Ignorance is defined by the lack of knowledge or information. Ironically, Jessica Sanders of Alsip said recently that the “N-word” to her means “an ignorant person.”
The front page of the Chicago Sun-Times featured a picture of Jessica Sanders, a woman who has been charged with two federal hate crimes after an altercation over a bean-bag toss game during a summer festival.
Sanders was recorded via a cell phone hurling racial epithets, including the N-word.
Telling the Sun-Times, Sanders said, “It was wrong of me to use the word. To me it means ‘ignorant person.’ If they were Caucasian, I would have said the same thing. Latino, black. [Race] has nothing to do with it.”
She has also been charged battery for swatting the phone out of the victim’s hand.
Thus far, the YouTube video has garnered over 700,000 views and continues to be spread across social media.
Speaking exclusively to WLS AM’s John Howell and Ray Stevens, Sanders continued to be both apologetic, saddened and fearful of possible retribution, refusing to return to her home in Alsip.
Sanders told John and Ray that even before the public interviews that she was willing to apologize, but that Mr. Crim has publicly stated multiple times that he will not accept any apology.
“Do you think the culture that you are immersed in that the ‘N-word’ is used too freely,” John Howell asked. “[In my world] That word doesn’t even exist!”
Ray Stevens added that the “N-word” in his perception is on the “Mount Rushmore of bad words.”
Friday – Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms in the morning. High 77F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Friday Night – Partly cloudy skies. Low 66F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Saturday – Scattered thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 70s and lows in the mid 60s. Sunday – Times of sun and clouds. Highs in the low 80s and lows in the mid 60s.
The Chicago White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs All Week
Date: Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., daily
Location: Grant Park
Metra is offering an unlimited ride, four-day train pass to this year’s Lollapalooza music festival (July 28-31).
The $20 pass is available for purchase at all ticket windows, including all downtown and outlying stations, and through the Ventra app.
REMINDER: “We realize that everyone attending this event will be using their phones to take pictures, text and post on social media throughout the day, but if they are using their phone as their ticket too, they need to make sure that they have sufficient battery power for the ride home,” said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno.
Don’t have tickets? There’s no need to worry if you don’t want to spend the nearly $400 for a four-day wristband. Have fun with “Couch-a-palooza!”
Here are some of the acts that you can see through the web, courtesy of Red Bull:
Sugar Grove Corn Boil
Date: Thursday, July 28 – Sunday, July 31
Time:
Location: Volunteer Park 85 South Main Street in Sugar Grove
The Sugar Grove Corn Boil is a volunteer run, community event, featuring three family friendly and fun filled days.
Family Fun including Carnival rides, live music, Kids Zone, Business Booths, Art Vendors, Food, beer, Water Fights, 5K, Farmers Market, contests, raffles, used book sale, and BINGO.
The event also has a Pokemon Go Meetup scheduled, and the annual 5k Run/Walk. Register here!
Date: Wednesday, July 27 – Sunday, July 31
Time: During Navy Pier open hours
Location: Navy Pier, Chicago
From the website: One of Navy Pier’s most recognized events, Pepsi® Tall Ships®, makes its exciting return to Chicago from July 27 – July 31 2016. This year, the event will feature a majestic fleet of 13+ international vessels.*
The five-day festival kicks off at Navy Pier with a spectacular Parade of Sail on Wednesday, July 27. Then, starting Thursday, July 28, ticketed guests will have the opportunity to view, tour, and even sail away on participating vessels.
Chicago Margarita Festival
Date: Saturday, July 30 – Sunday, July 31
Time: 12:00 p.m. – 8 :00 p.m.
Location: South Shore Cultural Center
Tickets must be purchased, and participants must be over 21 years of age.
Chicago Margarita Festival is an outdoor festival combining a margarita tasting with live original music, dancing, food trucks and fun! What better way to spend the day lounging with friends on Lake Michigan, listening to music and more! So, join us for a fun day off the beach.
National Cheesecake Day – Celebrations at ALL Mariano’s Stores
Date: Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31
Time: 12:00 p.m. each day
Location: All Mariano’s Locations
This FREE event is at ALL Chicagoland Mariano’s locations.
Free Strawberry Topped Cheesecake samples will be available while supplies last, so get there for noon!
There is also a chance to win cheesecake for a year.
For more details visit: www.elischeesecake.com/marianosnccd
Increased Capacity, More Frequent Service for Lollapalooza (info from transitchicago.com) Red Line Thu and Fri: Longer trains will operate until 2am next day. Trains will operate between 95th/Dan Ryan and Howard every 6 minutes from 6pm to 11:59pm.
Sat and Sun: Longer trains will operate until 2am next day. Trains will operate between 95th/Dan Ryan and Howard every 6 minutes from 6:30pm to 11:59pm, Saturday, and every 6-8 minutes from 6:30pm to 11:59pm, Sunday.
Brown Line
Thu and Fri: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day, Trains will operate between Kimball and the Loop every 8 minutes from 10pm to 11pm.
Sat and Sun: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day. Trains will operate between Kimball and the Loop every 8 minutes from 6:30pm to 11pm, Saturday and every 10 minutes from 9:30pm to11pm, Sunday.
Green Line
Thu to Sun: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day.
Orange Line
Thu to Sun: Longer trains will operate until 1am next day. Trains will operate between Midway and the Loop every 10 minutes from 8:30pm to 9:30pm and every 8 minutes from 9:30pm to 11pm, Thursday and Friday; every 10 minutes from 8:30pm to 11pm, Saturday; and every 10 minutes from 9:30pm to 11pm, Sunday.
Blue Line
Thu and Fri: Longer trains will operate until 11:59pm. Trains will operate between Forest Park and O’Hare every 8 minutes from 7pm to 11:30pm.
Sat and Sun: Longer trains will operate until 11:59pm. Trains will operate between Forest Park and O’Hare every 6 – 12 minutes from 8:30pm to 11pm, Saturday, and every 8 minutes from 9:30pm to 11pm, Sunday. Note: On Saturday, some trips will operate between O’Hare and UIC-Halsted stations only. Listen carefully to train announcements.
Pink Line
Thu and Fri: Trains will operate between 54th/Cermak and the Loop every 12 minutes from 9pm to 11pm.
Yellow Line
Thu through Sun: Trains will operate between Dempster-Skokie and Howard every 15 minutes from 11:59pm to 1am next day.
Why is service being changed? Added service is being provided for the convenience of customers attending the Lollapalooza event.
Metra is offering $20-four day Lollapalooza passes which is available for purchase at all ticket windows, including all downtown and outlying stations, and through the Ventra app.
Traffic Restrictions & Road Projects
Closures in place for Lollapalooza:
-Columbus between Monroe & Roosevelt
-Congreess between Columbus & Michigan Avenue
-Balbo from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive
-Jackson from Michigan to Lake Shore Drive
Fiesta del Sol in Pilsen – Cermak will be closed between Ashland and Morgan, Thursday thru Sunday.
Jefferson Park – Lawrence AveBetween Milwaukee Ave and Long Ave closed for Jeff Fest
Whiting, In – Pierogi Fest – 119th St at Indianapolis Blvd closed