office”) stars with Francis Guinan, who is on anyone’s shortlist of great actors in town. This world premiere is said to be funny and moving, and it’s directed by new(ish) Goodman artistic director Susan Booth. Previews begin Sept. 6, so see it before the critics.
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What's been the best part of your Chicago summer so far? |
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Email DailyChicagoan@wttw.com with your responses and your answers might be published. |
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Newsletter Producer: Josh Terry |
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