Category: Chicagoland

Cutler and Martz Awake; Chicago Bears Still in Hibernation

Posted on by TL

The Chicago Bears slumber still, and it’s time to wake up.

Jay Cutler did well enough. Mike Martz looks promising. The final score, however, still went the other way, after Cutler was benched.

From the Sun-Times:

Do you have a second? That’s about how long Jay Cutler played Saturday. If you made the unfortunate decision to blink during the Bears’ first offensive series in their 25-10 loss to the San Diego Chargers, you missed two nice Cutler passes that netted 47 yards.

If you had to go to the bathroom, the beginning of the Cutler-Mike Martz era is a rumor to you.

Those two Cutler passes? Things of beauty. And if you were lucky enough to see them, you have no choice but to conclude that Martz, the new offensive coordinator, is indeed the genius the Bears say he is. Johnny Knox was so alone on the first one, a 33-yard reception, he might as well have been in the middle of Wyoming.

If the Bears go on to have a big season, the record will have to be changed to show that, rather than being woefully out of position on the play, Chargers defenders simply were Martzed in the preseason opener.

But if the Cutler-Martz start-up was magical Saturday, it was only because the starting quarterback disappeared into thin air. He took part in eight plays, threw those two passes to Knox, was sacked once, avoided another sack and oversaw a drive that ended in a field goal.

After that, Cutler stood on the sideline with a towel draped over his shoulder and a cup in his hand and chilled. It was a laid-back, California kind of evening for him.

Coward Shoots 5-Year-Old Angel in Chicago

Posted on by TL

This is horribly ugly.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

A young girl was killed after being struck by a stray bullet in a Far South Side shooting that also left two other children injured Tuesday night, police said.

The three children were shot at 7:55 p.m. near Indiana Avenue and 107th Street, according to Calumet Area detectives.

The children were hit by stray bullets after two men on bicycles fired shots and fled, a police source said.

Police said a young girl was shot dead at the scene.

Fire officials said a 5-year-old girl was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in very critical condition.

A 7-year-old was also shot and was taken to Roseland Community Hospital by her mother, Fire Media Affairs Chief Joe Roccalsalva said. She was listed in good condition. Police indicated the child may have suffered a graze wound.

Yolanda White, a neighborhood resident, said the shooting stemmed from an earlier confrontation near 108th Street and Indiana Avenue. That argument then escalated to a larger confrontation between people in the neighborhood, she said.

Gunfire broke out and everybody started running, White said.

The only thing we know for certain: the shooter was a coward.

Park Forest Kidnap Victim Safe, Police Say

Posted on by TL
Detective John Sweitzer and Phoenix Peraza

Detective John Sweitzer and Phoenix Peraza. (Photo: PFPD)

From ENEWSPF:

Park Forest Police report that "Operation Phoenix" has concluded with the recovery of the abducted child, 5-year-old Phoenix Peraza.

For well over two months, Detective John Sweitzer has been trying to recover the child. A warrant had been issued from Chandler, Arizona, for the arrest of the alleged abductor, 57-year-old Daaiyah Manning, aka Daaiyah Najeeullah, last known address 432 Illinois Street, Park Forest. Manning is the child’s grandmother.

Police say they were contacted by someone in Chicago who had read an account of the alleged kidnapping in eNews Park Forest. Shortly after that, police announced that Ms. Manning had been arrested.

"It’s 100% due to your story," Det. Sweitzer told ENEWSPF.

On Saturday, July 31, due to his investigation and continued work, arrangements were made and the Phoenix Peraza was turned over to Detective Sweitzer at the Park Forest Police Department by Ms. Manning’s attorney.  Police say the child was in good condition and was tuned over to DCFS pending being reunited with his father, who was flying in from Arizona. 

Police say Ms. Manning will also be retuning to Arizona, in custody, to face criminal charges.

Gotta feel good about that.

Hats Off to Alderman Rick Munoz on His Honesty Regarding His Recovery from Alcoholism

Posted on by TL

I am not cynical about this, and give the man credit.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A longtime Chicago alderman has taken the unusual step of outing himself as an alcoholic just six months before he stands for re-election.

Ald. Ricardo Munoz, who expects to face a challenge in the 22nd Ward, spoke with Hoy, the Tribune’s Spanish-language paper, to discuss his battle with alcohol for a story published Monday.

"This last year has been rather difficult for me, in terms of my abuse of alcohol," Munoz said in a follow-up interview Monday with the Tribune. "In May, I came to the conclusion that I needed help. That’s when I checked myself into an outpatient rehab clinic."

For nearly five weeks, Munoz was counseled daily, and says he’s now going once a week. He also joined Alcoholics Anonymous and said he has remained sober except for a one-day relapse.

Munoz said he drank excessively after work, but not in the mornings and afternoons. He sometimes missed evening meetings and went into work at 9 or 10 a.m., instead of 6 or 7 a.m.

"The disease had affected every aspect of my life," Munoz said. "It affected me professionally, socially and at home. That’s why I came to the conclusion that I couldn’t continue it and needed help."

The veteran politician’s admission comes ahead of February’s city election, where Munoz is expected to seek another term representing Little Village on the council.

Congratulations, Alderman.

And best to you.

Illinois’ National Disgrace Almost At At End: Blago Case Finally To Go To Jury

Posted on by TL

Our national disgrace is almost over, Chicagoland. Illinois. Blago’s case is finally going to the jury.

From the Sun-Times:

The prosecution finishes its rebuttal and Judge Zagel adjourns court for the day.

‘Members of the jury, you’ve heard all the evidence and the arguments,” he tells them.

He tells the jury it is especially important now that they avoid news reports and not talk about the case, and asks them to return in the morning for jury instructions.

The Sun-Times’ Blago Blog is really spectacular, providing the best coverage of the trial.

Except for my friend Cait, who actually went to the court today, and said Rod “had the most miserable depressed look ever on his face” when she saw him in the cafeteria.

Yes, Cait and a friend went to Chicago today to see Blago. And the Sox.

Enjoyed the Sox more.

Sorry, Rod.

Another Child Shot in Chicago – Do We Care Anymore?

Posted on by TL

From ABC 7 News in Chicago:

A teenage boy was shot and critically wounded Sunday afternoon in the city’s Roseland neighborhood.

The 14-year-old, identified by his family as Kionn Rogers, was shot in the chest in the Far South Side area at approximately 1:45 p.m. in the 10700-block of South Wentworth.

He reportedly is visiting from Springfield amd [sic] was riding his bike at the time of the shooting.

Riding on his bike at the time of the shooting.

Have we grown numb in Chicago to these reports? Seems they happen every day.

Are we ready to take a look at why these shootings happen? It’s not about "them," or "those people," after all. Somehow, it’s about us.

"They" are "us." "We" are "them."

How can we all get that? Understand that?

Rod “The Mouth” Blagojevich Decides Again To Not Testify When It Matters Most: At Trial (With Video)

Posted on by TL

Governor Rod Blagojevich did not testify in his own defense when the Illinois Senate put him on trial and eventually threw him out of office. The man who never passed up a camera or microphone while in office decided to refrain from testifying before the Illinois Senate, and then showed up to speak before that same Illinois Senate just before they tossed him out.

Now, after his lawyers promised he would testify and would set the record straight, Blago has decided to snub the court once again.

Rod Blagojevich, now former governor, will not testify in his own defense.

Why? The best we can gather comes from the Chicago Tribune:

A defiant Rod Blagojevich defended his decision Wednesday not to take the witness stand at his corruption trial by declaring the government had not only failed to present a strong case against him, but actually proved his innocence.

But like many things the former governor has said over the years, the choice was more complicated.

While his lawyers publicly backed Blagojevich’s view that he didn’t need to respond to the government’s case, sources said the defense team was worried the former governor could be headed toward a beating on the stand that would only undermine his case and weaken his standing with the jury.

I’m going with the beating-on-the-stand-would-undermine-his-case explanation. This is my favorite:

The sources said the former governor had difficulty wrapping words around the concepts he wanted to use to defend himself.

After all this time, the former governor was at a loss for words? After showing up on The View?

I don’t think so.

Smile! You’re Being Charged With Aggravated Battery!

Posted on by TL
Matthew W. Moustis

I’ve never seen such joy in a mug shot. And, the thing is, if the kid didn’t have such a wide grin on his face, I never would have taken notice.

Above is Matthew W. Moustis, and the photo is courtesy the Will County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Moustis is being charged with aggravated assault.

From the Chicago Tribune:

A Mokena teen was in good condition today at a hospital, recovering from stab wounds allegedly inflicted by the son of the Will County board chairman during a dispute over a girl, authorities said.

Matthew W. Moustis, 17, of the 7500 block of West Windmill Drive in Frankfort Square is charged with two counts of aggravated battery in connection with the Wednesday night stabbing at a school parking lot on the 20900 block of South Frankfort Square Road, law enforcement officials said.

Will County sheriff’s police arrested Moustis around 11 p.m. Wednesday. He was in the Will County Adult Detention Facility this morning and was scheduled to appear at a 1:30 p.m. bond hearing, Will County State’s Attorney spokesman Charles Pelkie said.

Sheriff’s Police spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said deputies dispatched to the school parking lot found the injured 18-year-old man being treated by Frankfort Fire Protection District paramedics.

The teen told deputies he had been driving north on 80th Avenue when he realized Moustis was behind him in a larger vehicle, Hoffmeyer said. The man said he avoided attempts to force his vehicle off the road and pulled over in the school parking lot to confront Moustis, Hoffmeyer said.

Moustis is the son of Will County Board Chairman Jim Moustis, the Tribune reports.

Dying Chicago Teen: ‘Tell My Mom That I Love Her’

Posted on by TL

From the Chicago Tribune:

Jeremiah Sterling ran away from the gunman pursuing him through a yard near his home in the Far South Side’s West Pullman neighborhood, but the teen didn’t make it.

As he laying dying, shot at least seven times, he gave a friend one last request: "I want you to tell my mom that I love her."

Sterling, 16, who was identified by family members but whose identity has not been released by authorities, was shot about 3:40 p.m. today in alley in the 11500 block of South May Street, between Aberdeen and May streets, according to Chicago Police News Affairs.

The boy initially was in critical condition on the scene, and died soon after, said Dwyer, who did not have information about where the boy may have been taken for treatment. Family members said Sterling, who lived on the 11500 block of South May Street, was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn.

Police said he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Sixteen years young.

Prosecutors: Chicago Ridge Suburban Woman Had Sex With Daughter’s Friends

Posted on by TL

Mom was allegedly busy, and mom’s daughter, well, she is probably beside herself.

From the Chicago Sun-Times

A woman employed by a southwest suburban village held parties at her home where she allegedly sexually assaulted four teenage boys while providing them with marijuana and alcohol, prosecutors allege.

Cathleen M. Miller, 40, of the 5800 block of West 109th Street in Chicago Ridge, is charged with three counts of criminal sexual assault and one count of criminal sexual abuse, according to Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesman Andy Conklin.

She was ordered held on $900,000 bond during a Tuesday hearing at the Bridgeview courthouse, he said.

Miller, who is employed as a secretary for the Chicago Ridge Village Hall, was arrested Monday following an investigation by police and the state’s attorney’s office, according to Chicago Ridge police.

Between Feb. 1 and June 1, Miller held parties at her home during which she provided teens with alcohol and marijuana, according to court records.

According to the report, mom allegedly had intercourse with two of the teens, oral sex with a third and fondled a fourth, according to prosecutors.

Ouch.