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

I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

>> AND I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

ON THE SHOW TONIGHT... >> WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT?

OUR SENIOR THAT DOESN'T HAVE HEAT?

OR TO GIVE OUT FREE GAS CARDS?

>> THE MAYOR'S PLAN FOR PREPAID GAS AND TRANSIT CARDS GUT THE INITIAL GREEN LIGHT BUT NOT WITHOUT HITTING A FEW ROAD BUMPS.

PEOPLE ARE EVERY RIGHT TO BE TICKED.

>> MANY PEOPLE OF COLOR LOOKING TO GET INTO THE STATE'S LEGAL MARIJUANA BUSINESS ARE NOT CELEBRATING.

>> MASS CONFUSION AFTER GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S DECISION TO LIFT THE FACE COVERING MANDATE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO CAME TODAY EXPECTING A DIFFERENT ANNOUNCEMENT, NOT TODAY, BUT SOON.

>> MAYOR LIGHTFOOT REMONTREALS COY ABOUT REANNOUNCING AN ELECTION RUN.

THAT AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS.

>> OFFICIALS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ON MENTAL HEALTH IN TEENS.

>> PAINTINGS ON GLASS AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS FROM A ARTIST DOING WORK SHE CAN FOR BACK HOME.

>> WE ARE ESSENTIAL IN ANY ROLE WE PLAY.

>> A LOCAL PAIR OF ENTREPRENEURS TO ADVOCATE FOR BLACK WOMEN THROUGH A LIFESTYLE BRAND.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS APPEALING A RECENT FEDERAL COURT RULING THAT STRUCK DOWN THE MASK MANDATE AT AIRPORTS AND AIRPLANES.

THE GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER CITING ANY GUIDELINES RESCINDED THE MASK MANDATE ON ILLINOIS PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEMS.

THE APPEAL WILL BE HEARD BASED IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA AND WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THE MASK CONFUSION IN A BIT.

>> FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE IN CHICAGO TODAY TO TACKLE RACIAL EQUITY IN HEALTHCARE.

THE HEAD ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE NATION'S CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES, CHIQUITA BROOKS-LASURE APPEARED BEFORE A PANEL OF ILLINOIS HEALTH OFFICIALS.

CHIQUITA BROOKS-LASURE SAYS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL BEGIN TACKLING RACIAL DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE OUTCOMES SPECIFICALLY IN NURSING HOMES.

THIS AS COVID-19 HAS DISPROPORTIONATELY RAVAGED THOSE NURSING HOMES AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> COVID-19 HAS REALLY ELIMINATED, HIGHLIGHTED SO MANY OF THESE ISSUES AND NURSING HOME CARE IS ONE OF THOSE SPACES.

BUT THERE IS A NEW WILLINGNESS TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>> THE HOME OF ILLINOIS' FORMER BLACK PANTHER PARTY CHAIRMAN IS NOW A HISTORIC LANDMARK.

THE VILLAGE OF MAYWOOD VOTED TO GRANT LANDMARK STATUS TO THE CHILDHOOD HOME OF FRED HAM SON, JR.

HE WAS KILLED DURING A CONTROVERSIAL POLICE RAID IN 1969.

BOBBY RUSH A FORMER BLACK PANTHER MEMBER PRAISED MAYWOOD'S DECISION NOTING IT WILL SAVE THE HOUSE FROM DEMOLITION.

UP NEXT, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S GAS AND TRANSIT CARD PLAN NEARLY CLEARS A CITY COUNCIL HURDLE.

>> "CHICAGO TONIGHT" IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S PLAN TO GIVEAWAY PREPAID GAS CARDS AND CTA NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING A RED LIGHT.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES DISTRIBUTING CARDS WITH THE MAYOR'S NAME ON IT.

TAKE A LOOK WHAT SOME ALDERPEOPLE HAD TO SAY.

>> THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE PROBABLY APPRECIATE HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THAT -- I DON'T CARE WHOSE NAME IS ON IT.

>> I HAVE A SENIOR THAT HAS TO WAIT UNTIL NOVEMBER TO GET A NEW FURNACE.

IN MY OPINION WHAT IS MORE IMPORTANT A SENIOR THAT DOESN'T HAVE HEAT?

OR TO GIVE OUT FREE GAS CARDS AS A PROMOTIONAL GIMMICK FOR A REELECTION CAMPAIGN?

>> AND WTTW NEWS REPORTER HEATHER CHERONE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

REMIND US WHAT THIS GAS CARD GIVEAWAY PLAN INCLUDES?

>> WELL, IT IS A 12.5 MILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM AND WHAT IT WILL DO, IT WILL DISTRIBUTE 50,000 PREPAID CARVEDS THAT WILL COVER -- CARDS THAT WILL COVER $150 WORTH OF GAS.

AND 100,000 PASSES THAT WILL COVER $50 WORTH OF CTA RIDES.

AND THEY COULD START GOING OUT IF THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVES IT IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> HOW WILL THE CITY PAY FOR THIS IS THIS.

>> THE CITY HAS DUG INTO ITS COUCH CUSHIONS AND JUST THIS MONEY LEFTOVER IN CORPORATE FUNDS.

LIKE THEY ARE DIGGING INTO THE JAR OF QUARTERS WE HAVE ON OUR KITCHEN COUNTER.

>> OR BETWEEN OUR COUCHES.

SO WE HEARD A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT ALDERPEOPLE HAD TO SAY.

WHAT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS?

WHAT WAS IT DURING TODAY'S MEETING?

>> YOU WOULD THINK THAT ALDERPEOPLE WOULD RELISH THE OPPORTUNITY TO HANDOUT MONEY TO THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE REELECTING THEM IN LESS THAN A YEAR.

BUT EVEN THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM WAS MORE RELATIVELY LOW KEY AND RESIGNED TO IT SAYING IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HELP PEOPLE AND THIS PROGRAM IS BETTER THAN DOING NOTHING ABOUT HIGH GAS PRICES.

BUT NOBODY WAS TRULY ENTHUSED ABOUT IT WHICH SHOWS YOU WHAT A PROBLEM MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT MIGHT HAVE IN GETTING THIS THROUGH THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

>> MAYBE A LOT OF FOLKS WORRIED ABOUT THIS ARGUMENT THAT IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR GIMMICK.

WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE PROPOSAL?

>> WELL, THE DO OR DIE DATE WILL BE ON APRIL 27, THE NEXT FULL CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

AND THE MAYOR WILL HAVE TO GET 26 VOTES TO GET IT THROUGH.

TODAY 12 ALDERPEOPLE VOTED AGAINST IT IN COMMITTEE.

SO THAT WILL BE NO SMALL TASK.

>> ALL RIGHT, HEATHER CHERONE WE'LL KEEP FOLLOWING IT AND WE'LL SEE YOU LATER IN THE PROGRAM FOR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS THANK YOU.

>> THANKS, PARIS.

>> AND YOU CAN READ HEATHER'S STORY ON WTTW.COM/NEWS.

>> AND NOW BRANDIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> PARIS, THANK YOU.

>> IT'S BEEN NEARLY TWO-AND-A-HALF YEARS SINCE ILLINOIS LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL CANNABIS AND A LOT HAS CHANGED WHEN IT COMES TO THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY AND CULTURE.

BUT MUCH HAS NOT.

AMANDA VINICKY JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

AMANDA?

>> BRANDIS WE'RE REPORTING THIS STORY ON 4-20, A DATE ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA AND COMPANIES IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY ARE CELEBRATING.

I'M TALKING CONTESTS, PANEL WITH EXPERTS A YOGA WORKSHOP AND FOOD SPECIALS INCLUDING PIECES OF PIZZA WITH, YES, JALAPENOS AND CHEETOS SERVED ON TOP.

BUT STATE REPRESENTATIVE LaSHAWN FORD SAYS ILLINOIS HAS FAILED TO LIVE UP TO THE PROMISE OF THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LAW.

>> PEOPLE THAT WE INTENDED TO BE EMERGING IN THIS MARKET HAVE NOT YET EMERGED BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL TIED UP IN COURT.

AND THOSE ARE THE BLACK PEOPLE AND BROWN PEOPLE REALLY THAT ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN A TARGET OF THE WAR ON DRUGS.

SO RIGHT NOW, THE LAW FOR THE INTENT HAS FAILED.

>> THE GOVERNOR TOUTED ILLINOIS' MARIJUANA LAW AS A PATH TO RIGHT THE WRONGS AND PROMISES OF SOCIAL EQUITY.

INSTEAD THE ONLY PLACES AS FORD ELUDED TO WHERE YOU CAN LEGALLY BUY WEED ARE THOSE CONNECTED TO DISPENSARIES THAT OPENED IN 2015 WHEN ILLINOIS OPENED THE DOORS TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

YOU COULD CALL THEM LEGACY OWNERS.

ANOTHER 185 GROUPS COMPETED AND WON STATE LICENSES TO OPEN NEW DISPENSARIES UNDER THAT SOCIAL EQUITY PROMISE.

BUT THEY ARE STILL WAITING COMPLICATIONS AND QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT LOTTERY PROCESS AND LAWSUITS FILED INCLUDING BY THOSE WHO LOST A LICENSE.

FORD SAYS THAT A FLAWED IN THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT ILLINOIS LEGISLATORS PASSED OPENED THE STATE UP TO THAT LITIGATION.

>> PEOPLE ARE AND THEY HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE TICKED BECAUSE THEY PUT THEIR LIFE INVESTMENTS IN THIS AND THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WEATHER THE STORM.

>> COUNT FRANK COWAN AMONG THEM.

HE DID WIN A LICENSE WITH THE GROUP PLANET 13 ILLINOIS.

AND HE HAS PLANS TO OPEN A DISPENSARY.

IT WILL BE DIFFERENT NOT LIKE SOME SHOPS WHERE IT LOOKS LIKE A DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

HE SAYS HE WANTS THIS TO BE DIFFERENT WITH RETAIL OR A RESTAURANT.

BUT ALL THAT ON HOLD.

HE DOES HAVE FINANCIAL BACKING FROM A GROUP WITH MULTISTATE NATIONAL PRESENCE.

HE IS ABLE TO HOLD ON.

SO THE LOCATION IS IN LIMBO AND HE IS WORRIED ABOUT THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE AN ACCESS TO DEEP POCKETS.

>> WE'RE STILL SPENDING MONEY ON ATTORNEYS AND SPENDING MONEY ON ZONING EXPERTS.

I MEAN WE'RE SPENDING MONEY AND WE DON'T HAVE HAVE AN END IN SIGHT.

DON'T BE SOME OF US, US, TALKING ABOUT US 185 LOTTERY WINNERS THAT WON'T BE FINANCIALLY SITUATED TO OPEN BECAUSE IT'S TAKING SO LONG.

PEOPLE LOST EMPLOYEES BECAUSE OF THIS.

PEOPLE HAVE LOST FINANCIAL BACKING BECAUSE OF THIS.

>> THERE HAS BEEN PLENTY OF WELL, GREEN, SINCE ILLINOIS LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL CANNABIS WITH 1.4 BILLION OF SALES IN 2021.

COWAN SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF MISSED OPPORTUNITY.

>> IF I WERE OPEN I WOULD ADD ABOUT 200 JOBS NOT TO MENTION ALL THE OTHER 184 APPLICANTS ADDING JOBS.

IF WE WERE OPEN INSTEAD OF THE STATE GENERATING 1.37 BILLION WE WOULD GENERATE CLOSER TO 2 BILLION.

AND WITH THAT EXTRA 630 MILLION MORE TAX REVENUE GENERATED.

THE STATE IS LOSING OUT AND EMPLOYEES ARE LOSING OUT.

ONLY PEOPLE ARE WINNING ARE THE LEGACY DISPENSARY OWNERS.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE CURTIS TARVER SAYS THAT ILLINOIS ERRED IN THE FIRST PLACE THE STATE WAS SUPER CAUTIOUS ABOUT BEING CAREFUL TO NOT INVITE LAWSUITS BY PRIORITIZING TOO MUCH SOCIAL EQUITY APPLICANTS AND OWNERSHIP APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED BY PEOPLE OF COLOR AND INSTEAD THOSE HE SAYS WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD IT BESET BY LITIGATION.

>> I THINK FOREVER GONE BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NO OPPORTUNITY.

I DON'T THINK WE'LL EVER GET WHERE THE PROMISE WE WOULD HAVE BEEN.

BUT MY HOPE AND MY LITTLE BIT OF OPTIMISM IS THAT WE WILL BE BEYOND WHERE WE ARE TODAY.

>> THAT IS TARVER SAYS ONCE THE COURTS LAND ILLINOIS WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A MOVE AND HE IS CALLING FOR MORE MONEY TO BE SPENT TO UPLIFT AND INCUBATE BUSINESSES RUN BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

MEANWHILE OTHER RELATED ISSUES ARE PLAGUING THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

CRAFT GROW LICENSES AWARDED TO COMPANIES TO CULTIVATE MARIJUANA ARE SEEK THE ABILITY TO GROW MORE THAN THE LIMITED AMOUNTS THAT THE LAW ALLOWS.

BUT THAT CHANGE DID NOT PASS IN THE RECENTLY ADJOURNED LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE NEGOTIATIONS SAY PART OF WHY IS BECAUSE THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY CULTIVATING MARIJUANA ARE PUSHING BACK ON POTENTIAL COMPETITION.

ILLINOIS DID NOT ASK DURING THE LEGISLATION SESSION ON A EFFORT TO PREVENT COMPANIES FROM FIRING WORKERS WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR MARIJUANA.

COWAN IS TRYING TO MAKE FOLK AS WEAR OF THE STALLED LICENSE SITUATION.

>> PEOPLE IN ILLINOIS THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT YOU GO TO YOUR LOCAL DISPENSARY AND THERE'S NO BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE THAT OWN THOSE DISPENSARIES.

ILLINOIS TOUTED A SUCCESS THIS PROGRAM WAS BUT PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT IS A FAILURE BECAUSE NONE OF US HAVE A PHYSICAL LOCATION WE CAN BE PROFITABLE.

WE'RE TRYING TO CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH FOR OUR FAMILIES AND WE'RE GETTING SHOT IN THE FOOT BECAUSE ILLINOIS IS STAGNANT ON THE ENTIRE PROCESS.

>> THE MARIJUANA LAW DID OTHER THINGS INCLUDING PAVING THE PATH FOR EXPUNGING CRIMES ASSOCIATED WITH MARIJUANA.

ESSENTIALLY CLEARING THE RECORDS FOR THOSE WHO ARE CONVICTED OF CRIMES DEALING WITH POT THAT WOULD NOW BE LEGAL.

THE COOK COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY SAYS THAT ON FRIDAY SHE WILL PRESENT 214 CANNABIS CASES TO BE EXPUNGED.

KIM FOXX'S OFFICE SAYS IT WILL MAKE IT A TOTAL OF 15,000 EXPUNGED CASES.

SHE SAYS THERE IS STILL ABOUT 600 MORE IN THE SYSTEM BUT THERE IS INSUFFICIENT DATA TO PROCESS THOSE SOME DATING BACK DECADES.

WITH THAT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN LATER IN THE PROGRAM AS WELL WITH THE REST OF OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM.

>> UP NEXT, WHAT A LOCAL DOCTOR THINKS ABOUT THE UPDATED MASK GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT.

STAY WITH US.

YOU MIGHT SAY THERE IS A LITTLE BIT OF MASK CONFUSION GOING ON IN CHICAGO AFTER STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ISSUED MIXED MESSAGING ON WHETHER OR NOT PUBLIC TRANSIT RIDERS HAVE TO CONTINUE WEARING MASKS DESPITE A COURT RULING.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS NO.

PUBLIC TRANSIT USERS IN CHICAGO AND ILLINOIS ARE FREE TO WEAR OR NOT WEAR A MASK AS THEY DESIRE.

EVEN THOUGH COVID CASES HAVE STARTED TO RISE AGAIN.

AND JOINING US NOW IS Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF INFECTION AND PREVENTION CONTROL AT UI MEDICAL.

GOVERNOR J.B. PRITZKER MADE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT LIFTING THE MANDATE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT AGENCIES AFTER THAT FEDERAL COURT RULING.

YOUR REACTION?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S REALLY CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THIS CHANGE IN THE RULING FOR US HERE IN ILLINOIS IS REALLY A LEGAL MATTER AROUND WHAT IS THE FEDERAL CASE HAD DECIDEDDED ON WHAT THE GROUND GOVERNMENT OR THE STATE GOVERNMENT CAN REQUIREMENT AND IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT COVID IS GONE OR THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY.

IT'S REALLY UNFORTUNATELY NOW PUTTING A LOT OF THE OWNERSHIP AND RESPONSIBILITY ON US AS INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT MASKING AND IN SOME PERSONAL ACCOUNTABILITY OVER WHAT WE'RE DOING IF WE HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID AND MAKING SURE WE ARE NOT WORKING OR TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT WHEN WE HAVE SYMPTOMS OF ANY INFECTIOUS DISEASE INTO WHAT IS YOUR GUIDANCE TO FOLKS WHO MIGHT BE VULNERABLE WHO DO RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT OR HAD TRAVEL PLANS AND FLIGHTS ARE NOW WORRIED ABOUT THAT?

>> I THINK THAT IT IS STILL RECOMMENDED THAT YOU WEAR MASKS WHEN YOU ARE IN SETTINGS WHERE IT IS UNCERTAIN.

AND ESPECIALLY TO ASSESS YOUR OWN RISK.

MASKS WORK VERY WELL IN PREVENTING TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19.

FOR THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT PUT THEM AT RISK ASSESS YOUR RISK AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE WEARING A MASK WHEN TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

MAKING SURE YOU ARE WEARING A WELL FITTING MASK AND STAYING AWAY FROM ANYONE THAT MIGHT HAVE A COUGH.

MAKING SURE THAT YOU ARE KEEPING YOUR DISTANCE.

YOU MIGHT EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE COMPROMISED BE THINKING OF THIS IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED OR EVEN IF VACCINATION THERE IS A CHANCE YOU COULD CONTRACT IT ALTHOUGH IT WOULD BE A MUCH MILDER CASE.

SO YOU MIGHT BE THINKING IF I HAVE A BIG TRIP PLANNED I DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY EXPOSURES TO COVID SO I WILL WEAR A MASK.

IF I'M GOING TO GATHER WITH OTHERS THAT ARE VULNERABLE, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I'M WEARING A MASK IN OTHER AREAS LIKE TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT BEFORE I WILL GATHER WITH MY FAMILY.

THOSE ARE DECISIONS THAT YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE AND IT IS STILL RECOMMENDED THAT YOU UTILIZE MASKS TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND TO PROTECT OTHERS.

>> AND PUBLIC TRANSIT AIRPORTS, AIRPLANES WERE THE LAST FRONTIERS WHERE MASKS WERE STILL REQUIRED AS MASK MANDATES HAVE FALLEN AWAY.

HAVE THESE LOCATIONS BEEN SEEN AS SUPER SPREADER AREAS?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY YES.

AS WE HAVE HAD THE REQUIREMENTS MASKING LOOSEN WE'RE SEEING TRANSMISSION.

SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS WHERE SOME AREAS THERE HAS BEEN TRANSMISSION IN SCHOOLS BECAUSE MASKING IS NOT REQUIRED ANYMORE.

AND AS WE ARE GATHERING AT EVENTS WE'RE SEEING TRANSMISSION.

I THINK THE TIMING OF THIS IS DIFFICULT THIS WEEK.

BECAUSE WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF AFTER A RECENT HOLIDAY THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE CELEBRATED THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL HOLIDAYS AND PEOPLE GATHERED.

AND ON TOP OF THIS WE'RE SEEING INCREASES ALREADY LEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE CASES THIS WEEK AND INTO THE NEXT WEEK.

SO THIS IS AGAIN, VERY BAD TILING IN THAT IT'S CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC THAT OK WE DON'T NEED MASKS BUT DOES THAT MEAN IT'S OVER?

AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF INCREASES AND WITH THIS LACK OF REQUIREMENT FOR MASKING PEOPLE MAMIES INTERPRET THAT AS THERE IS NOT A RISK.

BUT A RISK OF BEING AROUND OTHERS UNMASKED IN THE MIDDLE OF INCREASES IS JUST A RISK OF YOU ACQUIRING COVID AND DEPENDING ON YOUR VULNERABILITY COULD LEAD TO HOSPITALIZATION.

>> AND MANY MIGHT WONDER WHETHER THE DECISION TOO LIFT THE MASK MANDATE AND NOT IMPOSE THE RESTRICTIONS HAS POLITICAL OVERTONES.

IN TERMS OF THE SCIENTIFIC DATA IS IT FAIR TO ASSUME THAT HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOT RISING THE WAY THEY DID WITH PREVIOUS RISES IN COVID CASES?

>> NOT YET.

BUT I WOULD SAY WE ARE STILL AT AN EARLY POINT.

THE POSSIBLE ACTIVITY IN CHICAGO DOUBLED LAST WE ARE.

WE ARE 5.8 FOR POSSIBLE ACTIVITY AND IT WAS -- POSITIVITY.

WE ARE NOT AT THE CRITICAL POINT THAT WE WERE.

THE HOSPITALIZATIONS TYPICALLY LAG THE POSITIVITY INCREASES BY TWO-FOUR WEEKS BECAUSE THEY SEE THE INCREASES AND IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE INTO THE ILLNESS BEFORE PEOPLE NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED.

AND THEN JUST LAG THAT FURTHER N DECEMBER WHEN WE WERE IN THE BEGINNING OF THE RECENT OMICRON VARIANT WE HAD THE INCREASES.

BUT THE HOSPITALIZATIONS PEAKED THAT FIRST WEEK IN JANUARY.

SO I THINK WE WOULD ANTICIPATE IF WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE CHANGE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS IT'S LIKELY TO BE AROUND THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY AND SO NO, WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT YET BUT IT'S EARLY.

WE HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE U.K. WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH THEIR RECENT OMICRON VARIANT SURGE AND IT DID NOT GO TO THE SAME LEVEL THAT THE PRIOR ONE DID FROM A POSITIVITY RATE, BUT REPORTEDLY THERE HAD BEEN SIMILAR RATES OF HOSPITALIZATIONS THAT WERE SEEN IN THE PREVIOUS OMICRON VARIANT.

WE NEED TO BE READY THAT THIS MAY IMPACT HOSPITALIZATIONS.

BUT NOT YET.

IT'S TOO EARLY.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING THAT CLOSELY OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

WHAT ABOUT THE SUPPOSED ONSET OF WARMER WEATHER?

WILL THAT PERHAPS DAMPEN SOME OF THIS RISE A LITTLE BIT?

>> HOPEFULLY BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN GATHER OUTSIDE.

THAT IS A MUCH LOWER RISK AND THE OTHER THING THAT MAY DAMPEN THE POTENTIAL HOSPITALIZATIONS IS TREATMENT.

IT'S IMPORTANT IF PEOPLE DO HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT THEY GET TESTED, THAT THEY GET RELIABLY TESTED AND TALK TO A PROVIDER.

VACCINATION IS PRIMARY PREVENTION BUT IF YOU ACQUIRE IT WE HAVE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY THAT CAN HELP HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

HOPEFULLY NOW THAT WE HAVE AN AMPLE SUPPLY OF THOSE, AND THE WARMER WEATHER THAT MAYBE WE WON'T SEE THE SAME IMPACT ON OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS AGAIN.

HOPEFULLY.

>> AND MAYBE THERE IS A HIGHER LEVEL OF IMMUNITY WITH VACCINATION OR PERHAPS WITH FOLKS THAT HAD OMICRON.

Dr. SUSAN BLEASDALE THANK YOU AS ALWAYS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> AND UP NEXT MEET A UKRAINIAN ARTIST WHO IS DOING WHAT SHE CAN TO HELP THE WAR EFFORT IN HER HOME COUNTRY.

SO STAY WITH US.

>> A CHICAGO ARTIST AND TEACHER BORN IN UKRAINE MAKES BOTH TRADITIONAL AND COMMENTARY RATHER PAINT.

SINCE THE WAR BEGAN SHE USED HER ABILITY TO CREATE TO COUNTER FORCES OF DESTRUCTION.

HERE IS MARC VITALI WITH ANOTHER LOOK.

>> MANY IMAGES ARE PAINTED DIRECTLY ON TO GLASS.

IT IS A CUSTOMARY FORM OF UKRAINIAN FOLK PAINTING THAT CELEBRATES HERITAGE AND RELIGIOUS ICONS.

OTHER PAINTINGS ARE MODERN WORKS WITH SPIRITUAL THEMES.

AT THE UKRAINIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF CHICAGO WE MET AN ARTIST ON A MISSION.

>> MY NAME IS ELENA DIADENKO.

I'VE BEEN AN ARTIST ALL MY LIFE.

I STARTED TO PAINT FROM MY CHILDHOOD AND I NEVER STOPPED.

WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL I ALWAYS SAY I WILL BE AN ARTIST.

ARTIST, COLLEGE, MARRIAGE THAT IS WHAT I USED TO SAY WHEN I WAS A KID.

THREE YEARS AGO I PLANNED AN ART SHOW AND COVID STARTED AND WE COULDN'T HAVE A SO.

I WAS PLANNING TO HAVE THE SHOW RIGHT NOW.

AND THE WAR STARTED IN UKRAINE AND AS SOON AS I FOUND OUT ABOUT WAR I WAS THINKING GOD HOW CAN I HELP WHAT CAN I DO?

AND I DECIDED THAT EVERY SINGLE PAINTING FROM THE SHOW THAT I WILL MAKE WILL GO TO HELP WOUNDED SOLDIERS IN UKRAINE.

>> SHE SAYS PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF HER WORK WILL BENEFIT TWO UKRAINIAN VETERANS GROUPS.

THE DAY WE SPOKE ILLINOIS SENATOR DICK DURBIN BOUGHT SEVERAL OF HER PAINTINGS ON GLASS.

ELENA DIADENKO FROM CENTRAL UKRAINE SHE WAS A 20-YEAR-OLD VISITING CHICAGO WHEN UKRAINE GAINED INDEPENDENCE IN 1992.

SHE STAYED HERE AND BECAME A U.S. CITIZEN AND ART TEACHER FOR CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND SHE MADE AN IMPACT.

IN 2004, ELENA DIADENKO WON A GOLDEN APPLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AND STUDIED WITH ED PATIENCE CHICAGO AND NEVER STOPPED PAINTING.

MY ARTWORK HAS DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

I DO HAVE MANY THEMES BECAUSE I THINK IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO BE A MOTHER AND GIVE BIRTH TO A CHILD.

I HAVE MATERNITY SERIES.

SPIRITUALITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

A LOT OF PAINTINGS OF MINE HAVE ANGELS.

AND PEOPLE ASKING FOR HEALING.

OR PEOPLE PRAYING FOR PEACE.

OR PEOPLE PRAYING FOR WHATEVER IS SACRED TO THEM.

AND FOR THE VICTORY OF OUR SOLDIERS, OF COURSE.

>> I CALL UKRAINE DAILY.

I GO ON FACEBOOK AND I CONTACT MY FRIENDS.

WE TEXT OR PHONE CALL AND TODAY IN THE MORNING I TALKED TO MY FRIEND IN McLAYOFF, AND SHE SAYS IT'S SHELLING WE HEAR BOMBS EXPLODING OUTSIDE.

I TOLD HER I HAVE AN INTERVIEW TODAY AND SHE SAY TELL AMERICANS THAT WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

LET THE WHOLE WORLD KNOW ABOUT IT.

UKRAINE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY.

AND KYIV IS INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL CITY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FIELDS OF BEAUTIFUL SUNFLOWERS.

YOU KNOW WHAT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE UNITED STATES FOR ADOPTING ME.

I'M VERY THANKFUL TO THIS COUNTRY FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO FOR UKRAINE AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.

BECAUSE YOU HELP A LOT OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES IN TROUBLE.

>> FOR "CHICAGO TONIGHT" THIS IS MARC VITALI.

>> ELENA DIADENKO TEACHES FINE ARTS AT SCHURZ HIGH SCHOOL.

HER EXHIBITION HAS SINCE CLOSED BUT SHE IS PARTICIPATING IN AN ART SALE IN THE WEST LOOP SATURDAY CALLED CHICAGO ARTISTS FOR UKRAINE.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> STILL TO COME ON "CHICAGO TONIGHT", HOW LOCAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE STATE ARE LOOKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> IT DOES FEEL RUSHED AND RESPONSIVE OR REACTIVE TO WHAT WILLIE WILSON IS DOING.

>> IT MAY HAVE CLEARED THE BUDGET COMMITTEE BUT ALDERPEOPLE EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT'S GAS CARD GIVEAWAY PLAN.

>> WE KNOW WE ARE ESSENTIAL IN ANY CAPACITY, IN ANY ROLE THAT WE PLAY.

>> AND MEET A PAIR OF LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS ON A MISSION TO ADVOCATE FOR BLACK WOMEN THROUGH A LIFESTYLE BRAND.

FIRST, SOME OF TODAY'S TOP STORIES... >> MORE TEACHERS HAVE JOINED THE WORKFORCE IN ILLINOIS THIS PAST YEAR.

MAKING A DENT IN THE STATE'S TEACHER VACANCY RATE.

THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SAYS IT HOS SHOWS 5700 TEACHERS JOINED THIS YEAR ALONE MORE IN A YEAR THAN THE POIF OF PAST FIVE YEARS COMBINED, BRINGING THE RATE TO A LOW OF 1.5%.

FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDING ENACTING A MINIMUM SALARY AND STATE-WIDE INVESTMENTS FUELED TEACHER HIRING ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT SOME VACANCIES REMAIN MANY CONCENTRATED IN UNDERFUNDED SCHOOLS AND THOSE SERVING LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES.

>> THE WILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE, A LAKEFRONT PARK IN WILMETTE AND TWO DOWNTOWN BUILDINGS ARE AMONG THE MOST EVENING DANGERED HISTORIC PLACES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THERE ARE LESS THAN 10 SITES INCLUDED.

THE GROUP SAYS THE CENTURY AND CONSUMERS BUILDING ON SOUTH STATE FACES DEMOLITION BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE WILL COUNTY COURTHOUSE BUILT IN 1969 IS VACANT AND RISKS DEMOLITION.

AND THE 60 ACRE 107-YEAR-OLD PRAIRIE STYLE GILSON PARK COULD LOSE GREENSPACE UNDER DESIGN CHANGES PLANNED BY THE PARK DISTRICT.

ON THE LIST ARE THE EUGENE S. PIKE HOUSE IN CHICAGO AND ELKS LODGE 64 IN ROCKFORD.

THE BULLS ARE HOPING TO BE ON THE REBOUND.

CHICAGO PACE FACE THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS.

THE BULLS DROPPED GAME ONE SUNDAY.

AND HAVE LOST THE LAST FIVE GAMES THEY PLAYED AGAINST THE BUCKS.

AFTER TONIGHT'S GAME THE BULLS WILL RETURN HOME TO THE UNITED CENTER FOR GAMES THREE AND FOUR IN THE SERIES.

TIP-OFF IS AT 8:30.

AND PARIS WE TOSS IT BACK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT AN INCREASE IN MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG YOUTH.

A CRISIS HAS BEEN AGGRAVATED MORE BY THE PANDEMIC.

IN MARCH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION RELEASED A SURVEY SHOWING 4-10 YOUNG PEOPLE FEEL SAD AND HOPELESS AND 1-5 SAY THEY HAVE CONTEMPLATED SUICIDE.

AND JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND THE STATE'S EFFORT TO EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE TO YOWL IN ILLINOIS IS MASHANA SMITH CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST WITH LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

FIRST WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THOSE C.D.C.

FINDINGS?

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE VERY ALARMING.

AND VERY CONCERNING.

HOWEVER AFTER STUDYING THIS AND BEING IMMERSED IN IT SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC, CERTAINLY THINK THERE IS TRUTH TO THE FINDINGS OF THE C.D.C.

WE'VE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS A SIGNIFICANT AND DISTURBING RISE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WHO ARE IN NEED OF MENTAL HEALTHCARE.

MY WORK HAS ALLOWED ME TO YOU HAD IT FROM THE HOSPITAL PERSPECTIVE WE'VE SEEN 50% INCREASE UP TO EIGHT TIMES INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHO ARE BOTH BEING CALLED IN FOR INTAKES AND THOSE ON OUR WAITING LIST.

THE LIST IS VERY, VERY LENGTHY.

OUR WORK THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION LET US KNOW THERE IS A CRISIS AMONG CHILDREN.

AND OBVIOUSLY THAT IS AFFECTING OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

NOT ONLY THE WAY IN WHICH SCHOOLS ARE FEELING STRESS BUT THE WAY IT'S IMPACTING OUR EDUCATORS AS WELL.

YEAH, NOT SURPRISING UNFORTUNATELY THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PANDEMIC HAVE LED TO A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, AND, YES, TO THE C.D.C.

'S POINT SUICIDAL IDEATION.

>> CLEARLY FROM YOUR CLINICAL PERSPECTIVE YOU ARE SEEING THIS PLAY OUT EVERYDAY.

CAN WE DRILL DOWN ON WHY THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED THIS PROBLEM TO THE DEGREE IT HAS?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

IT IS A NUMBER OF REASONS.

ONE IS THE PANDEMIC ITSELF LED TO A LOT OF SOCIAL ISOLATION, LACK OF SOCIAL CONTACT WHICH IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN DEVELOPMENTALLY TO ADVANCE.

WE'RE SEEING FEELINGS OF DEPRESSION AND LONELINESS, SADNESS.

HOPELESSNESS AND A DECREASE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN THE REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE FOR EXAMPLE BUT THERE'S BEEN AN INCREASE IN CHILD ABUSE IN HOMES AND THE CHILDREN AREN'T ABLE TO HAVE THE SAFE HAVENS FOR PEOPLE TO REPORT THAT DANGER THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

THAT MAY BE CONTRIBUTING TO IT AS WELL.

ALSO I MEAN, EVERY SOURCE THAT WE'VE SEEN TALKED ABOUT THE ACT DEM LOSSES THAT OCCURRED AND THAT AFFECTS CHILDREN'S SENSE OF CONFIDENCE AND THE BELIEFS IN THEMSELVES.

THE ACADEMIC LOSS HAS MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTS AS WELL.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS NOT TO MENTION THE WAY IN WHICH THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED ECONOMIC OUTCOMES, JOB AVAILABILITY ALL PLAYED INTO THE STRESS THAT THE FAMILIES ARE EXPERIENCING AND THAT TOO IMPACTS CHILDREN.

>> CERTAINLY SO MANY INTERRELATED PROBLEMS HERE.

TELL US ABOUT THE STATE OF ILLINOIS PROGRAM CALLED REACH THAT THE STATE IS EXPANDING AND HOW THAT PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE TO YOUTH?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HAPPY TO TALK ABOUT REACH.

REACH IS AN INITIATIVE THAT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CENTER FOR CHILDHOOD RESILIENCE AT LURIE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WHERE I AM AND WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO LAUNCH REACH, RESILIENCE, EDUCATION, TO ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALING.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS AN OUT GROWTH OF THE PANDEMIC RECTIFYING THE NEED WE WERE HEARING FROM EDUCATORS ACROSS THE STATE ABOUT THE NEEDS THE CHILDREN WERE PRESENTING DURING THAT TIME WHEN WE WERE HEAVILY REMOTES AS WE TRANSITIONED BACK THE TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CHILDREN.

NOT ONLY ABOUT CHILDREN, BUT THEIR HOME AND THE TOLL IT HAS TAKEN ON EDUCATORS.

REACH IS A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT EDUCATORS AND BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS TRAUMA AND AS WELL AS IS SECOND TRAUMA AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT THE DUGOUTS.

TO PROVIDE THAT FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION AND BEYOND THAT FUNDAMENTAL EDUCATION, TO HELP THEM WITH DIFFERENT STRATEGIES OF PRACTICES THAT CAN BE USEFUL IN SUPPORTING CHILDREN ON MUTUAL TELL LEVELS.

FIRST, CREATE CONCEPTS CULTURE A CLIMATE IN THE SCHOOLS SO THE POLICIES AND PRACTICES ARE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THE EVENTS THE CHILDREN EXPERIENCED.

AND MOVING BEYOND THAT MAKING SURE SUPPORTS ARE IN PLACE FOR STUDENTS.

FOR SCHOOLS WHO DO NOT HAVE THOSE.

THERE ARE INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT KIDS WHO MAY BE IN NEED OF THAT.

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, SUPPORT THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES WHO MAY NEED MORE INTENSIVE SUPPORT OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL AND FORMING THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHETHER THAT BE A LOCAL HOSPITAL OR COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER ET CETERA.

BUT ACROSS THE CONTINUUM MAKING SURE THAT THE SUPPORTS ARE AVAILABLE.

>> AND THIS IS GETTING THE ATTENTION OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NOW.

THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL CALLED INTO A LOCAL EVENT TO TALK ABOUT HIS OWN STRUGGLES WITH MENTAL ILLNESS.

LET'S HEAR A LITTLE BIT FROM THAT.

>> WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL, I STRUGGLED A LOT WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE TO REALLY TALK TO ABOUT IT.

WELL, I DID HAVE PEOPLE.

MY PARENTS CARED DEEPLY ABOUT ME AND MY SISTER DID.

I WAS TOO ASHAMED AND EMBARRASSED TO TALK TO THEM MUCH LESS TALK TO MY TEACHERS OR COUNSELORS IN SCHOOL ABOUT WHAT I WAS STRUGGLING WITH.

>> THERE IS A STIGMA AMONG YOUTH PERHAPS THAT ARE AFRAID TO SEEK HELP AND WHAT THAT THEY THINK THAT MIGHT MEAN FOR THEM.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS THAT PARENTS AND EDUCATORS NEED TO LOOK FOR?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WARNING SIGNS.

THE FIRST WHAT YOU WANT IS A CHANGE.

THE USUAL ACTIVITIES ROUTINES, INTERESTS, THAT YOUR CHILDREN MAY HAVE.

SO IF CHILDREN ARE NO LONGER INTERESTED IN HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS OR BEING A PART OF A CLUB OR DOING THE THINGS THAT THEY USED TO ENJOY, YOU WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO AT THAT TIME.

THAT IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST INDICATORS.

THE OTHER THING IS KEEP IN MIND AND LOOK FOR WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ISOLATING THEMSELVES IN THE FAMILY.

NOT WANTING TO TALK TO ANYONE.

CERTAINLY LOOK FOR SIGNS OF SADNESS.

MAKING SURE THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF HARM.

LIKE CUTTING FOR EXAMPLE OR INJURING ONESELF.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO LOOK FOR.

>> IMPORTANT ISSUE AND WE WILL KEEP FOLLOWING IT.

THANK YOU TO MASHANA SMITH THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> UP NEXT OUR SPOTLIGHT POLITICS TEAM ON CHICAGO'S RACE FOR MAYOR AND MUCH MORE.

BUT FIRST, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER... >> MAYOR LORI LIGHTFOOT MAKES A STRONG PITCH FOR REELECTION BUT DECLINES TO CONFIRM SHE IS RUNNING.

DUELING GAS GIVEAWAYS FROM MAYOR LIGHTFOOT AND WILLIE WILSON RAISE ETHICAL CONCERNS AND BIG MONEY STARTS TO FLOW IN STATE RACES.

THAT AND MORE IN SPOTLIGHT POLITICS POLITICS.

WELCOME BACK AMANDA VINICKY HEATHER CHERONE AND PARIS SCHUTZ.

MAYOR LIGHTFOOT WAS AT THE CITY CLUB OF CHICAGO YESTERDAY AND HAS NOT OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED SHE IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

>> 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 WHO CAME TODAY EXPECTING A DIFFERENT ANNOUNCEMENT NOT TODAY, BUT SOON.

BE PATIENT.

THANK YOU ALL.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND OH, BY THE WAY, IT'S HARD TO BE PATIENT WHY IS SHE BEING COY ABOUT THIS?

>> SHE WANTS TO MAKE THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AT A TIME AND PLACE IN A WAY OF HER CHOOSING.

AND, OF COURSE, THAT IS HER RIGHT.

BUT IT IS LITERALLY THE WORST KEPT SECRET IN CHICAGO.

WHAT WE HEARD IN THAT CITY CLUB SPEECH WAS 45 MINUTES OF MAYOR LIGHTFOOT MAKING THE CASE THAT SHE HAS LED CHICAGO THROUGH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THAT CHICAGO'S BEST DAYS ARE AHEAD OF IT AND THAT SHE IS GOING TO RECLAIM THE CITY'S NARRATIVE AND TELL A STORY OF ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN CHICAGO AND OH, BY THE WAY, WE'RE WORKING ON CRIME AND PUBLIC SAFETY AND THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.

AND THAT IS GOING TO BE THE GROUNDS THAT THE 2023 MAYORAL ELECTION IS FOUGHT ON FOR GOOD OR FOR ILL. AND IT IS JUST ABOUT 10 MONTHS AWAY.

>> RIGHT.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO BELIEVES SHE IS NOT RUNNING FOR MAYOR?

PARIS, SHE SOUNDED LIKE A POLITICIAN WHO IS RUNNING MAKING THE CASE AND STANDING ON HER RECORD.

AND WE KNOW INCUMBENTS TYPICALLY HAVE THE ADVANTAGE IN RACES LIKE THIS.

BUT AS HEATHER SAID, THIS IS HER STRONGEST PITCH TO VOTERS RUNNING ON WHAT SHE HAS DONE?

>> YES, THAT WILL BE THE PITCH SHE MAKES.

SHE IS THE MAYOR THAT GUIDED THE CITY THROUGH COVID AND A YET TO BE SEEN REBUST ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

CORPORATIONS ARE STARTING TO RELOCATE TO CHICAGO AT THE SAME RATE THEY HAVE.

NUMBER ONE CITY IN THE COUNTRY FOR CORPORATE RELOCATIONS.

SHE WILL MAKE THE CASE THAT SHE AS MAYOR HAS MADE MASSIVE PUBLIC INVESTMENTS IN SOUTH AND WEST SIDE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED.

AND SAID THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IS GOING TO BE SO GOOD THERE MIGHT BE A BUDGET SURPLUS NEXT YEAR.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO TAKE WITH SKEPTICISM GIVEN CHICAGO'S DEBT POSITION, THE DEBT IT'S COMPILED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES AND THE BEREAVED SITUATION OF ITS PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEM.

TO SAY THAT CHICAGO'S FISCAL SITUATION IS IN POSITIVE TERRITORY AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A SURPLUS THAT IS HARD TO BELIEVE.

AGAIN, THE INCUMBENT DOES HAVE THE POWER OF INCUMBANSY AND THERE IS A CASE TO BE MADE ABOUT CHICAGO'S ECONOMIC SITUATION BUT THAT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE IS GOING TO BE A ROAD BUMP.

>> OF THE DECLARED CANDIDATES, HEATHER WHO SHOULD LIGHTFOOT'S CAMPAIGN TEAM BE MOST WORRIED ABOUT IS IT WILLIE WILSON BECAUSE OF HIS MONEY OR SOMEBODY WHO HAS NOT DECLARED YET?

>> I THINK THAT IS RIGHT.

I THINK EVERYBODY IS WAITING TO SEE IF SOMEBODY LIKE U.S. REP MIKE QUIGLEY GETS INTO THE RACE OR SOMEBODY WHO CAN RAISE LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FROM CHICAGO'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT AS PARIS SAID THAT THE PITCH THAT LIGHTFOOT WAS MAKING WAS TO A ROOM PACKED FULL OF CHICAGO'S BUSINESS AND NONPROFIT LEADERS SAYING CHICAGO WAS A GREAT PLACE TO INVEST, A GREAT PLACE TO START A BUSINESS AND THAT GOES TO THE HEART OF THE CRITICISM SHE HAS FACED AFTER LEADING THE CITY THROUGH THREE VERY DIFFICULT YEARS OF UNREST AND SOARING CRIME AND PANDEMIC.

SO YOU KNOW, NOBODY THINKS THE FIELD IS SET YET.

BUT TIME IS TICKING FOR PEOPLE TO FISH OR CUT BAIT.

>> AMANDA, HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE CANDIDATES' OWN BRANDS AND IMAGE HERE TAKE THINKING OF LIGHTFOOT VERSUS WILLIE WILSON'S?

>> I MEAN, WILLIE WILSON IS CERTAINLY SOMEBODY WHO I THINK IS KNOWN TO ANYBODY WHO HAS PERHAPS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF HIS GAS GIVEAWAYS AND HIS CASH GIVEAWAYS.

I THINK THERE WILL BE SOME VOTERS WHO ARE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THOSE HANDOUTS.

WILSON WILL TELL YOU HE'S GIVEN A LOT TO CHARITY IN THE PAST.

IT'S INTERESTING YOU LOOK AT PERSONALITIES LIGHTFOOT SAYS SHE IS HARD CHARGING YOU HEARD HER STATEMENTS AT THE TOP, THAT SHE IS SORT OF SOMETHING ABOUT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER I DON'T THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THOSE WITH WORK WITH HER WOULD AGREE WITH.

THEN AGAIN YOU'VE HAD HARD CHARGING MAYORS AND IT WAS SEEN AS A SIGN OF RESPECT SOMEBODY SUCH AS RAHM EMANUEL.

IT WILL DEPEND WHO ELSE GETS INTO THE FIELD AND THAT IS SOMEWHERE THE DOLLARS R DOLLARS FLOW AND THAT WILL BE PART OF THIS AS WELL.

>> AS WE HEARD, MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S PLAN TO USE $12 MILLION IN CITY FUNDS TO GIVEAWAY PREPAID GAS CARDS ADVANCED FROM THE BUDGET COMMITTEE BUT THE VOTE WAS CLOSE AND THERE IS A LOT OF OPPOSITION.

HERE IS WHAT ALDERMAN ANDRE VASQUEZ HAD TO SAY.

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT I WILL WILLIE WILSON IS DOING AND WHAT THE CITY IS DOING, WILLIE WILSON IT'S COMING OUT WITH HIS OWN MONEY.

WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED HERE IS SPENDING THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO DO THE SAME.

I WILL NOT BE IN SUPPORT OF THIS.

>> OF COURSE THERE'S THE GAS CARDS THEY HAVE THE MAYOR'S NAME ON THEM.

PARIS IS THERE A HISTORY OF MAYORS PUTTING THEIR NAMES ON THINGS?

>> CHICAGO IS KNOWN FOR THE MAYOR'S NAME ON THINGS WHO CAN FORGET DRIVING FROM O'HARE SEEING WELCOME TO CHICAGO, RICHARD M. DALEY MAYOR.

OR DRIVING ON THE TOLLWAY, OPEN ROAD TOLLING, ROB BLAGOJEVICH GOVERNOR.

AND MAYOR DALEY'S GRAFFITI BLASTERS.

THE VEHICLES THAT WENT AROUND AND BLASTED GRAFFITI.

AND MOST PERTINENT TO THIS THE FIRST ROUND OF STIMULUS CHECKS, WAS SIGNED BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

POLITICIANS LOVE TO PUT THEIR NAME ON THINGS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT INVOLVES CASH GOING INTO PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

>> THEY WANT THE VOTERS TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM KIND OF.

WE HEARD ISSUES RAISED BY THE MAYOR LIGHTFOOT'S PROPOSED GIVEAWAY, CANDIDATE WILLIE WILSON IS HE IS GIVING AWAY ANOTHER $1 MILLION IN GAS ON SATURDAY.

DOES THIS RAISE ANY ETHICAL ISSUES FOR HIM?

OR DOES HE GET A PASS BECAUSE HE HAS DONE THIS IN THE PAST?

>> WELL, ETHICAL ISSUES MAY BE BUT IT IS UNLIKELY HE WOULD FACE SANCTIONS FROM THE ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

IF YOU CAST YOUR MEMORY BACK TO 2018, HE CAMPAIGNED ALONGSIDE FORMER GOVERNOR BRUCE RAUNER AND HANDED OUT CASH TO PEOPLE.

A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THAT PRACTICE AND ULTIMATELY, A DECISION WAS REACHED THAT BECAUSE WILLIE WILSON HAS SUCH A LONG HISTORY OF PHILANTHROPIC GIVING AND THERE WAS NO VOTE FOR ME OR I WILL NOT GIVE YOU THIS CASH THAT IT WAS CLEAR.

BUT IT IS A QUESTION HE IS GOING TO GET A LOT ESPECIALLY IF HE CONTINUES TO DO THE GIVEAWAYS AS WE GET INTO THE THICK OF ELECTION SEASON.

BECAUSE, OF COURSE, IS IT MAYBE A LITTLE BIT STRANGE TO GET YOUR GAS TAX GAS TANKS FILLED UP BY THE NEXT MAYOR OF CHICAGO?

UNCHARTERED TERRITORY.

>> SOME FOLKS MIGHT BE GETTING THEIR GAS TANKS FILLED UP BY THE CURRENT MAYOR OF CHICAGO.

>> AND WE'RE SEEING MONEY FLOW IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> I MEAN, BY THE WAY, MONEY FLOWING AS WELL FROM THE STATE TAXPAYER DOLLARS BACK TO TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT WILL BE CREDITED TO THOSE LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNOR AS WELL, IN HOPES OF GETTING TAX REBATE CHECKS AND SIGNED BY SOMEBODY WHO IS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER RUNNING FOR REELECTION SO IT'S EVERY WE EVERYWHERE.

THIS IS CAMPAIGN WE SEE MOVEMENT FIRST OF ALL RIGHT NOW, IF YOU TURNED ON YOUR TV TO ANYTHING BUT WTTW YOU HAVE SEEN AN AD FOR EITHER RICHARD IRVIN OR J.B. PRITZKER THEY ARE THE SPENDERS AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

SPENDING I BELIEVE IT WAS ABOUT $10 MILLION SO FAR.

SO FAR.

AND WE STILL HAVE QUITE A WAYS AWAY.

BY THE WAY IT IS NOT JUST THEM.

MORE MONEY PUMPING IN FROM DICK USE LINE, YOU KNOW THE PRODUCTS USE LYNN UIHLEIN, GOING IN FOR ANOTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE AND THAT IS DARREN BAILEY.

BY THE WAY, ALSO SORT OF A BLAST FROM THE PAST, DAN FROST WHO CLOSED DOWN HIS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE'S PREVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE BEEN FUNDED BY UIHLEIN.

NOW CROFT IS BACK HE HAS A PACT AND AIRING COMMERCIALS GOING UP AGAINST IRVIN.

YOU ARE SEEING THE G.O.P.

BATTLE IT OUT.

>> AND HE HAS A RADIO SHOW EVERY MORNING.

I WANT TO BRING UP A TIDBIT ABOUT THAT.

WE SAW A THOUSAND DOLLARS FROM COLONEL JENNIFER PRITZKER NOT TO J.B. PRITZKER BUT TO RICHARD IRVIN.

COLONEL PRITZKER DID SPEND MILLIONS IN TRYING TO DEFEAT GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S GRADUATED INCOME TAX PROPOSAL IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE MAYBE A FAMILY FEUD THERE A LITTLE BIT ALTHOUGH ONE R 1,000 FROM A PRITZKER IS NOT EVEN THE EQUIVALENT OF THE PENNY THAT YOU FIND IN THE COUCH.

>> AMANDA THE STATE'S RICHEST MAN KEN GRIFFIN HE IS GETTING INVOLVED IN THE JUDICIAL RACES AND DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO LIMIT HIS INFLUENCE.

WHAT IS GOING ON THERE?

>> SO THIS IS WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT GOING ON IN THE JUDICIAL BRANCH PARTICULARLY FOR ILLINOIS STATE SUPREME COURT SEATS.

BECAUSE IT'S OFTEN SORT OF THE FORGOTTEN BRANCH OF THE THREE LEGGED GOVERNMENT.

BUT REALLY IMPORTANT THERE.

THE MAJORITY OF THE STATE'S HIGH COURT IS UP FOR GRABS.

YOU SAW AT THE END AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS 3:00 A.M., 4:00 A.M., 5:00 A.M. ON THE FINAL DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION OR WHAT.

BUT DEMOCRATS PASSING A MEASURE THAT LIMITS THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT CAN BE PUT INTO SOME OF THE PACKS INCLUDING ONE THAT YOU SAW KEN GRIFFIN LAST WEEK GAVE $10 MILLION TO 11 MILLION DOLLARS TO AND THAT IS THE CAMPAIGN FOR ENGLISH R JUDICIAL FAIRNESS WHICH HAS BEEN OUT IN FRONT ALREADY TRYING TO MAKE THE CASE FOR REPUBLICANS RUNNING FOR STATE SUPREME COURT.

AND I ASSUME GET THAT MONEY IN UNDER THE WIRE BEFORE ANY REAL ACTION THAT CAN TAKE THAT WOULD LIMIT FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS.

>> FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NOT BE FILING FEDERAL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER POLICE OFFICER JASON VAN DYKE IN THE KILLING OF LAQUAN McDONALD BACK IN 2014.

PARIS, WAS THIS A SURPRISE?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK IT WAS A SURPRISE DECISION.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID THIS IS A CIVIL RIGHTS INDICATES.

THEY WOULD HAVE HAD TO PROVE BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT THAT VAN DYKE WENT OUT THAT NIGHT WITH THE INTENTION TO MURDER LAQUAN McDONALD.

AND IT WASN'T JUST BAD POLICING OR HE GOT AFRAID OR SOMETHING AND THAT WOULD REQUIRE GETTING INTO VAN DYKE'S HEAD.

THEY ACKNOWLEDGED IT'S SOMETHING THEY WERE LIKELY TO LOSE.

IT WAS SUCH A HIGH BAR SET AND GIVEN THE SENSITIVITY THEY TALKED TO MCDONALD'S FAMILY AND THEY AGREED AND WAS OK WITH THIS DECISION.

>> U.S. ATTORNEY JOHN LAUSCH SAID THAT MCDONALD'S FAMILY THEY WERE IN AGREEMENT NOT TO PURSUE A SECOND PROSECUTION.

BOBBY RUSH ISSUED A SEPARATE STATEMENT SAYING THAT THE FAMILY HAD NOT HEARD FROM JOHN LAUSCH.

AS YOU SAID, IT WOULD BE A HIGH BAR FOR PROSECUTORS TO GET THAT SECOND PROSECUTION.

DOES THIS MEAN THIS IS THE END OF IT AS FAR AS ANY OTHER CHARGES FOR VAN DYKE?

>> YES, I THINK THIS DOES CLOSE THE BOOK ON THIS CHAPTER OF THE LAQUAN McDONALD CASE.

OF COURSE, THE CITY STILL ATTEMPTING TO REFORM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE DISCOVERED THROUGH A 2017 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INVESTIGATION PROMPTED BY LAQUAN McDONALD'S MURDER AND THE RAMIFICATIONS CONTINUE TO REVERB GREAT TODAY AND WE SAW FORMER MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL FACE HARD QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS HANDLING IT DURING THE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS AS AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN.

>> SO FORMER ALDERMAN DANNY SOLIS' BRIBERY TRIAL CAME TO ANN ABRUPT HALT AFTER ATTORNEYS FOR THE CITY WANTS TO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD CLAIMING THE CITY WAS ALSO A VICTIM OF HIS CRIMES.

THIS SEEMED TO COME OUT OF LEFT FIELD.

THERE'S BEEN NEW DEVELOPMENTS.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

INTEREST WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ARGUEMENTS THE CITY IS GOING TO MAKE.

THEY HAD UNTIL TODAY TO FILE THE CASE WITH THE JUDGE WE ARE NOT SEEM THAT YET AND I WAS UNABLE TO GET A RESPONSE FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE BUT WE DID HEAR FROM BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ WHO REPLACED SOLIS AND HE ASKED THE JUDGE TO HOLD SOLIS ACCOUNTABLE SAYING HIS CORRUPTION CAUSED QUOTE GENERATIONAL HARM IN PILSEN AND ON THE NEAR WEST SIDE.

HE HOLDS SOLIS RESPONSIBLE FOR LEADING TO THE DISPLACEMENT OF 1,000 MEXICAN AMERICANS PUSHED OUT OF THEIR HOMES AS THAT REAL ESTATE MARKET TOOK OFF WITH GENTRIFICATION HE WAS WITH SOLIS' SUPPORT OF THOSE CHANGES MANY AND HE HAD ALMOST TOTAL CONTROL OVER THAT NOT ONLY AS THE ALDERMAN OF THE 25TH WARD AND CHAIR OF THE ZONING COMMITTEE WHICH MEANT THAT WHAT HE SAID WENT AND ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ SAYS THAT IS WHERE THAT HARM CAME FROM.

>> AND WE HAD ALDERMAN BYRON SIGCHO-LOPEZ ON THE SHOW LAST NIGHT.

HEATHER QUICK BACK STORY ON DANNY SOLIS AND WHAT HIS STATUS IS.

>> HE PLED NOT GUILTY BUT IS ALREADY ADMITTED HE TOOK A BRIBE FROM A COMPANY THAT HAD BUSINESS PENDING BEFORE THE ZONING COMMITTEE.

HE IS UNLIKELY TO SPEND A DAY IN JAIL BECAUSE HE WORE A WIRE IN THE FEBRUARY PROBES OF FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER MICHAEL MADIGAN AND ALDERMAN ED BURKE.

WE'LL LEARN MORE TOMORROW AFTERNOON IN COURT.

>> I KNOW YOU WILL BE WATCH TO GO FOR US.

HEATHER CHERONE, AMANDA VINICKY AND PARIS SCHUTZ THANKS, EVERYBODY.

UP NEXT MEET A PAIR OF LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE BRAND AIMED AT SUPPORTING BLACK WOMEN.

[♪♪♪] >> IT IS ORIGINALLY STARTED AS A PASSION PROJECT IN AN EFFORT TO PAY HOMAGE TO BREONNA TAYLOR.

A PAIR OF FRIENDS AND BUSINESS WOMEN CREATED 50 KITS TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT BLACK WOMEN ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN CHICAGO.

TWO YEARS LATER IT IS A MOVEMENT THAT EXPANDED BEYOND THE T-SHIRT IT STARTED WITH.

ANGEL IDOWU INTRODUCING FERS US TO THE CREATOR OF BLACK WOMEN ARE ESSENTIAL AND WHY THEIR BRAND IS A LIFESTYLE.

>> MEET CHELSEY CARTER AND ESSENCE SMITH.

CREATORS OF BLACK WOMEN ARE ESSENTIAL.

>> WE KNOW AS BLACK WOMEN BEING BIRTHED FROM BLACK WOMEN, HAVING BLACK WOMEN THAT ARE FRIENDS WE KNOW WE ARE ESSENTIAL IN ANY CAPACITY IN ANY ROLE THAT WE PLAY.

>> IT IS A LIFESTYLE BRAND COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING UPLIFTING AND PROMOTING BLACK WOMEN IN THE HIGHEST LIGHT.

A DUTY THEY SAY IS IMPERATIVE.

>> WHAT DOES BLACK WOMEN ARE ESSENTIAL MEAN?

>> YOU CAN SEE WITHIN OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, CRIMINAL JUSTICE, BLACK WOMEN ARE UNDERREPRESENTED.

WE ARE DISRESPECTED.

WE'RE NOT VALUED.

AND AGAINST ALL OF THOSE ODDS WE STILL RISE.

WE STILL RISE.

WE STILL SHOW UP FOR ONE ANOTHER.

WE ARE THE PILLARS FOR A LOT OF CULTURAL SHIFTS, MOVEMENTS.

WE HOLD THE WEIGHT OF OTHERS ON OUR BACKS WHILE MAKING IT LOOK EASY.

WE WEAR MULTIPLE HATS I COULD GO ON AND ON WHY AND HOW BLACK WOMEN ARE ESSENTIAL.

>> ITEMS WE PROVIDE COME FROM WHAT WE WANT TO OWN WITH THE MESSAGING.

WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY CULTIVATED A MOVEMENT AROUND THIS.

SO WE WANT TO NOW GO INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES WITH IT.

AND WE WANT TO DRESS THEIR BODIES.

>> THE BRAND CURRENTLY OFFERS A RANGE OF T-SHIRTS, SWEATSHIRTS AND A NEW HOME COLLECTION CONSISTENTING OF JOURNALS, BLANKETS, CANDLES AND MORE.

BUT THEY ARE NOT STOPPING THERE.

THEY WANT TO CREATE A SISTERHOOD THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THEIR OWN RELATIONSHIP.

>> WE KEEP EACH OTHER ON OUR TOES.

I HAVE TO SAY THAT BUT ALSO WE BOTH ARE WOMEN OF FAITH.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T WANT TO SAY YOU CANNOT ALWAYS FIND THAT.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT I BELIEVE DEFINITELY HAS VALUES TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO FUNNEL SOME SORT OF DONATION ELEMENT AND BE ABLE TO THEN PROVIDE AND POUR IT BACK INTO YOUNG WOMEN AND YOUNG GIRLS.

>> THE BRAND IS NOT LIMITED TO THE SISTERHOOD THEY ARE CREATING BUT FOR EVERYONE.

>> OUR BRAND IS ADVOCATING FOR BLACK WOMEN.

AND ALL THAT ALIGNS WITH THAT MESSAGING.

SO WHATEVER COLOR, WHATEVER ORIENTATION IF YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF OUR MOVEMENT, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO BUY.

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

>> AND YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON BLACK WOMEN ARE ESSENTIAL.

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 WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

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AND PLEASE JOIN US TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 7:00 P.M. NOW FOR ALL OF US HERE AT "CHICAGO TONIGHT" I'M PARIS SCHUTZ.

>> I'M BRANDIS FRIEDMAN.

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STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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