
April 12, 2022 - Full Show
4/12/2022 | 56m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
Watch the April 12, 2022 full episode of “Chicago Tonight.”
State lawmakers on the newly passed budget featuring direct tax relief. Willie Wilson enters the race for mayor. New inflation numbers are out. And a Lakeview staple prepares to bake its last pastry.
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April 12, 2022 - Full Show
4/12/2022 | 56m 48sVideo has Closed Captions
State lawmakers on the newly passed budget featuring direct tax relief. Willie Wilson enters the race for mayor. New inflation numbers are out. And a Lakeview staple prepares to bake its last pastry.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."
I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.
>> AND I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.
ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> THE ROULETTE WHEEL KEEPS SPINNING FOR A CHICAGO CASINO WHAT.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE THREE FINALISTS.
>> FOUR ILLINOIS LEGISLATIVE LEADERS JOIN US TO BREAKDOWN THE STATE BUDGET, EFFORTS TO FIGHT CRIME, TAX RELIEF AND MORE.
>> THE PRICES GET HIGHER.
>> GAS PRICES AREN'T THE ONLY THING SOARING A LOOK HOW INFLATION IS IMPACTING SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES.
>> LET ME APOLOGIZE TO CHICAGO IN ENDORSING HER.
>> ONE-ON-ONE WITH WILLIE WILSON ON HIS MAYORAL BID AND WHY HE NO LONGER BACKS LORI LIGHTFOOT.
>> FOR ME THE TOMORROW HOME TEAM IS THE TEAM I'M WITH.
>> AS THE HOME OPENER FOR THE WHITE SOX TAKES PLACE WE INTRODUCE YOU TO AN UNCONVENTIONAL RECRUIT.
>> WE DID NOT EXPECT THIS WONDERFUL OF A TURNOUT.
>> AND CUSTOMERS ARE LINING TO UNDENG IN THEIR SWEET TOOTH BEFORE DINKEL'S BAKERY'S CLOSES SHOP.
FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE HEAD OF A WEST SIDE HOSPITAL IS OUT OF A JOB FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION BY BLOCK CLUB CHICAGO AND THE BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION UNCOVERING PREFER RESIDENTIAL VACCINATION TREATMENT.
LORETTO HOSPITAL ANNOUNCED ITS C.E.O.
AND PRESIDENT GEORGE MILLER'S DEPARTURE IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.
THE REPORT REVEALED LORETTO HOSPITAL VACCINATED INELIGIBLE PEOPLE.
THE F.B.I.
IS REPORTED THREE ALSO INVESTIGATING THE VACCINATIONS THE HOSPITAL ADMINISTERED AT TRUMP TOWER.
>> THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT IS STRUGGLING TO MEET SOME DEADLINES SET IN THE FEDERALLY MANDATED CONSENT DECREE.
THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE LATEST REPORT FILED BY INDEPENDENT MONITOR MAGGIE HICKEY.
IT SAYS THE DEPARTMENT FAILED TO MEET THE ONLY DEADLINE SET IN THE LATEST REPORTING PERIOD TO ADOPT A NEW FOOT PURSUIT POLICY.
THE REPORT CITES A LEVEL OF COMPLIANCE WITH 380 OUT OF 523 PARAGRAPHS.
A 20% JUMP SINCE THE LAST REPORT AND THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF COMPLIANCE SINCE THE CONSENT DECREE WAS ENACTED IN 2019.
>> THE COLUMN SUPPORTING A DOWN STATE ILLINOIS AMAZON WAREHOUSE HIT BY A TORNADO IN DECEMBER WERE NOT PROPERLY ANCHORED WHEN SIX PEOPLE WERE KILLED INSIDE THAT IS THE ALLEGATION MADE BY AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE FAMILY OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS.
ATTORNEY JACK CASCIATO SAYS HE OBTAINED THROUGH THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST ALL OF THAT INFORMATION.
>> A NATIONAL STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS REPORT THAT INDICATES THAT THE COLUMNS IN THE AREA WHERE THE BUILDING COLLAPSED WERE UNANCHORED A GRAVE VIOLATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE.
THIS WAS A REPORT BY A GOVERNMENT MANDATED STRUCTURAL SPECIALIST AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER TASKED TO INVESTIGATE THE COLLAPSE IN MADISON COUNTY.
>> JACK CASCIATO IS REPRESENTING THE FAMILY OF AUSTIN MCKEOWN.
AND THEY EXPECT MORE LAWSUITS TO BE FILED.
CLIFFORD LAW OFFICES IS A SUPPORTER OF WTTW.
>> PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE CELEBRATING A FORMER MAYOR'S CENTENNIAL.
THE EVENT HONORING MAYOR HAROLD WASHINGTON KICKED OFF TONIGHT AT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY CENTER FEATURES SPEAKERS, MUSIC AND AWARD PRESENTATIONS.
WASHINGTON WAS CHICAGO'S FIRST BLACK MAYOR.
HE DIED IN OFFICE IN 1987.
THE EVENT TAKES PLACE THREE DAYS BEFORE WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIS 100TH BIRTHDAY ON APRIL 15TH.
>> AND UP NEXT, COMMUNITY REACTION TO CHICAGO'S FUTURE CASINO.
SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.
>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> NONE OF THE CHICAGO CASINO FINALISTS ROLLED DOUBLE SIXES AT RECENT COMMUNITY MEETINGS HELD BY MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT.
MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS SEEM UNCONVINCED THAT A CASINO WAS A GOOD IDEA ANYWHERE IN CHICAGO.
WTTW NEWS REPORTERS PATTY WETLI AND HEATHER CHERONE BOTH JOIN US WITH MORE.
HEATHER GIVE US A RECAP WHICH BIDS MADE IT TO THE FINAL ROUND AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED.
>> WE HAVE THREE FINALISTS.
THE HARD ROCK CASINO WOULD BE BUILT OVER TRAIN TRACKS WEST OF SOLDIER FIELD.
BALLY'S CASINO WOULD BE BUILT ON WHAT IS NOW THE "CHICAGO TRIBUNE" NEWSROOM AND PRINTING PLANT IN RIVER WEST.
AND THE RIVER 78 CASINO WOULD GO ON VACANT LAND SOUTH OF THE LOOP AND NORTH OF CHINATOWN, AGAIN, ALONG THE CHICAGO RIVER.
AND THAT PERHAPS MIGHT BE A FRONTRUNNER IS IF THERE IS BUN.
>> PATTY DEVELOPERS PRESENTED THE BENEFITS OF THEIR PROPOSALS DURING THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
DID ANY OF THEM SHARE ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS?
>> I WOULDN'T SAY THAT THAT WAS HEAVILY EMPHASIZED IN ANY OF THE PRESENTATIONS.
THOUGH THEY DID SOME OF THEM DID NOTABLY REFERENCE THEY ARE MANDATED TO SEEK LEAD CERTIFICATION WHICH CAN MEAN A HOST OF DIFFERENT THINGS.
SOME OF THEM DID TOUT THAT THEY WILL BE INCORPORATING GREENSPACE INTO THEIR PLANS.
SPECIFICALLY THE BALLY'S HAS A TWO-ACRE PARK AND RIVER 78 HAS 11 ACRES OF GREENSPACE.
ALTHOUGH SOME OF THAT IS THE LARGER DEVELOPMENT NOT NECESSARILY THE CASINO ALONE.
SO POSSIBLY SOME GREENSPACE WOULD BE THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT.
>> WITH REGARD TO COMMUNITY REACTION, HEATHER, WHAT CONCERNS DID YOU HEAR?
>> WELL, THEY RAN THE GAMUT FROM TRAFFIC AND CRIME TO CONCERNS THAT HAVING A CASINO IN CHICAGO WOULD ENCOURAGE PROBLEMATIC GAMBLING AND INCREASE ADDICTION.
AND THERE WERE MANY PEOPLE WHO SEEMED UNCONVINCED THAT CHICAGO SHOULD BE HOME TO A CASINO AT ALTHOUGH CITY OFFICIALS FROM MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ON DOWN SAY THE CASINO IS DESPERATELY NEEDED TO PUT THE CITY'S FINANCIAL SITUATION ON MUCH FIRMER GROUND AS THE CITY ATTEMPTS TO RECOVER FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
>> ANY ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS THAT STOOD OUT TO YOU?
>> FOR ASSURE.
I THINK WE HEARDS THE WORDS TRANSMOREMATION ALVIN TILLER A LOT AND WORLD CLASS FROM THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS THEY WANT TO SEE A TRANSFORMATIONAL BUILDING THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE OCCUPANTS OF THE CITY WHO ARE NOT HUMANS, SPECIFICALLY BIRD FRIENDLY DESIGN.
THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHOEVER WINS THE CASINO BID TO PUT UP THE EXAMPLE, SET THE STANDARD FOR BIRD FRIENDLY DESIGN NOT JUST IN CHICAGO BUT GLOBALLY.
SO THAT PROBABLY IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN THAT WE HEARD ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL FRONT.
>> OK. HIGH BAR THERE.
WHAT IS NEXT?
>> WELL, THEET BALL BOUNCED -- ROULETTE BALL BOUNCED BACK INTO MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S OFFICE AND SHE WILL PICK AND SEND THE MATTER TO THE CITY COUNCIL.
MANY ALDERMEN WHOSE WARDS INCLUDE THE PROPOSALS ARE LESS THAN CONVINCED IT IS A GOOD IDEA FOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.
AND THERE WILL BE A LOT OF HARD QUESTIONS ASKED AS A SPECIAL SUPER COMMITTEE OF THE CITY COUNCIL STARTING TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS.
>> A LOT MORE FOR THE TWO TO KEEP YOUR EYES ON FOR US.
PATTY WETLI AND HEATHER CHERONE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANKS.
>> AND YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY AND 0 OUR WEBSITE, THAT IS WTTW.COM/NEWS.
>> NOW TO PARIS WITH STATE LAWMAKERS AND THEIR THOUGHTS ON THE ACTION OUT OF SPRINGFIELD.
>> THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PASSED A NEW BUDGET WHILE MOST STATE RESIDENTS WERE ASLEEP OR WAKING UP SATURDAY MORNING.
THE 46.5 BILLION SPENDING PLANS, PUMPS MONEY IN EDUCATION, HUMAN SERVICES AND TAX RELIEF.
AND JOINING US ARE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADERED, DA DAN McCONCHIE, DON HARMON, AND TOM DEMMER AND HOUSE SPEAKER CHRIS WELCH.
LET'S GET TO THE FINER POINTS IN THE BUDGET.
$12 BILLION IN EDUCATION.
$8.8 BILLION INTO HUMAN SERVICES.
$1 BILLION INTO A RAINY DAY FUND.
AND $9.6 BILLION BOOSTING THE PENSION PAYMENT A BIT.
SPEAKER WELCH IS THIS LEVEL OF SPENDING POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF ALL THE FEDERAL COVID STIMULUS MONEY?
>> WELL, I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, PARIS S. THIS BUDGET IS BECAUSE OF SOUND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF DEMOCRATS THE LAST FEW YEARS.
THIS WAS OUR FOURTH BALANCED BUDGET IN A ROW.
THAT IS NOT A FLUKE.
OUR CREDIT RATINGS INCREASED AND WE ARE ON PACE TO RECEIVE CREDIT RATINGS THIS YEAR.
AND THIS HAS BEEN DONE WITHOUT THE HELP OF THE FEDERAL MONEY.
BUT CERTAINLY HAVING THE FEDERAL MONEY WE ARE ABLE TO DO THINGS TO HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING IN THE MIDST OF A PANDEMIC.
BUT YOU CANNOT TAKE AWAY FROM THE SOUND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE LED TORE THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
>> SENATOR McCONCHIE, I WILL TAKE IT YOU DISAGREE YOU CALLED THE BUDGET AN ATTEMPT TO BUY YOUR VOTE.
WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS THIS.
>> OBVIOUSLY WE'VE SEEN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS COME INTO THE STATE, 16.8 BILLION EITHER IN DIRECT OR INDIRECT RELIEF THAT THE STATE HAS RECEIVED.
AND WHAT THIS BUDGET INCLUDES IS 1.8 BILLION IN TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF.
CHECKS THAT ARE CONVENIENTLY SET TO ARRIVE RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION AND THAT RELIEF EXPIRES RIGHT AFTER THE ELECTION.
I THINK THAT PEOPLE WILL LOOK THROUGH THAT AND SEE 2.5 BILLION TO 2.8 BILLION INCREASE IN OPERATIONAL SPENDING, TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF THAT IS GOING TO BE A CONCERN FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
>> I WANT TO GET TO THAT TAX RELIEF IN A BIT.
SENATOR HARMON CAN THE STATE SUSTAIN THIS LEVEL OF INVESTMENT AND SPENDING IN FUTURE YEARS WHERE THERE WON'T BE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS?
>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SPENDING FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR ON JULY 1 IS $3 BILLION LESS THAN THE SPENDING WILL BE FOR THIS CURRENT YEAR.
WE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED AND REMARKABLE INFLUXES OF NEW REVENUE AND WE'VE TRIED TO DEAL WITH THEM RESPONSIBLY.
PAYING OFF DEBTS, PUTTING THE MONEY IN THE RAIN ANY DAY FUND AND GIVING SOME BACK TO TAXPAYERS BECAUSE WE CAN.
IT'S TEMPORARY BECAUSE WE ARE TAKING THIS ONE BUDGET HERE AT A TIME AND WE DON'T BELIEVE THE RECURRING REVENUES WILL BE THERE.
IF THEY ARE WE CAN HAVE ANOTHER CONVERSATION ABOUT PERMANENT TAX RELIEF.
BUT FOR NOW IT'S IMPORTANT TO GET THAT MONEY BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD-WORKING ILLINOISANS WHO SENT US TO SPRINGFIELD AND ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN A PATTERN OF RESPONSIBLE, BALANCED BUDGETS.
>> REPRESENTATIVE TOM DEMMER THE WATCHDOG THE CIVIC FEDERATION PRAISED THE BUDGET SAYING IT DID NOT RELY ON GIMMICKS.
WHY DID YOU VOTE AGAINST IT?
>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET ALTHOUGH IT IS HAS A LOT OF ONE-TIME REVENUES AND ONE-TIME EXPENSES RELATED TO THE COVID RELIEF EFFORTS, IT GROWS STANDARD STATE SPENDING BY 10% WHILE GENERAL REVENUES ARE DOWN 5%.
THAT IS UNSUSTAINABLE COURSE FOR THE BUDGET TO BE ON THE THING THAT LED US TO BE IN THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES WE HAVE TODAY.
>> I WANT TO GET TO SOME OF THAT TEMPORARY TAX RELIEF.
1.8 BILLION.
THERE IS A PARTIAL GAS TAX FREEZE AT 1%.
GROCERY TAX SUSPENSION AND ONE TIME PROPERTY BILL BREAK.
SPEAKER ON THAT GAS TAX FREEZE DOES THAT PUT STATE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMS IN JEOPARDY?
BECAUSE THAT BIG INFRASTRUCTURE SPENDING BILL RELIES PARTIALLY ON THE GAS TAX?
>> NO, NOT AT ALL.
NO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS ARE IN JEOPARDY WHATSOEVER.
THERE WAS A LOT OF THOUGHT PUT INTO THIS PLAN THIS WAS NOT SOMETHING WE THOUGHT OF LAST NIGHT AND VOTED ON IN THE MORNING.
THIS FUND CALLED LUST FUND WAS EVER OVERFUNDED AND IT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE MONEY FROM THIS LUST FUND TO FUND THE SUSPENSION OF THE GAS TAX.
AND WITH REGARD TO THE GROCERY TAX, THAT IS A ONE-YEAR SUSPENSION OF THE GROCERY TAX THAT WE BELIEVE IS RESPONSIVE TO WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR STATE AND COUNTRY RIGHT NOW.
AND CERTAINLY PROPERTY TAX REBATE.
DOUBLING OF THE PROPERTY TAX REBATE IS CERTAINLY RESPONSIVE TO WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS.
TO SAY THIS IS A BUDGET FULL OF GIMMICKS IS JUST IGNORANT.
THIS IS A BUDGET THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING IN THIS STATE DUE TO DECADE THAT WE'VE ONLY SEEN ONCE IN THE LAST 40 YEARS.
THIS IS A RESPONSIBLE BUDGET THAT HAS BEEN PRAISED BY EVERY WATCHDOG GROUP OUT THERE.
BUT THE REPUBLICANS CANNOT FIND THEMSELVES TO VOTE YES BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT THE DEMOCRATS PUT INTO THE BUDGET.
>> SENATOR McCONCHIE REPUBLICANS IN GENERAL CRITICIZED THE FACT THESE ARE ONE-TIME TAX BREAKS.
ALTHOUGH WHEN YOU LOOK AT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, GAS TAX WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE THIS YEAR IN MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES POCKETBOOKS?
>> YOU KNOW IT WILL HELP PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT.
BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO DO IS ADDRESS THE LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL ISSUES THAT CONTINUE TO AFFECT THE STATE.
LOOK, OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS THE CENSUS SHOWS ONE OF THREE STATES TO LOSE POPULATION.
US, WEST VIRGINIA AND MISSISSIPPI.
WEST VIRGINIA AND MISSISSIPPI HAVE REAL SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS THAT IS CAUSING PEOPLE TO MOVE AWAY.
THE ISSUE HERE IN ILLINOIS HAS TO DO WITH OUR PUBLIC POLICIES AND PARTICULARLY HOW HIGH OF A BURDEN OUR TAXES ARE.
AND THE FACT IS WE'VE GOT TO ADDRESS THAT TO BECOME A NET IMPORTER OF PEOPLE AGAIN AND GET THE STATE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.
THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THE ONE TIME FUNDS THAT CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO TACKLE SOME OF THE SYSTEMIC ISSUES.
THE MAJORITY REFUSED TO TACKLE THOSE.
AND CONTINUE US ON THE PATH WE HAVE BEEN ON FOR WAY TOO LONG.
>> SENATOR HARMON BACK TO THE PROPERTY TAX REBATES THE SPECIFICS ARE TAXPAYERS WHO MAKE 200,000 OR LESS WILL GET 50, AND 100 PER CHILD UP TO THREE.
AND CHECKS WILL BE MAILED OUT WITH THE SIGNATURE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICE HOLDER WHO MIGHT BE SEEKING REELECTION, IS THAT APPROPRIATE IN AN ELECTION YEAR?
>> WE'RE GOING TO SEND OUT THE CHECKS AS SOON AS THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE IS ABLE TO PROCESS THEM.
WE'RE NOT DOING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME.
WE'RE REPLICATING A PROGRAM DONE IN THE 1990s.
I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN CONTROL THEN OR JUST REPUBLICANS.
IT IS NOT A NEW IDEA IT IS AN APPROPRIATE ONE TO DO RIGHT NOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE BURDENS OF INFLATION AND WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT AS SENATOR McCONCHIE SAID WE'RE TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE A LITTLE BIT AND THAT IS NOT A BAD THING TO DO.
>> WILL THERE BE THE SIGNATURE OF THE GOVERNOR OR OFFICE HOLDERS ON THE CHECKS?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHO WILL SIGN THE CHECKS.
PEOPLE WILL LOOK MORE AT THE DOLLARS THAN THE SIGNATURE.
>> COULD BE THE TREASURER COMPTROLLER.
ONE OF THOSE OFFICES UP FOR ELECTION.
REPRESENTATIVE DEM MER REPUBLICANS PITCHED ELIMINATING THE STATE'S SALES TAX ON GASOLINE AND THAT NEVER ADVANCED DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS A MORE EFFECTIVE WAY TO EASE THE BURDEN FOR CONSUMERS?
>> WELL, IT IS MORE EFFECTIVE TO PROVIDE RELIEF THAN TO PUSH OFF THE GAS TAX INCREASE UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK BACK TO SOME OF THE ROSIE PICTURE BEING PAINTED BY DEMOCRATS TODAY.
THESE ARE THE SAME DEMOCRATS WHO A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO WERE THREATENING ILLINOIS TAXPAYERS TO SAY IF YOU DON'T PASS OUR TAX INCREASE WE ARE GOING TO CUT SERVICES ACROSS THE BOARD OR RAISE TAXES OFFER FER ONE.
WE SHOULD BE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE CLAIMS THAT THE DEMOCRATS MAKE ABOUT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.
>> WE WILL BE JOINED AGAIN BY THE LAWMAKERS LATER IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS ANTICRIME LEGISLATION.
BUT FOR NOW, OUR THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> INFLATION IS SOARING ALL OVER THE WORLD.
TAKING A TOLL NOT ONLY ON CONSUMERS, BUT ON BUSINESSES WORKING TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC.
THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT TODAY SAYS THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX ROSE TO 8.5% THAT IS 1.2% INCREASE FROM FEBRUARY AND THE BIGGEST YEAR TO YEAR INCREASE SINCE 1981.
HERE TO COUSINFLATION AND IMPACT ON BUSINESSES ARE LINDSAY MUELLER, MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER.
AND DANIEL LANSBERG ADJUNCT LECTURER AT KELLOGG'S SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT.
DANIEL, WHAT IMPACT DOES THE PANDEMIC HAVE ON THE INFLATION THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING TODAY?
>> SO THE INFLATION THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING TODAY BASICALLY HAS TWO SIDES TO IT; THE SUPPLY SIDE AND DEMAND SIDE.
RIGHT NOW THE DEMAND SIDE IS BEING IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC QUITE A BIT.
WE HAVE A WORLD THAT IS COMING OUT OF LOCKDOWNS, ESSENTIALLY ALL AT THE SAME TIME.
SOME COUNTRIES ARE A LITTLE BIT AHEAD OF OTHERS.
BUT YOU ARE GOING FROM A WORLD IN WHICH MOST ECONOMIES ARE EXPERIENCING LOCKDOWN TO A WORLD THAT [INAUDIBLE] AND OIL AND ENERGY, TO SOME EXTENT FOOD, THE UNLOCKED ECONOMIES REQUIRE MORE OF IT.
SO YOU ESSENTIALLY HAVE A SITUATION LIKE IF EVERYBODY WAKES UP AT THE SAME TIME TO GO TO WORK AND YOU HAVE ONE SHOWER AND EVERYBODY NEEDS IT AT THE SAME TIME.
AND THAT MAKES THE PRICE GO UP.
AND SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS THAT ON THE DEMAND SIDE AND THE SUPPLY SIDE IT'S LARGELY AN OIL STORY.
WE ARE AT A MOMENT RIGHT NOW IN WHICH OIL BOTH BECAUSE OF GEOPOLITICAL ISSUES AND JUST THE TIME OF YEAR, AND WHERE DIFFERENT TIMES ARE IN THE RECOVERY CYCLE DEMAND IS RATHER HIGH.
AND SUPPLY CANNOT MEET IT.
AND OIL IS A COMMODITY THAT AFFECTS EVERYTHING.
WE NEED IT FOR TRUCKS, PLASTICS AND FERTILIZER.
>> A LOT OF FACTORS.
THE PANDEMIC BEING ONE EARLY ONE.
LINDSAY MUELLER WHAT IMPACT IS YOUR ORGANIZATION SEEING INFLATION HAVE ON THE BUSINESSES THAT YOU WORK WITH?
>> YES, IT'S IMPACTING OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN CHICAGO AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES GREATLY.
IT IMPACTS A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
IT HITS FOR BUSINESS BOTTOM LINE.
THERE'S MORE EXPENSES RELATED TO THE SUPPLY THAT OUR BUSINESSES ARE PURCHASING.
CONSUMERS HAVE LESS MONEY TO SPEND IN LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES.
AND ACCESS TO CAPITAL HAS BECOME AND WILL BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN AND WHEN YOU CANNOT OBTAIN IT IT BACKS WAY MORE EXPENSIVE.
OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TO MAKE A CHOICE OF WHAT THEY DO NOW.
DO THEY INCREASE THEIR PRICES?
DO THEY TAKE A HIT IN THE PROFIT THAT THEY CURRENTLY ARE HAVING WHICH IS ALREADY ROUGH BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.
OR DO THEY PIVOT THE BUSINESS AND TRY AND FIND NEW BUSINESS LINES.
>> AND DANIEL WHAT IS THE FEDERAL RESERVE DOING TO FIGHT INFLATION?
>> SO THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS SEVERAL SORT OF MOVES IT CAN DO.
ONE OF THEM WHICH IS NOT SORT OF BEING DONE TOO ACTIVELY COMPARED WITH OTHER THEY HAVE [INAUDIBLE] IS QUANTITATIVE EASING THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED BUT THERE PROBABLY IS NOT APPETITE FOR IT.
AND ELECTION YEAR AND THAT GETS MESSY.
BUT IT WILL DO IS RAISE RATES.
PROBABLY HAVE TO WALK AND THAT TIES INTO LYNN'S POINT ABOUT THE CREDIT THAT IS GOING TO GO UP.
AND WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE MULTIPLE HIKES OF MORE THAN THE MINIMUM.
AND IT WILL REQUIRE THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE ESSENTIALLY WALKS A FINE LINE.
BECAUSE THE THING IS WHEN YOU RAISE THE RATES, PEOPLE ARE LIMITEDDED IN WHAT THEY CAN SPEND TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT.
ALSO WHAT MAKES MORE SENSE IT PUTS THE BRAKES ON THE ECONOMY A LITTLE BIT BUT IF YOU OVERSHOOT THAT YOU RUN THE RISK OF LAUNCHING A RECESSION.
AND SMALL BUSINESSES AS LINDSEY POINTED OUT ARE SOMETIMES THE FIRST TO SUFFER BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PRICING FOR THE DAY.
AND THE LOGISTICAL SUPPLY CHAINS TEND TO BE LESS COMPLEX.
>> YOU MENTIONED QUANTITATIVE EASING.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IT FOR OUR USERS.
QUANTITATIVE EASING IS YOU ARE SELLING BONDS TO TRY AND GET THE INTERBANK LENDING RATES TO A CERTAIN POINT.
BUT IT ALSO IS A BIT LIKE THREADING A NEEDLE AND YOU ARE CREATING MORE DEFACTO SUPPLY.
THAT IS MEANS THERE'S MORE MONEY TO SPEND WHICH CAN BE INFLATIONARY BUT QUANTITATIVE EASING MAKES IT SO YOU CAN BUFFER AGAINST A RECESSION.
YOU HAVE DIFFERENT TOOLS AND AGAIN WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO IS THREAD THE NEEDLE SO YOU RAISE INTEREST RATES ENOUGH TO GET A BREAK ON INFRATION BUT YOU DON'T GO TOO FAR AND CREATE A RECESSION.
>> DELICATE BALANCE.
NOW.
[ALL TALKING AT ONCE] >> I DON'T EITHER.
EARLIER WE SPOKE TO REYNA GONZALEZ, OWNER OF A MEXICAN CANDY AND PARTY STORE AND HERE IS WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE CHALLENGE OF UPPING PRICES WHILE INFLATION RISES.
>> EVERY TIME YOU GET MORE SUPPLIES THE PRICES GET HIGHER.
SO I'M NOT JUST BY A SMALL MARGIN BUT A LARGE MARGIN.
I DON'T WANT TO PLAY TOO MUCH WITH THE NUMBERS BECAUSE THE REGULAR CUSTOMERS, LIKE WHOA THIS WAS THIS PRICE BEFORE AND NOW IT'S THIS PRICE.
BUT WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO BECAUSE THE AMOUNT WE'RE GETTING OUR PRODUCT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAVE THE BUSINESS.
>> LINDSEY, HOW DOES INFLATION IMPACT SMALL BUSINESSES DIFFERENTLY COMPARED TO HOW LARGER CORPORATIONS ARE IMPACTED?
>> LARGER CORPORATIONS HAVE PURCHASING POWER.
THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE BIG PURCHASES AND SUPPLIERS TYPICALLY FAVOR THOSE LARGER BUSINESSES OVER SMALLER BUSINESSES DUE TO A LARGER VOLUME BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO PURCHASE THINGS AT A LARGER VOLUME.
THEY ALSO ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN CAPITAL LITTLE BIT EASIER AND THEY HAVE BIGGER LINES OF CREDIT IT MAKES THEM EASIER TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE AROUND THOSE CREDIT LINES.
I THINK IT IS SUCH A GOOD POINT SHE MADE AROUND THE PURCHASING PIECE OF IT.
WE HAVE BAKERS WHO HAVE SEEN THEIR EGGS, MILK, DAIRY PRODUCTS ET CETERA RAISED NOT JUST BY 2-3% BUT 10-20% AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS TO EACH OF THE PIECESES OF YOUR CAKE, YOUR CAKE THEN BECOMES WAY MORE EXPENSIVE IF YOU CHOOSE TO RAISE PRICES.
AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER HAS TO DO RIGHT NOW AND NOT SOMETHING THAT A LARGER CORPORATION NECESSARILY HAS TO DO BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR PURCHASING POWER AND THE CAPITAL AVAILABLE TO THEM.
>> AND YOU TALKED ABOUT BUSINESSES HAVING TO RAISE PRICES HOW FREQUENTLY ARE THEY HAVING TO MAKE THAT DECISION AND HOW DO THEY DECIDE BY HOW MUCH?
IS IT ENOUGH TO HIT THEIR MARGIN OR WHAT IS THE CHOICE THEY ARE HAVING TO MAKE?
>> GOSH, THAT IS SUCH A GOOD QUESTION.
WE ARE A NONPROFIT WE DO ONE-ON-ONE ADVISING AND WORKSHOPS AND GROUP ADVISING WORK AND THAT HAS TO BE ONE OF THE MOST FREQUENT QUESTIONS I'VE RECEIVED IN THE WORK I'VE DONE AT THE WBBC IS HOW DO I RAISE MY PRICES WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE, WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN I RAISE MY PRICES.
AND IT IS INDIVIDUAL BY BUSINESS AT THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE NOW.
SOMETIMES IT'S RIGHT AND SOMETIMES IT IS NOT AND IT IS A BUSINESS BY BUSINESS DECISION AND IT'S NEVER EASY.
>> A LOT TO FIGURE OUT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND ALL OF THEM REALLY.
THANKS TO LINDSAY MUELLER AND DANIEL LANSBERG FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT, SATISFYING OUR SWEET TEETH AT DINKEL'S BAKERY ONE LAST TIME.
WE EXPLAIN RIGHT AFTER THIS.
>> THERE'S MUCH MORE AHEAD INCLUDING A ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE LATEST CANDIDATE TO THE ENTER THE RACE FOR CHICAGO MAYOR.
FIRST IT IS A BITTERSWEET MONTH AS LAKEVIEW RESIDENTS SAY GOOD-BYE TO DINKEL'S BAKERY.
THE BAKERY SWEET TREATS HAVE BEEN A STAPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.
"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" JOANNA HERNANDEZ SHARES HOW CUSTOMERS ARE TAKING THE NEWS.
>> IS IT CLOSING FOR GOOD?
>> IT IS CLOSING FOR GOOD.
>> LITTLE ZIA O'NEILL LAZIO GOT THE NEWS TODAY THAT HER FAVORITE BAKERY IS SET TO CLOSE.
>> WHY ARE YOU UPSET?
>> BECAUSE I LOVE DINKEL'S AND IT TASTES SO GOOD.
>> TODAY YOU HAVE TO GET A BOX OF DOUGHNUTS.
ARE YOU GOING TO TELL YOUR DAD?
>> I GUESS WE'LL GET A BOX OF DOUGHNUTS.
>> AND BY THE LOOKS OF IT SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS GOING TO MISS THE BAKERY.
SHOCKED.
BECAUSE IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, DINKEL'S BAKERY HAS BEEN SERVING ALL TYPES OF DELICIOUS PASTRIES IN THE LAKEVIEW NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> I FEEL PERSONALLY VERY SAD.
IT'S THE BEST.
GREAT DOUGHNUTS AND GREAT COFFEE AND COOKIES THE HEART OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT COULD REPLACE IT.
>> LOCALS HANNAH AND EMMA DAY HAVE BEEN COMING TO DINKEL'S SINCE THEY WERE LITTLE.
>> OUR GRANDMOTHER CAME WHEN SHE WAS A KID.
AND ACTUALLY GOT HER A BOX OF COOKIES BEFORE THEY ANNOUNCED THEY WERE CLOSING.
THERE'S NOTHING LEFT.
>> GENERAL MANAGER LUKE CARL HAS BEEN WORKING ALONGSIDE OWNER NORM DINKEL FOR 13 YEARS AND IT'S BEEN INSPIRING TO LEARN FROM HIM.
HE IS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND HE HAS BEEN RUNNING THIS LONGER THAN HIS FATHER OR GRANDFATHER.
I WANT TO SAY MAYBE 43 OR 45 YEARS.
>> WITH THE BUILDING IN NEED OF REPAIRS AND THE PANDEMIC, CARL SAYS DINKEL HAD TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISION TO RETIRE.
>> HE WANTS TO HAVE A CLASSY FINISH.
IT'S BEEN OVER 100 YEARS AND A WONDERFUL CORNERSTONE IN CHICAGO AND THE BAKERY DESERVES A NICE FINAL.
>> WE GOT TO COME INSIDE THE KITCHEN AND A SECRET IS THEY BAKE ALL GOODIES IN THIS HUGE OVEN MADE IN THE 1940s.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
>> IT HOLDS 78 PANSES OF PRODUCTS AND IT'S THE LIFELINE FOR THE BAKERY.
>> YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO STOCK UP ON CLASSIC DOUGHNUTS OR STRUDLES BEFORE THEY STOP MAKING DOUGH.
>> WE HAVE ONE OF THE LAST PRALINE PECAN STRUDLE AND THE BROWNIES.
AND THEN I KNOW THEY ARE FAMOUS FOR THESE.
>> WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO THE REGISTER WE WERE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT IS LEFT.
>> SHE WALKED AWAY WITH A BOX OF WARM DOUGHNUTS.
>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M JOANNA HERNANDEZ.
>> AND CUSTOMERS ARE HOPING DINKEL'S BAKERY COULD BLOSSOM IN ANOTHER LOCATION BUT FOR NOW, THOSE WITH THE SWEET TOOTH WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH TO VISIT THAT IS.
AND NOW WE GO BACK TO BRANDIS.
>> TOO BAD.
THANK YOU.
STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", WILLIE WILSON HOPES THE THIRD TIME WILL BE THE CHARM AS HE ONCE AGAIN ANNOUNCES HE IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR.
STATE LAWMAKERS SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON A SERIES OF RECENTLY PASSED ANTICRIME BILLS INCLUDING SOME ON CARJACKING.
>> AND AN ILLINOIS NATIVE HITS A CAREER GRAND SLAM BY JOINING THE WHITE SOX HOW HE HAS SOCIAL MEDIA TO THANK FOR IT.
>> BUT FIRST, MORE OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES.
THE CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AANNOUNCING ROAD CLOSURES STARTING THURSDAY TO SUPPORT THE EVENTUAL OPENING OF THE OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL CENTER.
ROADWORK WILL LEAD TO LANE CLOSURES ON... >> THE AGENCY SAYS BY LATE 2023 A THIRD LANE ON THE SOUTHBOUND DuSABLE LAKE SHORE DRIVE WILL OPEN.
LAKE CLOSURES ON STONEY ISLAND AND HAZE DRIVE ARE EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.
>> $12 MILLION IN GRANTS IS SET TO BE AWARDED TO GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS TACKLING SOCIETAL HEALTH ISSUES UNDER A NEW COOK COUNTY PROGRAM.
>> ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTING PROGRAMS RELATED TO COVID-19 EDUCATION, PREVENTION, TREATMENT, AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH, FOOD INSECURITY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT WILL NOW BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS IN NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT CHICAGOLAND.
>> APPLICATIONS FOR THE BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES GRANT PROGRAM ARE ACCEPTED ON THE COOK COUNTY HEALTH WEBSITE.
GRANTS OF $50,000 AND $300,000 WILL BE AWARDED THIS FALL.
FUNDING COMES FROM THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
>> AND THE WHITE SOX ARE UNDEFEATED AT HOME FOR TODAY.
FANS FILED IN TO GUARANTEED RATE FIELD TO SEE THEM WIN AGAINST THE SEATTLE MARINERS 3-2.
THE FIRST IN A SIX-GAME HOMESTAND.
LATER IN THE PROGRAM, AMANDA VINICKY INTRODUCES US TO AN ILLINOIS NATIVE MAKING HIS HOMETOWN BASEBALL DREAMS COME TRUE.
>> PHILANTHROPIST AND BUSINESSMAN WILLIE WILSON IS RUNNING FOR MAYOR.
THE THIRD TIME HE SOUTH THE TOP JOB.
THE TWO BIDS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AS WAS THE RUN FOR U.S. SENATE IN 2020 AND RAN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2016 BEFORE VOTING FOR DONALD TRUMP.
HERE TO TELL US WHAT KEEPS HIM ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS WILLIE WILSON.
AND WELCOME BACK TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
YOU KNOW OR AS WE'VE SAID YOU'VE RUN FOR MAYOR TWICE BEFORE IN THE PAST.
WHY ARE YOU RUNNING AGAIN?
>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT THE CITY NEEDS A LOT OF HELP.
CRIME IS WAY UP.
THE ECONOMIC PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOODS IN CHICAGO NEED HELP ECONOMICALLY SPEAKING.
JOBS, MORE THAN JOBS, EMPOWERMENT AS WELL.
AND THE COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN THE PRESENT MAYOR RIGHT NOW HAS BEEN PRETTY ROUGH WITH THE ALDERMEN AND THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT WHICH THEY PROTECT US.
IT'S ALL CHAOTIC AND CONFUSED.
I MET EARLIER THIS WEEK I MADE A MISTAKE WHEN I ENDORSED HER.
SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE IS OUT OF OFFICE.
>> ON THAT POINT YOU PREVIOUSLY ENDORSED LORI LIGHTFOOT FOR MAYOR IN HER RUNOFF AGAINST TONI PRECKWINKLE AT THE TIME.
BUT YOU'VE SAID YOU MADE A MISTAKE.
WHY HAS LIGHTFOOT LOST YOUR SUPPORT?
>> WELL, FIRST OFF, WHEN SHE BASICALLY GOT IN THERE AND I DIDN'T HEAR FROM HER SINCE THAT TIME.
THREE YEARS AGO.
SHE BASICALLY SAID SHE COULD MEET WITH ME FOR THE THREE YEARS AND THAT WAS THAT AND THE REASON WHY SHE LOST MY SUPPORT IS THAT SHE HASN'T DONE THINGS AS RELATED TO ONE CRIME.
YOU KNOW.
TWO, EMPOWERMENT, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
, THREE EDUCATION, AND I GUESS THE FOURTH IS SHE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO COMMUNICATE.
ONE OF THOSE THINGS I DID NOT LIKE WAS I THOUGHT IT WAS WRONG THAT SHE DISMISSED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT TAKE THE VACCINE.
I FIGURED SHE SHOULD AT LEAST LET IT OPEN TO THE PEOPLE IF THEY TEST NEGATIVE LET THEM COME BACK TO WORK.
I WOULD REDO THAT SITUATION.
BECAUSE PEOPLE DO HAVE RIGHTS AND ALSO ON THAT LAST NOTE THERE, TOO, IS THAT THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND I.
>> ONE OF THE REASONS THAT YOU SAY YOU'RE RUNNING, THE HIGH INCIDENTS OF CRIME IN CHICAGO AND A LOT OF POLITICIANS THEY RUN ON THAT SAME ISSUE AND TALK ABOUT REDUCING CRIME.
Mr. WILLSON HOW EXACTLY DO YOU PLAN ON REDUCING CRIME IN CHICAGO?
>> WE WOULD PUT OUT NEARLY AS I SAID BEFORE, FOUR SUPERINTENDENTS OF POLICE.
DIVIDED INTO FOUR SEGMENTS.
AND HOLD THOSE SUPERINTENDENTS OF POLICE ACCOUNTABLE.
GET CLOSER TO THE COMMUNITY.
MAKING SURE WE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKING SURE WE GOT GOOD SOLID COMMUNICATION WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY.
AND ON TOP OF THAT WE WILL TAKE AND CREATE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT WITHIN THOSE COMMUNITIES BY CREATING, CREATE WITHIN THE SCHOOLS, CREATE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY CENTERS, CREATE WITHIN THE CHURCHES SO PEOPLE CAN LEARN HOW TO DO A SKILL.
ONCE THEY LEARN THOSE SKILLS THEY CAN GET A JOB AND THEY CAN GET INTO A CONTRACT WORK WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND THAT WAY THE MONEY GOES INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND STAYS IN THE COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE CAN MAKE A DECENT LIVING.
RIGHT NOW THEY CANNOT MAKE A DECENT LIVING WITH MINIMUM WAGE.
YOU CANNOT BUY HEALTH INSURANCE WITH MINIMUM WAGE.
AND THE LAST ON THE PIECE, TOO, IS THAT YOU'RE RAISING TAXES AND RUNNING PEOPLE AND BUSINESS OUT OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO.
PEOPLE ARE GOING IN INDIANA AND THOSE PLACES, SPENDING THEIR DOLLARS IN AREAS THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO PAY HIGH TAXES.
PEOPLE ARE SICK OF TAXES.
PEOPLE LOSING THEIR HOMES.
THE ANSWER TO IT IS BALANCING YOUR BUDGET LIKE I HAVE TO BALANCE MINE AT HOME.
THAT RAISING TAXES IS NOT THE ANSWER TO EVERY PROBLEM.
>> SO YESTERDAY, YOU SPOKE WITH OUR REPORTER, HEATHER CHERONE, AND SHE ASKED YOU IF YOU BELIEVED THAT JOE BIDEN WAS FAIRLY AND PROPERLY ELECTED AS PRESIDENT AND YOU DECLINED TO ANSWER.
ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY THERE?
>> WELL, I'M NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.
BUT LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY...
I DIDN'T PROTEST.
I DIDN'T COME OUT AND SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THAT.
BUT I BELIEVE IN THE SYSTEM THE AMERICAN SYSTEM THEY HAVE IN PLACE.
WHEN THE VOTER SAID THEY COME OUT AND I BELIEVE IN THAT PARTICULAR SYSTEM.
SO THAT IS BASIC.
WHAT I TRULY BELIEVE IN.
I'VE NEVER CHALLENGED ANY LAWS ABOUT WHETHER THE VOTE WAS RIGHT OR WRONG.
I LIVE BY THE PRINCIPLES.
SO AND IN ANSWER TO THE QUESTION ON THAT MAKE IT CLEARLY, I'VE NEVER CHALLENGED THAT.
I HAVE NO REASON TO UNLESS SOMEBODY TAKE [INAUDIBLE] AND HASN'T BEEN PROVEN YET.
>> LAST MONTH YOU PAID $1.2 MILLION TO COVER THE COST OF GAS GIVEAWAYS WE KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GENEROUS IN DONATING YOUR MONEY IN THE PAST.
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO SAY DOING THAT WHEN YOU ARE RUNNING FOR OFFICE OR DURING AN ELECTION YEAR TO FOLKS WHO SAY IT IS A POLITICAL STUNT TO ATTRACT VOTES?
>> I WENT TO NEW ORLEANS AND GAVE TO HURRICANE IDA'S SIX MONTHS AGO.
I WENT DOWN TO TOOK A MILLION DOLLARS DOWN THERE AND GAVE IT TO THEM.
I WASN'T RUNNING FOR MAYOR IN NEW ORLEANS.
I WENT TO CALIFORNIA WASN'T RUNNING FOR MAYOR IN CALIFORNIA.
I WENT I'M NOT RUNNING IN ALL THE CITIES.
THEY HAVE TO LOOK AT THEMSELVES.
LOOK, WHEN THE DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS THE POLITICIANS GET READY TO RUN FOR OFFICE THEY PASS LAWS RIGHT BEFORE THEY GET ELECTED.
SO I SAY I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THOSE PEOPLE WHO NEED GAS AND WHO NEED FOOD TO EAT.
THE PEOPLE LAYING ON THE STREET OUT THERE.
I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
I THINK THAT THEY SHOULD JOIN ME ON A CONSISTENT BASIS NOW.
SINCE 1996, IT WAS GIVEAWAY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN 1996.
I THINK THEY SHOULD JOIN IN THE SITUATION OF GIVING BACK TO THE PEOPLE AND HELPING THEM.
I DON'T CARE IF THEY WANT TO COMPLAIN ABOUT IT.
I THINK THE MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT COMING UP WITH THIS TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND EVERYBODY PAYS TAXES IN CHICAGO THEY SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO RELIEF.
>> WE'RE OUT OF TIME.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND BEST OF LUCK IN THE RACE.
>> THANK YOU >> NOW, TO PARIS WITH MORE FROM STATE LAWMAKERS ON THE LATEST SESSION IN SPRINGFIELD.
>> THANKS, BRANDIS.
EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED THE NEWLY PASSED BUDGET WITH LEADERS IN THE ILLINOIS HOUSE AND SENATE AND JOINING US AGAIN ARE STATE LAWMAKERS, DAN McCONCHIE, DON HARMON, TOM DEMMER AND CHRIS WELCH.
BILLS AROUND CARJACKING PASSED LAST WEEK A MEASURE THAT ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COOPERATE ACROSS JURISDICTIONS AND ANOTHER BILL THAT WAIVES TRAFFIC FINES FOR A STOLEN CAR.
EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT CARJACKING HAS EXPLODED IN CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
CAN THE BILLS MAKE A DENT IN THAT?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I THINK EVERY LITTLE THING WILL HELP.
WE BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE ALL ADDITIONAL TOOLS THAT WILL HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT GET THE JOB DONE.
THESE WERE ALL NEGOTIATED WITH STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE.
WE SAID THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR.
AND WE PROMISED WE COULD GET SOMETHING DONE AND WE DID THAT ON CARJACKINGS AND SOMETHING DONE ON ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT, GHOST GUNS.
THIS WAS A HUGE SESSION FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND WE GOT IT DONE BECAUSE WE WORKED TOGETHER WITH OUR FRIENDS IN THE SENATE AND THE STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE RECOGNIZING WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE STATE AND THIS COUNTRY.
I THINK IT WILL MAKE A HUGE DENT.
>> SENATOR McCONCHIE THE BILLS SPURRED CONTENTIOUS DEBATE.
DO YOU THINK THE BILLS SURROUNDING CARJACKING, RETAIL THEFT, GHOST GUNS CAN BRING DOWN THE CRIME RATE IN THE CHICAGO REGION AND BEYOND?
>> WE'LL SEE IF THERE'S SIGNIFICANT THING.
THE SPEAKER MENTIONED THEY WERE LITTLE THINGS AND I AGREE.
LITTLE THINGS CAN MAYBE HELP SOME BUT THESE BILLS ARE NIBBLING AROUND THE EDGES OF REAL PROBLEMS.
I'M SURE IT WILL BE COLD COMFORT TO THE PERSON THAT GETS CARJACKED TO KNOW THEY WON'T HAVE TO PAY THE TOLLS THAT THE CARJACKER OR RED LIGHT CAMERA TICKETS.
AT THE END OF THE DAY LAW ENFORCEMENT ASKED FOR SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN WHAT WE OFFERED THEM DURING THIS SESSION.
THEY ARE CONTINUING TO ASK FOR MORE.
WE CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE FACT THAT SOME OF OUR STATE'S ATTORNEYS PARTICULARLY IN COOK COUNTY CHOOSE NOT TO FILE CHARGES AT ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY COULD.
AND THAT IS EMBOLDENING CRIMINALS.
WE HAVE A MULTILEVEL EFFORT THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERWAY AND ALL WE DID WAS A LITTLE BIT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE DEMMER ONE OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WAS TOM DART OF COOK COUNTY CALLING FOR A BILL TO CREATE A 24/7 HOTLINE FOR AUTOMAKERS TO TRACK CARS.
THAT DID NOT ADVANCE.
WHAT ELSE CAN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DO TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE OF CARJACKING?
>> CARJACKING HAS BECOME A DAILY OCCURRENCE AND PEOPLE WAKE UP EACH DAY TO SEE THE LATEST CASES OF IT.
WHEN WE LOOK AT CARJACKING AND TRYING TO PREVENT THESE THINGS FROM HAPPENING BEING A DETERRENT TO FUTURE CARJACKERS WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE FACT WHEN THE SAFETY ACT PASSED A YEAR-AND-A-HALF AGO THIS CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE COMING SOON CASH BAIL WILL NOT BE REQUIRED FOR SOMEBODY WHO IS A CARJACKER.
THAT IS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT TO SET AND SOMETHING THAT SHOWS THAT ILLINOIS IS NOT TAKING THIS ISSUE OF VIOLENT CARJACKINGS SERIOUSLY.
>> SENATOR HARMON CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE ISSUE OF GHOST GUNS?
PRESIDENT BIDEN INTRODUCED A MEASURE FEDERALLY ON GHOST GUNS WHAT IS ILLINOIS' BILL DO?
>> OUR GHOST GUN BILL CRACKS DOWN ON THE HOMEMADE GUNS WHETHER THEY ARE FROM KITS THAT YOU GET THROUGH THE MAIL OR THAT YOU ASSEMBLE FROM PARTS AT THE STORE.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT GUNS HAVE SERIAL NUMBERS.
SO THAT THEY CAN BE TRACKED IN THE EVENT OF A CRIME.
OUR BILL MAKES IT ILLEGAL TO POSSESS OR TRANSFER GUNS THAT DO NOT HAVE SERIAL NUMBERS THAT EXIST OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THE REGULATORY PROCESS TODAY.
>> LEADER WELCH, SPEAKER WELCH, REPRESENTATIVE DEMMER BROUGHT AUDIOTAPE THE SAFETY ACT THAT PASSED LAST YEAR.
ONE PART OF IT ELIMINATING CASH BAIL FOR CARJACKING.
DO YOU THINK DEMOCRATS ARE IN A FALL SESSION WILL HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT PARTS OF THAT SAFETY ACT IF CRIME DOES NOT COME DOWN?
>> I DO NOT.
I BELIEVE LEADER DEMMER AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY SPENT THE LAST YEAR CREATING A FALSE NARRATIVE.
MOST OF THE SAFETY ACT DOES NOT GO INTO EFFECT OF JANUARY 2023.
WE DO KNOW THAT CRIME HAS GONE ON THE RISE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY NOT JUST IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
AND IT'S BEEN ON THE RISE BECAUSE OF GLOBAL PANDEMIC THAT HIT EVERYONE HARD, BECAUSE OF MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
AND WHAT HAVE WE DONE IN ILLINOIS?
WE PASSED BALANCED BUDGETS THAT HAVE ADDRESSED PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS, HAVE ADDRESSED MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.
AND ONE OF OUR FRIENDS LIKE LEADER DEMMER AND THE REPUBLICANS HAVE DONE THEY HAVE VOTED NO AGAINST ALL OF THAT.
THEY VOTED NO LAST WEEK AGAINST HALF A BILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY DOLLARS.
YOU KNOW, THE RUNNING COMMERCIALS TALKING ABOUT DEMOCRATS ARE DEFUNDING THE POLICE I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM VOTE FOR A BUDGET THAT THAT HAD PUBLIC SAFETY AND THERE'S ONLY ONE PARTY VOTING TO DEFUND THE POLICE AND THAT IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
>> LEADER McCONCHIE CRIMINAL JUSTICE WILL BE A BIG PART OF THIS ELECTION.
CAN YOU RESPOND TO SPEAKER WELCH'S CONTENTION THAT REPUBLICANS ARE NOT COMING FORWARD WITH IDEAS THAT WOULD PUT A DENT IN CRIME?
>> WELL, I MEAN WE INTRODUCED A MULTITUDE OF BILLS BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO ADDRESS NOT ONLY CRIME ISSUES OF BUDGET AND UNNORTH FATLY, THE MAJORITY IGNORED THOSE.
THEY ARE NEVER HEARD.
WHEN THINGS ARE PUT TOGETHER LIKE THE BUDGET AND SO FORTH WE ARE NOT INVITED TO THE TABLE AND THEN THEY PUT POISON PILLS LIKE RAISING THE LEGISLATOR'S SALARIES AND ADDRESSED US AND SAY WELL, YOU GUYS DID NOT VOTE FOR IT YOU ARE AGAINST IT.
WE WERE NEVER INVITED TO THE TABLE.
DEMOCRACY IS SUPPOSED TO BE EVERYBODY COMING AROUND THE TABLE AND MAKING THEIR VIEWS KNOWN AND PUTTING IT IN THE DEMOCRATS HERE HAVE SUPER MAJORITIES.
THEY'VE CHOSEN TO DO THIS ON THEIR OWN AND AS A RESULT WE'LL SEE WHAT THE ELECTION LOOKS LIKE IN THE FALL.
>> ON A RELATED ISSUE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONTENTION OVER THE STATE'S PAROLE BOARD LAST WEEK THE GOVERNOR NAMED TWO MORE PEOPLE TO SIT ON THAT BOARD.
THIS IS THE BOARD THAT DECIDES WHO CAN WALK FREE OUT OF ILLINOIS PRISONS.
HAS THE DYSFUNCTION SETTLED?
>> I'M NOT SURE THE DYSFUNCTION HAS SETTLED.
YOU HAVE TO ASK ABOUT A LARGER NARRATIVE WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THAT THE DEMOCRATS WHO CONTROL THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE, WHAT IS THE MESSAGE THEY ARE SEND BEING HOW SERIOUS THEY ARE ABOUT ADDRESSING THE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES IN ILLINOIS?
WE'VE HAD A RECORD LEVEL OF RETIREMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS FROM POLICE OFFICERS, SHERIFFS DEPUTIES, WE HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE RIGHT NOW THAT COME JANUARY A CARJACKER WILL BE BACK ON THE STREETS HOURS AFTER THEY COMMITTED THEIR CARJACKING BECAUSE CASH BAIL IS ABOLISHED.
WHAT IS THE LONGER RUNNING NARRATIVE.
THIS WAS NOT A ISSUE RELATED TO THE PRISONER REVIEW BOARD IT'S LARGER AND WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO ACHIEVE PUBLIC SAFETY AND WHAT PARTY IS LOOKING OUT FOR PEOPLE EVERYDAY.
>> ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND IN THE STATE IT'S STILL 1.8 BILLION IN DEBT.
SENATOR HARMON, HOW WILL LAWMAKERS BE ABLE TO PLUG THAT DEBT?
>> PARIS, I WILL HANS THAT QUESTION BUT I HAVE TO RESPOND.
THE REPUBLICANS HAVE LATCHED ON TO THIS POLITICAL STRATEGY THAT DOESN'T MATCH WITH REALITY.
DEMOCRATS ARE VOTING TO FUND POLICE.
REPRESENTATIVE DEMMER'S NOTION THAT CASH BAIL IS GOING TO RELEASE PEOPLE IS UPSIDE-DOWN.
TODAY, A CARJACKER CAN BAILOUT SO LONG AS HE HAS ENOUGH MONEY.
WHEN THE NEW BAIL SYSTEM IS PUT INTO PLACE THE PEOPLE CAN BE HELD IN JAIL PENDING TRIAL BECAUSE THEY ARE A DANGER TO COMMUNITY.
IT'S FEAR MONGERING AND PANIC IT IS TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
YOUR ASKED ABOUT THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOOK THE UNPRECEDENTED STEP OF PUTTING $2.7 BILLION INTO THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE EVER SUBSIDIZED THAT SYSTEM WITH TAXPAYER MONEY.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A CONTAINED SYSTEM, NEGOTIATED BETWEEN THE EMPLOYERS AND THE EMPLOYEES.
AND WHAT WE'VE DONE BY MAKING THAT EXTRAORDINARY FIRST TIME CONTRIBUTION OF TAXPAYER MONEY, IS TO TAKE THE EXOFF THE DEBT.
TO PUT IT BACK IN THE REALM WHERE THE SYSTEM BEFORE.
AFTER THE 2008 FORECLOSE CRISIS, THE ECONOMY WENT UNDER AND THE SYSTEM SETTLED A 1.8 BILLION DEFICIT.
WE PUT IT BACK INTO THE POSITION BY PUTTING TAXPAYER INTO THE SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.
>> STILL, A LITTLE WAYS TO GO TO CLOSE THE REST OF THAT DEBT.
WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE THANKS TO DAN McCONCHIE, DON HARMON, TOM DEMMER AND CHRIS WELCH WE APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> UP NEXT AN ILLINOIS NATIVE SIGNS ON WITH THE WHITE SOX THANKS TO SOCIAL MEDIA.
BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> FRESH OFF A WHITE SOX WIN LET'S MEET A NEW MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION.
HE GOT HIS START WITH THE SOX IS AN UNCONVENTIONAL WAY.
AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW WITH HIS STORY.
>> YES, PARIS PEOPLE USE SOCIAL MEDIA FOR A LOT OF THINGS.
I USE IT FOR NEWS, RECIPES KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
ROB FRIEDMAN USES IT TO PROMOTE THE GAME OF BASEBALL.
FANS MAY KNOW HIM AS THE PITCHING NINJA.
HE POSTS VIDEOS AND INTERVIEWS WITH PRO ATHLETES AND TIPS ON PITCHING MECHANICS.
ANYONE CAN ACCESS AND LEARN FROM THEM.
>> IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THE SPORT DOESN'T PRICE KIDS OUT AND MAKE IT A RICH KIDS SPORT.
THAT'S THE PART THAT I KIND OF HATE.
>> PITCHING NINJA GOT MORE POPULAR.
HE SAYS THAT TRUE FANS OF PITCHING NINJA THEY ARE THERE TO WATCH THE PROS PITCH.
THEY GOT SICK OF WATCHING CLIPS OF HIGH SCHOOL KIDS PLAYING THE GAME.
ROB FRIEDMAN STARTED A SIDE PROJECT FLAT GROUND.
>> THE IDEA STARTED BECAUSE THERE WERE TWO GUYS THROWING 102-MILES-PER-HOUR IN INDEPENDENT LEAGUE.
THEY WEREN'T PICKED UP BY MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS BECAUSE SCOUTS WILL SEE SOMEBODY AND WRITE THEM OFF FOR WHATEVER REASON AND FOREVER THIS PERSON IS WRITTEN OFF.
DESPITE THE FACT THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN BETTER.
>> FLAT GROUND IS A SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE FOR ATHLETES TO HELP GET FOUND BY COLLEGE COACHES.
ROOKIE BALL RECRUITERS AND PRO BALL SCOUTS.
THAT IS WHERE JAKE SUDDRETH POSTED A VIDEO OF HIS PITCHING AND STATS.
JAKE WAS BORN IN CHICAGO SPENT HIS YOUTH IN SHORE WOOD AND BLOOMINGTON BEFORE MOVING TO ARIZONA HE ALWAYS LOVED THE WHITE SOX.
>> GREW UP JUST WATCHING DIFFERENT PLAYERS AND SITTING WATCHING TV SAYING I WANT TO BE LIKE THAT GUY.
>> JAKE SUDDRETH OWE OWN BASEBALL CAREER HAS HAD ITS SHARE OF CURVEBALLS?
>> AFTER MY SOPHOMORE YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL I WAS TOLD I WAS THE WORST PLAYER IN THE PROGRAM AT THE SCHOOL AND I TRANSFERRED MY NEW SCHOOL I ENDED UP BEING ONE OF THE STATE'S TOP PITCHERS PITCHED IN THE SEMIFINAL GAMES AND WAS ABLE TO WIN A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MY SENIOR YEAR.
>> TRANSFERRING TO FIVE DIFFERENT COLLEGES IN ORDER TO KEEP PLAYING.
AND PITCHING FOR A COLLEGIATE PREMIER LEAGUE ONE NEARBY, THE DOCKS FIGHTERS IN WISCONSIN.
ALL THE WHILE HOPING TO GET DRAFTED AND KEEPING UP HIS TRAINING.
GETTING HIS MBA, GETTING ENGAGED, WORKING AT TRACK MAN THAT TRACKS BASEBALL DATA AND POSTING VIDEOS TO TWITTER LIKE THIS.
>> DEAL THE 1-2.
SWING AND A MISS FOR STRIKE 3.
>> HE HAD HAD SUCCESS VIA TWITTER AND FLAT GROUND THAT IS HOW THE STATE UNIVERSITY FOUND HIM AND THE DOCK FIGHTERS.
HE IS A PITCHER AND THIS TIME YOU COULD SAY HE HIT A HOME RUN.
A WHITE SOX SCOUT SAW THE VIDEO AND CALLED PITCHING NINJA ABOUT JAKE SUDDRETH.
>> NEXT THING I KNEW I HAD A DIRECT MESSAGE FROM THE WHITE SOX ORGANIZATION ASKING IF I WANTED TO SIGN.
AND THE REST IS HISTORY.
I WAS IN SEPTEMBER, AND LEFT TRACK MAN THAT DAY AT LUNCH AND WENT TO THE FACILITY AND DID MY INTAKE TESTING MY PHYSICAL AND STARTED ROOKIE BALL TWO DAYS LATER.
>> NOW, THE PITCHING NINJA SAYS AT THIS POINT HE ESTIMATES THAT THOUSANDS OF COLLEGIATE TEAMS RECRUITED PITCHERS VIA VIDEOS POSTED TO PITCHING NINJA AND FLAT GROUND IT'S LESS COMMON TO FIND AND RECRUIT MLB PLAYERS VIA SOCIAL MEDIA ALTHOUGH IT'S BECOMING MORE SO.
ROB FRIEDMAN SAYS JAKE SUDDRETH'S CASE STICKS OUT.
HE WAS BESIDE HIMSELF HAPPY.
HE WAS A CHICAGO WHITE SOX LIFELONG FAN AND TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN, THAT WAS RARE.
LIKE FOR A DREAM TO TOTALLY COME TRUE, BASED ON THE INTERNET, AND BASED ON TWITTER, I THINK IT SHOWS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA CAN BE USED FOR GOOD RATHER THAN ALL THE EVIL THAT YOU CONSTANTLY HEAR FROM IT.
>> FOR GOOD, LIKE FOR MAKING CONNECTIONS AND FOR MAKING COME TRUE DREAMS LIKE THE SURREAL ONE JAKE SUDDRETH SAYS HE IS LIVING.
>> I GUESS THE CORRECT WAY TO SAY IT IS JUST LIKE PAY THE COACHES BACK FOR BELIEVING IN ME AND FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN BY JUST CONTINUING AND HOPING THAT SOME DAY I CAN ALLOW THEM TO SAY THAT THEY FOUND A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH AND WE'RE ABLE TO I MEAN EVENTUALLY, THE END GOAL AND THE DREAM IS TO PLAY FOR THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX AND THE MAJOR LEAGUE LEVEL WIN A WORLD SERIES FOR THEM.
>> IF THAT HAPPENS THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SAY THEY FOUND HIM ON TWITTER.
JAKE SUDDRETH WAS NOT ON THE MOUND AT GUARANTEED RATE FIELD.
HE WAS AN EXTENDED SPRING TRAINING.
WITH THAT, PLAY BALL.
BACK TO YOU.
>> HOPE TO SEE HIM IN THE BIG SOON.
CUBS WIN, TOO.
BOTH TEAMS ARE 3-1.
AND WE'RE BACK TO WRAP THINGS UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.
>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.
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>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET THE SHOW VIA PODCAST AND THE PBS VIDEO APP.
AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PLAN TO WAIVE ETHANOL BLENDING RULES AND IMPACT ON GAS PRICES HERE IN THE MIDWEST.
>> AND DESPITE SOME PROGRESS CONSENT DECREE STRUGGLES PERSIST FOR THE CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT.
OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM WEIGHS IN.
AND FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.
>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.
THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.
STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
[♪♪♪]
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