[♪♪♪] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "CHICAGO TONIGHT."

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> PARIS SCHUTZ WILL JOIN US LATER IN THE PROGRAM.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> GOVERNOR PRITZKER LIFTS THE STATE MASK MANDATE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU.

>> THAT MORAL DOCUMENT SAYS ILLINOIS IS INVESTING IN A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

>> LOOK FOR A LAWSUIT TO BE FILED OVER ILLINOIS' NEW BUDGET.

>> THE FIGHT OVER NEW WARD MAPS, GAS CARDS AND CASINOS, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WEIGH-IN ON THAT AND MORE.

A NEW BOOK LOOKS TO THE THREAT OF DEMOCRACY AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO FIX IT.

A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER RESTRICTS MIGRANTS FROM ENTERING THE U.S. IS SET TO END NEXT MONTH.

WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS.

>> IT CAN BE BETTER.

>> CHICAGO AREA STARBUCKS WORKERS ARE PART OF A GROWING NATIONAL TREND TO UNIONIZE.

[♪♪♪] >> AND HE MAY BE STUFFED WITH FLUFF BUT WINNIE THE POOH AND HIS FRIENDS ARE HEADED TO LAKEVIEW FOR A NEW MUSICAL ADAPTATION.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT SPOKE AT THE CITY CLUB TODAY WHERE SHE ENDED HER SPEECH ON A CRYPTIC NOTE.

>> WE HAVE FACED UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES AND WE HAVE MET THOSE CHALLENGES HEAD ON WITH UNPRECEDENTED RESOLVE AND COMING TOGETHER.

AND WE'VE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS.

AND MORE TO DO.

SO THANK YOU ALL FOR CONTINUING TO CHOOSE CHICAGO AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME.

AND OH, BY THE WAY, FOR THOSE OF YOU WOULD CAME TODAY, EXPECTING A DIFFERENT ANNOUNCEMENT... [LAUGHTER] NOT IT TODAY BUT SOON.

BE PATIENT.

THANK YOU, ALL.

[APPLAUSE] >> THAT NON-ANNOUNCEMENT COULD BE A NOD TO LIGHTFOOT HAS NOT FORMALLY DECLARED A REELECTION FOR MAYOR.

INSTEAD HER SPEECH TOUTED THE CITY'S ECONOMIC REBOUND FROM THE DOWNTURN BROUGHT BY THE PANDEMIC.

SOMEONE WHO HAS ANNOUNCED A RUN IS GIVING AWAY FREE GAS FOR THE THIRD TIME.

>> I DID PROMISE THE PEOPLE THAT I WOULD LET THEM KNOW TODAY WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE ANOTHER THIRD GIVEAWAY OF GASOLINE.

THE FIRST GIVEAWAY WAS 200,000.

THE SECOND WAS 1 MILLION.

AND THIS SATURDAY WE'RE GOING TO PLEDGE TO GIVEAWAY TOTAL OF ANOTHER $1 MILLION GIVEAWAY FOR GASOLINE THIS PARTICULAR SATURDAY.

[APPLAUSE] >> BUSINESSMAN AND MAYORAL CANDIDATE WILLIE WILSON SAYS HE IS PUMPING $1 MILLION OF FREE GAS INTO TANKS AT 50 CHICAGO AREA GAS STATIONS SATURDAY.

IT IS THE THIRD GIVEAWAY FROM WILSON THIS YEAR AND THE FIRST SINCE HE DECLARED HIS THIRD RUN FOR CHICAGO MAYOR.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT IS SEEKING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL OF HER $12 MILLION PROGRAM WHICH WOULD PROVIDE FREE GAS AND CARDS TO CHICAGOANS.

MORE ON THAT WITH CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS COMING UP.

>> AND PARENTS OF SOME OF THE CITY'S YOUNGEST STUDENTS ARE GETTING EASIER ACT 0 SES TO EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS.

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY UNVEILED THE CHICAGO EARLY LEARNING APPLICATION PORTAL TODAY.

IT ALLOWS PRETHEYAL MOTHERS AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN TO COLLECT EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM.

PARENTS CAN APPLY ON-LINE OR OVER THE PHONE AND THOSE WITH LIMITED INTERNET ACCESS CAN APPLY IN-PERSON AT A SCHOOL, AN EARLY LEARNING CENTER OR ONE OF THE SIX COMMUNITY SERVICE CENTERS.

UP NEXT NEW GUIDELINES FOR WEARING MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

STAY WITH US.

>> Announcer: "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> FACE MASKS ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED ON PUBLIC TRANSIT ACROSS THE STATE.

THIS JUST HOURS AFTER CHICAGO OFFICIALS TOLD CTA AND METRA RIDERS TO KEEP MASKING UP.

WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US WITH MORE.

I'M GLAD YOU DON'T HAVE WHIPLASH.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER ISSUED A REVISED EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ILLINOIS RESIDENTS?

>> THE SERIES OF EVENTS STARTED YESTERDAY WHEN A FEDERAL JUDGE IN FLORIDA RULED THAT THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ACTED IMPROPERLY IMPLEMENTING A MASK MANDATE NATIONWIDE ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

SO THAT IS AIRPLANES, TRAINS, BUSES, AND RIDE HAILING VEHICLES.

SO ONCE THAT HAPPENED AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DID NOT IMMEDIATELY APPEAL THAT RULING, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE IN FLUX.

THIS MORNING, Dr. ALLISON ARWADY HAD HER WEEKLY ON-LINE Q AND A WITH PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT COVID AND SHE SAID THAT THE CTA WAS GOING TO CONTINUE TO REQUIRE MASKS BECAUSE THERE WAS A STATE EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING THAT.

BUT THAT ONLY LASTED A COUPLE MORE HOURS.

>> OK.

THE REVISED ORDER CAME A DAY AFTER A U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE STRUCK DOWN THE MANDATE AND HOURS AS YOU SAID AFTER CHICAGO PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSIONER ALLISON ARWADY SAID MASKS ARE TO BE WORN THROUGH THE END OF THE MONTH.

CAN YOU GIVE US A TIMELINE HOW THE DECISIONS WERE MADE?

>> THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, WE HAVE SEEN THE CITY AND THE STATE SOMEWHAT AT ODDS OVER THESE RULES.

AND TODAY WAS AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE OF IT.

Dr. ARWADY MADE HER REMARKS AT 11:00 A.M. AND THEN MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT ANSWERED A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH MASKERS AND SHE SAID I DON'T THINK MASKS WILL BE AROUND FOR MUCH LONGER BUT PEOPLE SHOULD KEEP WEARING THEM IF A WANT TO.

AND GOVERNOR PRITZKER AT 3:00 P.M.

ISSUED THE NEW ORDER THAT THREW EVERYTHING IN FLUX.

AND AN HOUR LATER CTA ANNOUNCED MASKS WOULD NOT BE REQUIRED.

IF THAT GAVE YOU WHIPLASH YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

THAT IS A LOT OF CHANGES FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE IN WHEN COVID CASES ARE RISING AND PEOPLE ARE WORRIED WE ARE ON THE BRINK OF ANOTHER SURGE.

>> THANK YOU, HEATHER CHERONE.

>> THANKS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ THE STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> ILLINOIS IS SET TO SPEND SOME 46 BILLION IN ITS NEW BUDGET SIGNED TODAY BY GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US WITH A BREAKDOWN WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING.

AMANDA.

>> BRANDIS, THERE IS A A LOT OF MONEY SPRINKLED ALL OVER THE PLACE IN THIS BUDGET AND THIS IS NOT THE LAST THAT YOU WILL BE HEARING ABOUT IT.

EVEN BEFORE HE SIGNED IT INTO LAW TODAY, GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER WAS OUT WITH A CAMPAIGN AD BOASTING ABOUT THE SPENDING PLAN CALLING IT BALANCED, LEAVING ILLINOIS WITH A SMALL SURPLUS AND OFFERING $1.8 BILLION IN TAX RELIEF THE BULK OF THAT TEMPORARY.

ONE TIME 50 CASH REBATES.

ONE TIME PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.

ONE YEAR LIFTING OF THE STATE'S 1% SALES TAX ON GROCERIES SO THAT MEANS YOU WILL SAVE A BUCK IF YOU SPEND A HUNDRED ON FOOD.

A SALES TAX-FREE PERIOD FOR BACK TO SCHOOL TIME AND ALSO A GAS TAX FREEZE OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE GONE UP TWO CENTS STARTING THIS SUMMER.

A SIGN THAT LAWMAKERS WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE UP TO, THE LAW STIPULATES THAT GAS STATIONS HANG A SIGN THAT NOTIFIES DRIVERS OF THAT SIX-MONTH GAS TAX SUSPENSION OF THE INCREASE.

NOW, IF THEY DON'T DO SO GAS STATIONS WILL HAVE TO PAY A FINE OF UP TO $500 A DAY.

GAS STATION OWNERS NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT AND AS WE HAVE LEARNED THEY VOTED TODAY THEY ARE GOING TO FILE A LAWSUIT TO STOP THAT FROM TAKING EFFECT.

>> COMPELLING SPEECH THAT IS HOW ANY STATE IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD BE CONDUCTING BUSINESS MAKING CRIMINALS OUT OF BUSINESS OWNERS FOR NOT POSTING SPEECH THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE PART IN.

WE DON'T HAVE ANY SPEECH ON OUR GAS PUMPS.

>> HE SAYS IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT WAS A LAW PASSED BY DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS, IT IS WRONG FOR GOVERNMENT TO FORCE PRIVATE BUSINESSES TO POST SIGNS IT IS A FIRST AMENDMENT ISSUE TO COMPEL FREE SPEECH AT THE BUSINESS' EXPENSE.

>> IT IS A PAIN.

WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE LAW WOULD BE ENFORCED.

WHAT IF SOMEONE TAKES THE SIGN OFF, ARE WE RESPONSIBLE?

EVERYTHING ABOUT THE MANDATE IS LAW.

AND AGAIN WE'RE URGE THE STATE NOT TO DO THIS.

I HATE TO SAY BUT IT'S OBVIOUSLY BEING DONE FOR POLITICAL REASONS IT IS AN ELECTION YEARS AND LEGISLATORS IN SPRINGFIELD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET CREDIT FOR DELAYING A TAX EVEN THOUGH THAT MEANS NEXT YEAR THERE WILL BE TWO INCREASES IN 2023.

>> GAS TAX EXTENSION OF THE INCREASE IT LIFTS IN JANUARY.

SO YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT PER GALLON TAX INCREASING AT THE START OF 2023 AND IT WILL INCREASE COME JULY OF 2023.

ALL OF THESE TAX RELIEF MEASURES DID GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

BUT THE REST OF THE BUDGET REPUBLICANS VOTED AGAINST AND THE GOVERNOR LASHED OUT AT THE G.O.P.

OVER THAT.

>> THE ONLY MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO VOTED TO KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND TO STICK YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN WITH THE BILL, WERE THE REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST IT.

WHO SEEMED TO PREFER SMRUNKING FOR MISERY OVER OFFERING SOLUTIONS.

>> REPUBLICANS, HOWEVER, SAY THEIR SPENDING PLAN IS INSULTING TO VOTERS AND DRIVEN BY ONGOING CAMPAIGNS.

THEY HAVE BETTER IDEAS BUT DEMOCRATS IGNORED THEM EXCLUDING THEM FROM BUDGETARY CONVERSATIONS.

AND WARNED THAT ILLINOIS' SPENDING CREATING A LOT OF NEW PROGRAMS THAT THE STATE IS NOT LIKELY TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD IN THE FUTURE.

>> THIS RELIES CONTINUES TO RELY UPON FEDERAL MONEY TO HAVE THE LARGEST BUDGET IN ILLINOIS HISTORY.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

AND WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT DOWN THE ROAD, NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE ARE CREATING ALL SORTS OF PROGRAMS UNDER THIS BUDGET THAT NOW POTENTIALLY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FUND WHEN WE WON'T HAVE THIS FEDERAL MONEY COMING IN THE STATE.

>> NOW, AS I NOTED A WHOLE BUTCH OF NEW BRAHAMS OR OWE BUNCH OF FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS, ANTI-VALUES GETTING QUARTER A MILLION MORE.

SCHOOLS RECEIVING MORE.

RESTAURANTS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR ADDITIONAL COVID RELIEF MONEY AND FUNDING SINCE ILLINOIS IS NOT GOING R LONGER GOING TO HAVE TO TURN AWAY LOW INCOME COLLEGE STUDENTS FOR THE GRANT HELPING ONE STUDENT AT CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY ON HER PATH TO BECOMING A NURSE.

>> IT HAS MADE ME EXTREMELY HONORED AND GRATEFUL TO RECEIVE THE MAP GRANT.

ON COLLEGE DECISION DAY I WAS STILL UNDECIDED.

WE WERE ATTENDING CLASSES VIRTUALLY AND MY OPTIONS WERE LIMITED.

DUE TO THE INABILITY TO VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

SELECTING THE RIGHT COLLEGE WAS A FAMILY DECISION BECAUSE OF MY CURRENT FAMILY FINANCIAL COMPLICATIONS IT MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT.

>> DEMOCRATS SAY THIS BUDGET SHOWS ILLINOIS IS BACK.

>> YOU HEAR THAT SOUND?

THAT IS THE SOUND OF ILLINOIS BEING BACK ON TRACK.

THAT IS THE SOUND OF GREAT THINGS HAPPENING ACROSS THIS LAND.

>> I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE DID TODAY AND CANNOT WAIT FOR THE FUTURE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS BECAUSE ILLINOIS IS ON THE COMEBACK.

>> WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE NANCY NAY SAYERS OF THE WORLD, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS BROKE, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAN'T MANAGE THEIR FINANCES, WELL, THIS BUDGET AND THIS RELIEF PLAN HELPS ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE.

ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE.

YOU CAN CLAP FOR THAT, TOO THAT IS OK.

I HEARD THAT.

>> I DID SPEAK WITH DEMOCRATS UNWILLING TO BE NAMED SAYING A BETTER OPTION WOULD HAVE BEEN TO COOL IT ON ONE TIME SPENDING AND PUT MORE TOWARD PAYING DOWN ILLINOIS DEBT.

THE BULK OF THAT OF COURSE IS ILLINOIS' PENSION DEBT.

THIS BUDGET REQUIRED AMOUNT FOR THIS YEAR AND PUTS IN ADDITIONAL MONEY HALF A BILLION MORE.

BUT THAT UNFUNDED LIABILITY STANDS AT OVER $130 BILLION.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE A MONTH TO REACH A COMPROMISE OVER A NEW WARD MAP THAT WILL SHAPE THE CITY'S POLITICS FOR THE NEXT DECADE.

IN ADDITION NOT EVERYONE ON THE COUPLE SUPPORTS THE PLAN TO USE $12.5 MILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY TO GIVE OUT PREPAID GAS CARDS AND CTA PASSES.

JOINING US ARE ALDERMAN GILBERT VILLEGAS OF THE 36TH WARD AND CHAIR OF THE LATINO CAUCUS.

ALDERMAN HOWARD BROOKINS OF THE 21 IS IT WARD AND SERVES AS TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC WAY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN.

AND ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ OF THE 25TH WARD, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ALDERMAN VILLEGAS, YOU TOLD WTTW NEWS YESTERDAY THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO PROGRESS OVER THE WARD REMAPPING PROCESS.

ARE THERE ANY PLANS FROM THE LATINO CAUCUS TO REVISE THE MAP TO REACH A CONSENSUS?

>> LET ME SAY THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON.

WE'RE STILL 30 DAYS AWAY FROM HAVING TO MAKE A FINAL DECISION.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE SENT OVER PROPOSALS ON WHAT WE FIGURE ARE POINTS THAT CAN BE NEGOTIATED.

AND SO WE'RE WAITING TO SEE IF THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK IN AND SEE IF THERE CAN BE MOVEMENT ON IT.

WE HAVE FOUR OR FIVE ISSUES WE'RE WAITING TO SEE IF THERE CAN BE NEGOTIATED.

>> WILL YOU SHARE WHAT THOSE POINTS MIGHT BE?

>> SURE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE MAP BY THE RULES COMMITTEE, THERE'S A LOT OF GERRYMANDERING THAT IS GOING ON.

WE WANT TO FIX SOME OF THAT STUFF ESPECIALLY ON THE NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE CITY.

IN THE 10TH WARD THERE ARE ADJUSTMENTS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS WELL AS THE DISCUSSION AROUND POTENTIALLY A SET OF [INAUDIBLE] POTENTIALLY HAVING A 50/50 WARD THAT FOR THE NEXT DECADE WILL ALLOW FOR THE LATINO POPULATION TO INCREASE.

WE WANT TO FIGURE A WAY TO GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

THESE ARE OUR COLLEAGUES.

WE ARE IN DISAGREEMENT WITH AN ORDINANCE AND WE WANT TO SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO A RESOLUTION.

>> IN APRIL 6TH LETTER FROM ALDERPERSON MICHELLE HARRIS WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE BLACK CAUCUS' MAP SAID TO YOU THAT SHE WOULD NOT REOPEN THE ENTIRE REMAP PROCESS AND SHE WENT ON TO ACCUSE YOU OF ENGAGING IN STUNTS AND GAMES.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION?

>> I WOULD SAY WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO REDOING THE ENTIRE MAP.

WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO FIX SOME OF THE AREAS THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FOLLOW THE LATINO CENSUS TRACKS AND PUT US IN A POSITION FOR THE NEXT DECADE WE WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, REPRESENTATION THAT IS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT THIS IS WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS.

WE PUT FORWARD A MAP IN ADVANCE OF THE DECEMBER 1 DEADLINE TO SPARK DISCUSSION SPARK DIALOGUE.

AND THIS [INAUDIBLE] WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FOLLOWING THE DATA AND THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND LISTENING TO THE RESIDENTS.

>> ALDERMAN BROOKINS WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE ROADMAP?

>> WE ARE AT AN IMPASSE AND WE'RE STUCK IF NOTHING HAPPENS THIS WILL GO TO REFERENDUM WITH THE TWO MAPS THAT HAVE BEEN PROPOSED AND THAT ARE OUT THERE.

I THINK THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS THERE'S 41 ALDERMEN WILLING TO SIGN ON TO WHATEVER THE COMPROMISE IS AND I DON'T KNOW THAT ARE 41 OUT THERE AT LEAST AS WE SPEAK RIGHT NOW.

WITH THAT SAID, AND LISTENING TO WHAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CHAIRMAN VILLEGAS SAID IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET TO ANOTHER WARD REMAPPING EIGHT YEARS IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER DECADE.

WE'RE ALREADY IN 2022.

BY 2030, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER MAP AND I SUSPECT THAT THE POPULATION WILL CHANGE AND SHIFT AGAIN.

WE DO HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AND THAT IS HOW IT'S ALWAYS BEEN DONE OVER THE YEARS.

AND TRYING TO STRAIGHTEN OUT TERRITORIAL DISPUTES.

BUT I DO THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL COMPROMISE.

THE QUESTION IS IS THERE ENOUGH TIME TO GET TO IT.

>> ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ WHAT WOULD BE THE IMPACT OF A REFERENDUM?

>> IT WILL DECIDE THE STATE OF MEGA DEVELOPMENTS.

THE LINCOLN YARDS AND THE 78, WHERE WE HAVE DIFFERENCES TERMS OF WHAT THE FUTURE OF THE DEVELOPMENTS ARE.

AND WE HAVE TO SEE THE [INAUDIBLE] WE WANT TO SEE WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CITY.

WE WANT THE BEST AND THE MOST ADEQUATE REPRESENTATION FOR THE BLACK AND THE LATINO COMMUNITIES AND ULTIMATELY WE ARE NOT ABLE TO REASON THAT AGREEMENT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE VOTERS TO DECIDE IN THE REFERENDUM ON JUNE 28.

>> WE KNOW THE MAYOR HAS PROPOSED A GAS CARD LOTTERY A GIVEAWAY AND IT'S SOMETHING SHE SPOKE ABOUT DURING A SPEECH AT THE CITY CLUB.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO GIVEN THE FACT THAT GAS PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED THEY HAVE NOT COME DOWN YET.

AND THIS AS WE KNOW, EVERY SUMMER THE PRICES GO UP MORE.

SO THAT IS WHY WE'RE ROLLING THIS OUT OVER INCREMENTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER TO CONTINUE TO GIVE PEOPLE RELIEF.

>> THAT IS AT THE MEDIA SPEAKING TO REPORTERS AFTER THE SPEECH AT CITY CLUB.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THIS WILL PASS CITY COUNCIL?

>> I THINK ULTIMATELY THERE WILL BE 26 VETS TO PASS IT.

-- VOTES TO PASS IT.

IT'S BEEN SHOWN BASED ON WILLIE WILSON'S GAS GIVEAWAYS PEOPLE CRYING OUT THAT THE GAS AT THE PUMP IS TOO HIGH THAT THERE IS A NEED AND THAT PEOPLE ARE IN DESPERATE STRAITS RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS SOME MEASURE OF HELP FOR THEM A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

I THINK THAT THERE WILL BE ULTIMATELY ENOUGH VOTES TO GET IT PASSED.

>> ALDERMAN IS A GIVEAWAY THE RIGHT WAY TO PROVIDE RELIEF RIGHT NOW?

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SOME OF THE CONCERNS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SUBSIDIES WHICH THOSE IN BAD SHAPE THOSE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE BEING HIT HARD BY THE PANDEMIC IS BEING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR MOST VULNERABLE FAMILIES OF THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF THE CITY BRACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

I HOPE WE REACH AN AGREEMENT THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST IN BEST INCIDENT RESIDENTS AND WE FOCUS ON NEED.

I HOPE WE GET AN AGREEMENT THAT THE SUBSIDIES WILL REACH THOSE REALLY NEED.

>> WE HAVE A LOOK AT WHAT THE CARDS WOULD LOOK LIKE.

SHOULD THE MAYOR HAVE HER NAME YOU CAN SEE HER NAME IS THERE, SHOULD THE MAYOR HAVE HER NAME ON THE PREPAID GAS CARD THAT GOES TO CHICAGO VOTERS 10 MONTHS BEFORE THE ELECTION?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IS A GOOD LOOK.

I'M ALL FOR HELPING THE PEOPLE.

I CHAMPIONED THE GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME WHICH WILL PUT MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE.

I'M MAKING SURE WE ARE GETTING MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE.

SO THE QUICKER WE CAN GET FUNDING TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED THE MONEY THE BEST TO HELP THEM RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC, I'M ALL FOR IT.

I WAS OPPOSED TO THE 3 CENTS REMOVAL OF THE GAS TAX BECAUSE THAT IS REVENUE THAT WE'RE LOSING.

BY ALLOWING THE GAS CARDS TO BE UTILIZED HELP THE PEOPLE AND CAPTURE THAT REVENUE.

I'M LOOKING AT IT.

I WANT TO SEE THE TERRITORY AND MAKE SURE THAT IT DOES INCLUDE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THAT NEED ASSISTANCE.

BUT, LOOK, I'VE BEEN FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PUTTING MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE.

>> THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT FOR NOW.

THE THREE OF YOU ARE STICKING AROUND TO JOIN US LATER ON IN THE PROGRAM TO DISCUSS THE FINALISTS FOR CHICAGO'S CASINO.

THANKS TO GILBERT VILLEGAS, HOWARD BROOKINS AND BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ.

>> NOW TO PARIS AND A LOCAL POLITICAL SCIENTIST WHO ARGUES DEMOCRACY COULD USE A FACELIFT.

>> FROM THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION TO MISINFORMATION TO POLITICAL TRIBALISM, AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS FACING SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES.

CHICAGO IS CERTAINLY NOT ALWAYS HAD THE MOST CORDIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH DEMOCRACY OVER THE DECADES BECAUSE OF MACHINE STYLE POLITICS AND CORRUPTION.

A NEW BOOK FROM A LONGTIME CHICAGO POLITICAL OBSERVER AIMS TO DIAGNOSE WHAT IS WRONG AND OFFER PRESCRIPTIONS TO FIX IT.

THE BOOK IS CALLED "DEMOCRACY'S REBIRTH: THE VIEW FROM CHICAGO" AND JOINING US NOW IS THE AUTHOR DICK SIMPSON FORMER ALDERMAN AND LONG TIME POLITICAL SCIENTIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO.

DICK, ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU.

WE MENTIONED THE MAJOR PROBLEMS THAT U.S. DEMOCRACY IS FACING.

HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM?

>> WELL, I THINK WE DO HAVE A MAJOR CRISIS IN DEMOCRACY.

AND IT OCCURS AT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT AREAS LIKE INCOME INEQUALITY, BIG MONEY AND DARK MONEY AND POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.

POLARIZATION IN OUR POLITICS AND GRIDLOCK AND ON DOWN THE LIST.

AND IT'S MORE THAN ANY ONE AREA AND IT WILL TOOK A COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEMS.

BUT CHICAGO IN SOME WAYS GIVES US GUIDANCE WHAT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE.

>> AND YOU CERTAINLY HAVE OBSERVED WHAT HAS GONE ON IN CHICAGO POLITICS FOR THE BETTER PART OF THE LAST 50 YEARS.

THE SUBHEADING IS THE VIEW FROM CHICAGO.

WHAT LESSONS DOES CHICAGO'S POLITICAL HISTORY HAVE FOR THE PREDICAMENT IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> IF YOU REMEMBER BACK TO THE HAROLD WASHINGTON ELECTION AND HOW DIVIDED THE CITY WAS.

HAROLD GOT ELECTED WITH THE BLACK VOTE.

THE WHITE VOTE WAS SPLIT.

THERE WAS A BATTLE AND LED TO COUNCIL WARS.

FAST FORWARD TO 2019 AND LORI LIGHTFOOT GOT ELECTED WITH SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT IN THE WHITE COMMUNITY.

AND A R THE RAINBOW COALITION.

AND SHE HAS NOT IN COUNCIL WARS.

SHE HAS HAD DIVISIONS BUT THEY ARE THE ONES YOU WOULD EXPECT IN A DEMOCRACY.

ONE SENSE, CHICAGO HAS BECOME MORE DEMOCRATIC IN THE LAST 40 YEARS.

MORE LIKE A DEMOCRACY.

IT'S NOT PERFECT AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE NEED TO DO, BUT IT DOES GIVE US A SENSE THAT SOMETHING ABOUT A MAJOR CHANGE IS POSSIBLE.

>> AND THERE IS A LOT OF ISSUES AROUND VOTER RESTRICTIONS AND FALSE CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD.

YOU BRING UP IN YOUR BOOK THAT ELECTION FRAUD WAS A THING IN THE HEYDAY OF CHICAGO MACHINE POLITICS.

SOME OF YOUR REMEDIES YOU OUTLINE INCLUDE CREATING A FAR TAX SYSTEM, PUBLIC FINANCING OF POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.

BETTER CIVICS EDUCATION, AUTOMATIC VOTERS REGISTRATION AND A REPEAL OF THE CITIZENS UNITED SUPREME COURT DECISION.

LET'S PICK OUT ONE.

AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION YOU ARE AWARE OF SOME OF THE EFFORTS ESPECIALLY IN REPUBLICAN STATES TO ENACT VOTER RESTRICTIONS AND IN REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC STATES TO DOUBLE DOWN ON GERRYMANDERING.

HOW DOES A COUNTRY REVERSE COURSE WHEN IT SOMES TO BE GOING IN THE OTHER DIRECTION?

>> IN ILLINOIS WE HAVE GONE IN A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

WE HAVE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.

AND WE HAVE MAIL-IN BATTLING THAT IS GOING TO BE PERMANENT IN YOU ARE A VOTER IN CHICAGO, YOU GOT FROM THE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS A FORM THAT WILL LET YOU PERMANENTLY VOTE-BY-MAIL IF YOU CHOOSE TO DO SO.

WE HAVE EARLY VOTING WHICH WE DIDN'T USED TO HAVE A DECADE AGO.

AND NOW IT'S BECOME POSSIBLE SO IT'S NOT ALL ELECTION DAY.

THAT MEANS OUR PARTICIPATION HAS GONE UP.

NATIONALLY IN THE COUNTRY WE HAD 67% OF THE PEOPLE VOTE THAT WERE ELIGIBLE IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 2020 AND THAT THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE THAN SINCE 1900.

MORE PEOPLE THAN EVER ENTIRELY IN OUR HISTORY AND MORE PERCENTAGE SINCE 1900.

THOSE ARE POSITIVE CHANGES.

YES, WE HAVE VOTER SUPPRESSION THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SOUTH AND IN OTHER STATES.

AND THAT HAS TO BE REVERSED AND WE HAVE TO PASS THE VOTER RIGHTS ACT.

WHICHEVER VERSION OF IT AND TO DO THAT WE HAVE TO KILL THE FILIBUSTER THEY ARE ALL INTERRELATED.

>> AND IMPROVING CIVICS EDUCATION.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT WHEN YOU CONSIDER MANY STATES OR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS CIVICS IS NOT A REQUIRED COURSE?

>> WELL, IT WASN'T IN ILLINOIS UNTIL FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID PASS A REQUIREMENT THAT EVERY 8TH GRADER AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT MUST TAKE A CIVICS ENGAGEMENT CLASS IN ORDER TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL.

THAT IS A MAJOR LEAP FORWARD IN ILLINOIS.

AND IN MANY PLACES IT IS NOT HAPPENING.

THERE IS A MAJOR BILL PENDING IN CONGRESS WHICH IS CIVICS SECURES DEMOCRACY ACT.

AND IT HAS REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC SPONSORS.

TO HAVE WOULD MAKE CIVICS EDUCATION THE SAME AS STEM EDUCATION.

SO IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PASSING THAT LEGISLATION.

>> WHO IS THE ULTIMATE AUDIENCE FOR YOUR BOOK?

AND WHAT IS THE ULTIMATE MESSAGE YOU WANT THEM TO TAKE AWAY?

>> WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT IS HOW WE REINVENT DEMOCRACY AND I'M LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO TAKE UP THAT TASK SERIOUSLY.

A LOT ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

I VIEW THIS AS A DECADE LONG EFFORT NOT A 30-MINUTE EFFORT.

WHEN I WAS IN THE CITY COUNCIL ALDERMAN ACT WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED THREE TIMES OF CORRUPTION HOWEVER SAID A WISE THING HE SAID IF YOU ARE GOING TO FIGHT THE MACHINE YOU BETTER BRING LUNCH.

MEANING THIS IS A DECADE LONG TASK BUT WE CAN'T LEAVE IT TO THEM NOW.

WE HAVE TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS.

AND TWO BASIC IMPROVEMENTS.

WE NEED NEIGHBORHOOD GOVERNMENT AS A RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN SHAPING GOVERNMENT POLICY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND SECOND, WE NEED MORE DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY WE NEED TO HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES IN A MEANINGFUL WAY THAT WE DON'T HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

DICK SIMPSON YOU'VE SEEN IT ALL AND YOU'VE LIVED THROUGH COUNCIL WARS AND STUDYING THIS STUFF FOR SEVERAL DECADES, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BOOK AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, PARIS AND I HOPE SOME PEOPLE WILL COME DOWN AND WE WILL HAVE AN EVENT AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY AT 6:00 P.M. WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND I TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CURE DEMOCRACY IN CHICAGO AND AMERICA.

>> ALL RIGHT AND THE BOOK IS CALLED, "DEMOCRACY'S REBIRTH: THE VIEW FROM CHICAGO" AND YOU CAN READ AN EXCERPT ON OUR WEBSITE.

SIMPSON WILL BE IN CONVERSATION WITH MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT AT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON LIBRARY ON THURSDAY FOR THE BOOK'S OFFICIAL LAUNCH.

UP NEXT, UNIONIZATION EFFORTS FOR STARBUCKS WORKERS IN THE CHICAGO AREA AND AROUND THE U.S.

SO PLEASE STAY WITH US.

>> THIS MONTH STARBUCKS WORKERS IN NORTHWEST SUBURB ARE VOTING TO WHETHER TO JOIN A UNION THEY ARE THE FIRST ELECTIONS IN ILLINOIS PART OF A GROWING NATIONAL MOVEMENT THAT REACHED MORE THAN 200 COFFEE SHOPS AROUND THE UNITED STATES.

"CHICAGO TONIGHT'S" NICK BLUMBERG REPORTS.

IN DECEMBER A STARBUCKS IN BUFFALO NEW YORK BECAME THE FIRST OF THE COMPANIES THOUSANDS OF U.S.

LOCATIONS TO VOTE FOR UNIONIZATION.

WEEKS LATER WORKERS AT CHICAGO'S RANDOLPH AND WABASH MOVED TO JOIN THE EFFORT.

>> WE WANT A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

EACH STORE HAS A UNIQUE SET OF ISSUES TO BRING UP WITH CORPORATE.

LIKE IT IS NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL DEAL.

>> ZERO MUNOZ PRAISED THE MANAGER AND SAID HIGHER UPS WERE NOT TAKING CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY SERIOUSLY AND DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE HOW BUSY THE PLACE GETS DURING EVENTS AND HOLIDAYS.

MANAGEMENT AND CORPORATE LEVEL STARTED APPEARING.

>> THEY WANTED TO [INAUDIBLE] >> THERE ARE EIGHT STORES THAT HAVE FILED FOR UNION ELECTIONS AND THE COMPANY HAS BEEN PUSHING BACK.

THE C.E.O.

WROTE QUOTE... >> WE ARE THE FACES OF YOUR COMPANY.

>> CUSTOMERS THEY COME IN AND GET THEIR COFFEE BEFORE STARTING THEIR DAY AND WE WANT TO HELP REFLECT THAT.

>> UNION BACKERS ACCUSE STARBUCKS OF UNION BUSTING INCLUDING DISCIPLINING OR FIRING PRO UNION WORKERS.

THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD ISSUED TWO COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE COMPANY FOR RETALIATION.

ANY CLAIMS OF ANTIUNION ACTIVITY ARE FALSE.

WORKERS SAY THE COMPANY IS CUTTING BACK THEIR HOURS.

>> THEY'RE STILL EXPECTING THIS HIGH QUALITY STANDARD FOR OUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES.

AND WE'RE THE ONES DELIVERING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.

AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT EXTRA PERSON OR TWO PEOPLE SO THESE CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING THE SHORTENED OF THE STICK.

>> ORGANIZERS SAY MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN HOLDING CAPTIVE AUDIENCE MEETINGS TO PERSUADE WORKERS NOT TO JOIN AND HANGING ANTIUNION LITERATURE AT LOCATIONS.

THE C.E.O.

WROTE PART... >> I REALLY WANT LIKE MY DISTRICT MANAGER OR I WANT HOWARD SCHULTZ TO COME TO MY FACE AND TELL ME THAT I DON'T DESERVE THIS LIVABLE WAGE THAT I DON'T DESERVE BASIC RIGHTS OF HAVING SICK LEAVE, AS SOON AS I'M HIRED.

>> WITH STARBUCKS LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY AWAITING ELECTION RESULTS AND MOST OF THE CHICAGO AREA COFFEE SHOPS WAITING 0 ON AN ELECTION DATE THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR WORKERS.

>> IT IS A GROWING LABOR MOVEMENT.

IT'S NOT JUST STARBUCKS IT'S WORKFORCE AS A WHOLE.

SO MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES WHO ARE PUSHING TO UNIONIZE RIGHT NOW AND IT IS AMAZING.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M NICK BLUMBERG.

>> ACCORDING TO ORGANIZERS MORE THAN 20 STARBUCKS LOCATIONS VOTED IN FAVOR OF JOINING A UNION.

THE FIRST ILLINOIS ELECTIONS ARE HE SCHEDULED TO WRAP UP NEXT WEEK.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", CASINOS, MASK MANDATES ON TRANSIT AND MORE WITH THREE MEMBERS FROM CITY COUNCIL.

A ORDER RESTRICTING MIGRANTS FROM ENTERING THE COUNTRY WILL END NEXT MONTH.

>> AND WE INTRODUCE YOU TO A >> A FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY IS HEADED TO THE SOUTHWEST SIDE.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT ANNOUNCED HARVEST FOOD GROUP ALSO CONSTRUCT A $60 MILLION FACILITY THAT SHE SAYS WILL CREATE AND RETAIN 250 JOBS IN THE AREA.

THE LOT WHERE FOOD MANUFACTURING, PACKAGING AND DISTRIBUTION HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE THE CITY PURCHASED IT IN 2006.

THE FACILITY WILL REPLACE HARVEST FOODS OPERATIONS IN HARSHER HEIGHTS.

IN A FEW DAYS CHICAGOANS MIGHT SEE A STELLAR SHOW IN THE SKY.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE LYRIDS METEOR SHOWER IS EXPECTED TO BE VISIBLE FROM THE CHICAGO AREA THIS WEEK WITH A PEEK DURING THE DAYLIGHT HOURS ON FRIDAY.

10 TO 20 METEORS PER HOUR WILL FALL DURING THAT TIME DEPENDING ON CLOUD COVERAGE.

TO GET THE BEST VIEW, ASTRONOMERS RECOMMEND STARGAZING EARLY MORNING FRIDAY OR SATURDAY WHEN IT'S STILL DARK OUT.

>> AND EARLIER IN THE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED WARD REMAPPING AND THE GAS CARD GIVEAWAY BY THE MAYOR WE ARE JOINED AGAIN BY GILBERT VILLEGAS, HOWARD BROOKINS AND BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ.

>> THANK YOU FOR STICKING AROUND.

WE KNOW THAT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT TODAY SPOKE ABOUT THE THREE PROPOSED CASINOS DURING APPEARANCE AT THE CITY CLUB.

>> SO WE MUST AND I'M CONFIDENT WE WILL GET THIS OVER THE FINISH LINE.

OBVIOUSLY IT'S CHICAGO.

THERE IS A VARIETY OF OPINIONS ON EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN.

THE CASINO IS NO DIFFERENT.

BUT I THINK THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WELL WITH CHAIRMAN TUNNEY AND VICE-CHAIR JASON IRVIN LEADING THE ISSUE ON BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND FOLLOWING THE INFORMATION THEY WILL NEED TO BE POSITIONED TO MAKE A DECISION.

BUT I THINK WE'RE MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS.

>> ALDERMAN VILLEGAS MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE WANTS IT WRAPPED UP BY THE SUMMER.

DO YOU THINK THAT IS A REALISTIC TIMELINE?

>> I THINK THAT SHE IS RIGHT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

I WISH THAT AS A MEMBER OF THIS CASINO COMMITTEE, I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEE ALL FIVE PROPOSALS NOT JUST THE THREE SO WE WOULD HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY THAT ALL FIVE.

LISTEN THERE IS A REF FEW THAT IS TIED TO THIS -- REVENUE THAT WILL PAY FOR PENSIONS FOR POLICE AND FIRE.

WE CANNOT LOSE SIGHT IF WE DO NOTHING TO CAPTURE THE REVENUE THE PROPERTY TAXES GO UP.

WE HAVE TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE.

-- FIND AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET A CONSENSUS WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION THAT WILL INCREASE REVENUE, CREATE JOBS, AND DEAL WITH THE PENSION LIABILITY WE FACE RIGHT NOW.

>> RUSH STREET GAMINGS' PROPOSAL WOULD BE IN YOUR WARD BUT YOU'VE SAID YOU CANNOT SUPPORT THAT DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT HAVE YOUR CONSTITUENTS TOLD YOU ABOUT THIS PLAN?

>> WELL, MANY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS ARE CONCERNED AROUND THE EFFECTS IT WILL HAVE THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE'RE PUTTING A CASINO IN THE MIDDLE OF A NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE SOUTH LOOP, CHINATOWN AND WE'RE TAKING LITTLE CONSIDERATION ON THE EFFECTS THAT WILL HAVE.

AND ONE OF THE CHINATOWN LEADERS TALK ABOUT THE WALL THAT IS BEING BUILT NEXT TO THE CHINATOWN COMMUNITY.

ONLY CHINATOWN IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS GROWING.

I DO THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE LISTEN TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

THAT THE DECISION IS NOT BASED WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CASINO OPERATORS BUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO HEAR TO OUR CONSTITUENTS IN TERMS OF SAFETY, THE CONGESTION, THE EXTERNENALITIES.

WE HAVE FIVE SCHOOLS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE 78.

THOSE ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS BASED ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOT ONLY FOR THE CASINO PARADERS THAT CONTINUE TO PUSH THEIR AGENDA.

IT WILL BE GOOD TO HAVE EVERY PROPOSAL SO WE DECIDE BASED ON THE LOCATION BASED ON THE CITY AND NOT FOR THE OPERATORS.

>> THAT SAID ALDERMAN, DO YOU THINK LIGHTFOOT WANTING TO HAVE THIS WRAPPED UP BY SUMMER DO YOU THINK THAT IS REALISTIC?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

NOT REAL LIFNG, I THINK IT WOULD BE INADEQUATE TO RUSH SUCH A BIG PROJECT.

I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE CONSTRAINS IN TERMS OF PENSION AND WE HAVE SHORTAGES IN THE BUDGET BUT MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SHOULD HAVE AN AGENDA FOR SPRINGFIELD SO WE CAN TAX THE CORPORATIONS AND BILLIONAIRES WHO BENEFITING BY THE CASINO PROPOSAL.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE TAKE OUR TIME THAT WE DON'T RUSH THE DECISION THAT WILL HAVE A PERMANENT EFFECT ON NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND WE TALK ABOUT OTHER WAYS TO BALANCE THE BUDGET NOT ONLY THIS CASINO PROPOSAL THAT IS REALLY PUTTING OUR COMMUNITIES IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION.

>> ALDERMAN BROOKINS THE STATE ENDED THE REQUIREMENT THAT PEOPLE WEAR MASKS ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND CITY AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS CAN IMPOSE THEIR OWN RULES AND METRA AND CTA ARE DROPPING THE MASK MANDATE.

SEEMS LIKE WHIPLASH BUT DO YOU THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT MOVE TO DROP THE MASK MANDATE RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONSTERNATION AROUND WEARING MASKS AND IT'S PROBABLY BEST FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CTA EMPLOYEES AND PEOPLE GETTING INTO FIGHTS REGARDING IT.

I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD WEAR MASKS WHEN THEY ARE IN PUBLIC AND THEY ARE IN TIGHT SPACES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND TO PROTECT OTHERS.

BUT AT SOME POINT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DROP THE MASK MANDATE.

IT APPEARS THAT IS THE WAY THE COUNTRY IS GOING NOW.

ESPECIALLY AFTER THIS LATEST COURT RULING OUT OF FLORIDA.

AND SO I DON'T THINK THAT THERE IS ANY OTHER CHOICE BUT TO DROP IT.

>> SAME QUESTION TO YOU ALDERMAN VILLEGAS, CASES HAVE BEGUN TO RISE DUE TO THE BA.2 SUBVARIANT IS IT RIGHT TO BE DROPPING THE MASK MANDATES.

>> I THINK THAT REGARDLESS WHETHER THE MANDATE IS DROPPED OR NOT, IF YOU ARE IN A CROWDED AREA AND YOU FEEL LIKE YOU WANT TO WEAR THE MASK, I THINK PEOPLE WILL MAKE THAT DECISION.

SO WHETHER IT'S REQUIRED OR NOT, I THINK THAT WE'RE GETTING TO A POINT WHERE PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO LIV WARFIELD WITH COVID UNDERSTAND -- LIVE WITH COVID AND THAT IS SMART TO DO IN A CONGESTED AREA PERHAPS YOU SHOULD WEAR A MASK.

I'M ON THE FENCE AS IT RELATES TO THE MASK MANDATE.

BUT ME PERSONALLY WHEN I'M FLYING ON A PLANE THOUGH THEY ARE DROPPING THAT MASK MANDATE I WILL WEAR A MASK THAT HISTORICALLY WHEN I FLEW ON A PLANE SOMETIMES I WOULD GET SICK.

I'M GOING TO WEAR A MASK ON A PLANE FOR TWO HOURS AND THAT IS FOR MY SAFETY AND MY CHOICE.

>> DOCUMENTS COURT DOCUMENTS AROUND FORMER ALDERMAN DANNY SOLIS' DEAL WITH FEDERAL PROSECUTORS BECAME PUBLIC.

WE KNOW HE SPENT YEARS GATHERING EVIDENCE FOR FEDERAL PROSECUTORS IN THE CASES OF OF ED BURKE AND FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN.

WE HAVE 35 SECONDS LEFT.

WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE NEWS ABOUT YOUR FORMER PREDECESSOR?

>> WE ARE GOING TO JOIN WITH MAYOR LIGHTFOOT SAID THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A VICTIM'S STATEMENT AT THE NEXT COURT ON APRIL 21.

IS UNACCEPTABLE AN ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO BETRAYED THE PUBLIC GETS TO WALKOUT WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND WE HAVE TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

>> ALDERMEN THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> UP NEXT, AN END TO PANDEMIC BORDER RULES IN A CONVERSATION THAT AIRED ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT: LATINO VOICES" WITH GUEST HOST MICHAEL PUENTE.

FIRST, A LOOK AT THE WEATHER...

RESTRICTIONS ARE SET TO END MAY 23.

TITLE 42 WAS ISSUED TO EXPEL MIGRANTS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS CONCERNS.

THE C.D.C.

DECIDED THIS MONTH THAT THE ORDER IS NO LONGER NEEDED.

ONCE IT'S LIFTED MORE MIGRANTS ARE EXPECTED TO ENTER THE U.S. AND HEAD FOR THE BORDER IN HOPES OF SEEKING ASYLUM.

JOINING US WITH MORE ARE OSCAR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

FIRSTK I WANT TO GET EVERYONE'S REACTION TO TITLE 42 BEING LIFTED AT THE END OF MAY AND WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE POLICY CHANGE.

OSCAR LET'S START WITH YOU?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S VERY LONG DELAYED DECISION.

IF YOU TAKE INTO THE ACCOUNT THE NOW PRESIDENT USED TO BE CRITICAL OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT USED TITLE 42 IT'S TAKEN HIM 16 MONTHS TO GET TO THAT DECISION.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE EVIDENCE IS NOT BACK UP THE USAGE OF TITLE 42 IN THIS INSTANCE BECAUSE THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE THAT THE PEOPLE ARE ARRIVING REPRESENT RISK FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> LONNIE WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IT'S PREMATURE TO BE REMOVING TITLE 42.

I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY WE ARE IN THE STAGE OF A PANDEMIC.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW MOVING IT TO THE EPIDEMIC STAGE BUT WE HAVE A HIGH AMOUNT OF COVID CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

AND THE OTHER PART I WANT TO POINT OUT WITH TITLE 42 IS THAT THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH INFLATION AND THE LACK OF GOODS THAT WE HAVE TO SUPPLY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CONTINUOUSLY ALLOWING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE INTO THE YOU U.S.

WHILE WE ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WILL PUT MORE STRAIN ON THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> DAISY WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AS THE POLICY IS ABOUT TO CHANGE?

>> IT IS AN INSTITUTION THAT WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE DON'T SEE SOUTH OF THE BORDER AS ANY THREAT BY ANY MEANS.

AND WHAT IS USED BEFORE AS A WAY TO DISCRIMINATE TO STOP THEM BECAUSE A LOT OF THE IMMIGRANTS ARE NATIONALS BECAUSE OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR COUNTRIES.

I WISH THAT OUR IMMIGRANTS SOUTH OF THE BORDER WILL BE TREATED AS UKRAINE HAS BEEN.

>> OSCAR, TITLE 42 MAY BE LIFTED BUT HOW DOES THAT IMPACT ASYLUM SEEKERS?

DOES IT INCREASE THEIR CHANCES ENTERING THE U.S.?

>> I AM AFRAID NOT.

LET'S BE REAL.

THE FLOWS OF THE IMMIGRANTS ESPECIALLY FROM MEXICO WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT MOST NEWS OUTLETS DO NOT COVER MOST OF THE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET INTO THE U.S.

THE LAST COUPLE YEARS ARE FROM MEXICO.

BUT THE MILEAGE R MAJORITY OF THEM ARE PEOPLE WHO FRANKLY HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY BENEFICIAL FACTOR FOR THE U.S. ECONOMICS FOR U.S. CULTURE FOR U.S. JOB MARKET.

FRANKLY, TELL ME IF YOU CAN WALK ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. AND NOT SEE A SIGN SAYING HELP WANTED.

AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE DON'T GET ENOUGH OF THOSE PEOPLE.

BUT THERE ARE GIVEN HOW TOXIC THE ENVIRONMENT I DO NOT BELIEVE RELEASING TITLE 42 WILL TRANSLATE INTO MORE PEOPLE GRANTED TO STAY IN THE U.S. AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANTLY IMPORTANT ROLE IN WHETHER THERE WILL BE MORE OR FEWER PEOPLE.

THE FACT IS WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION AND THAT IS WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE COMING?

THEIR COUNTRIES ARE BROKEN AND THAT IS THE REASON THE PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET INTO THE U.S.

WHICH IS THE ONLY PLACE THAT THEY CAN POSSIBLY GO IF THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND A BETTER WAY OF LIFE THAT IS MORE DEMOCRATIC.

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY.

>> AND WE SAW THE VIDEO OF THE BIGAMY GRANT CAMPS ON THE BORDER.

THE COMPANY PROVIDES SERVICES WITH THIS ANTICIPATION HOW CAN YOUR ORGANIZATION AND OTHERS LIKE YOURS RESPOND?

>> WELL, I THINK WE HAVE TO RESPOND TO THE NEED OF THE IMMIGRANTS.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THEY ARE.

CENTRAL AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA OR MEXICO.

SO THE IDEA FOR US TO HAVE A DOOR OPEN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE EDUCATED ABOUT THE LEGAL BENEFITS THEY DO QUALIFY FOR ANYTHING.

PEOPLE ASSUME BECAUSE YOU CROSS THE BORDER NOW YOU HAVE EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT HOW IT WORKS.

IMMIGRATION THERE IS A RULE AND WE KNOW THE POLICIES ARE BROKEN.

SO WE NEED TO FIX THAT.

AND MAKE A PERMANENT DECISION HOW DO WE CAN VICTIM TO THE PATH OF CITIZENSHIP.

IT IS A FREE COUNTRY THEY APPLY.

WE ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO EDUCATE THEM AND PROCESS THE IMMIGRATION AND FILL OUT THE FORMS.

AND THEY COME AND THEY NEED MORE SERVICES BESIDES THAT.

>> RONNY, TEXAS GOVERNOR ABBOTT IS SENDING MIGRANTS BY BUS TO WASHINGTON D.C. SAYING HE'S FED UP WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND IT IS R ITS HANDLING OF IMMIGRATION.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS MOVE?

>> I APPLAUD THIS EFFORT.

AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON D.C. CONTINUE TO MAKE LAWS OR RESTRICT US FROM CREATING LAWS THAT SECURE THE BORDER IN OUR COUNTRY.

SO WHAT IS AND HAG THEY ARE HAPPENING THEY ARE GETTING RELEASED INTO THE CITIES.

NEW MEXICO, TEXAS AND ARIZONA HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF I AM GRANTS COMING THROUGH THE BORDER.

SO I THINK WHAT THIS PLAYS A PART IN GREG ABBOTT AND RON DE SANTIS' HAND IT IS GIVES THE LAWMAKERS A TASTE OF THEIR OWN MEDICINE.

AT ONE POINT WE HAVE TO SAY THAT WE ALL HAVE TO AGREE THAT THERE HAS TO BE A FORM WHEN IT COMES TO IMMIGRATION AND WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY THAT MAKES THE PROCESS EASIER, SMOOTHER AND FASTER FOR THE PEOPLE THAT WE VET THAT WILL BRING A BENEFICIAL BENEFIT TO THE COUNTRY AND WANT TO DO BETTER FOR THEMSELVES.

SO I DO APPLAUD WHAT GREG ABBOTT HAS DONE AND I THINK HE DID IT THE RIGHT WAY.

AND AT ONE POINT YOU HAVE TO SHOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHAT IT'S LIKE AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO THE PEOPLE ON THE BORDER STATES.

>> OSCAR WHAT DO YOU THINK HOW POLITICS ARE PLAYING INTO IMMIGRATION POLICY AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S HANDLING OF THE BORDER?

>> I THINK THAT THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN HANDLING IMMIGRATION FOR MOST OF THE PAST 40 YEARS DO NOT REFLECT AT ALL WHAT THE EVIDENCE TELLS US AS I SAID BEFORE REGARDING THE ACTUAL IMPACT OF IMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRATION TO THE U.S. LET'S FACE IT.

INTEREST GRANTS AND IMMIGRATION ARE A PROFOUND BLESSING FOR THE COUNTRY.

THE REASON WHY WE ARE NOT LIKE SO MANY OTHER COUNTRIES IN EUROPE ALREADY FACING NEGATIVE POPULATION GROWTH, REALITY IT'S BECAUSE TO IMMIGRATION.

AGAIN, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT, THE TAX COLLECTION IMPACT, THE CULTURAL IMPACT OF THESE POPULATIONS AND IT IS A BLESSING.

WHY THEN DO WE HAVE THE KIND OF POLICIES WE DO?

IT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE DECIDED AS A NATION THAT WE GIVE MORE PRIORITY TO NOT AN IDEOLOGICAL AND THAT IS THAT IMMIGRANTS COMING FROM MEXICO, CENTRAL AMERICAN COUNTRIES THE CARRIBBEAN AND OTHER NATIONS, ARE SIMPLY UNDESIRABLE.

AND I CANNOT HELP BUT FIND A CONTRADICTION BECAUSE ALL WE ARE SEEING NOW REGARDING THE PROTECTION THAT UKRAINIANS DESERVE BUT ARE ABLE TO DO THE SAME.

FOR ALL THEIR NATIONALITIES THAT DESERVE THE SAME SUPPORT.

>> WE HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

>> BACK WITH MORE "CHICAGO TONIGHT" RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>> IT'S A CLASSIC STORY THAT HAS WITHSTOOD THE TEST OF TIME.

AND NOW THE MERCURY THEATRE IS BRINGING THAT STORY TO THE STAGE.

ARTS CORRESPONDENT, ANGEL IDOWU HEADS TO THE 100 ACRE WOODS FOR THE STORY.

>> FELT LIKE BEING A CHILD AGAIN THAT IS PART OF THE REASON TO FORM BECAUSE WE LOVE THE SENSE OF PLAY AND PUPPETRY ALLOWS YOU TO ACCESS YOURSELF.

>> EMILIE ROSE DANNO IS PLAYING PIGLET IN THE NEW WINNIE THE POOH ADAPTATION.

SHE SAYS THE ROLE IS A CULMINATION OF HER UPBRINGING GROWING UP IN PUERTO RICAN AND ITALIAN HOUSEHOLD.

>> MY UNCLES AND MY MOTHER ARE ALL SINGERS.

SO I WAS A SINGER BEFORE ACTOR.

IT PAYS A BIG PART IN EVERYTHING I DO AND WHO I AM.

>> HER FIRST OFFICIAL ROLE THERE ARE UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH PLAYING THE CHARACTER.

LIKE CREATING THEIR VOICE.

>> IT'S TRUE.

THEY ARE.

>> WHEN I FIRST WAS PLAYING WITH IT, IT WAS HIGHER AND LIKE IN MY NOSE BUT NOT QUITE LOWER AND AS I STARTED TO GET OUT AND STARTED TO FIGURE OUT HOW PIGLET THINKS AND PROCESSES, THE REGISTER GOT LOWER AND LOWER.

I WAS FINDING THAT IN MY REGISTER AND IT'S COOL BECAUSE I THINK EVERY PIGLET IN WINNIE THE POOH THROUGHOUT TIME HAS BEEN DIFFERENT.

>> THERE'S ALSO NOT UPSTAGING HER CHARACTER.

>> I TEND TO LOOK AT MY PUPPET.

AND IF I AM LOOKING THE ANOTHER ACTOR, I MAKE SURE THAT THEIR FOCUS IS ON THE PUPPET AS LONG AS ME.

>> BUT IT'S IN THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES THAT ALSO COME UNEXPECTED REWARDS.

>> IT'S SO DIFFERENT THAN ANYTHING I'VE DONE.

THE FACT THAT IT BRINGS OUT THE CHILD INSIDE ME.

>> WHEN YOU BECOME AN ADULT LIFE HAPPENS AND YOU HAVE SO MUCH WEIGHT TO YOU.

BUT I THINK LIFE CAN BE MORE SIMPLER THAN WE TRY TO MAKE IT.

AND IT'S NICE TO HAVE AN ESCAPE.

>> WILL RUPERT WHO PLAYS WINNIE THE POOH AGREES.

>> WINNIE THE POOH IS A CHARACTER THAT EVERYBODY HAS AN EXPERIENCE WITH.

HE HAS BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

THERE ARE MOVIES EVERY DECADE FOR THIS CHARACTER.

AND I THINK THAT CREATES A SENSE OF COMMUNITY BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS A STORY WITH THAT HOW THEY GREW UP WITH THE MOVIES OR TV SHOWS OR BOOKS.

AND OUR SHOW DOES A GOOD JOB OF CREATING THAT COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> WHILE IT MAY NOT BE A TRADITIONAL MUSICAL PRODUCTION THIS STORY ENCOURAGES APPRECIATION FOR THE ART OF PUPPETRY FOR ALL AGES.

[♪♪♪] >> AND THE WAY IT WAS WRITTEN AND COMES ACROSS, IT IS MEANT TO PULL YOUR HEART STRINGS A BIT.

I CANNOT SAY IT'S ONE PARTICULAR GROUP OF PEOPLE BECAUSE I'VE SEEN IT TOUCH LITTLE KIDS HEARTS.

MY DAD CRIED WHEN HE SAW IT.

I THINK IT'S FOR EVERYBODY.

>> THEATRE TRANSPORTS PEOPLE TO A DIFFERENT PLACE AND THERE IS AN EXTRA STEP WITH THE SHOW THAT MAKES YOU FORGET ABOUT THE PAST TWO YEARS.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M ANGEL IDOWU.

>> WINNIE THE POOH THE MUSICAL RUNS THROUGH JUNE 12TH AT MERCURY THEATRE CHICAGO.

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.

PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT AT 7:00 P.M. AND WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH MORE FROM WINNIE THE POOH THE MUSICAL.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

[♪♪♪]