White Sox’ Liam Hendriks talks beating cancer, Englewood neighbors question Save A Lot, and more in your Chicago news roundup

Good afternoon. Here’s the latest news you need to know in Chicago. It’s about an eight-minute read that will brief you on today’s biggest stories.

— Matt Moore (@MattKenMoore)

Weather ☀️

This afternoon will be sunny with a high near 71 degrees. Tonight — partly cloudy with a low near 51. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny with a high near 74.

Top story

After beating cancer, White Sox’ Liam Hendriks set for his next challenge

White Sox closer Liam Hendriks isn’t the ‘‘Why me?’’ sort.

So when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December, his attitude was more “Why not me?’’ and he attacked it head on.

Five months later, Hendriks sat in a conference room at Guaranteed Rate Field, wearing a STRUCKOUT CANCER T-shirt, his bags packed for a rehab assignment of four or five appearances with Triple-A Charlotte. After that, he’ll be pitching for the Sox again with a clean bill of health — perhaps on their next homestand, which begins May 12.

‘‘It’s hard to put into words,’’ right-hander Lucas Giolito said. ‘‘He’s our closer, one of the best in baseball. So having him back after a rough April, having him coming in and shutting doors in the ninth inning will be hugely important for us.’’

The Sox, who took a 9-21 record without Hendriks into their game yesterday against the Twins, desperately need him. He is, after all, a two-time American League reliever of the year. What everyone needs is an injection of inspiration from Hendriks, who matter-of-factly discussed his illness — and how he overcame it — for the first time.

‘‘I never looked at it as a ‘Why me?’ thing?’’ Hendriks said. ‘‘I looked at it as, ‘Why not me?’ I tend to have a more rosy perspective on life than gen pop, so that was my process behind it: ‘I’ve got this. This is my next challenge.’

‘‘I’ve never really had a ‘life is short’ [philosophy] or anything like that. But since my career turned around in 2018, 2019, I haven’t changed my mindset. It’s always been positive. Next day is what we are going to do. It’s never been a look to the future; it’s been taking care of today. That was a contributing factor that really helped me attack everything with this.’’

Hendriks has been throwing bullpen sessions with velocity levels in the 90s, so the expectation is that he can be at or near the levels of performance he has demonstrated in the past. How he recovers from outings, especially early on, will be monitored.

‘‘I don’t plan on regressing,’’ Hendriks said. ‘‘If I go out there [and give up] a hit, I’m still going to be pissed.’’

More on Hendriks and his battle from our Daryl Van Schouwen

More news you need

• A member of the Proud Boys from Aurora bragged about being promoted to the highest rank of membership in the far-right group after he stormed the U.S. Capitol in body armor and a ballistic helmet on Jan. 6, 2021, and also assaulted a police officer, federal prosecutors say. The feds want James Robert Elliott, 25, to serve nearly three-and-a-half years in prison for his role in the riot at the Capitol.
• The owner of a Lincolnwood construction company has been charged with conspiring to smuggle Romanians into the U.S. to work for him. Tudor Deaconu, owner of TDA Construction, pleaded not guilty yesterday to federal charges.
• Nearly 100 community members gathered last night across the street from the site of a former Whole Foods in Englewood to meet face-to-face with the owners of the proposed low-cost supermarket that is slated to open in its place. During the contentious meeting, Save A Lot’s CEO tried to convince concerned community members that the low-cost grocer is ready to meet their shopping needs. “We’re not going to be your pilot program,” one resident said.
• Amtrak is now offering faster trains between Chicago and St. Louis. Starting yesterday, trains began traveling up to 110 mph on the route. That’s a 20 mph increase over the previous top speed.
• With a little help from Chicago, a year-and-a-half-old dolphin calf named Fergie survived a life-threatening tangle with fishing lines near Marco Island, Florida last week. The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program has led two dolphin rescues in just over two months. The program is run by the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo.

A bright one ✨

Flippin Flavors: Husband and wife parlay successful marinade line into South Side restaurant

One of the signs on the counter of the laid-back Beverly neighborhood spot Flippin Flavors reads, “We are not a fast-food restaurant. Your food is made fresh every order. Please be patient.” 

The words immediately let everyone know that no item is thrown into a microwave and callously prepared. Each sandwich and salad is prepared with love — and that’s not a cliche at this eatery.

Brian Flippin (whose friends call him “Flip”) and his wife, Linda, immediately greet all customers with smiles. A recent conversation with the couple quickly became a journey through family life, business beginnings (and expansions) and much more.

This small and immaculate restaurant specializes in addictive offerings like the Flippin Original Steak Philly Sandwich, the Flippin Turkey Hoagie and the Flippin Berry Explosion Salad. Any one of these is worth stopping by this place, which is a stone’s throw from the Metra stop at 95th/Beverly.

“People ask what our best item is,” Brian said. “I say that half the battle is getting you in the door. What we do is keep the menu tight; we don’t have 80 different things.

“That way we can perfect everything.”

More on Flippin Flavors and its co-owners from Andrew Davis.

From the press box ????⚾️????

• The Bears have submitted paperwork with the Village of Arlington Heights to begin tearing down the track, a team official confirmed late yesterday.
• The Cubs will reportedly call up first base prospect Matt Mervis.
• The White Sox’ Jake Burger has landed on the injured list.
• Sky guard Marina Mabrey was set to arrive at camp today fresh off an Italian league championship, Annie Costabile reports. 

Your daily question☕

What’s something in Chicago that cheers you up? Tell us why.

Email us (please include your first and last name) and we might include your answer in the next Afternoon Edition.

Yesterday, we asked you: Say you’ve been tasked with creating a new reality TV show set in Chicago — who/what would your show focus on?

Here’s some of what you said...

“I would love to see a reality TV show that features Chicago transportation drivers: busses, ride share, L-train, Metro train, boat captains, pilots and anyone else I am overlooking! “ — Linda G.

“Chicago is home to an abundance of colleges, junior colleges, and law schools. Having the city as a campus differs from a traditional college setting. Following a group of students would make a great reality TV show and show off the city.” — Ridgely J. Jackson

“‘Los Paleteros’ — a competition for who can sell the most on a hot summer day, and profiles of the individuals they encounter. ‘City of Blues’ — following blues and jazz musicians to gigs and around the city as they navigate professional and personal issues.” — Sean Hoffman

“There are amazing things that are happening every day on the individual level and the collective level all around the city. Give me a reality show about a nonprofit or community leaders who are putting in the work- and pay them well for it.” — Cheryl Wisniewski

“Have a show that follows the Beat The Streets wrestling program. Cover the coaches, students they help to become successful, and the mentorship they provide.” — Nick Esposito

“A famous Chicagoland chef would travel to a different neighborhood each week. He would surprise a homeowner by offering to cook them a gourmet meal. The hitch? They must leave the premises and the chef can use only what’s in their fridge and cabinets. The show offers the owners free tickets and transportation to a Chicago theater matinee. When they arrive home the table is finely set with their own dishes and mouthwatering aromas fill the home. The chef personally serves the meal.” — Mary Ann O’Rourke

“Taverns of the city and the people who frequent them.” — Angel A. Alicea

“Chicago’s very own Jazz /Blues scene focusing on up and coming talent. Showcasing our local talent, their dreams and what their focus in the future would be.” — Nick Vitone

Thanks for reading the Chicago Sun-Times Afternoon Edition. Got a story you think we missed? Email us here.